Help Needed - Bike for John O to Lands End

bmaidment1

Hi All,

I'm new to this site so apologies if I am asking a question that has already been answered countless times. I'm planning on cycling the John O to Lands End ride this September and could do with some advice on buying a used bike.

I'm looking for a sound, tried and tested model, it doesn't have to be the most up-to-date just right for the job. Older models preferably to cut costs.

Requirements wise, I see the following as key factors that will influence choice:
- 3 of us, camping on route, so panniers both front and back are required - a tourer to cope with the weight??
- The route will be challenging so I need a gearset that can help me out both on the tough climbs and flat straights - minimum Shimano 105??
- Tires - at the moment I have Schwalbe Marathon plus which seem to cope well with all road types
- Wheels - suggestions welcome, if the bike has a good pair as standard this would be preferred to cut costs
- Drop down handle bars I presume are a must?

Any other help or advice on the route, extra kit, nutrition and training would be very much welcome.

Many thanks,
Bruce

ed_j

I'd say steel frame, triple chainrings front, high spoke (30/32) wheels. Drop handlebars will allow more hand positions and allow you to move about more than a flat bar.

Ed

Wirral_paul

How far are you riding per day? Given your needs, and depending on budget - steel or titanium should prove more comfortable over the longer distance. Gears - well you want reliability and a good spread of gears and i'd say a triple is essential for the short steep hills of the SW. I'd look at a damn good service including new inner cables as a "must" if buying 2nd hand. 32 spoke wheels as a minimum, with 28mm tyres for comfort should match the ride characteristics of a tourer.

If i could get one - then this would be my ideal distance tourer (with a couple of upgrades)...

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p2573
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-spa-cycles-audax-11-45126

unixnerd

Tires - at the moment I have Schwalbe Marathon plus which seem to cope well with all road types

I run those in the winter and they're great, but they weigh a ton! Try fitting some Specialized Roubaix tyres, still very durable but you'll be amazed by the difference in acceleration as they're about 350g lighter per tyre and much easier to change a puncture (Marathons are notoriously hard to fit).

As for the bike how about a used Specialized Secteur or Cannondale Synapse? Both are designed to have a slightly more upright position and absord road shock. I ride a Roubaix (carbon version of the Synapse) and it's a joy on long rides.

bmaidment1

Wirral_Paul wrote:

How far are you riding per day?

Hi Paul, the plan is to ride 110 miles per day, that is my max as I'm not hugely experienced with rides of this length. I am looking to book myself on a number of two day rides over the next few weeks in practice, preferably distances of a little more so in those times when I need to motivate myself to do more I know I have been able to.

bmaidment1

Thanks Unix, Paul and Ed for your comments.

Looks like I'll be needing:
- Steel/Titanium Frame
- Triple Chain rings
- Lighter Tyres- Agree completely Uninerd, the Marathon Plus's weigh an absolute ton, have been looking up the Roubaix armadillo's and they look perfect for the job
- 30/32 wheels
- A good service!

Will check out the suggested bikes and see what is available used online, I have picked a difficult time of year to buy I think.

anonmouse

This years Tiagra is last years 105 so not really any need to go for a bike with that if you want.

Have you looked at a Genesis Croix De Fer?

Cavs

Did the JOGLE last year (unsupported / solo)

Bought a 2nd hand Panorama Ridgeback - awesome bike.
Fast, strong, very low gears - ideal for touring.

Something like this:
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/ridge ... 1019741643

(I have no connection to the seller, but Ebay/Gumtree pops up good Panorama Ridgebacks every few weeks)

mroli

1) Most important is to get a bike that fits you properly. Work out what size you are and also buy it well in advance of the JOGLE so you can get used to it.
2) You want to take the bare minimum of stuff (without being uncomfortable). If you are doing 110 miles a day, you are looking at 8/9 days I guess - lay your stuff (or an approximation) of it out and see what space you will need. I can pack for a decent period of time in two panniers and the top of a rear rack - it'll save you buying front panniers and a rack and generally I find things a little more cumbersome on the front.
3) If you are self-supporting (and working within a budget), I would look at a steel/Aluminium frame. Probably steel for the "comfort" factor, but that is secondary to getting a bike that fits you.
4) Wheels - go at least 32, poss even 36 - Ribble were selling 105 hubs for £50 the pair and with a decent set of rims, you could build up for well under £200.
5) Agree with the comments below about Schwalbe plus - they are good tyres, but are "slow" and "heavy". 28cs would be good - but whatever bike you buy would need "long drop" brakes to ensure that you have clearance
6) Re gearset - I would agree that you need a wide range of gearing which will help. 105 is not necessarily the "level" you need to enter into - the lower grade shimano stuff is fine - you want to make sure you have a wide range of gears - a triple does that for you, as will a compact chainset with a long rear mech that allows you to run a 32/34 rear cog.
7) Drop handle bars are preferable as you can ride in the drops, on the hoods or on the top of the bars - it is amazing what a difference just changing your position does every now and then.

Re training - ride the bike that you are going to ride every day so you get used to it. Make sure prior that you have ridden the full distance you are going to ride every day. Also make sure that you have done rides of a decent length (40 miles plus) back to back for 3/4 days. Nutrition - 9 days of energy drinks will churn your stomach. I reckon you are far better off eating and drinking "normally", but just increasing your intake with some energy bars/drinks etc as emergency back up.

Stay off the A30 in Cornwall. Don't go mad in the first few days. Cornwall is the hardest cycling of the trip. Have a google and read what people have done.

unixnerd

4) Wheels - go at least 32, poss even 36

And tape a few spare spokes to the frame.

bmaidment1

anonmouse wrote:

Have you looked at a Genesis Croix De Fer?

Hi, the Croix De Fer looks like a good all-rounder. Thanks for the suggestion

bmaidment1

Mroli, excellent advice, I appreciate it thank-you

bmaidment1

I've noticed this on the classifieds:

viewtopic.php?f=40090&t=12923261

The frame is sadly 2cm too small but I shall keep looking, seems to have most of what I need, perhaps a change of tyres.

doug5_10

You won't need front panniers, I did it in 2008 with a pal camping like yourself just with rear panniers, decent size saddle bag (wasn't enormous) and sleeping bag strapped to the top of the rack. We took 14 days (including 2 rest days) so not at your level, but the odd B&B stop instead of the tent is recommended (our rests were staying with friends/relatives en route). I know much more now than I did then and would have changed a fair few things. I managed on basically a road bike with fairly old wheels (broke 2 spokes consequently) and 52/39, 12-25 gearing. Hence I wasn't spinning up the steepest hills!

-As long as the bike fits, material won't matter, steel probably smoothest/best weight bearing. Tourer style would be best for a more relaxed position, drop style or those butterfly bars so you can swap about your hands. Get in plenty of miles on it and make sure shorts and saddle are comfy (two things to maybe splash out on along with wheels?)

-Yep, high spoke wheel is a must, if you buy a tourer i'm sure the stock wheels will be fine because they will be designed for the bikes main purpose. I wouldn't bother will super heavy, invincible tyres. A puncture isn't that much an inconvenience as it is on a commute, say. Comfort, feel and smooth rolling all rounders in 25s or 28s (as above might need to check clearances for 28s)

- A triple is a good shout although since I managed on my daft gearing, I think a compact 50/34 with at least a 28 on the cassette would be enough (i.e. don't rule out buying a bike just because it doesn't have a triple) All Shimano stuff below 105 is perfectly adequate.