Ordered the Carrera Subway 1 Today :)

Thargor

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_551221_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

After a lot of thinking about it I just said feck it, it had too many good reviews which made it the only option in my price-range. Halfords in Coolock was the only place in Ireland with it in stock but I rang the one in Castlebar (Im in Galway) and a really sound guy I talked to on the phone there ordered it for me even though you're supposed to put money down first, should be their Tuesday or next Tuesday when they get their deliveries.

Im thinking about buying a one way bus ticket up in the morning and buying it then cycling it back down, 41 miles according to Google maps. Is that too much on my first hybrid do you think? Im 25 and not unfit but Ive never done any serious cycling either, just going to shops/college on a cheap MB in Galway city. How long would that take do you think if its even possible for a n00b and do they let you put bikes underneath on buses if I pussy out?

Any advice on what to check/do before I leave the Halfords carpark would be much appreciated as I really dont want to go sorting out warranty issues long-distance, there arent any Halfords in Galway.

Cannot wait now, the next 2 weeks are going to drag so badly.

Captain Havoc

Welcome to the cycling frat. 41 miles will be a decent auld spin for your first time but if you're already fit you'll be grand, plus you'll have that fresh enthusiasm to get you home. Take it comfortably and if you feel the need to stop at a petrol station for a drink and pink snack do.

mockerydawg

Be prepared for the gears to start slipping on the way, but thats normal on all new bikes as parts bed in. Ask in the store what adjustments you might need to make to fine tune the gears.
Also, as its Halfords, bring or buy a set of allen keys and just check the headset is tight, brake bolts, the quick release on the wheels are not overly or under(ly) tight.
Finally make sure the tyres are nice and hard, otherwise it'll be a hard slog home.
And enjoy the ride home, should be nice on your choice of bike!!!

Dr.Millah

41miles is around 60km so it should take you around2.5 to 3 hours at a handy pace. But you might stop for lunch somewhere in that time.
Bring some tools for adjustments along the way(set of allen keys should do). Good luck with the new bike.

Beasty

I would suggest you get yourself some cycling shorts if you are not used to being in the saddle for so long. Your backside will certainly thank you for it:)

DirkVoodoo

Beasty wrote: »

I would suggest you get yourself some cycling shorts if you are not used to being in the saddle for so long. Your backside will certainly thank you for it:)

+1. Fitness is only one part of the equation, not doing yourself damage is another.

Make sure to pick up a spare tube (or more), pump and some tyre levers if you haven't already. Getting a puncture on kilometre 30 of your trip would not be something that will make you love cycling.

If you can't or don't want to get some cycling shorts (you can wear them under some normal shorts if you aren't ready for the whole lycra thing), maybe plan to make a lunch stop on the route to give yourself a bit of a rest.

Thargor

3 hours shouldnt kill me, thanks for the tips everyone, looking forward to doing this more than I was looking forward to going to Prauge a few weeks ago

peterako

Bring a good 750ml of drink and a little food (eg. Banana) Enjoy!

Lumen

You might consider taking a decent lock with you (if you don't have one, something like this or this).

Then if you have to bail for whatever reason (e.g. mechanical issue), you can leave the bike locked securely.

kenco

Thargor wrote: »

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_551221_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

After a lot of thinking about it I just said feck it, it had too many good reviews which made it the only option in my price-range. Halfords in Coolock was the only place in Ireland with it in stock but I rang the one in Castlebar (Im in Galway) and a really sound guy I talked to on the phone there ordered it for me even though you're supposed to put money down first, should be their Tuesday or next Tuesday when they get their deliveries.

Im thinking about buying a one way bus ticket up in the morning and buying it then cycling it back down, 41 miles according to Google maps. Is that too much on my first hybrid do you think? Im 25 and not unfit but Ive never done any serious cycling either, just going to shops/college on a cheap MB in Galway city. How long would that take do you think if its even possible for a n00b and do they let you put bikes underneath on buses if I pussy out?

