Question from an "occasional" cyclist

Gorteen · 06-01-2023 6:28pm #1

I am committed to a big cycle trip tomorrow with some friends.

160km round trip along a route which involves mostly (tarmac / compacted gravel) canal and some road surface.

My dilemma is I have a choice of using a road bike or a mountain bike. Road bike obviously lighter and mountain bike obviously more comfortable.

Any advice or helpful comments?

cletus · 06-01-2023 7:03pm

What's everyone else using, and what's the planned pace?

elperello · 06-01-2023 7:17pm

There is a thread about cycling the Grand Canal in this forum it might give you some help.

Gorteen · 06-01-2023 7:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120075263#Comment_120075263

The pace will be slow, stops along the way. Unlikely to be much above 15km/hr.

elperello · 06-01-2023 7:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120075327#Comment_120075327

Are you sure about that?

At that pace with stops you will run out of daylight.

Gorteen · 06-01-2023 7:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120075342#Comment_120075342

Starting at 6am. Daylight not such a concern

elperello · 06-01-2023 7:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120075350#Comment_120075350

OK best of luck.

Take a look at that thread anyway.

cletus · 06-01-2023 7:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120075327#Comment_120075327

Won't really make any difference, then, other than the extra effort of pedalling the mountain bike for that distance.

What size tyres on the road bike

sham58107 · 06-01-2023 7:57pm

When you say "occasional " have you done that distance before ? that is more than a 12 hour days with short stops, long time in saddle, have you all the right gear ? as already mentioned I would go with what others are using , road bike quicker but not comfortable for 12 hours, mountain bike slower but more comfort, although 15kph for that distance is going to hurt.

Good luck

iwillhtfu · 06-01-2023 7:58pm

If they're on road bikes or hybrids you'll be feeling the pace on the mtb.

Sounds like the spin fill be flat so it'll be a constant pedal especially on knobby tyres as you wont get any benefit of even slightly free wheeling. 160km on a mtb sounds horrendous but perhaps you have hybrid type tyres.

Gorteen · 06-01-2023 8:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120075497#Comment_120075497

Not hybrid tyres. Good knobbly tyres. Biggest distance before was a little over 90km on a horrible 5 speed hybrid along Grand Canal / roads.

So, it's going to hurt no matter what I do. I might prefer to hurt on a lighter, faster bike.

Gorteen · 06-01-2023 8:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120075451#Comment_120075451

23mm tyres on road bike v 2.25" tyres on MTB

cletus · 06-01-2023 9:39pm

23mm night be a little narrow for the canal paths.

To be honest, it sounds like it's going to be a miserable experience for you regardless.

160km at 15kph is 10 hours 40 minutes. That not including breaks for food, punctures, mechanicals etc.

Is it some sort of charity thing?

Fian · 06-01-2023 10:24pm

160km is ambitious. I would go on road bike and tbh at the end of the day you will want to put your head down and just grind out the final stretch, you will be glad of the extra pace and efficiency of a road bike then. 23mm will slip a bit on canal paths but I have done it on 23mm and was fine. 25/28 would probably be better. You expect the canal route to be flat, and on average it is, but unfortunately you are constantly climbing up to road level at each bridge and then down to canal again. short little rises but they are steep and they add up.

There is a big difference between 90 km and 130km. I imagine an even bigger difference between 130 and 160, imagining because I have never gone beyond 130. Make sure you have food/drink and I presume you have decent clothing fit for purpose. Use chamois cream and bear in mind you will get colder as the day progresses, bring arm and leg warmers.

Have your friends done this kind of distance before? If not you may find it gets cut short.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy it and have a tailwind on the way home.

Gorteen · 06-01-2023 10:56pm

I'll let you know how we get on!

nicksnikita · 06-01-2023 11:50pm

Go n-eirí an bóthar libh!

Gerry · 07-01-2023 10:43am

That is a serious slog. I would go mountain bike for comfort and less mental effort. with enough fuelling you should be fine. good luck and tell us how it went.

cletus · 07-01-2023 11:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120077496#Comment_120077496

Well, hopefully they're about 65k in now 😀

Wishbone Ash · 07-01-2023 2:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120076308#Comment_120076308

bring arm and leg warmers.

Now I think anyone starting a ride at 6am in January is hardly going to be in shorts and short sleeves!

Seth Brundle · 07-01-2023 3:30pm

What footwear will you have? Will you have shoe covers?

You will probably be grateful for thermal socks and maybe have a spare pair in case your feet get wet.

Have you decent gloves?

magicbastarder · 07-01-2023 4:07pm

he'll be out on the road at the moment...

Ryath · 07-01-2023 4:07pm

Even at my fittest and regularly doing 200km plus spins I think I'd have struggled with 160km on a mountain bike. Just purely on comfort and not having the different hand positions drops give and your weight is more evenly spread. A MTB might feel more comfortable for an hour or two but for all day riding comfort a properly set up road bike is much better. Bar ends would help a though.

23mm tyres is risky though don't fancy changing multiple punctures on a day like today.