A what bike thread?
Discussion
Help!
To set the scene as it were, I decided to start biking last year, and picked up a cheap £60 second hand mountain bike. I quickly found that MTB tyres aren't great for road use, and shod it with semi slicks. Fast forward to now, and I'm well into it, I enjoy my rides, and I'm planning some longer ones outside of commuting later this year. Last night my sturdy shed bike expired, and I either need to replace the wheel as the bearing collapsed, or replace the bike. It will need brakes and other such things shortly, and it's fairly tatty anyway, so I'm minded to replace it with a proper road bike, as I don't really do any off road cycling, nor does it particularly interest me.
What I don't have a clue about at all, is where to start? I'm happy to spend a bit of cash, I didn't initially incase I didn't take to cycling, but I really enjoy it and want to up my game, so I think a 'roadie' is the way to go. I don't really want to spend any more than I need, and ideally a max of £900, although I don't really imagine I'd need to spend that.
My work commuting is around 70-80 miles a week, however that's on the shortest route on a MTB with slicks atm, so ideally I'll be adding distance to the route over the year.
Where do I start? I have no idea what I'm looking for gearing wise, I'm just a bit baffled by the whole thing really! Do I go to a local bike shop and just buy something, do I buy online? For a number of reasons, this time I'd prefer to buy a new bike rather than a 2nd hand, and I am aware that potentially I could get a better bike 2nd hand for the same money as a new one.
Any advice or pointers are more than welcome!
To set the scene as it were, I decided to start biking last year, and picked up a cheap £60 second hand mountain bike. I quickly found that MTB tyres aren't great for road use, and shod it with semi slicks. Fast forward to now, and I'm well into it, I enjoy my rides, and I'm planning some longer ones outside of commuting later this year. Last night my sturdy shed bike expired, and I either need to replace the wheel as the bearing collapsed, or replace the bike. It will need brakes and other such things shortly, and it's fairly tatty anyway, so I'm minded to replace it with a proper road bike, as I don't really do any off road cycling, nor does it particularly interest me.
What I don't have a clue about at all, is where to start? I'm happy to spend a bit of cash, I didn't initially incase I didn't take to cycling, but I really enjoy it and want to up my game, so I think a 'roadie' is the way to go. I don't really want to spend any more than I need, and ideally a max of £900, although I don't really imagine I'd need to spend that.
My work commuting is around 70-80 miles a week, however that's on the shortest route on a MTB with slicks atm, so ideally I'll be adding distance to the route over the year.
Where do I start? I have no idea what I'm looking for gearing wise, I'm just a bit baffled by the whole thing really! Do I go to a local bike shop and just buy something, do I buy online? For a number of reasons, this time I'd prefer to buy a new bike rather than a 2nd hand, and I am aware that potentially I could get a better bike 2nd hand for the same money as a new one.
Any advice or pointers are more than welcome!
There's plenty around at your price point. Try the ones on the Decathlon website, I've heard you can do a lot worse.
Boardman bikes, found in Halfords get a good write up too, and are usually a bit better specced than their contemporaries.
Other than that, find a decent local shop and go and try a few, the fit varies between manufacturer. The specs and prices don't vary hugely in the Giant / Trek / Specialized arena, but the fit does.
Reward a bike shop you have spent time with by buying from them. Don't waste 2 hours of their time, only to go home and buy the bike £10 cheaper online.
Boardman bikes, found in Halfords get a good write up too, and are usually a bit better specced than their contemporaries.
Other than that, find a decent local shop and go and try a few, the fit varies between manufacturer. The specs and prices don't vary hugely in the Giant / Trek / Specialized arena, but the fit does.
Reward a bike shop you have spent time with by buying from them. Don't waste 2 hours of their time, only to go home and buy the bike £10 cheaper online.
louiebaby said:
There's plenty around at your price point. Try the ones on the Decathlon website, I've heard you can do a lot worse.
Boardman bikes, found in Halfords get a good write up too, and are usually a bit better specced than their contemporaries.
