Advice for an unfit & nervous newbie!

[dst87]

Yes, it makes the bike more like one with a rigid fork

Evans have a bunch of similar bikes, you could look at, eg from £400-700 odd. The specialized looks decent in the blue. Hydraulic disc brakes are preferable to mechanical, but depends on budget

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/hybrid-bikes/f/unisex/hardtail#!Wheel Size=700c Wheel!price_to=740;sort=popularity;price_from=480

Thanks for that... though there was me thinking I preferred the Specialized in grey!

The search criteria you've selected gives me a way of narrowing down what to ask for in the store.

 

[vickster]

I don't do grey or black bikes

 

[Fubar]

Hi @dst87 you've received lots of good and postive advice which I can only echo - from experience around 5 years ago I "inherited" a mountain bike and thought I doing brilliant if I did 5 miles round our estate! I used to ride on cycle tracks locally but got fed up having to avoid dogs, kids, prams, horses, bricks - and neds throwing bricks, dogs, prams, horses, etc so decided the road was safer. A road bike naturally followed, then another, then another... (all essential and serving different purposes, obviously ) I'll now quite happily ride 100k on a weekend morning, so it CAN be done!

Couple of things: if you are on Weight Watchers ensure than you are getting enough carbs for the upturn in exercise - nothing worse than a "bonk" on the bike (not what you think it is, look it up)

whatever bike you choose you will soon be coveting another, for an entirely different purpose (going uphill, going downhill, going faster, going lumpier, etc etc) so expect that whatever you choose now may not suit you in a years' time - that's ok, you're into N+1 territory (look that up too...)

Oh and when you get your new bike and see how shiny it is you'll want to take it to bed with you and you'll be horrified for ever thinking you could leave it in the garden.

Ok that was 3 things so I'll shut up now! All the best, hopefully see you on a ride sometime. Cheers, Mark

 

[BrianEvesham]

Whatever you choose, remember;

 

[ScotiaLass]

Hi @dst87 you've received lots of good and postive advice which I can only echo - from experience around 5 years ago I "inherited" a mountain bike and thought I doing brilliant if I did 5 miles round our estate! I used to ride on cycle tracks locally but got fed up having to avoid dogs, kids, prams, horses, bricks - and neds throwing bricks, dogs, prams, horses, etc so decided the road was safer. A road bike naturally followed, then another, then another... (all essential and serving different purposes, obviously ) I'll now quite happily ride 100k on a weekend morning, so it CAN be done!

Couple of things: if you are on Weight Watchers ensure than you are getting enough carbs for the upturn in exercise - nothing worse than a "bonk" on the bike (not what you think it is, look it up)

whatever bike you choose you will soon be coveting another, for an entirely different purpose (going uphill, going downhill, going faster, going lumpier, etc etc) so expect that whatever you choose now may not suit you in a years' time - that's ok, you're into N+1 territory (look that up too...)

Oh and when you get your new bike and see how shiny it is you'll want to take it to bed with you and you'll be horrified for ever thinking you could leave it in the garden.

Ok that was 3 things so I'll shut up now! All the best, hopefully see you on a ride sometime. Cheers, Mark

 

[Saluki]

There is no known cure for cycle addiction. Just saying.
N+1 helps though.

 

[ScotiaLass]

...
Other than that I'll definitely look at getting some cycling short. I didn't know you could wear them under regular shorts, so that's a nice idea. It'll make me feel more comfortable and allow the rest of Falkirk to hold on to their lunch!

I like Tenn stuff...
http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/mens-coolflo-padded-boxer-shorts-cycling-undershorts--blackgrey--sml

You can get cheap stuff in Sports Direct at the retail park....I wear the women ¾ longs the most, or wear the Tenn undershorts with my baggy MTB shorts on top.
Don't worry, Falkirk sees me in lycra on a regular basis - I've stopped worrying about scaring the local wildlife - it's too comfy to bother about what I look like

 

[dst87]

There is no known cure for cycle addiction. Just saying.
N+1 helps though.

