My advice to newbies.
- Thread starter andyfromotley
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Hey all,
Can someone be so kind as to post some info on bike maintenance???
I really enjoyed reading this post (especially as it seems my first bike is a ferrari) but i now have a ferrari that i don't want to turn into an old banger.
I'm not looking to become a mechanical genius (yet), i just want some advice on things i can self service, how often (and how) and things i should get done at my LBS and how often??
I guess most of this will be as an when required but are there things i should be doing regularly??
Thanks. Spin.
Can someone be so kind as to post some info on bike maintenance???
I really enjoyed reading this post (especially as it seems my first bike is a ferrari) but i now have a ferrari that i don't want to turn into an old banger.
I'm not looking to become a mechanical genius (yet), i just want some advice on things i can self service, how often (and how) and things i should get done at my LBS and how often??
I guess most of this will be as an when required but are there things i should be doing regularly??
Thanks. Spin.
smokie36
New Member
- Location
- Frome, Somerset
Hi,
first post here so bear with me...(and apologies for the longish post)
Pretty good initial advice in this thread but I'm still a bit confused. I think probably stems from different people using different definitions.
I've got a 4/5 year old Saracen 'comfort bike'. Basically a mountain bike with less knobbly tyres, front suspension and suspension on the saddle. Brilliant bike for taking the kids down cycle paths, tow paths etc. And I want to keep it. But its a bit heavy and slow on the road - on the flat I can get it up to maybe 15mph but thats about it. As I've been bitten by the cycling bug this year and want to go on longer rides and generally build up my fitness I want to get another bike that's more appropriate.
Living in the Bristol area there are a few LBS and I've visited some. What I want is a bike which will handle itself well on the road and more importantly allow me to keep up a decent pace on longer rides (looking to do the round the IoW ride in a couple of weeks and then aim to go on 20/30 mile rides regularly), with a budget of £400. One LBS told me to just spend the £400 getting new wheels, gears etc on my Saracen, one suggested a racing bike with drop handles and another is adamant I want a hybrid...so I'm at a bit of a loss!
I've now got a 'Giant' catalogue and quite frankly thats left me even more confused - they have Road bikes (Competition, Performance, Fitness*), Lifestyle bikes (Communting*, Comfort) and Hybrids (which seem to be some kind of electric-bike?). My feeling is that I want one of the two I've asterixed but to be honest I'm not 100% sure. Get the right one and I'll probably end up a cycling nut. Get the wrong one and I'll go on it for a couple of weeks and then give up.
first post here so bear with me...(and apologies for the longish post)
Pretty good initial advice in this thread but I'm still a bit confused. I think probably stems from different people using different definitions.
I've got a 4/5 year old Saracen 'comfort bike'. Basically a mountain bike with less knobbly tyres, front suspension and suspension on the saddle. Brilliant bike for taking the kids down cycle paths, tow paths etc. And I want to keep it. But its a bit heavy and slow on the road - on the flat I can get it up to maybe 15mph but thats about it. As I've been bitten by the cycling bug this year and want to go on longer rides and generally build up my fitness I want to get another bike that's more appropriate.
Living in the Bristol area there are a few LBS and I've visited some. What I want is a bike which will handle itself well on the road and more importantly allow me to keep up a decent pace on longer rides (looking to do the round the IoW ride in a couple of weeks and then aim to go on 20/30 mile rides regularly), with a budget of £400. One LBS told me to just spend the £400 getting new wheels, gears etc on my Saracen, one suggested a racing bike with drop handles and another is adamant I want a hybrid...so I'm at a bit of a loss!
I've now got a 'Giant' catalogue and quite frankly thats left me even more confused - they have Road bikes (Competition, Performance, Fitness*), Lifestyle bikes (Communting*, Comfort) and Hybrids (which seem to be some kind of electric-bike?). My feeling is that I want one of the two I've asterixed but to be honest I'm not 100% sure. Get the right one and I'll probably end up a cycling nut. Get the wrong one and I'll go on it for a couple of weeks and then give up.
stoatsngroats
Legendary Member
- Location
- South East
smokie36 said:
Hi mate, welcome to CC...
smokie36 said:
This bit says 'roadbike' to me - many others will disagree....
smokie36 said:
Many others available tho'.....and getting the right bike will allow many makes to satisfy these needs....
My advice would be definately to test ride some from local LBS's, you'll build up a personal relationship which might last a long while, and guage what bike will suit you.
If you've been on you current bike for a while, and are looking to get a bit more serious, I think you've already got the bug.......take a test ride or 2, then come back and tell us what you think...
First time caller and was really pleased to see this thread straight away!
Basically, I'm a lazy buyer and would be quite content to pop down to Halfords and pay the £159.99 for the Glide
I could stretch my pennies to about £250 really, but am always tempted byt something that is half price. I am after a mountain bike, but will mainly using it on roads.
Basically, I'm a lazy buyer and would be quite content to pop down to Halfords and pay the £159.99 for the Glide
I could stretch my pennies to about £250 really, but am always tempted byt something that is half price. I am after a mountain bike, but will mainly using it on roads.
smokie36
New Member
- Location
- Frome, Somerset
stoatsngroats said:Hi mate, welcome to CC...
This bit says 'roadbike' to me - many others will disagree....
Many others available tho'.....and getting the right bike will allow many makes to satisfy these needs....
My advice would be definately to test ride some from local LBS's, you'll build up a personal relationship which might last a long while, and guage what bike will suit you.
If you've been on you current bike for a while, and are looking to get a bit more serious, I think you've already got the bug.......take a test ride or 2, then come back and tell us what you think...
I tried a few bikes down at the local Evans - initially preferred the hybrids as I found the road bikes a bit too 'twitchy'. Left it for a while and popped into hal**rds and tried a gryphon (flat bar road bike). Loved it and ended up buying it. It got me round the IoW at the weekend so its done the first job I wanted it for!
I know that it won't last me a lifetime but it should do for a couple of years until I get a better understanding of just how I'm going to use the bike and I can save up for something better.
stoatsngroats
Legendary Member
- Location
- South East
smokie36 said:
fitzgerald19
New Member
thank you for your advice!
edwina pentelow
New Member
I went to my local bike shop and like you said they were really helpful didnt try to flog the most expensive bike and did ask lots of questions. They were great.
Richardsons of Leigh on sea Essex. Really nice guys. No connection.
Got a great bike just love it.
not an essex lady.
Irish
Richardsons of Leigh on sea Essex. Really nice guys. No connection.
Got a great bike just love it.
not an essex lady.
Irish
OP
OP
andyfromotley
New Member
- Location
- Otley, west yorks
hi edwina,
welcome, but dont tease........ what bike did ya get?????!
andy
welcome, but dont tease........ what bike did ya get?????!
andy
as I am in the process of getting a new bike through C2W scheme.
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
Before you think of buying a cheap bike read this and avoid the Bike Shaped Object (BSO), they really aren't worth buying...
Horsfall
New Member
- Location
- Dagenham, London
Some good info here for newbies like myself
