Urgent!! Need to buy bike asap and have no idea!!

tommytoo

Hi,

I have signed up to do a charity event in September which will involve cycling 80 miles approx each day for 4 days. I have not cycled since school however am very fit (running,etc). I have asked various people for 'bike advice' but am receiving confusing messages. Would I be better to buy a hybrid (for comfort) or go for a proer road bike. My budget was £300 as I will not use the bike again- therefore, maybe better to try 2nd hand? I am 5 foot 2, so obviously, need a small bike (ps and am female!).

Any help/advice would be totally aprecciated.

Pross

For such a short term and considering you haven't cycled much a hybrid is probably your best bet as the position on a road bike can take longer to get used to. It also depends on the surface you are riding on, if it involves cycle tracks or rough roads again the hybrid option is best. I'd go second hand as not only will you get more bike for your money but you won't lose as much as you will buying new and selling it on (you may even make something if you're lucky). If you were considering taking up cycling long term I would suggest getting a road bike though. It may also be worth investing in a woman specific saddle but some of the women around here are best placed to comment on that.

Anonymous

One thing I will suggest is that you budget for some good quality cycling shorts. Otherwise when day 2 comes you will really suffer, and by day 3 contemplate giving up!!

topdude

As above, try to find a second hand hybrid, preferably a sport hybrid like a Specialized Sirrus or similar models from Trek or Giant. These sport hybrids are lighter weight and not as upright as a mountain bike and not as stretched out as a road bike.
For example here is one on a well known auction site

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIRRUS-ELITE-/270598738828?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3f00f1138c

bill57

Why not try to hire a bike if you don't think you'll use it again? As to comfort, a properly sized road bike is more comfortable than a hybrid, drop bars offering a wide variety of hand positions.

Pross

bill57 wrote:

Why not try to hire a bike if you don't think you'll use it again? As to comfort, a properly sized road bike is more comfortable than a hybrid, drop bars offering a wide variety of hand positions.

I was going to say that then thought that she'll need to have one to train on for a few months.

tx14

depending on your inseam, you might want to look at bikes with 650c wheels.
i don't think 2nd hand is such a good idea, a 2nd h bike that fits is hard to come by. i know you don't want to use it again, but riding an uncomfortable for 80miles for 4 days is not something you want to do.
EDIT: why not get a decent bike, you just might fall in love with cycling .

Rich Hcp

bill57 wrote:

As to comfort, a properly sized road bike is more comfortable than a hybrid, drop bars offering a wide variety of hand positions.

^^^^^^^Correct^^^^^^^^

I did a ride a 100 couple of weeks ago, at the same time there was a 50 going on and most of the people who did that were on hybrids/MTBs.

A lot were complaining of aches across their shoulders and back. No onne had that problem on the 100, we all had drop barred bikes.

This was because you can't change your position like you can with drops, you can't stretch and move about during the ride.

Bar ends help, but on a roadie you'll be quicker and be in the saddle for less time, a win, win situation!

Remember that you'll be riding for maybe 6 hours a day! Running fitness is different to bike fitness, now is the ruight time to start, don't go mad, but build to what you need to do

Don't assume you'll do this and then stop riding, what if you like it?!

You need several pairs of padded shorts and a training plan to build your mileage up, if you can do 60 one day and the same the next you should be ok

Vary your training routes and enjoy yourself

tommytoo

Thanks everyone so much. It seems the opinion is falling onto a road bike- I am going to look at a Trek 7000 tonight which might do me to get started? I will then keep an eye out for a road bike.

Yes, I already have one pair of shorts- however I think multiple may be required

danowat

bill57 wrote:

As to comfort, a properly sized road bike is more comfortable than a hybrid, drop bars offering a wide variety of hand positions.

Not sure I agree with the "more" bit, but I'd certainly say that a properly sized road bike is AS comfortable as a hybrid.

Rich Hcp

tommytoo wrote:

Thanks everyone so much. It seems the opinion is falling onto a road bike- I am going to look at a Trek 7000 tonight which might do me to get started? I will then keep an eye out for a road bike.

Yes, I already have one pair of shorts- however I think multiple may be required

The main thing is the fit of the bike, the fit of yourself comes later!

bendertherobot

"I will not use the bike again."

Yeah, welcome to the world of cycling. You'll never leave.

kieranb

tx14 wrote:

depending on your inseam, you might want to look at bikes with 650c wheels.
i don't think 2nd hand is such a good idea, a 2nd h bike that fits is hard to come by. i know you don't want to use it again, but riding an uncomfortable for 80miles for 4 days is not something you want to do.
EDIT: why not get a decent bike, you just might fall in love with cycling .

Nothing wrong with 2nd hand bikes but one in your size may be hard to come by, so if time is limited you will have to buy new - try the bike to work scheme to get more value for your money if possible.