New to Cycling

[Potter930]

Thanks for the replies again guys.
I work pretty close to an Evans cycles, so will pop in there one day this week. When I was in Decathalon last night I explained to the bloke what I wanted and he suggested a hybrid is probably the best option for me.

My Mrs is very much watching what I'm spending the money on with the standard "Do you need that?" or "You can get that in poundland"... This was when I was talking about getting a high vis yday.

I saw the Aldi sale coming up. Is their gear any good?


Well I popped into a local bike shop a while ago and they suggested a
Scott Sportster 60... Anyone know anything about this make / model of bike?

 

[Potter930]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/scott/sportster-60-2012-hybrid-bike-ec030920

 

[trampyjoe]

My Mrs is very much watching what I'm spending the money on with the standard "Do you need that?" or "You can get that in poundland"... This was when I was talking about getting a high vis yday.

Show your missus this;
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOhhVGUvrQs

I saw the Aldi sale coming up. Is their gear any good?

I got a long sleeve jersey and some padded gloves from lidl and they're pretty good quailty (and cheap) so i'd guess that Aldi is the same. . i hope so as I'll be spending a small fortune in there on thursday.

 

[Scoosh]

IME, Aldi and Lidl gear is good for a first time, try-it-to-see-if-you-really-like-it purchase. I bought Lidl/ Aldi shorts, jackets and shirts about 3-4 years ago and they're still doing fine - except for the waterproof jacket, which had become a bit too boil-in-the-bag for me.

Shorts, shoes, gloves, mitts - all fine and a really good introductory price. If When you decide to take your cycling a bit more seriously and when (eventually ) the kit wears out, you can upgrade or re-purchase.

I'd say Aldi quality is slightly better than Lidl.

 

[Potter930]

We saw that show about Poundland the other day, its alright for one off things, but I have never felt the urge to go in there and do the weekly shop. I dont think she understands that a high-vis jacket from there will be pretty uncomfortable to ride in

Any tips for riding on the road? I know make yourself as visible as possible and "Vision up", but I mean, where to position yourself etc, or is it a case of man up and just do it?

 

[Scoosh]

Cyclecraft is your bed-time reading for now ....

 

[morebiggins_lesswiggins]

Hi Potter

You are in a similar place to me in that I am a relative newbie who has just dug out his MTB. Without being in a position to give advice, I can tell you that I have decided to hold off getting a road bike for the time being and instead and bought some Schwalbe city jet tyres to put on the MTB and intend to use that instead. That way I can get a bit of experince with bikes and when I come to get a road bike I will know what I want.

 

[Potter930]

Hi Potter

You are in a similar place to me in that I am a relative newbie who has just dug out his MTB. Without being in a position to give advice, I can tell you that I have decided to hold off getting a road bike for the time being and instead and bought some Schwalbe city jet tyres to put on the MTB and intend to use that instead. That way I can get a bit of experince with bikes and when I come to get a road bike I will know what I want.

Wise move I think. I was thinking of holding out for a bit, but seeing as my current bike has managed to break itself, doesnt leave me to much choice.
Thinking of getting a Scotts Sportster 60 Hybrid Bike through the ride to work scheme, so 40% off

 

[Old Plodder]

Any tips for riding on the road? I know make yourself as visible as possible and "Vision up", but I mean, where to position yourself etc, or is it a case of man up and just do it?

Don't ride in the gutter; ride about 4~6 feet into the road in general, but in town allow motorists to pass when it is safe, i.e. when there is room for both of you on the road; & generally don't antagonize them, they can be very unpredictable.

 

[Potter930]

Don't ride in the gutter; ride about 4~6 feet into the road in general, but in town allow motorists to pass when it is safe, i.e. when there is room for both of you on the road; & generally don't antagonize them, they can be very unpredictable.

Thanks for the tip. I dont live near any nice country lanes etc, so would need to find me some nicer roads to cycle on, drivers round here are nutters

Also been looking at the Pinnacle Lithium One bike. I know someone said not to get to cought up on which bike to get etc, the appealing thing for this one is that it comes with £50 worth of acc's for free

 

[Old Plodder]

Thanks for the tip. I dont live near any nice country lanes etc, so would need to find me some nicer roads to cycle on, drivers round here are nutters

Also been looking at the Pinnacle Lithium One bike. I know someone said not to get to cought up on which bike to get etc, the appealing thing for this one is that it comes with £50 worth of acc's for free

Looks OK for a basic bike, at that price range it will be heavier than most people have for mileage riding, but I should think you will be all right until you're doing 20~30 milers regularly, at which time you will have got the bug, & will be thinking of an upgrade.

 

[kedab]

i do live in the country (well, the fen) and i can tell you that riding out on A roads is preferable (personally), to riding many of the proper country lane/B roads that link villages etc. They are pretty to ride but are often twisty and the high hedges, blind corners and many a car hoofing it down them precisely because they're fun makes for a lively experience at times...the A roads though are wider, certainly not as twisty and apart from the odd oik, who you're going to encounter anywhere, you mostly get considered passes because drivers have time to make a decision about you.
my advice, after a year of commuting and now riding for the joy & fitness, after having been off a bike for probably 20 years beforehand, is this...ride with as much confidence as you can muster to start with, it'll come on in leaps and bounds anyway but start with all you've got. look to ride the road giving yourself room to bail out left which in turn makes vehicles actually overtake you rather than narrowly avoid you. again, this position will become second nature no matter which road you're on. expect the unexpected and plan ahead. keep calm and stay relaxed, you'll ride better. in poor weather, low light and night, make yourself seen and get the best lights you can afford for the bike...i love riding at night (2am late finish with a 17mile ride home, in the summer, is wonderful) but it can be a bit unnerving at first.
i frikin love cycling - it's fast become an obsession and though my wife doesn't understand it, she can see how happy it makes me - i got back on a bike because i needed an outlet, i've had a rough ride (pun intended) over the last 7 years, losing both parents (careless of me i know) but cycling (and wifey of course) have brought me back from a difficult place. i don't think there are too many sports in the world that can have that affect on your average joe. it's magic

 

[Potter930]

Very good reply kedab. I'm into photography as well, but that can also keep me indoors with editing etc.
i work shifts and have what can be a stressful / frustrating job do plan to use cycling as an escape.

Any opinions on the Scott sportster 60 mentioned earlier in the thread? Not wanting to spend too much money.

 

[Potter930]

Think I'm going to get the Lithium 1 - Seems fine for what I need and comes with £50 voucher for acc's

 

[Potter930]

Due to a few reasons I have not yet bought a new bike and had to delay things a bit.

Im now looking at getting a new bike from Decathalon, one of the b twin Riverside 1 bikes... Before I get this, I was wondering if anyone knows of any websites for 2nd hand bikes?