It is amazing how many choices we have when it comes to picking out a bicycle. Yet the vast majority of us make very few decisions about how our bikes will be set-up, at least initially. The key driver in bicycle selection is often our budget. Depending upon how much money we are willing to spend, the primary decision is the selection of the frame brand name; the component group and wheel-set are often bundled. Request a component change before you take delivery of a complete bike and you will pay a premium for the privilege.

Large manufacturers deliver incredible value in a complete bike because they make these decisions well in advance and configure the component mix to hit a target retail price. Unlike variations in a line of cars, where more dollars spent equate to additional features and functions, more dollars spent on a bicycle usually equate to a lighter bicycle, not more bells and whistles.

“Many cyclists are working harder and feeling more pain than is necessary.”

For cyclists interested in riding longer distances, weight is one concern, but it has less impact on the quality and performance of the ride than at least a half-dozen other considerations. Frame geometry, components, wheels and tires found on stock road bikes are not designed for the rigors of long rides, which means that many cyclists are working harder and feeling more pain than is necessary.

Most sport-recreational cyclists can describe what they want from a bicycle used for long-distance cycling. In a word, they want to be comfortable. But few can translate this into specifics. In an effort to help you increase your understanding of bicycle design, Evan Rowe and I decided to go to the experts: riders, frame builders, and technicians who make their living building, racing, and maintaining bicycles that have endured the most grueling endurance cycling events in the world, including Paris-Brest-Paris, the Cascade 1200, Furnace Creek 508, and Race Across America, to name just a few.

Our goal is to help roadies gain a deeper appreciation for the long distance bicycle, and to learn how it differs from bicycles made for racing and touring. We approached four top professionals in the field and asked them to join us on a panel at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in March 2007. An edited version of the taped transcript forms the foundation of the first eBook from Ready to Ride. A Rider’s Guide to Building the Long Distance Bicycle offers sport-rec riders an insider’s view of the vital aspects of a bicycle that has been built to go the distance.

Availability of our new, 64-page eBook was announced today by RoadBikeRider.com, the leading publisher serving road cyclists worldwide with online newsletters, eBooks, and other training media. A story on the book appeared in the May 10 issue of its weekly newsletter, distributed to almost 60,000 roadies.

“Until now the knowledge belonged to a small group of enthusiasts,” says Ed Pavelka, president of RoadBikeRider.com. “With A Rider’s Guide to Building the Long Distance Bicycle, we bring this know-how to anyone interested in riding long distances and maximizing their comfort as well as their performance.”

If you are just getting accustomed to longer rides, you will find this eBook to be a comprehensive introduction to the key features of a long distance bicycle, with tips you can apply to your current bike to make it perform better on your next Century.

If you are already active in long distance cycling, the book will confirm much of what you have heard from the seasoned road warriors. It will give you new ideas for setting up a bicycle that can handle the dramatic swings in terrain, weather, and road conditions that randonneurs and ultra-endurance cyclists encounter during 12 to 24 hours of continuous riding.

You can see the entire Table of Contents and read two excerpts from the eBook at RoadBikeRider’s online store. We hope you will order a copy, and that you will continue to share your experience and insights with your fellow roadies here at Ready to Ride.

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