LEJOG Bike Recommendations

[IanC]

I’m looking to doing a solo LEJOG in June 2008. I’m looking to do it at a fairly relaxed pace over around 14–17 Days. I’ve never really done any touring but the idea of doing LEJOG really appeals to me. I’ve just turned 30 so want something to aim for. At the moment I’ve only got a full suspension MTB which is obviously no good for this. What bikes do people recommend? I’m used to a more upright cycling position so the touring bikes look fairly uncountable to me. I was looking at Hybrid bikes such as the Specialized Sirrus 2008 Hybrid Bike or the Bianchi Camaleonte II 2200 Triple 2008 Hybrid bike. Does anyone have any suggestions? Long term I will probably be using the bike for evening rides (around 15miles) to keep fit-ish. Happy to spend up to around £500.

[Lawrie9]

A mtb with front suspension would be ideal. Most cycle tourists tend to have this type of machine a it gives you the option of all the rough unclassified roads that a standard tourer isn't really up to. LEJOG has been done on a penny parthing in 6 days and in under 2 days on a standard racer. Good luck and hope the weather stays good.

[iaincullen]

Dawes Karakum £420?

Upright position. Complete with racks and mudguards at a proice inside your budget.

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... 1b1s21p438

[vernon]

A mtb with front suspension would be ideal. Most cycle tourists tend to have this type of machine a it gives you the option of all the rough unclassified roads that a standard tourer isn't really up to. LEJOG has been done on a penny parthing in 6 days and in under 2 days on a standard racer. Good luck and hope the weather stays good.

A MTB with front suspension will do the job but is not ideal. Most cycle tourists do *not* have that sort of set up. Mountain bikes were very under represented amongst the bikes that I've encountered in 4,000 miles of touring.

A standard drop handle barred tourer is perfect for the job and is fully equipped to cope with touring i.e. comes with mudguards and has all the mounting points for racks front and rear plus bottle cage bosses. I've tried touring on a racer, tourer and ipright hybrid and the most relaxed ride is offered by the tourer. I know that you like the upright riding style but don't write off a drop handle barred bike - it offeres more riding positions than a flat barred bike. A second hand Dawes Galaxy would be within your budget.

Do make sure that whatever bike you buy it can:

* accommodate racks front and rear
* comes with mudguards riding in the rain all day with wet a**e is not fun.
* has a decent gear range
* some would insist on a steel frame but these are increasingly rare

Have a look at what's on offer at Spa cycles www.spacycles.co.uk you might find a bargain.

14 - 17 days is a nice relaxed pace. I've done it both ways at that pace and enjoyed every minute.

[nick arrow]

looking at lawrie and vernon's posts, it seems clear that the ideal bike is the one you like! i think front suspension's superfluous unless you really want to go offroad; personally i'd prefer straight bars to drops, especially as you're not wanting to eat up the miles, but drops do let you change your hand postion more, even if your hands are on the top of them most of the time. i found on a long trip it took several days to get saddle, bars and bar ends adjusted just right: be ready to do a bit of tinkering as you go!

[andymiller]

Choice of bike has surely got to depend on where you intend to ride. An MTB would be a good choice for the off-road version of LEJOG, but front suspension is overkill for road.

Bar ends let you change hand positions - or you could try bullhorn bars.

[ransos]

I was an MTB-only man for many years, but have to admit that a drop-barred bike is extremely comfortable for road use, although it takes a fair few rides to get used to. I used a Thorn Audax for my LEJOG, which is sturdy enough for B&B/ YHA style touring, yet fairly light and responsive.

[Husker Du]

Hi, I did JOGLE last year and of the two dozen or so fellow riders only a few had mountain bikes. They are not ideal for long distances and 95% of your travelling will be done on metalled roads, admittedly not all in good condition.

My bike of choice: Dawes SuperGalaxy. Not cheap, or particularly light, but it was designed exactly for this sort of riding. To be honest, any road bike with or without drops would suffice, as long as it a rack that could take all your gear.

[vernon]

Hi, I did JOGLE last year and of the two dozen or so fellow riders only a few had mountain bikes. They are not ideal for long distances and 95% of your travelling will be done on metalled roads, admittedly not all in good condition.

My bike of choice: Dawes SuperGalaxy. Not cheap, or particularly light, but it was designed exactly for this sort of riding. To be honest, any road bike with or without drops would suffice, as long as it a rack that could take all your gear.

I'd be careful with the any road bike. I don't fancy the chances of a carbon framed bike dressed up as a tourer......

I saw quite a few 26" wheeled hybrid/expedition bikes on my LEJOG and JOGLE rides. Can't say I saw a pure MTB bike though.

[Alice]

Hi there,

On the subject of bikes suitable for LEJOG - would anyone be able to give me some advice - I've got a Specialised Crossroads Bike (see link)

http://www.devercycles.com/dever-bikes- ... id%20Bikes

It's very comfortable but was only £249 - do you think i'll need something of a higher spec to do LEJOG? I'm planning on doing it in 14 days averaging 70 miles a day.

Thanks for your time
Alice

[vernon]

Hi there,

On the subject of bikes suitable for LEJOG - would anyone be able to give me some advice - I've got a Specialised Crossroads Bike (see link)

http://www.devercycles.com/dever-bikes- ... id%20Bikes

It's very comfortable but was only £249 - do you think i'll need something of a higher spec to do LEJOG? I'm planning on doing it in 14 days averaging 70 miles a day.

Thanks for your time
Alice

A well maintained bike will get you from End to End. The question is more like: can you get the bike from End to End? Are you up to riding 70 miles per day? Seventy miles per day can look easy on paper but do be mindful that Corwall and Devon are hilly counties and your daily mileage might be less than planned. All sorts of bikes of varying qualities have been used for LEJOG and it isn't necessary to spend a fortune.

I'd make sure that you get the bike fully service a week or so before the start ands get a couple of rides in to bed things in before setting of for the start.