Which Bike Would You Recommend

[mickdhill]

Hi Guys,

In June of this year I am embarking on a charity bike ride from Scotland to Derby. Some of the ride is on a cycle track and some on road.
Although I have done many charity walks in the past, I have not been on a bike for about 20 years!!

What type of bike is best for this event? Do I want one with suspension? Somebody advised a hybrid? I will need to carry all of my equipment- tent etc. Any help or advice would be greatly apprreciated.

 

[sabian92]

More than likely no to the suspension - it'll just suck your momentum and make you work twice as hard. You only really need suspension for anything really rough, which you probably won't be on.

A hybrid or a tourer would be best - if you're carrying tent, sleeping bag etc a road bike especially on some tracks that aren't paved you want to avoid.

 

[Canrider]

Hybrid or tourer, yes. What sort of budget do you have to work with?

 

[HLaB]

If you go for a hybrid, add bar ends to give you more hand rest opportunity, you'll be glad of that on a long ride ;-)

 

[BrumJim]

Consider dropped bars that have a number of different hand positions. I'd go for an audax style bike - comfortable riding position and rear racks for your panniers.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'd recommend one of these...

on the basis that if they have it in your size it is a brand new bike, with resale potential post event, for secondhand money.

(I've owned two EBC Revolution bikes, both great, taking one to Scotland to ride NCN7 in May)

 

[Brommyboy]

Any bike will do! When NCR1 was officially opened, a few riders did the whole distance from Inverness to Dover and the one who did not walk up the hills rode a single-speed utility bike with front basket for her kit! A solid hybrid or touring bike can be used for carrying loads, whereas an Audax bike is for light touring - good for distance but not carrying much more than day kit. Comfort will be the most important criterion.

 

[Col5632]

If you go for a hybrid, add bar ends to give you more hand rest opportunity, you'll be glad of that on a long ride ;-)

Thats on my to buy list for my hybrid, one hand position sucks

 

[Moodyman]

Look beyond your charity ride.

Do you do any cycling now, will you do any cycling after the charity ride?

There's many folk who buy expensive tourers for charity rides and never ride them again. Dead money.

As said, many type of bikes can be used for charity, so buy one that you're likely to use after the event.

 

[rollinstok]

A hybrid is the obvious choice and will be a good choice as a bike to keep for any future rides whether on road or off.
Be careful as some hybrids are basically road bikes with a flat bar and are not suitable for off road cycling.
Suspension is definitely a no-no unless you are planning some rough stuff ( unnecessary weight and absorb energy )
I would also look at a cyclocross bike which are ok for light touring as well... the Boardman CX is a very sexy bike on my wish list.

 

[Part time cyclist]

A hybrid is the obvious choice and will be a good choice as a bike to keep for any future rides whether on road or off.
Be careful as some hybrids are basically road bikes with a flat bar and are not suitable for off road cycling.
Suspension is definitely a no-no unless you are planning some rough stuff ( unnecessary weight and absorb energy ).

+1

 

[GrumpyGregry]

A hybrid is the obvious choice and will be a good choice as a bike to keep for any future rides whether on road or off.
Be careful as some hybrids are basically road bikes with a flat bar and are not suitable for off road cycling.
Suspension is definitely a no-no unless you are planning some rough stuff ( unnecessary weight and absorb energy )
I would also look at a cyclocross bike which are ok for light touring as well... the Boardman CX is a very sexy bike on my wish list.

I disagree about the hybrid. A tourer is a better bet for the load lugging involved, more stable, more comfortable, and sans mudguards easily able to ride off road. CX-er would be ok provided it can handle the load but it won't be as stable and may not have a triple.

 

[Psyclist]

To the original poster, what sort of cycle track is it that you're riding on? Is it a trail and what's the track/trail called?
Also can you find out what grade it is? It should be colour graded, such as (I assume) Green or Blue. This would help as it'll help people know what bike you need (as it may require suspension)

I agree on hybrids. Hybrids are good and have an advantage of having front suspension on them,thick tyres for comfort and (usually) disc brakes. Also flat bars which beginner cyclists seem to prefer over drop bars.

I found this Viking which I think suits everything you need for a hybrid bike; touring geometry,suspension for light trails, flat bars, pannier rack possibly put your tent on, mud guards to and comfort saddle.

Not sure on what you're preference is with saddle and bars etc. but with the Viking, everything is perfect so you don't have to spend money changing parts, such as drop bars for flat bars and also gears etc.

If it was me, I'd go for the hybrid/Viking

Anyway, that's just my 2 pence

 

[Norm]

Don't look for a "hybrid", as it is a meaningless marketing term which will not help you in your search in any way, shape or form. Looking for a hybrid and you could end up with a flat-barred road bike on 23mm tyres or a hard-tail with fat 26 inch off road tyres, either of which would be deeply unsuitable, IMO.

IMO, you want a road bike with 700c wheels, 32-35mm tyres, disc brakes, relatively tall front end and "relaxed" geometry. I would go for dropped bars, because you get 6 hand positions compared to only 2 or 3 on flat bars, even with bar ends. I would also go for a CX-styled bike or a tourer, as Greg linked to above, with greater clearances for wider tyres and lugs for rack and mudguards.

 

[Psyclist]

The Viking has 700 x 38c tyres and has suspension for the 'cycling tracks' which I assume are trails. IMO perfect for what he's looking for; touring geometry,suspension for light trails, flat bars, pannier rack possibly put a tent on, mud guards to and comfort saddle.. Not many road bikes have tyre clearance for 28c upwards either.
I wasn't saying he shouldn't go for drop bars, but looking through a lot of threads, beginners seem to prefer flat bars I prefer drops by all means and would recommend them by far!