Scared to invest.

[just4fun]

welcome to the forums and good luck improving your fitness.
The best thing i can say is to research the type of bike most suited to the type of riding you do. do u need mudgaurds, do you need pannier racks, will you ride on mud or road? both?

 

[HJ]

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!

If you are buying a new bike than £500 is about right if you want something which will last. The other option is to get something second hand and try cycling for a few weeks then decide if you want to invest in something better. Try looking for a bike recycling scheme in your area, as these schemes are a good sources of reliable second hand bikes. Hiring a bike is expensive.

But be aware cycling is addictive, then I was first told I should get a bike I was some what sceptical, now I would be without one...

 

[Speicher]

If you are buying a new bike than £500 is about right if you want something which will last. The other option is to get something second hand and try cycling for a few weeks then decide if you want to invest in something better. Try looking for a bike recycling scheme in your area, as these schemes are a good sources of reliable second hand bikes. Hiring a bike is expensive.

But be aware cycling is addictive, then I was first told I should get a bike I was some what sceptical, now I would be without one...

IMO that site lacks a few of the ones that I know exist. I would suggest searching for "bicycle recycling in ...your county...". This seems to give a better result.

 

[Randochap]

£500 will get you a nice hybrid.

 

[Forelli87]

Thanks a lot for the very helpful and encouraging replies! Good news, I managed to borrow a bike, and went for a ride yesterday. Really enjoyed it!

So, I am going to my LBS to see what they recommend!

 

[Forelli87]

But be aware cycling is addictive, then I was first told I should get a bike I was some what sceptical, now I would be without one...

I sure hope it has this effect on me, there's much worse things to be addicted to!

 

[Sittingduck]

Good
What kind of bike did you manage to have a go on?

 

[Forelli87]

It's a Raleigh mountain bike, not sure of the model. I found it to be a bit heavy, but still enjoyable.

Just had a go on a Trek 7.3 FX Hybrid bike at my LBS. I preferred the Trek so much more than the MTB, felt quicker and lighter. This has confirmed my choice of getting a hybrid. Going to go try some more Hybrid's around the £400 - 500 bracket this afternoon.

 

[g00se]

The Trek 7.3 is a really nice bike for that price. I nearly went with that one with the same budget but it was a toss up between that, a Kona Dew Plus and a Specialized Sirrus (the Kona won).

if you're still hunting - they might be worth a look. Bear in mind shops are now getting ready to start selling the 2010 models - so if a bike is not in stock or at the warehouse, then it could prove difficult to find.

 

[Forelli87]

Hi G00se, none of my LBS stock the Kona or Specialized

This may be a silly question, but is it worth me waiting till the 2010 bikes come out?

 

[g00se]

Hard to say. I've gone ahead and bought the Kona an the new models are out in a month or so. I think the Specialized 2010 models are already out. A few things to consider -

When the new models come out - the older stock often goes on sale at lower prices. Though some shops are already reducing prices of remaining stock. However, there are reports that companies made less 2009 bikes because of the recession - but demand actually increased (health, environment, commuting costs and the bike2work schemes). So they'll be less cheap stock knocking about. Also, there are reports that prices are going up for 2010 and 2009 bikes will stay much the same.

Looking back at older bike specs, it also seems that companies can reduce the spec of a particular range of bike - that way, thy can keep the prices similar. Which means the previous model is a better machine.

As I'm using the cyclescheme.co.uk bike2work plan, I probably won't get sales prices - just RRP. Also, Kona Dews in the past have just changed colour and maybe reduced spec year on year. So I'm happy with getting the one 2009 model i managed to find - you never know - the new 2010 model may be some horrible garish pink!

So if you find a bike you like, go with it.... it's like mobiles and TVs - as soon as you get it, something better comes out

 

[Jim_Noir]

When I took it up I bought a 2nd hand MTB from gumtree... it was a lemon of a nike but it was only 40 odd quid and got me into cycling... I have just bought a sirrus sport and I will prob buy a bike twice what I paid for the sirrus next year. So try and get hold of a old bike and try it out... you'll love it

 

[Forelli87]

Hi all! Went to another shop, tried the Trek 7.3 FX again, then tried its rivals.. and I still loved the Trek over anything else.

I was really glad they didn't have the 7.5FX in a colour I like.. else I could have been tempted! Phew!

I'll post some pictures if anybody is interested.

 

[Forelli87]

 

[Forelli87]

If the pics didn't work, here are the links :
http://img31.yfrog.com/i/dsc01213q.jpg/

http://img195.yfrog.com/i/dsc01210b.jpg/