Newbie! Advise needed!

[l4dva]

Hi guys,

After getting loads of emails at work about this tax free cycle to work scheme and discounts on purchase of a new bike etc etc its got me thinking that I should get back on the bike and leave the car at home.

I haven't used a bike since I was about 15. So please bear with me I am not so technically clued up with it all the terminology etc.

I am of reasonable fitness regularly gym and run. I plan to use the bike for mainly commute (apx 10 miles each way) but plan to do longer rides on weekends inc the london to brighton BHF charity ride. As well as riding on the road, I would be riding on gravel tracks along canal sides etc, so a full a road bike is probably too much for me.

I went to my local bike store, saw some very impressive looking kit. But in all honesty I don't have a clue whats good or not anymore. A hybrid looks likely to fit my needs quite nicely. I did like the looks and feel of the Trek 7.5 FX (£550), dose anyone have any experiance using this bike? Or could you recomend any others around this price point £500 - £600. Some of the roads on my commute are quite bad so how comfortable would a bike like this be over longer distance rides?

The tyres that come with it are very slim and bald probably ideal for road use but when im on the canals etc they probably won't. I've never road a bike with thin tyres before (I have always had mountain bikes in passed). So I am not sure who it would feel on the road. The guy in the shop said they would happly do a straight swap for a differnt set. What brands and type of tyre would you recomend for the type of riding I will be doing? Bearing in mine I could also be riding in the rain on my commutes as well.

And finally is there anything else I should be looking out for when buying a new bike?

Thank you in advance!

L4dva!

 

[fossyant]

Trek FX, Scott Sub's, Boardman Hybrids - will do a bit of each type of surface.

You'll need a slightly treadded tyre - sorry not much up on these types, but something with a smooth central section (for road), with treadded sides for tracks.

 

[PpPete]

Trek 7.5 looks like a nice bike although I've no personal experience

On the specs I've seen for it the tyres are listed as 700x32 which is wide for a road bike.

I was happy on most canal tow paths on 700x28, would be a bit less so now my road bike is shod with 700x25 tyres. Havnt found wet roads an issue even with 700x25

As you are used to mountain bikes & chunky tyres I'd stick with the 700x 32 but bear in mind your London to Brighton is going to be easier with narrow tyres.

One thing - you wont want to be bouncing it over kerbs like you can a mountain bike. 20 spoke front/24 spoke rear wheels are not really made for that.

 

[Wigsie]

One thing - you wont want to be bouncing it over kerbs like you can a mountain bike. 20 spoke front/24 spoke rear wheels are not really made for that.

The trek FX's are a great bike and built for comfort so doing the distances etc that you have mentioned should not be a problem. I was actually very close to getting a 7.6 FX. The biggest issue for me when I considered them was the wheels/spoke pattern. They look very pretty but I am a big guy and was not totally comfortable with the actual strength of them, they are strong enough for day to day riding and some reasonably uneven road surfaces/tow paths etc but if you want the freedom to jump on and off the curb something a little more substantial may be a better bet.

I was in a similar situation to yourself and was set on a hybrid when I first started looking. Opinions vary, but after plenty of months of research I decided if i was going for a road biased hybrid like the FX range or the Specialized Sirrus range I may as well get a road bike as the crossover into what they can handle 'off road' is not massive. I had not ridden a road bike for more than 5 minutes as a kid but after about 20 minutes with the drop bars on my new bike i was totally comfortable and it felt more natural that a flat bar bike.

Something else worth considering is a Specialized Tricross Sport a little more than the 7.5fx and it has drop bars, but it can definately handle off road duties and you can put racks/panniers mud guards the lot on it for commuting and longer rides like the london - brighton.

Good luck.

 

[punkypossum]

Stick some Schwalbe Marathons on, they will cope fine with paths and still be quite quick on the road.

 

[l4dva]

Thanks for your reply's.

Wigsie - I've never actually road a proper road bike before, I am kind of put of by how thin the tyres are im guessing it would be very easy to loose grip (although I could be wroung) and that they probably won't be able to cope with gravel tracks so well either, but I do like the idea of the speed and ability of them on the road which is were I will be doing day to day riding. I might just have to give it a go, my fears could be completely wrong! I haven't had any test rides yet. I am going back into the store tomorrow though, will try the Specialized Tricross and the Trek 7.5 fx out.....Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again!

 

[Wigsie]

Thanks for your reply's.

Wigsie - I've never actually road a proper road bike before, I am kind of put of by how thin the tyres are im guessing it would be very easy to loose grip (although I could be wroung) and that they probably won't be able to cope with gravel tracks so well either, but I do like the idea of the speed and ability of them on the road which is were I will be doing day to day riding. I might just have to give it a go, my fears could be completely wrong! I haven't had any test rides yet. I am going back into the store tomorrow though, will try the Specialized Tricross and the Trek 7.5 fx out.....Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again!

