First ever bike... Help!

Tavish
Tavish Posts: 20
edited August 2019 in Road buying advice
Evening all,

So I've applied for Ride-To-Work and need help with making sure I don't waste my money, this is my first bike so I want to get it right :?

I've wanted to get a bike for quite some time but have always been put off due to being on the heavy side of life however I've made massive changes over the past couple of years and have dropped from 154kg to 118kg, so now I think it's time to get off the spin bike and get on a real one!

I've decided to go down the cyclocross/adventure road bike route as they have slightly thicker tyres than road bikes which gives me a bit more confidence and I'll also have the option to explore when out and about. I have to get my bike from Evans Cycles and have seen the following but not sure if they're any good, I'm also open to other suggestions for me to consider.

https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV338209

https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV338207

Comments

  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    Links don’t work.

    Check with Evans on any weight limits as some bikes are limited to 100kg. Over that and you probably won’t get warranty cover. You need one with strong wheels - higher spoke count is preferable (at least/ more than 28 per wheel I would suggest).

    Congrats on your lifestyle change and enjoy your foray into road/ trail riding!

    PP
  • step83
    step83 Posts: 4,170
    As above links don't work, they look a bit short, really just going with the above from PP, higher spoke counts will be what to look for, though if your going for a CX/adventure bike it should be have disc brakes so have a higher spoke count anyway.
    An congrats on the lifestyle change, also later when your more confident you can possibly look into more skinny or more slick tyres for faster road riding to
    Titanium Px Spitfire
    Easty commuter
    Tripster AT
  • Tavish
    Tavish Posts: 20
    Sorry about the links!

    https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV338209

    https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale- ... e-EV338207

    From my limited understanding they're the same bike but one has a better group set, just wondering if spending the extra £35 is worth it.
  • step83
    step83 Posts: 4,170
    For £35 your getting a groupset upgrade and more importantly a better set of brakes, and wheels. I would if you can go for that of the two.
    Titanium Px Spitfire
    Easty commuter
    Tripster AT
  • Tavish
    Tavish Posts: 20
    Step83 wrote:
    For £35 your getting a groupset upgrade and more importantly a better set of brakes, and wheels. I would if you can go for that of the two.

    That was my thinking, I'll go get sized up tomorrow as I'm not sure if I'll need a 51cm or 54cm and they only have the 54cm in the higher spec bike.
  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    That blue one is a lovely looking bike. What height are you?
  • Tavish
    Tavish Posts: 20
    bobones wrote:
    That blue one is a lovely looking bike. What height are you?

    I'm 169cm so right in-between a 51cm and 54cm :?
  • pilot_pete
    pilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    The 105 shifter and derailleurs are well worth the upgrade price. They are 11 speed and the picture looks like the latest generation, which is excellent.

    I’m not familiar with the Promax brakes, but the Spyres are renowned as probably the best cable operated discs on the market. Having said that, they will need more fettling that hydraulic disc brakes, and I don’t wish to be rude, but you will be working them hard downhill at your weight. See how you get on with them, as an upgrade to full hydraulic would require new shifters, callipers and hoses. I did exactly that to 105 after a number of years with BB5 mechanical discs, which worked ok but were never impressive and required constant attention. If you ride a lot they would warrant an upgrade in the future.

    Nice looking bikes though and for the money I’d go for the upgraded one.

    PP

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