I think that this is an ideal opportunity to add a further bike to the collection specifically for the route.... just saying!.... my choice would be a Raleigh Chopper with the left crank removed to make it a bit of a challenge
I like all 3 bikes, but I especially enjoyed how you used the light purchased specifically for video making as a prop. Could be the start of trend amongst influencers!
Some people are just lucky enough to have such problems. I'd go with the Fairlight, although the di2 would be handy when getting tired. Peddles, saddles, wheels & even rear cassettes can be swapped for the ride. Good luck Mate ☺
If the ride has a support vehicle, use the lightest bike, if not, the one best for load carrying. I have cycled a few times up to the North coast from the central belt and always used a relatively heavy Touring bike, usually with a good saddle bag, ie Carradice Camper Longflap. I can live out of a saddle bag easily for a couple of weeks, with accommodation booked for the nights. I would say that some very small gears can come in handy, also the temperatures even in summer are usually quite lower , in the far North West, than in the Glasgow area, some warm gear could be usefull. I have found myself looking for extra layers when nothing is left.
May I say, Mr Hutchings, what a lovely problem to have!!! If I had this choice, even though I have not ridden any of the three, I would still be tempted with the idea of taking the Fairlight!. and all the best to you for LEJOG!
For me the harsher ride and slightly taller bottom gear rules out the Mason. I'm going to vote for the Fairlight as you seem to find it all day comfortable and you're not out to break any speed records. I don't know if it's just me, but a heavier bike can feel more planted and less jittery on the road - less affected by crap road surfaces and side winds/passing vehicles. Are you carrying all your own luggage Bikepacking or touring style, or is one's Chauffeur following in one's Bentley with supplies of food and clothing? Ease of attachment of bags/mudguards etc is possibly a consideration if it's the former.
@@JulianHutchings Lol! One piece of advice I'm sure you'll have already come across, stay off the A30 through Cornwall, however tempting it may appear to get some miles in early on. It's hell at the best of times, but in August - just no! A damned dangerous road on a bike.
I know this is all over and done with now but I've just started your LeJog playlist and I have a few questions and comments. All three bicycle options use drop handlebars, why is this? I find them quite uncomfortable. In fact after any ride exceeding 20-ish miles my back and neck are both giving me jip. By far the most comfy handlebars I've ever used are what we called (back at the cusp of the 60's/70's) 'cow horns'. I think the yoof now refer to them as 'cruiser bars' or something equally stupid. These 'bars provide a nice upright position allowing the rider to survey everything around them in comfort and there's plenty of 'real-estate' for mounting computers, phones, lights, bells and whistles. An added bonus for LeJog would be that with the prevailing UK winds being south-westerly the rider's upright posture would reap the benefits of wind assistance. Why on Earth didn't you choose cow-horns? I'd have them on all my bikes today except I'm afraid I'd look like a twat. Cheers 👍🏼
I'd keep the same pedals on the Fairlight because a fall onto your A- double scribble would not only be embarrassing, "butt" you will be stopping for food and rest at intervals. Switching to bipedal drive on those 25% grades will also go much better!
Use a penny farthing for training and then any of the bikes will feel great! Seriously, if you are on normal roads the lightest bike makes sense. But if you use some national cycle network trails with their mixed surfaces the gravel bike would be my choice. Best of luck in August.
I would say the Fairlight because it has the least carbon and would be more enduring. But that 1x would be very rate limiting on good roads as I know from my 1x that simply doesn't go fast enough when the conditions are good enough to do so.
I've got a Definition and wouldn't like to ride LEJOG on it. We're of a similar age and it's got to be priority for comfort and low gears - those hills in Cornwall are steep! I'd go Secan - weight is secondary as presumably you'll be carrying some luggage anyway. Thinking of springing for a Secan and joining you!
Voted, but as is customary, it's a secret which way I cast my vote. However, someone suggested a Raleigh Chopper in the comments....now that is a video I would pay good money to see.
Mason Def gets my vote but with a 11-34 cassette. Best of all worlds ie climbing and keeping up. Interesting to see what impact of split seat post on it would be? Best video yet, thanks as usual.
I'd go for the Giant for it being the most comfy, but to get up those hills, I'd opt for the Fairlight. Did you ever consider a pinion gear bike, such as a Co-Motion or Priority?
