To bike or not to bike?

[WolfAir]

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 , 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.

[WolfAir]

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 .

[WolfAir]

Hey all appreciate the replies. Well you have twisted my arm so looks like I am going to get a bike at least 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.

[WolfAir]

LordGrover said:

How is the 8-10 miles made up? Main roads, quiet lanes, cyclepath, muddy tracks?

The route from home to work and occasionally gym, is mainly road. I am hoping to randomly hit tracks though either in between or on weekends.

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 wasn't planning on spending a fortune on the accessories Davey. I bought some base layers from sports direct last night, £12 pants and top , bargin. I have waterproof over pants already and the Jacket I have seen in decathlon hivis for £20. I plan on wearing my work trousers and possibly shirt, with my jacket in my bag with my things. Shoes would be normal work boots, think timberland.

TwistingMyMelon said:

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.

Well I was planning on having base layers, my work clothes and then waterproofs, will that be enough? I have a neck warmer (groupon job) and I am looking at gloves on ebay, along with lights. I will need some bright ones, somebody mentioned a chinese company, are they any good?

Also something I never thought about, pedals. I never understood why someone would buy separate pedals, you get 2 free with the bike.

[WolfAir]

Pit Pony said:

And don't get a lightweight bike. In fact get the heaviest one you can.

Would that not be an mtb?

[WolfAir]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Work clothes? I personally couldn't wear them on my route, its too dirty, I get too wet and I sweat too much. Under 5 miles if you take it steady I think you will be ok. I guess it depends though what you wear

I just have shirt trousers and a jacket for work. Could always keep the shirt and jacket in bag. Going the whole hog and changing in and out of cycle gear/work clothes would be way too much hassle. Also there is not place apart from toilets to change.

[WolfAir]

Hey all, well finally bit the bullet after a week of tests. I decided to stick with evans cycles because it was easiesr. I ended up between the cannondale caad 7 and cannondale trail 4.
I loved the caad 7 looks but the trail took it for comfort during the ride. As i went to pay for the trail 4, they bought out a 2015 trail 3. £100 difference and i was told the rockshox were better forks. So ended up buying an £800 bike. The wife was estatic as you can believe (not). But its done and I love it.
Got my base layers sorted, waterproofs, helmet and mud guards. Just need lights and we are ready for lift off. Thanks to all that made suggestions. If i die of crap weather im coming back to haunt u all.
Heres a pic

[WolfAir]

AC43 said:

Looks great. Let us know how you get on.

Cheers AC43, it is a superb bike. Way lighter than I thought it would be which makes it very fast. Although I assume not faster than the xc bike would have been. The only problem I am really having is the 29inch wheels. At first I thought I would get over it, even has the seat post chopped to allow me to sit on the bike when at rest, but being a shorty my leg is stretched. So I am thinking of returning the bike for another model the jamis komodo (as evans cycles don't have the cannondale with 650b wheels til January). Plus the fact Evans have decided on a spend over £200 (or so) and get £50 voucher for anything. Unfortunately I missed that offer by 5 days when I bought my bike.

[WolfAir]

Also if anybody could recommend me some decent lights for night/winter riding most appreciated.
Cheers

[WolfAir]

Nikolai said:

These, they have the spot and flood setup and are very good.
Linky

Thank you nikolai. Just ordered. Looking forward to the commute rides even though it is freezing outside

[WolfAir]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Wolfair - I would also get a front and rear back up light set, in case your main one dies on you. If you look on Ebay you can get some small plastic body jobbies for about a fiver. I also carry a head torch - I'm paranoid about having a puncture or other minor mechanical when I am miles away from lights, and trying to fix one by feel would be awful.

Haha I have no idea how to repair a puncture on a bike. I have never needed to but you make a good point, I will look for one now.
My cree light came, which is superb really bright, but what do I do with the battery pack? Where do I keep it whilst connected to the light?

Pit Pony said:

My 21 year old son was knocked off his push bike last night at a mini roundabout. Very slow speed collision. He has a few cuts. Bike is bent. Driver "didn't see him" despite high vis, 3 headlamps and 3 rear lamps.

