Newbie Help..... Alot of help infact

[Nick G]

Great idea and welcome to cycling for fun and fitness and, in your case, a very worthy cause.

Please don't buy a cheap bike. The chances are it will cost you in the long run, either because you don't use your bike because it wont run well, or because you'll be spending a fortune replacing and repairing cheap components.

This is an excellent article about BSO's (Bike Shaped Objects).

If you're going to be on tow paths and roads I would suggest a hybrid or even a city bike. You'll have a nice upright position which will be comfortable, and narrower tyres than on a mountain bike. That's important because while MTB's are softer to ride, so much of your energy is dissipated by the fat tyres and suspension that you end up much more tired than you will need to be. Riding on hard surfaces means you really don't need an MTB. You'll go faster on a hybrid and you'll probably enjoy the experience much more.

Go to a proper bike shop. They'll measure you properly, sell you a suitable bike that's properly set up and give you sensible advice. I think you need to think about paying at least £300 for a decent new bike that will give you many more years of enjoyment than something for half the price. At the end of the day, what's £150? A couple of days pay for most people. Cheap bikes are a false economy, really.

Good luck and enjoy it!

 

[Valkyrie]

I do long distance road riding so here's my tuppence worth -

1. Road bikes are much better on roads than mountain bikes are. I've got both, but I hate riding the MTB on the road, it is way slower and therefore much less fun.
2. Road bikes are plenty robust enough for canal path use.
3. Any new bike at £100-£150 will just put you off cycling. Specially one with any kind of suspension. I'd recommend you spend £300 - £500, which would get you a basic tourer like a Raleigh Venture or a Dawes Horizon. Decent range of gears, strong, reliable and not too slow. If you want to spend less, go secondhand.
4. Go look at some bikes in bike shops to work out your size. You're far too big for a 56cm frame (I'm 5'11" and that's what I ride), you'll be somewhere between 58 and 63cm. Even if you're buying second-hand or via a cheap online store, try lots of bikes at your local bike shops. Places like Evans are very expensive but have a good range of bikes to play with.
5. Halfords are very bad shops (clueless staff and lots of cheap rubbish) but the Carrera and the Chris Boardman road bike ranges are pretty good value.
6. Drop handlbars are more comfortable that straight bars. I know this seems unlikely but the fact is that you get more hand positions so you can alter your position on the bike. On straight bars you have one position and that's it.
7. Lots of beginners think that smooth skinny tyres must have less grip than big fat knobbly tyres. True for mud and gravel, not true at all for normal tarmac. Also worth noting that the higher the pressure in your tyres, the less likely they are to puncture!

 

[Fab Foodie]

I do long distance road riding so here's my tuppence worth -

1. Road bikes are much better on roads than mountain bikes are. I've got both, but I hate riding the MTB on the road, it is way slower and therefore much less fun.
2. Road bikes are plenty robust enough for canal path use.
3. Any new bike at £100-£150 will just put you off cycling. Specially one with any kind of suspension. I'd recommend you spend £300 - £500, which would get you a basic tourer like a Raleigh Venture or a Dawes Horizon. Decent range of gears, strong, reliable and not too slow. If you want to spend less, go secondhand.
4. Go look at some bikes in bike shops to work out your size. You're far too big for a 56cm frame (I'm 5'11" and that's what I ride), you'll be somewhere between 58 and 63cm. Even if you're buying second-hand or via a cheap online store, try lots of bikes at your local bike shops. Places like Evans are very expensive but have a good range of bikes to play with.
5. Halfords are very bad shops (clueless staff and lots of cheap rubbish) but the Carrera and the Chris Boardman road bike ranges are pretty good value.
6. Drop handlbars are more comfortable that straight bars. I know this seems unlikely but the fact is that you get more hand positions so you can alter your position on the bike. On straight bars you have one position and that's it.
7. Lots of beginners think that smooth skinny tyres must have less grip than big fat knobbly tyres. True for mud and gravel, not true at all for normal tarmac. Also worth noting that the higher the pressure in your tyres, the less likely they are to puncture!

100% Agree with the above. Great advice.

 

[Nick G]

6. Drop handlbars are more comfortable that straight bars. I know this seems unlikely but the fact is that you get more hand positions so you can alter your position on the bike. On straight bars you have one position and that's it.

Sound advice, although I would say that straight bars with a pair of bar ends added (for less than a tenner) offers a comfortable riding position because of the easier geometry of a hybrid, plus the option of varied hand positions.

