Long distance cycling - which bike to use?

Posted by Mark Pawlak on February 15, 2011 at 8:50am

There are people who prefer to cycle cross countries, not cross-country, but which bikes do they use?

Mountain bikes are great for the rough stuff, but if you want to cover miles efficiently, you are likely to take it to the road.

I've seen a few bikes by Thorn used on ultra distance rides, and wondered if the group has any ideas for other manufacturers who make bikes that can cross the world?

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  • Allan Lynch February 15, 2011 at 9:17am

    My bike guys told me the tires were more important than the bike. I have a mountain bike. When I bought it the guys in the shop said I could go up mountains with it. I said why would I? I only bought the bike so I could feel virtuous cycling to my favourite restaurant. On ambitious days I would do a progressive lunch and go three miles further to a place that makes killer lemon pie. So they changed the tires for me. 

     

    At the end of the last five-day cycle trip, the man who picked me up owned a bike shop and told me that I had the wrong tires for the trail I was on. It was sandy and I should have had different tires. I would have worked a lot less had I the proper tires.

    • Mark Pawlak > Allan Lynch February 16, 2011 at 3:57am

      Hi Allan,

       

      Yes tires make a big difference - I always presumed it's about grip so thought my trusty Scott would always benefit from having some 'grippy sections' on the tire. But it's all about contact with the road - getting the rubber down - hence the bald tires on race bikes.

       

      The favoured component among the long distance riders appears to be the Rohloff, if you have a minute take a look, there's also a great YouTube video documenting how they are made.

       http://www.rohloff.de/en/technology/speedhub/index.html

       

      Anyone putting in the extra miles for cakes is my kind of cyclist! I use Twitter to send updates of my commuting, cycling updates @travelsportcopy happy to connect in these forums too.

       

      Best wishes and riding without rain.

       

      Mp

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