Bike Advice for a Complete Novice

daniel_r

Hi,

I am hoping to start travelling to work by bike rather than car, primarily to lose weight and get fitter (right lard ar$e at the mo),its about 7.5 miles to work (and pretty much all up hill on the way back) so roughly a 15 mile round trip.

I am also hoping that once a i get a bit fitter and start to lose the lard to do a wee bit more cycling outside of the daily cycle to work.

I have no clue about bikes so I am looking for advice/recommendations on what might suit my purposes and budgets.... budget is pretty limited unfortunatly, im looking at £200 (£250 absolute max) as I have got 10 month old twins and my wife is on maternity leave so hence the tight budget :-)

Hope someone can help.

Thanks a lot

Daniel

R_T_A

Hi daniel_r,

Your question is a common one, so luckily there's loads of information on this link:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12615053

The best thing to do is go to a proper local bike shop (not something like Halfords), and find out what would best fit your needs. You can normally test a few out to give you an idea of what you prefer to ride.

With your budget, it may be worthwhile to look second hand - there are some great deals out there.

Underscore

Hello and welcome!

Another thing to consider is whether your employer runs a cycle to work scheme. If so, you could probably buy more bike for your money, plus you get to spread the cost over 12 months.

_

daniel_r

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.... nope no cycle 2 work scheme

Eau Rouge

Thats a very limited budget, though for very understandable reasons, congrats on the twins.

You're best bet is probably the second hand market at that price point, though you might just about be able to pick up an entry level hybridy thing, but even the hybrid fans here probably wouldn't recommend that.

The catch with the second hand market is getting a bike thats the right size. Alas, everyone still works on the lenght of the seat tube vs your inner leg measurment, but for the last 10 years or so bike geometry has changed enough that this measurment is pretty useless.
Do you happen to know any keenish cyclists that could give you a better idea what size bikes to buy? A trip to your LBS might help, but every manufacturer will have a different size bike that fits you, so thats only of limited use.

Thats all not a great deal of help, I know, but it should just tell you where you really stand. The important bit is to not give up at this stage. You can buy a perfectly good second hand bike that will fit you and will do the job perfectly and be under budget, and before you know it you're out cycling and getting hooked.
Just don't buy some Bike Shaped Object that's makde of steel girders, rides on motorbike tyres and makes you hate cycling within the first week.

Two tips, drop bars are for comfort over long distances and rule, and road bikes are not at all flimsy and will not break on Britains roads no matter how heavy you are or how crap the tarmac is.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

You could hold out for the new bike range coming out next month in an ASDA near you

biondino

Don't forget that for £0 you can test ride bikes at most bike shops. They don't need to know you don't have the cash up front, and it will give you vital info on what kind of bike you feel suits you best. Their advice is always free, but almost always biased depending on what they think they can sell you...

blu3cat

Definitely get yourself to an LBS to get an idea of what you can get for your budget.

Don't forget to budeget fpr those accessories you're gonna have to buy if you don't have 'em already, pump, spare inner tubes, pu**ure repair kit, Helmet (if you wear one) lock and lights (and probably a few more I have forgotten.)

daniel_r

Hi,

Thanks for the replies... yeah ive thought about the accessories I will need and thats additional to the budget for the bike.

I am assuming as im a bit of a bloater im going to be better suited to something like a hybrid rather than an road bike?

Slow Downcp

Definitely go second hand - something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Giant-OCR-3-Road- ... 1|294%3A50

blu3cat

I am assuming as im a bit of a bloater im going to be better suited to something like a hybrid rather than an road bike?

Unless the weight will interfere with drop handlebars , shouldn't be a problem as long as you don't go for components that have - recommended rider weight 3KGs type thing.

