Complete newbie looking for advice

MattHiggins

Hey guys!

I'm brand new here.. and to cycling too so please be gentle

I've decided I want to start cycling to work around 12 miles in total, (Coupled with the awful public service and wanting to get rid of a belly before a holiday to Hawaii in 8 months )

I'm looking for a bit of advise!

I'm looking for a bike which would be nice, fast and reasonably comfortable for commuting! (Route is on road around 12 mile round trip)

The way there is all up hill on a slow incline so I'm not sure what gears, chains set(?!) etc to get (I'm 6'2" around 195lb)

I work for the NHS so going to use the 'Cycle to work' scheme so a bike around £700 mark (Don't mind a bit more or less if it means quality)

I was currently looking at the specialized secteur 2013 model

Any help or advice is much appreciated

ic.

Hi
If it's just for cycling to work, you may find a hybrid bike more comfortable. Should be lots in your price range too

A hybrid is a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike - it has flat bars and slick tyres

MattHiggins

Hey IC

I did look at hybrid/cyclocross bikes but a friend who cycles into work much further distance (Think he has a Cannondale) recommended drop handle bars so fancied giving them ago

g00se

If it's all road and uphill, then the lighter the better - I would say road bike over hybrid.

Also, as you're commuting, you will probably need to consider how you're going to carry gear and what you're going to do in wet weather.

For wet, ideally, you would want full mudguards - and that would need a frame and fork that accommodates them (clearance and mounting bosses) but a lot of folks like the Crud Roadracer II guards that can fit on most road bikes that won't take standard guards.

For luggage, you'll either carry it on your back or use a pannier rack. For a rack, you'll again need the appropriate mounting bosses.

As it has an incline, you'll probably need gearing that has a greater range. It's hard to say for sure and folks fitness is different etc. but having a compact chainset on the front would be a good place to start from (smaller 'small' front chainring than standard so you get lower gears available - but the spread of gears may not be as convenient to change through).

thegreatdivide

An entry level Trek, Giant or Specialized road bike with a compact groupset with preferably 10 cogs at the back (20 speed in old money) will be fine for commuting – and if you catch the bug then you can use this one until you end up going mental and buying a bling machine (we’ve all done it).

Mudguards for the wet - Cruds or SKS Raceblade Long.

Lights.

MichaelW

Almost any bike can be used for a 2x6 mile commute. You need to think about the alternate uses, eg charity rides, shopping, loaded touring, leisure day rides, off road exploration etc.
The Secteur is a kind of road bike for long, non-competative, endurance rides and is a bit less racy than many. It is a good style. The features that make a good, everyday, commuter roadbike are:
-Threaded eyelets for luggage rack and mudguards.
-Tyre clearance for winter tyres mudguards.
-Gears low enough for your hills (eg compact double or road triple style)
Check out the winter training style of bike, eg Kinesis TK. The main difference is the use of long-drop brakes to provide more generous tyre clearance.
Clip on mudguards are a hack used by people to convert a racebike to a commuter bike. Better to buy one that takes more effective, full-length , bolt-on 'guards to get you through the winter.

MattHiggins

Hey guys thanks for the great feedback!

For commuting it will literally only be shirt/trousers in a little bagpack

Mud guards are on the shopping list and I've seen a Secteur sport with the crud guards so that has potential!


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... 6#features

I'm looking at getting some shoes but trying to find size 14 cycle shoes is a little tricky (Seen a pair on Amazon £69)

Next on the hit list will be lights, maybe a speedo?

MattHiggins

Hey guys bit of an update and now stuck between a couple of bikes (Budget has also increased )

I'm looking around £850-£900 mark so if you have any suggestion please let me know

The 2 bikes i'm currently looking at are the Specialized Secteur sports triple and Specialized allez elite are those good value for money?

Going to try some out at my lbs soon

Any advice is appreciated

chrisaonabike

MattHiggins wrote:

The 2 bikes i'm currently looking at are the Specialized Secteur sports triple and Specialized allez elite are those good value for money?

The Allez Elite was on my short list when I was looking for bikes back in October.

You might want to look at the Giant range too. I had a very slight preference for the Allez Elite over the Defy 1, but as you can see from my sig, I eventually went for a last year Defy 3 Comp.

Don't buy anything without test riding it, preferably more than once. It's what *you* find comfortable that's important.

MattHiggins

Cheers for the input Chris its something ill ask to try out seen a few nice specs on the Giants

zx6man

allez is the racey model, secteur the comfort, but as above, make sure you have a try on both!

MattHiggins

zx6man wrote:

allez is the racey model, secteur the comfort, but as above, make sure you have a try on both!

I'll be trying both on Thursday Is there a noticeable difference in achieveable speed? one being aimed at the comfort/racing style

frazered

You may want to check if 25mm tyres can be fitted for additional comfort. If you can get mudguards over 25mm as well then extra bonus. 25mm tyres are compulsory but do increase comfort.

passout

From what you are saying I'd say a Tourer likes a Dawes Galaxy or a cross / 'free road' bike - Specialised Tricross or Planet X Uncle John. The Planet X Kaffenbach may also interest you. I think you'd be best getting something that allows full mudguards and the option of fatter tyres (say 28mm). Having the option of a rack might be worth thinking about too. All of these options will have appropriate gearing.

MattHiggins

Hey guys just to update again

I went to a lbs yestarday got measured and seems i need a 60 frame :shock:

I think im going to go with the Secteur sports as i felt the Allez pushed me into the racing position :P

I think the new Secteur 2013 also has the Sora STI Shifters which I think are the same as the tiagra?? Could anyone confirm this?

zx6man

MattHiggins wrote:

Hey guys thanks for the great feedback!

For commuting it will literally only be shirt/trousers in a little bagpack

Mud guards are on the shopping list and I've seen a Secteur sport with the crud guards so that has potential!


http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... 6#features

I'm looking at getting some shoes but trying to find size 14 cycle shoes is a little tricky (Seen a pair on Amazon £69)

Next on the hit list will be lights, maybe a speedo?

Have to say I do like that colour scheme....

Hate cycling...was supposed to be a cost effective mode of transport to leave the car at home and save petrol...

zx6man

MattHiggins wrote:

Hey guys just to update again

I went to a lbs yestarday got measured and seems i need a 60 frame :shock:

I think im going to go with the Secteur sports as i felt the Allez pushed me into the racing position :P

I think the new Secteur 2013 also has the Sora STI Shifters which I think are the same as the tiagra?? Could anyone confirm this?

and yes mate 2013 sora has the paddles like tiagra not the thumb shifters.

MattHiggins

Sweet!

The 2013 has a little red in it which I do like



Looking forward to getting it now 2 weeks!

Going to get all my accessories ready.. Speedo, Lights, mud guards, bottle holder, bell etc