First new bike in about 13 years

Penn

Hey all. I recently started going to the gym regularly and dieting and all that jazz. I was thinking of taking up cycling for days I don't go to the gym and even just a nice spin when theres good weather. But I know very little when it comes to proper bikes.

Probably one of the best places for me to purchase a good bike as I live out in the sticks would be a Halfords. So as I haven't gotten a new bike since I was 10 (best Christmas ever, even though thats the Christmas I found out Santa wasn't real, but still, cool bike + Mega Drive = f*ck you Santa).

Can anyone suggest a bike or give me some pointers as to what I should be looking for in terms of suspension, gears etc cos I'll mainly be using the bike on roads and a few small laneways, but I live in a very hilly, potholey area. The route I'm planning on cycling has a few bumpy laneways though, but not mountain biking or anything like that. Not a great distance either, til I gradually build it up and go further and further.

I was hoping for cheap to be less than 500 euro. A lot less if possible. Like I said, I'm not using it for anything major (a mate of mine does downhill mountain biking and triathalons and stuff and spent about 2,500 euro on his). I won't even be wearing proper cycling gear, just t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms (and helmet obviously)

Just basically a runaround kinda yoke, but comfortable and good. It should also be quite good and easy for going uphill.

Any help or advice welcome

Raam

A road bike, all the way. With drop bars. Don't go near a hybrid or anything with suspension. They are a complete waste of time and energy on the road.

Someone will be along in a minute to tell you the complete opposite.

Maybe a cyclo-cross bike.

Penn

Raam wrote: »

Someone will be along in a minute to tell you the complete opposite.

ahahahaha

Anyway, road bike, drop bars, no suspension. Check. I'll make a list of things to look out for when I'm in the bike shop

Raam

paddyirishman85 wrote: »

ahahahaha

Anyway, road bike, drop bars, no suspension. Check. I'll make a list of things to look out for when I'm in the bike shop

To be honest, they are my own preferences. A hybrid might be exactly what you want if you are only doing short run arounds. Have a look what your LBS has and see what takes your fancy. If you are going to cycle long distance, 25km+, regularly then a drop bar road bike is a good candidate.

Suspension is really only for off road bicycles.

Penn

Raam wrote: »

To be honest, they are my own preferences. A hybrid might be exactly what you want if you are only doing short run arounds. Have a look what your LBS has and see what takes your fancy. If you are going to cycle long distance, 25km+, regularly then a drop bar road bike is a good candidate.

Suspension is really only for off road bicycles.

Yeah, there might be a few bumpy laneways but it'll mostly be road. Can't imagine myself going too far, I'll mostly only be doing the cycling as a way to compliment my work at the gym. For days I don't get to the gym, go cycling for a half hour or an hour or something. Cheers very much

Raam

Try and figure out your budget before you go into the shop. Also have a think about cycling clothes, tools, helmet, yadda yadda.

Some good info written up here by one of the guys, Gavin, I think.