Newbie Help..... Alot of help infact

[BlueNoseDave]

Hi Guys,
Must also add like most newbies that this site is in great condition and seems friendly...

So this is my little story.

Im looking to get fit and have always loved riding. Im from the midlands and my ultimate goal is to Cycle from Birmingham - Cardiff...

The reason behind this is my manager has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and were looking at ways to raise money. I thought of the usual money raisers and thought.... I really want to go far with this and make this a great fund raiser!

Im 6ft 6 tall and have abit of a belly growing on me but still hold a decent physique through years of competitive football.
I just wanted to leave abit of background so you expects could advise in areas such as frame, wheel size and so on.

MY PLAN.

I plan to ride a mixture of road, cannel path etc. (now I know for people who are very into their cycling they would have a few bikes but this is simply me getting fit and driving long distances at times.... Is there anything that is quite middle of the road??)

I have read other posts and wont ask any questions I have seen before but I would just like a lil tailored advise I guess.

so to sum it up im a big lad looking to use a bike for various services, Im looking to train up to a big cycle distance and pretty much enjoy my cycling as I go.

Any questions.... or ridiculously important information I have missed please ask and I will be happy to answer...
Thanks in advance

 

[dantheman]

i think you need to decide on what type of bike you want, ie drop bars, hybrid (probably a good choice IMO) or mtb, i believe each are fitted differently, fitting will be important as you're quite tall, and will need a pretty large frame size (especially important to get right size if you wanna ride for hours at a time).

once you decide the type of bike, and decide a price point you are wanting, people with much more knowledge than me will give some great suggestions on bikes for you to try..


good luck with the charity work, you may find people on here will sponsor a charitible cause.

 

[BlueNoseDave]

thanks dantheman,

I was thinking of a mountain bike??? Budgetwise im looking at these halfprice deals online so if i could get a bike worth £199 at £99 i would be very happy.

If i was to go for a Mountain Bike would you recommend front suspension? (Sorry if that doesn't make much sense)

 

[BlueNoseDave]

Don't you want something a bit more expensive for what you are doing? Would pay for itself in the long run.

This is it you see... am i asking for too much??? I will enjoy riding but dont get me wrong this is simply a beginner looking at a beginners bike. I would maybe look to buy higher if me and cycling really hit it off.

 

[tdr1nka]

Welcome BND!
One of the problems with buying a lower end bike is that problems that come with cheaper bikes can in themselves put you off cycling for good.

Have you considered buying some thing of better quality second hand?
ebay & gumtree.com would be good places to look.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a mountain bike(MTB)for your proposed ride as it would, for a beginner, be more comfortable and stable for the conditions you are suggesting.

Front suspension is really down to personal choice and has it's pros & cons

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what you ride as long as it fits you, functions and is safe, all you then have to do is enjoy your cycling!:?:

I'm sure you can pick up a good second hand machine that'll do you proud.

There are plenty of folk on here who will point you in the right direction viz frame size etc, so don't be shy in asking any questions.

 

[BlueNoseDave]

Welcome BND!
One of the problems with buying a lower end bike is that problems that come with cheaper bikes can in themselves put you off cycling for good.

Have you considered buying some thing of better quality second hand?
ebay & gumtree.com would be good places to look.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a mountain bike(MTB)for your proposed ride as it would, for a beginner, be more comfortable and stable for the conditions you are suggesting.

Front suspension is really down to personal choice and has it's pros & cons

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what you ride as long as it fits you, functions and is safe, all you then have to do is enjoy your cycling!:?:

I'm sure you can pick up a good second hand machine that'll do you proud.

There are plenty of folk on here who will point you in the right direction viz frame size etc, so don't be shy in asking any questions.

Cheers for this info.

I have been looking at gumtree and stumbled accross this

http://birmingham.gumtree.com/birmingham/12/29191912.html

when it states 26" would this be the tire or frame as obviously i need a big frame.

Thanks

 

[tdr1nka]

OK, first off 26" is the wheel size, this is standard MTB size.

How tall are you, and what is your inside leg measurement?
I'm just going to have a look out some links to bikes you might want to consider.
I'd shy away from full suspension and disk brakes from a maintainance point of view.:?:
BRB

 

[BlueNoseDave]

Im 6ft 6" and my inside leg is about 35"

Cheers tdr1nka thats good of you

 

[snapper_37]

With it being such a worthwhile fund raiser, perhaps someone (Evans etc) would lend you a decent bike for the trek? Definately worth looking into IMO, and they'd get pats on the back in the way of sponsorship.

Just my thoughts.

 

[tdr1nka]

And good thoughts too Snapper!

I think a 56cm frame would do you although sizing is an inexact science and if anyone else on the forum can help please dive in!:?:

Looking at various bikes on the 'cheaper' end of the scale, and not taking into account special offers etc. I don't think you can get the kind of bike you'd need for much less than £150 new, again I'm discounting second hand bikes too.

Do you have any local bike shops(LBS)?
Ideally as a beginner you'd need a bike 'set up' for you which is something you don't get when your bike arrives in a box.

 

[BlueNoseDave]

Guys, I work for a major bank and they operate in a scheme where if you are riding the bike to work they pay for it and also give back Tax and NI... This would not only help cost but it would enable me to get a better well priced bike while getting fitter in the process with the commute to work involved aswell.

Im going to research this in the office monday morning, if this fails i have seen various second hand bikes in great condition for a very reduced price.

 

[tdr1nka]

Excellent stuff!!:?:
Good Luck!

 

[snapper_37]

Brilliant then Blue. Take the tips from Tdr - he's a pro :?:

And good luck and please keep us up to date.

 

[tdr1nka]

Brilliant then Blue. Take the tips from Tdr - he's a pro :?:

I'd still like to know who started those rumours.

 

[snapper_37]

I'd still like to know who started those rumours.

Errmmmmmmm I wouldn't like to say. I'm swore to uphold the secret of the tdr1nka!