Help me to 100

[Greg Brown]

Hi guys

New member here as I am just getting in to cycling so I have no idea really about bikes.

I have signed up to do a 100 mile cycle in just over a months time and I am wondering what I will need for the ride in terms of what to take with me and the bike itself.

I currently have a mountain bike so have been advised to get a road bike for the trip but no idea what I am rally looking for. I am not in a financial position to spend a lot of money (around £350-£400) so I will be looking probably for a second hand bike but no idea what things are good and what aren't. I have cleats already on my mountain bike so will just get a new set of pedals for which ever bike I go for but just need some tips on the bulk part of the pike it self. are aluminium frames/forks any good for example or should i be looking for steel/carbon forks? I genuinely have no idea so any help would e welcome!.

I am pretty clued up on nutrition in general and some sports nutrition but not sure what I should be taking for a ride of this length so any ideas for that would be great as well.

Thanks in advance
Greg

 

[procel]

Decathlon's Triban 3 is popular on here for that sort of money.

 

[mcshroom]

As suggested above the B'Twin Triban 3 from Decathlon at about £300 is probably the best bike in that price bracket.

As for food and drink. Eat little bits frequently, and make sure it's not all sugars so you don't surf from glucose highs to crashes. Take two bottles and keep drinking them at a steady rate; again little and often.

Also - if you like the saddle on your current bike, it may be worth switching it to the road bike as saddle fit is a personal one depending on the shape of your pelvis (distance between the 'sit bones').

 

[Canrider]

Definitely switch the saddle if you're doing this ride in a month--you don't want to spend that month vainly trying to find a new saddle that works for you, and you're going to be sitting on it for 5-8 hours during the ride.
Another vote for the Triban simply because again you're going to need to get some practice in and get used to the new bike, so you don't want to be wasting time seeking out the perfect used bike option.

 

[Greg Brown]

well the bike looks great but it is also out of stock everywhere I can find it which is only the decathlon website. any other suggestions?

 

[DaveyM]

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-sabre-13?bct=browse/bicycles/road-bikes

What about this just over budget, but not bad
have a think about 2nd hand ?

good luck

 

[procel]

Y, it's Decathlon's own brand. What size are you looking for? - there looks to be only two sizes in stock in the warehouse. It does say more might be available at the local store. There's shops 1.5hrs away from you at Reading or Wednesbury - give them a call.

 

[HLaB]

I would stick away from steel on that budget and if possible get carbon forks. The aforementiontioned Triban appears to get the best reviews in the budget road bike section but I've no personal experience. Carrera TdF's seem to get not bad reviews too but dealing with Hellfrauds can be hit or miss! 2nd hand is a good idea though sometimes you can get unbelievable bang for buck!
PS if the budget is tight why not just buy a pedal spanner and use your mtb pedals (assuming they are clipless); remember left is wrong.