If you’re joining us for John O’Groats to Land’s End, or planning your own End to End cycle, one of the most common questions is what type of bike to bring.
After running the route for 12 years, our honest answer is that there is no single perfect bike for JOGLE. We have seen riders complete the trip on road bikes, gravel bikes, hybrids, touring bikes and more. What matters most is not having the fanciest setup, but choosing a bike that is comfortable, reliable and suited to long days in the saddle.
For most riders, we would usually recommend an endurance road bike. A light touring bike, gravel bike or a well-suited hybrid can also work really well, depending on your priorities and experience.
Is JOGLE suitable for a road bike?
Yes, absolutely.
A road bike is probably the most common choice for JOGLE and, for many riders, the best one. The route is on-road, and over a trip of this length it makes sense to choose a bike that rolls efficiently and feels comfortable over long distances.
That said, an endurance road bike is usually a better fit than a more aggressive race bike. On an End to End ride, comfort starts to matter more with every day that passes. A slightly more relaxed riding position, sensible tyres, and gearing that helps you stay comfortable on the climbs will usually serve you better than a lightweight race-focused setup.
As a guide, we would usually suggest tyres of at least 25mm, and ideally a little wider if your bike allows. For many riders, 28–32mm works really well.
Not sure if your bike fits well or what tyres you can run?
It is well worth popping into your local bike shop to ask whether they can check your fit and tyre clearance.
A bike fit may not be cheap, but on a ride as long as JOGLE it can be worth every penny. A small issue that feels manageable on a shorter ride can become a real problem over 2 weeks of riding.
Is a gravel bike a good choice for JOGLE?
Yes, it can be.
Although JOGLE is an on-road challenge, a gravel bike can be a really good option for riders who want a little more comfort, slightly wider tyres and lower gearing. Many modern gravel bikes are perfectly capable on long road rides, especially on a supported trip like ours where you do not need to carry all of your luggage on the bike.
If you already own a gravel bike and it fits you well, there is every chance it could be a great option.
Can you do JOGLE on a hybrid or touring bike?
You can, and many riders do.
A hybrid can work well for someone who prefers a more upright position or feels more confident on flat bars. The main thing we would say is that not all hybrids are equal. A lighter hybrid with sensible gearing can be absolutely fine. A heavier hybrid designed mainly for short local rides may make the trip harder than it needs to be.
Touring bikes are also a very natural fit for an End to End ride. They are built for long-distance comfort and reliability, and many riders like the stable feel they offer. The trade-off is that they are usually a bit heavier and slower to accelerate. For a ride like JOGLE that is often far less important than comfort and consistency.
If you are thinking of using a hybrid or touring bike, we would pay particular attention to gearing, weight and how the bike feels over long hours in the saddle.
Can you do JOGLE on an e-bike?
Yes, you can.
An e-bike can be a really good option for riders who want extra support on the climbs or a little more confidence over a multi-day challenge. The main things to think about are battery range, charging and the extra weight of the bike. If you’re considering bringing an e-bike on our ride, get in touch and we can help you think through whether it’s the right fit for you and how it would work on the trip.
What matters most when choosing a bike for JOGLE?
From our experience, these are the biggest things to think about.
1. Comfort
On a ride this long, comfort is everything. A bike that feels fine for two hours can feel very different by day six. Bike fit matters. Saddle comfort matters. Hand positions matter. Small setup issues can become big ones over an End to End ride.
2. Reliability
JOGLE is not the place to turn up on a bike you barely know or one that has not been properly serviced. A well-maintained bike you trust is usually a better choice than a shiny new one you have only ridden a handful of times.
3. Gearing
There is plenty of climbing on JOGLE. Your legs will thank you if you have low enough gears to ride efficiently day after day rather than grinding your way up hills.
4. Tyres
You do not need huge tyres for JOGLE, but slightly wider tyres can make a real difference to comfort and confidence. For many riders, something in the 28–32mm range works really well.
So what bike would we recommend?
If you are riding JOGLE with us, our general advice would be:
- Best overall choice: endurance road bike
- Also a very good option: light touring bike or gravel bike
- Also a good option: hybrid with suitable gearing
- Less ideal: aggressive race bikes or very heavy bikes not designed for long days in the saddle
Because our trip is supported, you do not need to carry all of your own luggage on the bike. That means you can focus more on comfort and ride quality, rather than choosing a bike around heavy load-carrying.
That said, there is no single “right” bike for JOGLE. Preparation matters more than ticking a particular bike-category box.
Final thoughts
Over the last 12 years, we have seen riders succeed on a wide range of bikes on JOGLE. The common factor is rarely the bike category itself. It is usually that the rider chose a bike that fit them well, was properly prepared, and was suitable for long days on the road.
If you are unsure what to bring, we would usually suggest starting with the bike you already own and asking: is it comfortable, is it reliable, and can I happily ride it for back-to-back long days? If the answer is yes, you are probably on the right track.
Want to talk through your choices with us? Get in touch and we can help walk you through it.