Any advice on what to check/do before I leave the Halfords carpark would be much appreciated as I really dont want to go sorting out warranty issues long-distance, there arent any Halfords in Galway.

Cannot wait now, the next 2 weeks are going to drag so badly.

Thargor

I got the same bike a few months back for my commute and its nice! No real problems apart from the fact that the back wheel seems to be slightly buckled .

I was not the most fit guy in the world but love cycling now and this bike has definately helped. Reasonably light but well built and caters well for my size.

Enjoy

serendip

kenco, your back wheel probably just needs truing. A bike shop will fix it for you.

kenco

serendip wrote: »

kenco, your back wheel probably just needs truing. A bike shop will fix it for you.

Thanks, Its been a while since I have cycled and I thought it shouldnt happen these days. Ill check out a local store thanks!

rebel.ranter

If you are taking on that sort of spin make sure you have a helmet, Allen key, puncture repair kit, tyre levers.
Some where to put them all (jersey pocket or saddle bag).

Thargor

Was just wondering, on the bikes spec page:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_551221_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

It says:

# Tough Mountain Bike wheels with double wall rims to cope easily with bumps on modern roads
# Semi Slick style tyres to promote good road speed and low rolling resistance

So I assume those are fat mountain bike tyres like on a regular MB? Does being semi-slick make up for that in terms of speed or should I switch to thin hybrid wheels? Ill just be using it as a commuter bike.

kona

Thargor wrote: »

Was just wondering, on the bikes spec page:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_551221_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

It says:

So I assume those are fat mountain bike tyres like on a regular MB? Does being semi-slick make up for that in terms of speed or should I switch to thin hybrid wheels? Ill just be using it as a commuter bike.

they are 26 x 1.5 with little grips,not big at all.

Usually MTB tyres are 1.95 -2.5

Thargor

Brilliant, thanks Kona.

Thargor

Got my Subway last Friday, it was a total monsoon so I took the bus back down from Castlebar instead of cycling it, got away with putting it underneath for free though, woman in the office said it would be €12!

Anyway I could not be happier with it, it glides along so smoothly that its a shock everytime I get on it, same for the weight when I pick it up, sometimes Ill just be watching tv and Ill get the urge to hop on it and do a lap of the industrial estate across the road, I literally go twice as fast for a third of the energy usage compared to my last bike, its like having a car all of a sudden to be honest.

Bought this lock for it, it was a tenner cheaper up there for some reason, you get a main key and 4 spares with it, the main key has a little LED torch built into it for your keyring which is really bright and a nice feature, it seems indestructible but it weighs a ton, dont know whether to sell it on Ebay and get something lighter or not, Ill probably keep it, thefts and other crap are supposed to be soaring in Galway these days:

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_231153_langId_-1_categoryId_212470

Anyway as I said, could not be happier with the bike, feck knows what a €1000+ one is like to ride because this is bliss, thanks to everyone who gave advice in this and the other thread.

One last thing, how often do the tyres need to be topped up and what is the recommended psi for these tyres please?

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_551221_langId_-1_categoryId_212377

Bunnyhopper

It should say somewhere on the sidewall of the tyre what the recommended pressure range is. I'd say check it once a week anyway, and more often if you have the time. They'll run better and be less inclined to puncture if you keep them in the right pressure range.

EDIT: If you're leaving the bike anywhere at all risky then the added weight of a decent lock is likely to be worth the effort. Mount it to the frame if you can and it'll feel less of a burden. There are a few helpful threads on here with advice on locking technique.

Nate--IRL--

I picked up one of these during the week to replace my old Subway 1 that was stolen. The 2009 version is a slightly better bike than the older version. Took me a while to get things adjusted the way I wanted them, but now I couldn't be more pleased with it. I have the Tyre pressures at 65psi (40-65psi is indicted on the tyre wall IIRC) but it is up to you to decide how hard/soft you want the ride.

Nate