Starting up Cycling - What's needed and what costs?

PDCAT

Hi Folks

Sorry, if this question has been asked before.

I was wondering what are the essenials that i would need to start cycling and how much would i be expected to pay.

I'm thinking

Bike
Helmet
Gloves
Cycling Shoes
Jersey
Togs

Is there anything else, ive left out.

Basically i run approx 20 miles per week and hope to complete Dublin Marathon this year (obviously need to increase mileage).However i am having a few injury problems and would like to take up cycling to keep me fit when these injuries arise.
Can anyone tell me what i can be expected to pay for the above. Looking for a fairly good racing bike - approx 600 - 800 euro's. Could i get one for this money.

Thanks

Inquitus

PDCAT wrote: »

Hi Folks

Sorry, if this question has been asked before.

I was wondering what are the essenials that i would need to start cycling and how much would i be expected to pay.

I'm thinking

Bike
Helmet
Gloves
Cycling Shoes
Jersey
Togs

Is there anything else, ive left out.

Basically i run approx 20 miles per week and hope to complete Dublin Marathon this year (obviously need to increase mileage).However i am having a few injury problems and would like to take up cycling to keep me fit when these injuries arise.
Can anyone tell me what i can be expected to pay for the above. Looking for a fairly good racing bike - approx 600 - 800 euro's. Could i get one for this money.

Thanks

Can you avail of the Bike2Work scheme?

PDCAT

No unfortuantely the company i work for is not doing this scheme.

I'm interested in getting a decent bike alright, but because running is my main interest and if fit, will not be using the bike more than say once a week, i don't really want to spend an extraordinary amount on it.

If injured from the running, would be looking at cycling 3/4 times per week.

Inquitus

PDCAT wrote: »

No unfortuantely the company i work for is not doing this scheme.

I'm interested in getting a decent bike alright, but because running is my main interest and if fit, will not be using the bike more than say once a week, i don't really want to spend an extraordinary amount on it.

If injured from the running, would be looking at cycling 3/4 times per week.

Your best bet imo is to get a decent 2nd hand bike off of the cycling adverts forum or off of adverts.ie

setanta159

Of course you will eventually succumb like the rest of us and cycling will take over your life and wallet

Beasty

PDCAT wrote: »

No unfortuantely the company i work for is not doing this scheme.

Do you know if they have taken a conscious decision about this? Many small companies may think it's simply too much hassle, without even investigating what it involves.

It's actually quite simple for a small company to administer, and it may be that no-one has given it any real thought.

PDCAT

Beasty wrote: »

Do you know if they have taken a conscious decision about this? Many small companies may think it's simply too much hassle, without even investigating what it involves.

It's actually quite simple for a small company to administer, and it may be that no-one has given it any real thought.

I will follow this up actually. They are a multinational company with over 3,000 employees in Ireland. I know a couple of lads here that are into Triathlon's and they told me lately they chased this up and were told that they were not doing it.
I might as well check up on this myself though.

PDCAT

setanta159 wrote: »

Of course you will eventually succumb like the rest of us and cycling will take over your life and wallet

That's what i'm afraid of..... Used to big into watching cycling years ago. Remember Phil Lygott and Paul Sherwin at 6.30 for Tour de france and repeated again in the morning. Started watching it again last summer's Tour and now can't wait for Giro starting tomorrow - contator v nibali.

My father has a decent bike. Might ask him if he's using it. He's cycling for approx 25 years, had a bad fall off the bike in January and has been laid up since. He doesn't seem to be getting back on the horse as they say. Think he may be a little fearful. Could use his bike if i needed it i suppose, prefer if he would get back out himself and ride with me.

robertxxx

spare tube and multi tool.

tomasrojo

PDCAT wrote: »

I was wondering what are the essenials that i would need to start cycling and how much would i be expected to pay.

I'm thinking

Bike
Helmet
Gloves
Cycling Shoes
Jersey
Togs

Are you planning on long training runs to get fit, or just get around on it for day-to-day trips and get fit in the process? If the latter, I wouldn't count any of that list as essentials, as such (except the bike). Raingear, lights, good locks and some kind of small repair kit would be essential for utility cycling.

