Advice on best bike <£1000 cycle length of Britain and also club bike
RedDwarfUK137
Posts: 9
Hi all,
I am new to cycling as I have converted from running due to my knees
In June I will be doing the John o'Groats to Lands End cycle and am looking at a bike around £1000. I have spent this week reading up and looking around and have come across two good bikes.
Giant Defy 0 and Giant TCR Advanced 2.
I understand the sporting/endurance bike will be better for the ride I do but I am also looking at joining a cycle club after. The clubs tend to go on 50-100 Mile runs at the weekend so I would also like something to suit this.
I know the TCR is more setup for racing but the suppliers said I can swap the bike stem around to lift the bars up for the longer rides then change it back when I start club riding. The only problem is I will need some sort of pannier or luggage rack as we dont have a backup car. The seat stem on the TCR wont allow any panniers.
The Defy 0 will allow panniers and is a more comfortable ride but it isnt a Carbon frame like the Defy 0.
My friend took me to PlanetX yesterday which confused me even more. I dont really see as good reviews for the PlanetX bikes that are comparable to the Giants.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I am new to cycling as I have converted from running due to my knees
In June I will be doing the John o'Groats to Lands End cycle and am looking at a bike around £1000. I have spent this week reading up and looking around and have come across two good bikes.
Giant Defy 0 and Giant TCR Advanced 2.
I understand the sporting/endurance bike will be better for the ride I do but I am also looking at joining a cycle club after. The clubs tend to go on 50-100 Mile runs at the weekend so I would also like something to suit this.
I know the TCR is more setup for racing but the suppliers said I can swap the bike stem around to lift the bars up for the longer rides then change it back when I start club riding. The only problem is I will need some sort of pannier or luggage rack as we dont have a backup car. The seat stem on the TCR wont allow any panniers.
The Defy 0 will allow panniers and is a more comfortable ride but it isnt a Carbon frame like the Defy 0.
My friend took me to PlanetX yesterday which confused me even more. I dont really see as good reviews for the PlanetX bikes that are comparable to the Giants.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Comments
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So you have 6 weeks to train for it ??
You need to take kit with you on the ride ? How much kit ? How many miles per day?
I'd be looking to get a bike that can take full panniers - not just clip on ones.
You can do club runs on these bikes too. They'll have lower gears which you'll need for the extra weight of kit and the hills.
Neither of those Giants look to fit the bill to me.0 -
I'm already fit as I am a runner. I am doing a 50 mile cycles at the weekends and cycling to work everyday. I think we will be doing around 80-100 miles a day. The kit will just be extra clothes and toiletries for when we stop over at b&b's etc.
I dont want a touring bike as I really want a sporting or a racer if possible. Not bothered about buying last years model if it saves me a few pounds 0 -
You mean you're fit for running. A bit different from cycling. I'm a runner too. Different muscles.
It's what 1000 miles ? So that's 11 days or so. So you'll need a fair amount of kit. Heck you need a fair amount of kit just to cycle a weekend at the moment with the changeable weather. I'd realy want a bike with proper mounts for the rack.
Something like this - http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road ... ondon-road
get some race tyres and it'll be fine for club runs. PX usually let you tinker with the choices too - you'll need low gears.0 -
I did the coast to coast unsupported last year. Riding with paniers was a completely different kettle of fish. Once you have spare clothes, maps, maintenance, first aid kit etc they get heavy! The only people we met with the type of bike you are looking at were supported and carried nothing. I brought a second hand Specialised Tricross with bog standard gears and equipment, put decent brakes on it and it did me fine. Without paniers it is more than happy to do day to day rides and in fact has only just gone away in favour of the carbon roadie. Whilst it is only my opinion I would agree the Giants are not best suited. Also, whilst you may already be fit, 11 days riding 80 miles is not the same as being a runner.0
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80 miles a day is a real effort over the best part of two weeks on a bike carrying alot of kit. Even for a fit experienced cyclist.0
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Genesis Equilibrium 20
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/genesi ... -bike.html
Just pushing your budget but something that you might be able to source within budget if you
search around.
