How do you intend to travel to Spain?tykeboy2003 wrote: ↑20 Mar 2023, 9:23pm A really interesting article. I've just started looking at getting another bike - not to replace one of my 2, but to allow me to take one to Spain where I can leave it at my sister's so I can use it when I visit (I'm retired and anticipate spending more time there). As someone with concern for the environment, much of the information in there will almost certainly affect my decision.
From Yorkshire to Barcelona is approx 1000 miles/1600 km. Assuming your username means you're in Yorkshire. And Barcelona is northern Spain. Seville is a lot further.
For the sake of argument let's ignore the probably more carbon intensive links at each end of the journey. So using "national rail" as the main transport mechanism, your journey will generate 128kg of CO2 - 40gm per km, twice (there and back).
https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint
"National rail" is about the lowest carbon form of long distance transport.
So your journey will generate about three and half times the emissions of the lifetime emissions of a steel framed bike. And is roughly the same amount as a aluminium frame.
The problem isn't the CO2 to do with the bike. The problem is the journey itself. Your "concern for the environment" is admirable. But don't fool yourself that choosing a "low carbon" bike to leave in Spain will make any substantial difference. And of course if you fly there, well....
And no, every little doesn't help. David MacKay put paid to that nonsense years ago. Every BIG helps.
https://www.withouthotair.com/c19/page_114.shtml