I'm still a bit of a bloater and get on fine with a road bike

artaxerxes

That bike on ebay looks like a proper bargain.

daniel_r

only downside is i live in Scotland so a fair way to travel

FyPunK

As a Hybrid user I would strongly suggest if you do end up with a hybrid getting some bar ends put on, the two reasons are for comfort and going uphill they will allow a better postion. My commute is 13miles a day round trip on fairly flat roads and they do make a real difference in comfort, dare I say nearly as many hand positons as drops. H***** on waiting for comments from the roadies.

roger_merriman

yup bar ends are good idea, this said i hate them with a passion but again the OP is not me so probably doesn't as you where.

so yes bar ends give more postions

lost_in_thought

FyPunK wrote:

As a Hybrid user I would strongly suggest if you do end up with a hybrid getting some bar ends put on, the two reasons are for comfort and going uphill they will allow a better postion. My commute is 13miles a day round trip on fairly flat roads and they do make a real difference in comfort, dare I say nearly as many hand positons as drops. H***** on waiting for comments from the roadies.

With the exception of riding in the drops, it's probably not far off.

I personally find the hoods or the corners the most comfortable place to be, which would, I suppose, be on the bar ends or the link between them and the normal bars. Less comfortable on the flats + bar ends and you'd have to move your hands a fair way to get to the brakes, but I suppose do-able.

What about bullhorns? At least then you don't lose the 'corner' position...

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't flat bars a fair bit wider than most drop bars?

UndercoverElephant

Daniel, not sure if this helps, but if you can get to Edinburgh on a Saturday morning, why not try getting a re-cycled bike? http://www.thebikestation.org.uk/ Apparently their average adult bike price is abut £55, so your budget should go quite a long way! They would be fairly rustic I'm sure, but mechanically spotty-dog, and cheap.

blu3cat

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't flat bars a fair bit wider than most drop bars?

They can be, it's easy enough to trim 'em though if they are too wide (found out I was taking too many wing mirrors off before I trimmed mine).

daniel_r

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Daniel, not sure if this helps, but if you can get to Edinburgh on a Saturday morning, why not try getting a re-cycled bike? http://www.thebikestation.org.uk/ Apparently their average adult bike price is abut £55, so your budget should go quite a long way! They would be fairly rustic I'm sure, but mechanically spotty-dog, and cheap.

Hi,

Thanks for that, might be worth checking out if im through there one weekend.

daniel_r

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies, do you have any opinions on the following two bikes?

Specialized Sirrus '09
Revolution Courier Classic '09

Both come in on budget, well the revolution one is a few quid over... or am i better off looking at the second hand market?

Cheers

Daniel

il_principe

Specialized make good solid bikes, you won't go far wrong with the Sirrus (ignoring the fact that it is a hybrid! ) My missus has the Spesh Vita which is basically the girls version of the Sirrus and she's v pleased with it.

daniel_r

Not a hybrid fan then? I looked at road bikes but they are just too expensive and hybrid seems to be the next best option for commuting

Cafewanda

daniel, join us, get a hybrid

Oddjob62

blu3cat wrote:

They can be, it's easy enough to trim 'em though if they are too wide (found out I was taking too many wing mirrors off before I trimmed mine).

Yeah that was the first mod i did to my hybrid. Made a big difference. Be careful though, make sure the new position of the brakes and shifters work before you do the chop.

tailwindhome

I would definitely recommend going down the second hand route to get you started.
I bought a Specialized Hardrock MTB in Sept08 for £132 off ebay. Done about 600 miles or so and sold it recently for £132.50 (net of fees).

Opinion is divided on Hybrid/Road Bike/Cyclocross Bike/MTB for commuting, each camp is somewhat polarised, however much of this is banter. DDD's sticky thread is quite a good summary.

My own experience on the MTB was that it was perfectly fine for commuting, better for the addition of slick tyres. However once I started to build up leisure miles, to a max of a 50miler, at the weekend the heavier weight of the bike and the more upright position became more and more uncomfortable, particularly in my forearms.

I sold the MTB and bought a Cannondale road bike, again secondhand (£335).

To be honest it is not as instantly comfortable as the MTB particluarly in my lower back. However I think its just a matter of getting used to the position. I know I'm gonna love it.

The Road Classified forum on this site is excellent. Post a thread covering what you want, where you live and what your budget is and see what happens. It worked for me


EDIT TO ADD. Had budget and space permitted I would definitely have kept the MTB for commuting and the road bike for the weekend.


PS We also have twins , 6months old now. Does it get easier?cheaper?less time consuming?quieter?

daniel_r

WheezyMcChubby wrote:

The Road Classified forum on this site is excellent. Post a thread covering what you want, where you live and what your budget is and see what happens. It worked for me


EDIT TO ADD. Had budget and space permitted I would definitely have kept the MTB for commuting and the road bike for the weekend.


PS We also have twins , 6months old now. Does it get easier?cheaper?less time consuming?quieter?

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I might just do that, cheers... I am tempted to go down the road bike route if i can find a decent second hand one.

As for the twins... congrats, its the best thing ever

In answer to your questions.....

Does it get easier - Yup it does, then they become mobile and it becomes tough again haha
Cheaper - a lot less nappies and once they are on solids it saves money if like us they were bottle feed.
Less time consuming - Yes and no, yes in that they amuse themselves and play with each other, no in the fact that once they are mobile they are into everything and usually opposite ends of the room.
Quieter - depends, less crying/screaming but we have right chatter boxes who never shut up and giggle loads so its still noisy haha

But all in all its fantastic and I wouldn't change it.

AndyManc

Road bikes with drops are not the best bikes for the inexperienced or unfit.

A flat bar hybrid is the best bike for a new commuter ..... IMO , of course .



.

leoccp

Hi Daniel,

That distance sounds perfect for a bike commute. Is there a decathlon near you? They have a range of very reasonably priced bikes. The entry level road bike (alu frame, shimano 2200) is 249 at the moment.

Good luck

DonDaddyD

There are definately bikes out there.

My advice, go to a local bike shop, proper, with cash in hand. Some bike shops may offer you a discount to clinch the sale. Don't be afraid to say "If you let me have it today for £250 right now you've got a sale!

(DeVer cycles in Norbury, London sold me my Giant M2 hybrid for £260 when it retailed a £300. A year later they offered me a SCR 1 for £650 in June).

leoccp

Yep, DeVer are nice, my girlfriend bought her bike from them.

meanwhile

lost_in_thought wrote:

What about bullhorns? At least then you don't lose the 'corner' position...

Bullhorns are a pain to get to work with gearing, hard to find already on a bike, and not really a feasible add-on with a £200 **total** budget. Even at ebay prices bullhorns will be £10, used pursuit brake levers £10, shifters £30... then the bike will need probably re-cabling at the local bike store, which could be £25 for new cables and £25 for labour. There isn't much money left for the bike after this fashion exercise.

And a newbie will probably be happier on flats anyway.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't flat bars a fair bit wider than most drop bars?

Flats are as narrow as you want them to be - you can cut them down with a hacksaw or (much smarter) a cheap pipe cutter.

My advice is to buy a secondhand hybrid or suspensionless MTB with a sloping top tube - it makes frame fit a lot easier. Putting slick tyres on the MTB will make it as fast as the hybrid. £200, carefully spent, will buy a really nice second hand bike.

I'd advise being cautious re racing bikes as most of them are designed as toys for Tour De France fans rather than as practical tools - they're typically limited to prostrate bruising ultra narrow tyres, and often have too short frames, so that the front wheel will collide with your foot in a sharp low speed turn. A racing bike pays for these faults by by being slightly more efficient when you're pedaling fast enough for aerodynamics to be *really* important - at lower levels of effort a hybrid with good tyres will be just as fast. This level of effort will douse you with sweat, so unless you have showers at each end of your commute you probably want to avoid it. Racing bikes are also much harder to fit to the rider than a flat bar bike - buying without a budget for a fitting session and new stems and handlebars, etc... I'd stay away. If you decide you want a drop bar when you have some experience and more cash then look for a used Specialized Tricross - very adaptable fit, capable of running wide tyres, etc. But you won't find one for £200.

Oh - ***and make sure whatever you buy has room for good mudguards with your chosen tyres.***