New Starter Advice

Tin
Tin Posts: 3
edited August 2014 in Road beginners
Hi,
I am after some advice and guidance if possible,
I'm about to purchase my first ever road bike tomorrow (B'Twin Triban 300)
I have many reasons behind this is fitness, hobby, but also for health reasons, I dislocated my hip and sustained nerve damage to my lower back few years ago in a car crash, since then things have got worse but the doctors have advised me that cycling will help so I'm going to take their advice.

My plan is to purchase a turbo trainer at the same time as the bike, when I'm working away from home (3-4 days a week) use the trainer, then when I'm home at weekends ride along the coast.
I know its going to be an uphill struggle for me but I am willing to put in the hard work.

I am a bit concerned that I might be too big for a road bike, I'm a 6ft, 17 stone former rugby player.

Any help or advice would be great

Regards
Steve

Comments

  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Welcome to the forum.
    Don't worry there are far bigger road bike riders than you, just get a bike and enjoy it but make sure it is OK for your back before you buy. :)
  • simon_masterson
    simon_masterson Posts: 2,740
    You should be fine - the wheels on that bike should be fine (road wheels with lower spoke counts are often rated for a maximum rider weight of 100kg). Just be extra careful around potholes (not that you shouldn't avoid them anyway!), and pump your tyres up.
    Retro(ish) TT 2017-
    Fixed TT 2015-2016
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    A folding bike is useful fitness aid for travellers
    bugdet for helmet, gloves, lock, lights, mudguards, repair kit as needed.
    Specialist clothing is not a neccesity but a bright windproof jacket is useful and waterproofs help in the rain.

    Ride easy at first, try riding in a lower gear than you really want to.
    Start with small distances and gradually ramp up.
    Set the saddle and bars correctly.
  • ForumNewbie
    ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
    Are you planning taking the turbo and bike with you when you work away from home? If so why not just take the bike and cycle there. I would suggest best to get used to the bike first and enjoy it before thinking about a turbo trainer, as the turbo can be quite boring.
  • fridenfive
    fridenfive Posts: 2
    just get a bike and enjoy it but make sure it is OK for your back before you buy. :)1mnQwaB
  • Tin
    Tin Posts: 3
    Hi Guys,
    Thanks for the replies, I'm planning to take the turbo with me when working away from home as the roads are not good around where I stay, so the idea is to use the turbo while away and then when I'm home ride along the coast.
    I'm planning to purchase the bike from decathlon, will pop in there and get it set up correctly for me.
  • ForumNewbie
    ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
    edited August 2014
    Tin wrote:
    Hi Guys,
    Thanks for the replies, I'm planning to take the turbo with me when working away from home as the roads are not good around where I stay, so the idea is to use the turbo while away and then when I'm home ride along the coast.
    I'm planning to purchase the bike from decathlon, will pop in there and get it set up correctly for me.
    Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but your post sounds like you are planning to take the turbo alone when away from home, but you'll need the bike on the turbo, and ideally when the bike's on the turbo you should have a separate rubber turbo tyre on the back wheel and you'll probably need a floor mat. Also it makes turbo more interesting if you have a cadence and heart monitor on when using it, and watching a cycling/turbo training video helps as well.

    It's just a lot to think about and buy all at once when starting out. I would advise getting the road bike first and see how that goes, before considering a turbo trainer.
  • HebdenBiker
    HebdenBiker Posts: 787
    What do you mean when you say the roads aren't good? Do you mean busy with traffic, or do you mean they have a poor surface?

    If the former, then seek out and discover quieter back routes. If the latter, then make sure your tyre pressures are high and just ride them anyway :D

    I mean, by all means take your turbo away if you want, but it seems to me that sweating away pedalling in an hotel room somewhere is a missed opportunity to get out and explore in the fresh air!

    But each to their own...
    My Blog
  • rhysyd
    rhysyd Posts: 141
    Tin wrote:
    Hi,
    I am after some advice and guidance if possible,
    I'm about to purchase my first ever road bike tomorrow (B'Twin Triban 300)
    I have many reasons behind this is fitness, hobby, but also for health reasons, I dislocated my hip and sustained nerve damage to my lower back few years ago in a car crash, since then things have got worse but the doctors have advised me that cycling will help so I'm going to take their advice.

    My plan is to purchase a turbo trainer at the same time as the bike, when I'm working away from home (3-4 days a week) use the trainer, then when I'm home at weekends ride along the coast.
    I know its going to be an uphill struggle for me but I am willing to put in the hard work.

    I am a bit concerned that I might be too big for a road bike, I'm a 6ft, 17 stone former rugby player.

    Any help or advice would be great

    Regards
    Steve

    Just bought the exact same bike, my first one too. Its a crackin bike everyone keeps asking me how much it cost and are shocked when i tell them it was only £300 odd. Im also gonna get a turbo and after looking at plenty of reviews im deciding on this one..

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/tacx ... -prod86561

    I tried to get out early in the morning, practise clipping in and out at juctions, shifting gears etc. Then eventually you'll gain confidence to go out whatever road, like i have. But just take it slowly, get some clip ons aswell them pedals you get with the triban are a waste of time.

    But yeah its a fantastic bike, have a look at a few videos on youtube about sizing and enjoy mate!
  • simonhead
    simonhead Posts: 1,399
    Congratulations on your bike and go out and enjoy it. I was over 20 stone and have pulled that down partly due to cycling and i love it. Have to ask why use a turbo if you are away, why not just go out and use the bike, get a garmin and try some of the local routes? Lugging around bike plus kit and turbo is fine but using a turbo is very much the ugly sister of actually getting out on the bike.
    Life isnt like a box of chocolates, its like a bag of pic n mix.

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