Getting Started
Discussion
hello im just in the process of looking into getting a road bike. I have a friend who is training for the 2012 games and he's asked me to do some cycling with him around the uk and across europe etc, im 20 so not to old. I use to bike a lot but more mountain stuff and i exercise every day for a few hours. So its not really to get fit just a different form of work out and it gets me out the house which will be nice in the coming months.
Iv been wanting to get into road cycling for years now, but never had the time or spare cash to spend on a bike.
luckily im in a situation where i have a fair amount of disposable income to spend on a bike and now that i have a friend who wants to do it to it has pushed me to start looking.
i know nothing about road bikes, i know there expensive so i have budgeted 800-1800 for the bike and a bit more for the clothes etc.
im just here really to ask what bike is a good starting platform?
ill be cycling every day minimum of 20k i run 5 miles a day at the moment so ill substitute this for cycling as ill cycling to my girl friends house most nights saving me petrol.
is it hard to get into? i know the seat will be hard to get use to. im just over 6ft aswell and not a typical cyclist build very broad across the upper body so will i struggle?
also i would like to get to the stage of competition so what amount of cycling will i need to start doing to get fit enough for this type of thing?
thanks for your help
Iv been wanting to get into road cycling for years now, but never had the time or spare cash to spend on a bike.
luckily im in a situation where i have a fair amount of disposable income to spend on a bike and now that i have a friend who wants to do it to it has pushed me to start looking.
i know nothing about road bikes, i know there expensive so i have budgeted 800-1800 for the bike and a bit more for the clothes etc.
im just here really to ask what bike is a good starting platform?
ill be cycling every day minimum of 20k i run 5 miles a day at the moment so ill substitute this for cycling as ill cycling to my girl friends house most nights saving me petrol.
is it hard to get into? i know the seat will be hard to get use to. im just over 6ft aswell and not a typical cyclist build very broad across the upper body so will i struggle?
also i would like to get to the stage of competition so what amount of cycling will i need to start doing to get fit enough for this type of thing?
thanks for your help
chowiekid said:
hello im just in the process of looking into getting a road bike. I have a friend who is training for the 2012 games and he's asked me to do some cycling with him around the uk and across europe etc, im 20 so not to old. I use to bike a lot but more mountain stuff and i exercise every day for a few hours. So its not really to get fit just a different form of work out and it gets me out the house which will be nice in the coming months.
Iv been wanting to get into road cycling for years now, but never had the time or spare cash to spend on a bike.
luckily im in a situation where i have a fair amount of disposable income to spend on a bike and now that i have a friend who wants to do it to it has pushed me to start looking.
i know nothing about road bikes, i know there expensive so i have budgeted 800-1800 for the bike and a bit more for the clothes etc.
im just here really to ask what bike is a good starting platform?
ill be cycling every day minimum of 20k i run 5 miles a day at the moment so ill substitute this for cycling as ill cycling to my girl friends house most nights saving me petrol.
is it hard to get into? i know the seat will be hard to get use to. im just over 6ft aswell and not a typical cyclist build very broad across the upper body so will i struggle?
also i would like to get to the stage of competition so what amount of cycling will i need to start doing to get fit enough for this type of thing?
thanks for your help
is this for real? a mate just happens to be training for the olympics in 2012 and wants someone to go around the UK and europe with him, does he not do this already in a big group of say 100 other people all dressed in colourful lycra calling themselves a peloton....is he called Mark or Bradley, maybe Geriant or Jamie?....Iv been wanting to get into road cycling for years now, but never had the time or spare cash to spend on a bike.
luckily im in a situation where i have a fair amount of disposable income to spend on a bike and now that i have a friend who wants to do it to it has pushed me to start looking.
i know nothing about road bikes, i know there expensive so i have budgeted 800-1800 for the bike and a bit more for the clothes etc.
im just here really to ask what bike is a good starting platform?
ill be cycling every day minimum of 20k i run 5 miles a day at the moment so ill substitute this for cycling as ill cycling to my girl friends house most nights saving me petrol.
is it hard to get into? i know the seat will be hard to get use to. im just over 6ft aswell and not a typical cyclist build very broad across the upper body so will i struggle?
also i would like to get to the stage of competition so what amount of cycling will i need to start doing to get fit enough for this type of thing?
thanks for your help
to be honest, i would ask your mate, if he really is training for 2012, then he should have enough knowledge to sort you out. there are a million bikes around between the price range you quote and i cant be bothered to name them all.
as for racing, there are different categories dependant upon experience and previous results if relevant. enter a few time trials first and then go for some cat 4 races. the british cycling website is very helpful. Give Brad/Mark/Geriant/Jason my regards....
