Starting out - Some advice

[Kier]

Good evening,

I'm sure there are 100s of threads on this, and I am having a read at the other posts.

I've not ridden a bike properly since 2006 when I was still at school, even then it was purely just to get to and from school. Went out for a few hours on a bike with work and enjoyed it, wasn't that bad.

I've been thinking of getting a bike for a while, I want to shift some weight, but hate the gym with a passion.

However, I've soon found out I know nothing about bikes, there are so many choices, Hybrid, Road, Mountain.

I've got a budget of around £600, ideally I don't want to go above this. This doesn't include money for a helmet or anything else.

I've decided I want a road bike, but I am a little worried that they aren't going to be suitable for me. I'm 6ft 4 and 117kg. I've seen that the bikes I've been looking at weigh around 10kg-14kg. Will these support me?

So far I'm drawn to the Specialized Allez. The reviews I've read are good. But I have no idea if the specs are good, and if there is anything else I can have a look at.

Helmet wise...what on earth do I look for? I'm guessing fit is important, what sort of price will I be looking at for one? I'm happy to pay however much for a good one if its needed.

Is there anything else that I'll be needing? Lights are fairly standard aren't they?

Thanks for any help .

Edit - Just seen that it should have gone in another section...is someone able to move it please?

 

[dr snuggles]

Best advice you can have is try them out. Get down the bike shops and test the lot.
Do you know anybody with bikes you can borrow? I know when I started to cycle after many years I took to mountain biking but i've progressively moved to road bikes. It all depends what you are wanting out of it which bike would be best. Helmets etc are the least of your worries just make sure you get the bike right for you.

 

[simon.r]

There are plenty of cyclists who weigh as much or more than you riding fairly lightweight road bikes, you should be fine.

At £600 you will be very unlucky to find a bad bike - all of the main manufacturers produce bikes around that price. Probably the best advice is to go to a good local bike shop (LBS) and seek their advice.

 

[MikeW-71]

Yes, any good entry level road bike should support your weight. I would avoid low spoke-count wheels though to be on the safe side.

The Specialized Allez is a very popular choice and has served many riders well, the Giant Defy is another, but there are loads out there to choose from. What I would say is that for your first bike, buy from a good local bike shop where you can actually sit on it and preferably take it for a test-ride.

Helmets go from £30 to £230 if you want to use one, but spending more does not necessarily mean more protection. Like most stuff for cycling, fit is all-important. If it doesn't fit properly it is useless.

Other stuff: Lights, spare tube or two, mini-pump, patch kit, multitool, saddlebag. Water bottle and cage (or 2).

Padded shorts help a lot on road bikes, they can easily be worn under some baggy shorts if you don't want to go for the skin-tight look, likewise a casual jersey is more flattering to begin with.

Best of luck!

 

[joe schmoe]

There are a fair few road bikes to choose from in that price range. A Specialized Allez is as good as any in my opinion. As others have already said, a good fit is paramount and much more important than the brand or the finer details of the component specification. The Specialized shop ("concept store") around the corner from me will let you take the bike you're interested in out for a spin. This is much better than just swinging a leg over and plonking yourself on the saddle in the shop. Anyhow, don't settle for anything less than a test ride before you buy even if online deals look attractive.

Go for it. You'll enjoy it whatever you get.

 

[Kier]

Thank you for the replies. I shall have a look at the Giant Defy.

I've popped into a few shops, but due to the size I need (61cm or XXL) they don't have any in stock, so it often means waiting. I thought a lot would be a day or two, its looking at a month or so sadly.

Got a few more shops to look at tomorrow.

 

[MartinQ]

Similar height to you, but not quite as heavy (sometimes I am with my rucksack on) and XXL is what I got. One thing I've found is that getting 25 (or even 28) tyres helps smooth out the roads. Most bikes will take a 25 though some may not take a 28. You can pick up gatorskins for ~£20 each in 25 & 28 from wiggle.

 

[Cycleops]

You could also try looking in Halfords. The Boardman bikes are very good with a fine finish. Service there has had mixed reviews on here but if the guy in the shop doesn't appear to know what he's talking about give the place a miss and look for another branch. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-comp-bike-2014 be aware their pricing varies so wait for any promotions. Have a look at Ridgeback bikes , good value http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/advance-4-0#details

I would agree with @MikeW-71 on helmets, you can spend a lot of money, but most of the top end ones have better finish and lighter weight using carbon. Kask are popular but maybe because Team Sky use them I think! I have a Giro Atmos and it's fine.

