Getting back into Cycling

congo_90

Hi all,
First post in this forum. I was thinking of getting back into cycling again. I'll be what I believe you call a 'Commuter man?' (somebody who cycles to work).
Anyways I used to do a lot of cycling about 2 years ago on a Trek 3900. Was looking to get something similar again... Basically a good all rounder with good rims. The ones I had were carved or something and braked better.
any suggestions? I can budget about 500
Thanks!

blorg

Unless you are planning on going off-road I would suggest getting a hybrid. These have all the advantages of the MTB-style cycling position while being lighter, faster and generally taking rack/mudguards etc. Perfect for commuting. Trek do a nice range if you like them, the FX series. Only downside of Trek IMHO is that you do pay a premium for the name and as they are well known thieves seem to like them.

Avoid suspension and make sure you have slick tyres.

Turbulent Bill

congo_90 wrote: »

Hi all,
First post in this forum. I was thinking of getting back into cycling again. I'll be what I believe you call a 'Commuter man?' (somebody who cycles to work).
Anyways I used to do a lot of cycling about 2 years ago on a Trek 3900. Was looking to get something similar again... Basically a good all rounder with good rims. The ones I had were carved or something and braked better.
any suggestions? I can budget about 500
Thanks!

Do you still have the Trek 3900? I use the same model for commuting (25km round trip) and find it fine. Fitted it with slicks (Continental Gatorskins) which makes a big difference.

Hungrycol

congo_90 wrote: »

I'll be what I believe you call a 'Commuter man?'

"Commuterman" is someone who would even race his own shadow to work :rolleyes:

Do you intend on using the bike for anything other than commuting? Weekend spins, etc?

congo_90

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

Do you still have the Trek 3900? I use the same model for commuting (25km round trip) and find it fine. Fitted it with slicks (Continental Gatorskins) which makes a big difference.

No sadly I sold it which is the biggest mistake I made desperatly always searching for another one. I kept the original bontrager tyres on her and loved the light weight frame.

Hungrycol wrote: »

"Commuterman" is someone who would even race his own shadow to work :rolleyes:

Do you intend on using the bike for anything other than commuting? Weekend spins, etc?

Lol definatly not me! I do compete with myself but not like a spa on a bike. I used to simply keep at a constant pace and (after reading more threads) have a better understanding.

The fx looks a little too advanced and fragile for me.I'd need it a little more sturdy.

Yep I will be going on weekend spins etc and hopefully incorporating it again as a primary means of transport. In my peak days I was doing 52km a day (in 7ish km sessions)

Reason for a sturdy frame like the 3900 is because i'd be going up some trails along bohernabreena but not intensly offroad.

Thanks for all the replies guys sorry for confusion on the "commuter man" issue. Probably made a few enemies already over this one?

TinyExplosions

congo_90 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies guys sorry for confusion on the "commuter man" issue. Probably made a few enemies already over this one?

Unfortunately, it's just one big love in in here, so it's hard to make enemies (unless you're as smug and gloaty as El Tonto )

Lumen

TinyExplosions wrote: »

it's hard to make enemies (unless you're as smug and gloaty as El Tonto )

*I beat Blorg up the Glandon - he's only human!!!

I love the irony.

TinyExplosions

Lumen wrote: »

I love the irony.

I thrive on it mate

DirkVoodoo

500 is plenty, but the usual questions apply: do you need locks, lights, etc. or do you have any lying around.

I would strongly advise lights, I'm sure you might have read some of the topics around here recently and seen how suicidal it is to ride at night without them.

Are you looking at a local purchase?

I think you are safe from smugness in this thread, I can't possibly see how this could be turned into a euro debate

If anyone asks, you commute in all white, carry no saddle bag and never wave at anyone...for your own safety.

blorg

congo_90 wrote: »

The fx looks a little too advanced and fragile for me.I'd need it a little more sturdy.

Reason for a sturdy frame like the 3900 is because i'd be going up some trails along bohernabreena but not intensly offroad.

The FX or indeed any decent hybrid would be plenty sturdy for light trails; I did the Camino de Santiago on a Specialized Sirrus which is significantly more roadie-oriented than the FX. (I owned two Trek FXes before the Sirrus and very happy with them but they were stolen.) Is this the sort of thing you mean by light trail:

TinyExplosions

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I think you are safe from smugness in this thread, I can't possibly see how this could be turned into a euro debate .

What lights are Euro acceptable?

Hungrycol

TinyExplosions wrote: »

What lights are Euro acceptable?

A support car/motorbike with hazard lights on I think would be euro acceptable.

congo_90

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

500 is plenty, but the usual questions apply: do you need locks, lights, etc. or do you have any lying around.

I would strongly advise lights, I'm sure you might have read some of the topics around here recently and seen how suicidal it is to ride at night without them.

Are you looking at a local purchase?

I think you are safe from smugness in this thread, I can't possibly see how this could be turned into a euro debate

If anyone asks, you commute in all white, carry no saddle bag and never wave at anyone...for your own safety.

I have a good lock here in my shed from my old bike can't think of the name but it stopped my old bike being robbed once. Also i've still got my lights from my old bike + high vis jacket for obvious reasons and of course a helmet. I'm all too aware of the dangers and have lost some to it.

blorg wrote: »

The FX or indeed any decent hybrid would be plenty sturdy for light trails; I did the Camino de Santiago on a Specialized Sirrus which is significantly more roadie-oriented than the FX. (I owned two Trek FXes before the Sirrus and very happy with them but they were stolen.) Is this the sort of thing you mean by light trail:

Thats basically the sort of trail i'm talking about yup.

TinyExplosions wrote: »

What lights are Euro acceptable?

Euro acceptable lights? I'll dig into threads here because I dont get this

Raam

congo_90 wrote: »

Euro acceptable lights? I'll dig into threads here because I dont get this

Euro is all about style and attitude. Nothing more to it