40 year old, Brand new to cycling - Felt AR4 2013

VTech

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Hiya,

Im a 40 year old, overweight guy who needs to lose some weight whilst trying to enjoy myself so decided to go back to my childhood where I had huge amounts of fun on my BMW. Of course, at my age a BMX is no longer the tool of choice so I decided to purchase a new road bike.
With that in mind I spent ages looking for a suitable chariot and so decided on the Felt AR4 2013 edition.

The bike arrived today and was fairly simply to build and the quality of the carbon is incredibly high with a resemblance to the monocoque of the Pagani Zonda.

I purchased a Tacx in October and put a few hundred miles on it using an old bike I had lying around but in late November/December I didnt use it due to working abroad but aim to get back into a full training schedule.
If all goes well I will try and post info on how I get on if people find it interesting. I would also welcome advice of anyone willing to give it really.

Thanks for reading my first post.

Gizmodo

VTech wrote:

... decided to go back to my childhood where I had huge amounts of fun on my BMW.

You had a privileged childhood, having your own BMW to play on

My advise, enjoy the bike.

nochekmate

Gizmodo wrote:

VTech wrote:

... decided to go back to my childhood where I had huge amounts of fun on my BMW.

You had a privileged childhood, having your own BMW to play on

My advise, enjoy the bike.

Typos affect everybody!

AFF40N

How about the Felt X5 320d.
Great for the road as well as off road, see them regularly in the Waitrose disabled parking bays!

elderone

hi and welcome.My advice for what its worth is just ride as much as you can,rest properly.eat probly and above all,enjoy.In this crappy weather use your turbo and keep the miles ticking over.
good luck.

Bustacapp

VTech wrote:

With that in mind I spent ages looking for a suitable chariot and so decided on the Felt AR4 2013 edition.

Nice first bike!!

nickponty

This thread needs pictures!

Mikey23

Thanks for sharing. I would very much like to hear updates. One slight word of caution is that you have a very nice and expensive thoroughbred mean machine. Quite a lot to take on for a roadie 'novice'. Don't mean to sound patronising but it will take you quite a while to build up competence and confidence, road skill etc. I started out with an entry level defy and only got a better bike when I was ready for it. So be careful... And don't drop it!

Dancing Bear

I bought an AR4 when they were first released - not quite 40, but not far off at the time - it is a nice bike - buy it and enjoy it

meursault

Couple of web sites for ya

http://www.strava.com/


http://www.endomondo.com/home
Like others have said enjoy the rides, don't get too hung up on best times and all that.

Pross

The Felt is quite an aggressive, full-on racing frame so bearing in mind your own description you may find it quite uncomfortable at first especially if your flexibility is fairly limited. However, you can set it up to be as comfortable as possible to start with and gradually move to the more aggressive position it is designed for as your body gets used to riding.

teisetrotter

Don't cry when you scratch it ...... you will fall over at least once getting used to your clip ins. Don't worry it is all part of the fun and is immensely amusing for all those around you.

Join a club. It is not intimidating and you will improve faster than you would ever believe possible.

worcester19

Would also add to all the comments to get a professional bike fitting. The comfort and additional power is well worth it.

Enjoy the bike!

nolight

Felt AR4 is very aggressive for a first bike! Be very careful riding it.

VTech

Thanks for the replies, I am joining my local cycle club and intend on going out for a ride although I did get some warnings before I even started.

I was advised that the felt is no good for this weather as people would not take kindly to me spraying them with crap from my tyre (I doubt I would be in front anyway). I was also told to buy a winter bike which is what im looking for now.
I will get pics up later.

Gizmodo

VTech wrote:

Thanks for the replies, I am joining my local cycle club and intend on going out for a ride although I did get some warnings before I even started.

I was advised that the felt is no good for this weather as people would not take kindly to me spraying them with crap from my tyre (I doubt I would be in front anyway). I was also told to buy a winter bike which is what im looking for now.
I will get pics up later.

You don't need to have a winter bike, I haven't got one (yet) and I ride with a club twice a week. Try fitting some mudguards on the Felt, SKS Raceblade Long are my personal favourites, others on here swear by Crud Roadracer.