New to road cycling, so looking for some advice....

Paul Westhead
Paul Westhead Posts: 5
edited June 2009 in Road beginners
Hi there,

I am new to the forums and new to road cycling.

I am looking for some advice on a new bike. I am looking for a bike that will get me off the ground initially and will do me for commuting to and from work.

I normally do a fair bit of off road riding, and prefer a sligtly longer frame. I am currently riding a large giant frame and I am 6foot tall with a 34 inside leg.

Any ideas which kit combinations to look at initially?

A bit shameless, I know but if anyone is looking to part with there bike, please drop it into this thread.

Thanks for looking and any help :)

Paul

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Get a 'bike fit' done at a decent shop - this will help inform you what size / makes of frame suit you - most shops will refund the cost against the purchase of a bike.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Bhima
    Bhima Posts: 2,145
    I am looking for a bike that will get me off the ground initially

    As far as I know, there are no flying bicycles currently on the market! :lol:

    Depends on how much money you have to spend, but you wont notice the difference between a £500 bike and a £5000 bike if you're new to the game. You don't need to spend loads to get something decent which works.

    Check out the "Bikes and Gear" link at the top - there's loads to choose from... It's best to ask staff in a bike shop what's best for you though.

    Getting a proper bike fit to your body is definately essential. Get the wrong size and it's no fun at all!
  • zedders
    zedders Posts: 509
    What Montydog and Bhima say = +1.

    But I would say the following as well. Don't send to much. Some LBS will say what about this one? Price £1000+ ! There plenty of time to spend a fortune once you get the bug, which won't take long. IMO start off on a entry level road bike, say for example no more than £500 to 600? After say 6 month to a year if your still into it and want to get a better bike, you'll have a much clearer idea of what your looking for. Then you can really start spending.

    Then you can flog your first bike, or do what most do, keep it as a winter trainer/second ride. Its more or less what I did.

    I could of easierly spent £1000+ on my first ride, but in all honesty I wouldn't have known a duff ride from a great one! I'm glad I got my binachi for £500 as a first ride. My new ride cost a lot more, but at least I had 'some' idea of what I was looking for.
    "I spend my petrol money on Bikes, Beer, Pizza, and Donuts "

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/38256268@N04/3517156549/
  • Kneesaway
    Kneesaway Posts: 56
    +1 on everything so far.

    If you can't afford a bike fit, use the guidelines here http://bikedynamics.co.uk/page_1228826262495.html they work for most people I know who have used them.

    Cheers and enjoy your riding.
  • Morning All,

    Thanks for all the great replys. I have spent sometime wandering around bike shops in the area, and there usual response is what is your budget.

    Now bearing in mind I have given them the information I have given you all, and that is it. I am suprised not one said to me lets get you fitted up correctly then we can discuss what your budget should be.

    I do appreciate everyone has to make a profit, and as much as possible in the current climate, but I don't agree with supplying the wrong peice of kit to someone as then they are unlikely to come back.

    I would rather hear what has been said on here, as a new road cyclist I have no idea what I should be looking for.

    Does anyone know of any "honest" road bike shops in the Manchester area who can do a bike fit for me?

    How much should a bike fit cost on average?

    Thanks

    Paul
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    Bought a bike last Sunday and didn't have much of a clue beforehand. Toured the local bike shops and got nowhere.
    What's your budget? was the normal question. After that they weren't much help

    Decided that the Specialized Allez would be a good starter(£540 and some decent write ups)
    Went to a Specialized Concept store and they checked sizing got me fitted up-did some laps of the car park to be sure and sorted. I would have got too big a frame if I'd not been helped. Really pleased with it and may buy a more expensive bike at some point in the future but for now its great