To bike or not to bike?

To bike or not to bike?

Author
Discussion

WolfAir

Original Poster:

456 posts

134 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
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Hey all. I have recently began training again (cardio, some lifting) in a bid lose the weight I have piled on since getting married and working a none active job.....on nights. I began riding with an exercise bike and currently ride my commute and really enjoy it, more than the treadmill. Now I think its time to get a proper bike and take my riding to the next level.
I have been looking at a few bikes and because of my current weight I have decided a decent MTB bike would be better because of the stronger frames and wider tyres.
My question is this though, it is pretty much winter now, my commute is approx 8-10 miles each way depending on route, I work evenings and nights so pretty much be riding in the dark. Is it worth getting a bike and starting now? The positives would be the weight loss by summer biggrin, or carry on, on the stationary bike until more friendly weather?

Also if anybody wants to recommend a good bike around £600 mark give or take a little you are more than welcome. I have looked at cannondales sl5 and 4 only so not actually sure what else is out there.

agentnomad

412 posts

270 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
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If you ride now it will only get better, lighter nights warmer weather (the rain is warmer in the summer) weight less=better performance.

Bike wise have you though about a cyclocross bike, drop bars possible disc brakes (budget creep) wider tyres, good all-round bike to start off with and can be used for a bit of racing next year.


WolfAir

Original Poster:

456 posts

134 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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agentnomad said:
If you ride now it will only get better, lighter nights warmer weather (the rain is warmer in the summer) weight less=better performance.

Bike wise have you though about a cyclocross bike, drop bars possible disc brakes (budget creep) wider tyres, good all-round bike to start off with and can be used for a bit of racing next year.
Thanks for the reply Agent, I had never heard of cyclocross bikes, the only thing I would have with the drop bars is the ahem stomach getting in the way of peddling frown.

BOBTEE

1,034 posts

163 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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I'm 16 and a bit stone and I carry all my fat around my waist... you'll be fine smile

bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Have a look at Planet X. They have their cx frame with hybrid tyres for £800 running SRAM. I had an e-mail from them art week and it did say limited stocks.

PHmember

2,487 posts

170 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Off topic slightly, but if you're cycling to lose weight get yourself a cheap heart rate monitor & ride in a lower HR zone to burn fat. The riding feels too easy, but you'll burn far more fat at a lower heart rate.

I'm currently doing 'fasted' rides (before breakfast) at a lower HR (below 150bpm) & I'm consistently losing 3lbs per week.

TwistingMyMelon

6,385 posts

204 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Just get out there and do it! As long as you feel safe then it is fine riding at night.

10 miles each way is great to lose weight, I do 10 miles each way, if I ride it hard it means I burn an extra 1000 calories a day, so I struggle with losing too much weight , if I had some to lose it would just drop off

2DDav

685 posts

152 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Id say do it. The more you put in threw the winter months the more you;ll get out of it come summer time.

Even if its not ideal to commute why not work out a circular route from your home somewhere in the region of an hour and a half or so with a mixture of flats/hills and work on building and improving your time over the course.

Its what I worked on last winter and will go with again this winter.

I started out on a Whyte 801 origionally (these are currently on sale at £559 for last years model):

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/65383/Wh...

I put some semi-slick tyres on and cracked on with it.

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Another thing to bear in mind is that there are a lot of end of season deals to be had now. I'm in a similar position, but have bought my bike now and am trying to fit in a couple of rides a week while it is light.

LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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agentnomad said:
If you ride now it will only get better, lighter nights warmer weather (the rain is warmer in the summer) weight less=better performance.
Not sure that's quite right, mate. wink
Weather's going to get worse for a while yet - probably February/March or even later before it starts to get better?
Not a reason to postpone beginning, but be prepared - dark, cold and wet may not be the greatest initiation. hehe




Does your budget include the accessories you'll end up buying?
Even if you're not intending to do the whole lycra/hat/shoes thing I was surprised how quickly it can mount up if not included in initial purchase; lock(s), lights, mudguards, waterproofs, toolkit/repair outfit, saddlebag, etc.
Clearly, not all this is required on day one, but you'll maybe end up buying most of it in short order.

As post above, some great deals to be had if you're quick - most/many stores are offloading 2014 models to make room for 2015 models. If you're lucky, a 'last year's model' ex-display/demo bike can been very good value.

Best of luck.

Daveyraveygravey

2,018 posts

183 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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I commute 2 - 3 times a week and love having the option to drive if I'm not in the right mood or the weather is bleak. For me having to ride every day would take a lot of the fun, though if I did ride every day I'd spend more on kit.

WolfAir

Original Poster:

456 posts

134 months

Wednesday 15th October 2014
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Hey all appreciate the replies. Well you have twisted my arm so looks like I am going to get a bike at least biggrin so that's the first step sorted.
Dropped in to decathlon today they have some good thermals, windproof etc stuff for pretty cheap. Also what does everybody think of Sports Direct? Unfortunately had my 1 year old with me so couldn't try anything, so bought him a football he thought was great and be back on the weekend.

