Bike choices

[Matthew Fox]

Hi guys,

I'm new to cycling and haven't cycled for about 5 years, when I was a kid .

Me and my friends group have decided to do LEJOG next year, I can't confirm if it'll go ahead as its a massive challenge. Any who I was looking online and a couple caught my eye. But then i saw the Fuji Sportif 2.1, nice looking bike, alright price for standard spec (well I think). I was just looking for opinions on that bike, I realise its not out yet. But does the spec look good and it is a good starter bike? Any input would be great.

I'll look forward to the replies.

 

[vickster]

If doing lejog, I think you'll be wanting to fix a rack for panniers - you'll want to check the bike has mounting points. Also, you'll want mudguards, not least for the benefit of not soaking your mates behind you. Again, check the bike has clearance for these

What's your bike budget?

Oh to have been a kid 5 years ago

 

[Cyclist33]

+1 to the above although the luggage thing may be less of an issue if you're doing it with motor vehicle support - anyone kind enough to be driving along with you??

I love the looks of the Fujis - yes yes, I'm a tart for bling - but they do seem to come up rough on reviews sometimes as either not as comfy as you'd hope, or just kinda bland to actually ride.

Budgetwise, be interesting to hear what you're thinking is, but if I were going to do something like LEJOG I'd be looking to justify a pretty decent spend, ie your putative budget plus say 20%. On the bike alone, never mind accessories.

Giant Defy. Specialized Secteur. Cannondale Synapse. Norco Valence. Ribble Sportive. All these are perfectly reasonable options for long days out riding. You should definitely try before buying if you're up for those sort of distances. It could be hell on earth otherwise.

I had a Felt Z100 (Z series - the Felt's long-distance road bike) a couple of years ago but didn't get on with it and a local bloke bought it for LEJOG purposes but as I didn't keep in touch with him I dunno if he actually did it

Vickster has a Whyte flat bar road bike which sounds very apt for the task, might be worth a flutter...

Steel could be a serious option - very comfy for the long haul apparently. - Jamis Quest if you've got a spare £1300...

Stu

 

[vickster]

Or one of the Whyte CX bikes...CX probably not a bad shout actually

 

[Patrick Harvey]

Raleigh Revenios are a good choice aswell, relaxed geomatry so more upright riding position, the Revenio 2 has a 11-32 rear casette so ideal if carrying extra gear or tackling big hills.

 

[Matthew Fox]

Thanks for the replies. I will try my best to reply to everyone .

I did read up about panniers and there important, so as you say i must try and get a bike that fits them, same with the mudguards as stated upbove. Just for some backround info im 21, so yu may say still a kid haha .

There will be no motor vechicle support so we will defiantly need luggage! I agree the Fuji bikes do look the best, i was afraid someone was going to say they werent that good .

My budget is around £600 , but could push to about £800, but still unsure about the the final figure. I will have a quick look at the bikes stated after this reply. That would have been interesting to hear back from that guy! Shame i can't stretch to that much .

Finallly, how would 11-32 casette benefit? (Sorry to be a rookie).

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Thanks for the replies. I will try my best to reply to everyone .

I did read up about panniers and there important, so as you say i must try and get a bike that fits them, same with the mudguards as stated upbove. Just for some backround info im 21, so yu may say still a kid haha .

There will be no motor vechicle support so we will defiantly need luggage! I agree the Fuji bikes do look the best, i was afraid someone was going to say they werent that good .

My budget is around £600 , but could push to about £800, but still unsure about the the final figure. I will have a quick look at the bikes stated after this reply. That would have been interesting to hear back from that guy! Shame i can't stretch to that much .

Finallly, how would 11-32 casette benefit? (Sorry to be a rookie).

Have you budgeted for everything else that you will need for cycling?

And yeah - you're still a kid. You'll still be a kid (in your head at least) in 30/40/50 years time too.

Took me until I was mid-40's for it to really sink in that there is a lot of wisdom associated with ageing and that those ahead of you in the Grim Reaper queue know rather more than those behind may give them credit for. I'm sounding like your dad now!

Good luck with your ride. Make it happen! Life rattles by real fast....ooooops! There I go again!

 

[Hill Wimp]

There are loads of people on here that have done LEJOG and there are a few threads about it to where i am sure you will find some great advice. Good luck if you do it .

 

[vickster]

There's a whole sub forum

http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/lands-end-to-john-ogroats-lejog.9/

 

[jowwy]

Personally i would get last years defy 4 if you can get the size - thats approx 450/500 with a triple and a 12/30 rear cassette, so that when the fatigued starts to kick in carrying all your gear up the hills, you got sufficient low gears to drop into.

Always defy mudguards are simples to fit and you can use 25mm tyres easy with no rubbing issues

 

[BAtoo]

Giant Defy. Specialized Secteur. Cannondale Synapse. Norco Valence. Ribble Sportive. All these are perfectly reasonable options for long days out riding. You should definitely try before buying if you're up for those sort of distances. It could be hell on earth otherwise.

Steel could be a serious option - very comfy for the long haul apparently. - Jamis Quest if you've got a spare £1300...

Stu

I'm "signed-up" for a long charity ride next year so I'm interested in your list; I like the look of the Secteur (I've always been a sucker for something that looks "right" to me - even if it may not be.....)

I'm not sure if I'll "invest" £1300 on the ride bike.

 

[Matthew Fox]

I've read through the LEJOG sub forum now, there's very good info on there. I'll have a look at the defy. @BAtoo I always like things that look good, shame some of them don't live up to the design...