Good point re hydraulics to a point. However, the stopping power is higher and the chances of losing both are very slim indeed. If you go down the rim brakes route, get the cartridge kind and take some spare pads.Psamathe wrote: ↑16 May 2021, 5:32pmI would agree. Not a shop to take advice from given their "input".Paulatic wrote: ↑16 May 2021, 3:40pmSpecialist my aunt Whoever recommended those two bikes for what you want to do has not a clue. Do not go back.RevDonkBonkers wrote: ↑15 May 2021, 12:34pm visited a specialist cycling shop this morning (highly recommended by a few cyclists) and told them what I planned on doing
You are going around the coast and there are hills some very steep. You need low gears.
You are carry a load, quite big I imagine, you need low gears.
You intend to ride this bike every day you need to be comfortable on it. I doubt you’ll achieve that on anything with the handlebars 4” lower than the saddle.
Maybe post your general location and how far you'd be happy to travel and people could suggest genuine "specialist" bike suppliers. There certainly are a few around but not that many. My personal opinion is that you are planning a fairly long trip so most appropriate bike possible will be a big help.
Gearing for the ride will be very important and both those have (IMO) very unsuitable gearing (which raises questions about those suggesting it - I would wonder about them appreciating what you intend or if they have the experience to know what is suitable).
More controversially (and others will hold differing but valid opinions) is that I like disk brakes but for touring (particularly extended touring) I'd avoid hydraulic disks (or stick to rim brakes). I don't have experience of them but I like to be able to maintain as much of the bike as possible under way and hydraulic brakes is something you can't generally do yourself roadside.
Ian
Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Again everyone's advice is overwhelming, thank you.
I had no knowledge about gears at all, so thank you thirdcrank for that info, will be handy when I go into bike shops from now on.
In terms of a daily budget, maybe around £25 a day. Factoring in wild camping, cooking for myself, using warm showers along with the occasional night in a B&B, a beer (or two) and decent meals. Have no idea if that is going to be accurate or not.
As for location I am in West Kent, nearest towns are Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone.
I had no knowledge about gears at all, so thank you thirdcrank for that info, will be handy when I go into bike shops from now on.
In terms of a daily budget, maybe around £25 a day. Factoring in wild camping, cooking for myself, using warm showers along with the occasional night in a B&B, a beer (or two) and decent meals. Have no idea if that is going to be accurate or not.
As for location I am in West Kent, nearest towns are Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone.
Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
When I resumed cycling (8 years ago) the bike I got had a "Compact Double" which was great for local rides in flatlandia (Norfolk). But before I went loaded touring I replaced the drive for a triple but I liked STI so whilst the replacement was much better (for touring) it was still not really low enough but it worked (and I got off and pushed on occasions which was no big deal).RevDonkBonkers wrote: ↑17 May 2021, 10:16am Again everyone's advice is overwhelming, thank you.
I had no knowledge about gears at all, so thank you thirdcrank for that info, will be handy when I go into bike shops from now on.
In terms of a daily budget, maybe around £25 a day. Factoring in wild camping, cooking for myself, using warm showers along with the occasional night in a B&B, a beer (or two) and decent meals. Have no idea if that is going to be accurate or not.
As for location I am in West Kent, nearest towns are Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone.
Gearing system on my newest acquisition is far lower (following advice from others on this forum).
Ian
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Specialist my aunt indeed. I would have used a slightly more intimate, sitting-related 4 letter word.Paulatic wrote: ↑16 May 2021, 3:40pmSpecialist my aunt Whoever recommended those two bikes for what you want to do has not a clue. Do not go back.RevDonkBonkers wrote: ↑15 May 2021, 12:34pm visited a specialist cycling shop this morning (highly recommended by a few cyclists) and told them what I planned on doing
You are going around the coast and there are hills some very steep. You need low gears.
You are carry a load, quite big I imagine, you need low gears.
You intend to ride this bike every day you need to be comfortable on it. I doubt you’ll achieve that on anything with the handlebars 4” lower than the saddle.
Q. I want a bike to do X.
A. Here are two great gravel bikes.
Is not service.
Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
I've never been convinced that that is true, I can lock my rim brake and or do stoppies/ fly over the handle bars quite easilyThehairs1970 wrote: ↑16 May 2021, 8:26pmGood point re hydraulics to a point. However, the stopping power is higher and the chances of losing both are very slim indeed. If you go down the rim brakes route, get the cartridge kind and take some spare pads.Psamathe wrote: ↑16 May 2021, 5:32pmI would agree. Not a shop to take advice from given their "input".Paulatic wrote: ↑16 May 2021, 3:40pm
Specialist my aunt Whoever recommended those two bikes for what you want to do has not a clue. Do not go back.
