Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Suitable Bike

Is this a suitable type of bike to do Long Distance Cycling

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/Xtra/18468.jpg

It is if it fits you well.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23418.jpg

Is this? BMB, PBP, Shenandoah, and more 1200ks.... and all the qualifiers to get there.

If it fits, if it works for you, if you can carry what you need, if you can be on it for a looooong time, then yes, it is suitable.

(note, not my bike in the pic above)

If it fits, if it works for you, if you can carry what you need, if you can be on it for a looooong time, then yes, it is suitable.

+1 to that.

But that said, it wouldn't be my first choice for the following reasons:
- Can't fit decent fenders on it
- Can't run 28c (or bigger) tires on it (I'm guessing)
- Too much seat to handlebar drop (which could probably be fixed with spacers and a stem change, but I'd rather start with a bike that was designed for a more even seat/handlebar height).
- The white saddle and bar tape don't match my outfit

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- The white saddle and bar tape don't match my outfit

and it needs pedals :thumb:

Well, the pros regularly ride 200+ kilometers on such bikes, so obviously it can be done. The pros also have specific needs, ie. to cover the distance as rapidly as possible. If this is your long distance goal, then the bike might be just the ticket.

Of course, the pros also have support vehicles nearby at all times, so if they puncture those skinny tires or break a spoke, it's no big deal. Would it be for you?

It can clearly be done, but the major team pros are the fittest cyclists in the world, probably a few staircases above even the PBP anciennes among us. That goes a long way toward accommodating and benefitting from such a deep handlebar position.

"Well, the pros regularly ride 200+ kilometers on such bikes, so obviously it can be done."

When they do it, it involves much less time on the bike than when I do it, though.

I wouldn't, but lots of folks do. My personal preference (on a diamond frame) would be a light steel frame, longish wheelbase and clearance for 28-32mm tires and fenders. Like my Gunnar Crosshairs.

But I haven't ridden a df in a year and a half. My current ride looks somethng like this:
http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:Y8OtAcPBCUgFSM:http://www.actionbent.com/Images/midracer/midracr700/ModBFullonSide.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.actionbent.com/Images/midracer/midracr700/ModBFullonSide.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.actionbent.com/midracer.html&usg=__3ntOmHBxB2cQZwrM4N4JIvZ9SHc=&h=670&w=1265&sz=98&hl=en&start=6&tbnid=Y8OtAcPBCUgFSM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DActionbent%2Bmidracer%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den),
but with bigger tires and fenders. Way fast, way comfortable, way fun.

SP
Bend, OR

Most of the folks I see at the local centuries are riding race bikes. They seem happy, although maybe they don't know any better.

Looks like a Felt F95, which is a racing bike. I also would not regard this as an ideal LD bike. It's designed more for speed, responsiveness and stiffness, not for all-day comfort. The gearing is also a bit high. It might work but may not be very comfortable, especially as the hours pile up.

A few better options may be:
• an "audax" or randonneuring style bike (e.g Mercian Audax Special)
• a "Roubaix" style bike (e.g. Specialized or Fuji Roubaix)
• standard steel road bike, with a triple
• a cross bike, set up with road tires and low gearing