Is this a good starter bike?

Colin_m

I am going to start cycling, is this a good bike to start with, would i be allowed to race on this bike?

Thanks

Colin

Mog Uk

Give us a clue then, what bike ?

Colin_m

oh sorry forgot to post the link lol

http://www.falconcycles.co.uk/CORP/cb/sanremo.html

fizz

How much, can't see a price.

14 speed sora is I think quite old stock I would have thought. I havent seen a 7 speed rear casette for sale in the shops for a very long time.

Colin_m

that ones £300, what bike would anyone suggest for around £300-£400?

redddraggon

fizz wrote:

How much, can't see a price.

14 speed sora is I think quite old stock I would have thought. I havent seen a 7 speed rear casette for sale in the shops for a very long time.

Aye Sora has even progressed past 8 speed now to 9 speed.

fizz

Something like this, would make for a good starter bike. Have a read through the forum theres plenty of threads with better advice than I can give.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360031634&N=Giant%20SCR%203

Dont forget to factor stuff like pedals and shoes in or at least consider upgrading to clipless later on, also I've heard that the wheels on this model giant are'nt the best, but they'll be more than adequate if you are starting out.

Mog Uk

Colin_m wrote:

that ones £300, what bike would anyone suggest for around £300-£400?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360031634&n=Giant%20Giant%20SCR%203

Plenty of peeps on here riding these.....

Colin_m

thanks fizz

Mog Uk

lol, great minds think alike and all that........

Colin_m

thanks mog, a think a might go for that one, can get it for £315

Mog Uk

Have you got a local bike shop that has them in? Ideally you would want to sit on one and get a feel for it and the correct size....

fizz

is there a bike shop near to you. Its quite good sometimes to have a wander round and see what they have, have a sit on a few bikes and see what you like and don't like.

Also its good to be able to take it back and talk to a human being if you have a problem to.

Colin_m

Yep, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op have it for £350

fizz

Colin_m wrote:

Yep, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op have it for £350

I'd pop in there and have a look at it in the flesh and make sure you get the right size frame, You'll want to get the seat height and bars set right to, so that its the most comfortable it can be for you to ride.

Colin_m

can you race this bike?

Mog Uk

Fizz - you're freaking me out now, keep typing the same as me at the same time

Mog Uk

Colin_m wrote:

can you race this bike?

Colin, what kind of racing have you got in mind ?

fizz

Mog Uk wrote:

Fizz - you're freaking me out now, keep typing the same as me at the same time

Colin_m

i dont know really, i would join my local club and race with them. Can a club direct you to national level if your good enough?

fizz

Colin have you done any cycling before, If not I wouldnt worry to much about wanting to race just yet...

I'd just get out and enjoy the cycling, try and get some base level of fitness into you and your legs. Join a local club if you wish and then start asking around, the people in the club wil lhave a good idea of what training you should be doing etc etc.

I'm nowwhere near it but to get up to the level you are talking about is going to I would think take some serious effort and comitment.

As for the bike you are looking at you'll be fine on the club runs with it as to a higher level I dont have any first hand knowledge but I dont see why not. Remember its not about the bike, its about you.

Colin_m

thanks for the great help fizz

sloxam

what about this http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=61187
carbon fork, compact 9 speed tiagra

Colin_m

is that one better than the giant SCR 3?

morrisje

Everyone gets something cheap for their first bike and quite rightly as you want to check you like the sport. However after a year you will be reading the magazines and decide you want something carbon, light and very shiny. The trouble is what do you do with the first bike that still has loads of life left in it. My thoughts are that a first bike should be able to have mudguards and maybe a rack. Then when you go out and buy a De Rosa you can use that first bike as a winter bike.

wilkies80

colin_M , it doesn't really matter at the moment if one of those bikes is better than the other. What you've got to remember is the bike you are lookin for at the mo is an entry level bike. In a year or so then start worrying about carbon frames , shimano or campag(this is a debate in itself) sidi or specialized.The list goes on and gets more expensive, the Giant scr is a very good entry level bike and you'll have no probs riding it on a club run.ENJOY !!!!

meagain

Get thee to th'ebay. Buy a NICE barely used 700-800 quid road bike for not much more than half original price at this time of year (credit card bills coming etc and folk realising that they are NEVER going to keep LAST years resolutions to get fit!).