Bike Help!

.Andy

.Andy

.Andy

Associate
Joined
24 Jan 2003
Posts
578
Location
Leeds, UK
Ok maybe stupidly I've signed up to do a 70 mile bike ride on 5th June this year - this is my target if I don't make it its £20 to charity and I should have got fitter in the process.

I used to be massively into bikes but my work life and personal life took me away from it to the point where I don't even own a bike currently!

What I'm hoping is that you experts will be able to advise me on what kit to get. Budget isn't a massive concern but I'd like if possible to get everything in under £5-600.

The 70 mile ride is for charity and the bike I buy I'd like to be able to get good use of after the event. The majority of riding that I'll be doing after the event will be gentle offroad/canal towpaths etc - basically nothing mental! The 70 miler is road based.

My current thinking is that a mountain bike with a set of road tyres would be the perfect balance but this is based on nothing but my thoughts! I'd appreciate the benefit of your experience! Something like a Specialized Hardrock 2010 Disc. Also I'm not adverse to buying 2nd hand if better value can be found. I'd appreciate links to any good resources for this.

I understand that I kind of want my cake and to eat it but am also happy to be told what I'm after is impossible. To be honest I just want to listen to advice!

Look forward to the responses!
 
A mountain bike with Slicks sounds like a good idea to me. I did a 25 mile charity road ride a few years ago on my old Heckler with knoblies (34lb Full sus). Bike wise you are on the right road (pun intended). :)
 
6thElement said:
CX Bike.
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agreed.

A cyclocross bike is most suitable judging by what you've said your useage will be. I have an MTB and road bike and have done a few 70 mile sportives and I really wouldn't want yo do one on s mountain bike, even with slicks.

I guess you need to try a few bikes out, but for me a mtb would be far too uncomfy as the sit up position puts more weight through your backside. It will also be a few mph slower, which over 70 miles makes quite a difference
 
rafster said:
MTB with slicks over 70 miles will be horrific I'd imagine, especially on your back :P
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I find that MTBs are better for my back because of the more upright position. My road bike kind of forces me into a 'tuck' position which gets uncomfortable after a while.

Agree with what is being said about a CXer. my dad has a cx bike with skinny road tyres on it and it's fairly quick like that. With bigger tyres it can handle canal/grass track/gentle off-road very well.
 
I completed the coast to coast last year (170miles over 3 days).
And i used a Trek 7300 with some armadillo crossroads,did have panniers on also..
The bike was superb for all conditions paths road semi rough.
I did try a trial run on my Trek Fuel full suss with hybrid tyres on and even with the suspension locked out front and back the geomatry was all wrong.
My friends used mountain bikes (hard tails) and didnt seem to get any back probs..
The only change they made was they both used larger more padded seats..
By the looks of your wants the Trek Hybrid range or any other hybrid range would suit you.
If you are not planning on any type of MB trail stuff then definatley hybrid range..
You dont have to spend big money to get yourself a very nice bike..
Look for last years range for even better savings..I do this every other year if i have the money.
Good luck anyway on your ride and enjoy whatever bike you purchase.
 
I'm working back up to 50ish a trip on a xc bike with panaracers, it's not so bad. Mostly riding on canal paths and surrounding areas at the moment. A full suspension one would be a bad call, if only because at your budget it'll bounce all over the place while you're pedalling.

The main advice I have to offer is that the more miles you ride before the 5th of June, the better. The nicest bicycle you can buy combined with no cycling until the race will go a lot worse than a 30 quid student bike that you've ridden daily until the race.
 
Thanks guys - great advice.

I've listened and researched but in doing so a friend of my wifes was selling his Trek 6000 (2009) for £350 which I thought was a reasonable deal so I've got that. Its got hydraulic discs and a lock out frunt sus which was what I was after as I feel this will suit my riding both pre and post event.

The idea now is to get some serious miles in along with some road tyres for the actual day and maybe a better seat oh and deffo some padded shorts!

Again any recommendations on the above welcome!
 
any bike will do, some are better than others like road over cx, cx over mtb etc etc, be prepared to suffer!! i do 30 mile rides on a steel single speed and its fine but im used to my bike!! and good luck with what ever you do. in your training try to add 5% every week till ur up to your goal. plenty of carbs and engery foods/drinks before ride, carbs and protein with electrolytes after ride.

to make life easier for the ride get urself some spd pedals/shoes.
 
I've thought about spd pedals and shoes but are they hard to get used to I've never used them before!
 
.Andy said:
I've thought about spd pedals and shoes but are they hard to get used to I've never used them before!
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Very easy to get used to and very easy to use. When starting out, just remember to unclip in good time (just flick your heel out sideways). I also find that unclipping the same foot (my left) every time avoids the kind of brainfart that leves you in a heap on the floor.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;16230495 said:
the kind of brainfart that leves you in a heap on the floor.
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Which will almost certainly happen at least once. Luckily mine was in a quiet backstreet near my house i the first week of going clipless.
 
.Andy said:
I've thought about spd pedals and shoes but are they hard to get used to I've never used them before!
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Also worth setting the tension really low. That way you can get your foot out quite easily without fully turning your ankle. Once you get more confident you can increase the tension.
 
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