New to road cycling

garethshort · February 2014

Hi all,

First of all I'd like to introduce myself. I'm from South Wales and am looking to get into road cycling. I haven't ridden a bike for a couple of years but I have quite a lot of experience with MTB bikes in the past.

I've recently lost my uncle and to honour him my cousin and I are looking to ride a bike from his local rugby club in South Wales to Paris in September. I know this is a massive challenge but i think I have enough time to train and get all the gear etc.

I was wondering if any one could help me in getting the correct gear, especially the bike please.

I'm looking at spending around the £500 mark for the bike. I am a member of British cycling so I get some discount at Wiggle and Halfords.

The bikes I have in mind are these:

GT GTR 5 - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-5-2013/

Mekk Pinerolo AL 1.5 - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-pinerolo-a ... agra-2013/

Felt Z95 - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z95-sora-wiggle-exclusive/

Or maybe the Felt F85 - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f85-tiagra ... exclusive/

I'm sorry for spamming the wiggle website but tbh that's the cheapest place I've found (that I can use my discount card with)

I really hope you don't mind me asking and I hope someone could help point me in the right direction. Once I buy the bike I'll probably be after some advise on what gear to buy, but let's go one step at a time.

Many thanks

markhewitt1978 · February 2014

If you're doing long distance touring, you're talking about 500 miles, so you're talking about a full week at 70 miles per day. You're going to want to get something which can take mudguards - as it will rain at some point. And will take a rear rack as presumably you won't have a support car. You're probably going to want something which will take 28c tyres for comfort.

I think you're looking at it in the wrong direction - work out what kit you're going to need first, then find the bike to carry it.

5horty · February 2014

Thanks for your replies both.

Hi Mark - we have got a support car, as it's such a strong topic to my whole family (doing the ride for a family member that's passed away) it means that we've got family willing to drive with us also. But I will take on board the suggestions about the mud guard. Thanks

garethshort · February 2014

I'm sorry to message again asking for more help but I'm a little stuck.

As I said I'm new to this but have been trying to do as much research as possible lately.

When i decided to take part on this ride I had my mind set on a Specialized Allez Sport (mostly cause my mate said they were good). So now I've found the Mekk Pinerolo 1.5 I've started to compare the both and from my limited knowledge it looks as though the Mekk has better components and a lot more for the value. Does any one else agree at all?

Again, sorry for asking

sparklehedgehog · February 2014

Surely a more comfortable bike is the better solution for such a long ride?

Looked at a Specialized Secteur?

New to road cycling

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