Advice on what bike to buy for cycling across America (4000 miles!)

[Tour]

Hi, I need to buy a bike. I have riden LEJOG on an old 1990 bike Raleigh. But next year I'm cycling across America which is 4000 miles, a bit longer than LEGOG so I need a bike which will hold all my kit about 25kg and will generally last that far. I don't want to spend more than 600. Can anyone help please. Would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[HLaB]

I can't really recommend but good luck Tour, it sounds quite an epic.

 

[Tour]

Ah cheers! Going to be tuff!

 

[Crankarm]

This thread may be more suited to the Touring forum.

 

[mmmmartin]

Dawes Galaxy, bought on Ebay. Will easily stand up to anything you will put it through. Need not be new, and just go on a maintenance course before you go, make sure the wheels are as strong as possible, fit Marathon Plus tyres.

 

[coffeejo]

Two of my friends are currently cycling round the world on their Thorn bikes and have been really impressed with them thus far (Norway-Sudan).

 

[grolyat]

Almost anything... people do trans USA on everything from unicycles to space-hoppers. However, as bikes go, I'd second the suggestions above - the Galaxy is bomb-proof and most Thorns are nuke-proof. My own preference would be for a Surly Long Haul Trucker, but £600 is stretching it for one of those.

Actually, for £600, new, I'd go for one of these, with an Old Man Mountain rack on the front and any rack that'll fit on the back.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPALF/on_one_pompetamine_alfine_8_speed

 

[vernon]

Ah cheers! Going to be tuff!

It shouldn't be if you are fit.

 

[vernon]

Decathlon do a tourer with lights, hub dynamo, mudguards, hydraulic rim brakes and front suspension that can be locked out. It costs £599.

Edinburg Bike Co-operative do one in the same price range as do Raleigh.

All three will do the job.

I had a Decathlon tourer for a couple of years before selling it on. It was a direct replacement for an aged Dawes Galaxy that failed on me while in France. Despite my reservations - it was a flat barred bike and had suspension, it proved to be a robust and capable tourer. It's now owned by a very happy friend of mine.

 

[buggi]

I think a more appropriate thread title would be "advice on what bullet proof vest to buy for cycling across America?"

 

[Falwheeler]

I think you'd struggle to get even a good second hand Thorn for your budget. A second hand Galaxy would be a good bet but they often fetch big money. I have a Raleigh Randonneur, similar to or better than a Galaxy, which I've ridden 1000s of miles on but these days I prefer my Tricross, even for fully laden touring. Another option would be one of these http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-country-traveller-12?bct=browse/bicycles/touring-bikes Don't have one but they seem very well thought of. Edinburgh Cycles start their sale on Boxing Day so you may get a better price

 

[Cycleops]

Dawes Galaxy would be fave and could be well within your budget. Try not to get one thats led a hard life or it could be a money pit. Good time of the year to buy one though, you could get a bargain. Good luck.

 

[Cycleops]

On another aspect you are carrying far too much weight, you should be able to get it down to about half of what you quoted.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Hi, I need to buy a bike. I have riden LEJOG on an old 1990 bike Raleigh. But next year I'm cycling across America which is 4000 miles, a bit longer than LEGOG so I need a bike which will hold all my kit about 25kg and will generally last that far. I don't want to spend more than 600. Can anyone help please. Would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks.

I cannot recommend a bike for you, as I have always make mine up to my own spec, by picking and matching frame and components from different makers to suit my own needs,
Kit wise, even when fully equipped for camping I only just make 15kgs, maybe a tad over that when I have been winter cycle touring.

You have not said what part of the year you are intending to do this adventure, which will have some effect on your Kit list, if you are not camping then I would think 10 kgs or less might a good kit weight to allow yourself. Personally clothes wise on a long trip, I allow 3 of most items, like shorts, sox's jerseys etc, one on, one for washing, one spare.
As to if the trip is going to be tough, most problems are in the mind, as long as you start the trip with a reasonable level of fitness, you will improve as you ride along. Are you a person who is happy with just your own company, if so I find that from my own experiences that helps, cos I one of those miserable old buggers who is happy to be by myself, and am happy to bimble along day after day by myself.
I wish you luck, Just remember that you are but one of many who will have done your proposed trip, so you will not be treated as some stranger riding on a strange machine and lots of people are always happy to help you if things go a Tad wrong..

i`

 

[Crankarm]

Don't wate your time peeps as OP hasn't been back since sunday. You thought he would have done a bit or research like used the "search" as there have been thousands of pages written on just this topic. Another time waster.