Seriously confused

[biggs682]

@Hill Wimp all apart from 1 are retro steel bikes

 

[bororider]

@bororider i always have a couple of road bikes for sale you are more than welcome to pop over and try one just for the experiance to see what you think about road bikes

Thanks for the offer. My brother has a road bike, so he is obviously trying to steer me in that direction. I'm hoping to try his if we can arrange a meet sometime soon

 

[biggs682]

Thanks for the offer. My brother has a road bike, so he is obviously trying to steer me in that direction. I'm hoping to try his if we can arrange a meet sometime soon

offer always stand for all so no trouble

 

[Hill Wimp]

@Hill Wimp all apart from 1 are retro steel bikes

Sorry i just meant the ability to try was a good one not that they may or may not be super dooper ones.

 

[vickster]

You can be pretty upright on road bikes too. I reckon go for the hybrid, get fitter, addicted to cycling and then save up to get the roadie next year

 

[Hill Wimp]

Does where you work do the cycle to work scheme ?

 

[bororider]

No, i drive a van all over the country installing computer networks. Not sure a bike would quite cut it tbh

 

[vickster]

Might be difficult to convince HMRC that you are using the bike for commuting in that case, even if your employer offers it to head office staff say

 

[Hill Wimp]

Mmmm could put a strain on the panniers.

 

[bororider]

I reckon so yeah!!

 

[bororider]

I'd get a road bike, certainly nothing with suspension if speed is the aim

For £430, you can get the triban 5 road bike from decathlon, sti shifters, carbon fork.

Thanks for all the replies so far, appreciated

This looks a good bike actually if I go down that route. I don't have a Decathlon anywhere near me but I'm working in Stockport Wednesday so may ring them and see if I can try one.
My only concern is if something goes wrong I will have to travel miles to get it sorted

Your other comment re get a Hybrid now and see how it goes was my initial feeling tbh. It's just deciding on one

 

[vickster]

Go ride some If you want speed, consider the weight, width of tyres (and whether you can add narrower ones), I'd want a carbon fork

 

[annedonnelly]

No, i drive a van all over the country installing computer networks. Not sure a bike would quite cut it tbh

Does that give you the chance to visit lots of bike shops in your lunch hour? Try a few different ones for size? Though that might just make you more confused

 

[MaxInc]

Try to imagine where you would be in a years time once the fitness if no longer a concern and get a bike that will fit that purpose. In reality you will need at least 2 bikes but if you have to choose only one, get the one that covers 80% of your goals long term.

Road bikes are faster and fun on long runs but less practical around town and more difficult to manoeuvre at slow speed. Since most riders end up challenging themselves for distance and speed, they inevitably end up with (at least) a road bike of some sorts. With road bikes you trade versatility and some comfort for speed.

For practicality like riding around town to grocery store, relaxing off road exploratory ride I very much prefer the super heavy but robust, comfortable and versatile MTB. Slow but loads more fun than a road bike for this kind of riding. With a Hybrid you give away some speed and you get a lot of versatility.

Both bikes will get you fit in no time, and both are fun in a different way. Best choice is to get one of each

 

[PaulSB]

Without wishing to confuse your choice of bikes can I highly recommend the Marin San Rafael series.

I now ride a road bike but started off with two of these. Great bikes which will perform equally well on road and cycle paths (those without Tarmac). I even did two 5 day tours on mine. When I retire and need a good utility bike these will be the first I look at.