new cyclist looking for advice to get me started

[Norm]

I've got a lot of Tenn Outdoors kit and it's superb, IMO.

Their coffee jerseys (the Sprint is my preference and it is, literally, made from recycled coffee grounds) are great mid layers under either a Windblock (when dry) or Blaze (when wet). That works for me most of the time, with a base layer when it gets really cold.

And they've got a sale on at the moment, so the Blaze and Windblocks are £30 each and the long sleeved Sprint is just £12, which is fantastic value for a jersey which is so odour-resistant that I can wear it for 5 days without it needing a wash.

To work throughout the year, I've also got a sleeveless gilet (now £13) and arm warmers (£10) which are small enough to fit alongside spares and tools in a saddle pack, and a short sleeved Sprint jersey for those long, warm summer evenings which seem a million years away at the moment.

 

[redcard]

my thoughts exactly ,,for the hassle and poss dodgy surfaces ,,id stick to the main rd and just branch off as reqd

So, can you recommend a decent bike for this route?

This one: http://www.thomsonscycles.com/merida-matts-20d/ is within my budget, and the shop is just down the road. It's a bit garish, but nothing I can't handle!

 

[redcard]

I've got a lot of Tenn Outdoors kit and it's superb, IMO.

Their coffee jerseys (the Sprint is my preference and it is, literally, made from recycled coffee grounds) are great mid layers under either a Windblock (when dry) or Blaze (when wet). That works for me most of the time, with a base layer when it gets really cold.

And they've got a sale on at the moment, so the Blaze and Windblocks are £30 each and the long sleeved Sprint is just £12, which is fantastic value for a jersey which is so odour-resistant that I can wear it for 5 days without it needing a wash.

To work throughout the year, I've also got a sleeveless gilet (now £13) and arm warmers (£10) which are small enough to fit alongside spares and tools in a saddle pack, and a short sleeved Sprint jersey for those long, warm summer evenings which seem a million years away at the moment.

Good call. There seems to be quite a few places offering clothing at (allegedly) massive discounts so it's hard to tell what the good stuff is.

 

[jim55]

i dont think ud need that ,,its got suspension and itd b really not suitable ,,for the money this is right up there and its ver well rated on here
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html
its a wee bit less money and a far better more suited bike ,,this is the direction u wana go in

 

[redcard]

i dont think ud need that ,,its got suspension and itd b really not suitable ,,for the money this is right up there and its ver well rated on here
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html
its a wee bit less money and a far better more suited bike ,,this is the direction u wana go in

Think I'd be more comfortable riding with flat handlebars. Can you recommend anything there?

 

[vickster]

Look at Halfords Subways, Specialized Sirrus and Trek - plus some of the other options at Evans - I'd be looking at Alivio up for a groupset

I am not sure as a first bike, Sora and drops is the ideal choice

 

[jim55]

trust me ,,drops are better ,,iv just sold this as well
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/gt-legato-40-flat-bar-hybrid-tiagra-bontrager-ergo-grips/94291383
this kinda thing woulda been perfect ,,it was gen a road bike with flat bars ,,but i suppose halfords or evans (both at braehead are worth a look for this kind thing
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_810613_langId_-1_categoryId_165534#dtab
you want gears and 700 c rims with flat bars ,,but trust me ,,after a while ul want a proper road bike with skinny tires and drop bars !!

 

[boydj]

No need for suspension - heavy and energy-sapping on anything other than off-road. You need something like this - http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...2&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018333c018336 (Revolution Courier Race).

I'd also add that a drop-bar bike is best for this kind of commute.

 

[redcard]

No need for suspension - heavy and energy-sapping on anything other than off-road. You need something like this - http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...2&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018333c018336 (Revolution Courier Race).

I'd also add that a drop-bar bike is best for this kind of commute.

Right, suppose I should probably be going for drop-bar then.

What do you mean by best? More comfortable? Faster? What would I lose out on by going with flats?

 

[jim55]

drop bars ---more positions for hands = comfier,,more aero (better for maintaining speed if its windy ,,which it will b most of the time),,and gen a bit faster (subjective )but for most id say drops are better ,,flats are ok for a wee while but looking at the bigger picture get a road bike with drops id say

 

[HLaB]

As to a route try Cyclestreets.

 

[vickster]

If go for drops, make sure the bike can take mudguards and rack

Personally, if I had £300-400 to spend on a commuter, I would go for flat bars, far more choice than entry level road bikes, better groupsets etc...but best try all, see what you prefer...I have both, can't imagine commuting on drops myself - I don't actually find any more comfortable hand positions versus flats with bar ends. Also, my stop start commute (including a park with lots of errant dogs) would be a shocker with SPDs for me!

Oh and it's a great excuse to have multiple bikes once the bug bites.

I think drop bars generally might be more of a boy thing!

 

[redcard]

If go for drops, make sure the bike can take mudguards and rack

Personally, if I had £300-400 to spend on a commuter, I would go for flat bars, far more choice than entry level road bikes, better groupsets etc...but best try all, see what you prefer...I have both, can't imagine commuting on drops myself - I don't actually find any more comfortable hand positions versus flats with bar ends. Also, my stop start commute (including a park with lots of errant dogs) would be a shocker with SPDs for me!

Oh and it's a great excuse to have multiple bikes once the bug bites.

I think drop bars generally might be more of a boy thing!

Yep, was hoping someone would come along with another opinion!

I think I'd be way more comfortable with flats, easier to sit-up, relax, and be aware of what's going on around you. With drops I feel like I would always be in cycle-mode, if that makes sense.

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

Hello,

I've decided to come out of the gym and onto the road

Cycling is brilliant, because you can get absolutely totally knackered and run out of food/water ... and still have to pedal home
under your own steam.

At the gym if you get knackered ... you visit the vending machine, or maybe jump in the car to drive home (my friends do).

 

[vickster]

Well you are not really hunched over on the hoods or flats but it is tougher to relax. My road bike is the summer toy, while the Specialized hybrid is the work horse. The new MTB is the winter toy...see once the bug bites, you'll have a house full of bikes and kit