Bike advice

RacoonQueen

Dunno whether here or the cycling forum is best for this. I'm looking into getting a new bike, mostly to use for transport but also for crosstraining...and maybe getting into cycling/tri sometime soon. I'm currently using a orbita mysitque mtb which is slow and heavy(and I mean slow, it can't move as fast as my legs, no joke). What type of bike should I go for/would be most suitable for me? Paid €165 for my current bike just over a year ago, would expect to pay a lot more for something decent like.

osnola ibax

I asked a similar question not so long ago

http://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055635835&highlight=Recommend+bicycle

osnola ibax

There is also loadsa great advice on the cyclic forum. It's very much a personal choice as there are a lot of different types of bike out there. Hybrids, cyclocross, road bikes (racers), mountain bikes, flat bar racers.

The flat bar racers caught my eye, most notably the giant fcr range and the trek 7.x. Really nice looking bikes, suitable for commuting but light enough for fitness / training, basically racers without the drops. There is a lot of people out there though that think drops are the way to go. In that case you're looking at a fully fledged road bike. The giant defy gets good press, also the trek 1.2 I think. These are entry level models. I've also seen the focus bikes on wiggle get some great comments round these here parts. I've seen a lot of comments that say that if you will mostly be using it on the road then a road bike is the way to go.

I opted for the cyclo cross but that has bigger (bit slower) tyres than a bona fide racer, and I believe the geometry is not as aerodynamic. But it is lovely, it has the drops but also has breaks on the top bar which I have found great commuting, it can be used like a flat bar bike I'm essence. However, if you go through the forums, it seems to me that in terms of cyclo cross most people go for a kona Jake or a specialized tricross. Seems to me there may not be much difference between the three however. There are a good few other models aswell.

Then ma'am you got your hybrids, flat bar cross between mountian bike and racer. I wasn't too interested I'm there myself. Best of luck with your search. I'd be interested to know what you went for in the end.

hunnymonster

If you're considering doing tri's on it then get a racer (and start calling it a road bike) :-)
Next step, decide on a budget. The sky really is the limit when it comes to bikes so have an upper limit. I would suggest you need at least €400 to save yourself heartache a while down the line. €1000 will buy you something you can show off (can you take advantage of a bike to work scheme?) I know, it's a lot more money than trainers. sorry.
Next step, learn a bit about bikes. Read a bit about frame materials and group sets. These are they two main components where you'll have to make choices. If you understand the pro's and con's of each option you'll be better equiped to make a decision rather than just taking the bike someone else wishes they could buy (bikies have strong opinions!)
frame materials - eg. http://www.awcycles.co.uk/buyers-guides/road-bikes/material-frames/index.aspx
group sets - http://www.awcycles.co.uk/buyers-guides/road-bikes/road-groupsets/index.aspx

RacoonQueen

Would a racing bike be OK for daily city cycling though? Would the tyres be able to hold up to the woefully maintained and debris ridden Dublin cycle lanes? Bike maintainence is slightly worrying...learning how to fix punctures and all that lark is something I've been trying to put off for a while. :pac:

hunnymonster

you can get tyres that are pretty much bomb proof for city cycling (e.g. armidillos - not sure if that's the right spelling). RQ, if you pm me a phone number, I'll give you a buz to talk about it a bit more?

aero2k

Hi RQ,

Be careful, once it starts, it's hard to stop. There's a thread on the cycling forum "how many bikes do I need" and someone gave a very good justification for having 12!
I'd go along with HM in saying €400 would be a good starting budget. Even if you want to race, you could spend 10 times that and not improve your performance by much. If you're worried about punctures etc you could get a s/h set of wheels with big tyres for your daily rides, and save the good ones for long fast spins.
Lidl had a nice machine for €899 recently, though I'm sure a lot of the bike shops could come close to this value, and you'd be getting a personal service.
Most important piece of advice: always wear a helmet!

nerraw1111

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Would a racing bike be OK for daily city cycling though? Would the tyres be able to hold up to the woefully maintained and debris ridden Dublin cycle lanes? Bike maintainence is slightly worrying...learning how to fix punctures and all that lark is something I've been trying to put off for a while. :pac:

I've a mountain bike which I use to commute through the city centre which is fantastic. As you say, the cycle lanes and road are terribly maintained. Recently I cycled my route on a hybrid and it was a bumpy wheel buckling experience.

That said my commute is soley in the city. If I was cycling in from the suburbs, I'd go with a racing bike or hybrid.

That's my 2 cents.

