Complete newbie looking for a first bike

CrouchingWayne

Hi all,

The misses and I are looking to take up cycling! Looking to spend around the £3-400 each mark so we are right at the bottom of the ranges it seems. We are predominantly going to be cycling a tarmac cycle route approximately 8 miles long (or 16 miles round trip) for leisure so it seems either a hybrid or a road bike would be ideal. Preferably looking for a brand new bike (my work offers the cycle scheme - if anyone has used this and is able to explain how it works I would be very grateful). I have no worries about using second hand items to upgrade etc. in future though.

Bike wise we went to a couple of shops and I quite liked the look of the Carrera TDF - circa £300 at Halfords. The bike seems to get good reviews, is this a suitable base to start with? I've also noticed the Ventura Vitesse bike on the Halfords website - again is this any good? As for the other half she seemed quite taken by a womans Carrera hybrid - Subway I think. Is this suitable? We are open to other suggestions too obviously so fire away if you have any ideas or places to purchase from.

Another couple of questions - how versatile are the bikes, like are road bikes completely useless on anything other than tarmac?

Finally, roughly what size of frame will we need, we're short at 5'7" and 5'2"? It's been a while since I've purchased a bike so have no idea how to gauge fitting?

Thanks folks!

Rothsay

HI. You can still get a good bike in that price range. For sizing and fit - either flat or drop bars you need to try the alternatives to see which you prefer. A good local bike shop should be helpful. Halford are probably no the best place to go for this kind of advice. Though the Carrera Subway seems pretty good. A mate of mine commutes regularly on his and was seriously off road on it in Scotland a while back - and it survived

Have a look at Ridgeback, Giant, Merida. They all have good bikes in your range. I bought a Merida Crossway 20 earlier in the year and have been very pleased with it. Did 150 miles round Exmoor in May on it - very good

CrouchingWayne

Thanks for the response, I think it is about a 20-21" frame I'll need with the misses circa 18". I'll try get down to a LBS at some point soon, I was in one today but the prices were hefty for all bikes and the range was quite limited.

Where would you recommend online to look at different options?

I'm leaning towards the Carrera just now simply as it seems to get good reviews for the money it costs and it would allow me to modify it over time with the likes of carbon forks etc. The only issue I have currently is I'm not sure on the brakes - they look a little old skool but then I'm no expert!

stannie

Have a look at the Specialized Sirrus or Vita for your other half - you can get some very good deals on last year's stock at the moment.

I am 5'4" and use the small ( 51cm?) Sirrus and the size will probably fit her.
My husband is 5'8" and has just bought a 2010 medium Sirrus Sport for £439

CrouchingWayne

Thanks we will look out for the Specialized bikes. I think we will go to the other LBS at the weekend to see if they have a wider range and can help with sizing up etc.

My girlfriend is pretty set on a flat bar bike like the Specialized one you suggested. I'm a bit confused personally, are drop bars easy enough to ride with? Bearing in mind I've not ridden in a while

Rothsay

Try a bike out with drops and see what its like. My Merida is a flat bar but is comfortable, relatively light and pretty speedy. It is the first bike I have had with suspension on the front which I find really useful. I lock it out on the tarmac and use it on the paths. Have a look at www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb

stannie

CrouchingWayne wrote:

Thanks we will look out for the Specialized bikes. I think we will go to the other LBS at the weekend to see if they have a wider range and can help with sizing up etc.

My girlfriend is pretty set on a flat bar bike like the Specialized one you suggested. I'm a bit confused personally, are drop bars easy enough to ride with? Bearing in mind I've not ridden in a while

I have got bot a flat bar and a drop bar bike. I used to prefer the flat bars, now I prefer the drop bars. They take a bit of getting used to but I find them more comfortable on longer rides.
My husband prefers the flat bars - it is just a matter of preference. If your gf is happy with flat bars and doesn't want to set any speed records they should be fine - she might want to make sure she gets bar ends though, they will give another position to rest the hands on a flat bar bike.
As for you - test ride a couple of bikes to see how drop bars feel.