Buying a Bike for French cycling tour

takemyshoesoff

So, I will be in Biarritz at the beginning of July and hope to cycle up along the coast of France towards Cherbourg during July and August. However, I cannot take my own bike with me and hope to get one there. I'm wondering what would be the best type of bike (Torn between a touring/racing bike) to take and to expand on that, recommended models and shops? My budget would be about 300 quid. I'd probably have a small tent and sleeping bag but not much clothes etc to carry.

del88

At that price your best bet is a hybrid...they take a rack and their upright geometry suits touring....
This looks like a good deal if the size suits..
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3410452

Plenty of people tour on hybrids...
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/categories/?o=1&category_id=350&doctype=journal

Heading for france myself for 3 weeks:D:D

mikedragon32

I'm moving this to the Cycling forum as you're likely to get more informed responses. It's not really a travel topic.

Squidgy Black

I wouldn't suggest a hybrid. I'd suggest a decent road bike with eyelets for panniers, fit wider tires like 25c or 28c. The drops offer more positions so you won't get uncomfortable after a short while and can change your position easily.

Tonyandthewhale

Ideally you should get a touring bike, but they're hard to find new or second-hand especially for 300e. A road bike would also be a good option although again you will struggle to find anything for 300e (although it probably is doable). A second-hand hybrid will probably fit your budget and will do the job but wouldn't be my personal preference.

serendip

On that route, you're likely to encounter some (nice) stretches of unsealed road, for example on voies vertes. On those, you'll appreciate chunkier tires, at least 35c. On the road, you'll appreciate narrower tires. On balance, I'd recommend chunkier.

However, with the budget you have, you're probably pretty much limited to a hybrid -- which will come with chunkier tires anyway.

Be aware that, if you buy a new bike, it'll need a fair amount of adjustment to the breaks and derailleurs over the first few hundred kilometers.

serendip

serendip wrote: »

On that route, you're likely to encounter some (nice) stretches of unsealed road, for example on voies vertes.

Here's some info on the voies vertes: http://www.voiesvertes.com/

And Google is your friend.

Planet X

Decathalon stores sell decent touring bikes, dynamos racks the works.

serendip

Planet X wrote: »

Decathalon stores sell decent touring bikes, dynamos racks the works.

This is excellent advice.

route66

You can buy a basic road bike for €400 from Decatleon.

The "Vélo route Triban 3" details are here: linky (google translation if your French is as good as mine: linky)

subway

would you not be as well off to just rent a bike for the few days?
get something proper and probably pay a lot less than 300eu