London to Paris bike ride beginner - what bike?

nikkig
nikkig Posts: 2
edited September 2009 in Road beginners
Hi All

Ive been persuaded into doing the London to Paris bike ride next year. Ive not been on a bike for a couple of years and am going to start training asap.

Can anyone give me a starting point about what bike is best? I realistically want to spend as little as possible but at the same time I know that I need a decent one.

Thanks

Nikkig x

Comments

  • What is your Budget?

    After all you need to look at pedals, shoes, bib shorts ect ect
  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    The best bike is one that fits.

    You need padded shorts, helmet and mitts

    Steady training up to it and eat correctly and you'll be fine
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • Hi Nikkig,

    I've signed up for the L2P next year in June (with the guys from here doing it privately). I'm a road newbie as well !!!

    I've invested in a Trek 1.2 and find it fine..... I paid £450 for a 2wk old model from a guy who was a MTB'er and could not get the hang of road cycling. Shoes and decent pedals (LOOK easy's) were also bought and all good so far.

    Think if budget is key some people may recommend getting a decent second hand bike rather than a cheaper brand new one and i agree.

    Good luck with the training !!!!

    Lee.
    I like shiny bikes - especially Italian ones.....!!
  • Grazy81
    Grazy81 Posts: 196
    For that sort of distance you need something that will be comfortable and as previously stated that is a bike that fits properly so your best bet is to take your time and try and get fitted properly as i am sure you will reap the benefits on L2P next year.
  • As someone who has just come back from an externally organised L2P event, I hope you don't mind giving you my opinion:

    The route:
    We followed a route out of Croydon down to Dover on day 1: the route was hilly, on country lanes and minor B roads. Very quiet, the road surface not too bad, infact quite smooth. As we ventured into the French countryside on Day 2,3 and 4, the route became progressively less hilly, the road surface smoother and the roads quieter.
    That was until our arrival in Paris, which meant dealing with roadworks, pave', but also fast flat land.

    I have seen about 130 bikes on the trip, ranging from entry level mountain bikes with slick tyres to top of the range Litespeed titanium.

    We all made it, we all enjoyed the trip.

    The difference was: speed and practicality. I was one of the fastest, and only started enjoying the trip more when I held back and formed occasional trains with fellow riders.

    I saw Specs Tricross'es with panniers: probably the best compromise. Could carry panniers and venture out in the non-tarmaced fields.

    To get a comfortable frame look for a longer wheelbase and shorter top tube.

    For speed, look at lightweight bikes with aero rims. There are some incredibly fast (because they are smooth and perfectly flat) roads around Compiegne and Arras, which you will appreciate more with a speed oriented bike.

    But at the end of the day, the important part is that you share the trip with others, and that you don't get stuck if you have a mechanical problem, so try and make sure you either have all the spares you might need (including spokes) or just opt for more mainstream parts.