First Cycle for a decade

il gatto

Went for my first cycle this evening. My Specialized Hardrock arrived yesterday, but I hadn't a chance to take it out. Came home from work this evening and it was dry and warm (no sun though). Went with the intention of doing 2-3 miles. Ended up doing 9.5 miles including a few short sharp hills. I'm really impressed with that. It was tough in places, but considering I haven't cycled more than 3-4 times in almost 15 years, and I've smoked 20 cigarettes a day for almost as long, and I'm about a stone overweight, I was really happy to have broken only minor sweat, and arrived home with no ill effects other than my legs feeling a bit weak for a few minutes and my crotch aching.:(
My new water bottle tasted of Fairy liquid (didn't rinse it properly), I forgot to wear eye protection and the first dog I saw chased me. And it was great. Looking forward to tackling some forest tracks again before long.

violator13

congrats!!
Im hoping to do the same as you as im looking to take up some fair weather cycling again around Howth etc after a long break.

how do you find the hardrock?? I was looking at one with the disc brakes in 53degrees north. Cheap too.

The tax man

Well done and happy cycling.

In a similar situation,only back on the bike this year. Gave up smoking after almost 19yrs on them. The crotch will get used to the saddle again soon enough. Today certainly was a day for glasses,damn insects drove me mad. Had to take my helmet off twice just to get them out of my hair. Nearly wished it was still raining at times.:eek:

il gatto

violator13 wrote: »

congrats!!
Im hoping to do the same as you as im looking to take up some fair weather cycling again around Howth etc after a long break.

how do you find the hardrock?? I was looking at one with the disc brakes in 53degrees north. Cheap too.

I got the 2009 Sport Disk for about €400 from Cycleways. I like it. I seen a few reviews saying they were good but a bit heavy, but tbh, compared to what I rode years ago (Diamondback Topanga, circa '91ish) it feels light enough. Being so long off bikes, it's hard to compare though. Thought it was a little bumpy, but then aluminium is stiffer than cro-moly. Forks were nice. Never had sus forks before, but I didn't notice any unnecessary diving or any slack feeling in the front end. Brakes were good, but I was a little paranoid about locking up and ran into a few corners a bit hot until I got used to them.
Gears worked well. Apparently Sram's low end stuff is better than the cheap Shimano or Suntour. The underbar shift took some getting used to (God. 31 and such a dinosaur:o), but it all changed slickly and felt solid.
All in all it's a handsome looking bike, great company reputation and it all feels like a proper mountain bike, compared to some stuff I've seen at prices not alot below it. No plastic brake levers or tat graphics. I'd recommend it.

vektarman

Well done, the important thing is to ease your way back in to the cycling, although it sounds like you're well capable after doing nearly ten miles. The legs muscles will build up after a while and you won't even notice the miles being eaten up. Don't forget to do a bit of stretching before and after your cycle if you don't already do it.

violator13

il gatto wrote: »

I got the 2009 Sport Disk for about €400 from Cycleways. I like it. I seen a few reviews saying they were good but a bit heavy, but tbh, compared to what I rode years ago (Diamondback Topanga, circa '91ish) it feels light enough. Being so long off bikes, it's hard to compare though. Thought it was a little bumpy, but then aluminium is stiffer than cro-moly. Forks were nice. Never had sus forks before, but I didn't notice any unnecessary diving or any slack feeling in the front end. Brakes were good, but I was a little paranoid about locking up and ran into a few corners a bit hot until I got used to them.
Gears worked well. Apparently Sram's low end stuff is better than the cheap Shimano or Suntour. The underbar shift took some getting used to (God. 31 and such a dinosaur:o), but it all changed slickly and felt solid.
All in all it's a handsome looking bike, great company reputation and it all feels like a proper mountain bike, compared to some stuff I've seen at prices not alot below it. No plastic brake levers or tat graphics. I'd recommend it.

