Suitable bike for London to Paris cycle challenge

[Dogtrousers]

@GrumpyGregry to be fair to the ride organiser it's equally possible he doesn't want anyone struggling by riding a heavier or less appropriate bike, when they may be able to get by on something more suitable. 270km in three days of riding may not be a challenge to you, but it is to many. I doubt he gives a hoot about "discord in the group".

But you're right. The intended pace is the key.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

@GrumpyGregry to be fair to the ride organiser it's equally possible he doesn't want anyone struggling by riding a heavier or less appropriate bike, when they may be able to get by on something more suitable. 270km in three days of riding may not be a challenge to you, but it is to many. I doubt he gives a hoot about "discord in the group".

But you're right. The intended pace is the key.

You may well be right, but if his intent is as you say why direct the OP to Halfords.

270km in three days is well within the capabilities of any fit adult who has prepared for it. Especially as the last day will be fuelled by sheer buzz.

 

[snorri]

Strikes me if the Dawes Mohave suits your everyday needs, it would be an extravagance to buy a bike for a three day jaunt to Paris, better just to give the price of the new bike to the charity and cut out the middleman, ie the ride organiser.
OTOH I can understand the wishes of the organiser to have everyone on similar bikes as there is more chance of keeping the party together along the way, makes for the easy life for them.

 

[jefmcg]

This all seems very weird. For one, Halfords is not the best shop in the world, why does he single that out? You could easily leave there on a much less suitable bike than the one you have. And they haven't traded under than Bikehut for a long time. It's five years or more since the only Bikehut I knew about closed down, near St Pauls in London. Mind you, it was a good store, and I would have sent you there in a trice.

Gears more suited to hills? The average compact double that most of the other riders will have lowest gear won't be anywhere near as low as the 28/34 that's your lowest gear. And yes, you could get a bike that is 3 or 4 kg lighter. But there will probably be a 30kg range between the lightest and heaviest riders travelling with you; on that scale 3kg isn't that much. You won't be keeping up with the fastest riders, but you probably won't either if you change bikes. If you are comfortable on this bike for long days, two days in a row, then I wouldn't get another one unless you really want it.

I like to share this: me after my first long ride, London to Brighton, 99 km in 6 1/2 hours elapsed time. I was wearing sandals, self guiding, stopped for choccy bars on the way. Bike folded up and went home with me one the train. While my average time was slow, I passed a few roadies on more suitable bikes (yeah, more passed me, not surprising).

I've also done London to Paris on my own, unsupported. I used a road bike for that, and I guess it was a little better. I stopped for a little longer on the way, so my elapsed time was only 10 minutes less!

 

[vickster]

Probably because there are lots of halfords and thus it's easy, rather than trying to suggest an lbs closely. The organiser may of course not be a cycle geek either, and not have ill perception of halfords

They still have bikehut branding, my stand did for example

 

[Fab Foodie]

I think the main issue here is being missed. It's not the bike weight or type that will affect how fast you go, but aerodynamics.
The Mohave is fine, OK a bit porky but no heffalump, it fits you, it's comfortable it has good gearing and it's paid for.
The real benefit of a road bike is a more aerodynamic position, you'll be sitting less upright, meeting less wind resistance and going faster for a given level of effort. Also a more crouched position does help put a bit more power down. That's what makes it easier to go at a reasonable pace on a 'road-bike'.
But if speed/time is not an issue, then use the Mohave, it will take more effort but take it easy, go at a comfortable pace, enjoy the views and give a smile at the end of the day.

 

[Southside Mike]

As has been said, it all depends on the group of riders the OP is going to be with and the intended pace. If it is a mixed ability group on a variety of types of bike, then her own bike might be fine. However, if everyone else is reasonably fit and on road bikes then she is likely to get left behind constantly on the flat sections, even if the hills are ok with the low gearing. Feeling out of place can be quite disheartening.

