Newbie Buying Advice

Sneakysmokey

Hi all,

Have decided to get back into cycling after having been away since a teenager ( aged 41 now! ). Main reasons really are to get fit and get out and about on the open road. The choice of bikes available is staggering!! and have been researching and reading the forum for the last few days and think I have narrowed it down, ( brilliant forums by the way!). Main bike use will be on the road with perhaps paths now and again, no commuting at all. I prefer the flat bar style of bike and have a budget of around £800 for the bike. My preferences so far are as follows.

Specialized Sirrus Sport Comp
Specialized. Sirrus Crosstrail Elite Disc
Ridgeback Flight 2
Ridgeback Advance 3.

Can't really find much info on the Ridgebacks at all, but specialized seem we'll documented.

Would really appreciate your views on these choices but also any suggestions you may have within my budget.

Thanks for your help

mattmaximus

Hi there and welcome!

You may get all sorts of opinions but here's my 2p worth.

If you're looking to get out and about in comfort but without going slow a flat bar hybrid is a good choice. My first 'proper' bike was an original Spesh sirrus more than ten years ago and I loved it. I don't think you need to spend £800 though: a giant escape 2 is half that and would leave enough cash to buy clothing, gloves etc (don't underestimate the value of proper kit!). It has 32c tyres which would give you a nice cushioned ride. I haven't ridden the bike myself but trust Giant more than anyone at a sub£1000 level.

My concern would be that if you got into riding more then you would quickly find that road bikes go faster than hybrids (a combination of factors including body position, weight and tyre width) and your £800 hybrid might become superfluous to requirements.

If you test ride at a local bike shop (highly recommended) then why not give a drop-bar bike a go? You don't have to use the low position, just stay on the tops if you prefer, but it would give you options for the future. Something like the giant defy 1 would be a terrific choice if you're looking to spend that kind of money.

The bike which converted me to drop-bars, and which would be worth a look, was the specialized Tricross, which might well offer you the best of all worlds. It's not the quickest bike in the world but one of the most fun I've ever ridden.

Anyway, like I said, you're sure to get a range of opinions. Best thing is to go to a friendly bike shop, try some bikes and buy the one which makes you smile

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

passout

I agree that a Tricross is a great option - fun, confidence inspiring and very comfortable. On paper not the best value but a nice frame. The Boardman cross bike would be a good choice too. If you must go for flat bar (I wouldn't) then the Boardman hybrids look as good as anything. Rideebacks are good solid bikes by the way.

Sneakysmokey

Thanks guys for your advice. I prefer the flat bar option as it feels more comfortable to ride. I had considered the tricross too but was initially put off by the drop bar. At the moment speed is not a real issue for me, it's more about comfort, visibility and getting fitter. Having not ridden a bike or over 20 years I thought this would be the best option. I had budgeted around £200 for gloves, clothes etc too which hopefully will be enough to get me started.

I get the impression that flat bar may not be the way to go from reading your comments. What's the pros and cons of drop v flat?

Sneakysmokey

Hi again guys,

Have visited a few LBS over the last few days and tried all sorts of bikes. Have decided on a Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc, a bike I hadn't really considered until visiting local stores and way under the budget i had set myself!!, which is very unusual for me!!.Now I know it's not a true road bike but this will get me back out and about having been away from cycling for over 20 years. I plan to use it for around six months, get back into things again, get fitter and then move on to a proper all out road bike. I am keen to monitor my performance on the bike and am going to buy a cycle computer, any recommendations?.

Thanks again for all of your help.

passout

Great - happy riding.

blackpoolkev

Sneakysmokey wrote:

I get the impression that flat bar may not be the way to go from reading your comments. What's the pros and cons of drop v flat?

I had a Scott Speedster flat bar hybrid and it was a great bike-however as my cycling became more adventurous(30 miles+),I found that my hands and wrists would ache.A particular problem that bothered me was numb finger tips( something to do with Ulnar nerves).
The problem with flat bar bikes is that they offer no opportunity to move your hands.Bar ends don't really help(I've tried them). On long rides you need drop handlebars.

I think your plan to build yourself up on a hybrid sounds good.To avoid aforementioned hand problems,use your core(stomach,hips and back) to support your shoulders and head,not your arms.This will serve you well when you move onto a "proper" road bike.
Happy Cycling!

arlowood

Sneakysmokey wrote:

I am keen to monitor my performance on the bike and am going to buy a cycle computer, any recommendations?.

Depends how complicated your fitness monitoring goals are. A good basic 8 function computer that gives you trip and total distance, ride time, max speed and average speed is the Cateye Strada Wireless. Neat, easy to read and simple to switch between functions - normally around the £35 mark:-

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cateye-Strada-W ... =Froogle02

If you also want to monitor heart rate and cadence then be prepared to up your budget to around £90 and more.

FWIW I would go with the simpler model to start off.