Is A Raleigh Sensor For Europe OK?

[katanadan]

Hi everyone. A friend of mine and I have a few months free this coming summer and we've decided to ride to the south of Spain on push bikes. I've made the trip a few times by motorbike, the first time I found it exciting, the second was good but the novelty had worn off. 2 years ago another friend and I back packed our way around for a month, but found we were spending days waiting on platforms for trains and missing so much as it all whizzed passed.

We're both pretty fit, we train at the gym 5 or 6 times a week and I am a qualified gym instructor and have studied sports for years so I understand the fitness requirements. However, I know next to nothing about road bikes. I've always had mountain bikes and am pretty handy with anything practical. I'm due to start University as a mature student in October so need to be carefull with the cash, another good reason to go by pedal power. However, I don't want to be spending a fortune on a bike. I asked around to see if anyone had one and a guy from my dads work had a 80's/90's raleigh sensor in the back of his garage which he had from new. He gave it me for free which was nice and it only requires 2 tyres. So I wondered if this would do the job? I will be going with just a single back rack with panniers and a sleeping bag. I weigh just over 13st.

Does anyone know if this bike will make the journey? It is only 10 speed so the Pyrenees will be tricky. It has mudguards as standard and is nice and light. If it you think it will be okay, does anyone know what tyres I should get? the whole trip will be almost completely on tarmac. I'll leave the post at that as I'm rambling. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

p.s i've tried to attach a photo of the said bike

 

[rich p]

I'd take the mtb with slicks unless it's got suspension. The hills would be tough for me on a 10 speed.

 

[katanadan]

I'd take the mtb with slicks unless it's got suspension. The hills would be tough for me on a 10 speed.

Unfortunately the mtb was sold yesterday, doh!

Whay problems to you see with this? aside from the ten gears?

 

[Arch]

There's no reason why it shouldn't do the trip, if it's in good condition. Whatever bike you have, and no matter how many gears, it's still the rider that gets a bike round...

A couple of things I'd say:

I wouldn't want to carry a backpack at all. If you can manage it, get a handlebar bag or a saddle bag to carry the small valuables you want to have with you off the bike.

Also, I think I see suicide levers on that bike - the extra brake levers along the tops. Take them off (or have a bike shop do it if you don't know how). They are not to be relied on. Modern cross top levers work fine, but those are worse than useless.

How much are you carrying? Full camping gear might be a bit heavy for the bike - it'll probably cope, but might be a bit squirmy....

But as rich says, you could easily make your MTB into a tourer unless it's full suspension and very heavy - add a rack (if it doesn't have the bosses, you can use p-clips), and swap to slick tyres. You'll have more gears, and a bike you're used to.

 

[rich p]

Of course you can tour on anything but the gearing may be too high for a loaded bike in hilly country for it to be ideal.
Will it take a rack and is there enough heel/pannier clearance? Are the brakes adequate? Are thw wheels strong enough.
Someone with technical knowledge will be along sometime soon!

 

[katanadan]

I wouldn't want to carry a backpack at all. If you can manage it, get a handlebar bag or a saddle bag to carry the small valuables you want to have with you off the bike.


How much are you carrying? Full camping gear might be a bit heavy for the bike - it'll probably cope, but might be a bit squirmy....

I intend to travel light without a backpack. Just some small panniers on the back rack. I've seen photos of these bikes with backracks on so it's obviously possible to do it... somehow.

I'm going to take a trip 40 miles to my friends house as soon as the weather gets better to give it a try. The main things I'm concerned about include:

• Will the wheels be strong enough?
• What size and type of tyres should I get?
• Is it possible to change the gears to make more?

 

[Arch]

I intend to travel light without a backpack. Just some small panniers on the back rack. I've seen photos of these bikes with backracks on so it's obviously possible to do it... somehow.

I'm going to take a trip 40 miles to my friends house as soon as the weather gets better to give it a try. The main things I'm concerned about include:

• Will the wheels be strong enough?

• 
  
  I think the answer is probably. A bike wheel is pretty strong. You can help it along by avoiding potholes and rough surfaces, and by having a good riding technique - to go over bumps, stand up a little and let the bike pivot under you, rather than crashing across with all your weight in the saddle. Travel as light as you can.
  
