Hunter Posted September 30, 2006 Report Share Posted September 30, 2006 As I may have mentioned a while ago in a post, im looking to do a 5300mile tour around the British coast. Obviously the main peice of kit is going to be the bike, so im looking to see if anyone has a decent mountain bike for sale, which can be kitted up, cleaned, and upgraded to the spec required for a trip as planned. The tour, should I be successful enough to arange, will last aprox 5.5-6months, running through all weather types, and a mix of on/off road. This will mean fitting different tyres such as a Hybrid tyre, panier racks etc etc.. I would have done this by motorcycle but this sounds like a good adventure and a gap between more studies The preffered type is a mountain bike (with/without suspension) that has mounting points on the frame for paniers, but a touring type bike may also be useful once upgraded. If anyone has something spare, im on a slightly limmeted budget obviously, but anything will be considered. Thanks for having a look. I will add a picture of my current bike later, which is not really in any shape for the tour, but its what started me off on this idea Here is the old bike whilst on a short tour from my house into the country Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted September 30, 2006 Report Share Posted September 30, 2006 get sponsered, you will need a good bike mate, i run a nearly standard specialised hardrock pro and even on a short 40 mile trip with a good weight on my sholders, i notice the flex in the frame. Cannondale would be my choice, with lock out front shocks, good set of strong and light shimano rims with the thinest tyres you can get for waht your riding. Buy quality innertubes as well, punctures are regular otherwise. i suppose what i am saying is buy new and buy quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted September 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2006 I was thinking of buying a second hand bike (good frame) and then kitting it up with punture resistant inner tubes, decent brakes, lockout suspension etc. Otherwise I was thinking of a new Marin bike. I intend to keep the weight off my shoulders and as low as possible on the bike for better stability. I will also require 2 sets of different tyres. Cheers for you advice, I will look into this Cannondale as well. I doubt I will find a sponsor other then my part time job and bank account I did the maths and as far as I can see im set to go in two years time after enough training Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted September 30, 2006 Report Share Posted September 30, 2006 buy tyres as you ride, they are a pain to replace on the go and difficult to carry. The main things i find go wrong on long rides are: minor buckles in wheels, grit in disc brakes - fade punctures - not removing or being able to find offending article and getting repeats. rubbish pumps........ difficult to fix punctures quickly front and rear mech being damaged due to foliage or sticks in chain/needing adjustment through normal regular use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted September 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2006 Thanks Tips much apreciated. My brother reckons im better off with standard rim brakes as they are easier to maintain 'on the go', with no hydraulic leaks to worry about, and little risk of snapping a cable. However I would still take a bike with disk brakes due to their obvious advantages, especially in the cold/wet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted September 30, 2006 Report Share Posted September 30, 2006 you will want a good bike some ware around £500 and more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted September 30, 2006 Report Share Posted September 30, 2006 you wouldnt need to replace the break pads more than 1x on a good set of discs. I am on my first set (just due for replacement) after 4 years of pretty hard riding. Some cross country and road riding. used to be pretty serious about it before taking clays up properly. V breaks suffer from buckled rims (can reli put you in a tight spot) constantly wearing pads unevenly, grit/water makes them ineffective I have cable shimano discs, very easy to maintain with just allen keys. cable strech slightly, and when the breaks are faded it can be hard to pull hard enough. But they give more feeling than cheap hydro's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 As an unashamed bike nerd, I would strongly recommend that you only consider a tourer or audax bike. Covering 5300 miles on a flat bar MTB will probably deter you from cycling ever again, no matter how good the frame geometry is, or how much you spend on the bike. Tourers and audax bikes offer 700cc wheels, multi-position drop bars, excellent frame geometry,V-brakes or cantilever brakes and numerous other advantages over flat-bar MTBs. They are made for 5300-mile round-Britain trips. MTBs are not. You get what you pay for: Dawes and Cannondale are the most popular choices, although not necessarily the best. You invariably get a lot more bang for your buck by buying from a smaller maker, rather than for a mass producer like Specialized. I have both a Specialized road bike and an MTB. I would rather never ride a bike again, if the alternative was a round-Britain trip on either of those bikes. I could happily cycle forever on my tourer though. It's just the best tool for the job. http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/audax853.html http://www.evanscycles.com/find.jsp;jsessi...ch=&bs_hcms= Edited re comments about disk brakes: whilst V-brakes undeniably eat brake pads in wet/muddy conditions, the parts are serviceable at the