Need help with my first bike!!!

TheBa

Hi guys.

I'm a keen runner but now I'm thinking about to take up cycling as well, as my knees are playing up a little.

Pardon my ignorance, but I really have not got a clue of what to look for in a bike! I do not want to pay a vast amount of money on my first bike, mainly because I can't afford it right now.:rolleyes:

Basically, I want something for travelling on country roads, so there is always a chance of hitting a pothole. Should I just go for a mountain bike or hybrid for these roads or will a decent racer hold up?

Any input would be really appreciated but please don't get too technical too early on me. I'm a little cautious about going into a shop without acquiring a little knowledge first.

Thanks!!!

kenmc

If you're just going to be on roads, either get a road bike (dropped handlebars) or a flat barred road bike. Don't go getting a mountain bike, they're heavier and slower. And don't cycle into potholes. They're pretty easy to avoid.

TheBa

I've just seen this bike on the Buy and Sell:

Trek 7005 series alu frame racer

Cork
€500.00

24sp Shimano STI SORA FLIGHTDECK gears. New cables,deraileur,chain. 21"frame. Ideal for triathalons,touring,races.
CONTACT: 087-*******








Can anbody tell me is this a good bike for somebody who wants to spend under €500?

Or what further specs should I ask about that's not mentioned in the ad?





Alternatively, what do you think of these?

http://cgi.ebay.ie/BARRACUDA-CIPRESSA-2-2008-model-RACING-BIKE-53cm_W0QQitemZ360129084727QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item360129084727&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Raleigh-Airlite-100-Alloy-58cm-Road-Racing-Bike_W0QQitemZ290291317896QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item290291317896&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318



I must emphasise that I have no immediate or short-term plans to cycle competitively.
I just want to take up cycling to cycle the roads at home and keep myself fit...

DirkVoodoo

€500 for that seems like a bit of a rip-off.

I may be wrong. It's got sora, fair enough, but I don't know the frame and it looks more like a commuter than a racer.

How tall are you?

RobFowl

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

€500 for that seems like a bit of a rip-off.

I may be wrong. It's got sora, fair enough, but I don't know the frame and it looks more like a commuter than a racer.

How tall are you?

+1
The trek looks way over priced (they are close to that new)

Never heard of the Baracuda one on eBay but googled it and it also looks way over priced.
TBH if you're new to cycling and don't know much about it go to a local bike shop and get some advice.

TheBa

Thanks guys.

I'm 5' 11" by the way.

Anything to be said for this one? (if I can get him to drop that shipping fee a little!):

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200304594646

RobFowl

TheBa wrote: »

Thanks guys.

I'm 5' 11" by the way.

Anything to be said for this one? (if I can get him to drop that shipping fee a little!):

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200304594646

Its the right size and looks in good nick, Shimano sora which is the bottom end, For a few quid nore you could do alot better

kenmc

It's already sold, which is probably good, cos 120 shipping is rediculous - I got a bike shipped last week for 60.
Be careful buying from ebay or whatever, especially a used bike. You've no idea what condition the drivetrain is in, especially after a couple of thousand km, the last thing you want to be doing when you get it is spending more money on new chains/casettes/brake blocks etc.
If you want to go second hand I highly recommend somewhere were you can at least see the bike in the flesh first, and preferably have a ride of it - that way you'll know that it's in good nick and are in a position to bargain down if the gears are skipping or whatever.

DirkVoodoo

TheBa, if you want to get a cheap bike, go to here and look at the BeOne range.

It may seem a little daunting ordering off the internet, but if you ask lots of questions on here then you will be able to pick one without too much hassle.

The important things are: what height you are (5'11"), what is your inseam length and can you touch your toes?

TheBa

DirkVoodoo, you seem to have hit the nail on the head here.

Here's the one that I'm now thinking about:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25457

It's the second cheapest on the site, but looks fine for my needs.

Yes I'm 5' 11" an I can touch my toes. Should I be going for the 57cm or 59cm?
And what else will I need? ill the cheapest pedals be ok?
And are cycling shoes necessary or will my trainers do?

kenmc

if you want to wear runners then you want "flat" pedals, not clipless or anything. You may want to get some toestraps with them too, your call. People have reported that the brizas come with flat pedals with toestraps included, despite the fact that it says no pedals are included - you may be lucky or unlucky.
You'll probably also need to get some spare tubes/pump/puncture repair/tyre levers/cycling shorts at a minimum if not tights, jersey, jacket, gloves, personal preference on helmet, lights.

novarapid

i'd recommend the beone aswell, I got the 2007 model and have it over a year, everything working perfect still. I however am now sorry i didnt spend more on a better bike but if your not sure how much you'll cycle go for it.
the bike comes with basic pedals that will do to start off with trainers.
It will need a bit of tweaking with the gears but this isnt too hard. Lots of info on the web and this forum is excellent for giving helful advice!
enjoy!

TheBa

novarapid wrote: »

Lots of info on the web and this forum is excellent for giving helful advice!
enjoy!

That is for sure! Getting great help here!

Is there much difference between the beone bike I mentioned earlier and this one:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25456

To my untrainrd eye, there's very little difference and I might be better off having the extra €45 to spend on a good helmet or something.

Also, should I go for 57cm or 59cm?

kenmc

the components on the cheaper are the lowest end of the spectrum. I've no experience with them, so can't say much about them, but generally speaking you get what you pay for performance wise up to the middle of the range, then you mostly start saving weight.

Can't really help you with the size, but I guess Harpz is around 5'11 or so and he has a briza, he may be able to advise you if you pm him.

TheBa

Thanks guys. I think I'll go for the first BeOne.
I'm just gonna try some shops tomorrow to see if I can get any deal for under €400.
Anybody got any advice as to what brands etc. I should be trying to avoid?

Caroline_ie

Cycleogical in Dub town is supposed to have great deal at the moment ... might be worth having a look

Berbatov

I bought the Beone Storm 2.0 just before Xmas after reading some recommendations on here - especially from TinyExplosions. It's the first bike I've bought and am more than happy with it, seems like an excellent deal.

I'm 5'11" and the 57cm is perfect fit. Came with flat pedals btw.

TheBa

Cheers Berbatov!
Think I'll give the BeOne a go.
But I'll prob go for the Briza ahead of the Storm and keep the 100 quid
I'll let ye know how it is when she arrives!

monument

TheBa wrote: »

Basically, I want something for travelling on country roads, so there is always a chance of hitting a pothole. Should I just go for a mountain bike or hybrid for these roads or will a decent racer hold up?

Go for a hybrid.

Unless you are going off road you don't need a mountain bike.

Mountain bikes where they are only used on roads are the comparable to only using an SUV in a town or city. But than again some people here think you need racers for commuting.