Bike for John O Groats to Lands End

dbp1977uk

Hi,

I'm a reasonably experienced mountain biker with good all round fitness and and decent skills. I've got myself into doing JoG - LE next summer (we are well sponsored and will have a support vehicle so I don't need to carry a huge amount of kit)

I've got the Boardman Comp Hybrid at the moment which I've used to commute and for some fitness riding when not riding through muck and I wondered if any of you more experienced tourers thought it would be suitable (with a couple of amends - tires and maybe bars) for the ride or if I need to invest in something else.

Wife and kid's dictate if I do need to purchase another bike I am limited to about £500.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

andymiller

I don't know the details of the Boardman Comp but assuming it's got rack mount, clearance for wider tyres, and lowish gears, then there's no reason it wouldn't be suitable for touring. I'd be wary of trying to change to drop bars - not necessarily more comfortable than flat bars (with bar ends) and you could spend a lot of money faffing about replacing brake levers etc.

priory

As you are just riding and not carrying much the boardman comp will be absolutely fine.
Don't change the bars, but I like long bar end extensions and put foam grip stuff on them to be grasped lightly.
If you hanker after drops you could get those bar extensions from st john st cycles, but there is no real need.
Similar weight bikes in this photo with gear on. You would not want to put much more than 8kg on the back of this sort of bike, though no doubt someone has.

http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z122 ... LE0072.jpg

priory

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Orig ... -18606.htm