  

  [*]What size and type of tyres should I get?

  
  I suspect they will be 700C, and there are a variety of widths - the main thing is to make sure they will still fit under your mudguards. Look on the current tyre, on the sidewall, and somewhere there should be a code moulded into it, something like 700C x 25, or maybe 27 x 25 (the latter number may vary). The first number is the diameter of the wheel, the second the width of the tyre. Stick to what you've got currently, or possibly go for a size wider - but check it'll still fit. A good bike shop should help.
  
  As for type - well, you need relatively smooth ones, or completely smooth, for tarmac. The smoother, the better they roll. As for brand, Michelin or Schwalbe usually suit me fine - the model is a matter of choice. Do you want extra puncture resistance for example...
  
  (also moulded into the tyre should be a maximum inflation pressure. Keep as near this as you can - well inflated tyres roll better, less effort for you. Road tyres will take a higher pressure than the MTB ones you're used to.)
  
  

  [*]Is it possible to change the gears to make more?

Again, it depends. It might be possible to change the front to a triple, or to change the sprockets to give you more speeds, but I don't know enough say offhand. If you can't get more gears, you might be able to get a larger range by changing the chainrings (the front gears) or the sprocket set (the rear ones) - still 10 gears, but some lower and some higher than now. Again, I'm not expert enough to say for sure.

 

[Arch]

woo, dunno what happened with those bullet points....

 

[katanadan]

Thanks for all your advice. I looked at the numbers on the tyre wall and it has a lot of 1/4 measurements etc. I might just take the bike to the local bike shop and let them see. I will see how I get on with the ten gears I have now when it's loaded up by riding up a few big hills. I suppose if it's difficult to get up the mountain it will be worth it

 

[Arch]

yes, the tyres are probably a bit pre-metric. A decent bike shop will help.

And remember, if all else fails, we all have a 24" gear. Or two feet. There's nothing wrong with getting off and oushing when it gets too hard.

 

[Norm]

And there is nothing like a good bit of oushing. I'm going to guess those tyres are 27 x 1 1/4. Your local bike shop should be able to source some, I got some Michelins in that size at the back end of last year.

Nice bike, BTW, and I don't think there's any reason it won't make the trip. It's not that many years that 10 speeds was as much as anyone got and it didn't stop people riding up mountains.

 

[jay clock]

Personally I wouldn't. I suspect the brakes will be terrible. The gearing is going to make it unpleasantly demanding. You can buy a Carerra Subway One for under £200 (249 minus 20%) and this will be much better option. I have one and it is an ideal "do anything" bike

 

[GrahamG]

I'm with Jay - 27 and 1/4 steel rims would be a nightmare, verging on suicidal in the pyranees with weight on the bike. The wheels are unlikely to be strong enough, or at least sturdy enough to give peace of mind, and given that the gearing is totally inappropriate you're better off starting with a bike that has more to work with in the first place.

Cheap second-hand mountain bike is the way to go, preferably a steel frame 21 speed jobbie which pre-dates front suspension.
Don't suppose you're anywhere near Bristol are you? I've got my brothers old mtb to do a fix-up/maintenance overhaul on that'd be absolutely ideal if you're in the 5'7"-5'11" range - he won't miss it for the summer (I got him a replacement for christmas) if you want to borrow it.

 

[jay clock]

I had not thought about the steel rims, but if they are steel I would say it will be lethal. I fyou do get a secondhand MTB definitely avoid suspension and knobbly tyres, and check the heel clearance for panniers, and fitting points for a rack. If you do go the Carerra Subway route you will have an ideal student commuter bike for future use.

Keep us posted on your plans!

 

[katanadan]

Yeah I've been watching 'the man who cycled the Americas' and although his bike will have cost a fortune, he doesn't seem to mind that style. I think I'd do better to swap this for an mtb then. I've been looking on ebay and they aren't expensive, but they all seem to be in Northampton?

Thanks for the offer Graham, but Bristol is a long way from here, besides a mtb shouldn't cost a great deal. Thanks for the info