Yes it is a great value bike but im too minds, should I go for a hybrid or the hardrock..Hows it on the road?.Im sure you could put road tyres on too. Had this in mind though
Halfords im afraid but...
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/gryphon-18314

Looks really good value and only issue would be the aftersales as Im aware of the "halfords reputation"

il gatto

vektarman wrote: »

Well done, the important thing is to ease your way back in to the cycling, although it sounds like you're well capable after doing nearly ten miles. The legs muscles will build up after a while and you won't even notice the miles being eaten up. Don't forget to do a bit of stretching before and after your cycle if you don't already do it.

Thanks. Yeah. I should've done a few more stretches before I set out. The crotch was actually the worst part when I got home. Planning on doing a short run 5-6 miles every day or second day, and a 10-15 mile run once a week. After a while, I hope to build that to a 15-20 at least once a week.

violator13, the Hardrock is good on the road, but obviously the offroad tyres drag a good bit. I'm planning on doing some offroad shortly, so I'm leaving them on, but slicks or semis would be better on the road. The Carrera looks like a good bike too, but personally, I prefer a mountain bike which gives me the option of offroading. The Hardrock also has suspension forks, which although not vital on the road, are a nice feature when the surface is poor (like most Irish roads:)). It's very sturdy too.
I'd check out the weights. I think the Gryphon is a couple of kilos lighter. If you have no intention of going offroad, don't care about the suspension and won't give it much abuse, the Carrera might suit better.
I have to say, the Hardrock looks pretty cool though. :cool:

BostonB

For a hybrid the gryphon seems one of the lighter ones. But the big difference will be the bigger wheels thin tyres and road gearing. The difference would be huge. That gryphon seems like great value.

davgtrek

well done on getting back in the saddle. I'd definately go out and buy a pair of cycling padded shorts ( the lycra type ones ), you can wear any ordinary pair of shorts over them if the leroy johnson look is not to your liking. they will allow you to go further and longer in saddle without a sore butt....

also a common mistake a lot of people make is pushing gear that are too hard. its much better for your legs & your cardiovascular workout to spin gears that dont have much resistance so that your pedals are rotating fairly quickly... its called "cadence" ( theres plenty on net about it )
You see a lot of people who with cowboy stle legs are pushing tough gears thinking its good for the muscles, like its pumping weights... no good for ya.

I had a mate who had a hardrock. great bike to learn mtb on and tough as nails. disk brakes once hydraulic are excellent and should be gotton even if it means upping your budget to get them.....

If you only want to cycle on road then forget MTB and get a road bike or nice light hybrid. Do not waste money on a suspension fork on front of hybrid. Its a gimmic to sell these bikes as the forks are crap and add considerable weight over an straight non suspension fork. no matter what the bike store says in favour of the suspension fork ignore them !!!!
The lighter the better for a bike...and it makes a vast difference on the road... you also do not need disc brakes for the road, again weight and they are often mechanical ( not hydraulic ) and pretty useless on hybrids.

but once you taste some nice cross country mountain biking ( its not the mental stuff you see on telly ans associate with mangle injuries ) you would be addicted and think the road is the epitomy of monotony in comparison.

good luck

eggie

I only started back about a month ago after ten years or more out of the saddle. I stopped smoking about a year ago and it makes such a difference.

Not just for cycling, I do other exercises regularly, read that Alan Carr book and never looked back. Give it a go is my advice. Good luck on the bike.

pburns

eggie wrote: »

Not just for cycling, I do other exercises regularly, read that Alan Carr book and never looked back. Give it a go is my advice. Good luck on the bike.

Eh...you're not talking about Alan Carr the camp comedian are you? :eek: I really, really hope not:D!

New enough to cycling myself. Haven't done much since I started driving and it ceased to be only transport (apart from a brief flirtation 6 years ago).

Did about 23 miles this evening though and that was after a massive 'don't-remember-coming-home' bender last night. First few miles were hard but after a big climb section it got easier, could have gone on miles longer but ran out of fluids!

I recommend cycling as a hangover cure - mixture of sweat and fresh air seem to really do the trick:D