Need a Bike...Used Okay...Over $2k Isn't

[TorontoGMan]

Gravel may not be great for the Frances, but need a rugged gravel for a May departure.
Saw a Nahamura Century (new) for €750 in Anglet's Intersport....
Sooo....Ivar's Intelligensia, any ideas??

 

[David]

You don't need any sort of specialist expensive bike for the Camino, any strong low-geared bike will do (unless you are more into image than practicality).

So you could buy one in Spain? Decathlon are a big French outdoors chain and have lots of stores in Spain.
You could buy a cheap mountain bike there, have a rack put on it and then give it away in Santiago - no shipping costs, save loads of money, make someone in Santiago you will never meet again very happy.

https://www.decathlon.es/es/deportes/ciclismo/bicicletas-de-montana?Ns=sku.modelLowestPrice%7C0%7C%7Csku.activePrice%7C0%7C%7Csku.availability%7C1

 

[Skinnybiker]

There's nothing intrinsically difficult cycling the Frances, any bike will do depending on your preferred road / trail ratio. A good fit is important as is a comfortable saddle and somewhere to stow your baggage.

Wallapop (Spain and France) for second hand bikes, Decathlon, as David suggested, or possibly local bike shops selling second hand.

Fit a good bell to warn the peregrinos you are approaching.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

Decathlon Rockrider, or Wallapop. All day.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Yes, please warn us hard of hearing pilgrims well ahead of time. Only 3 out of 100 passing cyclists warned me last month on the Camino Frances. Buen and safe Camino

Fit a good bell to warn the peregrinos you are approaching.

 

[TorontoGMan]

Yes, please warn us hard of hearing pilgrims well ahead of time. Only 3 out of 100 passing cyclists warned me last month on the Camino Frances. Buen and safe Camino

Jerry, after 2 x walking the Frances, believe me, i HEAR you amigo!!
Also, my plan is actually to cart a bunch of first aid, and support the pelegrinos however possible. I have a 28 year firefighter career under my belt and am looking forward to serving the hiker community as much as my 90 days allows!!
ultreia!!

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Gravel may not be great for the Frances, but need a rugged gravel for a May departure.
Saw a Nahamura Century (new) for €750 in Anglet's Intersport....
Sooo....Ivar's Intelligensia, any ideas??

Gravel? I'm not sure what you mean.

I have both walked and biked the Camino Frances. Your choice of bicycle depends on which route you're taking. There are two routes. One of them is the shared walking/bike path, designated by the Spanish authorities as such. And then there's a route that's completely on pavement. Either way, you don't need anything special. It's not technical, and almost any bike will serve.

In May, the Camino will be very busy and especially towards the end you'll find it extremely difficult to ride on the walking trail because you'll have to keep on stopping and dismounting because so many people will be on the trail.

The "Mapy. CZ" app does a really good job of showing both routes if you toggle on the outdoor overlay.

Due to an injury while walking a couple years ago I bought a used bike mountain bike in Pamplona. Cost €70. Another €75 at the Decathlon bike shop to fix it up and I was on my way. I just gave it away in Santiago. The thrift store I bought it that was called something like "Trabajos."

You can buy a new bike at Decathlon starting at €300 and there are lots of good bike shops in Spain.
If I was bringing a bike along, I would bring a hybrid road/dirt bike. That would be most useful.

And I would say, you don't get the Camino experience when you take a bike. It has almost no relation to the experience that you get walking.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

You don't need any sort of specialist expensive bike for the Camino, any strong low-geared bike will do (unless you are more into image than practicality).

So you could buy one in Spain? Decathlon are a big French outdoors chain and have lots of stores in Spain.
You could buy a cheap mountain bike there, have a rack put on it and then give it away in Santiago - no shipping costs, save loads of money, make someone in Santiago you will never meet again very happy.

https://www.decathlon.es/es/deportes/ciclismo/bicicletas-de-montana?Ns=sku.modelLowestPrice%7C0%7C%7Csku.activePrice%7C0%7C%7Csku.availability%7C1

I have a Rockrider. Not the most sophisticated of bikes but tough as old boots with good front suspension. Fitted a rear carrier and swapped out the chunky "all terrain" tires and it's never let me down during 6 years of ownership.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Gravel? I'm not sure what you mean.

Gravel bike - originally a north American term. Basically a compromise machine, able to do light off road biking (on gravel roads, forest tracks, trails, byways and bridlepaths) as well as paved road surfaces. Not normally as rugged as a full on MTB/VTT.

 

[OCHAR]

Any bike will do. It all depends on you.
As mentioned get one from Decathlon.

Oh and by the way, the Camino by bike is full and amazing experience.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Gravel bike - originally a north American term. Basically a compromise machine, able to do light off road biking (on gravel roads, forest tracks, trails, byways and bridlepaths) as well as paved road surfaces. Not normally as rugged as a full on MTB/VTT.

OK, I call those hybrids. But the more generally accepted term is Gravel?

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Oh and by the way, the Camino by bike is full and amazing experience.

Edit: t sounds like the OP has walked the Camino a couple of times, which I didn't realize when I posted my original comment.

Of course, this is my opinion and obviously, your experience was different.

I biked to Frances one year and walked the Frances a different year. Biking from Pamplona and walking from SJPP.

For me, the best thing about the Camino Frances was the social interactions with all the wonderful people. And making friends that last the whole time you hike. I did get this a little bit on the bike, but it was a wispy shadow compared to the experience I had when I walked.

That said, biking was still a great experience, and I may do the VDLP by bicycle in the next year or two.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

OK, I call those hybrids. But the more generally accepted term is Gravel?

Me too but it seems you need to rename things to sell to a new generation!