Another Newbie - advice for lady cyclist

daisyb

hi

I am hoping to buy a bike soon and start commuting to work. The distance is quite short - 2 sites, one about 3 miles away the other 4 miles. Both involve steep and/or long hills, narrow lanes and short stretches on busy roads. One involves a stretch of fairly bumpy old cycle track.

I haven't cycled regularly in about 25 years (I am in my late 40s) and don't particularly care about going fast. I am not overweight but I would like to be fitter and I have had some back, neck and shoulder problems, so comfort is very important.

I live in a fairly rural area. The best local bike shop is about 10 miles away. I went to have a preliminary look around last week and the assistant suggest I try a Specialized expedition which I now know is a "comfort" bike. I had a very brief test ride and liked it but I'm now worried that it might be a bit slow and heavy for the hills.

I have now spent some time looking at websites and see lots of nice looking machines for commuting and am feeling really confused!!

I am not at all mechanically minded and would really like to get a bike from the shop so they can set it up for me. They don't seem to stock the sort of bike I think I want, upright but lightweight and with mud guards, pannier rack and preferably a chain guard. Should I stick with the shop and see what they can order for me? any recommendations? I think they stock Specialized and Giant. Or should I try a shop further away or go mail order?

Budget - I originally thought of spending about £300 - I may decide that cycling does not work out for me. On the other hand, if i saw what i really wanted I would probably be prepared to spend quite a bit more.

Thanks!

Random Vince

you sound like you are after a hybrid bike, they're a bit of a cross between road and mountain bikes, the relaxed riding position of a mountain bike and the strength but with the agility and possible range of a road bike

a bit like a 'normal' bike you will have seen in your youth.
they are however, a lot lighter than the steel framed bikes you remember (no offense meant)

a bike with a chain guard... not come across many bikes with chain guards for some time

the gears are there to allow you to keep your legs going at a comfortable pace but still manage a decent cruising speed but also get up the hills.

Loggerhead

Hi Daisy,

Have you had a look at the Specialized Globe City Women's range? I have no experience of them but they seem to foot the bill (albeit slightly over budget).

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=37039

Chain guards and lightweight don't sit easy together. People who want lightweight bikes aren't usually interested in chain guards and visa versa.
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daisyb

hi

Thanks for the replies. online i have seen some expensive Cannondales with chain guards - the street models I think.

I did think about the Globe City but it is a quite a bit over my budget and has a dynamo hub which I don't think I want/need.

I did have an expensive lightweight touring bike way back in the mists of time which I rode a lot (commuting to college) but never got on with drop handlebars. It was pretty fast on the open road but I hated riding it in traffic and on bad roads.

There is another bike shop about 15miles away which I was told to avoid but they may have a bigger choice so perhaps i will try there (just make sure I keep a firm hold on the credit card until I am sure)

Daisy

Gilesme

Hi,

Have you looked at the Trek Navigator range ?

Like the Specialized, are a "comfort" bike (i.e. you sit upright), but you also get mudguards,rack and chain cover. They also do a "step thru" frame.



2 x specs - £270 or £350, http://www.comptoncycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s22p3105