Other than that, find a decent local shop and go and try a few, the fit varies between manufacturer. The specs and prices don't vary hugely in the Giant / Trek / Specialized arena, but the fit does.
Reward a bike shop you have spent time with by buying from them. Don't waste 2 hours of their time, only to go home and buy the bike £10 cheaper online.
Yeah I hear you there, that's half of why I want to buy new to be honest, I like going to see something, and then being able to get it straight away, patience is not a virtue with which I was blessed!Boardman bikes, found in Halfords get a good write up too, and are usually a bit better specced than their contemporaries.
Other than that, find a decent local shop and go and try a few, the fit varies between manufacturer. The specs and prices don't vary hugely in the Giant / Trek / Specialized arena, but the fit does.
Reward a bike shop you have spent time with by buying from them. Don't waste 2 hours of their time, only to go home and buy the bike £10 cheaper online.
Is Halfrauds worth a look then, rather than just being full of expensive tat?
D4MJT said:
Is Halfrauds worth a look then, rather than just being full of expensive tat?
I have no direct experience, as I'm huge and their biggest is still a bit small. I find my Trek very comfortable, and I'm sure they have something to suit your budget.If there is a decent one nearby, you should try them probably.
D4MJT said:
Yeah I hear you there, that's half of why I want to buy new to be honest, I like going to see something, and then being able to get it straight away, patience is not a virtue with which I was blessed!
Is Halfrauds worth a look then, rather than just being full of expensive tat?
The Boardman bikes get a really good write up. They are certainly worth a look. Is Halfrauds worth a look then, rather than just being full of expensive tat?
Also worth a look in your local Evans. Some of them are quite big and have a large variety of bikes. Try and pick a big store as the smaller ones in bigger cities often focus on commuters.
I bought a Boardman bike last year and I am very impressed. Just so much bike for the money.
Mine is the rigid MTB so not really whatbyourevlooking for but justbgonin and have a look.
Avoid weekends as they are busy and normally short staffed. Week day or evenings are best.
You may be better off with the hybrid.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Mine is the rigid MTB so not really whatbyourevlooking for but justbgonin and have a look.
Avoid weekends as they are busy and normally short staffed. Week day or evenings are best.
You may be better off with the hybrid.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
in simple terms, its very, very hard to spend that sort of money and buy a bad bike so there is plenty of choice. Search for your local cycle club and try to find out which shop they have links with, they are more likely to help compared to an Evans or another big chain who do, in all fairness, have a bit of a unit shifer mentality.
bakerstreet said:
The Boardman bikes get a really good write up. They are certainly worth a look.
Also worth a look in your local Evans. Some of them are quite big and have a large variety of bikes. Try and pick a big store as the smaller ones in bigger cities often focus on commuters.
Agree, it is worth hunting out a decent sized Evans, call them before you go with rough requirements and they will say what you have in. For £900 I wouldnt rule out Kona either. Other good thing about Evans is they normally carry afew 2012 bikes at a discounted price and they offer some very good value bikes. I'm off to order my new bike from them in Sheffield tomorrow!Also worth a look in your local Evans. Some of them are quite big and have a large variety of bikes. Try and pick a big store as the smaller ones in bigger cities often focus on commuters.
Fancy a carbon frame for a bit more cash?
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/p...
just bought one for Mrs bbc - lovely and very good value for money.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/p...
just bought one for Mrs bbc - lovely and very good value for money.
bbc said:
Fancy a carbon frame for a bit more cash?
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/p...
just bought one for Mrs bbc - lovely and very good value for money.
That really is cracking value for £1k. 8.1kgs, SRAM group and RS10 wheels...http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/p...
just bought one for Mrs bbc - lovely and very good value for money.
Would I rather have that or a 2012 Supersix with 105 for £1200...
bbc said:
Fancy a carbon frame for a bit more cash?
