New to riding.

sneblot
sneblot Posts: 8
edited June 2011 in Road beginners
Hello everyone I am new to this forum and would like some advice on how to get started in road cycling with a view to hopefully one day enter a race. So its been a while since I have road on a bike since I had an argument with a car (in which the car won) and recently over the last few months have been thinking about getting back into the saddle once again, now I have never owned a road bike, my last bike was a MTB, I was wondering if anyone had any advice for a beginner? I have read the what bike should I get sticky but sadly due to being a university student my levels of expendable cash are even lower then £300 :( how could I get back in to cycling with out breaking the bank? Or should I say what second hand bikes should I look out for?

Thanks
Beginner with a hell of a lot to learn :)
Snebbers

Comments

  • LeicesterLad
    LeicesterLad Posts: 3,908
    Welcome!

    Your budget will soon expand - Cycling is an addiction, you'll almost consider robbing your own mum to fund the habbit. (ok, slight exageration 8)

    Anyway, at that price i think with a little searching and biding a bit of time you might be able to pick up something second hand, half decent. Maybe look at the GIANT Defy's or you could strike lucky and pick up a Specialized Allez in that price bracket, both good entry level bikes. Remember the bike doesn't make the rider, the rider makes the bike! (thats what i tell myself when im out on my 80's Raleigh Record Sprint)

    Hope you find something, And welcome to the addicitive (and ultra expensive) world of road cycling! :D
    http://www.twitter.com/InTheGC http://www.InTheGC.com http://www.facebook.com/intheGC
  • sneblot
    sneblot Posts: 8
    Thanks for the info, when it comes to the size of the frame I'm 5" 5 should I be looking at a small frame or a medium one? Or is that personal choice?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I'm 5'6" and I ride a 52cm road frame, which would likely be a Small in the S/M/L scheme of things.

    I had a proper bike fit and the 54cm was just a bit too much of a stretch to the bars, but then again I'm a 50+ bloke; you being a younger student type should be a bit more bendy, so a 54 might give you a comfy ride.
    Best advice is to try a few bikes for size if you can, then you'll know what you're looking for if shopping for a used one
  • sneblot
    sneblot Posts: 8
    Thanks for the heads up I'll have to pretend I'm wanting to buy a bike from my local bike shop lol. Though not to sure how easy that will be as they don't even like people coming in to browse.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Get yourself to a branch of Evans; they'll have a wide range of bikes to at least sit on and get an idea of the size you might need. Or try Decathlon; they might have a new bike in your price range.
  • sneblot
    sneblot Posts: 8
    I hadn't thought of Evans, I'll have a trip down to my local one (Where ever that might be) as well as the local Decathlon.
  • Bracey1970
    Bracey1970 Posts: 20
    if you've got your heart set on new, a popular magazine rated the Carrera TDF Ltd,as the best cheap bike you can get and halfords have discounted them to just under £300-,might be worth a look,see what you think :o
    Specialized Secteur Elite-short fat bloke on a light fast bike
  • Wh05apk
    Wh05apk Posts: 35
    If you want a "decent" bike, then surely it has to be used?

    I would say a specialized Allez would be a good option, should get a good 2010 for £300, the nice thing is they are easily resellable if you get hooked and want to upgrade later, you should be able to recoup most of the cost?

    Gumtree seems to be the best source - but be careful, a lot seem to be stolen on there.
  • Peanutt
    Peanutt Posts: 229
    Don't forget to get yourself a computer, you can pick them up pretty cheap, it'll add another aspect to your riding plus you'll be able to monitor your progress. As far as bikes go, why not start with a second hand old 12 speed, you can pick them up cheap as chips and still get a feel for road cycling and all that steel will give you thighs like hercules.
    No matter where you are, that's where you've been
  • Nktacey
    Nktacey Posts: 1
    It may be of help to you, one of your earlier posts makes mention to the carrera tdf. I myself am new to the road cycling world and I bought one of these from halfords. I can say that I would recommend this bike, it's cheap easy to ride, is comfortable and being around your size I had the small frame. The seat requires the use if some padded shorts and I had to replace the tyres due to punctures. (wiggle.com very cheap). So far I have racked up a fair amount of miles using it almost everyday and other than the odd tinker as cables stretch in it has been very reliable.

    Hope that is of some assistance.
  • denzzz28
    denzzz28 Posts: 315
    keef66 wrote:
    Get yourself to a branch of Evans; they'll have a wide range of bikes to at least sit on and get an idea of the size you might need. Or try Decathlon; they might have a new bike in your price range.

    +1 on decathlon, I almost bought their Triban 3 sports racer bike but I found a good deal on 2nd hand alu/carbon bike in ebay so i bought that instead. the Triban 3 is light weight and has carbon forks and very decent components. and its only £299. you dont get that kind of deal anywhere (online and retail) and i mean "ANYWHERE" or at least in London.

    The only problem is that they only have it in Red and no other color option and even the triban 5 (£499) has only one color scheme. but that's not a biggie you can always have it powder coated for £70 or paint it your self.

    so go to decathlon and try it for size im sure you will like it.

Categories