My advice to newbies.

[Bearonabike]

And a word from a newbie to all newbies, once you have made your mind up what type of bike you want (and I thought the article at the top of this thread was superb, thanks) remember that all the manufacturers are fighting over the same piece of market and price point. I spent ages looking at what bike to buy and looking at all the different specs. I can conclude that what one manufacturer gives you in one area they take away from another, they have to build to a price, whatever that price is. I was working to a £650 top budget for a road bike, not much and very much entry level. I was given a great piece of advice that is echoed on every forum and review I read, buy what fits you best and you are most comfortable on. The specs will vary, but I said, especially at my price point, what one gives the others take away, so dont get too hung up on it. If you are a newbie it is unlikely you will notice a huge difference to the finer details, you will however notice a huge difference to how the bikes feel when you ride them. It's a bit like learning to drive and looking at the specs of a Ferrari and a Porsche when really you havent even driven a Fiesta yet!!!! Remember this is aimed at newbies, so dont shoot me down just yet!!!! It's how I felt. So I went and rode a load of bikes. I had read rave reviews on so many bikes (call me cynical, but,whose paying the journos?) Giant, Trek, Boardman, Specialized etc and done all the comparisons from an armchair, but when I rode them there was only one bike for me, it just felt right and I knew I would want to get it out everyday and ride it, it was how it felt. I am 6ft 2 tall and weigh 16 stone am 43 and have played rugby all my life and only ever ridden old mountain bikes and the like when I couldnt go running due to injuries, so what did I know about road/racing bikes, nothing! Ride the bikes, all good LBS will be happy for you to do this (in my experience anyway) and go with whatever bike you know you will want to jump on and ride because it feels good. I am sure as experience groes I will decide on all the upgrades and bits and pieces that I want to change, but right now, I am just enjoying riding my bike, staying fit and embarking on charity rides because the bike feels good to me! I bought the Spesh Allez Sport 18, but that doesnt mean you will, it just suited me. Hope that helps, maybe, maybe not, but it was my experience on getting into cycling now the kness and back have finally said that getting clattered around a rugby pitch every Saturday is for thos a tadge younger than me! Happy cycling and enjoy, above all, enjoy.

 

[Bearonabike]

Forgot to say, about the Halfords thing, took my old mountain bike to Halfords for a service, loads done, but assured all was fine, took the bike outside to ride it home........back wheel fell off!!!!!!!!! What can I say

 

[Bearonabike]

And a word from a newbie to all newbies, once you have made your mind up what type of bike you want (and I thought the article at the top of this thread was superb, thanks) remember that all the manufacturers are fighting over the same piece of market and price point. I spent ages looking at what bike to buy and looking at all the different specs. I can conclude that what one manufacturer gives you in one area they take away from another, they have to build to a price, whatever that price is. I was working to a £650 top budget for a road bike, not much and very much entry level. I was given a great piece of advice that is echoed on every forum and review I read, buy what fits you best and you are most comfortable on. The specs will vary, but I said, especially at my price point, what one gives the others take away, so dont get too hung up on it. If you are a newbie it is unlikely you will notice a huge difference to the finer details, you will however notice a huge difference to how the bikes feel when you ride them. It's a bit like learning to drive and looking at the specs of a Ferrari and a Porsche when really you havent even driven a Fiesta yet!!!! Remember this is aimed at newbies, so dont shoot me down just yet!!!! It's how I felt. So I went and rode a load of bikes. I had read rave reviews on so many bikes (call me cynical, but,whose paying the journos?) Giant, Trek, Boardman, Specialized etc and done all the comparisons from an armchair, but when I rode them there was only one bike for me, it just felt right and I knew I would want to get it out everyday and ride it, it was how it felt. I am 6ft 2 tall and weigh 16 stone am 43 and have played rugby all my life and only ever ridden old mountain bikes and the like when I couldnt go running due to injuries, so what did I know about road/racing bikes, nothing! Ride the bikes, all good LBS will be happy for you to do this (in my experience anyway) and go with whatever bike you know you will want to jump on and ride because it feels good. I am sure as experience groes I will decide on all the upgrades and bits and pieces that I want to change, but right now, I am just enjoying riding my bike, staying fit and embarking on charity rides because the bike feels good to me! I bought the Spesh Allez Sport 18, but that doesnt mean you will, it just suited me. Hope that helps, maybe, maybe not, but it was my experience on getting into cycling now the kness and back have finally said that getting clattered around a rugby pitch every Saturday is for thos a tadge younger than me! Happy cycling and enjoy, above all, enjoy.

 

[rhys]

great advice andy, really helping me out to find the right bike for me, cant wait to purchase! great website by the way

 

[Jodami84]

was in the process of posting the yet another "what bike to buy" thread when i saw this. Bloody excellent info and ideal for a complete beginner like myself. Looking forward to getting down to the local bike shop.

