What road bike...
Discussion
Sorry for being grouchy its 2230 and I am still working! 
Generally in conducting research, you change one variable at a time. In this piece of research the driver of the car passing the cyclist is never the same thus we have no understanding as to whether the driver would treat the cyclist different if he was wearing a helmet or not.
The helmeted cyclist is passed by a motorist, the gap measured and recorded. The unhelemted cyclist is passed by another motorist, again the gap measured and recorded.
Some motorists are cyclists and understand the inherent dangers of passing too closely, some motorists are not, they therefore do not understand the dangers and may pass closer, its an assumption. There is no recognition therefore that by the ever changing motorist passing the cyclist, the fact that the subject sometimes wore a helmet and sometimes did not is irrelevant.
There are also other issues like the road condition, the amount of road infrastructure local to the passing place (traffic islands, oncoming traffic etc) that will affect the distance between the vehicle passing cyclist. I know it sounds petty but I think its all relevant to the study.
Also we are talking about a difference of 8cm over an average passing distance of 133cm, which in my opinion, is insufficient to warrant this much fuss!
Generally in conducting research, you change one variable at a time. In this piece of research the driver of the car passing the cyclist is never the same thus we have no understanding as to whether the driver would treat the cyclist different if he was wearing a helmet or not.
The helmeted cyclist is passed by a motorist, the gap measured and recorded. The unhelemted cyclist is passed by another motorist, again the gap measured and recorded.
Some motorists are cyclists and understand the inherent dangers of passing too closely, some motorists are not, they therefore do not understand the dangers and may pass closer, its an assumption. There is no recognition therefore that by the ever changing motorist passing the cyclist, the fact that the subject sometimes wore a helmet and sometimes did not is irrelevant.
There are also other issues like the road condition, the amount of road infrastructure local to the passing place (traffic islands, oncoming traffic etc) that will affect the distance between the vehicle passing cyclist. I know it sounds petty but I think its all relevant to the study.
Also we are talking about a difference of 8cm over an average passing distance of 133cm, which in my opinion, is insufficient to warrant this much fuss!
Usget said:
Some Gump, that ought to be a sticky at the top of the sub forum. Great post.
Agreed. The only thing I'd quibble is that in the event of a p* I'd always recommend simply swapping the inner tube! removing the glass/stone/thorn from the tyre and going home to actually fix the hole.
Oh, and no-one has said: RIDE. Ride whenever you can. Everywhere you can. The bike won't do you any good in the shed.
Gizmoish said:
Agreed.
The only thing I'd quibble is that in the event of a p* I'd always recommend simply swapping the inner tube! removing the glass/stone/thorn from the tyre and going home to actually fix the hole.
Again agreed - far more convenient.The only thing I'd quibble is that in the event of a p* I'd always recommend simply swapping the inner tube! removing the glass/stone/thorn from the tyre and going home to actually fix the hole.
However, I'm either unlucky or useless - my record for punctures on 1 ride is 5! (OK, it was a 95 miler and I had Schwalbe Luganos, so deserve to be punished for being a skinflint). However, I stand by it.
Only last year I rescued a bloke 35 miles from home - he was a "take 2 tubes and 2 CO2 cartridges" type. He'd punctured early on, then got a double snakebite from a pothole on a descent. One of his tubes is in my front wheel right now =) Yes, CO2 and spare tubes are convenient, but nothing beats patches and a pump for that "I can get out of anything" safety.
before I look clever, I learned the hard way. Do one 5 mile walk in the rain in cleats, and you'll never go out unprepared again!)
Better idea. Give me your entry to the 100, and I promise to puncture lots just for you? I've got a set of Vittoria Zaffiros just itching to be "worth" the 6 quid they sell for...
But seriously, enjoy the ride. I admit to being slightly gutted to not get in, despite the complete ball ache it would have been to actually take part. I'm making do with the manchester 100 instead, which is not only far less of an event, but 90% more likely to rain!
But seriously, enjoy the ride. I admit to being slightly gutted to not get in, despite the complete ball ache it would have been to actually take part. I'm making do with the manchester 100 instead, which is not only far less of an event, but 90% more likely to rain!
it'll be awesome. I just want to finish though - I'll have trouble keeping the pace down and not blowing up. Gizmoish said:
Budget creep applies. Remember that a tank of petrol is £75 and you will soon find that cycling is a very cheap hobby.
But, just as an exercise, for £800 I'd buy;
- British Cycling Ride membership £32 http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership
- a Boardman Road Comp - £699 less £60 discount, less 10% (£64) for being a BC member = £576 http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/b...
- a helmet that fits your head properly - Specialized Chamonix is £40
- Altura Pro Gel bibs - £35 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-progel-bib-shorts-1... and a couple of jerseys £22 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-short-sleeve-cy...
- Shimano M540 pedals £20, and some shoes to match - £75 http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-BG-Sport-Touri...
- an Elite Custom Race cage http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-custom-race-bottle-c... and a bottle.
- a track pump - £19 (after BC discount) http://www.halfords.com/cycling/tools-maintenance/...
