What do I want ??

JimboM

Hi guys

After seeing some photo's of myself on holiday I've finally faced up to the fact that I need to lose some weight I'm not the gym sort so cycling is looking a good option. However not having owned a bike since I was 16 (I'm now 39) I'm on the hunt for something suitable.

My commute is only a 10 mile round trip but I'll only be able to use the bike 2 days a week. I'll be trying to get out for a short ride a couple of evenings a week and at the weekends, this will definitely include hitting some of the woodland paths round our way.

I'd like to keep the budget under £200 as until the bug has bitten me there's every possibility this may just be a flash in the pan :oops: Whatever happens it's highly unlikely that I'll develop into a 50+ mile a day man (wife and kids won't allow me to disappear for hours on end)!

I'm guessing a second hand hybrid is going to suit me best, so could you give me a few pointers of what bikes I should be looking out for.

Is the Marin Muirwoods any good ?

Many Thanks

Jim

downfader

The Muirwoods used to be a good little bike. I take it you mean secondhand here, so if thats the case check out the frame around all the weild joints for cracks and splits etc.

Kona have a 200 odd quid bike too, good strong P2 forks too and a comfy saddle:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kon ... e-ec020170

Ideally if you're doing it 2 days a week you should arrange to ride in and leave 2 days to recover until you get more used to it. Drink lots of fluids and do some stretching - this will help stop you seizing up. Allow yourself lots of time and take it easy, it'll take about 6 weeks before you start to feel a difference. Dont feel ashamed about walking up hill in the beginng either

Good luck!

suzyb

downfader wrote:

Allow yourself lots of time and take it easy, it'll take about 6 weeks before you start to feel a difference. Dont feel ashamed about walking up hill in the beginng either

Good luck!

I take it that's before you start feeling like the ride is getting easier. I'm 3 weeks in and it's still a hard as when I started

downfader

-null- wrote:

downfader wrote:

Allow yourself lots of time and take it easy, it'll take about 6 weeks before you start to feel a difference. Dont feel ashamed about walking up hill in the beginng either

Good luck!

I take it that's before you start feeling like the ride is getting easier. I'm 3 weeks in and it's still a hard as when I started

It does get easier. After a while you dont notice and then all of a sudden you realise "this is a peice of cake" You also start to realise that riding a bike is the closest feeling to flying a human being can have.

Kazz_uk

Hi JimboM

Im also new to the cycle scene and looking for a hybrid for commuting, leisure & fitness. You might find my thread answers one or two of your thoughts

snellgrove

-null- wrote:

downfader wrote:

Allow yourself lots of time and take it easy, it'll take about 6 weeks before you start to feel a difference. Dont feel ashamed about walking up hill in the beginng either

Good luck!

I take it that's before you start feeling like the ride is getting easier. I'm 3 weeks in and it's still a hard as when I started

One thing to think about is that it never 'gets easier'

You just get faster ;-) Give it a few months and then try tootling along in some of the gears you're using now and you'll find it really easy!

biondino

If your leisure riding is likely to be mostly off-road, get a mountain bike, not a hybrid. It'll be a little bit slower and heavier on the commute, but a 10 mile road trip will soon feel, as stated above, like a piece of cake. However, the off-road stuff will be miles better on an MTB.

Wallace1492

I would also suggest a hardtail MTB. I commuted on one for almost a year, all on road 15 mile round trip. I stuck on slicks and found it to be extremely acceptable, also was pefectly fine for off road, even on the slicks. If you can get something with lockable front suspension, then great, but it is not a problem if you can't.