Winter/Audax/light touring bike

[slogfester]

Looks like I'll be on the UK for winter so need a suitable bike, plus something I can do audax and fast light touring on.
Very very happy with my Van Nicholas Pioneer (heavy duty touring), so top candidate for new bike would be a VN Yukon. But I'm all ears on other suggestions as I am woefully out of touch with what is available.

A few Qs on the Yukon:

- will they take 28mm tyres?
- can you fit full mud guards? Not those mud scrapper plastic things.
- is it possible to buy them without wheels? (I have some kyserium SLs sitting doing nothing)
- how is the handling with rack and light panniers on the back?
- any tips for sizing? Big/small than usual sizes?

will I be able to keep up with the A run


Thanks

[Philip Whiteman]

Looks like I'll be on the UK for winter

- will they take 28mm tyres?
- can you fit full mud guards? Not those mud scrapper plastic things.
- is it possible to buy them without wheels? (I have some kyserium SLs sitting doing nothing)
- how is the handling with rack and light panniers on the back?
- any tips for sizing? Big/small than usual sizes?
will I be able to keep up with the A run

- Yes
- Yes
- Yes, I fitted 28s to my SLs
- With my rack I have not suffered any noticeable problems.
- Sizing - don't know. I have a very light weight rack for audaxing.
- A run, I doubt it!

[Philip Whiteman]

EDIT THE ABOVE

I was talking nonsense.

My fat tyres were 25C. So, I will fit Lisa's 28s into my frame this evening. I believe the Yukons are designed with 28s in mind.

[Clive]

I'm still looking forward to my next bike and have compared both the VN Amazon and the Yukon.

It is possible to have fitted from new 28 tyres and full mudguards on the Yukon.

The amazon, the next model up, weights about 1.3kg more and has a greater wheel clearance so will take> 28 tyres and also has options for hydraulic rim or disc brakes which the Yukon does not.

The is the option of an alloy instead of carbon front fork on the Yukon, but not on the Amazon. weights 90g more that's all.

I have emailed VN a few times with questions about their models and they seem very helpful and accommodating, and I'm sure they would supply a bike without wheels if that's what you wanted. They will supply just a frame too.

[Philip Whiteman]

Thanks Clive. You have saved me a job in the garden shed placing Lisa's touring wheels on my Yukon.

[Clive]

No worries

I like the look of the VN bikes, and particularly the Amazon and the Yukon. Unfortunately, neither ticks every box. I would like the option of disc brakes (Amazon only) and also an alloy fork instead of a carbon one (Yukon only)

Maybe I could be persuaded that a carbon fork is ok for an audax bike, and would stand the constant rigours of UK roads and potholed lanes.

[slogfester]

Clive- I'm a bit confused now (doesn't take a lot! ), does the Yukon come with carbon or alloy fork?

What width tyres are most members using in the winter? 23, 25, 28 mm?

Thanks

[Philip Whiteman]

Carbon Forks with mine although you can specify Ti from Van Nick. In winter I use 25s.

[Clive]

The Yukon comes with an option for either carbon or alloy forks. The polished alloy audax one is 70g heavier and 41 Euros cheaper.

The Amazon has carbon forks, and as far as I can tell from the VN website no option for alloy.

I like the look of both, but would be more inclined towards the Amazon I think because it has options for hydraulic or mechanic disc brakes, and hydraulic rim brakes. Would be good if an alloy fork was an option on the amazon though.

I use 700 x 25 tyres all the year round, very happy with Continental Gator Hardshell's at the moment.