Cycling UK Forum

Hi, I plan to cycle Lejog next may/June but I have a problem..... getting hold of a bike as many of you will be aware is a huge issue just now. I originally wanted a gravel bike that I could fix panniers too and tried to find a Trek Domane and also a Cannondale topstone and a few others but none I was told would be available until next June at the earliest..... I needed a bike before that to get myself match fit for the big ride. Because of availability issues it was suggested I get a Trek 520 as these had better availability and one could be sourced for me before the end of the year but..... it’s not really what I want. I’m not a big fan of Halfords but they could supply me with a Boardman ADV 8.9 within a couple of weeks which I think may possibly do the job. Does anyone have anything good or bad to say about this bike? The other option would have been to acquire a second hand bike but because I’d be buying a new bike through a cycletowork scheme I could well end up paying more for a decent used machine. Help.........


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly bog brush using hovercraft full of eels

Second hand is IMHO usually the best way to go. Buying a bike just because it’s available soon isn’t a great way to choose. Restricting yourself to only buying through the CTW scheme appears to be limiting your choice of bike. Might it be worth looking further afield to those suppliers who don’t do the scheme.
How do you plan on riding LEJOG. Lightly loaded and B&B or fully laden camping will have a bearing on what you should be looking for.

Edit I see you’re planning loaded touring are a look at Spa or maybe a Croix de Feur A neighbour recently bought a CdF from Spa a great bike for the job.

I’d give up it were me. The world is in a right old state at present. It’s not the time for ‘look at me heroics’.

There must be dozens who would borrow you a bike in return for a consideration-surely a quick spin between two fixed pounts cant be that hazardous.

Boardman ADV 8.9 would be s fine choice of bike.

Tbh the engine is more important than the bike getting the miles in between now and next year is essential more do if you don't have any endurance sport / leasure background. Obviously the distances/ time taken will have a massive influence on the fitness needed.

Go for it you won't regret it perhaps if you do it in 7 days and wished you had taken 14!!!

Cheers James

Used bikes are also at a premium unfortunatley

However since you are looking at next May/June when hopefully the world will be a better place (and the weather might be nicer) this could give you some scope to do something like

Beg or borrow something to train on, or buy summat cheap and not worry about its longevity, so long as you can pedal it and put some miles in i.e. do the training. Even better if you can get your luggage sorted and onto the bike, increasing its load bit by bit.

Look around in March/April - by then you might find loads of bikes for sale that were bought in the "panic buy" phase this year, or at least have a better idea of what to buy (being old-fashioned a tourer with maybe a 3 x 8 triple and some nice low gearswould be my recommendation) as bikes become more available.

In the interim talk to Spa Cycles and/or SJS (home of the Thorn) about your needs. The Thorn site has some excellent advice pages on it somewhere.

Get your final bike at least a month in advance to iron-out any problems and get used to it.

A must though would be - whatever path you choose, choose your saddle early on, so you can get used to it as part of your training then move it onto whatever bike you finally decide upon.

I'd also look in Nov / Dec time as those who have brought bikes seek to sell them for extra cash for Christmas, sadly those who have been made redundant because of the current pandemic need to sell, as well those who are put off riding in the winter...

Cheers James

Jamesh wrote:I'd also look in Nov / Dec time as those who have brought bikes seek to sell them for extra cash for Christmas, sadly those who have been made redundant because of the current pandemic need to sell, as well those who are put off riding in the winter...

Cheers James

Agreed! I think you are over-concentrating on the bike. There are still plenty of 2nd hands around that will serve the purpose - comfort and reliability surely the key, especially loaded. If you watch here and eBay etc for "touring bike" I am sure one will turn up in next 10 weeks or so for less than a grand.

Good luck with the Ride.