Just Be VERY careful.

I am very sorry to hear this, I hope he is well. This is exactly the same reason my wife and mother (my father is pretty cool when I do stuff like this) are not happy with my pedal bike or my scooter because of the dangers.

[WolfAir]

Hey all. A little update with my biking. Thought i'd bump this one instead of starting a new one.

Well bought my excellent bike cannondale sl3 29'r. Seeing as i was alreasy riding my commute on my exercise bike i thought it was a piece of cake, jump on and ride to work. Turns out its very different. It is alot more effort. Wind resistence, rolling resistence, constant braking because of stupid decisions other people make.... I love it.

I changed jobs and now have a commute of 5 miles each way. P*ss easy i hear some of you cry out. First time no it wasnt. Second i think i got about 3 miles before i came home on the bus (shout out to stagecoach manchester) i then took a few days off before finally doing a full dummy run to work and back 10 miles in a day. Was a very invigorating ride. Took me an hour.

I have been using runtastic bikerider app
and toying with the idea of strava. Not sure which is better?

That all said i love my mtb but a big part of me does wish i would have listened and got the cyclo. Look soo much cooler when riding on road in tight lycra.

[WolfAir]

The above screen shot is my dummy run over last weekend. Below is todays ride. Shaved a nearly 3minutes off

[WolfAir]

CoinSl0t said:

Awesome update, good to see you've stuck with it, it does get easier the more you ride and if you time your rides then it adds an extra dimension and gives you something to aim for. I record every single ride I do, I always wear my heart rate monitor and I've got cadence sensors on the peddles to work out exactly how many calories I'm burning and how hard I'm pressing on a ride.

But, I've had a few ups and downs with my weight and dodgy knees, but I've persevered and it's all going back in the right direction again.

I'm also tempted to go down the cyclocross route, but I hate drop bars and don't really want a hybrid.
I'm also tempted to buy another mtb and a fatbike and I really like the new 27.5+ bikes as well, infact cycling is just addictive and expensive

Oh and Strava all the way

Appreciate the support there coinslot. I know exactly what you mean about bikes being addictive and very expensive, I'm already trying to work out a budget to see if I can afford a proper roadie/cyclocross without getting divorced

SteveSteveson said:

Nice going Those times will keep going down and down. Before you know it you will have it down to 20 mins, then aiming for more! 5 miles seems like a lot now, but in a few months, or possibly weeks, you will be seeing it as an easy run. I know I went from 8 miles, 4 each way to the station, in a day (It was very hilly!) to 30, going all the way to work and back, quite quickly. At first 15 miles each way was a killer, now I go out and do 30+ in one go at the weekend plus riding to work twice a week, and I am far from fit.

As an aside, do you still have knobbly tyres on? If so get something more road biased and you will go much faster (I'm assuming it is all on road). A proper city tyre will be faster, give more grip on road and more puncture protection. More comfortable too as your wheels will be round rather than bumpy. Keep the knobblys for playing off road where they do their job.

Edited by SteveSteveson on Friday 15th May 12:07

Cheers SteveStevenson, I'm looking forward to the tumbling times .
Yes I have the knobbly tyres on. I went into evans cycles to check out a change in tyres but unfortunately, because I have the 29inch wheels they only had what seems to be a small selection of cyclocross tyres. What would you recommend?

Craikeybaby said:

Another vote for Strava (and fitting some slicker tyres if you haven't already).

I've found that in the 6 months I've been riding, my fitness has improved a lot, I've shaved almost 20 minutes off my regular 10 mile off road route.

I have taken the strava route, signed up to the free version . How many guys here actually pay for strava? I have been looking for people on my route to race lol, I can understand how some guys are addicted to it. I have been guessing my calorie burn for the rides and both ways amount to around 700ish. I have already lost around 3kgs and that bloated feeling from too much eating not enough exercise lol.
I just hope my arse can get used to saddle quickley so its not killing me after a ride