cycling through france and spain, what kit?

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JamesW

New Member
In the summer I'm planning on cycling through france and spain with 3 others for about a month. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. We're looking to keep cost to a minimum and are camping.

I currently don't own a road bike, we went into a shop and were advised to get a £700 speedster, however I was thinking of going second hand to get a descent reliable bike for a much cheaper price. I am also confused about different frame sizes, I've heard it makes a difference. I'm 6''2 13 stone so I'm guessing the biggest would be right for me? Isn't that 60'' frame?

Any help in terms of which bike to get, any specific kit or route advice would be greatly appreciated, we were thinking north of france to santander, but this doesn't have to be a direct route by any means, thanks!
 

Herzog

Swinglish Mountain Goat
In the summer I'm planning on cycling through france and spain with 3 others for about a month. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. We're looking to keep cost to a minimum and are camping.

I currently don't own a road bike, we went into a shop and were advised to get a £700 speedster, however I was thinking of going second hand to get a descent reliable bike for a much cheaper price. I am also confused about different frame sizes, I've heard it makes a difference. I'm 6''2 13 stone so I'm guessing the biggest would be right for me? Isn't that 60'' frame?

Any help in terms of which bike to get, any specific kit or route advice would be greatly appreciated, we were thinking north of france to santander, but this doesn't have to be a direct route by any means, thanks!

If you're camping, I'd be looking at a touring bike (Edinburgh cycles do a reasonable...and cheapish...model) - sizing charts for each model will be available on the website.
 

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
+ 1 re good old fashioned tourer , i would suggest looking at 2nd hand Dawes Galaxy , Raleigh Clubmans et el and then also some of the more up market makes ie Thorn ,Cannondale plus others . But you will need to have the ability for fitting racks,gaurds fr & rr .

you mention a 60" frame i think iw ould revise that to 60cm ! as for size you will want to be comfy for such a ride so try all before buying , where are you based ? i always offer if local you are more than welcome to come sit on a few of my bikes to get an idea re sizes and i would suspect others on here would do same as well .
 
OP
OP
J

JamesW

New Member
Thanks for getting back to me,

What are the advantages of a tourer over a road bike then?

I live in taunton, somerset, what sort of price range would a descent second hand bike be then?
 

Herzog

Swinglish Mountain Goat
Thanks for getting back to me,

What are the advantages of a tourer over a road bike then?

I live in taunton, somerset, what sort of price range would a descent second hand bike be then?

On a touring bike you can carry 4 panniers and a tent on a rack, as opposed to a road bike where luggage options are severely limited (i.e., large saddle bag).

2nd hand, I would look at spending 400 ish (for a decent tourer). Or, cheap (relatively - 500 quid) and cheerful http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...raveller-13?bct=browse/bicycles/touring-bikes
 

pawl

Legendary Member
In the summer I'm planning on cycling through france and spain with 3 others for about a month. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. We're looking to keep cost to a minimum and are camping.

I currently don't own a road bike, we went into a shop and were advised to get a £700 speedster, however I was thinking of going second hand to get a descent reliable bike for a much cheaper price. I am also confused about different frame sizes, I've heard it makes a difference. I'm 6''2 13 stone so I'm guessing the biggest would be right for me? Isn't that 60'' frame?

Any help in terms of which bike to get, any specific kit or route advice would be greatly appreciated, we were thinking north of france to santander, but this doesn't have to be a direct route by any means, thanks!
Have a look at a cyclo cross bike,either new or second hand. These often have rack and mud guard eyes.
 

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
Thanks for getting back to me,

What are the advantages of a tourer over a road bike then?

I live in taunton, somerset, what sort of price range would a descent second hand bike be then?
tourers normally have a more relaxed frame style along with extra points for mounting gaurds and racks etc . i would have thought a decent starting point around the £200 then allow a bit extra for getting it ready for the tour .
 
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OP
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JamesW

New Member
What about camping, apparently its illegal to camp anywhere in france. That's what we're planning on doing I think
 

Falwheeler

Well-Known Member
What about camping, apparently its illegal to camp anywhere in france. That's what we're planning on doing I think
Many French towns have municipal campsites at a reasonable price, don't know about Spain tho
 

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
What about camping, apparently its illegal to camp anywhere in france. That's what we're planning on doing I think
dont worry re camping sure my in laws would happily put you up foc , just roll up and knock on there door and say martin sent you ........
 
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