Occasionally people ask what bike they should buy or if a given bike is right for them. There are plenty of buying guides out there and here I focus on some specifics. As my riding ranges from canal towpaths, to 40-mile tarmac road rides loaded up with tent and touring equipment, through to 100km audax these are the areas I'll focus on.
Your Requirements
Before looking at bikes or talking to the bike shop staff be very clear about what you will use the bike for; now and in the future.
- If you are riding on canal towpaths and off-tarmac sections then tyres 700x32c, 700x35c or 700x38c will be suitable. This simple tyre size check will cut through some of the bike types and categories.
- If you are riding in winter then mounting points to fit mudguards is required. Without mounting points mudguards fitting is possible but not as secure.
- If you are planning an overnight trip or need to carry kit for a day ride then you will need mounting points for a rear rack. Saddle bags, handlebar bags and small rucksack are all alternative options if you don't want a rack.
- The question of flat or drop handlebars is a personal preference unless you are road racing and some bike models offer the choice of either. I favour drop handlebars as you get a wider choice of riding positions; places to put your hands. Please don't dismiss drop handlebars until you have tried them on a friends bike.
- Unless you have a very rigid budget then the Shimano 105 groupset is a very sensible price point and will provide a wide choice of gear ratios.
A gravel bike. An example is the
Specialized Diverge Comp E5. I will use this bike as a way of talking through a bike's attributes. This particular bike comes in seven sizes meaning one should be just right for you. The aluminium frame means it is lighter than a steel equivalent and though aluminium is less durable than steel you shouldn't expect any problems if you aren't riding hard. SRAM is one of the top three groupset brands and this model has 1x11 gearing meaning one chainring (cog) at the front and 11 sprockets (cogs) on the rear cassette. This makes changing gear slightly less complicated with the compromise that you don't get the higher (faster) top gear which won't be a problem unless you are road racing or enjoy downhill speed. The lowest gear is engaged by using the 40 tooth from chainring and the 42 tooth rear sprocket and is slightly less than a 1:1 ratio and low enough for hills. If you think you need lower gears for a longer hilly ride then this may be an indicator that you need to train on more hills. The 700x38c tyres will be well suited to canal towpaths and off-road trails. 700x38c gravel tyres may be considered slightly large for use on a long tarmac road route such as an audax event though you should be able to fit a 700x35c or 700x32c slick(er) tyre and a bike shop would advise as the tyre size needs to be suitable for the wheel rim internal width which is 21mm on the Diverge Comp E5. Most bikes now come with disc brakes (usually hydraulic like the Diverge Comp E5) and it is worth learning about their use and maintenance. The Future Shock system (located above the headtube) is included on this bike and is a dampening system to smooth the feel of the bars. There are mounts for mudguards and a luggage rack which is important when you want storage for a longer ride or an overnight stay. The Diverge has lots of fitting points and if some of these have rubber bungs you may wish to replace those with fixing bolts to avoid the threads rusting or getting clogged with dirt. It is perhaps worth pointing out that the bike comes with drop handle bars rather than flat ones. I am a fan of drop handle bars as you have a range of riding positions and you can drop down out of the wind should you need to; if you are unsure get someone to point out the different riding positions. It is normal that the bike doesn't come with pedals as standard and it is worth spending £40 on a pair. Ideally you will buy a bike from a reputable bike shop but if they really cannot come close to the on-line (sale?) price then they may offer to build it for you. Building a bike often just means bolting on the saddle and handle bars but even this is easier with a friend to hold things in place. Adding mudguards and a rack is best done by a mechanic in a reputable bike shop as they will have experience of what add-ons will fit, will look good on your chosen bike and they will have any extra bolts that may be required.
A cross/gravel/road bike. If the Specialized Diverge Comp E5 is a bit too 'gravel' for you and you want some higher (faster) gears then something like the
Ribble CGR AL may suit. It comes with slightly narrower tyres (700x35c) and has 2x12 gearing which gives you the 1:1 ratio for climbing hills and the all important mounting points for mudguards and rack. This bike comes in three materials (steel, aluminium and titanium) and a choice of quality groupsets though I would generally recommend the standard Shimano 105. The Ribble CGR range is a great all-rounder and will be useable for longer road rides, canal towpaths outings and even lightweight touring provided you aren't packing a tent and cooking equipment. CGR stands for
Cross
Gravel
Road and does come in a flat bar option. The Ribble store is in Bluewater, Kent. If you want to go instore in London then
Balfes Bikes is an option and they do a large range of cycles including the
Cube Nuroad. Using your local bike shop is always good if they sell something that meets your need.
A bike that fits. If you want a comfortable bike that really fits you then a bike fit and made to order bike is the way forward.
Condor Cycles in London do the fit and will be able to swap in just the right parts and do the setup to give you a comfortable ride. The lead time can be long if the frame isn't in stock. They do touring, endurance and racing bikes mostly in steel. A made to order bike doesn't have to be very expensive. Their do-anything
Fratello model with rim brakes and Shimano Tiagra is £1,805 (June 2025) though the rim brakes may limit tyre size. More realistically you would opt for:
Condor's Fratello model
Make use of the free bike fit
Make use of Cycle to Work Scheme
Make use of any sale bikes/frames
Hydraulic disc brakes
Shimano 105 mechanical groupset
Try out different saddles
The handlebar height is set by actually cutting the metal so you cannot make it higher post-sales; either trust the bike fit or ask for higher with a view to cutting it down later
Wheels and tyres make a big difference; if you have budget ask for sensible wheel upgrades such as Hope hubs. Certainly get the shop to show you a sample wheel as different lacing patterns are possible for a modern or traditional esthetic
Match handlebar tape color to the saddle colour
Consider whether you want a silver or black groupset; black is current but the silver more retro
Unless you have a particular look in mind let the bike shop guide you so you don't end up with a frankenbike
Opt for the widest tyres the mudguards will allow this will be 28 or 32 I think
Add mudguards
Add a rear rack
Do ask about pedals; bikes often come without them
Finally, ask yourself and the bike fitter if you are both happy with the final specification.
Touring. There are good reviews of touring bikes on-line and the list of models is small as it is more niche.
Spa Cycles in Harrogate have a very practical selection and would be good if you have specific requests though the location may not suit those in the South.
Genesis have a good range with a focus on steel and a reseller
(Bikewise) in Ickenham. Condor Cycles do a very good steel tourer.
Image by Freepik.
