Bike ideas for epic rides

What frame did you go for in the end?

Bikefit, good quality shorts that you know suit you and good nutrition should help with comfort.

Practice will help with descending. All modern bikes handle and brake brilliantly, the balance and poise is almost entirely all down to the rider.

Fitness gains from following a training plan will be a million times more beneficial than a slightly lighter bike.

However, if you want to use this as an opportunity to buy a new bike it will be very much a personal decision. All the main brands have superb bikes at a range of price points and any good dealer should take the time to discuss your requirements at length.

Which ones light your fire? Italian style, a BMC swiss watch, the cachet of a Cervelo, the ubiquitous Giant, Trek or Specialized.... or maybe a Genesis Volare (s/steel).

And fit some nice handbuilt wheels.

Depending on how "healthy" your budget is, surely custom is the way to go

Ti Kinesis ATR Tripster

I'd look to building the bike up myself. That way you get everything the way you'd want. A decent set of handbuilt wheels too like pacenti SL23's too for hitting the mountains.

I have seen a few Spec Roubaix extra special discs (or whatever they are called). The winner of the most Audax miles last year (over 30,000km on rides up to 1200km) used one. I would think any of Defy, Roubaix or Synapse in carbon would be worth a look. And of course a Ti Sabbath or Enigma would be nice, but perhaps not quite as cutting-edge fast.

Having ridden at or above the 12hr barrier for a while now I realise that I have to get my fit sorted - bars a little higher to take pressure off hands. This puts your weight back towards the rear which means out and out race saddles don't work. My tips are under tape gel pads and 25c tyres to start with.

Have you thought about contacting a frame builder and discussing your requirements?

For long endurance rides having something made to measure might be worth the investment. I'm sure an off the peg bike will be just as good once you have worked in to it but a good tailored bike should also meet your climbing and descending needs.

Just a thought...

Someone has asked if pedals are included. Made me chuckle.

I'm not great at descending, but knew that the Trek Madone is renowned for predictable handling. Sure enough, that's enabled me to relax and hit 50mph without incident.

With regard to epic rides, have you looked at the review of the Mason Definition posted on this site in the last day or 2?

How healthy is a "pretty healthy budget"?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/emonda-slr-10-2015-road-bike-ec...

Go and test ride a Bianchi Infinito CV. It's available with a wide range of spec but all have the same frame. It should do everything that you are asking for.