I'd check again with the organiser and if it does sound as if everyone else is going to be on a road bike then what about trying to borrow something more suitable - does the OP know any other cyclists? Ultimately it does depend on finance and if the OP is prepared to buy something then Decathlon would be a reasonable bet as they do the Tribans in both drop and flatbar and as a triple, which might suit her (and she's going to be in France)

 

[T4tomo]

Ditch the rear rack, 1kg saved, what tyres are on it, something nearly slick and maybe 28mm would be better fir an all road trip. Also consider some bar ends to give you a change of hand position on what will be longish days. Otherwise your Dawes is fine

 

[Lucy.P]

Thankyou all so much, reading your posts has been very helpful...lots of information for me to take in, I am very grateful. I have spoken with the organisers again and they have forwarded information to me on the bikes that are normally used for this kind of cycle challenge and where they can be purchased but what they did say is it is very important to be sized correctly by someone at a bike shop and not to guess before purchasing - so that counts out any online shopping for me. Armed with all this information from everybody, I shall look for a the nearest bike shop and look around. Thankyou all again...

 

[vickster]

Where are you based?

 

[Lucy.P]

Mod: duplicate thread merged with original
Hello...i hope someone can help. I've just recently signed up to a London to Paris bike ride in September...something i've wanted to do for many years now as a fundraising challenge. My training has been ok but could be better. When filling out my registration form for the event i gave details of my bike, health and fitness etc as was requested. A few days after submitting my registration form i received a call from the organisers (European Cycling Tours), the gentleman was very friendly and we had a lengthy chat about how my training was going at the moment and he discussed targets regarding my training i should be looking to achieve in the following months leading up to the ride - he even offered to forward a training plan for me, but the thing that he was most concerned with was the make and model of my bike that i was planning to use. It is a rather old bike which i have used for almost everything over the last few years from popping down the shops to riding at the weekends with friends and family. The gentleman explained that i should really look to upgrade to a bike more appropriate to long distance riding and that is a little lighter than my current bike. He pointed out that many riders who sign up for these type of events will likely have reasonably nice aluminium/carbon fibre bikes with gears suited to riding over long distances and up lots of hills. He did say to perhaps visit my nearest 'Bike Hut' by Halfords as they offer good bikes and the staff 'should' help me with my sizing and set up. Not knowing anyone who is really that 'ua fait' with this sort of thing i really would be grateful for any advice on this matter.
Many thanks

 

[crazyjoe101]

Well without details on daily distance, total distance, amount of climbing, level of fitness, your riding style, the bike you ride now and the pace of the ride etc. it is hard to offer advice for a bike. The best general advice is to ride what you have as long as it is comfortable and safe, and just keep training until you feel ready for the event. Another good piece of advice is to go to a reputable bike shop if you need advice on choosing a new bike and finding the right size etc. Halfords do sell some nice quality bikes but the staff don't generally have the know how to advise someone on the best bicycle for their needs, and quite often they fail to even correctly set up the bikes they sell.
Have you got any more details about the ride, your current bike and your general type and style of riding at all?

 

[Spiderweb]

Hello...i hope someone can help. I've just recently signed up to a London to Paris bike ride in September...something i've wanted to do for many years now as a fundraising challenge. My training has been ok but could be better. When filling out my registration form for the event i gave details of my bike, health and fitness etc as was requested. A few days after submitting my registration form i received a call from the organisers (European Cycling Tours), the gentleman was very friendly and we had a lengthy chat about how my training was going at the moment and he discussed targets regarding my training i should be looking to achieve in the following months leading up to the ride - he even offered to forward a training plan for me, but the thing that he was most concerned with was the make and model of my bike that i was planning to use. It is a rather old bike which i have used for almost everything over the last few years from popping down the shops to riding at the weekends with friends and family. The gentleman explained that i should really look to upgrade to a bike more appropriate to long distance riding and that is a little lighter than my current bike. He pointed out that many riders who sign up for these type of events will likely have reasonably nice aluminium/carbon fibre bikes with gears suited to riding over long distances and up lots of hills. He did say to perhaps visit my nearest 'Bike Hut' by Halfords as they offer good bikes and the staff 'should' help me with my sizing and set up. Not knowing anyone who is really that 'ua fait' with this sort of thing i really would be grateful for any advice on this matter.
Many thanks

Can you give us some details on your bike, maybe even a picture.

 

[vickster]

Can you give us some details on your bike, maybe even a picture.

She did say what it is earlier in the thread. Dawes Mojave maybe?

 

[Spiderweb]

She did say what it is earlier in the thread. Dawes Mojave maybe?

Oops, I seem to have missed the majority of this thread.
Nothing more to say, plenty of excellent advice for Lucy.P.