Well regarded steel frame with carbon forks. Also has rack and mudguard mounts without having to faff about with seatpost mounted racks. Will also be fine for club runs after LEJOG0 -
Congratulations on embarking on the JOGLE!
I think everyone's being a bit snarky here, I did it 9 years ago this summer on a Giant SCR, the precursor of the Defy and it was a fantastic experience that I'll never forget! The bike was great and whilst I agree a touring bike with easier gearing would be ideal for cranking up the steep hills in Cornwall (especially if you're planning on taking the kitchen sink) the Defy 0 will totally do the job and will be a much better bike to get into club road cycling afterwards. That Genesis doesn't look like a lot of bike for the money.
I'm sure there's a ton of advice out there these days, but my top 3 pieces of advice would be:
(1) Try the bikes before you buy; getting the right frame size is critical so DO NOT RELY ON THE SIZE CHARTS.
(2) Learn how to maintain your bike; if you don't know how to strip your bike down to the frame and put it back together again then learn and ACTUALLY DO IT before you depart.
(3) Take as little as possible with you. When you're carrying your life on your back for days on end, you want to make sure it's not going to drag you down!
And don't listen to the people saying you can't do it! Everyone likes to think they're special because they've been cycling for a few years, but the reality is that most reasonably fit people could cycle 80-odd miles a day at touring pace for a couple of weeks. It's not rocket science, just shovel food in your face, turn the pedals and enjoy the scenery. Committing to the trip and getting to the start line in John o' Groats is the hardest part and more than most weekend warriors will achieve. Good luck!0 -
Thank you for all the comments.
I am doing the cycle with 2 others who are 62. One of which did it last year with panniers on as well. I currently have a Scotts Sportster P1 hybrid with 25 mm tyres which is fine but its a slog to keep up with racers and the 2 other guys, although 62, will have racers. I know I could do it but it is still quite a bit heavier than the racers and I dont want to make this trip harder than it should be.
I like the Defy as I have sat on it and like the feel. I sat on the XL frame for the TCR, I know the top tube is slightly longer so I was reaching a little more. The guy said that was a good size but at PlanetX with the same stretch they said it was too large even for my height.
Lots of people are telling me if I can afford the extra, go for a carbon frame. I know there will be a drop down in spec of the gears, brakes etc. I just keep coming back to the defy?0 -
RedDwarfUK137 wrote:Hi all,
I am new to cycling as I have converted from running due to my knees
In June I will be doing the John o'Groats to Lands End cycle and am looking at a bike around £1000. I have spent this week reading up and looking around and have come across two good bikes.
Giant Defy 0 and Giant TCR Advanced 2.
I understand the sporting/endurance bike will be better for the ride I do but I am also looking at joining a cycle club after. The clubs tend to go on 50-100 Mile runs at the weekend so I would also like something to suit this.
I know the TCR is more setup for racing but the suppliers said I can swap the bike stem around to lift the bars up for the longer rides then change it back when I start club riding. The only problem is I will need some sort of pannier or luggage rack as we dont have a backup car. The seat stem on the TCR wont allow any panniers.
The Defy 0 will allow panniers and is a more comfortable ride but it isnt a Carbon frame like the Defy 0.
My friend took me to PlanetX yesterday which confused me even more. I dont really see as good reviews for the PlanetX bikes that are comparable to the Giants.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
You need a bike with rack/pannier mounts. A TCR would be about the last bike I would want to so LEJOG on. Great bike but not suited to multiple long days in the saddle (unless you are a pro and used to a fairly extreme position). I have a Cannondale CAAD X which has rack and pannier mounts as well as fittings for mud guards. It also doubles as my winter bike for club rides. I notice very little difference between it and my supposedly all out fast race bike (a Ribble 872). The CAAD X is what I will be doing LEJOG on next year. PS, you don't need a carbon frame!0 -
I don't think people are being funny or saying it cannot be done, just sharing thoughts and ideas. I'm sure everyone wishes you the best of luck.
