Do I need a new bike for 100 mile event in April

[Rando]

Hi all,
Since buying my Claud Butler Hybrid bike in April 2010 here I have really got into all this cycling. I regularly cycle 20-30 miles on my Saturday ride over roads/tow paths. I am also doing a 50 mile ride on road on October 3rd 2010 for BHF. Now I am more than happy with my current bike and don't feel the need for another one just for my 50 mile event BUT I have said yes to a 100 mile ride next April 2011 in Peterborough and am starting to think about getting a more suitable / better bike.
What are peoples opinions on riding this distance on a bike that is not an out and out road bike ? I was in my lbs today (bike in for service) and was talking to the guy and after I stated I prefer not to have a drop bar bike he said that for the money this bike was good here .
I am willing to spend upto £400 'ish on a better bike if it will give me an advantage but part of me is also wondering if I should go with a better bike than current that can also handle my current cycle route of road / tow paths. Thus meaning I still have only one bike (would sell current bike).
Any advice greatly appreciated before I spend any more cash.

 

[tigger]

I'm pretty much at the same level as you and recently upgraded my bike. My first bike was an alu road bike with carbon fork. I've since splashed out for all carbon and overall a much lighter bike.

In my view the new bike you suggest will not offer you that much more than you already have.

The main thing I've found with going all carbon, other than the weight difference which helps for hills, is the quality of ride comfort over aluminium. The carbon frame seem to absorb the vibrations much better so you feel much fresher over longer distance. So if you want to go further maybe this is the way to go? Thats a lot more money than you're looking to spend so I reckon you may as well stay as you are, unless there is a massive weight difference to give some other benefit?

 

[HLaB]

In response to the thread title, you don't technically need a new bike you could stick narrower/ slicker tyres on that bike but it wont as nice on a 100 miler on a new lighter easier rolling etc bike. That looks a good bike IME the flatbar road bikes can handle tracks/ canal paths but I wouldn't choose to go along them often; you'll probably find your riding style becomes more road orientated. Good Luck :-)

 

[Rando]

I'm pretty much at the same level as you and recently upgraded my bike. My first bike was an alu road bike with carbon fork. I've since splashed out for all carbon and overall a much lighter bike.

In my view the new bike you suggest will not offer you that much more than you already have.

The main thing I've found with going all carbon, other than the weight difference which helps for hills, is the quality of ride comfort over aluminium. The carbon frame seem to absorb the vibrations much better so you feel much fresher over longer distance. So if you want to go further maybe this is the way to go? Thats a lot more money than you're looking to spend so I reckon you may as well stay as you are, unless there is a massive weight difference to give some other benefit?

thanks Tigger....the weight difference is not massive - 2kg at max. I will price up some carbon bikes to see how much more expensive it will be. Maybe an option is to stick with what I have and save ALL my pennies for a decent upgrade rather than a slight upgrade. Will slug the winter out on my hybrid.

YIKES....have just checked out the price of carbon bikes......way to expensive for me. would this be a decent compromise here

 

[Rando]

In response to the thread title, you don't technically need a new bike you could stick narrower/ slicker tyres on that bike but it wont as nice on a 100 miler on a new lighter easier rolling etc bike. That looks a good bike IME the flatbar road bikes can handle tracks/ canal paths but I wouldn't choose to go along them often; you'll probably find your riding style becomes more road orientated. Good Luck :-)

Technically I don't need a new bike - correct but it seems once you get into this cycling lark it is very easy to get carried along and want another bike !! My current bike is approx 14kg which I know is heavy compared to the road bikes but does say a 2-4kg lighter bike really make that much difference with 13st sat on it ?

 

[Moodyman]

Rando - if you were spending £6/700+ then a new bike will be much improved vs what you already have.

£400, sadly, won't buy you much better. In which case, I'd do as HLAB says and stick some thinner slicks and enjoy what you have.

 

[e-rider]

2kg IS a big weight difference! The bike the shop sugested isn't a vast improvement over what you have already so I wouldn't buy it. Your current bike is probably fairly comfortable which is an importnant factor when cycling long distances. If you just go out and bike a pure road bike you'll probably not make more than 40 miles until you get used to the new lower riding position.

Try changing your tyres to something narrower and slicker and good quality - that will make a huge difference.

If you ever spend a decent amount of cash on a new bike stay away from the claud butler brand - their cheap bikes are OK for the money but I defo wouldn't spend a lot of cash on a CB!

 

[marcw]

2kg isn't much unless your competing in a time trial, the benefits of a light weight bike are massively overstated. Flat bars aren't ideal as you don't get the option to change positions much. I wouldn't even change the tyre width, depending on what tyres the bike has, make sure you have slicks with puncture protection. The volume of air in your tyres makes all the difference as it protects you from the road bumps far more than the material that the frame is built from. people I ride with are absolutely fine on their hard tails with 1 inch slicks over 100 miles

 

[marcw]

Another problem with flat bars is you can't get out of the wind, you're basically a human sail

 

[tigger]

YIKES....have just checked out the price of carbon bikes......way to expensive for me. would this be a decent compromise here

I think if you really want a new bike (and lets be honest you do when the bug hits!) and you're wanting to do distance on the road then a road bike will be the way to go. The position is better suited, they're lighter and already have thin tyres as people have said. That Cannodale is a good bike for sure, its nice to get Tiagra spec, but for me at that price its not such a good deal. Search around and see what you can get, but now's the time to buy 2010 stock a rock bottom prices. I reckon you can get something of similar spec for about £550 or better??

That way you've got a road distance machine and a great general all purpose bike

 

[Rando]

Really appreciate all the replies and advice - thanks everyone so far.
So the concensus of opinion is don't spend my money on the Claud Butler bike as suggested by the lbs but wait until I can invest a little more cash into a real road bike with drop bars.
I am going to try a mates road bike at the weekend to see if I think i could adapt to the lower riding position of drops without too much back ache.
I do really enjoy riding my current bike and am will continue to do so while I pursue the road bike option.

 

[Scoosh]

Really appreciate all the replies and advice - thanks everyone so far.
So the concensus of opinion is don't spend my money on the Claud Butler bike as suggested by the lbs but wait until I can invest a little more cash into a real road bike with drop bars.
I am going to try a mates road bike at the weekend to see if I think i could adapt to the lower riding position of drops without too much back ache.
I do really enjoy riding my current bike and am will continue to do so while I pursue the road bike option.

Make sure you have a good long ride (1 hr ?) on your mate's bike . Drop bar road bikes have a completely different feel and balance from a hybrid/flat bar bike, IMO. It will take some time to get used to this. Use this time so you can get the feel for what a drop bar bike can do - does it feel faster/ cornering performance/ braking performance/ gear shifting etc etc.

You may well find that you have a bit of a sore back after (or even during) the ride . This will usually be because you have not yet developed the flexibility to bend your back over . Don't worry too much about that - if you do go down the drop bar route, you'll soon get used to it - and there are ways of getting a little more upright .... .

Enjoy your trial test and let us know how it goes.