I keep hearing about this N+1 business... I'm worried that if this takes hold in a few years I'll have a stupidly large collection of cycles in my house!

I like Tenn stuff...
http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/mens-coolflo-padded-boxer-shorts-cycling-undershorts--blackgrey--sml

You can get cheap stuff in Sports Direct at the retail park....I wear the women ¾ longs the most, or wear the Tenn undershorts with my baggy MTB shorts on top.
Don't worry, Falkirk sees me in lycra on a regular basis - I've stopped worrying about scaring the local wildlife - it's too comfy to bother about what I look like

Noted! Thanks again! I'll definitely look for some decent cycling shorts/boxers/whatever!

Very tempted to take a trip to Braehead tomorrow and have a chat. I'm raring to go now!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I keep hearing about this N+1 business... I'm worried that if this takes hold in a few years I'll have a stupidly large collection of cycles in my house!

It is a certainty, no use worrying about it

 

[flake99please]

If you're considering a hybrid, then I would certainly give some consideration to getting a cyclocross bike instead. I'm free most afternoons if you would like some 'non salesman' advise on any bike bought in Evans (edinburgh). I would happily escort you to/from both train stations if you wish too.

Feel free to PM me if you would like any help.

 

[raleighnut]

I keep hearing about this N+1 business... I'm worried that if this takes hold in a few years I'll have a stupidly large collection of cycles in my house!



Noted! Thanks again! I'll definitely look for some decent cycling shorts/boxers/whatever!

Very tempted to take a trip to Braehead tomorrow and have a chat. I'm raring to go now!

The 'expense' of a suspension fork tends to be 'clawed back' by fitting cheaper bits elsewhere on the bike, I'd just avoid suspension.

 

[fimm]

If you can, I'd suggest you put aside a bit of your budget for some basic tools - a multitool, some tyre levers, puncure repair kit (and a couple of spare tubes (the easiest way to fix a puncture when out and about is simply to change the tube)), a small pump to take with you, and a track pump (this is the kind of pump that stands on the floor and has a handle that goes up and down - it makes pumping tyres much easier).

Edit: if you haven't spotted this part of the forum yet: https://www.cyclechat.net/forums/helmet-headphone-debates.19/ that's the one to read before you ask questions that have already been asked...

 

[dst87]

If you can, I'd suggest you put aside a bit of your budget for some basic tools - a multitool, some tyre levers, puncure repair kit (and a couple of spare tubes (the easiest way to fix a puncture when out and about is simply to change the tube)), a small pump to take with you, and a track pump (this is the kind of pump that stands on the floor and has a handle that goes up and down - it makes pumping tyres much easier).

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely look to get some tools for maintenance. I've taken up the offer of @Pat "5mph" and @ScotiaLass to come help me, so hopefully they'll keep me right, but what sort of ballpark amount are you talking for the items mentioned? £50? £100? more? Just roughly so I have some idea.

Your post also alerts me to the fact that I'll probably have to learn how to... you know... maintain/fix parts of my bike! Unlike 12 year old me, I won't have my Dad to put the chain back on my bike or fix a punctured tyre! I noticed there's a maintenance sub-forum on here and I'm sure there are lots of useful YouTube videos that will help me out here.

 

[fimm]

I've had a quick look at Evens' website, and get £15-£20 for a track pump, £10-£15 for a mini pump, £10 for a multi tool and some tyre levers, tubes seem to be about £5, couple of quid for a repair kit, so £50 ballpark... you don't absolutely need a track pump but I'd put it on the list of things to get sometime even if you don't get it straight away. I'd add a little saddlebag like this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/basic-seat-pack-ec026717 to keep your puncture repair kit on the bike.

I understand YouTube is good for videos. Pat and ScotiaLass can show you how to get a tyre on and off again! I'd practice that sometime when you are warm and dry and in your own space, so that you are confident doing it in the rain!

 

[raleighnut]

^^^^^^+1