bike advice for a newbie

lizzylad84

hey folks, looking to pick your brains. im getting into cycling and just looking for any recomendations and advice. ive currently got a cheap "muddyfox" suspension bike and im wondering would a road bike or non suspension mtn bike be better for a beginner?
any suggestions for a bike on a tight budget?

ednwireland

firstly whats your budget and what are you planning to do (distance, group rides, sportives, race, offroad etc etc)

lizzylad84

budget is 300-500, road bike

Konkers

Hi Lizzy lad, not a great reply to some one who is trying to help. Could you elaborate on our ambitions re your bike over the next year or so.

lizzylad84

sorry if my previous reply seemed rude or abrupt, im looking to start cycling on a regular basis, mainly on roads. my budget is 300-500e, looking for advice regarding potentally suitable makes/ models of road bike or hybrid bike?
ive never used a road bike before, and im wondering is it hard to adjust to? are there any technical difficulties i may encounter on a road bike?

Konkers

Lizzylad,

no worries. If you're planning on doing 2 hour spins and I would definitley say get a road or touring bike with drops. They are / can be built for comfort and travelling long distances. It takes a little bit to get used to drops versus straight bars in terms of handling tight turns through narrow spaces.

I remember 5 years ago going into a shop prepared to buy a straight handle bar road bike, walked out with drops and have become totally addicted.

Technically all these things are simple enough if you look into them with a bit of patience and willingness to make and learn from some mistakes. You're doing the right thing by asking. BTW. I may be selling my entry level road bike that I've kept well soon.

lizzylad84

cheers for the advice Konkers, i was always a bit sceptical about how hard it would be to adjust from straight bar to drops.
what bike is it your contemplating selling?

Konkers

Its a 55cm Lapierre S-Tech 200. I'm 6 foot so if you're around that it may suit you. If so let me know and I'll reply to this thread if/when I purchase a replacement

full_irish

*Hijakcs thread*

may be interested in the rothar if OP isn't. When you thinking of off-loading?

lizzylad84

konkers, yeah depending on the price id be intrested in your bike, cheers again for your advice and info mate. im going into my local bike shop this week to see what they have in stock