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/p...
just bought one for Mrs bbc - lovely and very good value for money.
mmmmmmmmm, nice!http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIV13/p...
just bought one for Mrs bbc - lovely and very good value for money.
Well, I've bought a bike anyway. I ended up going with a Boardman Sport, for a couple of reasons. I decided to budget a total of around £750, and the bike was £600, which left me some pennies to play with for a new pump, as I don't have one for Schrader valves, and some decent new lights, as I cycle on unlit country lanes and mine were poor.
I also realised that the more I get into this, the more I'm likely to develop an idea of what I want, so the Boardman seems like a decent bike for entry level money, and should do me nicely while I get my head around the basics.
Ta da:
First obvious question, let's discuss pedals. It has these:
They look pedally, with metal bits. The chap in the shop recommended I get SPD's, which looks like a decent idea, however I figured I'd do a bit of research first, as I can pick them up at any point.
So, SPD's, and shoe's, recommendations?
Fundamentally you have SPDs and SPD SLs.
SLs are referred to as road pedals and have the cleat stuck on the sole of the shoe. the sole of the shoe is vey still and you cant walk in them.
SPDs have the cleat recessed into the sole so you can walk around in the shoes easily. people who like riding to places then wandering around prefer SPDs, you just cant walk further than 100m in SPD SLs without starting to damage you feet or the exposed cleats.
Both will improve pedaalling efficiency and technique. There are variants like Crank Brothers, Speedplay, Look etc but decide first if you want shoes you can wander round in off the bike.
I'd look at the DHB range from wiggle, I have their road and mtb shoes and really like them.
SLs are referred to as road pedals and have the cleat stuck on the sole of the shoe. the sole of the shoe is vey still and you cant walk in them.
SPDs have the cleat recessed into the sole so you can walk around in the shoes easily. people who like riding to places then wandering around prefer SPDs, you just cant walk further than 100m in SPD SLs without starting to damage you feet or the exposed cleats.
Both will improve pedaalling efficiency and technique. There are variants like Crank Brothers, Speedplay, Look etc but decide first if you want shoes you can wander round in off the bike.
I'd look at the DHB range from wiggle, I have their road and mtb shoes and really like them.
pablo said:
Fundamentally you have SPDs and SPD SLs.
SLs are referred to as road pedals and have the cleat stuck on the sole of the shoe. the sole of the shoe is vey still and you cant walk in them.
SPDs have the cleat recessed into the sole so you can walk around in the shoes easily. people who like riding to places then wandering around prefer SPDs, you just cant walk further than 100m in SPD SLs without starting to damage you feet or the exposed cleats.
Both will improve pedaalling efficiency and technique. There are variants like Crank Brothers, Speedplay, Look etc but decide first if you want shoes you can wander round in off the bike.
I'd look at the DHB range from wiggle, I have their road and mtb shoes and really like them.
Awesome, cheers for that. It sounds like I'll want to start with SPD's then! Off for a nosey!SLs are referred to as road pedals and have the cleat stuck on the sole of the shoe. the sole of the shoe is vey still and you cant walk in them.
SPDs have the cleat recessed into the sole so you can walk around in the shoes easily. people who like riding to places then wandering around prefer SPDs, you just cant walk further than 100m in SPD SLs without starting to damage you feet or the exposed cleats.
Both will improve pedaalling efficiency and technique. There are variants like Crank Brothers, Speedplay, Look etc but decide first if you want shoes you can wander round in off the bike.
I'd look at the DHB range from wiggle, I have their road and mtb shoes and really like them.
pablo said:
I'd look at the DHB range from wiggle, I have their road and mtb shoes and really like them.
FWIW I bought my first road shoes (can take SPD or SPD-SL but both stick out as per Pablos advice) from Wiggle, the cheapest in the DHB range. Flipping fantastic value for money IMO, well made, tough yet light and stiff, compared to my (more expensive MTB shoes)Lots of brand snobbery in cycling (well, like everything else really...) but DHB stuff seems to hold its head up, at least the shoes.
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