Bike to work recommendation

TychoCaine

I've decided to get back on a bike after a 15+ year layoff. I've got weight to shift and I hate diets. The Reynolds 531c frame that I built up with scrounged parts is in a sorry state at the back of the shed, so it's time for a new bike.

There's a bike to work scheme in the office and I'm going to max out the €1k allowance. That means high end Sora equipped bikes or Tiagra at a stretch. My LBS (TopBike.ie) do KTM, Specialized & Orbea, and the KTM Strada 1000 @ €999 looks to be the best option as the finishing kit is brand name, rather than the own-brand junk on the Specialized and Orbeas. Is there any other options I should be looking at? Preferably something I can buy from a shop in the Limerick area.

Also, I know the 2013 models are starting to come out, so should I wait for the this year's models to drop in price?

Roger Hassenforder

some previous:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056193086&page=2

CerebralCortex

TychoCaine wrote: »

I've decided to get back on a bike after a 15+ year layoff. I've got weight to shift and I hate diets. The Reynolds 531c frame that I built up with scrounged parts is in a sorry state at the back of the shed, so it's time for a new bike.

There's a bike to work scheme in the office and I'm going to max out the €1k allowance. That means high end Sora equipped bikes or Tiagra at a stretch. My LBS (TopBike.ie) do KTM, Specialized & Orbea, and the KTM Strada 1000 @ €999 looks to be the best option as the finishing kit is brand name, rather than the own-brand junk on the Specialized and Orbeas. Is there any other options I should be looking at? Preferably something I can buy from a shop in the Limerick area.

Also, I know the 2013 models are starting to come out, so should I wait for the this year's models to drop in price?

Are you trying to kill two birds with one stone and get a racer and a bike for getting to work? I ask because I want to get a BTW bike but not interested in the sport side of things. I'd like a good bike but a grand seems excessive for my needs.

FYI diet is central to losing weight in the sense that you can't outrun a diet. In fact you can lose weight without exercise by going on a healthier diet.

lennymc

TychoCaine wrote: »

The Reynolds 531c frame that I built up with scrounged parts is in a sorry state at the back of the shed, so it's time for a new bike.

ooooh - more info and pics please!

Cee-Jay-Cee

TychoCaine wrote: »

I've decided to get back on a bike after a 15+ year layoff. I've got weight to shift and I hate diets. The Reynolds 531c frame that I built up with scrounged parts is in a sorry state at the back of the shed, so it's time for a new bike.

Unless you plan on doing excessive amounts of mileage in the saddle then your going to have to control your diet too. I have lost 16lbs since i started back cycling in mid june however i'd say 90% of that was lost by watching what i eat and the other 10% from cycling. My mate started as the same time as me and has lost nothing, in fact has gained a pound or two and we cycle together 95% of the time so excercise wise were doing more or less the same.

miju

CJC999 wrote: »

Unless you plan on doing excessive amounts of mileage in the saddle then your going to have to control your diet too. I have lost 16lbs since i started back cycling in mid june however i'd say 90% of that was lost by watching what i eat and the other 10% from cycling. My mate started as the same time as me and has lost nothing, in fact has gained a pound or two and we cycle together 95% of the time so excercise wise were doing more or less the same.

Exactly as CJ999 said diet is key. I've found myself that the cycling is helping with extra calorie burn for the days that I haven't been watching my diet as closely.

Managed to lose short of 10 lbs thus far and long may it last

TychoCaine

Are you trying to kill two birds with one stone and get a racer and a bike for getting to work? I ask because I want to get a BTW bike but not interested in the sport side of things. I'd like a good bike but a grand seems excessive for my needs.

Unless you plan on doing excessive amounts of mileage in the saddle then your going to have to control your diet too.

I know I'll need to watch what I eat, but I am planning on doing excessive amounts of mileage in the saddle . The bike is as much for the weekends as it is for the ride to work. My commute is all main roads, so I don't need to worry about smashing up a set of nice wheels on city streets. If I was commuting around Dublin I'd be on a sturdy hybrid with 1.5"+ wide tyres.

Lemag

Canyon have just dropped this by €100 so with shipping thrown in it would still come in just under your budget.

TychoCaine

Oooohhh. Yes, but no. It's under €1k, but Canyon don't do the Irish C2W scheme, so it's actually double the price.

TychoCaine

lennymc wrote: »

ooooh - more info and pics please!

It's a late 80's/early 90's frame in white with truly hideous fluorescent highlights (It was fashionable at the time!). Most of the bits are crap, but there's a nice Campagnolo Chorus chainset that I might try and clean up and sell.

Lemag

TychoCaine wrote: »

Oooohhh. Yes, but no. It's under €1k, but Canyon don't do the Irish C2W scheme, so it's actually double the price.

You're mistaken. It depends on how YOUR employer implements the scheme not on what Canyon do at their end. I successfully bought a Canyon through the scheme. Most/all queries which you may have regarding the scheme are probably answered (repeatedly) somewhere in the Bike to Work Megathread.

TychoCaine

Lemag wrote: »

You're mistaken. It depends on how YOUR employer implements the scheme not on what Canyon do at their end. I successfully bought a Canyon through the scheme.

Hmmm. It's immaterial in any case. That model is sold out in anything less than XXL. Non-giants need not apply.

TychoCaine

I picked up my new bike yesterday. I got the last BH Speedrom 7.1 from Fitzcycles.ie in Stillorgan (really nice guys BTW) for €1050. Carbon frame :eek:, and a Tiagra/105/FSA parts mix. 8.4Kg all up. The bike was reduced from €1400, and the shop give any cycle to work customers 10% back to spend on accessories, so I'm happy.