Ultra endurance cycling - ideal bike?
Discussion
So imagine, for a moment, that you were thinking about next year's Transcontinental Race. For the uninitiated, this is a 2200+ mile unsupported slog from London to Istanbul, with checkpoints on some pointy bits including the top of the Stelvio. The top rider, Kristoff Allegart, did it in under 8 days, but actual human beings take anywhere between 10 and 14 days to complete the journey. You're looking at a lot of 200 mile days.
What bike would you take? Would you go off-the peg or modified? You need to balance cost, weight, energy saving ie aero, practicality, comfort and low maintenance, but each person might edge more in one direction than another.
This is sort of hypothetical...
What bike would you take? Would you go off-the peg or modified? You need to balance cost, weight, energy saving ie aero, practicality, comfort and low maintenance, but each person might edge more in one direction than another.
This is sort of hypothetical...
Unless you are uber fit, and have a chance of wining it, there is no point going with anything "aero", you want durability first and foremost. If you arent in it to win the race and just want to take part, you want to finish.
I'd go with the following:
Steel frame - easy to repair on the road in far flung places by local with welder which is capable of taking at least 28c tyres but something like 35c might be preferable and with rack and guard mounts
MTB groupset - durable and good ratio options
32/36h rims on nice strong rims.
Alpkit luggage
You also need to think about carrying your stuff, the additional weight, what camping/cooking equipment you are taking etc, there is a good write up on road.cc about a guy who entered and some pictures of his bike. There are also some keen cycle "expeditioners" on singletrack world.
At a guess, bike and equipment will be setting you back the best part of £2500
I'd go with the following:
Steel frame - easy to repair on the road in far flung places by local with welder which is capable of taking at least 28c tyres but something like 35c might be preferable and with rack and guard mounts
MTB groupset - durable and good ratio options
32/36h rims on nice strong rims.
Alpkit luggage
You also need to think about carrying your stuff, the additional weight, what camping/cooking equipment you are taking etc, there is a good write up on road.cc about a guy who entered and some pictures of his bike. There are also some keen cycle "expeditioners" on singletrack world.
At a guess, bike and equipment will be setting you back the best part of £2500
I sort of already have my own ideas - I was just intrigued as to how other people would play it.
Whilst I wouldn't be in any position to challenge the leaders, if I entered - which is of course purely hypothetical - I would have to be in a position to do it in 13 days. Because my mate managed it in 14
Whilst I wouldn't be in any position to challenge the leaders, if I entered - which is of course purely hypothetical - I would have to be in a position to do it in 13 days. Because my mate managed it in 14
To be honest, the fitness thing would kill me. I can do 200 miles in a day, I could probably do 200 miles the next day, could I do 200 miles on the third day?!..... then the fourth..... without proper food, rest and recovery?.... its one of those things that you can buy all the best kit to make it easier but if you havent got the fitness...
Lots of these guys are audaxers. Look at what people ride on audaxes. the skinny faster people are on carbon with factory wheels, the aerobelly slower ones are on tourers with 36h handbuilts. In between are the renn fayre custom steel guys running honjos and GPs riding Ti.
Back to back 200 mile days are long. Managing contact points and digestion are as tough as the riding. I picked up a grade 2 pressure sore 700km into a 1400km. I've still got numb fingers from a 400km I did about a month ago.
Ride what works for you. I'd take my Madone if my missus would grant me a pass.
Back to back 200 mile days are long. Managing contact points and digestion are as tough as the riding. I picked up a grade 2 pressure sore 700km into a 1400km. I've still got numb fingers from a 400km I did about a month ago.
Ride what works for you. I'd take my Madone if my missus would grant me a pass.
I'm also looking at this event but probably for 2016 rather than next year. Current thinking is also steel, 28c, discs, Alpkit luggage. Minimal luggage and supplies, just eating whatever is local and using 'Audax hotels' and a space blanket for 4 hours kip, possibly with a hotel bed for 8 hours at half way.
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