Where to start ????

yourdeadwright

This may sound a bit slly but iv been recently really thinking about taking up cycling, but not really sure where to start, do i just go out and buy a bike and hit the road ?
Is there any sort of bike i should look at as a starting bike? im in my late 20's and am fairly fit from years of football ,jogging and the gym, just wondering how did all of you go about starting the sport,

smacl

I started on a really crappy, cheap (€120), 2nd hand mountain bike a bit over 3 years ago, progressed onto a hybrid, and then picked up a 2nd hand road bike (racer) last winter. 20k seemed like a long way starting off, 200k in the hills is now very doable.

If you have a few bob to spare, and can get on with drop bars starting out, a drop bar racer is the way to go. They're upward of about €600 new, and half that 2nd hand. €1000 will get you a good entry level bike, but if you don't have the funds just getting out on any old bike will do for starters. Worth while knowing how to change a tyre on the side of the road, and having the means to do so (e.g. pump, spare tube or repair kit). Also bring some food and a bottle of water to keep you going.

Main thing is just to get out there and enjoy it, the more you're out cycling, the faster you progress. Simple as that.

Soarer

After only recently starting myself, I know where you're coming from!

Can you participate in the Cycle To Work Scheme? That's a big plus if you can, 'cause all of a sudden you've a budget of €1000 that you didn't think you had.

I was gonna buy a hybrid as it was always mountain bikes I'd had, but the guy in the shop recommended I get a road bike, and he was dead right. It's so much easier to go further for longer.

The big thing for me was the look of the bike. Once I liked the look of it, I knew I'd cycle it. The fact that it had good components was a bonus.

Seaswimmer

Depends what kind of cycling you see yourself doing.

Are you going to cycle purely for fitness.
Do you see yourself commuting to work.
Will you use the bike for cycling to the pub or going to the shops.


If you can decide what your bike will mainly be used for then people on here will give you very good advice

yourdeadwright

Hey folks thanks for the advice,
The bike would be used soley for getting fit not for going the shops or anything,
I wana get into doing proper cycles and getting myself really fit ,Would it be easier to just start and go out by myself or go jion a club or something,

happytramp

Seaswimmer wrote: »

If you can decide what your bike will mainly be used for then people on here will give you very good advice

With a quick glance into my crystal ball I can foresee the advice you will recieve.

You can get any sort of bike you want......as long as it's drop bar road bike.
You can also spend any amount of money on it......as long as it's at least €100 more than the absolute max you're willing to spend.

yourdeadwright

sorry for the ignorance but whats a drop bar road bike ??

smacl

yourdeadwright wrote: »

Would it be easier to just start and go out by myself or go join a club or something,

Both. I don't cycle with a club, but AFAIK most on here do. Main thing is to enjoy it, more you enjoy it more you do, more you do fitter you get. I tried the club thing, but the early morning Sunday start didn't suit so I ditched it. You'll probably progress faster with a club, and faster still with a club AND regular solo spins.

Cee-Jay-Cee

yourdeadwright wrote: »

sorry for the ignorance but whats a drop bar road bike ??

A racer bike (with curved/rounded) handlebars. I only started a few months too and got a road/racer. In ever even considered a hybrid or straight bar bike. My fitness levels have increased 10 fold in the last two months and that's just 2 short sound during the week and one longer 40-50km spins at the weekend. I highly recommend you get.a racer/road bike.

Mcofferon

Hi yourdeadright

A lot of what follows can be skipped, my advice - for what it's worth - is in the last paragraph

I started cycling recently for fitness too. I had bought a hybrid bike from halfords about 3 years ago - back when I had more money than sense - just because it was on special offer and seemed to be well equipped.

The term hybrid seems to cover a wide range of bike styles and if you think of something that's a cross between a mountain bike and a road racer that's the general idea. Some hybrids are very good bikes that get the balance just right, some are just awful. I won't say exactly where mine lies on that scale.

After ignoring the thing for 30 odd months I finally started riding it. I'm in Cabinteely and had been worried that there were too many hills to even try going anywhere. The bike is very heavy at well over 13 kilos, but then to be fair so was I. Cut to the chase, it was damn hard work at the beginning but very soon I was working out little routes that were longer and incorporated a hill or two. Riding on longer spins at the weekend and trying to put in about an hours worth of riding early on a weekday morning my fitness level has shot up. I'm down from 100kg to 76 in 6 months with a reasonable diet and exercise that I'm finding fulfilling and enjoyable. It started with walks and the cycling took centre stage about 2 months ago.

I'm at a point now where I'm looking to upgrade to a Road Bike. The cycle to work scheme is calling and if work give me the go ahead I will start really racking up the miles. If they don't I'll have to start saving BUT in the meantime I'm still enjoying the Halfords special. It's not the best bike on the planet but by god it gets you fit! So now for the novice wisdom....

Get started with any reasonably roadworthy bike. Get advice on this forum on what to look out for if picking up a second hand machine. Otherwise visit a few local bike shops and listen to their advice - most are helpful. Sooner or later your going to want a full road bike so it may make sence to go that route from the get go, especially if your making use of the Bike to Work scheme. Enjoy.

feck sake lads

yourdeadwright wrote: »

This may sound a bit slly but iv been recently really thinking about taking up cycling, but not really sure where to start, do i just go out and buy a bike and hit the road ?
Is there any sort of bike i should look at as a starting bike? im in my late 20's and am fairly fit from years of football ,jogging and the gym, just wondering how did all of you go about starting the sport,

you know of course this cycling is very addictive:D
so my advice for what its worth, if you intend to go racing eventually then don't buy either a hybred or mountain bike nothing wrong with them but useless for road racing.
good road bike will set you back from 1500 to around 12,000
if your interested in a top of the range racing bike 51cm suit someone 5.5 to 5.7 give me a pm.;)