Long Distance Cycling Questions..

The Mad Rapper

The Mad Rapper

The Mad Rapper

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Having never cycled more than 10 miles before, I completed the Coast to Coast route this weekend, raising money for charity in the process.

We finished at Tynemouth yesterday, today I've taken the day off as I am a bit stiff :)

A few questions:

1. I have some quite severe chafing in the right side of my groin. I was wearing non-padded lycra cycling shorts. What should I have worn? Any recommendations for specific shorts?

2. I can't adjust the height of my handlebars on my Carrera Kraken, after a number of hours I was finding the pain between my shoulder blades was quite severe, what can I do about that? My seat is the correct height for efficient pedalling.

3. I can't fit panniers to my Kraken, so am thinking about buying a decent touring bike, as this is something I should like to do more of. Any recommendations for a decent bike? The handmade ones all seem to have steel frames which must be very heavy.

4. I don't have any decent cycling clothing, tops, jackets etc. Again, any recommendations?

Finally, any other advice and tips would be gratefully received. I'll be looking to cover around 50 miles per day.
 
1. Chamois lube and padded shorts.
2. New stem?
3/4. No idea on touring bikes or common brands in the UK.

What are you looking to do, tour or just do 50 mile rides? I happily do > 100 mile rides on my lightweight racing bike with no ill effects.
 
6thElement said:
1. Chamois lube and padded shorts.
2. New stem?
3/4. No idea on touring bikes or common brands in the UK.

What are you looking to do, tour or just do 50 mile rides? I happily do > 100 mile rides on my lightweight racing bike with no ill effects.
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I'm going to do single 50 mile rides, but I really enjoyed the short tour I've just done, so I'll be looking to do something similar again (150 - 200 miles), over 3 - 4 days.

I am not sure about getting a stem, will speak to the cycle store tomorrow, thanks :)
 
The higher end touring bikes will be using some form of reynolds steel which won't be heavy. It apparently gives a comfier ride and looks rather lovely due to the narrower tubing. A drop bar touring bike would be good due to the ability to change hand positions and it will have a more comfortable geometry.

Not sure on the sore shoulder blades, possibly due to having wide MTB bars maybe. Wrong reach would give me back pain not shoulder blades.
 
Jonny ///M said:
Not sure on the sore shoulder blades, possibly due to having wide MTB bars maybe. Wrong reach would give me back pain not shoulder blades.
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It may have been because I started with a 25KG rucksack on my back for half of the first day, we stopped on route to buy a pannier that connected to the stem. I was in a lot of pain by that point and wonder if perhaps the pain experienced there over the remaining two days was residual?

I'd like to have a full pannier arrangement, so I'm definitely going to have to get a new bike, I can't see how I can fit such a system to my Kraken frame, the hydraulic discs get in the way :(
 
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Jonny ///M said:
There are panniers that have a wider footing to clear disc brakes but having a bike fit for purpose would help out loads.

You'd need about £600+ for a half decent tourer I think. If you didn't need to carry loads around you could get away with just a road bike.

Something like this.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dawes/horizon-2009-touring-bike-ec018623
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Yes, I am under no illusion that my current bike is anything other than entry level. I'll do some more research before I make my mind up, in the meantime I shall be out as often as the weather allows! :)
 
I wouldn't call it entry level to be fair. The kraken is a nice bike in its own right and it does well for the money. (I get to build then quite a lot ;) )

You could change your tyres to 1.5" slicks to make things a bit easier and maybe invest in an adjustable stem to get the desired riding position.

Here is a pannier that would fit with the disc brake in the way.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37963

or this one if you require side pannier bags aswell

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32816
 
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Jonny ///M said:
I wouldn't call it entry level to be fair. The kraken is a nice bike in its own right and it does well for the money. (I get to build then quite a lot ;) )

You could change your tyres to 1.5" slicks to make things a bit easier and maybe invest in an adjustable stem to get the desired riding position.

Here is a pannier that would fit with the disc brake in the way.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37963

or this one if you require side pannier bags aswell

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32816
Click to expand...

Yes, I had the Tiogra (SP?) tyres removed and had Specialized Armadillos fitted before I went. It takes some getting used to such thin tyres after having huge MTB tyres on :)

Thanks for the pannier research, that's awesome! :)
 
Touring bikes tend to be made from steel because it's tougher and more repairable than carbon fibre and it's a lot more comfortable to ride than aluminium (which has little flex and so transmits every bump in the road into your backside). Steel is what you want for a tourer.

Have a look at the Dolan Prefisso, which makes a good tourer and a pretty good racing bike; its the bike they used for the Sport Relief JOG-LE.

Best shorts I've found are Altura Progel Bib Shorts. The pad is very good and bib shorts are more comfortable than non-bib because there is no pressure or rubbing on your waist.

Your shoulder / back pain is probably a combination of the lack of variation in hand position and too short a total reach on your current bike. If you are too stretched out then you tend to get lower back pain and if you are too bunched or upright then you get neck / shoulder pain. A proper fitting road bike should solve this.

As for clothing, for cheaper stuff I use these guys: www.cycleclothinguk.com

For more expensive stuff I use these guys: www.prendas.co.uk

And for novelty, these guys: www.foska.com
 
#Chri5# said:
Bib shorts give my misses a good laugh, but as Mr Asprilla says, they win hands down on comfort.
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Every so often Mrs Asprillia asks me to remind her again why I wear 'that stupid leotard thing'.

Bib shorts do rock though, if they weren't substantially better no-one would wear them. Once you've tried them you never go back.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;16443817 said:
Every so often Mrs Asprillia asks me to remind her again why I wear 'that stupid leotard thing'.

Bib shorts do rock though, if they weren't substantially better no-one would wear them. Once you've tried them you never go back.
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I think I understand the benefit, but my wife is going to rip me mercilessly for wearing those! :)

What size would I need? 36" waist - so L or XL?
 
Just been following this thread as I'm currently looking for a touring bike for the summer, planning on a few 100 mile + trips.

Asprilla, I've seen the Dolan Preffissio for £550, which is sort of the budget I'm looking at. However, I don't understand why they also have more expensive models at £699 with 'Tiagra 9'... I assume that is a different gear set. Any disadvantage, as it looks more like a road/racing bike than touring, but maybe that's because it doesnt come with panniers, I don't know.

Here's a link: http://grahamweighcycles.co.uk/shop...scription=1&inc_product=1&x=0&y=0&user=&pass=

I think it looks really good too :o

I've also taken a look at some bikes from the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative, but I really don't know what to look for. A bit of googling shows me that their touring bikes have quite a good reputation as entry level models:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...ID=18343&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018343

With stuff like panniers, bags, lights, helmet etc taken into account, I'm not looking to spend more than £1000, so can you tell me a bit more about those bikes if possible?

Thanks!
 
Your best just going to a decent bike shop. You are never going to get it perfect until you've been riding for a while and get to know what you like/dislike. IMO you should be looking at a mid-range cheapish bike and get a feel for things. Most people who tour etc are pretty experienced.

And can you repair your own bike? Change the chain, puncture, get me home fixes. This is really important and often over looked. There is no bike shop 50 miles in the middle of nowhere.
 
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