Has anyone done the L'Eroica route on a proper bike

[Mr. Pink]

Not an old bike, like you have to on the actual event day, but, some other time on something modern and suited to the kind of surfaces that circuit throws at you. What would be best? A cross bike with pretty large tires? A roadie with the same? (Isn't that the same thing?) A hard tail mountain bike with smaller tires?

I just ride on pavement, the smoother, the better, but riding that route once in my life is intriguing. I'd probably take my time and do it in three days and eat a lot.

[Cloozoe]

You'd be surprised at how close to "proper" bikes those that qualify for the event are. But yeah, relatively big tires would be good.

[choke]

You mean do it on a non-proper bike?

I can't speak for the one in Italy but the CA route would certainly be doable on 23s...and I'm sure loads of people have done the one in Italy on them as well. Obviously fatter tires are better but there's nothing that a typical road bike can't handle.

[chunkylover53]

I just rode it last week (210km route) on my Salsa Cutthroat (if you're talking about Italian version). It's basically half pavement, half gravel. I run 2.1 Thunderburts and was super comfy. But the gravel is quite fine, so even a cross bike on 33-35s would be more than suitable. A great experience and beautiful countryside - definitely do it if you have a chance!

[Mr. Pink]

Awesome.

[Anarchist]

"Proper" ????

Amazing.

[Cicli]

I know this may be hard for some people to understand. People used to just ride their bike. Whatever bike, on whatever road, wearing whatever. We just did it.

The bike you are riding, is the proper bike.

[Hindmost]

You mean like this:

[beeatnik]

He means this:



with the new Hed Goes to 11 Belgiums (they're about 32mm wide and take motorcycle tyres). Wider is better.

[pbarry]

Originally Posted by Cicli

I know this may be hard for some people to understand. People used to just ride their bike. Whatever bike, on whatever road, wearing whatever. We just did it.

The bike you are riding, is the proper bike.

Perfectly stated.

[velomateo]

I rode the Coastal Route on my Serotta, that has 80's crit geometry. I bombed the down hill dirt sections and I was pleasantly surprised, actually amazed, at how well the bike worked.
I ran 25c Continentals, Campy Super Record 42/53 and a 6 speed with a 28t big cog. I do have SRAM Red brakes, which added a little confidence, and worked quite well paired with the old Super Record levers.
So, whatever bike you have, is probably the right bike. Great roads in that area, enjoy.

[EPOJoe]

I rode the California medium route the first year on 23mm Pro Race 4's, which are still on the bike. No problemo. The bike was also perfect for the ride.

[bicycletricycle]

a partially related and interesting non scientific exploration of the speed of different bikes on cobbles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvO74sZxVs4

[JAGI410]

That Kirk made me feel emotions.

[velomateo]

@Beeatnik What bars are those on the Kirk?