Getting into cycling - trying different bikes

[SV_WDC]

I'd quite like to get into cycling with a view to joining a club.

However there seem to be several options of road, gravel/hybrid & mountain bikes.

I am leaning more towards a road or gravel bike but wondered if there are any tips people have of how I could try these out before committing?

Are there any places I can go which will let me hire or borrow a bike for a few rides to see if I like it enough? I am reluctant to be buying cheaper bikes just to try it, knowing that I'd probably like to upgrade it almost immediately if I do.

Thanks in advance - there's so much choice in this market it's pretty daunting!

[BoRED S2upid]

Plenty of places where you can hire a bike. Google is your friend.

[ukbabz]

Where abouts are you based?

[SV_WDC]

BoRED S2upid said:

Plenty of places where you can hire a bike. Google is your friend.

Yes, you're right. Don't know why I didn't think of that - found a place 40mins away but in a nice part of the world so should be good to explore.

ukbabz said:

Where abouts are you based?

Chilterns

[Harpoon]

Cyclist Magazine run "track days" where you can spend a day riding bikes from different manufacturers

https://cyclisttrackdays.com/cyclisttrackdays2024/...

Most bike shops will let you have a short test ride. Some will be more generous - the last time I was bike shopping a local Giant dealer let me have a demo bike for a weekend. A bit of time visiting a few shops and seeing what they offer could be time well spent.

Somebody like Wild Cycles might be local if you want to hire a gravel bike. Sonder (Alpkit's bike brand) also offer hire but everything is Bristol, the Peaks or further north.

https://www.wildcycles.co.uk/bike-hire
https://alpkit.com/pages/sonder-try-before-you-buy

[QJumper]

If you're thinking of hiring a bike for a bit of fun, it's worth checking out Brompton hire. If you join it's only a fiver a day to hire a bike, which is a lot cheaper than most places I found. You can also pick up and drop off from a variety of vending machine locations.

A few years ago I was in a similar position and picked up a very good condition used hybrid (Giant) off ebay for £70, to get a feel for things. That worked out pretty well for me as I was just riding for a bit of fun and exercise. I only later swapped to a Brompton as I wanted to be able to transport the bike around to different locations, but find it just as fast as the hybrid.

Ultimately though it all depends on what you want the bike for, and where you'll be riding it. Ebay's worth checking either way, as you can often pick up something that will give you a taste for things at less than the cost of any medium term hire.

[OutInTheShed]

Problem is, you might not know what you'll enjoy most until you try it, get involved with a club, meet the people etc.
You could try sounding out the potential clubs then look for a bike which will enable you to do X,Y and Z and fit in with the people.

Any sport, when you get involved with it, what you want and like may change a lot in the first year or two.
So maybe look for a good used bike which can be sold again if you want to develop in a different direction.

[ukbabz]

SV_WDC said:

BoRED S2upid said:

Plenty of places where you can hire a bike. Google is your friend.

Yes, you're right. Don't know why I didn't think of that - found a place 40mins away but in a nice part of the world so should be good to explore.

ukbabz said:

Where abouts are you based?

Chilterns

A bit of a trip but - https://just-pedal.com/bikehire/ does canyon bike hires so you can see how different bikes feel. A number of shops may let you ride a demo bike around the car park but best calling them to check first.

[dave123456]

I’d perhaps find someone you know who knows a bit about bikes and buy secondhand off eBay (once you have decided what type you would like) as there are some decent bargains to be had on 2 or 3 year old bikes that others are clearing out now.

[stargazer30]

Its very much a personal choice OP, and it depends on where and how you want to ride. But after buying so many bikes I risk a divorce and trying them all I can summarise them a bit for you.

Mountain Bike (MTB)
Cons: Slowest for the same amount of effort, Heaviest
Pros: Most comfy to ride, Can be ridden on pretty much any terrain

Gravel Bike:
Cons: Jack of all trades and master of none. Slower and less capable than MTB on rough ground and slower than a road bike on smooth tarmac. Expensive as everyone wants one
Pros: Brilliant all rounder for casual riders who want one bike for all and aren't trying to fly down mountains or chase strava records on the road. Quite comfortable to ride when setup properly given they are rigid frames

Hybrid Bike:
Similar to a gravel bike but with flat bars and typically cheaper tyres. Cheaper but not as good IMO. Unless you really hate drop bars then I'd skip these.

Road Bike:
Cons: Only usable on the road or smooth paths. Road = Audi drivers trying to kill you. The least comfortable and you need to have good core strength and decent flexibility to do long rides on them
Pros: Fastest for the same effort. High spec bikes can be bought cheap 2nd hand.

Personally I've settled on a Gravel bike with a 2nd wheelset with road tyres on.

PS - Halfords currently have the Boardman ADV 8.9 gravel bike heavily reduced, absolute bargain. Last I checked it was £830. Given its spec you be looking at £1200-£1500 to match it. Naturally they are selling out fast though.

[frisbee]

It doesn't really matter what bike you go for first you're going to end up with 3 road bikes, a gravel bike and a mountain bike eventually.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

If you decide on a road bike, Decathlon currently have the Triban RC120 Disc for £349, £150 off. Even at it's original price, it's superb value for money.

[stargazer30]

frisbee said:

It doesn't really matter what bike you go for first you're going to end up with 3 road bikes, a gravel bike and a mountain bike eventually.

You forgot dedicated indoor bike for Zwift

[troc]

frisbee said:

It doesn't really matter what bike you go for first you're going to end up with 3 road bikes, a gravel bike and a mountain bike eventually.

I think you mean 3 mountain bikes, a gravel bike and a road bike.

Oh and a ‘pub’ bike and a commuting bike.

And 2 sets of wheels for most of them.

Plus enough bits to build 2 more.

And a vaguely irritated spouse.

[SV_WDC]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions here. Much appreciated.

I spoke to a couple bike shops who said I could do a ride around a car park. But I've only ever mountain biked before & that was as a kid. I do like the idea of road cycling or potentially gravel riding, but would like to do a proper ride or two to decide if it's something I like enough first.

[stargazer30]

SV_WDC said:

Thank you everyone for the suggestions here. Much appreciated.

I spoke to a couple bike shops who said I could do a ride around a car park. But I've only ever mountain biked before & that was as a kid. I do like the idea of road cycling or potentially gravel riding, but would like to do a proper ride or two to decide if it's something I like enough first.

So you've never used a drop bar bike before then huh. They feel a little strange at first. You're more lent forward and the brakes and shifters are different. Once you get used to them they are great though as you have several hand positions, they are more comfortable. I'd suggest trying a gravel bike out rather than a road bike for a first go. They have an easier geometry and the bigger tyres, a little more forgiving than a road bike.

[mie1972]

Get a gravel bike and then fine to add road tyres to it, not that much slower.
Most clubs are fine with gravel bikes joining club rides.

If you have an Alpkit nearby, their Sonder bikes are available to try for a day.
(I have a Sonder Camino titanium which I use for both gravel and club road rides)

https://alpkit.com/pages/sonder-try-before-you-buy

[PArbor1]

You can’t go wrong with a Specialized crux!

[gangzoom]

stargazer30 said:

frisbee said:

It doesn't really matter what bike you go for first you're going to end up with 3 road bikes, a gravel bike and a mountain bike eventually.

You forgot dedicated indoor bike for Zwift

........eBikes

[gangzoom]

SV_WDC said:

I do like the idea of road cycling or potentially gravel riding, but would like to do a proper ride or two to decide if it's something I like enough first.

If you like driving on B roads I fail to think why you wouldn't like road cycling, you simply get to appreciate the amazing B roads we have in a much more granular detail, steering 'feel' and 'connection' to the road (your backside basically) on any road bike makes a Lotus Elsie feel like a school minibus.

The bits that put me off road cycling these days..........cars. Maybe COVID set a new bar for quite roads, but these days drivers seem to be getting more and more inpatient, cars are also getting faster and safer. Make a mistake doing even a 3 figure speed on a B road and you will probably walk away these days, so drivers have no real 'fear' of the consequences from speeding these days. But as a vulnerable road user, you are at the mercy of chance and actions of others.

The only saving grace is if the worst was to happen, it'll probably be over before you realise the lights are about to go out. Anyone who cycles regularly on our roads will have acknowledge the chance of death/seriouse either consciously or subconsciously.

For me road cycling is increasingly not worth it, not when indoor trainers can get you fit with zero risk. I'm happy to commute to work in town where traffic forces cars to slow down, taking a pedal bike out on an open country B road these days though, not for me anymore.

Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 6th January 07:55