RacoonQueen

Went into cycleways today and was looking at a Specialized Dolce for €955...seems perfect for what I want, except for the r*d colour. He said he's getting more bikes like what I want in over the next few weeks though so I might go back. Also had a Giant FCR(I think) for just over €400. It's the only shop I've gone to though so might try out somewhere else aswell. Would be worried about locking the bike up in work, usually lock it outside whatever part of the hospital I'm working in but we're not in the nicest area in the world like so would be worried about locking a bike I've spent a grand on outside. Starting to think of getting one for 400 or so for the commute to work and getting another entry level bike to start cross training etc on.

Git101

aero2k wrote: »

Hi RQ,

Be careful, once it starts, it's hard to stop. There's a thread on the cycling forum "how many bikes do I need" and someone gave a very good justification for having 12!

RacoonQueen it has started. Thinking about a second bike already

aero2k

Git101 wrote: »

RacoonQueen it has started. Thinking about a second bike already

I tried to warn her......
Just make sure you have a shed or something to keep them all - I had to by a shipping container for that very reason!

hunnymonster

have a look at second hand for the commute as well. It will come pre-bettered-looking so less shiny to attract the local lock-pickers.

geld

hunnymonster wrote: »

have a look at second hand for the commute as well. It will come pre-bettered-looking so less shiny to attract the local lock-pickers.

Now there's a thought - anywhere in Dublin sell second-hand bikes?

hunnymonster

adverts.ie and buyandsell are useful.

RacoonQueen

Second hand bike is a great idea actually. Unfortunately with being 5'2'' ish I can imagine it'd be a bit harder for me to find one that's a suitable size.

novarapid

how far is your commute to work? could you do it on your current bike? maybe change the tyres to slicks would make a big difference to the bike.

then buy a nice bike for training. Your size will mean you need a small bike which are often the ones reduced. have a look at www.chainreactioncycles.com if you spot anything post a link here and people will give you advice.

RacoonQueen

novarapid wrote: »

how far is your commute to work? could you do it on your current bike? maybe change the tyres to slicks would make a big difference to the bike.

then buy a nice bike for training. Your size will mean you need a small bike which are often the ones reduced. have a look at www.chainreactioncycles.com if you spot anything post a link here and people will give you advice.

Commute is about 4 miles. I think the crappy gears have more of an effect on the speed of my bike than the tyres to be honest, it is literally just a pile of crap. Even mini hills are agony on it. Plus, I've set my heart on a new bike for commuting now.

Git101 wrote: »

RacoonQueen it has started. Thinking about a second bike already

I've even named them both already.

tunguska

I can recommend the lapierre Rcr 500

http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/lapierre/fitness-bike/2009/RCR-500-1

This is the bike I use for commuting and general donkey work. It may not look strong but its a beast of a machine. Its very smooth and very fast. I used a big heavy mountain bike for years aswell but when I started using this bike it was the difference between night and day. It makes a huge difference. I love this bike and I make any excuse to get out and about on it. I paid 700 quid for mine, which I know is a little pricey, but its worth it because this thing is bomb proof with really good parts that'll last years. I have a racing bike aswell but I actually enjoy using the Rcr500 more.

And the comments about wanting multiple bikes are true. I have 3 at the moment and theres a tri-athlon bike on the way. Its a sickness that never stops.........

RacoonQueen

This is my new baby(well not this one exactly I got the 2010 model which isn't on their site yet)

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=24239

I'm in love. Got the few extras for the commute, different set of tyres, mudguards, lights etc which take away from the whole look of it a bit but I can take them off. Nearly crashed into a car when I started cycling though with those narrow tyres. :pac:

Strongly considering replacing todays long run with a cycle, I mean if I'm going to be cylcing to and from work, I need to get used to the bike don't I?

Edit: actually here it is on the Lapierre site http://www.lapierre-bikes.co.uk/lapierre/road-bike/2010/audacio-400-tp-2010/usage

Edit 2: I've christened him William.

osnola ibax

He is a beauty, congratulations and well ware as they say

tunguska

That is a great bike! Looks fast and slick, I'd say its a joy to be on after the heavy mountain bike.

RacoonQueen

tunguska wrote: »

That is a great bike! Looks fast and slick, I'd say its a joy to be on after the heavy mountain bike.

I've almost halved my journey time. Turned up for work 12 minutes early this morning when usually I stroll in with a minute to spare. Went out on it for a quick 24k last night to 'get used to it'. Does take a bit of getting used to, especially with turning :pac: