Beginner Bike

pkeno

Hi all,

I'm getting into cycling in order to compete in (well finish at least!) a few triathlons this Summer.

I'm on the lookout for a bike and have a few possibilities.

They are:

2008 Kona Zing

http://www.konabikeworld.com/08_zing_w.htm

For about €415


2009 Trek Madone 6.9 Pro

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2009/archive/madone69pro

(Not with those wheels unfortunately! €545


Carrera Virtuoso

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_272625_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

Second hand for €235.

Now it seems to me the Trek is by far the best value what with Dura Ace almost all round and full carbon frame. My question is will it be too "professional" for a newbie i.e. will it have a more racing orientated geometry which will put my back out??

I should say I'm not planning on spending all this money and letting it lie in the garage. It will be used for commuting as well as regular weekend trips about.

Any insight much appreciated folks!

Raam

Bit of a spread there. Where are you getting the Kona and Trek prices?

The Kona is a fine bike, as indeed is the trek. I would choose either of them over the Carerra.

As for your back, start cycling now and get used to the position. It's not the most comfortable at the start.

pkeno

Thanks for the reply Raam.

They're all from various friends selling up to upgrade.

My budget is being stretched with the Trek but it seems like the best bet for cycling over the next year or two.

I don't have a bike at all at the moment so can't practice. I'm young and play plenty of sports so hopefully I'm flexible enough!

funkyjebus

the trek,
then the kona

forget about the carrera, the oh has one and am in the process of changing nearly every component on it as the are so sh1te.

the trek for that price is a steal.your only a newb now op, you'll get the bug like the rest of us and soon you be doing 100km before saturdays lunch and you be thankful you have a good bike. worst comes to work you sell it on and get you some back.

pkeno

Yeah that's what I am thinking. The extra 100 quid now will serve me well in the future.

Not sure how 100kms before Saturday lunch will go with football matches on Sundays, suppose there's only one way to find out!

Raam

pkeno wrote: »

Yeah that's what I am thinking. The extra 100 quid now will serve me well in the future.

Not sure how 100kms before Saturday lunch will go with football matches on Sundays, suppose there's only one way to find out!

You must forget about football. It's dead to you now.

Captain Havoc

pkeno wrote: »

Yeah that's what I am thinking. The extra 100 quid now will serve me well in the future.

Not sure how 100kms before Saturday lunch will go with football matches on Sundays, suppose there's only one way to find out!

I go for 100km spins the day of matches, HTFU!

Lemag

A Madone 6.9 would be one hell of a "beginner bike". Are you sure that you've got the price/bike model correct?

Raam wrote: »

You must forget about football. It's dead to you now.

Spoken like a truly uncoordinated individual endurance sports discipline only athlete

phkk

I have an entry level Giant bike second hand for sale. Like you,i bought it for triathlon/leisure and its perfect for that purpose

Raam

Lemag wrote: »

Spoken like a truly uncoordinated individual endurance sports discipline only athlete

I used to play four games of footie a week. Those were the days.

pkeno

Lemag wrote: »

A Madone 6.9 would be one hell of a "beginner bike". Are you sure that you've got the price/bike model correct?

Yeah it was a Madone 6.9. I even saw it in the flesh but it was sold before I could gather the cash!

Believe it or not the Kona Zing owner decided to hold onto it. I was just about to get the Carrera when I saw a 2010 Trek 1.2 for sale near me.

Got it for €385 and it's immaculate so I'm delighted. I don't have a helmet yet so haven't gone for a proper spin but just going up and down my road....my God the speed!

Can't wait to point it down a few hills. Not so eager on pointing it back up again though!

Now all I need is the helmet, pump, lights, water bottles, puncture repair kit, cycling gear, clipless pedals and shoes, cycling computer.....oh no what have I got myself into!

blorg

The Madone sounds stolen if it was being sold at that price.

pkeno

No wasn't stolen, I know the guy who had it. I remember him buying it! It was being sold cheaply due to a combination of pretty bad scratches from a crash, an injury to the owner from that crash which prevented him from cycling and a pretty urgent need for cash!

Lemag

The RRP is about 10 times the asking price you quoted. Even if he was looking for a quick sale he should have been looking for 3/4 times €545. I can only assume that the damage to the frame was more than just cosmetic in which case you did well not to get it.

