About Touring / Audax Bikes

Audax Bikes - The most famous Audax ride is the Paris Brest Paris at 1200 km. But you don’t have to attempt to a ride that long to enjoy the benefits that this style of bike can bring. Audax bikes normally have a slightly relaxed geometry which make them suitable for either light touring, sportives or leisure road riding. Most Audax bikes have the capacity to mount a rear pannier rack, and some also boast front rack fittings also. Popular frame materials are steel, Titanium and Aluminium and most come with either a carbon or steel fork. Normally they use a standard deep drop road calliper brake which can allow up to a 28 mm tyre to be fitted with guards (this can vary according to the manufacturer) Touring Bikes - Touring bikes differ from Audax bikes in that they are capable of taking everything needed for a long haul trip. A change in the frames geometry is focussed towards the bike being laden up with both front and rear luggage. When not touring these make great leisure machines and are more than capable of rides upon canal paths and wide forest routes. Touring bikes (depending on manufacturer) can come with a host of braze on's, three sets of bottle mounts are common along with, pump pegs and front rack mounts. In this area steel is king from a frame material point of view, but slowly we are seeing titanium emerge as a luxury option. Braking is normally taken care of by either a cantilever brakes or V-brakes. Tyre width can vary, but 35 mm tyres with guards are a common place.