All-Rounder Advice
GarethJD
Posts: 3
Hi All,
Having only ever been a casual cyclist in the past, I'm very much looking forward to taking up the hobby more seriously. Having left the army a couple of years ago, I'm becoming much more acutely aware of just how quickly one can lose their fitness if they don't keep something up to combat the rot!
Given that I'm married with limited storage, however, I'm in a bit of a quandry. In an ideal world, I'd want a dedicated road bike for endurance / sportives and generally to hit the tarmac with the local cycling club. However, given I'm likely to only be allowed the one machine it's ideally going to have to do more than that.
I have two dogs that I like to take around the occasional dirt trail / gravel path around a lake / canal path etc. I'd like to be able to complete a 50 or 80 mile trek (occasionally) without falling behind on every hill. My wife does cycle with me occasionally, but using a flat handlebar hybrid and mostly on dirt / gravel paths (preferring not to compete with traffic). I've done far worse things in the rain than cycle, so I intend to use the bike the whole year round.
I guess I'm just looking for a slight nudge in the right direction. Budget wise I'll probably look around the £1000 mark, tell the wife it's cost me £500 and spend £1500. (Though realistically, I'd pefer to keep it under the £1k mark.)
Having only ever been a casual cyclist in the past, I'm very much looking forward to taking up the hobby more seriously. Having left the army a couple of years ago, I'm becoming much more acutely aware of just how quickly one can lose their fitness if they don't keep something up to combat the rot!
Given that I'm married with limited storage, however, I'm in a bit of a quandry. In an ideal world, I'd want a dedicated road bike for endurance / sportives and generally to hit the tarmac with the local cycling club. However, given I'm likely to only be allowed the one machine it's ideally going to have to do more than that.
I have two dogs that I like to take around the occasional dirt trail / gravel path around a lake / canal path etc. I'd like to be able to complete a 50 or 80 mile trek (occasionally) without falling behind on every hill. My wife does cycle with me occasionally, but using a flat handlebar hybrid and mostly on dirt / gravel paths (preferring not to compete with traffic). I've done far worse things in the rain than cycle, so I intend to use the bike the whole year round.
I guess I'm just looking for a slight nudge in the right direction. Budget wise I'll probably look around the £1000 mark, tell the wife it's cost me £500 and spend £1500. (Though realistically, I'd pefer to keep it under the £1k mark.)
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Comments
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Hi All,
Having only ever been a casual cyclist in the past, I'm very much looking forward to taking up the hobby more seriously. Having left the army a couple of years ago, I'm becoming much more acutely aware of just how quickly one can lose their fitness if they don't keep something up to combat the rot!
Given that I'm married with limited storage, however, I'm in a bit of a quandry. In an ideal world, I'd want a dedicated road bike for endurance / sportives and generally to hit the tarmac with the local cycling club. However, given I'm likely to only be allowed the one machine it's ideally going to have to do more than that.
I have two dogs that I like to take around the occasional dirt trail / gravel path around a lake / canal path etc. I'd like to be able to complete a 50 or 80 mile trek (occasionally) without falling behind on every hill. My wife does cycle with me occasionally, but using a flat handlebar hybrid and mostly on dirt / gravel paths (preferring not to compete with traffic). I've done far worse things in the rain than cycle, so I intend to use the bike the whole year round.
I guess I'm just looking for a slight nudge in the right direction. Budget wise I'll probably look around the £1000 mark, tell the wife it's cost me £500 and spend £1500. (Though realistically, I'd pefer to keep it under the £1k mark.)
Lots to choose from. Planet X London Road a good place to start looking.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.0 -
Lots to choose from. Planet X London Road a good place to start looking.
Interestingly I was looking at the London Road only earlier today. It does look like a great all-rounder; I'd be interested to hear some feedback if there are any owners around, particularly in relation to how they use it.0 -
A year ago, most would have said a cyclocross bike - with possibly two sets of wheels (lightweight road and rugged off-road wheels). However, a disc-based 'gravel' bike may be more appropriate. They're a mainly US thing where there are lots more unpaved public roads. A sort of cyclocross-lite.
The London Road is a good example - also this sort of thing:
http://www.parkersofbolton.co.uk/products/2015-forme-hooklow-1-aluminium-gravel-bike-disc?CAWELAID=620001070002474099&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=620001070002469516&cadevice=c&gclid=CjwKEAjwh6SsBRCYrKHF7J3NjicSJACUxAh7FK5BJnHNVSyzlUeuU2KHuxitlqvvU0gPxMaD5Ch1xxoC5kTw_wcB0 -
Lots to choose from. Planet X London Road a good place to start looking.
Interestingly I was looking at the London Road only earlier today. It does look like a great all-rounder; I'd be interested to hear some feedback if there are any owners around, particularly in relation to how they use it.
Have a look here
viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=12998860My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.0 -
A couple of other very recent threads asking for similar advice...
viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=13031177
viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=130311800 -
Ive had a London Road since March and have done about 600miles. Mine is the Rival 20 but the ones now are rival 22. Overall I am very happy with it and it is mainly used for commuting. It feels a lot sturdier on the crappy roads than my Pro Carbon and I have more confidence blasting home in the dark. I have fitted some SKS longboard mudguards so it is ready for the weather.0
