Getting back in the saddle - some questions

misterben

I have recently decided the get back in the saddle and start cycling again, after a 10 year (!) hiatus. In particular, I am hoping to get a job a bit closer to home, and commute by bike (current job is 25 miles away, and I commute by bus/train - I'm thinking it's a bit far to try). However, I have some questions, which I was hoping you could answer for me

1. Bike
a) I have my old bike, a Saracen Tufftrax Extreme no less, but it's not been touched in 10 years, so at the very least it's going to need new tires, new chain, and a shedload of grease, but I suspect that, in fact, the cost of repairing it is not worth it, in comparison to buying a new bike. True? (Bear in mind, also, that the bike was too big for me at the time, and so I'd also need a new stem added into the refurb cost)

b) I am thinking of going for a touring-style bike, as I used to tour, and would like to do a few longer-distance runs if I get up some fitness. I have a limited budget - any recommendations, or should I just go to a decent bike shop and get a second-hand bike?

c) Most touring bikes come with drop-bars - what are the benefits here? I fancy the idea of drop bars, but would like to justify my hunch (pun intended) with some logic.

2. Clothes
a) What's the best thing to do about footwear if you're commuting (and possibly touring)? Are SPDs the way to go, and change to "proper" shoes (if required) at work? Presumably this is also a good option for the odd shopping run? Are toe-clips a thing of the past?

b) How do people cope with the sweat aspect? I'm a sweaty bloke, and don't really want to sit in an office and smell all day. Do people have showers at work, or something like that?

3. Other kit?
Any recommendations and costings for other essential kit?

FWIW I live in Glasgow, and so will hopefully be "urban" commuting when I get a new job. I currently work in Greenock - not sure I would attempt to cycle there and back on a daily basis.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Teuchter

I've only been cycle commuting a few weeks so can't answer too many of your questions I'm afraid. I currently ride from Erskine in to Pollokshields in Glasgow each day.

The bike I'm using cost me under £60 on ebay - an old late 80's racer. I replaced the steel wheels with alloy (better wet braking) at hte cost of another £40 and that's it sorted.

I hadn't used drop bars since my teens (one or two years ago :oops: ) but quickly got used to them again. I think the main advantages are seen as more positions will allow you to move around a bit more - helping prevent tiredness and also going uphill or into the wind it's better / more efficient to use the drops.

There's no shower at my work and I wear a shirt, etc there. I cycle in shorts, trainers and a cycling jersey then change at work after a good wash using baby wipes. Yes, sounds wierd but it was recommended on here somewhere and I found it much better than a face cloth in the sink! For what it's worth, Huggies do unscented ones!

I think using panniers instead of a rucksack will help sweat too. I plan to fit them some time but at the moment am using a rucksack with a mesh back system that allows airflow. I don't find it too bad. Panniers would be an idea if you plan touring anyway.

If you're looking for a cheap bike, check out http://www.hamiltonbikes.co.uk. He doesn't have much in the way of drop bar road bikes but he does focus on selling cheap commuting bikes. I got my wheels of him and found him very helpful.

A - W

You need to set yourself a budget for your bike to be honest, as you know the sky is the limit.

Use the old bike for now while you spend a bit of time looking and trying other bikes.

Clothes for now just use old training gear, just make sure you have a decent jacket to try and keep dry on the really wet days.

misterben

Any idea on a reasonable budget? I don't have a lot of cash at the moment, but I'm thinking that spending too little would be more costly in the long run.... Is there any chance of getting something usable, along with a helmet, lights and a pannier bag (and any other essentials?), for <£250 or am I fooling myself?

A - W

Budget is what you can afford, but I would say that you could buy what you wanted but it wont be the best and you'll probably want to change it before too long.

You could get one of Halford Carrera bikes, people seem to rate them for the money. So say you spend £200 on one of them you'd be left with £50 to spend on lights etc. You could build your bikes bits up over time and keep adding to it.

A tip that was given to me buy a friend was to buy the best frame you can and then add to it later as you have more money.

I was in the same position as you and decided to save a touch more to get s Spesh Sirrus Elite as I wanted reasonable mechs puncture rsistant tyres etc. It was worth it in my opinion but I would say that. I am not interested in changing stuff so bought a bike that was a fairly good all-rounder to start with.

Why not pop into your local bike shop and see what they could for you?

CarKiller

Drop bars for sure.

It would drive me mad to have only one hand position! With drop bars, you can arrange your hands in about 5 different ways.