Bye the way, if you want to loose some weight you need to combine with a good healthy diet, cycling alone won't do it. Incidentally you will likely find the saddle a pain at first, but it will get better as you become accustomed to it, but you may need to buy another.

Good luck.

 

[Apollonius]

Just seen a pop-up ad from Evans. Allez £500. That's a lot of bike for the money. I understand your worries about the Kg issue. You might find that the wheels are the limiting factor. I have heard it said tha Specialized don't have an upper weight limit, but a heavy friend of mine with the misfortune to own a Roubaix discovered his Fulcrum wheels were only rated to about 110kg. I you are wondering why I said misfortune (because I know it is a good bike) I just find the things an eyesore with their horrible kinked frames. Personal prejudice then!

 

[Kier]

You could also try looking in Halfords. The Boardman bikes are very good with a fine finish. Service there has had mixed reviews on here but if the guy in the shop doesn't appear to know what he's talking about give the place a miss and look for another branch. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-comp-bike-2014 be aware their pricing varies so wait for any promotions. Have a look at Ridgeback bikes , good value http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/advance-4-0#details

I would agree with @MikeW-71 on helmets, you can spend a lot of money, but most of the top end ones have better finish and lighter weight using carbon. Kask are popular but maybe because Team Sky use them I think! I have a Giro Atmos and it's fine.

Bye the way, if you want to loose some weight you need to combine with a good healthy diet, cycling alone won't do it. Incidentally you will likely find the saddle a pain at first, but it will get better as you become accustomed to it, but you may need to buy another.

Good luck.

I had a look at Halfords, however I wasn't impressed at all with their customer service, walked into two stores, spent 10 minutes looking at bikes, waiting for a member of staff to offer their help, they spent the next 10 minutes just joking with another member of staff.

I went to a shop yesterday to have a look at the Allez, however no where seemed to have them in stock, and I'm impatient when it comes to waiting for new things.

Had a couple of other shops to pop into today (just as its decided to rain!), both were stockists of Giant, first one had the Giant Defy 3 in my size, so guess what is currently sat in my lounge at the moment? £100 off as it was the 2014 model, which seems to be the going price online.

Got a Abus helmet as well, it was the best fitting of the ones I tried on. Going to pop to Halfords later for some lights, as I completely forgot to get some at the shop. Are there any that are worth getting?

With regards to losing weight, I've lost around three stone at the moment, just by eating less than before, so hopefully with riding I'll be able to shift it quicker. I want to do at least three times a week, which should be doable.

 

[Apollonius]

Sound moves all round. Best of luck and enjoy your riding.

 

[Cycleops]

Sorry about your Halfords experience, I did say it can be a bit variable! Perhaps you could post a pic of your new bike in time (you may have to post a few messages). Regards light I would recommend you to get some good quality ones. I have bought some cheap and not cheap ones and failure rate among them is extraordinary. You will also need a good lock, a track pump, puncture repair set, frame pump and a spare inner tube. Maybe some padded shorts too, that will help with saddle pain.

 

[Kier]

I think Halfords are useful if you know what you are looking for, tend to get my car/motorbike stuff if I need it quickly.

I'll have a look at some lights and try and pick some up tomorrow/tonight along with the rest you have suggested.

Lock wise, are there any brands that are better than others? Type to avoid? I've got a motorbike lock I'm going to use for the time being as its not being used on my bike.

Saddle pain...yeah not looking forward to that!



Hopefully the photo has uploaded .

 

[simon.r]

This is a cracking little back up light http://www.halfords.com/cycling/accessories/lights-reflectors/knog-blinder-1-front-light for £7.20 (with thanks to @tincaman for posting on the bargain thread).

 

[vickster]

Lock wise, are there any brands that are better than others? Type to avoid? I've got a motorbike lock I'm going to use for the time being as its not being used on my bike.

Saddle pain...yeah not looking forward to that!

View attachment 58136

Hopefully the photo has uploaded .

Locks wise, the best regarded are the Kryptonite fahgetttaboutit and the Abus Granit X D locks, both are around £60-80

Avoid cables other than an a secondary for securing the second wheel, saddle. D Locks, the smaller the better to avoid the scrotes jacking them open (need to be usable though depending on where / to what you are securing them)