roadside. Hydraulic disk brakes are not at all serviceable outside of a workshop, unless you plan to carry a supply of brake fluid and a bleeding system with you. Opt for rim brakes. Hydraulics aren't all they cracked up to be - I spent last winter using them every day in the grimy London streets, and they were pretty **** compared to the v-brakes on my other bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted October 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 I apreciate the tips, thanks! I have looked into a local bike shop in Tunbridge Wells, and had a keen eye on some 'Trail' bikes. These are more suited to my unsponsered budget of around £300. The trail bike apears to be a bit of a combination of mountain bike/touring, with plenty of luggage options, and thin tyres. On first feel of a Marin model I suggested that my position was too lent forward and was given the option of bar spacers on certain models to make it more comfortable. The only tourers they had were again way out of my budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144048 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ratcatcher Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 Sounds like a good challenge i also ride a push bike everywhere i go, done 10 miles the other week handing cv's out and i tell you i was nackered lol. Best of luck in doing the challenge m8, hope you find the wright bike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 Trail bikes are for fat middle aged townies to use on very infrequent jaunts down the local towpath etc. They offer neither the robustness of an MTB, nor the practicality and comfort of a tourer. Don't buy a trail bike. Don't buy a new bike. £300 will buy you a crappy, very heavy and very basic bike. Instead, have a look on www.cyclingplus.co.uk at the classified adverts for tourers and audax bikes. Second-hand will buy you a heck of a lot more bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted October 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 Sounds like a good challenge i also ride a push bike everywhere i go, done 10 miles the other week handing cv's out and i tell you i was nackered lol. Best of luck in doing the challenge m8, hope you find the wright bike :o I cycle 5 miles almost every night as a small round trip, on the weekends I do a 10 mile round trip to Mayfield (nearby village) and back. All part of training up for this The maths show il have to cycle around 35 miles per day to keep to the timeline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ratcatcher Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 Sounds like a good challenge :o i also ride a push bike everywhere i go, done 10 miles the other week handing cv's out and i tell you i was nackered lol. Best of luck in doing the challenge m8, hope you find the wright bike I cycle 5 miles almost every night as a small round trip, on the weekends I do a 10 mile round trip to Mayfield (nearby village) and back. All part of training up for this The maths show il have to cycle around 35 miles per day to keep to the timeline 35 miles a day Now thats got to hurt Thats a fair few miles you ride then, keep the practise up :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trakker01 Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 hi again. i ride approx 16 mile each way each & every day to bussness, (32 in all approx) no rush ,cos the place is mine! niiiiiiiice.... i use a claud butler,mountain bike with road tyres, front suntour forks, xrc wheels & 21 speed,light enough & no problems (nicely built), i dont have any bother riding, no butt cramps, no nacker strain,nowt at all...It took some doing when i started ,but 3 month down the line i do it with my eyes closed...my mates think im mad!! maybe i am, but the buzz from the exersise, i feel like singing every day... value for money CLAUDE BUTLER was about £340.00, 8 months back...try one.. oh yeh, just need a shortened tool to wade off the w/anchors, who get pi88ed when ya beat em to the next stop, sat in there queing cars... good luck... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 i ride approx 16 mile each way each & every day to bussness i do it with my eyes closed... hi Ray did you nearlly get flattened at the green gates lights by a fourtrak.if you did it was not me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmancaver Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 I agree with Tracker. Find yourself a local dealer who stocks Claud Butler and buy their best MTB bike that you can afford that can be upgraded to take hydraulic disc brakes. Alternatively, if you can stretch your budget, then splash out on a decent Marin full susser. Also, invest in a BOB Trailer for carrying your gear - it beats carrying a large rucksack as it takes the weight of your back and arms and creates a much more stable and comfortable ride. On the subject of dis brakes IMHO go for Hope Minis. I have had mine for 4 years and I am just wearing out my second pair of pads. Also I have never had any hydraulic leaks. Hope are simply the best and really will just keep going and going. Mine have done a hell of a lot of varied riding. They are fitted on a Marin Wolf Ridge that has done everything from tarmac to very gritty & peaty Yorkshire routes. They have also coped with a few Enduro style rides of 50+ miles a day! Fit a decent pair of all terrain tyres. Apair that are slick in the middle of the tread and with a good pattern around the edge are ideal. That way on the road pump them up solid and you will fly! Off road, lower the pressure, the side grips come into play and you get a good grip. Inside of them fit a pair of Slime filled inner tubes. I bought a pair 2 years ago and have never had a puncture since! I personally would also suggest that you invest in a decent pair of MTB stile cycle shoes and a paif of clipless pedals. They will really help keep you in a good cycling position and keep your feet comfy. If you really feel that you cant get on with clipless pedals than get a good pair of pedals and fit some decent off road toe clips. These will help. Finally, whatever you go for, get out on that bike and get/keep fit before you go. Make sure that everything about the bike is a good fit for you. Make sure that it has a good saddle that you are comfy on and make sure that the riding position is all set up for you size. That way you will enjoy the ride instead of getting knackered, uncomfortable and extremely hissed off! I know all of the above can kick your budget hire than you are starting to aim at, but at the end of the day I expect that you want to complete this ride and to enjoy every minute of it! Oh, and have a good time! Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngshot Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 The maths show il have to cycle around 35 miles per day to keep to the timeline I bought a Giant OCR 4 for my birsthday back in july, its a road/touring bike and i bought it for £269 from a local bike shop. i can easily do 70 miles every sat with out getting to tired to do anything eles on the weekend! If you are training for 2years then u should easily be able to do 50 miles per day cutting your time down considerably! i would recomend a road bike because they are made for distances and comfort, where as MTB are not! New tired/ inertubes are resonable in expensive, but unfortunatly the OCR 4 dosnt have disk brakes. i think it is posible to fit luggage racks, mud gaurds etc Hope this helps!! Young Shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 I am seconding Youngshot's post above, just to reiterate my earlier posts. Ditch the MTB/trail bike option. Get a proper, secondhand road bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted October 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 Thanks for your replies all, im seeing mixed veiws here, but all are usefull anyhow. On doing more map reading, I have confirmed that my route will have a good few (hundred) offroad miles, and I know a road/racing bike would be ideal for 75% of the trip, the reast will require something reasonably strong and durable to take some bumps, (most likely a few falls!) and require low maintainance. I like the idea of this compound tyre for road/rough terrain, but I was told to look at around £40 per pair? Have had no luck looking for a secondhand bike yet, but I have been offered some good deals on Marin bikes that I will look into, otherwise its back to the drawing board for a bit, as my budget wont make it to a hi end tourer or something reliable and qaulity enough to make it on a trip like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 You're talking about "semi slick" tyres. A smooth centre ridge, but with mud-gripping lugs at the edges of the tread. They are worth investing in, but you need a good pump to get the benefits. The harder you pump the tyres (get them right up to their max psi), the less the rolling resistance, and the faster you will go on hard surfaces. It's the same with any tyre, but particularly relevant for any tyre intended for road use. Bear in mind that brands like Marin are not known for their value. Have a look at brands like Giant, Pinnacle, and other less stylish manufacturers. Tourers can easily cope with dirt trails and footpaths, but they won't be great on any genuinely bumpy terrain. However you will reap the benefits of a tourer on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 At work I sit next to a bike nut, if you don't find the answers you need here Hunter I will give him a prod if you like. He has some pretty firm views about what to get and what not to get, as I have overheard the 'what bike should I get?' conversation many times Just to paint the picture, he rides to work and bike all year round, rain or shine, about 30 mile round trip, does mountaining biking, orienteering and road riding as well (in fact he is only just back from cyling 2 of the mountain stages of the Tour de France ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted October 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 Thanks again for your posts I have started Geocaching as a good way to get fit on the bike. Like Orienteering, you have to find locations, except this is with a GPS unit (gadgets.. I love them..) and you insert the locations and locate the point thereafter, leaving your details in a logbook, and logging the find on the website. (www.geocaching.com). This gets me cycling far to find these locations, that have been set by others. This has also taught me how to do basic map reading, using a compass and using a GPS system (Garmin). Cheers Stuart, il PM you if I need a hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancs Lad Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 Mate came back from the lakes today.........He was out on a KONA......... Said that was very nice.........his mates well in to the bikes, somthing like 3grand on his, plus about another 500 on rear suspension..... DAFT AND SILLY..... Like we would pay that much for something for our "sport..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted October 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 I sold a nice sports motorbike to buy my guns Me thinks cycling is a little safer then wizzing up and down A roads and silly mph... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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