Trip Through Europe

[Surg3]

Me and a group of friends from Uni are looking to cycle from Liverpool to a destination around 1000 miles away in Europe, all for charity, we are all quite fit but most are rather inexperienced riders. What bike would you recommend for such a trip. Budget around £500. Thanks

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I think we all need some more info. Its going to be a barage of questions, so I will apologise now.

are you after a road bike, a tourer or a mountain bike to convert - or even a hybrid?
what experience do you have already on what type of bike? (if only experience is mountain bike then continuing with mtb may be better bet)
are you camping or B&B? assuming summer months here?
do you need to carry your kit with you?
Is it supported?
what kind of roads/tracks are you hoping to cover? (gravel/ canal towpath/tarmac etc)
Can we assume you don't already have a bike than can be converted to take luggage/panniers?
finally do you already have anything in mind? - this can be useful to act as a guide

 

[snorri]

....and are you going to cycle 1,000 miles, dump the bikes, and take the train home, or is this a 2,000 mile tour?

 

[Surg3]

Road bike, camping, need to carry all our gear, not supported, no I don't have a suitable bike. Trek 1.2 or giant defy 3 were the two bikes in mind. Originally we were going to fly back home but we now think a 500 mile return journey is more suitable thanks in advance

 

[vernon]

Me and a group of friends from Uni are looking to cycle from Liverpool to a destination around 1000 miles away in Europe, all for charity, we are all quite fit but most are rather inexperienced riders. What bike would you recommend for such a trip. Budget around £500. Thanks

The bikes that you are interested in are above your budget and you's still have to buy mudguards and a pannier rack. They are also gears as road bikes which you'll be cursing on the hills at the end of a long day when you've still got some kilometres to go before getting to the camp site and your legs are tired.

Get yourself an Edinburgh Bike Co-op tourer currently costing £400 click here to see more details.

The bike is a bargain. You get mudguards and a pannier rack included - things that you'd have to purchase if you bought a road bike. In addition the bike will have appropriate gearing for cycling with a load.

 

[willem]

Road bikes are not really suitable for this kind of thing. They are nervous, unstable with a camping load, and the tyres are too narrow for the kind of roads and trails you will be riding. So indeed a tourer like the Revolution tourer is far more appropriate. The rack looks a bit flimsy, however.
Alternatively, buy a good second hand bike from a higher price bracket, such as a Thorn Club Tour or Sherpa, or a Dawes Galaxy.
Willem