Scared to invest.

[Forelli87]

Hi all, been reading the board for a few weeks, but just signed up today.

Brief background: 22 year old male, used to be very fit and have let myself go whilst at university bla bla... My fitness is now pretty bad. Around 2 months ago I decided upon myself that I was going to get fit.

So, I started the "Couch to 5k" running programme. I was doing everything properly- started off slow, stretched, got my gait analysed etc. The program was going fine until I started getting shin splints. I went to see a physiotherapist and was told to stop running for 2 months, and then after that, only run outdoors once a week, as he said they were likely to come back (due to my severe over pronation). I really was gutted, exercising indoors is not for me.

The physio recommended I try swimming and biking. So here I am. My concern is though, in order to do everything 'proper' with running, I invested quite a lot of money into it. Shoes, Garmin 305, clothes etc.

I'm worried that I, say, spend £400 on a bike and do not like it or stick to it. Anyone got any advice?

Also, commuting to university is not an option... yet. I live 40 miles away from it. I also do not have an old bike I could try.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Llama]

Hi,
You just need to get a bike and see if you like it, can you borrow one? if not:

you could go down the second hand bike route (not what i would do) and get a cheap bike, the Halfords range of Carera subway bike get good reviews, you may need to get it properly set-up though. EBC also do good resonable bikes that will allow you to give cycling a go.

basic kit: bike, helmet, lights, something reflective, spare inner tube, puncture repair kit.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...QRY=C416&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c012372c012370

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_240361_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

 

[alecstilleyedye]

(un)fortunately you won't find any one here with the "tried it but didn't like it" experience of cycling, but there is much to commend it over running, not least the fact that you won't knacker your knees and give yourself problems later in life.

as you're a student, i'm guessing that your budget isn't big. £400 will buy a decent road bike that can be upgraded gradually as and when things wear out (or you just want to).

if you're in a hilly area, make sure you get a road bike with a triple chainset, or at least a compact chainset. that way you won't be unable to get up the local hills.

if you're fancying a mountain bike/hybrid for use on the road, avoid rear suspension. you won't get a decent rear suspension mtb for £400, so get a decent hybrid/hard tail mtb instead. slick tyres will ride better on the road than knobby ones.

 

[yello]

Could you borrow/hire a bike for a week or so?

Much of the equipment you bought for running can be used for cycling (shirts, socks, Garmin) so don't worry too much about that.

 

[wafflycat]

wot alecstilleyedye sed..

 

[Wigsie]

wot alecstilleyedye sed..

+1 Welcome and Good Luck

 

[Forelli87]

Thanks for the speedy and helpful replies!

I am going to ring a few friends, see if they have a bike I could borrow, if not I could hire one.

After researching, using Evans Cycles buying guide, I think a Hybrid is the one for me. I could stretch to a £500 budget, if that'd make a big difference.

For me it is scary to spend £500 on a bike, but I suppose I could view it as an investment to a healthier and fitter future!

 

[wafflycat]

Oh... just to add. When you first get back on a bike and (in my case) for a long, long time thereafter, going up hills hurts. There is no shame in stopping, dismounting and walking with bike. Really. The key is to enjoy your cycling and gradually get back to fitness. You don't do this by knackering yourself. Start off short, frequent trips, and gradually increase mileages and difficulty of route. The key is to enjoy it as that way you'll keep at it.

 

[Jane Smart]

I started cycling four weeks ago, bought my own bike two weeks ago now and have loved every mile I have put into it and lost over a stone in weight for by! That should encourage you

 

[swee'pea99]

Hello and welcome!

Two basic questions: did you cycle in the past? And can you handle a spanner?

My answer to both five or six years ago was yes, which made it easy & cheap for me: I just got an old 10 gear racer, like the ones I used to ride, off ebay for about fifty squids, and that was that. You need the spannerability to get it set up for you and possibly fix any minor things - replace brake blocks, maybe a new tyre or two.

If you're set on a hybrid, it's still doable, tho' real bargains are thinner on the ground. (One thing to bear in mind - unless you plan to spend a significant amount of time off-road, you get more ride for your oomph with a racer, plus they're much better for security, basically because dropped handlebars are like a scrote-repellent.)

 

[dtp]

[quote name='swee'pea99'] basically because dropped handlebars are like a scrote-repellent[/quote]

Excellent

 

[wafflycat]

because dropped handlebars are like a scrote-repellent[/B].)

*chortle*

There is certainly truth in that. Back in the days when WCMinor was a lad and in his early days of cycling to high school, he had (we still have) a rather lovely classic road bike with drops. WE had to go out & get him a basic MTB from H*lf*rds as on the road bike he was getting the mick taken out of him something rotten and his life made hell as the local yoof used to laugh at him for not having a proper bike. As soon as he was on a basic, naff MTB, the ribbing stopped. The yoof of today have no idea

 

[Sittingduck]

Thanks for the speedy and helpful replies!

I am going to ring a few friends, see if they have a bike I could borrow, if not I could hire one.

After researching, using Evans Cycles buying guide, I think a Hybrid is the one for me. I could stretch to a £500 budget, if that'd make a big difference.

For me it is scary to spend £500 on a bike, but I suppose I could view it as an investment to a healthier and fitter future!

Check this out (Bargain In my opinion): http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kona/dew-2009-hybrid-bike-ec017268?query=kona dew

Good luck and as the others have said, try to borrow a bike for a week or so or also consider the 2nd hand route.

Cheers,
SD

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Always worth checking the for sale section of this very forum - some goodies pass through on occasion. You gotta be quick though because there's some greedy multiple bike owners who'll stop at nothing to add to their menagerie!!!

 

[MajorMantra]

If you are worried you won't like it then buying used makes a lot of sense. That way you should be able to get your money back in the unlikely event that cycling doesn't suit you.

Buying a new bike is like buying a new car - there is instant depreciation.

Matthew