Nooby needs help pls!

[Ganymede]

Hi All, another 'nooby' here... . I too am in the market for my first bike...for health/commuting. My budget is around the £300-350 mark. Have looked around a lot in the last couple of weeks, on line and in shops. My main reason for looking at bikes with suspension was my back issues...will it really make a difference...or should I just fit a suspension seat post to absorb the impact...any thoughts? Cheers

Hi @Onmebike, nearly missed your post. For this reason I suggest posting a fresh thread with a specific title such as "Will a bike with suspension help my back issues?" and wait for the specific replies.

I can't actually help you on this - one of my bikes has suspension but that's because it's a recumbent. It IS comfy but I don't know about backs! Someone will.

 

[steveindenmark]

Hi Mouki,

Having the same reaction to sales people that you have, I have to applaud your persistance. 7 bike shops and most of them useless. You must really want a bike.

Have you found out what size of bike you need?

It does not matter if you ride a mens bike or a ladies bike, as long as you are comfortable on it. I ride a ladies racing bike as the crossbar is shorter than a mans bike and so I sit up more. Jannie rides a mans racing bike.

Once you know your frame size, a local bike shop will help you with that. You are under no obligation to buy. Once you have the frame size we can help you more.

You need to ask yourself if you want to carry things on the bike. Is it hilly where you are riding? If its hilly you will need more gears. If you want to carry things you will need a front basket or panniers and not all bikes take these.

It is not as complicated as it sounds and does not need to be expensive.

If you take a 21" frame this is worth a look. I have 2 Koga bikes and they are excellent. Not the nicest tyres, but easy to spot.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Koga-Miya...967?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43dcb3dd5f

 

[Big Dave laaa]

Just make sure you buy one before the nice weather disappears for another year if you enjoy your cycling it won't matter which bike you buy, you'll still want another one in 12 months time it's just the way it is for most of us. Seriously though I hope you find what you're looking for and get out riding very soon.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Hi guys,

Back again after a busy week! I went to my 7th bike shop (yes seventh!!) but still haven't made it to Decathlon

Mouks!

The disadvantage of asking on any cycling forum for advise on which bike to buy is you get so much good advise, that one can end up confused. And trying to sort out which of that advise is going to help you must be a even bigger nightmare if you are a Newbie to the cycling game. Hopefully you have finally decided on which one you want, and no last minute changes of mind, because you read some more advise on this forum..LOL.

 

[Winnershsaint]

Mouki
Have you been to Decathlon yet. Seeing as you have bike shop habit why don't you pop into Cyclezone in Earley on the way out of Reading. Try Berkshire Cycles or Griff's Cycle Lab both in Crowthorne also.

 

[PaulSecteur]

@Mouki

Have you tried the specialized concept store in Newbury?

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/newbury-store

 

[andyfraser]

@Mouki

Have you tried the specialized concept store in Newbury?

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/newbury-store

They have street view for that store. I just spent 10 minutes looking round.

 

[PaulSecteur]

They have street view for that store. I just spent 10 minutes looking round.

Can you demo a virtual bike?

 

[andyfraser]

Can you demo a virtual bike?

I wish. I'd still be there now.

 

[Mouki]

Hi guys,
I'm back! And finally bought and picked up my bike today!!!! Hurrah!!! I bought it from Stows (Slough). It was the best place I found for the variety they showed me and their helpfulness. I'm so happy!! I did go for the the Specialized Vita Sport (Step through) and absolutely love it!!

I got kitted out (more on that on a separate thread me thinks..) and was ready to go on my first bike ride (in a year) and on my own (ever!) Glad to report that my whole 1.7 mile journey home went well!

I just wanted to say thank you so much everyone for your friendly welcome and of course, all the advice! I'm really glad I joined the forum.

Also, never made it to any other bike shops unfortunately; I got too tied up with working late and a little tired of all the shops to be honest!! BUT - my friend has been persuaded finally by an avid cyclist in her local workplace to pay a little more for her first bike! Another hurrah! We are heading to Stows this Sunday and Decathlon next week!

Again, thank you all! Can't wait to share my next few weeks with you…!

Mouks! (Went nuts with the smileys..)

 

[ScotiaLass]

Hi guys,
I'm back! And finally bought and picked up my bike today!!!! Hurrah!!! I bought it from Stows (Slough). It was the best place I found for the variety they showed me and their helpfulness. I'm so happy!! I did go for the the Specialized Vita Sport (Step through) and absolutely love it!!

I got kitted out (more on that on a separate thread me thinks..) and was ready to go on my first bike ride (in a year) and on my own (ever!) Glad to report that my whole 1.7 mile journey home went well!

I just wanted to say thank you so much everyone for your friendly welcome and of course, all the advice! I'm really glad I joined the forum.

Also, never made it to any other bike shops unfortunately; I got too tied up with working late and a little tired of all the shops to be honest!! BUT - my friend has been persuaded finally by an avid cyclist in her local workplace to pay a little more for her first bike! Another hurrah! We are heading to Stows this Sunday and Decathlon next week!

Again, thank you all! Can't wait to share my next few weeks with you…!

Mouks! (Went nuts with the smileys..)

Nice bike!
I hope you have many hours of happy pedalling!

 

[annedonnelly]

Congrats. You should have some nice weather now to give it a good try out.

 

[jack smith]

Hope you have fun on it!

 

[Ganymede]

Hurrah!

 

[raggydoll]

glad you found a bike you like!
have fun and you'll build up the miles in no time!