Seeing that your a bike conoseur of a sort ....I can see in your comments it is supported so luggage isn't an issue. For me I would go light and comfortable you will be doing repeated hilly long days so the easier the better (lightest with easy gearing) all your bikes have disc brakes which is great! My only other concern is how the bike is being transported I cherish my rides don't if you mind your being battle scared in transit???? Just a thought I suppose!
I’m waiting for my Secan frameset to arrive, bought after many hours of research and watching you! Decision for me would be based around the time you are looking to take, daily mileage you are hoping to cover & if you are carrying all your own kit?
Very Interesting selection Julian.... for a 900kms+ ride . You've obviously no your bike of preference having riden them. I personally would not ride a bike over that distance with Di2 if that goes wrong your be stuffed ! Keep it Mechanical gears. More chance of fixing it . Also important is tyre choice nothing to narrow but durable. Nothing worse than getting bloody punctures everyday. I love your gravel ...bike... relaxed geometry 35mm tyres to deal with the crappy roads in the UK. May not be the fastest bike must the most suited. Good luck keep it all simple and don't make it over complicated 900kms is a long way to cycle If your not use to indurace cycling ... 100kms a day repeatedly is no mean feat over 9 days .looking forward to your comments...
How much is a bus ticket? Dear Julian I've watched Braveheart 3 times. Mel does the scotts so well. Anyway I don't think the Britts are still that welcome up north. What I would do as you get to the Scottish boarder Is paint your face blue and fly a Scottish flag on your rear pannier. May be pack a kilt to wear as well. And practice up on some language skill. "I just a wee ride. Might just trouble you for a dram of whisky. By the way could ya lend me a pound for my poor thirsty throat. I've had a devil of a time on the cobblestones" Cheers watch with interest your journey. Ps don't go electronic on a long journey trust me.
Will you be adding mudguards to the chosen bike ? I’m doing in July with my dad on a supported ride over 14 days and torn between will I need them or not. Also what size tyres ? We are experimenting with 32mm atm Armand have to say find the extra confirm over speed of 28 a winner.
Good questions. Haven't quite decided re mudguards but I think it's sensible; riding in rain all day is not a lot of fun, Tyres - again not decided but almost certainly 32, prolly Pirelli or Vittoria. More videos coming! Who are you going with? I'm going with Bike Adventures.
@@JulianHutchings we are with Peak Tours. We are trying the new Trek / Bontrager R3 tyres and so far have to say both speed and comfort wise they have been very impressive. Look forward to seeing what you are carrying on you for the rides , we get to keep a small day bag in the van which meets us every 20 ish miles so won’t need too much on us at anyone time - Assume that’s same for you ?
@@JulianHutchings no I can’t see ya finding together - I expect each day diff groups will break away and then meet at Regular check points. So much to see on the way up that I expect some will sightsee and stop off for pictures and some might just get heads down and get to next stop quick as possible for beers..
I hate to be the bearer of bad news (and please don’t take this the wrong way) but you are unlikely to even make it out of Devon at your age on any of those 3 bikes. The gearing is way too high. You need to get your easiest gear down to circa 20 gear inches. just pick any of your bikes and move to a sub compact chainset with a bigger cassette range at the rear. Alternatively buy a hardtail MTB with slick tyres or buy an e bike. Sorry to be blunt - but feel free to prove me wrong!!! Anyway good luck and remember to enjoy it.
Oh ye of little faith. I’ve done the Alpine raid, Pyrenean raid, ridden in the Dolomites, climbed the Stelvio, Tourmalet, Mortirolo, Mt Teide, Liege/Bastogne/Liege, Paterberg, and a host of other climbs; all on higher gears than these bikes. I’ll get out of Devon, you watch!
@@JulianHutchings - i suspect you already know which bike your going to take, but it was a clever idea for a video. Perhaps Episode 2 is which bike and why????? The Fair light would be my choice - but it will be interesting to hear your choice and your rationale.
Contact all three manufacturers and determine which one is going to donate nicely to your charity, then ride that bike in honour of their donation. 2 birds, one stone 😉
Yea. Good point. You’re riding it, after all. Then it’s gotta be the Secan/Giles Berthoud/plush tyres combination. Plus extra capacity to carry some “comfort”. Enjoy that beautiful ride mate. 👍
