cycle 4 life and beginners help please

RoboRat

New to this forum but I hope to be on bit more often as I will be training to do my first ever 147km cycle!

I also wanted to let you know about the cycle4life charity that is running its inaugural event next May in Dunboyne, Co. Meath with the assistance of Dunboyne cycling club.

It's all being done in aid of a great cause, Temple street childrens hospital, a place where I have had the experience of dealing with their amazing staff. All monies raised will be going to this worthwhile cause to help buy much needed equipment, so I hope that you can spread the word and get as many people on board, or on saddle :-)

The event takes place on May 19th and there are 3 routes, a short one for families and younger cyclists, and intermediate route of about 63km and an advanced route of 147km (the one that I will be struggling to complete).

There is a website with more info link and there will be training events planned in the run up to it. They also have a facebook page

Anyhow, I'm sure I will be back on soon enough, just need to get a bike sorted. Any advice or reviews on the bikes below? I am 6 foot, weigh about 15.5 stone, in good physical condition due to regular Football and martial arts training. I'm not sure what type of bike to go for, was originally looking at a hybrid but I am being told that a road bike is a better option if I plan on taking this up as a sport/hobby. I'm not sure if my weight or height have any bearing on what sort of bike I should get but I thought I would put it out there for any opinions.

http://www.thecycleinn.com/images/stories/coyote_big_sur.jpg
http://www.thecycleinn.com/images/stories/giant_tcx.jpg
http://www.thecycleinn.com/images/stories/ktm_strada_1000.jpg
http://www.thecycleinn.com/images/stories/gt_series_four.jpg

If there are better bikes available, let me know, I have about 900 to spend so any advice would be most appreciated.

smacl

While I've done long events on a hybrid, you're probably much better off with a road bike. Of the bikes linked, the gearing is quite different, the first bike having larger gearing and hence potential for some more speed on the flat if, but much more work on the hills. The Giant is a cyclocross bike, intended for rougher terrain, which is great if you're hitting the odd track or intend to try cyclocross, but heavier and slower for the road. Don't know much about the other bikes, but the KTM is a triple (3 chain rings to the front) which offers a wider gear range which again makes climbing easier. The GT is a compact double which still offers low gearing and is a popular choice of set-up for many.

RoboRat

Thanks for that, I used to like a bit of mountain biking so I am interested in finding out a bit more about cyclocross. I need to find a new sport as I have a very bad knee (reconstructed a few years ago) and Football and MA aren't the best for it. Whilst I would like to get the bike that makes cycling easiest, I am looking for something long term. I have powerful legs so I might give the giant a try.

Thanks for your advice

seamus

Tbh, at a beginner level you won't really notice the difference in the TCX if you stick 25mm road tyres on it.

smacl

I'd only tend to go for the cross bike if you planned on leaving the roads occasionally. It's a bit of a compromise, in that it won't be as good as a mountain bike off road, or a road bike on road. For longer road spins, the brakes are a bit different to conventional road brakes, and you only have mountings for one bottle, where you really need two for a long day out. If its the tcx 3 you're looking at, the components are also low end. Depends on how much you're spending, but it wouldn't be my first choice. What's your budget?

Cycling can be heavy on the knees, so I'd tend to focus on comfort and keep with an option that gives you low gearing when you need it to minimise pressure on the dodgy knee. Picking a cross bike for a 147k is grand, but you might be giving yourself more work for no benefit.

RoboRat

cheers for the replies, think I will just go with the road bike. Its all well and good thinking that going off road will be great fun but in reality I doubt that I will end up doing it much.

Cycling can be heavy on the knees, so I'd tend to focus on comfort and keep with an option that gives you low gearing when you need it to minimise pressure on the dodgy knee.

Yeah, I think that's why the road bike is the better bet.

Budget I have is around 900 euro. Any suggestions are most appreciated... I'm built for endurance not speed; unless I'm going downhill :-)

seamus

If you're working, have a look at the bike to scheme which might let you increase your budget to €1400.

RoboRat

Thanks Seamus, I am looking at the bike 4 work scheme.. it's the only way I could afford a decent bike anyhow!!