You are going around the coast and there are hills some very steep. You need low gears.
You are carry a load, quite big I imagine, you need low gears.
You intend to ride this bike every day you need to be comfortable on it. I doubt you’ll achieve that on anything with the handlebars 4” lower than the saddle.
Maybe post your general location and how far you'd be happy to travel and people could suggest genuine "specialist" bike suppliers. There certainly are a few around but not that many. My personal opinion is that you are planning a fairly long trip so most appropriate bike possible will be a big help.
Gearing for the ride will be very important and both those have (IMO) very unsuitable gearing (which raises questions about those suggesting it - I would wonder about them appreciating what you intend or if they have the experience to know what is suitable).
More controversially (and others will hold differing but valid opinions) is that I like disk brakes but for touring (particularly extended touring) I'd avoid hydraulic disks (or stick to rim brakes). I don't have experience of them but I like to be able to maintain as much of the bike as possible under way and hydraulic brakes is something you can't generally do yourself roadside.
Ian
There is a case that you can achieve that level of braking with less lever pressure, but the actual stopping power doesnt seem to be greatly increased, other than perhaps wading through mud
I've found in a non scientific test, that rim brakes are better than cable discs, better than cheap hydraulics, about the same as decent hydraulics and no where near as good as 4 pot hydraulics
It may be different if your descending the Alps at speed
Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
I like my hydraulic brakes on one of my bikes. However I’ve just had to replace the pads, a very easy job, but looking at the odometer the originals haven’t done 2000 mls!
All my other bikes I measure brake pad life in years. The winner being some red coolstop which lasted 20 years and saw three bikes.
All my other bikes I measure brake pad life in years. The winner being some red coolstop which lasted 20 years and saw three bikes.
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Yea, they also seem to require fluid that costs 80 quid per litre, you could get a good champagne for thatPaulatic wrote: ↑17 May 2021, 12:16pm I like my hydraulic brakes on one of my bikes. However I’ve just had to replace the pads, a very easy job, but looking at the odometer the originals haven’t done 2000 mls!
All my other bikes I measure brake pad life in years. The winner being some red coolstop which lasted 20 years and saw three bikes.
Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Citreon LDS suspension fluid £15/ litre.
Whatever I am, wherever I am, this is me. This is my life
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
https://stcleve.wordpress.com/category/lejog/
E2E info
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- Joined: 7 Jul 2014, 9:45pm
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
All round to yours thenjo' bo wrote: ↑17 May 2021, 12:28pmYea, they also seem to require fluid that costs 80 quid per litre, you could get a good champagne for thatPaulatic wrote: ↑17 May 2021, 12:16pm I like my hydraulic brakes on one of my bikes. However I’ve just had to replace the pads, a very easy job, but looking at the odometer the originals haven’t done 2000 mls!
All my other bikes I measure brake pad life in years. The winner being some red coolstop which lasted 20 years and saw three bikes.
Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Yes I know, but that only if you ignore the manufactures hysterical warnings of grave catastrophe if you use any thing other than OE fuid
Mine are currently running on car power steering fluid, at 5 quid a litre, coz I really am a tight wad and I already owned some
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Thank you everyone for your advice on this question I posted last year. I have my bike, have done a couple of mini trips on it and now plan to leave to cycle around the UK in April.
Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Has anyone mentioned this guide. Lots of stuff here to help you.
https://thegreattour.co.uk/the-route/
enjoy and good luck.
https://thegreattour.co.uk/the-route/
enjoy and good luck.
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Read "One Man and His Bike" by Mike Carter. He did exactly that - just set off without much in the way of planning or "touring knowledge" and did more or less what you're planning.RevDonkBonkers wrote: ↑6 Jan 2022, 11:21am Thank you everyone for your advice on this question I posted last year. I have my bike, have done a couple of mini trips on it and now plan to leave to cycle around the UK in April.
If you can't find a copy, PM me on here, I'll send you mine free of charge.
EDIT: just looking back through the thread in more detail, I see you've already read it so ignore me!
Last edited by rareposter on 6 Jan 2022, 3:17pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Have fun.RevDonkBonkers wrote: ↑6 Jan 2022, 11:21amI have my bike, have done a couple of mini trips on it and now plan to leave to cycle around the UK in April.
Jonathan
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Re: Non-Cyclist Cycling the UK Coastline
Yep that book inspired me to do something like this - I loved it!rareposter wrote: ↑6 Jan 2022, 3:15pm Read "One Man and His Bike" by Mike Carter. He did exactly that - just set off without much in the way of planning or "touring knowledge" and did more or less what you're planning.