hullbilly said:
excellent response 
i'll get my coatseriously though, speak to lots of people, at the top end of that price range you are getting to the point where some bikes are far more suited to different types of riding and rider than others. eg, some are fast and whippy which are more suited to climbers and the scrawny buggers, others have beefed up rear triangles for the power guys.
i'm hung up on Ridleys at the moment so thats where i would start looking but there are great deals around, try Moda, Basso, Focus...
lol sorry i probably should have mentioned his sport, reading back through i can see where your comment came from...
im going to take a visit into milton Keynes on sat or sunday and ask in a well known bike shop, they will hopefully point me in the right direction.
i have been pointed in the direction of some bike brands but road bikes is something i know very little about and dont want to spend a small fortune on something worthless or that i wont get on with.
im going to take a visit into milton Keynes on sat or sunday and ask in a well known bike shop, they will hopefully point me in the right direction.
i have been pointed in the direction of some bike brands but road bikes is something i know very little about and dont want to spend a small fortune on something worthless or that i wont get on with.
Something to bare in mind is that you should set aside at least £250 for decent shoes, shorts and a helmet, roughly £80 for each. They're the most important bits of kit so don't go for anything basic.
Bike wise I'd suggest you go to a couple of good independent shops and see what they say suits you, although set a limit on what you want to spend otherwise you'll leave with a very light wallet! There's no point getting any ideas about buying a particular brand or frame material as there's really very little difference at any price point, most bikes are as good as any other for the same cost.
Bike wise I'd suggest you go to a couple of good independent shops and see what they say suits you, although set a limit on what you want to spend otherwise you'll leave with a very light wallet! There's no point getting any ideas about buying a particular brand or frame material as there's really very little difference at any price point, most bikes are as good as any other for the same cost.
Pick up this months cycling plus for some good pointers - they have a bike of the year supplement in it and the budget is pretty much bang on what your looking at.
Something with SRAM Force and a decent set of wheels would be a good starting point with your budget, would be inclined to have a look and see what is available from last years ranges going with a decent discount. If you find a shop that will include a fitting service thats going to help too.
If your planning on taking this up long term then maybe do what i did and buy a titanium bike and upgrade it as you improve and funds allow. They weigh in a little heavier than carbon / alu but are nigh on indestructible. Mine is now a serious "Triggers broom", literally the frame is the only thing that remains from the moment i collected it from the shop and i love it to bits as its now exactly the bike i want, plus when i wash it it still looks new.
Enjoy looking!
Something with SRAM Force and a decent set of wheels would be a good starting point with your budget, would be inclined to have a look and see what is available from last years ranges going with a decent discount. If you find a shop that will include a fitting service thats going to help too.
If your planning on taking this up long term then maybe do what i did and buy a titanium bike and upgrade it as you improve and funds allow. They weigh in a little heavier than carbon / alu but are nigh on indestructible. Mine is now a serious "Triggers broom", literally the frame is the only thing that remains from the moment i collected it from the shop and i love it to bits as its now exactly the bike i want, plus when i wash it it still looks new.
Enjoy looking!
As a very rough guide, £1,200 is a "fair" Aluminium bike. £1,800 is a "fair" Carbon bike or a "good" Aluminium bike.
For the Shimano components, 105 is "fair", Ultegra is "good" and Dura Ace is "very good". For what you're describing you'll probably put a lot of work through the drive train, so you wouldn't want to have less than Shimano 105 or the equivalent. (Do a search, people have lined up the alternatives before.)
As a guide, I got a Shimano 105 equipped bike with good wheels for £750 in 2004. (Reduced from £1,000.) I'm currently replacing it roughly like for like, and it is costing me £1,275 for the bike, and I'll spend another £200 or so on good quality wheels. I'm 6'8", and was 95kg when I bought the bike as a dedicated rower, and am about 115kg now as a dedicated ex-rower. I did 3,000 miles on it last year, and aside from wheel woes as I learned about replacements, it has worn pretty well.
I'm saving up for an all singing, all dancing Titanium jobbie on Ultegra components though. Don't tell the missus.
For the Shimano components, 105 is "fair", Ultegra is "good" and Dura Ace is "very good". For what you're describing you'll probably put a lot of work through the drive train, so you wouldn't want to have less than Shimano 105 or the equivalent. (Do a search, people have lined up the alternatives before.)
As a guide, I got a Shimano 105 equipped bike with good wheels for £750 in 2004. (Reduced from £1,000.) I'm currently replacing it roughly like for like, and it is costing me £1,275 for the bike, and I'll spend another £200 or so on good quality wheels. I'm 6'8", and was 95kg when I bought the bike as a dedicated rower, and am about 115kg now as a dedicated ex-rower.
I did 3,000 miles on it last year, and aside from wheel woes as I learned about replacements, it has worn pretty well.I'm saving up for an all singing, all dancing Titanium jobbie on Ultegra components though. Don't tell the missus.
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