Pompey to Scotland Charity Challenge

[bucksgill]

I am almost certainly going to be doing a charity challenge with my work, it involves a 5 day ride of 550-600 miles from Portsmouth to Rosyth in late May. Going to be tough but I am confident I will get fit enough especially as I have now joined a club.

But what I am really asking about is whether you think I should go get myself a new bike (major N+1 feeling) and other kit (clothing, decent Garmin etc.)?

I currently ride a second hand Felt F100 which I would replace a few bits prior to the challenge if I did not get a new bike. My thinking is that as I will be fit to do this challenge I won't let the fitness go to waste so will enter sportives and carry on doing large rides at weekends and which point I would probably want/need a new bike for anyway.

I am thinking about £1500 for a bike, maybe a touch more if it's a good deal, preferably full carbon (Cube Agree range looks nice) so are bikes of this price range any good? I like the idea of building my own bike but I don't know how cost effective this option is.

Bit of a ramble post so I am sorry about that but any opinions/advice regarding getting a new bike, kit or the ride in general would be greatly appreciated

 

[snorri]

But what I am really asking about is whether you think I should go get myself a new bike

I have absolutely no wish to offend, but that really is a silly question to ask people on a cycle forum.

And good luck on your challenge, I'm sorry I can't give you any advice, I haven't done any long fast trips myself.

 

[ufkacbln]

If your bike is comfortable, you are happy with it and you know how it rides, reacts, deals with poor surfaces then keep it!

Making major adjustments or buying a new bike before a big event is often a mistake that you will regret.

Garmin is excellent and a good route guide as well as storing lots of details. It is also a training aid as you warm up for the event.

 

[StuAff]

+1 to Cunobelin's points. Try doing some long runs on the F100 first..if it feels good for those, it'll be more than up to the job. You might want to go to 25mm tyres if your frame can take them for a bit of extra comfort, and some padded bar tape and/or gel pads under tape (Fizik Bar Gel etc) would also make life a little easier. On my NotLeJOG (long story) I ended up having to use my Condor Squadra (alu/carbon mix) as the Viner (full carbon) was back at the factory getting repaired. I missed it for sure on some of the (absolutely awful) road surfaces, but I don't think it would have made that much of a difference to my comfort- regardless of tyre size and frame qualities, bumps and road buzz will get through.

 

[sabian92]

+1 on the Fizik padded tape - just put it on mine and it was like holding a soft feathered mattress compared to my old tape. Definitely worth the 15 quid or so.

I'd stick with your old bike - new bikes generally end up needing this and that faffing with all the time and you won't want to be having to get off every 10 miles to adjust the brakes or gears as they bed in.

Replace bits by all means - but make sure it's all stretched etc before the ride or you'll be miserable wondering when you'll next have to get off (and not for cake and tea!)