Plus a puncture repair kit and a couple of spare tubes. (If you get a puncture, swap the tube at the side of the road and repair it later in the warm.)
Comes to £820 or so I think. And that'll do you for the first six months, seriously.
I was just typing a list, then I saw you'd pretty much written everything that I had typed apart from the Boardman bike. I had some kind f Giant Defy on my list. But, just as an exercise, for £800 I'd buy;
- British Cycling Ride membership £32 http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership
- a Boardman Road Comp - £699 less £60 discount, less 10% (£64) for being a BC member = £576 http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/b...
- a helmet that fits your head properly - Specialized Chamonix is £40
- Altura Pro Gel bibs - £35 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-progel-bib-shorts-1... and a couple of jerseys £22 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-short-sleeve-cy...
- Shimano M540 pedals £20, and some shoes to match - £75 http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-BG-Sport-Touri...
- an Elite Custom Race cage http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-custom-race-bottle-c... and a bottle.
- a track pump - £19 (after BC discount) http://www.halfords.com/cycling/tools-maintenance/...
Plus a puncture repair kit and a couple of spare tubes. (If you get a puncture, swap the tube at the side of the road and repair it later in the warm.)
Comes to £820 or so I think. And that'll do you for the first six months, seriously.
As for clothing, I would just go t wiggle and get DHB everything. I have their basic bib shorts and at £27 they are absolutely fine.
As per other people's suggestion, a helmet that fits and comfortable is the way forward. I still have a basic Gyro which I paid £27 for and it works well. It does look crap though
If the OP intends to ride in the evenings or when its dark, then I suggest looking at the Altura Night Vision stuff. Its not that expensive and in my experience very durable.
I would also say go and do some research your self and post up your findings on bikes and chances are people on here will have owned them, so they will be able to pass on their experiences.
While I can't disagree with anything that others have written on here, I cycle regularly without a helmet/high vis clothing (although I think there may be reflective piping on my black jacket). Despite doing about 1500 miles a year for the past 20-odd years I have yet to be killed to death.
On more practical note: Wiggles DHB brand bib shorts are good for the money, you do look like a Big Daddy tribute act in them but I guess that it would be the same in more expensive clobber. Clipless pedals are, in my opinion, a must-have. I use Shimano M520 (about £12) which are a double-sided MTB pedal. Easier to get in and out of and you can walk reasonably well in MTB shoes compared to road shoes. GEt a decent pump (cheap £1.99 pumps are hard work and always seem to fail at critical moments).
On more practical note: Wiggles DHB brand bib shorts are good for the money, you do look like a Big Daddy tribute act in them but I guess that it would be the same in more expensive clobber. Clipless pedals are, in my opinion, a must-have. I use Shimano M520 (about £12) which are a double-sided MTB pedal. Easier to get in and out of and you can walk reasonably well in MTB shoes compared to road shoes. GEt a decent pump (cheap £1.99 pumps are hard work and always seem to fail at critical moments).
I found myself in the same position as the OP at the end of June, I wanted to kit myself out from scratch to get a bit fitter and give road cycling a try after 20 years. Some friends at work are planning a ride in the Surrey hills in September and I thought that would be a good target to train up for and see if I can stay in touch if not keep up on that ride.
This is what I got.
Classified ad
2009 Specialized Allez Sport (full tiagra + shimano spd-sl pedals) £200
- below was thrown in...
matching specialized helmet
specialized shoes (too small, but with SL cleats)
cyclops turbo trainer
blackburn mini pump
Sports Direct
1 x £15 bib shorts
1 x £6 cycling shorts
2 x £7 jerseys (one matches bike for sunny days, one lurid orange for poorer viz occasions)
Decathlon
£42 shimano cycling shoes
£5 under saddle pack
£7 gloves
£4 multitool
<>£20 on various lube, degreaser, spare tubes, puncture kit
Aldi
£7 pocket size rain jacket
£3 glasses with interchangable lenses
Freecycle
£0 Tacx workstand
I think I've been lucky to get some of this together so cheaply and some of it won't last all that long, but its been perfect for getting me up and out there. I didn't go into it with any particular budget in mind, but didn't want to waste money. I'm already hankering after shiny upgrades/thinking about turning this bike into the winter bike etc. though and now I feel a bit better informed on how to go about it. The kit above has proved absolutely fine for rides of up to 90mins - maybe when I start pushing much beyond that I'll get some better shorts...
First ride was on 12th July. Speaking less than a month in I'm absolutely loving it, I've logged every ride on Strava and have seen some tasty improvements already. I feel fitter, look better (so I'm told) and weigh less than I have for many years. I've also really enjoyed learning how to maintain the bike and trying to achieve silent running.
Good luck getting things together OP and on catching the bug!
A lot of good safety advice in the thread... I would only add - always try and wear gloves and glasses. Gloves, not for padded grips, but to pretect you when you fall. Glasses for avoiding wind on downhills and insect collisions.
ETA
- I cocked up my dates, I got the bike in May so I'm more like 3 months in - how time flies!
This is what I got.
