What Bike

favershamaddick

Sorry to all you non cyclists and I know this subject has risen it's head before.
Next year to celebrate my 50th I shall be riding (for charity) from Cape Wrath (British mainlands most North Westerly point) to Dover, it's the opposite diagonal from the more famous Lands End/ John O"Groats.

I am a keen mountain biker but I am not a road cyclist, I shall be doing the 800 miles over 8 days and obviously I need to purchase a bike that is suitable.

I want and drop handle bar road bike and although I will be supported by my wife in the car, she will be driving off to the next staging point each morning, consequently I will need to carry spare tubes, tools, first aid kit, change of cycling wear, food etc etc, I don't want to use panniers but just a saddle bag.

I have been thinking of going for an audax tourer as I feel this will be more comfortable for the 100 mile ride each day or maybe a sportive but I don't want an out and out racer. I have a budget of £1500.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Absurdistan

I'd go with a hybrid mountain road bike. Can't go wrong with Trek or Specialized.
I'm sure you won't need to pay 1500. I would look on fleabay for the bike. Lots of enthusiasts are always selling great kit because they want a new toy.
Might want to spend some of the saving on some good tyres and a comfortable seat.

JohnBoyUK

Tbh, I'd go with a carbon road bike, especially if the missus is carrying your stuff for you. For that budget, you wouldnt go far wrong with a boardman which normally comes top of budget road bikes, then you'll have enough for decent kit.

I've done London to Paris this year and done a 150 mile ride on my Cube carbon bike and had no comfort issues.

As long as you have the correct saddle for your sit bones (your local bike shop will measure your butt for you and recommend you one), any bike should do you fine. Decent bib shorts along with some chamois cream will do wonders.

You say you dont want an all out racer, have a look at the Specializes Roubaix, a road bike with relaxed geometry, may suit your needs.

JohnBoyUK

Oh and if you want some company for the last leg to Dover, sure they'll be more than a few willing to ride down with you :-)

simples101

Cannondale synapse, nice laid back geometry for doing plenty of comfortable miles - well as comfortable as 100 miles a day can be!...

favershamaddick

Thanks JohnBoy, I've not looked at the Specialized yet and the offer of company on the last leg is very much appreciated.

Simples: I do like the Cannondale bikes, my local bike shop in Faversham is a Cannondale stockist, initially I was thinking about the CAAD10 which gets great reviews but it's more of a racer as opposed to tourer, I've looked at the Synapse and I like that too.

Another bike shop I use (Downland Cycles) in Canterbury will build me a bike, they fit the bike to you using a jig and computers, the frame is £499 then obviously the total price is dependent on the spec you choose but a bike with a decent spec and using the frame quoted is about £1200.

It's one of those things where the more you read the more confused you get.

Leroy Ambrose

I'm doing London to Paris in 24 hours next year. Probably should upgrade my £120 Decathlon bike that won't change gears without the chain falling off (did a 50mile charity ride the other day and had to do it all in first gear - was like doing it on a bmx).
I'm not spending more than a grand on a new bike - reckon I can get something decent for that.

carly burn

I've got the cycling bug lately.Looking to upgrade my mountain bike to a road bike in the next month or so.Got 600-800 sqiuds.
Can't make my mind up though.Looked at Cubes,Specialized,cannondales,Boardmans. Recently heard some good things about this little number:

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/sensa-bikes/sensa-romagna-special-2013.html

Help

Clem_Snide

carly burn said:

I've got the cycling bug lately.Looking to upgrade my mountain bike to a road bike in the next month or so.Got 600-800 sqiuds.
Can't make my mind up though.Looked at Cubes,Specialized,cannondales,Boardmans. Recently heard some good things about this little number:

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/sensa-bikes/sensa-romagna-special-2013.html

Help

Looks good. But to get a Shimano 105 groupset on a £750 bike they must have cut costs elsewhere. Wouldn't go down that route without a test ride.

I have one of these and love it:

http://www.stif.co.uk/mtb/product/cube-peloton-pro-bike-2012/10726

They are now discounted by 200 quid down to around 750. The only issue with Cube's is the fact that they look so good - they draw attention and you can't leave them anywhere.

The 2013 cube range is out and they look very nice.

simples101

Had a Synapse for a couple if years now, and would certainly recommend one. Ribble and Canyon also have some good deals if you're comfortable ordering online? Although, the after sales service from a local bike ship is always valuable even if you can buy a similar cheaper bike online.

Addickted4life

JohnBoyUK said:

Tbh, I'd go with a carbon road bike, especially if the missus is carrying your stuff for you. For that budget, you wouldnt go far wrong with a boardman which normally comes top of budget road bikes, then you'll have enough for decent kit.