I have "narrowed" it down to these particular bikes as part of my research and will check them out over the weekend, looking to have the bike by next Wednesday at the latest. Also a couple of decent bikes on ebay but I do not know much about components and such so I tend to stay away.

the voodoo bizango apparently the best at £600 http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

the cannondale sl4 only £50 more than the sl5 at £595 (iirc), is that worth it? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/tra...

The fuji nevada 1.1 2014, I think a great looking bike, love the discount too from £800 to £600 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/nevada-11...
Also not sure what the differences are with the 27.5 version here http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/-nevada-2...

the boardman cx comp bike, I looked at the team cx, not sure if it justifies the extra £300 at this point in my riding career though http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/b...

The specialized pitch at £500, http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/specializ...

the cannondale caad8 I really like the look of this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caa...

But finally unfortunately I cannot afford this, but if I could I would have bought it. It makes me feel all racer inside, from Planet x http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FBPXXLSRIV/planet-x-x... but at £899 its out my budget :'(

Anyway fellas they are the bikes, I will test ride them out this weekend as I'm off work, hope the links work when I click submit.

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

208 months

Wednesday 15th October 2014
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Worth looking at the Pinnacle Arkose range at Evans too, good options.

Boardman CX Comp is great value, I used to have a CAAD8 and loved it.

On the weather/dark/cold: a wise man once said it's a good idea to ride on the filthiest, coldest, darkest, windiest day you get. Then when it's merely chilly or moist you have nothing to fear and no excuses.

Barchettaman

6,282 posts

131 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Loads of good bikes there.
For an on-road regular commute of 8-10 miles i would definitely be looking for something a little racier than an MTB. Wrong tool for that job. As previously mentioned a cyclocross rig makes a very very strong case for itself.
Don't worry about the frame, they're strong enough. Wheelset need to have planty of spokes (32) as that's the weak spot with modern racing wheels.
That 13 Innate Alpha at Halfords looks good.
The Pinnacle Arkose range at Evans likewise.
Budget for decent lights, mudguards and a really good lock, as well as some decent bike-specific rain gear if you're really going for it thru the winter.

LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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How is the 8-10 miles made up? Main roads, quiet lanes, cyclepath, muddy tracks?

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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I ride 8 miles each way, 6 days a week and have pretty much done this every day for 12 months.

I started at 28 stone and am now around 20, I eat mostly healthy and rarely drink.

My fitness is a total contrast from when I started riding 18 months ago, I slowly built up the miles week by week (my first ride lasted less than a mile with me puking my guts up).

All I can say is do it, enjoy it and feel great at what you are doing.

Edit, I ride a Cube fullsus with Nobby Nics, makes a man out of you rather than those skinny tyred girls bikes wink)

cool



Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 16th October 12:17

murray

408 posts

282 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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If you are thinking of buying from Halfords:-

Sign up to their email list
Join British Cycling, £20 bronze membership
Wait until they do one of their 'flash' 10% sales, you'll get an email. Order online for store pickup
When picking up show BC membership and get another 10% off

Daveyraveygravey

2,018 posts

183 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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If you are only going 8-10 miles is it worth spending a fortune on wet weather gear? It doesn't actually rain that often here (let's forget every day last week!) and although it may take 45 mins at first, you'll soon be aiming at 30-35 mins. If you were looking at 60-90 mins each way that's when proper gear will pay for itself. And when it really lets go, swimming trunks are as good as anything else - Ridelondon this year for example!

The logistics of commuting are a bit of a pain though. Have you got room at work to store all your clothes? Your gear for in the office, maybe a change of cycling clothes for riding home? When it's warm, your kit gets sweaty and doesn't always dry out before you go home. Putting clammy shorts and socks on isn't nice, but you soon forget.

TwistingMyMelon

6,385 posts

204 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Daveyraveygravey said:
If you are only going 8-10 miles is it worth spending a fortune on wet weather gear? It doesn't actually rain that often here (let's forget every day last week!) and although it may take 45 mins at first, you'll soon be aiming at 30-35 mins. If you were looking at 60-90 mins each way that's when proper gear will pay for itself. And when it really lets go, swimming trunks are as good as anything else - Ridelondon this year for example!

The logistics of commuting are a bit of a pain though. Have you got room at work to store all your clothes? Your gear for in the office, maybe a change of cycling clothes for riding home? When it's warm, your kit gets sweaty and doesn't always dry out before you go home. Putting clammy shorts and socks on isn't nice, but you soon forget.
I do 10 miles each way and I would say decent gear that can handle the bad conditions is a must, but you dont have to spend too much at all

This week was grim and Mon & Tues I was soaked to the core, but still OK. I just wore the cheap belkin shorts, Aldi Leg warmers, Aldi Winter top and old cycling gilet and gloves

Thing about the rain is not keeping dry, but keeping warm, get the gear wrong in the winter and it makes riding even short distances a PITA. Having said that my commute is rural and exposed to heavy wind and the elements, it would be more straightforward if it was urban based

Spring/summer conditions are a piece of piss for a short commute, I started out just wearing a running t-shirt, running shorts with some cycle shorts underneath, job jobbed.

ndg

560 posts

236 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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