Pushbikes

[NobbyClarke]

Hello all,

Hope your having a good day, i wanted to pick your brains about bikes....

Early next year i will be cycling john 'o' groats to lands end for charity, i have started my training now, but at the moment i am using a mountain bike.... i know i need to invest in either a racer or a road bike but my knowledge of bikes is poor, can anybody give me ideas of a good bike to look at ?

many thanks

[gdex2008]

Main thing you need for such a trip is skinny, high pressure tyres with little tread... Max efficiency. If you are only going to be tarmac based then these are a must!! Mtb frame geometry isnt designed for long haul riding (i.e the length your talking) a hybrid racer (with flat bars) would be perfect (check out the carrera gryphon for style-not nessesarily a good bike but thats the style i
Would use) i have done a 60 mile 2 day trek on a jump bike with a long
Seat post but jesus that wasnt fun as the frame wasnt set up for that and the tyres were as wide as a saxos. I got asked
Last min if i fancied it and its all i had. Only thing i would mention is that the higher your seat gets the more pressure on your wrists, so strengthen the wrists too!!

[KamRacing]

Most riders dont use the ultra thin tyres any more. Something to do with the friction differences due to the different contact patch. 25mm will be more comfortable ride than 23mm.
A good road bike will be effortless to ride than an MTB and faster than a commuter bike.

[Viper]

I think the main question is what's your budget?

[gdex2008]

Most riders dont use the ultra thin tyres any more. Something to do with the friction differences due to the different contact patch. 25mm will be more comfortable ride than 23mm.
A good road bike will be effortless to ride than an MTB and faster than a commuter bike.

Very true. Lads that come into dads shop have stopped buying them. I ment thin as in thinner than mtb tyres lol.

[NobbyClarke]

i was thinking about getting 25mm tyres, my budget is max £600, i may pay more though as i dont want a bike that will fall apart 100miles in :/ i saw a carrera in halford second hand ... looked quite nice TBH not to heavy either :)

[gdex2008]

Ive not had much dealing with carrera. They are a halfords brand, not that they will
Be bad and actually some seem to hold second hand value. 600 isnt a bad price range to have. I would shop around local bike spots and see what they can do for you/suggest. Have a look on some forums to see where people think can dona decent deal. Dont get pressured into buying there and then and keep your options open

[craig180]

Have a look at Viper's Cube road bike and see if he can give you some pointers.

Not only do you want a decent frame and low fric tyres but you'll need to look at ones with good gearing especially if you're likely to be changing up/down frequently.

Larger front crank will help top end speed

[Mochachino]

Giant TCR are a good frame, very comfortable and light as well as being cheap these days too if you get one of the older ones!

Local bike clubs always have bargains on and forums so worth having a look around them too.

[0rang3peel]

£600 quid is an aright budget, I wouldn't pay more unless you plan on riding it a lot after the charity ride. Realistically you could do it on a cheap roadie for half that budget and have no fears about it 'falling apart'.

My mate recently did Swansea - Paris on a fairly cheap roadie.

[Viper]

With that budget it's worth looking at a decent spec used road bike.

Worth having a look around on Bike Radar forum in their classifieds.

[manta]

tbh just pick one up for like £200, a second hand one of course.

And use the other £400 bob for something else.

[Ryan]

For training on, it's not uncommon for people to ride on a MTB with road tyres.

If you are on a budget it may be a good option for you.

[Steelies]

I would of said a Cannondale or a Pinarello, but not sure if you'd be able to get a decent spec for under £600. There are quite a few nice Trek road bikes, you can also get a Specialized Allez '2012 for under £600.

[Mochachino]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-TCR-Team-Once-frame-and-carbon-fork-/110912529585?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts _SR&hash=item19d2e6e4b1

get that and build it up tbh

[Geist]

Used to work in halfords, in the bikehut, building bikes :)

carrera are good bikes for what they are and the price. if you're cycling somewhat casually, then you want an urban bike. mountainbike (MTB) frame hardtail so no suspension and smooth tyres. smooth tyres so you don't put so much effort into the ride. get yourself a gel seat too because after a few miles, you'll be in comfort rather than agony.

[Viper]

get yourself a gel seat too because after a few miles, you'll be in comfort rather than agony.

Not necessarily.

[L33h]

I havnt got much advice for you as ive only got mountain bikes

But i wish you the best of luck. You can do it! :)