Buying a basic bike - advice?
4 watchers
Apr 2012
8:27pm, 15 Apr 2012
1,096 posts
|
Drell
I need a new bike. Pretty much all I know about bikes is that they have 2 wheels and gears and things. So I need advice (which I might then ignore). I will use it for cycling into town and back, a trip of around 4 - 5 miles, and for leisure rides which are currently up to around 10 - 12 miles, but could get longer if I had a better bike. It's flat round here, but I'm a wimp so want decent gears for when there are pimples in the landscape (my current 21 gears are easily enough, and no, I have no idea what ratios they are). I want to be able to have a rear rack, and possibly panniers, for the trips into town. My basic questions are probably: - what type of bike should I look at? hybrid, or something else? - what do I need to look out for in the way of features? (gears, brakes etc - obviously that they are present, but what else?) - any specific recommendations? I could imagine spending say £300, but I have no idea how much more (or less) you'd get for more (or less) money - any recommendations for shops in Cambridge? (there are enough of them...) - any particular pointers about how to ensure a good fit? (one of the problems with my current bike is that it's probably too small a frame) Thanks in advance for any pointers 
|
Apr 2012
8:37pm, 15 Apr 2012
3,400 posts
|
Kieren
I have a fixie - that is to say it's one gear and no free wheel. Perfect for London as there aren't many hills. This set up might not be for everyone but less gears are needed if you are in flat lands and also mean less to go wrong / less chain wear. I'm not an expert so listen to the TRI people who will chime in soon but I would say: 1. I have a racer - I love that the 23c (thin tyres) make it faster for the same effort but miss not being able to ride gravel trails and go over potholes. If I could do it again I would go with wider tyres like 28c or maybe slightly wider (my frame can't take these). 2. I like the racing type drop handlebars as they have lots of positions for my hands - much better than a flat bar. 3. Fit is really important -maybe youtube a video for the basics, then get fitted in a decent cycle shop. 4. You get more for your buck 2nd hand or end of season when the new models (basically colours) come out. 5. Don't forget to budget for locks, lights, accessories like a speedo, mudguards, etc 6. clipless pedals were the BEST addition to my cycling life ever! |
|
Apr 2012
8:39pm, 15 Apr 2012
3,401 posts
|
Kieren
Oh. I am not recommending a fixed gear bike, but I think loads of gears are over rated
|
|
Apr 2012
9:50pm, 15 Apr 2012
1,097 posts
|
Drell
thanks Kieren. Fixies seem a bit outre for me I think. And some of my cycling will be along towpaths, which although generally in pretty good nick are basically gravel or gravel-like, so the point about the tyres is a good one. And presumably we are now at the beginning of the season, so maybe I should hang on until the autumn... but instant gratification is so much more fun
|
Apr 2012
9:58pm, 15 Apr 2012
16,571 posts
|
hammerite
A hybrid sounds about right Drell. You can get a decent one for £3-400 with from the usual big name brands like Trek or Specialized. You can usually fit mudguards and panniers to hybrid if you wanted them.
|
Apr 2012
10:01pm, 15 Apr 2012
12,456 posts
|
JohnnyO
How much more could you spend? £300 is the point at which you start to get a real bike rather than a toy. You do get what you pay for, and bikes become much more enjoyable to ride the lighter they are and the better kit they are made with. It sounds like you want a fairly simple hybrid type thing- it would do for commutes and a bit of leisurely towpath. |
|
Apr 2012
10:02pm, 15 Apr 2012
1,098 posts
|
Drell
OK, I hadn't realised that mudguards were extra. Definitely something to be aware of. And I've never heard of Trek or Specialized, but will now look out for them. Any other brands to look for or to avoid? |
|
Apr 2012
10:07pm, 15 Apr 2012
16,572 posts
|
hammerite
Some bikes do come with mudguards included, but not many. Take a look at some of the brands here, they all make pretty good bikes: evanscycles.com |
Apr 2012
10:31pm, 15 Apr 2012
20 posts
|
Hertford Tiger
Huge subject you have opened here. I started riding again last year and whilst I wanted a new bike I didn't want to spend a fortune if I wasn't going to cycle much so I settled on a Carrera Crossfire. This is a Halfords brand, Halfords get a lot of stick but you do get a lot of bike for your money. The Carrera was ok and I have done up to 50 miles rides on it but I have just upgraded after a years experience. If you are cycling on road then 28mm tyres are the max I would go for, I like the numerous hand position of drop bars but dislike the ride position (I'm getting old) so I prefer flat bars with bar ends. Unless riding off road then front suspension is unnecessary. the number of gears is not that important as there is a lot of overlap between the ratios - it is the top and bottom gears that are important. - There is probably a whole thread somewhere here on gear ratios You have to budget for just about everything being extra - mudguards rack, bottle cage, pump, spare inner tube etc The big American brands all cater for this type of bike (Trek Giant Specialised) but Raleigh, Carrera, Claud Butler, Ridgeback, & Pinnacle are also good brands. I spent longer looking for my new bike than I did my new car! |
Apr 2012
10:36pm, 15 Apr 2012
7,286 posts
|
Stander
I'll be watching this thread with interest as it hopefully takes off. I brought crappy £200 Halfords mountian bike two years ago that barely gets used, but now I have changed jobs to being just up the road I will be looking to cycle to work more and getting something better. Again, I know bugger all about bikes. Two round things, brakes and you point and peddle. I happen to know though that to turn left you steer right. |
Related Threads
-
Bike Purchase Advice - Female Hybrid
Jun 2020
-
Need a bike £500 budget
Aug 2019
-
Need a new turbo
Nov 2016
-
Exercise bike
Sep 2021
-
Bike Help
Nov 2016
-
What bikes should I be looking at?
Jul 2012
-
Halfords and bike advice
Jun 2012
-
Window Shopping: Can you kit out a runner for £100
Dec 2023
-
Recommend me a running jacket please
Nov 2023
-
Recommend me a running watch
May 2023
