What bike for the non off-road/Sustrans C2C?

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What bike for the non off-road/Sustrans C2C?

19 posts & 7 voices | Started 2 years ago by Militant_biker | Latest reply from Handsomedog

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Militant_biker - Member

Anyone got experience of the cycle paths on this route? Will I get a road bike with 700*23 slicks down them or is a singlespeed mountain bike with narrow tyres going to be a better bet?

The C2C guide website says

The route is made up of approximately....
Main Roads - mainly short sections through urban areas - 4%
Minor Roads - quiet, country roads - 50%
Cyclepaths/Off Road - disused railway lines etc - 46%

If the route is 46% gravel paths then I'm thinking MTB, even if I'm going to spin like a hamster...

Your thoughts?

Posted 2 years ago #
druidh - Member

CX bike?

Posted 2 years ago #
Militant_biker - Member

If I had one, that would be perfect. But I don't

Basically, I was hoping the stuff I need to put gears back on the mtb would have arrived by now, but they haven't - so the choice is my road bike or the mtb on 32:16...

Yes - planning Fail.

Posted 2 years ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

I'd also be interested to know this.

FWIW, I think people are very wet with their road bikes - they're not made of balsa wood..!

If you can fit some 25c tyres on it, then that may be a good way to go, but some decent puncture proof 23cs would be fine.

Or, how about the Vittoria Pavé - it's 24mm and they're perfect. I rode them at the Tour of Flanders (sportive, natch), and they were ideal over the cobbles. Pricey, though, at around £30 a tyre....

Posted 2 years ago #
Militant_biker - Member

I've just made a call and blagged a CX bike - bit on the small side but it might do.

I have ridden some pretty juicy singletrack on the Langster, fixed, on 23c slicks, but it was lethal on the rougher or wetter bits. (another planning fail) Would quite like to avoid that again!

Posted 2 years ago #
BigDummy - Member

Good stuff on the CX bike.

I agree with OMITN though, certainly there are no stretches after Rookhope that wouldn't be OK-ish on the roadie certainly.

And, with apologies for the Petersen-grouchiness, road bikes (as distinct from road racing bikes) should have clearance for 28mm tyres and fenders.

Posted 2 years ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

I'd like to ride coast to coast, but I have no desire to do it on a MTB.

I'm with BD (and his holy Rivendell-ness) on frame design - road bikes need to be able to accomodate decent sized tyres for just this purpose.

My Giant SCR, which is my all round do everything bike, comfortably runs 25c tyres (it came with 26s), and I wouldn't be surprised if I could squeeze in a 28 (though the current 'guards might be a bit of a squeeze).

Racing bikes, OTOH, should have clearances that mean anything larger than a 24mm Pavé (for aforementioned classics route raids) won't fit.

If it isn't, this should THE LAW.

Oh, and enjoy the trip, Militant - presumably you're doing it rather soon..?

Posted 2 years ago #
Militant_biker - Member

Thanks for the advice folks.

My road bike I suppose should be referred to as a racing bike (Specialized Tarmac)and not much clearance for much more than a 23

CX bike is obtained and racked up and ready to go - should be good fun if the weather holds (which doesn't look likely)

And yes, I'm off at 4 to start it first thing tomorrow. Like I said - massive planning fail!

Posted 2 years ago #
TomB - Member

Bits like the keswick-threlkeld railway line are fine on a road bike, but I'd avoid the forestry gravel roads round whinlatter and stick to the road, it's a nice ride. Similarly, avoid the old coach road to Matterdale. AFAIK, you can miss any bumpy bits by using roads, and most are pretty quiet.

Posted 2 years ago #
neil853 - Member

i've done it a couple of times and i intend on doing it again probably on a 29'r that i'm fancying. Done it on an mtb twice, once with slicks once with treaded tyres. easy route depending on how many days you take. I did it in two which was tough for me the second time and yet the first was easier?

Posted 2 years ago #
BigDummy - Member

[Hijack]

Tom, fancy sorting a trip in the autumn?

[/hijack]

Posted 2 years ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

[Hijack]

Tom, fancy sorting a trip in the autumn?

[/hijack]

To do this? Would love to.

Am on hols from middle next week (France: Étape riding & Tour watching) and then back two weeks later. A nice little trip to celebrate the falling leaves would be ideal.

Posted 2 years ago #
BigDummy - Member

Kewl

jonDOTrollasonAThotmailDOTcoDOTuk

Enjoy the Ventoux.

Posted 2 years ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

I doubt very much I will enjoy any of the ride, and least of all the Ventoux. No doubt your bro has explained my limited climbing abilities....

Posted 2 years ago #
Handsomedog - Member

I doubt very much I will enjoy any of the ride, and least of all the Ventoux. No doubt your bro has explained my limited climbing abilities....

I would never be so rude...!

Posted 2 years ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

Cheeky sod.

Polite, though....

I hear you have a trailer, HD. Whatcha got?

Posted 2 years ago #
Handsomedog - Member

I have the Edinburgh Bike Coop model purchased some time ago.

Some teething troubles like shedding the odd bit on the first ride (poorly put together, my own fault for not checking) but now seems to be fine. If you fancy taking it for a spin give me a shout.

Posted 2 years ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

Will do. I see you can get the same (or v similar) cheapo on the bay, which might be an option. I resisted cargo bikes on the BTW, so a trailer might be a useful alternative. Presumably you're using on a road/CX bike?

Especially as Mrs North seems wedded to her 2 highly "practical" 2 seater car (onto which I have to strap my road bike for the 1,000 miles from Manchester to Provence. And back again).

Once I'm back from France, I shall pull my finger out and be on the scene a bit more. Will also start going to see H again....

Posted 2 years ago #
Handsomedog - Member

I mainly attach it to the CX bike, when I use it at all!

I've come to conclusion that, despite obtaining garage space with my next flat, that a proper winter fix trainer will be more useful than a Ute. Depending on how much tax the evil HMRC give me back this may change!

As BD said, have great fun on the Ventoux and will see you when you get back.

Posted 2 years ago #

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