2k-3k - Road (long distance)

kanuvas

Hi All,

After looking around forums to a few days to better understand bikes in the £2000-£3000 range there seems to be so much difference I am still not sure where to start.

I am looking for a good performance bike which I can use to race both short and long distances. Can anyone give me any tips?

I have found this which looks ok?

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a10317 ... OgodCHoAyQ

Cheers

S

R0B75

You want to spend 2 or £3000 on a bike without knowing anything about them? On top of that, you're looking at an online bikeshop, based in Germany having little to no chance of trying before you buy? You'd be better off going to a local bike shop with your huge wodge of cash and shouting "take my money". At least the bike is more likely to fit you that way.

All I can say is the bike you linked to is very nice. It will be great for racing, but whether you can race long distance on it depends if it fits you properly. That we cannot tell you.

marcusjb

When you say race long distance - what distance are you looking at racing?

As ever in distance, comfort trumps pretty much every other consideration.

I use a reasonably hefty steel bike and can easily sit on that for 250 miles a day, for several days in a row. I will use it to race the 24 this season and would like to get at least 400 miles.

Fit is everything, so you are best not to shop online as you are unlikely to get what you need.

kanuvas

marcusjb wrote:

When you say race long distance - what distance are you looking at racing?

As ever in distance, comfort trumps pretty much every other consideration.

I use a reasonably hefty steel bike and can easily sit on that for 250 miles a day, for several days in a row. I will use it to race the 24 this season and would like to get at least 400 miles.

Fit is everything, so you are best not to shop online as you are unlikely to get what you need.

I am actually looking to take part in a 280 in 24 hours. I do 100 mile rides a fair amount but my current bike is a little old. So I really do want it to be fairly easy to sit on.

I will perhaps go into a shop then and get fitted properly. Thanks for the advice.

S

marcusjb

Ideally, you want something reasonably relaxed and upright position (compared to a hyper aggressive setup, unless your body can handle it for 24hrs) that can take reasonably wide rubber (at least 25, preferably a 28 if possible).

If you are comfy on your current bike for 100, then use that as a starting point when looking.

Grill

280 miles in 24hrs is quite easy and the bike itself won't make a huge difference as long as the geometry/fit are appropriate. I've done all my 400k and 600k rides on a Scott Foil without feeling uncomfortable but now have a steel Road Logic to tackle the 2000+ miler )not for comfort, just so it can be repaired just in case).

@Marcus- You doing the Nat24 or the Mersey Roads?

marcusjb

The National Grill. Mersey Roads clashes with the Scottish 1300km. First time at 24 for me. All still pretty daunting!

You riding either this season?

Grill

I'll be riding the National as well, although I get back from the States the day before so I'll be incredibly jet-lagged. Was going to ride the Mersey Roads as well since I have unfinished business, but still considering the 1300 as it will probably be better training for the Transcontinental.

mamba80

R0B75 wrote:

You want to spend 2 or £3000 on a bike without knowing anything about them? On top of that, you're looking at an online bikeshop, based in Germany having little to no chance of trying before you buy? You'd be better off going to a local bike shop with your huge wodge of cash and shouting "take my money". At least the bike is more likely to fit you that way.

All I can say is the bike you linked to is very nice. It will be great for racing, but whether you can race long distance on it depends if it fits you properly. That we cannot tell you.

I think u r being a bit harsh, the guy has a bike, can ride centuries on it (so i assume is reasonably comfortable?), and could easily take a few measurements - TT and HT and compare to the new bike of what ever sort and Radon may be a great bike for what he wants to do.
If Radon are anything like Canyon, then you have quite along time to return the bike and with Canyon, they told me I could even ride it outside and return if I wasn't happy.
there r plenty of LBS that just sell you what they ve got, not what you need and no mainstream brand can compete with online makes.
the Radon website gives a size pdf doc and a tel no if you r still not sure.

R0B75

The OP did not sound as if he knew anything about bikes, never mind owning one already and mentioning he regularly rides centuries by saying things like "can you give me any tips" and "I'm not sure where to start". My post may have come across as a little sarcastic, I admit, but the advice is right which he now plans to follow.

I don't believe for one second anyone is going to buy a bike online with the aim of competing in races without knowing anything about them, unless they have too much money and no sense. Yes, you can buy online and yes you can send them back, and this is fine if you know a lot about bikes and do a bit of homework with your measurements etc. But there's no way strangers on the internet can help him with specific bikes other than yeah, that's nice and it will be good for racing.

LBS first, get measured, do some homework on what might suit, measure again, look again at what bikes might suit, both locally and online, then either buy locally or shop online. Its foolish to chuck £3000 down on a bike without doing your homework, even more so if you plan to race to bloody thing.

I agree, some LBS are only going to try and sell what they have, but a decent shop will give you a better idea of what's suitable size and geometry wise before trying to sell you anything. I'd argue that there are mainstream brands that compete with online brands. Trek, Cube, Specialized, Cannondale etc, all of whom probably sell bikes in greater numbers than Canyon etc. Why? Because most people are reluctant to buy online and potentially throw away money without knowing about the bikes so they go to their local bike shop and buy safe.

mamba80

Good point! you did write your reply BEFORE the op mentioned he reg rides centuries and has a bike, apologies if I came across as a little harsh