John O Groats to Lands End What Bike? - HELP!

dbp1977uk

Hi all,

Am a new poster, new to MTB ing in the last 2 years but pretty fit all round and have taken to it pretty well (bike skills ok if I do say so myself!). I use a Boardman Hybrid currently for training / winter roads and have got myself into doing the E to E next summer.

Any advice on whether the Boardman is going to be good enough to cope or if I should get a replacement...?

Budget is only £500 for the bike given all the extras I will need...but would prefer to use current bike if appropriate!

Cheers

Pross

Boarman hybrid should be ideal if you are just doing it for the challenge rather than to do it quickly. Will you have a support driver or are you carrying all your own kit in panniers?

Coming from MTB and a hybrid you'll be more comfortable over a long distance sticking to a flat barred bike so it would be pointless changing bikes just for one ride unless you were looking at getting a drop barred bike with a view to trying racing or something. For £500 you won't get anything much better than you have, the Boardman bikes get great reviews other than the initial Halfords experience and possibly some spokes loosening both of which you have already got through so I would put the £500 on maybe upgrading your wheels, getting some good quality tyres and buying some high quality cycling shoes and clothing. They'll help keep you comfortable on such a long trek - good luck with the ride

maddog 2

Pross wrote:

I would put the £500 on maybe upgrading your wheels, getting some good quality tyres and buying some high quality cycling shoes and clothing.

+1

just what I was going to say.

wheels, tyres and shorts/saddle would be my top three.

Make sure your drivetrain is all refreshed and add some decent bar ends , if you haven't got any.

dbp1977uk

Thanks folks - massive help, yep, have got the t-shirt on the damn wheel issue, and your advice is pretty much what I wanted to hear!

Cheers

Dave