road or mountain bike?......based solely on fear!

[thunderlips76]

so.....I'm still waiting to purchase my first bike in 20 years, I really like the idea of getting on the road and getting fit while enjoying myself and seeing the sites of Yorkshire, but. After watching a few tips videos on you tube, I foolishly watched a couple of videos involving road rage and violence towards cyclists. This is maybe making me think of taking the mountain bike option ( biking trials away from the road ) rather than my original decision of buying a road bike. Even my girlfriend is terrified of me cycling to work..............IS IT REALLY THAT BAD OUT THERE???

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Only seen it once bad in two years, but then I tend to ride rural opposed to urban, but I do both, most motorist are well behaved and considerate, those that arn't are most likely to have go even if your in a car

 

[nappadang]

I bought a MTB a year ago probably having had similar thoughts to yourself. My main aim was to lose weight and get fit. Both have been accomplished to some extent.
Initially the MTB was fine but as my fitness improved I found I was spending more time on the roads. You get used to the roads and if you drive, you'll pick it up quickly.
I've just borrowed a road bike and the difference is vast, I can cover much greater distances much quicker. It does depend upon your needs and requirements and you'll love whatever you buy but if I were able to go back a year, I'd buy a road bike first off.

 

[numbnuts]

I've been riding a long time and only had one bad incident I called him a

 

[Peter Cairns]

May I suggest Cyclecraft by John Franklin http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/
It was one of the best cycling tools I ever purchased, and I live in rural Orkney, however the principles hold true as much here as anywhere else I imagine. Good luck.

 

[jim55]

Get a road bike and ride confidently.
It's not as bad out on roads as some think, you just need to assume people don't see you ( ps DONT jump red lights) , it's the quickest way people in cars take a dislike to you ( and bikes in gen)

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Best advice is to obey the rules of the road, ride confidently, especially when you're doing things like riding primary etc, and keep spinning!

Buy a bike which is suitable to you, and enjoy the sport for everything it offers. We're all here to help advise, but I'd definitely recommend reading Cyclecraft or other road safety books.

 

[beardy01]

Road bike all day long you can go fast or leisurely, test yourself on hills go long or short and have equally a good ride...... plus you get to wear lycra ( well there is a downside ).... go on you know you want to. Idiots are everywhere dont let it stop you getting fit and having fun

 

[PlymSlimCyclist]

Road bike all day long you can go fast or leisurely, test yourself on hills go long or short and have equally a good ride...... plus you get to wear lycra ( well there is a downside ).... go on you know you want to. Idiots are everywhere dont let it stop you getting fit and having fun

I wear lycra on my MTB, I don't see any downside

 

[Paulus]

In the 50 years I have been riding in and around London I have only got in an argument with vehicle drivers a few times. as said before, ride with confidence, obey the highway code and your ride will be good. So, buy a road bike, you won't look back. Unless you are changing lanes/direction etc.

 

[mcshroom]

For something that could handle a bit of light off-roading as well, maybe have a look at Touring or Cyclocross bikes

 

[Nigelnaturist]

For something that could handle a bit of light off-roading as well, maybe have a look at Touring or Cyclocross bikes

I have been down some pretty rough tracks on my road bike, not off roading as such, but you don't speed down them.

 

[Peter Cairns]

I nearly pulled the trigger on this Giant Revolt X-Road.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.revolt.1/14990/66575/
To satisfy both on road and also on the gravel.
Decided against it and went for Giant Defy 1
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.defy.1.blue.black/14977/66544/
Both of these bikes are available through the Cycle to work scheme.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

After watching a few tips videos on you tube, I foolishly watched a couple of videos involving road rage and violence towards cyclists. This is maybe making me think of taking the mountain bike option ( biking trials away from the road ) rather than my original decision of buying a road bike.
Even my girlfriend is terrified of me cycling to work..............IS IT REALLY THAT BAD OUT THERE???

Don't forget there are (tens of??) THOUSANDS of problemless journeys every day that don't get filmed & put on YouTube.

As bad as most of the uploaded ones are, they're the tip of a mainly incident-free iceberg!!!

However, my thoughts are;

1. Ride confident;
- Don't ride as though you're seeking permission to be on the road, to pull out & pass parked vehicles, etc...

2. Lights and reflectors when dark (legal requirement);
- If it all does go 'pear-shaped' after dusk, if you've not got any, this could be used against you, by a drivers insurance company (as you'd not be following the Law)

3. Helmet;
- Granted, it won't save you from a broken leg, collar-bone, etc.... But, it may save you from being fed pureed food via a spoon for life (I've worked in & around an A&E unit for 17 years, so have seen the results, helmeted & not!!)

4. Insurance;
- CTC & British Cycling both offer schemes (I've got 'B C' Silver cover) If any RTC is deemed to be your fault, they will pay any costs you are deemed liable for.
if you are the injured party, they will fight on your behalf, recovering cost of bike, personal injury, loss of earnings, etc...
Bearing in mind 'point 2'!!! (point '3' is not a legal requirement, but some companies may offer the 'culpable negligence' argument)

5. Mudguards;
- Okay, they won't stop you getting wet when it rains, but help to keep you dry after it's been raining (& stop the lines of road-filth up your chest/back)

 

[morrisman]

3. Helmet;
- Granted, it won't save you from a broken leg, collar-bone, etc.... But, it may save you from being fed pureed food via a spoon for life (I've worked in & around an A&E unit for 17 years, so have seen the results, helmeted & not!!)

Or it may inflict rotational injuries which may lead to you 'being fed pureed food via a spoon for life' which can be avoided by not wearing a helmet.