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[User33236]

I didn't know you could get that kind of support so am happy to hear that too - all very exciting!

There are different ways of doing the trip with support.

For example you can pay to do it with companies like, More Adventure, where there is no requirement for sponsorship . Alternatively you can do it via a charity like Macmillan or the Alzheimers Society, for example, where you pay a much lower registration fee but have a minimum sponsorship target. Both these options have full support.

Finally you can do the trip unsupported where you arrange everything yourself including transferring all your baggage between stops.

 

[Stevec047]

I bought a second hand carrera virtuoso. Having never ridden a road bike and in fact not ridden a bike in over 15 years.

In my opinion they are good bikes for the price. You will need to upgrade a few bits but not straight away. As others have said the tyres on the stock bike are pretty awful and a quick swap to some continental gatorskins wouldn't be a bad idea as they will give better resistance to flats and have a better rolling resistance making it easier to ride for longer.

The wheels are a little fragile but I am quite a heavy bloke at over 16stone but again fine to start of with and when you have the spare money you can just upgrade them to better quality options.

In terms of distance any bike that is looked after can do it but remember that the components used on the cheaper end of bikes will be to the lower end of the market. If you have a decathlon store near by I would strongly suggest having a look at the Btwin range. You get better quality components for not a lot more money.

Whatever your choice if like me you will be hooked on road cycling in a matter of miles.

 

[steveindenmark]

If you are riding all on road and carrying no gear your 23c tyres will do the job. If you are carrying any gear or going off road, like the Avenue de Verte, for example, you need to change your tyres to 25c or better still 28c.

Your 23c tyres are built only for speed and not comfort. The bigger the tyre, the more comfortable the ride is. When touring, a lot of us on here use Schwalbe Marathon plus tyres as they Roll well and are great for not getting punctures.

Even if you are on the road with no gear, I personally, would change them to 28c if they will fit the wheel and the frame of the bike.

 

[oldfatfool]

At the end of the day you get what you pay for. The bike and it's components are designed for a price point and are all up to the task of being a bike. London to Paris is all of 240 miles so I am guessing you would expect to get more than 20 hours use out of your new toy and can guarantee it won't disolve on leaving these shores

Ime French roads are an improvement on ours also. As for luggage do it in a day

 

[steveindenmark]

A newbie riding 240 miles in a day.

Sorry I must have missed the Smiley.

 

[vickster]

@bumblebee adding better 23mm tyres is simple and needn't cost more than £20-30

 

[sidevalve]

Just get on it and ride ! You're going to Paris not across the world and up the amazon. You will have to carry a spare tube and tyre anyhow and if needed spares for shimano equipped bikes can be found all over the world [including France] so don't worry . No the saddle may not fit your bum but that is just one of the great mysteries of cycling - I like the old Brooks and don't even have to 'wear them in' they fit me straight off the peg but that's just me and my arse. [When you DO find your perfect saddle guard it with your life].
Otherwise - just enjoy and don't turn the trip into some sort of weird endurance race

 

[oldfatfool]

A newbie riding 240 miles in a day.

Sorry I must have missed the Smiley.

No smiley but a couple of little devils in there

 

[oldfatfool]

Out of interest, how far do you live from London and how do you plan to get there? How are you planning on getting home? The supported options are imo expensive, even the 'charity' events mean you have to raise a hell of a lot of cash and most of it ends up going to the organisers rather than the charity. You may be better spending that money on a better specced bike for touring, and the change funding a round trip mini tour over a week or so.

 

[jefmcg]

I think every one makes riding London to Paris too complicated. What luggage do you really need? Change of shorts, deodorant, credit card, toothbrush, sunscreen, phone & charger, simple tools and 2 spare tubes? I'd happily cycle to Paris with my Barley, or one of other carradice saddle bags, though it turns out I had my larger saddle bag when I rode to Paris. Book 2 nights in a B&B say 40 miles out of Dieppe, cycle down to Newhaven, catch the ferry, cycle to the B&B, spend the night, in to Paris the next day, train back to B&B that night, and cycle or train back to Dieppe the next day. No need to over think it.

That bike looks like a good starting bike. The saddle may need changing, or it may not. No amount of money will guarantee you a stock saddle that suits. See how you get on. As for tyres, most bikes are sold with pretty crap tyres. You'll know it's time to change them when you keep getting punctures, but even if they are good tyres, you'll need to change them every 4,000miles or so. Tyres are consumables. Good thing is, I find Rubinos brilliant, and they are cheap. £7 each from http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/vittoria-rubino-3-rigid-tyre/ and you can get theme with yellow stripes, which will look great on your bike.

If you can, go to a Cycle Republic. It's Halfords specialist brand, and they let you take bikes out for a road test, which I don't think Halfords do. Make sure the roads are dry when, no one will let you test a bike on wet roads - and call to make sure they have the bikes you want to try in stock.

I'd say you really should buy it. Falling in love is half the battle, and you are in love. It's a better bike for you than one that objectively better, but you don't love.

Edit: here's a photo I took most of the way to Paris. The big bag is because I was staying with friends in Dieppe, and need changes of shoes and clothes to be a good house guest. You can also see my leather saddle - I couldn't cycle more than 100km on the saddle that came with the £800 bike - and my red Rubino tyres.

 

[oldfatfool]

If you do get the (a) bike and get a few miles under your belt you might like to take a look at this thread https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/london-to-paris-23-24th-july-2016.198144/ Cheap and cheerful and not all alone.

 

[DRM]

Wow, seems like a lot of modification was needed - that's a bit off-putting to be honest!

Whichever bike I go for is going to be a massive upgrade from a simple mountain bike I have in my shed that I used as a youngster. It's got to be better to ride than that!

I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the choices and trying to make the right decision. The plus side is that pretty much anything can be modified if it turns out to be unsuitable. I've just got to try one I like and take it from there!

It must be rare to find a bike that doesn't need modifying for an individual's needs as we are all different/look for different things I guess!

The thing is the bike is solid, the 7 speed Tourney groupset works well, I modified mine to become a winter bike as it saved my Giant Defy from the ravages of winter, plus I couldn't justify selling it & getting another bike after getting the Defy & having my MTB as well, however perhaps you could have a look at other carrera's perhaps a 9 speed or so, it seems silly to get something, only to trade up later if the bug bites, it's quite an expensive way to go, plus half the fun is seeking out the perfect bike.

 

[dan_bo]

Ive just been informed that Peter Sagan rode and won his first MTB race on a supermarket MTB which belonged to his sister because his snazzy sponsor's bike hadn't turned up.


Ride what you want.

 

[Crandoggler]

Do you own the bike yet?

 

[vickster]

Yes, the 51cm will be much too big and you'll likely need to spend money changing components. Get the smallest one I would think, that's what the Halfords suggests for your height. Buying the right size is crucial, and especially a bike that isn't too big
You need to check the measurements and then come back for some advice....the top tube and stand over are the most important numbers, ignore the number used for sizing. And go sit on them, ride if you can, even if just on a turbo in store. Did they have it in store in the 43cm, only your link says that the bike is unavailable currently

What's your max budget, there may be other options. Did you look at Evans website for example?

If you do buy from Halfords, consider joining British cycling, you get 10% off in store at Halfords plus other benefits, notably 3rd party indemnity and legal advice should you be in an accident, be it yours or someone else's fault ride membership is £35 (and you'd save £27 on that bike)