If the former: whereof I do not know, I must remain silent.

big mce

Power meter, heart rate monitor, carbon wheels, winter wheels, winter hack, garmin 800, oakleys !!:D

kennyb3

Run a mile it will cost you everything you own - bank balance, wife, dignity and leg hair.

but its worth it

robertxxx

Winter hack???

Tonyandthewhale

You can get a decent starter bike from one of the major bike companies for about 600e, giant defy, trek 1.1 etc. You could probably get better value with a lesser known brand as you tend to pay for the badge. Even better value in the second hand market if you know what you're looking for.

After the bike, a frame pump, tyre irons and a spare tube for road side emergencies as well as a track pump for pumping up to correct pressure at home. Cycling shorts are also handy if you're doing decent mileage as are cycling shoes. Cycling jerseys are comfy on the bike and handy 'cos they have pockets on the back but there's no real reason you couldn't wear a running top on the bike. A decent U-lock and lights are a must for utility cycling but less so if you're just going to be training on it.

ednwireland

robertxxx wrote: »

Winter hack???

its the cough you get from riding through the winter

ontheditch2

Started from scratch myself during the week.
€700 for bike
€76.40 in Aldi for jersey, jacket, shorts, luminous jacket, pump, lights, saddle bag and tools, gloves.

So €776.40, all in for that stuff, and will just have to buy some tubes and oil to maintain the bike in the mean time, i think.

Best of luck

big mce

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=winter+hack


Oh and don't forget the cycling holidays!!!!

levi

ontheditch2 wrote: »

Started from scratch myself during the week.
€700 for bike
€76.40 in Aldi for jersey, jacket, shorts, luminous jacket, pump, lights, saddle bag and tools, gloves.

So €776.40, all in for that stuff, and will just have to buy some tubes and oil to maintain the bike in the mean time, i think.

Best of luck

Which bike did you buy? I'm considering investing in a road bike on the bike to work scheme but I'm unsure where to start!

mcmoustache

Buy any Kryptonite D-Lock which costs over €50 quid. ABUS make good locks too but Kryptonite locks are well known and most thieves don't even bother trying to open them. Excluding the bike itself, bike locks are where I spent most of my my accessories budget. I commute and park in town a lot so I kinda have to.

When travelling long distance, I bring two tubes, pump, multitool, duct-tape, swiss army knife, repair kit, oil and a backpack to put them in. I bring a garmin eTrex as well so that I can see what I achieved on my trip - duct-taped to the handlebars.

ontheditch2

Levi, i got a Ridley (special edition) from Ritchies in Swords, was the last one there, seems like a nice bike so far. All 4 lads i dealt with there were extremely helpful.

I was going to buy a bike online from the UK with similar spec, but €100 less, but said for the sake of having it put together and the fact that they will have a look at the bike any time i think i have a problem, i was happy to pay the extra few bob.

aquanaut

My company would not do C2W - I did all the research etc myself and presented. Once they found out it cost them nothing they were happy. Sell it as 'a healthy workforce is a happy work force'. I did have to pay 1 lump sum as opposed to spreading out but still saved 55% (??) Of cost. My company werr unwilling until I 'bullet pointed' the facts and the lack of hassle so give it a go. Nothin thing' ventured...

Paul Kiernan

PDCAT wrote: »

I will follow this up actually. They are a multinational company with over 3,000 employees in Ireland. I know a couple of lads here that are into Triathlon's and they told me lately they chased this up and were told that they were not doing it.
I might as well check up on this myself though.

Am I right in thinking the company saves employers PRSI on all purchases made through the scheme? If so, a multinational with over 3,000 employees could save tens of thousands of euros.

thebouldwhacker

mcmoustache wrote: »

When travelling long distance, I bring two tubes, pump, multitool, duct-tape, swiss army knife, repair kit, oil and a backpack to put them in. I bring a garmin eTrex as well so that I can see what I achieved on my trip - duct-taped to the handlebars.

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howardmarks

thebouldwhacker wrote: »

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whos that with cowboy chuck and colonol jack o neil?

Icyseanfitz

i might be mistaken but i think its bear grylls this guy