Classified ad
2009 Specialized Allez Sport (full tiagra + shimano spd-sl pedals) £200
- below was thrown in...
matching specialized helmet
specialized shoes (too small, but with SL cleats)
cyclops turbo trainer
blackburn mini pump
Sports Direct
1 x £15 bib shorts
1 x £6 cycling shorts
2 x £7 jerseys (one matches bike for sunny days, one lurid orange for poorer viz occasions)
Decathlon
£42 shimano cycling shoes
£5 under saddle pack
£7 gloves
£4 multitool
<>£20 on various lube, degreaser, spare tubes, puncture kit
Aldi
£7 pocket size rain jacket
£3 glasses with interchangable lenses
Freecycle
£0 Tacx workstand
I think I've been lucky to get some of this together so cheaply and some of it won't last all that long, but its been perfect for getting me up and out there. I didn't go into it with any particular budget in mind, but didn't want to waste money. I'm already hankering after shiny upgrades/thinking about turning this bike into the winter bike etc. though and now I feel a bit better informed on how to go about it. The kit above has proved absolutely fine for rides of up to 90mins - maybe when I start pushing much beyond that I'll get some better shorts...
First ride was on 12th July. Speaking less than a month in I'm absolutely loving it, I've logged every ride on Strava and have seen some tasty improvements already. I feel fitter, look better (so I'm told) and weigh less than I have for many years. I've also really enjoyed learning how to maintain the bike and trying to achieve silent running.
Good luck getting things together OP and on catching the bug!
A lot of good safety advice in the thread... I would only add - always try and wear gloves and glasses. Gloves, not for padded grips, but to pretect you when you fall. Glasses for avoiding wind on downhills and insect collisions.
ETA
- I cocked up my dates, I got the bike in May so I'm more like 3 months in - how time flies!
Edited by idiotgap on Friday 8th August 09:53
idiotgap said:
2009 Specialized Allez Sport (full tiagra + shimano spd-sl pedals) £200
I think I've been lucky to get some of this together so cheaply
Seems not so hard to repeat, my brother in law just managed to get a 2011 Specialized Allez Sport for £230 - it's in great condition. He's a keen bargain hunter and contacted a few gumtree vendors with offers.I think I've been lucky to get some of this together so cheaply
Dammit said:
I'd not bother with the hi-viz stuff to be honest, get some decent lights and you won't need to dress like a car-park attendant, and research shows that motorists pass cyclists "in all the gear" significantly closer than they do those dressed (more) like normal people.
What the hell are lights then if they're not hi-viz?On the one hand you say get lights to be seen, but then say don't wear hi viz as you don't want to be seen.
Odd.
As to the study you refer to.
One study. One participant. Oh and it's about proximity of passes.
The driver who sees me and drive 1 inch away is still less likely to knock me off than the driver who hasn't seen me at all.
But it's ok, you continue to worry about schoolboy comments regarding hi-viz. I'll stay safer in the meantime.
Lots of talk about kit but as a relative newbie I would also mention route planning!
You may have to explore your local area but I would suggest getting a set route sorted which will give your rides a purpose. I've found when I just wander/make it up on the fly I don't really accomplish anything. Also having a route gives you benchmarks for times, speed and if you use Strava then segments.
Have a look for local sportive's and charity rides on the web and see if they show the routes they do - The British Heart Foundation does a charity ride from Worcester Rugby club which is two miles away and they have the route as a PDF you can download. It's now the basis for my regular ride. You can always add bits as you get better.
You may have to explore your local area but I would suggest getting a set route sorted which will give your rides a purpose. I've found when I just wander/make it up on the fly I don't really accomplish anything. Also having a route gives you benchmarks for times, speed and if you use Strava then segments.
Have a look for local sportive's and charity rides on the web and see if they show the routes they do - The British Heart Foundation does a charity ride from Worcester Rugby club which is two miles away and they have the route as a PDF you can download. It's now the basis for my regular ride. You can always add bits as you get better.
Thanks for that Project C, I am mapping routes out in my head, but everything from where I live is uphill. So I am limited to one starting point until I am a bit fitter (though that is probably missing the point, guess I should be tackling hills as quickly as possible to get fitter quicker!!!).
Will have a look if there are any clubs by me that have some local routes too.
On the plus side I am gearing up to go to decathlon on Saturday.
Will have a look if there are any clubs by me that have some local routes too.
On the plus side I am gearing up to go to decathlon on Saturday.
As promised here is my mighty steed.
Will get cracking on the interweb armed with my long list of recommendations as above and on the previous page. Bike helmet and gloves from a physical actual shop hopefully tomorrow.
And then the first ride.
Possibly after my trip to Spa next weekend though.
Will get cracking on the interweb armed with my long list of recommendations as above and on the previous page. Bike helmet and gloves from a physical actual shop hopefully tomorrow.
And then the first ride.
Possibly after my trip to Spa next weekend though.
I just bought a classic holdsworth as a winter hack and am very impressed ok it might be 30 years old but the modern day equivalent would be 1000 plus. Its a great ride, a bit heavier than my other road bike but for the money you can't go wrong. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get out there and get fit.
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