Bike for cycling trip

Nasqueron

Don't expect more than a basic fit lowering/raising the saddle, you won't get a professional level bike fit from a bike shop

I'd get my own bike insurance cover alongside travel cover just in case

Ask for weights etc of the bikes, last thing you want is hefting 10kg of parts alongside a 15+kg bike up hills

If you are on Facebook, look for groups like bike bible and see if you can join and ask for people's experience

Nasqueron

OP duplicate post here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=213

Johnmcl7

Nasqueron wrote: »

OP duplicate post here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=213

I think they've triple posted:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5870653/3-week-cycle-trip-buy-bike-rent-or-borrow-friends-bike

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5870664/getting-a-new-bike

I agree with Nasqueron about checking the bike weight.

I would expect if the bike fails at any point it would be entirely your responsibility, it's a good idea to ask if it comes with any tools but it's not something I've ever seen with a hire bike. Given the distances you're planning on covering you're likely to encounter basic mechanical issues so I'd want to take my own tool kit which I know works and how to use it. It's not anything vast or complex, this is what I'd recommend:

- bike pump, I use a mini track pump design which is compact and very easy to use
- tyre levers
- inner tubes
- puncture repair kit, an inner tube is preferable but this is small and if you're unlucky with a lot of punctures can be essential
- multi-tool with allen keys and a chain breaker, again compact and very flexible
- quick links, these are small pair of chain links and can be used to rejoin a broken chain together quickly and easily with a lot less hassle than trying to use a chain tool
- oil since it sounds like the conditions are going to be dry and dusty

If you've got your route mapped out I'd make a list of bike shops along the way, I've no idea how remote you're going to be or what data reception you'll have but I'd want to know how far it is to a bike shop if you do hit difficulties you can't sort.

[Deleted User]

I have cycled the whole of the coast down from Rijeka to Dubrovnic where I took the ferry direct to Ingoumenitsa in Greece to continue my bike tour which ended on a circuit of Crete
I think 60 miles a day will be quite easily managed if you have got a little training in and 30 mile runs is good enough. Your body will adapt to the extra effort. A day is a long time with at least 15 hrs of daylight. At a steady , say, 9 mph around 7.5 hrs pedaling will easily do the 60 miles. Take good long siesta s midday which will almost certainly be over 30 c daily. I was covering much more than 60 miles per day, usually around 100 miles but I had cycled from UK so was well trained
Personally I would recommend buying something like this Ebay bargain complete with rackhttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-bicycle/273366507087?hash=item3fa5e9de4f:g:y5AAAOSwLMJbUt6r rather than hiring.
Not sure what the extra flight charges would be for a bike but around £30 I have been told is the charge for a bike to be transported..
If you do take your own bike take a few spare spokes and at least 3 spare inner tubes. I had one inner tube explode with a loud bang which destroyed it.
I camped wild or used Youth Hostels when one was handy with occasional cheap hotels as a treat now and then as money was in short supply for me back then and the lovely blue Adriatic was always on my right hand side for a cooling dip.
My trip was a long time ago when Yugoslavia existed. I found the coast road quite hilly and always seemed to be cycling into the wind. If you get sick of the food and the Slavs, get on the 7 hr ferry across to Italy for a decent pizza . The port of Dubrovnic has ferries to Bari and offer cheap deckspace tickets

bp5678

ANOTHER UPDATE:
Thanks all for your help.

I'm now trying to decide between the 3e Travel company (Diamant bike) or the Meridien company Hybrid bike. Which would you recommend I go for? I've been emailing both of them and received further info (below). Hopefully this extra information will make it easier to make a more informed decision. Based on the original post and information I've posted below, which would you go for?

3e Travel company - Diamant bike
Here a link to the current Diamant model, where you can see the components. Ours are 3 years old. Remark: the Gents L does not have a suspension fork. These are very reliable bicycles, stabile and have a comfortable geometry and are fully equipped with mudguards and lightening. Here is a link to it: https://www.diamantrad.com/bikes/ubari-komfort-damen-wiege/

Alternatively we have Hybrid bikes, TREK FX 3, 2018. The do not have mudguards. They have a rack with a max. load of 25 kg. Here the link to these: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/touring-bike/

If you like to be most flexible in terms of road surface we recommend our Specialzed Rockhopper 29er. They can be equipped with a rack. Here is a link: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/mountain-bike/

Along the bike we provide spare innertubes, pumps, repair kit, helmet, flat or cage pedals !!!8211; of course if you wish you can take your own and we will mount them on the spot.

We do not have a bike insurance, simply because it is not available in Montenegro. Therefore we ask to keep an eye on them and overnight to keep them in a locked space.

---

Meridien - Musing hybird:
Bike weight is approximately 11 kg.
Unfortunately our bikes don't have mudguards.
We can provide panniers at extra charge of 3,00 EUR per day.
We can do bike fitting for you when we deliver the bike of course.
The bike is equipped with spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, pump, rear rack, bottle holders, cycle computer and lock. Please note, helmets are not included in price.
In front we have 3 chainrings (28, 38, 48) and rear there are 9 gears (34, 11).
The contract is in English and you can find it attached.
We do not provide repair services on the road. Each bike we rent is checked and serviced every time before it is handed to the client.
Bikes are not insured against theft or damage. It is possible to buy insurance in the amount of EUR 20,00 per bike and it covers 100% of cost of repairs in the case of minor damage to bike or damage or loss of accessories

Nasqueron

Meridien - Musing hybrid I like the weight but gearing is bonkers, 28,38,48 with 34-11 - 28/34 you could almost ride upside down, even allowing for touring weight this is aimed at people with zero bike ability

I'd take the Trek, not the end of the world to not have mudguards, just use a cheap job or similar

TiredTrophy

DH is still riding his Dawes Galaxy he got as an ex hire bike in 1982..it did Austria/Croatia in 1984 but we upgraded the rack to a Blackburn and did not take a tent.
Our daughter rode across Europe on a dodgy bike borrowed from a friend last summer and camped....we found some old unindexed levers for it...but it managed 2000km...but it was light and she took a very small bivvy type tent.

We went back this year and lots of the gravel is now tarmac.

Easyjet is £60 for a boxed bike....but if it is your only hold luggage, and its under 23kgs then it counts as your baggage and is included. Check carefully on the website and print out the page....some airport staff dont know theur own rules! And anyway, it keeps changing.

I hope you have a wonderful time whatever you decide.

TiredTrophy

Oh, i just reread and you did not pay for hold baggage....might well be cheaper to rent but leave loads of time to try different bikes..and consider taking your own saddle with you