Anyone familiar with Trek bikes. Seems my local shop specialises in them Chevin Cycles its called

 

[Rhythm Thief]

was in the process of posting the yet another "what bike to buy" thread when i saw this. Bloody excellent info and ideal for a complete beginner like myself. Looking forward to getting down to the local bike shop.

Anyone familiar with Trek bikes. Seems my local shop specialises in them Chevin Cycles its called

Ah, another Otley lad. My first bike (a Dawes Kingpin) was from Chevin Cycles, way back in the late 1970s.
I don't know much about Trek bikes, but my dad bought one from Chevin Cycles and was very pleased with the service and the bike. They're pretty helpful in there.

 

[Bilboben]

Re Halfords interestingly Jessops get the same sort of barage of critique on photography forums. Appropriate I think for those just starting out. Easy victims for those enthused by their developed and higher level of knowledge. Shop at your level if you keep at it you will naturally rise up through the levels if you can afford to!!

 

[mrboio]

Just wanted to say that this post answered a lot of my questions - and I did buy from Halfords about 12 years ago - and they did not ask me the first question that was asked by my local bike shop: what are you using the bike for? Seems to me this is a pretty important question. I can't have an opinion about the bikes, as I bought a Raleigh mountain bike and still use it. The big difference for me was customer service and knowledge.

We are planning a cycle trip to and across France. I'm beginning to think the Raleigh is a bit heavy for this. Reading all of the posts here, it seems best thing to do is to try things out and keep searching. Local bike shop keen to sell me a Ridgeback, but the Bianchi's look superb. Limited choice but great shop.

If anything, my question is - any reason to avoid either of these makes?

 

[andyfromotley]

Just wanted to say that this post answered a lot of my questions - and I did buy from Halfords about 12 years ago - and they did not ask me the first question that was asked by my local bike shop: what are you using the bike for? Seems to me this is a pretty important question. I can't have an opinion about the bikes, as I bought a Raleigh mountain bike and still use it. The big difference for me was customer service and knowledge.

We are planning a cycle trip to and across France. I'm beginning to think the Raleigh is a bit heavy for this. Reading all of the posts here, it seems best thing to do is to try things out and keep searching. Local bike shop keen to sell me a Ridgeback, but the Bianchi's look superb. Limited choice but great shop.

If anything, my question is - any reason to avoid either of these makes?

Nope both are fine, bianchi's are very highly regarded but that doesnt mean that the ridgeback isnt right for you.

 

[madm00se]

Great post, i've just bought a new bike from Edinburgh bike co-op, their revolution triad 2 (although it's stickered up wrong, as the 1-but it's got all the right components for the 2!) and snip of a price as in the sale. ALSO i'm dead chuffed as it got the best review in one of the mountain bike mags this yr!

 

[Dom85]

Excellent post, and interesting, apparently I'm looking for a Golf GTi, and my car is a Golf!

I ventured into the local bike shop on Friday and they were brilliant, now I just to save up my pennies as I've fallen for the ladies Marrin Redwood.

 

[debeast]

Thanks for the FAQ :-)

 

[chewy]

This has been really helpful so thanks.
But I drive a 406 hdi! Like a gti or a volvo though.

 

[Scotmitchy]

[QUOTE 280773"]
Excelent OP.

However, my one comment.

Maybe instead of comparing cycles to cars you could compare them to musical genres, for those (like me) who know nothing about cars.

So, for example:

Full Sus MTB from Halfords: Pub Heavy Metal Band where the blokes are all over 50.

Full Sus MTB (expensive): Heavy Metal Band (Def Leppard)

Top of the range Road Bike: Prog Rock

Middle of the road Road Bike: MOR

Tourer: New Wave agit-pop

Hybrid: Folk

Fixed wheel: (medium model off the peg): Designer thrash pop e.g. Jesus and the Mary Chain

Fixed Wheel: (top of the range model off the peg): Duran Duran type new wave (sorry)

Fixed Wheel: (built and tailor-made): Art Rock wannabees

Rust bucket: Juke Box pot luck

(I'll get my coat)
[/quote]


LOL I have just bought a hybrid. I occasionally sing with a folk group, so this made me laugh out loud.

 

[chewy]

So I've spent the working day thinking and re-thinking what I'm after, and keep comming back to this little guide!

Have finally decided that I'm after a town/touring type effort! Something I can use for a Saturday morning drash, but also something I can bang a pannier on and use to pop to the shops with (this will help get more money for the bike past the wife I hope!!! ), not to mention when I'm on kid minding duty!

So any ideas?!!!!! was looking at a Kona smoke on t'internet and that seems along the lines of what i'm after. Budget at the moment is no more than £400. (I get a feeling tht I shall end up buying a Racer next year at alot more money - I will probably get caught up in all this!!!!) Wouldn't sniff at second hand either!


I know that this is all a bit open ended, but Im gratefull for any advice/ideas you can give me!!!!!!!please!!!!!