looking to cycle my way slim which bike

[twosquarewheels]

The Btwin is Decathlons own brand, get yourself up to the Merry Hill tomorrow, they open at 11am and have a look at what they have to offer. Halfords is down outside the main shopping centre so you can look at the Carrera, Boardmans, Gts etc.

 

[Rezillo]

I have been following this thread, as I also need to cycle myself thin. (to lose about three stone).

I would not want to spend two lots of £300 approx inside two years.
Would it be better to get a second hand hybrid, as I know somewhere to get second hand, serviced, roadworthy bikes, which you can return within one month if they are not right. Then save up for a "better" ie lighter bike?

£250 for a years use that shifts your weight and adds years to your life for around four pounds a week is a bargain. Actually, it's less than that because if you move upmarket, you can sell your old bike - I had no problems selling my Subway 1.

Yes, you can go secondhand but I can assure you that whatever bike you buy now, if you stick with it, in a year's time you will want a different one. It is then that you can start making a serious financial commitment because you'll have a much clearer idea of just what type of cycling you will want to continue with.

When I started out, I had an idea of doing a mix of off-road and on-road biking. Well, I've never done any off-road biking since and I'll probably never will. If I had spent a lot of money on what looked to be a suitable bike at the outset then I would have wasted it. As it was, 250 quid on the Subway got me hooked. At the time I thought that was a lot of money for a bike but you soon realise it's an entry level price and for the benefits it brings you, it's really peanuts.

If you're looking to lose three stone, you'll spend more than that on new clothes - it doesn't take long for it to sink in that there is not one set of clothes for your current weight and one for your goal weight - you'll have at least a couple of changes in between as well. That will be everything - coats, jackets, shirts, trousers the lot. For my four stone, I even went down two shoe sizes as my flat feet got their arches back.

John

 

[Speicher]

I agree Rezillo that whatever bike I purchase now, I would probably want a different one in twelve months, according the the terrain I prefer. I think I should get cycling somehow, and in twelve months I would know what sort of bike to purchase.

As for clothes, I have kept the ones that are now too small , and as they are not fashionable items, they should still be wearable as I reduce in size. Therefore the money I would have spent on clothes, could be spent on a bicycle.

I will keep an eagle eye out for a second hand Subway.

 

[eldudino]

I agree Rezillo that whatever bike I purchase now, I would probably want a different one in twelve months, according the the terrain I prefer. I think I should get cycling somehow, and in twelve months I would know what sort of bike to purchase.

As for clothes, I have kept the ones that are now too small , and as they are not fashionable items, they should still be wearable as I reduce in size. Therefore the money I would have spent on clothes, could be spent on a bicycle.

I will keep an eagle eye out for a second hand Subway.

Looking again at Rezillo and your conv. I think that's probably the best idea. I've had my Trek for 2 years now and though I love it, I really want a road bike so maybe my response was a tad biased! My bike is quite similar to the subway, though having ridden one, the Trek is a bit lighter. From what I've seen, sport hybrids tend to have a more focussed riding position though I do admit I had to change it for a more relaxed one however I'm now going back to the original - all weight on the front end riding position as I get fitter. To be honest as a bike that can do most things, including some light off-roading and long on-road rides, a sportier hybrid is the way I'd go again.

Unless I had enough money for a Colnago!!!

 

[Rezillo]

As for clothes, I have kept the ones that are now too small , and as they are not fashionable items, they should still be wearable as I reduce in size.

If I had kept my old clothes, I could now get a walk-on part in Ashes to Ashes

John

 

[vernon]

Hi All

New to cycling. I am 19 stone at the moment 42 years old. I am looking at a bike for weight loss and fitness. I have a budget of £150-£250 to spend. i will be mainly cycling on the road, Was thinking of hybrid. Any help would be very appreciated.

Cheers Paul

A hybrid or a similar configuration - street bikes; is a good idea for a first bike as they have low gearing the will ease the pain of your first hills.

If you hit it off with cycling, you'll probably want to change bikes within a year so I'd not be too hung up about getting things totally right first time round.

The Carrera Subway is a sound bike. My son had one before it was stolen. It's got bulletproof wheels and decent components. I think that it will meet your needs.

The Decathlon b'Twin Riverside 3, on first impression, looks like tremendous value for money. It comes with dynamo lighting, a rear rack and mudguards making the bike an all weather 24/7 machine for no additional expense.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/riverside-5-men-s-49820112/

 

[colessurfer]

hi paul

I am 43 and started cycling 4 weeks ago, I started at 16-7 and am now 15-9, I believe cycling helped but ditched kebab meat and ta chips and other fatty foods, Its boring to start with but it does motivate you when you get on the scales. I started slowly 9 mile rides that nearly killed me, now I do 16.5 miles very other night and yeserday did my second 30 miler this cycling is addictive you will lose weight but you have to control diet. hope this helps
dave

 

[Madcyclist]

I agree that the Decathlon Riverside looks a good purchase. I started riding again in June last year at 17st 4lbs I'm already down to 10st 7lbs. I started on a Giant SCR 3, 50 cm frame but after 750 uncomfortable miles purchased a Pearson Touche fixed gear road bike. If you intend to ride predominantly on road then I would suggest going for a road bike that that takes guards and rack with a compact treble chainring to give you granny gears to start with.

I started slowly for the first few months, building up from a couple of commuting days a week to everday. At the moment I can't get enough of it, I get withdrawal symptoms the minute a ride ends !!!

 

[Sittingduck]

I agree that the Decathlon Riverside looks a good purchase. I started riding again in June last year at 17st 4lbs I'm already down to 10st 7lbs. I started on a Giant SCR 3, 50 cm frame but after 750 uncomfortable miles purchased a Pearson Touche fixed gear road bike. If you intend to ride predominantly on road then I would suggest going for a road bike that that takes guards and rack with a compact treble chainring to give you granny gears to start with.

I started slowly for the first few months, building up from a couple of commuting days a week to everday. At the moment I can't get enough of it, I get withdrawal symptoms the minute a ride ends !!!

Respec
Have you altered your diet much Madcyclist? Thats some loss!

Well done,
SD