Sounds like you've done pretty good with the 1.2. All you've got to do now is to post some pics of it on the 'Post Images Of Beauty'

pkeno

Yeah you are right, I'd like to think he wouldn't have screwed me over but it does look suspicious!

After looking through the last few pages of the "Post Images of Beauty" thread I don't think my lowly 1.2 has a right to be in with all the Cervelos etc!

I know I've only gotten it but what you guys recommend as the most bang for my buck upgrades? Two things that spring to mind are the brakes are a bit weak and the Sora front shifter is a triple although I only have a compact double chainset. I saw that Mavic Aksium wheelset for €100 thread which is tempting!

Lemag

pkeno wrote: »

After looking through the last few pages of the "Post Images of Beauty" thread I don't think my lowly 1.2 has a right to be in with all the Cervelos etc!

Not at all. If you flick back through it further you'll see that the bikes are quite wide ranging. Just make sure the pics look good.

pkeno wrote: »

I know I've only gotten it but what you guys recommend as the most bang for my buck upgrades? Two things that spring to mind are the brakes are a bit weak and the Sora front shifter is a triple although I only have a compact double chainset. I saw that Mavic Aksium wheelset for €100 thread which is tempting!

Those Askiums proved to be too tempting for me :eek: If the tyres look like they need replacing then buying a good pair could make quite a difference without costing that much. If the brakes look like they are in good condition just tighten them up and they might be grand. A triple shifter should work fine with a double. You'll just have that extra 'gap shift' when shifting.

pkeno

Thanks for the advice Lemag. Tyres look fine, the bike hasn't had much use. I might tighten the brakes though, they so seem a bit weak.

First thing's first, I have to bring it to the LBS and get the tyres inflated to the correct pressure. I'm no expert but I'd imagine they are a fair bit away from the recommended ~100psi!

With regards to a helmet am I correct in assuming that they will all have passed the safety guidelines, but the more expensive ones will be lighter/better ventilated?

funkyjebus

pkeno wrote: »

Thanks for the advice Lemag. Tyres look fine, the bike hasn't had much use. I might tighten the brakes though, they so seem a bit weak.

First thing's first, I have to bring it to the LBS and get the tyres inflated to the correct pressure. I'm no expert but I'd imagine they are a fair bit away from the recommended ~100psi!

With regards to a helmet am I correct in assuming that they will all have passed the safety guidelines, but the more expensive ones will be lighter/better ventilated?

Buy a track pump, 20 - 30e should get you a basic one in your LBS, but you'll need one as you should check tyre pressure and pump if required at least once a week. Correct tyre pressure makes a big difference when riding. Also most tyres will take up to 120psi, but between 100 - 120 you should be fine. I out about 10psi more in the back due to your weight being back there.

I'd be shocked if you could by an cheao helmet that doesn't conform to safety standards, as you go up in price , yes weight and ventilation are the benefits. FYI some of the very expensive helmets don't conform to safety standards!!

Lemag

pkeno wrote: »

Thanks for the advice Lemag. Tyres look fine, the bike hasn't had much use. I might tighten the brakes though, they so seem a bit weak.

First thing's first, I have to bring it to the LBS and get the tyres inflated to the correct pressure. I'm no expert but I'd imagine they are a fair bit away from the recommended ~100psi!

With regards to a helmet am I correct in assuming that they will all have passed the safety guidelines, but the more expensive ones will be lighter/better ventilated?

As funkyjebus said get a track pump. They are very easy to use. I have this one which I find very good. The linked site do free deliveries, btw. Another site with free deliveries is wiggle.co.uk. For the helmut you should be able to get one for around the €30 mark. Get it in the LBS to make sure that it fits. It's the one peice of equipment that you really should never buy secondhand.

funkyjebus

Lemag wrote: »

As funkyjebus said get a track pump. They are very easy to use. I have this one which I find very good. The linked site do free deliveries, btw. Another site with free deliveries is wiggle.co.uk. For the helmut you should be able to get one for around the €30 mark. Get it in the LBS to make sure that it fits. It's the one peice of equipment that you really should never buy secondhand.

As he slips into his second hand bibs:eek: