Newish to cycling and in need of a bike , please help

[iwanttoridebike]

Hi

I am reasonably new to cycling , when i was at college i cycled alot and was often told to take cycling further but i didnt and i gave up for football.

Anyway ive started again and ive got myself some good 10 mile times but its using a borrowed bike. I like the idea of time trials as they look mkore suited to me and would like to take my cyling more seriously.

I really do not know alot about cycling and bikes , i just know how to ride a bike lol. I would like a bike but the problem is that i do not have a very big budget...£500 max at the mo. I would spend more but it really depends how seriously i start taking this , i think £500 would be a good start and maybe upgrade a little later. I have been looking at tri/tt bikes and most are very expensive compared to my budget. Can someone point me out what i should be looking at????

Any help is chooing a bike would be very appreciated

Thanks

 

[stoatsngroats]

Hi,

My bike was used, cost £200, and I've had it nearly 4 years. I've cycled the L2B, 54 miles, raising £600, in 2006 and many rides in training/recreation of 30 miles plus.

Today, between 7am and 8.50am I cycled 27 miles, climbing over 600 feet in total; I'm over 40, 13st (down from 15!), and I thoroughly enjoy my rides.

I'm intending to do a 200km ride in early May, round the IoW, from my home in Littlehampton, and back....

My bike is a Carrera Virtuoso, and has been faultless, in this time....

Bear in mind the additional things you'll need to buy, Lock, helmet (or not!), pump(s), tools, clothing, lights....

Try some at you local bike shop.....look in the classifieds and ebay, and test ride as many as you can...


(Add your location to your details so we can see where you are!)

 

[iwanttoridebike]

Hi,

My bike was used, cost £200, and I've had it nearly 4 years. I've cycled the L2B, 54 miles, raising £600, in 2006 and many rides in training/recreation of 30 miles plus.

Today, between 7am and 8.50am I cycled 27 miles, climbing over 600 feet in total; I'm over 40, 13st (down from 15!), and I thoroughly enjoy my rides.

I'm intending to do a 200km ride in early May, round the IoW, from my home in Littlehampton, and back....

My bike is a Carrera Virtuoso, and has been faultless, in this time....

Bear in mind the additional things you'll need to buy, Lock, helmet (or not!), pump(s), tools, clothing, lights....

Try some at you local bike shop.....look in the classifieds and ebay, and test ride as many as you can...


(Add your location to your details so we can see where you are!)

Thanks location added

 

[ed_o_brain]

I don't think you need tri specific bike at this stage in the game. Just a good entry level road bike should do it. Then you can add aerobars and work on improving your own fitness and times.

I'd suggest looking at any entry level roadbike from any of the main manufacturers.

 

[palinurus]

I started time-trialling on an entry-level road bike costing less than £500. The advantage of this route is you can own just one bike and use it for a variety of different riding.

Alternatively you could look a second hand but you'll need a good idea of what you are looking for and be prepared to be patient. I bought a tidy carbon TT bike for £500 last year (first time I saw it advertised it was on at £650 and I didn't bite..). Remember that a TT bike will not be much use for anything else apart from time trials and training for them.

 

[iwanttoridebike]

I started time-trialling on an entry-level road bike costing less than £500. The advantage of this route is you can own just one bike and use it for a variety of different riding.

Alternatively you could look a second hand but you'll need a good idea of what you are looking for and be prepared to be patient. I bought a tidy carbon TT bike for £500 last year (first time I saw it advertised it was on at £650 and I didn't bite..). Remember that a TT bike will not be much use for anything else apart from time trials and training for them.

Hi

time trials is what i am interested in , i will just keep looking around a see what i can find.

 

[iwanttoridebike]

I don't think you need tri specific bike at this stage in the game. Just a good entry level road bike should do it. Then you can add aerobars and work on improving your own fitness and times.

I'd suggest looking at any entry level roadbike from any of the main manufacturers.

Hi

I was thinking of maybe getting an entry level bike then in a couple of months getting a decent tt bike.

Ive not been back in to this long and i think i am doing very well on my 10 mile times and improving my fitness levels. However i would like to be better and fitter. I would like to try competing at some point and see how i do.

 

[colcazal]

Hi

I was thinking of maybe getting an entry level bike then in a couple of months getting a decent tt bike.

Ive not been back in to this long and i think i am doing very well on my 10 mile times and improving my fitness levels. However i would like to be better and fitter. I would like to try competing at some point and see how i do.

Hi,

An entry level bike will do you fine, but be careful how much cash you spend when upgrading etc, as you will probs not see the benefit in your times. (unless you spend a fortune)

Training on a heavier bike will actually benefit you at this stage. If you can do 10 mile in say 30 mins on a entry level bike your times can only get better on a lighter bike.

What times are you putting in at the moment?

Cheers,

Col

 

[iwanttoridebike]

Hi,

An entry level bike will do you fine, but be careful how much cash you spend when upgrading etc, as you will probs not see the benefit in your times. (unless you spend a fortune)

Training on a heavier bike will actually benefit you at this stage. If you can do 10 mile in say 30 mins on a entry level bike your times can only get better on a lighter bike.

What times are you putting in at the moment?

Cheers,

Col

Hi

I have got my 10 mile down to 20:59 , i have beat my time everytime i try but the last time i got after the 20:59 was 21:50 due to the fact i think i started off way too slow and didnt make up ground until it was too late. I really dont know much about cycling thats why i came here , to try and find out whats what and see what i need to do next. I want to improve my time as much as possible and i think i am more than capable of doing so as ive not been back in to it for long at all so i have much more to give with the right training etc etc

 

[colcazal]

What are you training on at the moment A motorbike??

Thats a good time bud! Is it all downhill lol

Sounds like you need to talk to someone who seriously knows about diet and training etc. What age are you?

Col

 

[iwanttoridebike]

What are you training on at the moment A motorbike??

Thats a good time bud! Is it all downhill lol

Sounds like you need to talk to someone who seriously knows about diet and training etc. What age are you?

Col

Motorbike hahahaha lol

i am 27 , i used to be in to cycling a hell of alot more but i gave up when i was 20 for football of all sports lol

 

[colcazal]

Keep up what you are doing at the moment as it seems to be working for you!

Try and do different types of rides. Hit the hills when ever poss, interval training is good for fitness. Also get yourself out for longer rides from time to time. As for diet! I am still trying to figure that one out, so your on your own!

Col

 

[iwanttoridebike]

Keep up what you are doing at the moment as it seems to be working for you!

Try and do different types of rides. Hit the hills when ever poss, interval training is good for fitness. Also get yourself out for longer rides from time to time. As for diet! I am still trying to figure that one out, so your on your own!

Col

Thanks i want to be sub 20 minute , i think i can do it. But i obviously need alot more work in to it. Ive been reading alot on the internet about training regimes etc etc

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Hi

I have got my 10 mile down to 20:59 , i have beat my time everytime i try but the last time i got after the 20:59 was 21:50 due to the fact i think i started off way too slow and didnt make up ground until it was too late. I really dont know much about cycling thats why i came here , to try and find out whats what and see what i need to do next. I want to improve my time as much as possible and i think i am more than capable of doing so as ive not been back in to it for long at all so i have much more to give with the right training etc etc

Wow mate, that's a really good time, best get signed up for the Nationals, they are in May, and are being promoted/organised by my club, plenty of places left, but shouldn't be a problem for you with that sort of time, I think the qualifying time is sub 22 minutes, so you're certain to come high up the field with times like you are posting.

And all on a borrowed bike, just think with a TT bike under you you'll be flying, wouldn't be surprised if you went sub20 minutes...Michael Hutchinson watch out.

 

[iwanttoridebike]

Wow mate, that's a really good time, best get signed up for the Nationals, they are in May, and are being promoted/organised by my club, plenty of places left, but shouldn't be a problem for you with that sort of time, I think the qualifying time is sub 22 minutes, so you're certain to come high up the field with times like you are posting.

And all on a borrowed bike, just think with a TT bike under you you'll be flying, wouldn't be surprised if you went sub20 minutes...Michael Hutchinson watch out.

I googled michael hutchinson , if i knew more i wouldnt have to keep googling them lol looking at his times on wikipedia 18m07 secs