With the creeping realization that my time on this planet is limited and that I’d like to spend as much of that remaining time as possible with my wife I’ve agreed to join her on a Caen to the med cycle ride next year.
I love mountain biking but never really got on with road riding (Suzanne liked both but probably prefers road - it involves something called ‘countryside’ apparently) This is all road-riding over 2 weeks with distances ranging from 60 - 80 miles a day, depending on climbs. It gets hillier near the end and takes in the mount ventoux
The ride is fully supported. - we don’t have to carry anything with us and there are frequent stops with food and drink. I’ve got a good level of fitness but would need to build up my cycling fitness - we aren’t going until next (2024) September so I’ve got time to train.
So I need to buy a road bike. I’ll probably look for second hand. I’m think around £1K. I’d prefer something with a carbon frame as I like lightness.
Any recommendations of makes/models or ones to avoid. Any things to look out for specifically or to avoid specifically?
Thanks for your help
Mark
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The simple things you see are all complicated
I look pretty young but I'm just backdated yeah
Word of warning with 2nd hand carbon.. my mate has a bike shop and the amount of damaged and cracked carbon frames is amazing …. It’s not that they are bad, just some people don’t look after them etc. So inspect one in detail if you do go down that route.
As an aside, I ride a handmade steel frame along side guys with full carbon rigs. It’s not the bike that makes the difference . Steel can actually give a comfier ride it takes the road buzz out.
If you’re looking at that price point, you might as well focus on the big brands, Giant, Trek, Canyon etc . Best thing is to put up,links to what you’ve seen and get opinions . For that kind of ride you want to make sure your group set is fresh… that can add up and you might find in the long run a new bike is. More cost effective
I agree with James. Carbon bikes tend deteriorate quickly and I'd think carefully about buying a used one. I've also heard of nasty accidents due to sudden fractures on older carbon bikes. Focus on getting a good fit and a decent group set. Specialized is another reasonable brand.
3rded. Steel is the choice of the true gentleman. The weight difference between a carbon frame and a steel frame is going to be 500-1000g, most of the ~7-11kg bike weight is in the other bits.
After speaking to a couple of people in the know I bought a Giant Contend SL Disc, slightly over your budget but my limited riding skills I find it a good bike
Have you considered a hybrid or are definitely sold on a road bike?
Just thinking a hybrid might be more suited to a touring/holiday cycle, if you want to take in the French scenery without having backache and all that? They still perform pretty much like a road bike, just a touch more comfortable. Unless you plan to attack the distance on a daily basis, then a road bike is probably better.
Just dragged my bike out this morning for a commute to work, first time in the saddle this year, my gooch is tender. I run a Trek hybrid and I feel no slower than my previous road bikes, though I've never been fast, but I only tour or commute now. https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/hyb ... woQAvD_BwE
If considering a carbon frame and you want the peace of mind that comes from buying new then this seems good value at £1299 with lots of branded parts - Mavic wheels, Continental tyres, Prologo seat, etc.
Steel is an excellent choice in terms of longevity and if buying second hand can retain value really well. The components do make such a difference though so finding one built to your ideal specification could be tricky and expensive if you have to go through it replacing worn, heavy, or disliked parts - there is a lot to change if swapping from Campagnolo to Shimano! If you get lucky finding one they really are great - I have a Colnago Technos with some lightweight modern wheels which is really light, smooth, and quick.
I'm a big fan of steel bikes - they've got a 'zing' that carbon or aluminium just doesn't have. My favourite bikes ever were my Kona Explosif and my current Ragley Piglet. Which is why I'd be looking at something like this:
Although Planet X's pricing structure is utterly F****** bizarre - it's 1200 today, will probably be 2k by Friday, and then they'll do a weekend special and it'll be 950 on Sunday evening. I bought a Scandal frame from them a few years back as I was 29er curious, and it was 150. A few months later it was 700, but a full bike was 900...
5 years ago I had similar feelings. I decided to trust my local independent bike shop (Epic Cycles), and chose a Scott Speedster Gravel. Ali frame, carbon forks. Shimano tiagra gears, lots, cable disc brakes. I wanted new as I didn't want a project, I wanted light but not silly money. 10-11ish kg. I wanted 'gravel' to ease the stress of the potholed country lanes round here, and to encourage me off tarmac, into vineyards (France) and cycle paths and tow paths. I LOVE it, its ace, ive never modified it, not needing to, and it cost a grand + a rack and some accessories. Im 4500 miles in on it now including some good trips to France with full camping gear....The shop pointed out that at a particular price point most big manufacturers are much of a muchness, and the Scott was the best spec/£ in their opinion at the time, so that is what they pushed. 18 months later we went back for something similar for my wife and they were favouring Cannonade, she has a Topstone 105, also excellent.....My son has a Specialised Diverge, bought secondhand in lock down, in good nick, but it still needed new callipers, and that derailleur setup has needed revisiting a few times.....W
Winston
'61 356 BT5 & a lot of broken chain driven stuff
Mark, your trip sounds fab. The one thing that has not been mentioned is tyres, and specifically width. I would recommend that you get a bike that can take at least 28mm or my preference which I run on my eRoadbike is 32mm. It makes a big different to comfort. And of course if you get a steel or al frame I would make sure the fork is carbon.
. Steel can actually give a comfier ride it takes the road buzz out. 
