What should I buy?

sylphideandy

I have not cylced for 20 years and am about to buy a new bike - I have arranged a test ride at Mike Vaughans shop in Kenilworth - they have Specialized and Trek - I have a 2-3000 budget. Any thoughts or advice welcome, thanks.

iga

I'd keep hold of that 3K budget for a start and not necessarily go for a bike with drop bars first of all. After 20 years spending 2-3K on a fancy road bike just to discover you don't like it would be a bit of a waste. £500 to £1000 would get you a very decent flat bar hybrid or 'sportive' style road bike (essentially a slightly more relaxed/upright riding position and more comfortable ride than a full on race bike).

Going to a decent bike shop for test rides, advice, fitting is good idea though. Having said that £3K will get you something very nice to hang on your wall if you don't take to riding it!

N0bodyOfTheGoat

My advice would be to go for something like a Decathlon brand bike 16 gear Twin Sport, or a Giant SCR 4 as a starting bike i.e. a decent sub £400 bike for you to seriously evaluate your cycling after such a long break.

Give it six months to a year, then objectively look back on how much cycling you did and whether you enjoyed its benefits.

If you then think you have got the bug, treat yourself to a very nice bike with your saved up money that has gained intrest in the mean time

meagain

What they said! Classifieds and ebay are littered with expensive bikes that have done at most a few '00 miles. IF you are going to take to it in a big way, a cheap(ish) bike won't put you off, merely convince you that you want and can take full benefit of a more luxurious steed.
Same with m'cycles: count the "1,000 miles in three years" Harleys for sale!

Nuggs

Arses to what the others say - blow it on the best bike you can! Why not? If you don't like it, you can hang it in your living room - £3,000 wall porn. You only live once!

redddraggon

Being a student I got a cheap bike, after tweaking and changing failed parts, I love the bike, but I have eventually decided to spend big*.

Get a cheap bike, see if you get on with cycling. In the intervening time you'll probably see a bike for £3K you'd like yourself, and it'll mean more when you finally get it.

*for a student on a bike at least.

giant_man

Keep your budget to £1,000 for a first bike imo, after that you can save up that grand and your next bike could be for the 3 grand if you like.

Get something reasonable and get used to cycling, keep it simple at first. When you get the bug, and you will, you can then look around for your next bike.

Brian B

Nuggs wrote:

Arses to what the others say - blow it on the best bike you can! Why not? If you don't like it, you can hang it in your living room - £3,000 wall porn. You only live once!

Second that - Go for it.

sylphideandy

Thanks for the replies - I understand comment about spending less, perhaps this would be more sensible. Although I am pretty commited and have considered buying a new bike for year or two. Anyway, too late now as have purchased a Specialized Roubaix - lovelly bike, also tried a Trek, but the Specialized seemed more comfortable.

Brian B

Nice one - Its a great looking bike.

Campy King

Brian B wrote:

Nuggs wrote:

Arses to what the others say - blow it on the best bike you can! Why not? If you don't like it, you can hang it in your living room - £3,000 wall porn. You only live once!

Second that - Go for it.

Thirded, go for it! Why shouldn't you spend £10k on you first bike if you have the cash! 8)