What bike for ride from lands end to john o groats

smarshall151

Hi all

Just found out I have been lucky enough to go on a charity ride from lands end to john o groats. I currently do a lot of riding on Scott genius bike both off road and when on road, slap on suitable tyres, as could never justify buying new bike as this one suited. However, now I am doing this charity ride I will clearly need a road bike.

Other than the fact that I think I will need a triple chainset rather than double, as this is what I am used too, and a large frame, and am prepared to spend a sizeable amount - minimum £500 - and if necessary or good deal will stretch, am unsure of a specific bike. Slightly leaning towards Scott bikes again, purely because my genius has served me well and its tour de france rider, but could easily move in another direction.

Cheers for any advice in advance

Down the Road

Walk into your local bike shop hand over 5-600 and leave. They are all the same at this price point

smarshall151

cheers for quick reply - would i have to pay a significant amount more to gain a noticeable difference?

pitchshifter

Yes. Although you can't go wrong if you go for a big brand at that price range.

smarshall151

Duly noted - will head in for new bike

mikeeye

Ribble Audax.

It doesn't look as though they're doing any triples as special edition bikes at the moment, but you could get a triple using their bike builder.

With Tiagra starting from £634.
With 105 starting at £790.

I have one with 105 triple and am planning on doing LEJOG on it next month. Good luck with your ride!

smarshall151

the triple set is not essential - only i was given the opinion that as I have never had a road bike and used to mountain bikes - to ease transition I should look out for triple sets

smarshall151

Good luck with your ride as well -

Avanti Roman

Will you be riding with support so won't need a rack & panniers to carry your clothing etc?

If not I'd say a compact double would do.

A Ribble Audax special edition with Sram Apex will allow you to spec 50/34 chainrings with 11-28 or even 11-32 cassette.

Make sure you're OK with traditional horizontal frame geometry though, the Ribble Audax is longer and lower than many 'sportive' bikes such as the Specialized Secteur which are very high at the front (more comfy for some but you could be cursing the high front in a head wind).

FransJacques

From what I hear, LE to JO'G is a long way, so get a nice Kawasaki or Honda touring bike. The Gold Wing is lovely and even has an electric reverse gear so you don't have to worry about dropping it. Getting a hands free helmet walkie-talkie to speak to your riding mates is a good idea as well.

Headin down the highway, lookin for adventure...

smarshall151

there will be support - will check those recommendations out.

After a few days, i may well be pining for kawasaki

ga02clr

I did john o groats to Lands End last summer. If your not carrying full kit (I.e. full panniers tents etc) and you’re not going into the deep lake district for some additional climbing on the way down then you won’t need a triple.

I have a variety of bikes but chose to do the ride on a Verenti Kilmeston. Very good spec for the money. Quite upright so comfortable for long days in the saddle and also a easy step from a mountain bike. It has the additional benefit of coming with and accepting full mud guards. The only thing I changed was the saddle but that’s always personal preference. They do a 7 day test ride as part of the sale.

It will also take a pannier rack if you need it.

It is a little over your budget but when you price the kit you get with the bike (SRAM Rival) its a very good deal.

Wiggle often do weekend sales when things get cheaper so just follow for a few weeks and see when you can pick up a bargain.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/verenti-kilmeston/

smarshall151

My budget is flexible - could stretch to £850 at a push if it could be justified. Being comfortable is a major factor to consider and as someone who has done the ride, I will definitely look to see if i can get this bike.

Lycra Man

I would loive to do LEJOG, so I envy you.

As to bike choice, I see a lot of bikes for sale on eBay that have only done about 1000 miles, and never been used again. So I woiuold give some thought to what you might do with the bike after your end to end.

If, likke me, you decide to try Audaxing, a triple is a fine idea.

If you take up road racing, a close ratio double would be better.

As for manufacturer, I'd chose someone you have heard of before, and which is available from a local bike shop, so you can get after sales service, parts etc.

Good luck with the ride.

Lycra Man

Slack

I would also suggest looking in the classifieds, ebay etc for a second hand steed. You might have to do some reasearch as to what you're looking at, but there is potential to pick up a nice bit of kit for the money.

ga02clr

I would stear clear of second hand to be perfectly honest. The LAST thing you want on LOGOG is for a bit of kit to fail. While much of the stuff available second hand is ok you really dont want to take the risk as it can ruin the whole thing!

smarshall151

that is my fear about buying from e bay - that it would need servicing thus negating any potential savings. Although bought my previous mountain off e bay, i will be buying new this time

rhext

I'm not sure that the 'go to a shop and hand over £500-£600 because they're all the same at that price' is good. Presumably you're going to want something you find comfortable for whatever daily distances you're planning!

For me, I'd be looking to ask a few questions in the shop before I parted with my cash...

1) Likely to be comfortable for long distance touring?

2) Can I fit mudguards/rack/panniers easily?

3) Might I consider a hybrid, or even a hardtail MTB with slicks (well, I probably wouldn't ask this, because I already know I'm more comfortable with drops, but a lot of people find flat bars more comfortable for touring.)

4) Is there sufficient clearance for larger tyres (..OK, not 2.1" MTB tyres, but you might not want to do it on super-skinny road tyres either).

Enjoy trip - am very envious!

smarshall151

been looking at scott speedsters, partly because my mountain bike is a scott bike and can't fault it, and reviews seem to suggest it is a comfortable and efficient bike

tarbot18

Hi ive a scott speedster s50 but with the flat bars partly because like you ive come from many years of mtb s and for commuting in city centre traffic, it was also £100 cheaper than the normal version ! Its a great bike weighs about 20lbs and has a triple which has all the gears i need and is an 8 speed so parts are cheaper , you can always throw bars and shifters from normal road bars on a later date which is probably what ill do oh and it was £600

pompy

I've looked at the Kilmeston too and would probably be the bike I would choose if I was going to buy another one. As it is, I am doing my LEJOG on my single speed Pompino. You don't need a triple to do it if you are a fairly fit cyclist, It is possible to plan a route that misses the biggest and steepest hills and as you are being supported, you will have a good supply of food and drink to get you through it. Good luck with it!