I have owned a Defy in the past and they are a good bike. If you are definitely going for one of those two I would think that would serve you better.0 -
I wasn't suggesting they were
sorry if it came across like that. From all the bikes I have seen I think the Defy 0 fits the bill and I can always get another one once the cycle scheme for this one finishes.
Thank you for all the suggestions.slowslowslow wrote:I don't think people are being funny or saying it cannot be done, just sharing thoughts and ideas. I'm sure everyone wishes you the best of luck.
I have owned a Defy in the past and they are a good bike. If you are definitely going for one of those two I would think that would serve you better.0 -
Was not you. Hope it goes well.0
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You can fit one of Giants own brand racks to the Defy 0 with the appropriate seatpost clamp, however the thing you need to bear in mind is that the rear PR-2 wheel only has 28 spokes and there have been problems with build quality, spoke tensions, with these wheels in the past. Spoke breakages are not uncommon, so you may or may not exacerbate the problem if you fit a rack and pannier/s.
I'm not saying don't buy the bike, though if I were going to do that ride I would have a handbuilt 36 spoke, 3x, 23mm wide rim, rear wheel made and keep the PR-2 for your other riding duties.0 -
Ok, thanks. I will keep that in mind.DJ58 wrote:You can fit one of Giants own brand racks to the Defy 0 with the appropriate seatpost clamp, however the thing you need to bear in mind is that the rear PR-2 wheel only has 28 spokes and there have been problems with build quality, spoke tensions, with these wheels in the past. Spoke breakages are not uncommon, so you may or may not exacerbate the problem if you fit a rack and pannier/s.0
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FYI Defy 0 Maximum weight limits, Rider 125kg, Luggage 4.5kg* seat bag/handlebar bag only, (consult Giant or your local authorised Giant dealer). Total 129kg.0
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As some have said you really need to have a proper go on the bikes in your shortlist - Sitting on the bike in the shop will not give you any real idea of comfort over several hours and stem length is only a small part of how comfortable a bike is, tube lengths / head angles, crank lengths etc all player a major part in overall comfort.
No matter what bike you go for I would strongly suggest getting a test ride done on one, Most decent bike shops will allow you to put down a security deposit or at least sign a waiver / take a credit card imprint then let you have the bike for 24 hours for a test ride.
Last road bike I bought I negotiated a 24 hour loan with a adjustable stem , A long sunday ride allowed me to see if the bike was up to the job, I ended up negotiating a shorter stem and a different saddle.
You are planning on doing several days of longish rides with kit over hilly terrain so its important to get the right sort of bike for the job.
With that in mind have you considered some of the in house brands ? Btwin do a Triban 540 road bike for £600 (plently left over for extra's etc), It has a award winning frame that has mudguard and rack mounts plus it has clearance for up to 32c tyres (on a C2C you will want at least 25c tyres for reliability and comfort) it also comes with Shimano 105 gearing / Mavic wheels / Carbon fork a lifetime warranty. At a shade over 9kg its pretty light too. A similar spec bike from the 'big' grands would be £1k easy.
I doubt you will find any negative reviews about the Triban range in fact the Triban 500SE go voted commuter bike of the year.
P.s I don't work for Decathlon nor do I have any vested interest just speaking from personal experience.0 -
E2E not C2C0
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My other option is to stick with what I have Scott Sportster P1 and do it on that. Its a tad heavy though and with panniers and luggage it will be even worse. That said, I dont think the 2 people I am doing it with will be going amazingly fast. I have ridden this for 60 miles with only a 10 minute break and its ok although I would like a lighter bike
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You would find riding that distance more comfortable on a bike with drop handlebars.0
