Options to get daughter (in England) set up for touring?

[jyyanks]

I second renting a bike if it's possible. Here is a link to some "bikes for hire" places near Cambridge

http://www.cam.ac.uk/local/local/bikehire.html

http://www.camcycle.org.uk/resources/visitors/

If you end up selling your bike, can you buy a bike here and have it shipped to her in England? There are places where you can go to the shop, buy from them and then have them ship it out. It may be cheaper since they may get a better rate.

Another option is to buy from a place that ships worldwide (like Petra or Evans) or check out ebay uk for some used bikes.

Just some options. Good Luck!

[hebe]

Evans is UK based, I believe, so carriage would be minimal. That said, the VAT exemption that you normally get if ordering from outside the EU probably wouldn't apply if the bike was being delivered within the UK.

Renting is a good idea. Another store that came to mind last night is Decathlon, whose bikes seem to get quite a good press on ctc and are very well priced. nb I have no personal experience of Decathlon or their bikes - eta please see more informed post from Rebecca below. Also they don't have any stores in Cambridgeshire or East Anglia so she would have to travel to see the bikes.

[Rebecca19804]

Being a long-distance road cyclist with a little "credit card touring" experience in the UK and considering LeJOG with friends myself next year... here are my two-cents-worth: :

1. Don't rent. It's best if she gets as much time in the saddle as possible beforehand on the bike she'll actually be doing the ride on.

2. Fit is always crucial esp on any ride over 20 miles. Given her size/proportions, there's a bigger risk than usual that she'll have trouble finding something suitable, with higher costs associated with trying to "fix" a bike that doesn't fit.

3. Evans and Decathlon - don't! Yes, they sell decent bikes at good prices but after-sales care is very poor and fitting expertise is non-existent. Big risk your daughter will be sold something that doesn't fit.

4. If she does go for a good-enough bike from a chain store, she will need to go to a professional fitter. She may then find out that the bike can't be altered enough to make it safe/comfortable.

5. Cambridge is, as hebe says, absolutely wonderful for cycling! Over a dozen independent LBSs right in the town centre. She's spoilt for choice so I recommend she shops around for the right shop (before shopping for the right bike). Buying a bike from an LBS with experience and willingness to swap things out (at little/no additional cost) to optimise the fit is worth the time it takes to find a good LBS! She needs to visit as many shops as it takes, until she finds people who listen to her and are willing to advise on what's right for her, not just for the sake of making a sale.

6. Second hand a good option, so long as she knows exactly what to look for, or is accompanied by someone else who does and whose opinion she trusts. (And a good LBS will often pass on news of good second hand bikes they know of coming up for sale, once they've met your daughter and have a clear idea what she's looking for.)

7. YACF is the UK cycling forum for touring. Lots of LeJOG (and JOGLE) veterans on there. Friendly, helpful, supportive people. I strongly recommend your daughter joins the forum, reads the LEJOG threads, dips her toes in and asks questions, and ideally meets up with a few people face to face - to pick their brains and hopefully find a few riding buddies for the winter.

8. The shipping-from-USA options. Hmmm. I've tried that. If you've got a frame that you already know 100% is exactly the right size for her, then might be worth it. Otherwise... it's a lot of hassle, unexpected costs (phone calls, postage, and taxes nobody tells you about), on top of the UK-based expenses e.g. fitting, swapping components etc. Usually the total cost is higher than if you just sourced everything in the UK to start with. Not worth it, IMO.

To sum up: good LBS relationship + a sound bike that fits + TITS (time in the saddle!) = happy LEJOG!!

Hope all goes well and she has a brilliant time!

[Rebecca19804]

Oh, and a hybrid bike would be totally unsuitable for LEJOG - much too much hard work on all those hills!!

[hebe]

That's a great post Rebecca, have edited mine above! Thanks for the forum link too, I wasn't aware of that one.

I forgot about the tax and handling on inbound goods - that would be substantial on a bike.