Newbie lookin for advice on what type of bike to buy

PepC
PepC Posts: 6
edited March 2009 in Road beginners
I'm psyched about beginning to cycle but confused about what bike to buy. I'm looking for a bike I can commute to work daily in addition to which i can do a bit of long distance cycling. Doing London to Paris in July and Argentina to Chile next Jan. Bike Hut tell me I should get a hybrid whilst anothe independent store tell me a touring bike is my best bet..eeeeeeeek any thoughts out there? Help!

Comments

  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Don't get a hybrid. A touring bike will do though it might be a bit weighty if you don't plan to tour with a load, however if you are planning Argentina to Chile I guess you are. What is your budget? Will your Argentina trip involve very rough or off road sections?
  • PepC
    PepC Posts: 6
    Budget - i don't want to spend too much money on the bike...about £500 - £600.

    Argentina - Chile is a bit of mixed terrain. Some of it will be cycling in the rain forest and on some rocky sections.
  • PepC
    PepC Posts: 6
    cross bikes - didn't even know about those. Thanks Jake :)
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    The budget is fine for a commuter or the London-Paris ride, but if going somewhere rough and remote I fear you may come a cropper with cheap components and particularly the wheels. Also a consideration, wheel size. 700c wheels and tyres are rare outside Europe, so 26 inch makes more sense if you are likely to need repairs/replacements. Ideally I would go for an expedition tourer like a Thorn Sherpa, but it is £1000+ (depending on spec). On a budget you could get a Dawes Horizon or Kara Kum from Spa Cycles and ask them to upgrade the wheels to some tough handbuilts that they recommend for your intended use. Though they are 700c wheels they will stand a far greater chance of survival than any budget machine built wheel supplied with a new bike.

    The bottom line is you need the bike to be tough enough for South America, this will mean that it will be rather over-built for commuting, though it will serve this function fine. In the future you can save up for a second bike if you want a lighter weight fast bike.
  • PepC
    PepC Posts: 6
    Thanks alphablue. Very useful info. As i don't plan on doing a lot of rides like the Argentina - Chile one, does it then make sense to get my budget bike for the time being as i train up for the ride and closer to the ride begin to upgrade the wheels? Don't want to spend a lot of money on a bike that will eventually be mostly used for commuting...Also haven't got much space to store 2 bikes...aaah the London life :)
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    Sure, you can upgrade the wheels at any time, Spa Cycles are still good on the price of the bikes, especially the '08 models. A set of Spa Cycles Sputnik 36 hole rims on Tiagra hubs is £129. (36 hole will be the strongest).
  • PepC
    PepC Posts: 6
    muchos gracias alphablue! :)

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