Mountain Biker New To Road

thejerv

Hi, I'm a keen MTB'er and like to get out as often as possible, I've had an idea over the last few years which is to ride from my house in the midlands to Llanberis, in the space of a single day, I then plan to climb Snowdon the following day. It's a distance of roughly 120 miles, so it's a tough challenge. Firstly is this possible? Secondly my 150mm giant reign will be no good for the job, so I'm tempted with building a bike for the job (on a tight budget), what style of bike will be best? I don't fancy the full on race bike position as I think it will cripple my back. So I was possible thinking about starting with a large hardtail mtb frame and building it to a road spec, maybe with aero bars rather than drop bars.
Cheers
Lee

andrewjoseph

I think the aero bars will be even worse than drops. They are used for time trials to give all out power at the expense of comfort.

Either stick to mtb flat bars or drops. I've built up tourers for my wife and I with compact drops, lots of hand position for variety. Some people like butterfly bars.

Buying a new bike for a one off event is overkill in my view, stick some slicks on your mtb and try that first.

if you want a new bike build, get a custom frame for touring.

sloppyschleckonds

thejerv wrote:

Hi, I'm a keen MTB'er and like to get out as often as possible, I've had an idea over the last few years which is to ride from my house in the midlands to Llanberis, in the space of a single day, I then plan to climb Snowdon the following day. It's a distance of roughly 120 miles, so it's a tough challenge. Firstly is this possible?

No.

thejerv

I meant to say butterfly bars not aero bars. My plan was to build it cheaply from mainly second hand parts, then if I take to it keep it, if not use it for a bot then sell it on.

cougie

Of course its possible. The local charity ride by me is 50 miles or so and lots of people who dont really ride bikes manage that.

As to the bike - cant you borrow a road or hybrid bike ? Its not too hard on your back unless you have an extreme position ? Cant really see the point of your MTB road bike ?

Failing that - any hardtail MTB with slicks would do - even better if you can lock out the suspension forks.

When are you planning it ? You may need lights.

thejerv

The reason I suggested building from an mtb is so its a bit stronger for touring use. Are there any cheap road/touring frames you could suggest? Lights arent an issue as I already have those. I figure as long as I can average around 10 mph, I'd probably set off around 5am so should arrive in time for tea. I also should of mentioned that I have pride/money riding on this as my old man reckons it isn't possible.

keef66

You'll just need to get your legs and your @rse used to spending that amount of time on the bike, and fuel and hydrate yourself little and often.

It's doable if you build up to it progressively.

andrewjoseph

thejerv wrote:

The reason I suggested building from an mtb is so its a bit stronger for touring use.

where are you staying, B&B or camping? if camping you will need racks and panniers, food, clothes, boots, cooking equipment, sleeping bag and a tent.

These will be about 10-15 Kg, depending on how much you want to spend on lightweight kit.

if using B&B, you only need food and fluid during the ride, clothes and boots to walk in and riding kit for the ride home.

You will probably still need racks and panniers, unless you use a big backpack, but I don't recommend that.

A bike used for cycle camping will need mtb gearing, you could perhaps get away with normal road gearing if Credit Card Touring, using only a small pannier to carry spare clothes.

A decent rack will set you back about £30-£50, a pannier set £50-£100, depending on quality and size.

A lightweight tent will cost anything from £20 to £200, as will sleeping bags. We bought down bags that pack much smaller than most artificial fibre bags.

Much depends on your budget and plans. It may be cheaper to go B&B if this is a one off, but you may get the bug and love cycle touring.

thejerv

I have access to a Sprinter Campervan so I would get someone to meet me at the end, so I could spend the night in there, I would only need to carry food/water, basic tool anx waterproofs, I'd still consider panniers though. The added bonus of being met at the end means I get a lift home the next day.[/quote]

andrewjoseph

thejerv wrote:

I have access to a Sprinter Campervan so I would get someone to meet me at the end, so I could spend the night in there, I would only need to carry food/water, basic tool anx waterproofs, I'd still consider panniers though. The added bonus of being met at the end means I get a lift home the next day.

[/quote]

That's cheating!

MrChuck

Sure it's possible. 120 miles is perfectly doable and Snowdon isn't exactly Everest.