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Lake District - Whi...
 

Lake District - Which Bike?

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[#13535425]

I'm off to the Lake District in a few weeks and plan on doing a bit of riding while I'm there. I'm planning on doing the Borrowdale Bash, a Helvellyn loop and possibly one or two other rides depending on how much free time I have.

I'll be taking my e-bike with me, a Trek Rail, as it'll be ideal to get out on if I'm not feeling too fit any day.

I've also got a choice of two other bikes to take with me, a 120mm travel Epic or a 150mm trail bike. Which one would you take if you were heading up that way?

 


 
Posted : 05/05/2026 6:26 pm
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Still need more info on which route you might take the real bike on  but I'd say the 150.

There's so much good tech in the lakes that even I tended to avoid doing long tedious routes there 


 
Posted : 05/05/2026 8:31 pm
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The ebike and a charger?

I ride my 160/130mm trail bike in the lakes. I wouldn't chose to take my hardtail or 160mm enduro bike.


 
Posted : 05/05/2026 8:55 pm
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Posted by: thegeneralist

Still need more info on which route you might take the real bike on  but I'd say the 150.

There's so much good tech in the lakes that even I tended to avoid doing long tedious routes there 

I’ve no idea what bike I’d use for which ride, just depends how I feel on the day I think. 

The more I think about it, the more the 150mm bike sounds sensible. 

 


 
Posted : 05/05/2026 9:24 pm
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Off the top of my head I'd take my Trek Slash 160mm for 

Helvellyn Birkside

Dollywaggon

4 passes.

2.5 passes

Grizedale Pike

 

I'd take my Occam ( 150/140) for 

Helvellyn Dodds

Whiteside

Bash

Gelndrraterra

Stake pass

Sticks East

Seldom Seen

Blencathra

Ullswater Bridleway

Boredale Hause.

Fairfield 

Walna

Eskdale

Loughrigg

 

 

If I had an Epic, I'd probably use it for the following,:

Tour of Conniston

Grizedale forest ( maybe)

Back of Skiddaw

High Street

 

And tbh, actually I wouldn't take it on those last two unless there was a specific reason I was doing such mediocre routes 😆 Take the big bike

 

So basically not much really

 

 

 


 
Posted : 05/05/2026 10:06 pm
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Yeah I'd take the 150mm trail bike, for sure.

Like @thegeneralist says, I alternate between a 140mm trail bike and a 160mm enduro bike, depending what I'm riding. The trail bike is sufficient for most stuff or if there's a bit more pedalling.

Put stout, chemically grippy tyres on though


 
Posted : 05/05/2026 10:24 pm
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Posted by: el_boufador

Put stout, chemically grippy tyres on though

Any suggestions?

it’s currently running Maxxis, I think they’re Minion and Dissector 3C or something like that. 

 


 
Posted : 06/05/2026 7:13 am