Good luck! Double check, but I think the Tricross has the clearance for 700/32 tyres for commuting then if you do a road ride like the London to brighton you can put some thinner road tyres on... I was worried about the 'grippiness' (I think this is the technical term) of the thin tyres but they are (in the dry) great and very stable.

The Schwalbe Marathons come highly recommended and i think they (Marathon Plus') were voted best winter/commuting tyre in November/december's Cycling plus magazine.

 

[Arch]

Welcome!

I don't know much about the various makes of bike but:

Bear in mind that the bike isn't all you need. You should also budget for:

A good lock. A rule of thumb is to spend 10% of the cost of the bike on a lock, but anyway, don't think a cheap cable from the pound shop will do. Get a decent D-lock at least. Look for the bronze/silver/gold standard on it.

Lights. Even if you don't think you'll ride in the dark, you never know when you might get caught out. You can get pretty small, lightweight lights these days, thanks to LEDs. Have at least a front and rear, and if you can, a little back up type (these tend to be one LED, and an elastic loop, and can fit easily to any tube, or dangle from your clothing...) Have a scroll through the selection on a website like Wiggle or Chain Reaction to see the range you can get (but if you can, support your local bike shop).

Clothing. You can commute in ordinary clothes, how much special kit you buy will depend on personal choice. But a breathable waterproof jacket, specially cut for cycling with a long back, and preferably in a bright colour, is perhaps the first thing to think about getting.

Helmet - this is up to you, and the debate over whether you should wear one is never ending. But if you do want it, remember to budget for it (and get one that fits and make sure you know which way round it goes (oh yes, people do get that wrong!)).

Basic tools. A good pump, puncture repair kit, and maybe a multitool. Obviosly, how many tools you need is limited by how many jobs on the bike you know how to do, but it's good to have the basics.

A copy of Cyclecraft to get you up to date with cycling in modern traffic.

Is the bike you're looking at fitted with a rack? Think about panniers, or a rack pack for carrying stuff. It's generally more comfortable than using a rucksack, although again, some people find a rucksack is fine.

All the other stuff, you'll accumulate as you get hooked

 

[l4dva]

Thanks for the advise some very usefull points!

Just got back from a morning of cycle shopping, and I came away with the Specialized Tricross Sport!!

Wigsie you were right, I took the tricross for a ride and the dropped handle bars feel so much more natural. Bearing in mind this was probably the first time I've been on a bike on the road in about 7 ish years it felt great. I didn't realise I had a specialized concept store thats just around the corner from my house. They had a huge empty car park so I gave it a good testing. Its quick and very easy to handle once you get used to it, I loved it.

Had a look around some other local stores, but nothing stood out to me like the tricross did. The Trek 7.5 was ruled out as soon as I tired the drop handles lol. The Trek bikes with drop handles were mainly road use bikes, even thought the sales assistants told me they would handle gavel paths etc fine I still felt like the tyres were a little to slim for my liking. Even thought the tricross is a little over my original budget I throught F it, its only once I plan to buy a bike and with the tax saving advantages from work i'd only be paying 60% ish of its value.

With regards to the locks I went for a solid looking cable cost about £30 apparently its insurance standard approved. I have a few bits and bobs from my mountain biking days like a rear light, puncture repair kits, trip computer, cheep cable locks and tools I have plenty! So I got myself a helmet, front light, mini pump and I should be pritty much good to go! I do need to get a waterproof high vis jacket though, the specialized own brand jackets I wasn't too keen on, I'll have to shop around for that as they are very expensive too. As for bags/storage, I'll be using my trusty rucksack for now. I've seen this wiggle site mentioned a few times on here, I take it this is a good place to get all my cycle bits from then?

I can't wait to get back on the road now! It's a shame I couldn't take it home with me today. I have to purchase it via work and by the way our HR dept is run I don't think that will be any time soon either lol. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Arch]

I've seen this wiggle site mentioned a few times on here, I take it this is a good place to get all my cycle bits from then?

It's one of many online stores. It can be worth looking at a few to get the best price, but it is also nice to support a local shop if you have one, and it's not way way more expensive.

Jackets can be expensive, shop around and do try them on, do them up etc. Maybe not an issue for you but I find some, despite being a 'lady's' cut, won't do up round my hips. (for which read arse!)

 

[Wigsie]

Just got back from a morning of cycle shopping, and I came away with the Specialized Tricross Sport!!

Ha ha nice one.... welcome to the club of drop bar converts! When do you pick it up? get some pics of it up when you get it!

 

[l4dva]

Handed all the paper work in today so hopefully HR will process it all within a week or two and all be on my way(if it ever stops snowing). Will deff post some pics though!