I've done London to Paris this year and done a 150 mile ride on my Cube carbon bike and had no comfort issues.

As long as you have the correct saddle for your sit bones (your local bike shop will measure your butt for you and recommend you one), any bike should do you fine. Decent bib shorts along with some chamois cream will do wonders.

You say you dont want an all out racer, have a look at the Specializes Roubaix, a road bike with relaxed geometry, may suit your needs.

THIS. If you can afford Carbon go for it, I can't so I've only got an Aluminium frame (doesn't stop me from going like a bat out of hell though) but I would love a carbon one, I'm hoping my parents can get me one for Christmas.

I've still got my Specialized allez 2012 with a 56 inch frame which is still going beautifully as I did 30 miles in one hour and 40 mins on Wednesday which is an average speed of 18 mph which I'm very pleased with. I've just started going out with the Dulwich Paragons which is going well as well.

Good luck by the way @favershamaddick your going to need it!!!!!!!

AppyAddick

simples101 said:

Cannondale synapse, nice laid back geometry for doing plenty of comfortable miles - well as comfortable as 100 miles a day can be!...

Agreed i love mine!

eaststandmike

Are you going to be able to carry that amount of kit in a saddle bag?

I ride a Giant Defy road bike and I can just about squeeze a Co2 inflator, spare tube, tyre levers and a multi tool into a small bag that sits under my very narrow saddle.

If you are looking to carry all of the above plus a first aid kit and spare clothes you are going to have one hell of a saddlebag hanging off the back.

JohnBoyUK

Saddlebags are against the rules

eaststandmike

Nice one JohnBoyUK, not sure if you look but http://bigringriding.com/ is worth a read, just click on the archive tab at the top of the home page and go from there.

JohnBoyUK

eaststandmike said:

Nice one JohnBoyUK, not sure if you look but http://bigringriding.com/ is worth a read, just click on the archive tab at the top of the home page and go from there.

The rules always make me smile.
I think I break every single one of them tbh. The only ones I abide by a #5 and #9.

favershamaddick

Thanks everyone for the input, I am having a Specialized Roubaix 2013 for a demo weekend at the start of November. Your right EastStand that's why I'm leaning at the moment to more of an Audax set up and also I think I will get more use out of an Audax than I would say a conventional road bike after I've completed the Cape Wrath/Dover ride. I'm an avid moutain bike rider but want to do more road riding. I've been in contact with a guy in Rochester (Villiers Velo) who builds bikes, including the frame, he does also supply framesets that he hasn't personally made, he will set up a bike pretty much how I want it, not sure what the prices are at the moment, they maybe over my budget but he said that I might be pleasently surprised, we will see.

Medders

I like this Boardman. A cyclocross so it has the dropped handlebars but also levels on the top of the bar. Apparently has fittings in place for luggage. Gets good reviews. Only downside is it can only be bought from Halfords. Can get it boxed though and get a specialist shop to assemble if you're not confident in doing it yourself

halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_777731_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

JohnBoyUK

Medders said:

I like this Boardman. A cyclocross so it has the dropped handlebars but also levels on the top of the bar. Apparently has fittings in place for luggage. Gets good reviews. Only downside is it can only be bought from Halfords. Can get it boxed though and get a specialist shop to assemble if you're not confident in doing it yourself

halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_777731_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

I've been looking at Cyclocross bikes last couple of weeks and the Boardman is cracking VFM. Am very tempted to get one myself. Brilliant compromise of road riding and being able to take it off-road on canal paths, dirt tracks and the like. Could never go back to riding a flat-handlebar bike now after riding road bikes for the last 2 years. Whack on some 28mm tyres and mudguards and it'll pretty much cope with anything you can throw at it.

As you rightly say, with the only supplier being Halfords, it would need a full strip down and rebuild as soon as you get it home though lol.

Medders

Does look very good. If you're yet to see one in the flesh, they have one built in Halfords at Aylesford. Or at least they 10 days ago.

I'd be very tempted to just ask for it in the box mate, untouched by the monkeys in halfords!

Leroy Ambrose

Just bought this: http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m14b280s6p9122/CANNONDALE_Synapse_Alloy_Tiagra_2012/RS_GB/24571

Almost £200 off RRP, and £100 cheaper than in Evans.

Baldybonce

Medders said:

Does look very good. If you're yet to see one in the flesh, they have one built in Halfords at Aylesford. Or at least they 10 days ago.

I'd be very tempted to just ask for it in the box mate, untouched by the monkeys in halfords!

The Charlton branch would'nt let me do that. They have to put it together. Elf`n'safety.