 

[dantheman]

Sound advice, although I would say that straight bars with a pair of bar ends added (for less than a tenner) offers a comfortable riding position because of the easier geometry of a hybrid, plus the option of varied hand positions.

+1 for the bar ends, and especially for beginners (like me) straight bars tend to give a little more control than drops as far as steering and braking are concerned.

but dont get confused about the cost of cycling, if you get hooked, its not exactly cheap, asyou'll always """need""" something else. More expensive bikes still have problems though, and the more gears, the thinner the chains and cogs (hence a little weaker), they are however a lot nicer to ride, so encourage you to use them more, IMO if a bike thats 100 squid puts you off riding after 100 miles and never gets used again, yet a bike thats 1000 squid lasts 1000 miles and gets you hooked, the 100 squid bike is better value for money. but realistically, either should last much more than 100 miles...

only get front suspension if you know its really what you want, my old carrera had it, and my new hybrid doesnt, it makes a lot of difference to weight and control and speed etc, and only a little to comfort. cheap dual suspension bikes are a complete waste of money, its like riding with wheels connected by pogo sticks... you dont look cool, and your energy is sapped..

 

[jay clock]

i agree about flat bars being ok. The problem with drop bars is that you will be limited to larger wheels (700c size). I do agree about avoiding "cheap" bikes - they will put you off and will not be a good long term move.

If the recommendation for a 56cm frame was for a road bike, I disagree. I am 5'10" with 32 leg and have a 56.

I also think Halfords is generally a poor place, but they do have one bike that is ideal for the ride you plan and flexible enough for the longer term. It is the Carerra Subway. About £230 with voucher for £50 of kit. I have a 4 yrd old one and it is superb. Basically an mtb with slick tyres and no suspension, so can do canal tracks etc but good on the road.

One thing not mentioned is getting fit. Do little and often. Your fitness may allow you to do 15 miles the first time, but avoid the temptation and do 2-3 miles DAILY for a week, then 4-5, then 5-6 etc. this gets you quickly to 25-30 miles, hardens up your bum, and avoids discouragement

Best of luck

 

[tdr1nka]

The figure of 56cm was based on MTB sizing btw.
As I said there is a lot of confusion and contention when it comes to sizing and I am more than happy to be corrected.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Whatever bike you choose, fitness is the key objective here. It is not that I disagree with anything that has been said by anyone here but at the end of the day think on this -

The bike will be your vehicle, you are the engine.

Regular, stamina building exercise,a good diet and determination and you will do it I am sure.

I wish you the very best of luck in your endeavour and also extend my best wishes to your Manager.

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!

 

[bonj2]

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

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)

If I had breast cancer I'd be offended that you only wanted to afford a shoot bike to support my cause on.
To be honest, I haven't got breast cancer and I'm offended as it is.

my advice is look at road bikes around the grand mark, with the bike to work scheme you'll end up paying about 600. Over a year, 50 a month- can't complain at that.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I can not believe what you have written here. Who the hell do you think you are. Go and crawl back under your stone and twiddle your bottom lip some more you jerk.

If I had breast cancer I'd be offended that you only wanted to afford a shoot bike to support my cause on.
To be honest, I haven't got breast cancer and I'm offended as it is.

my advice is look at road bikes around the grand mark, with the bike to work scheme you'll end up paying about 600. Over a year, 50 a month- can't complain at that.

 

[tdr1nka]

Great way to welcome a newbie Bonj.

I'd hope that any cancer sufferer would be touched by any plan to raise money for a good cause.

Heaven for bid he do a sponsored run in Aldi trainers!

Yes, it has to be said you can get a much better bike thru the Bike to work scheme, you may even get a choice of suppliers.
Now you can widen your search for the 'ideal' bike!

 

[bonj2]

oooooh, somebody got out of bed the womb the wrong side!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

No, Rather I recently lost a relative to breast cancer you moron. Who cares if he does the ride on a £10k bike or a £10 bike. It is the thought and effort that counts. In fact I would have greater respect for the £10 bike as the saved money would go to the charity.

oooooh, somebody got out of bed the womb the wrong side!

 

[bonj2]

Hey, angelfish!, pssst... muslims!

 

[bonj2]

No, Rather I recently lost a relative to breast cancer you moron. Who cares if he does the ride on a £10k bike or a £10 bike. It is the thought and effort that counts. In fact I would have greater respect for the £10 bike as the saved money would go to the charity.

I care.