Bike Advice needed

lindseycoc

Hi Guys,

I have never cycled before and I want to start getting into races. I run but unfortunately as of yet haven't started on the cycling.

Can anyone recommand a good starter racing bike that isn't too expensive for starting me off? I would like some basic knowledge before I go into a shop as I can get a little enthusastic and I become a sales mans dream so I want to be prepared.

Any help on this would be very much appreciated.

spyderski

If you've never cycled before, the bike is going to be a lot less important than developing the skills required to race. Everyone can run - fit people can run races. Doesn't work the same for cycling.

Buy a good used bike, or a new Giant Defy, Trek 1.2 or whatever. Then join a club, do club spins for a while (6 months +) - then try a club race.

Sorry if I come across as negative, I don't mean to be; but if someone is a bad runner you might injure yourself at worst - the consequences of inexperience in a bike race can be much, much worse.

lindseycoc

No thats grand thanks for that, don't worry I wasn't planning on getting my bike on the saturday and heading off to Killarney for an event the following weekend I more just want to get a bike to practice on and be able to use that and when I have built up the confidence and the time is right, do some of the adventure races and use the same bike. I have zero balance so I would be tredding carefully for a good while

shaka

By adventure races are you talking triathlon or Gael force type stuff ? If so you may be talking a different type of bike than a race set up bike.

Depends on budget and how serious you are if your are planning racing you probably will need a decent bike. If you can't afford carbon a light alu bike may do but I'd say you will need a minimum of a tiagra groupset but preferably 105 or ultegra, And a carbon fork is a must . This is only my opinion .

are you sure you will be able for racing ? Tough game and you may be couple of seasons training before you would be keeping up in a4.

lindseycoc

Yeah for likes of G force etc.

I think I may phrased this all wrong I am looking for a new sporty challenge and I definitely have the determination to do this I just not sure what bike to get but I ll be looking into those suggestions thanks a million for the reply any other tips are greatly appreciated.

bikerdude69

spyderski wrote: »

If you've never cycled before, the bike is going to be a lot less important than developing the skills required to race. Everyone can run - fit people can run races. Doesn't work the same for cycling.

Buy a good used bike, or a new Giant Defy, Trek 1.2 or whatever. Then join a club, do club spins for a while (6 months +) - then try a club race.

Sorry if I come across as negative, I don't mean to be; but if someone is a bad runner you might injure yourself at worst - the consequences of inexperience in a bike race can be much, much worse.

This is great advice, I started cycling in October last year everyday to work and back and the odd weekend for longer spins, In December I had a bad accident on a roundabout on a wet evening the front wheel went out from under me and I planted my face into the road surface and the bone came out through my finger it was an expensive and painful lesson in road craft. develope skills on a cheap entry level bike or second hand bike and learn from other club members or if you have some friends to go on spins with ? Be careful but most of all enjoy the experience

lindseycoc

Nervous about a club but totally understandable by the sounds of it I ll need a lot of advice. Better start looking for second hand bike shops

Briando

Just try and get a bike that fits you well mate, try cycle about on it a little and make sure you are not to stretched out on it. I'd error on the short side rather than the long side if you have the choice since you can get a longer stem later on it necessary.

Adventure races are pretty awesome, hope you enjoy it.

Konkers

I'm guessing you've got the message about staying away from racing until you've got the confidence and skills. But you still need the bike..........

You could buy secondhand but since you know very little (by your own admission) how do you know what you want or what you are buying? May be you should avoid this unless you have someone to guide you through the process.

Your next option is to buy new.
So you could go online ( great bargains to be had on clearance and odd sized bikes) but you have the same problems as buying secondhand.
Or, you could go into your LBS. You don't and should not buy from the first shop you walk into. Visit a few and try a couple of bikes. Ask lots of questions about size, groupset, frame, wheels and brands.

You should decide on a budget? This will be influenced by whether you can still avail of the bike to work scheme.

Get an idea of your ideal size (could visit a bike shop and get measured - easiest option) or do a bit of research on the web (there are bike fit calculators online mor complicated, requires more effort but you will be better informed).

I think you should have an idea as to whether your first bike will be your last or whether you are prepared to upgrade in the next year or two. There is no point in going cheap if you want the bike to last beyond 2 years. There is no point in going expensive if you have doubts about whether you will like cycling beyond your first month.

There may still be some great bargains to be had on the web for really small or large bikes (if you fit into either of these categories).

I bought my first bike 6 years ago from a fella with a northern accent in cycle superstore. He was great, answered all my questions and persuaded me to go with drop bars and advised that I buy entry level road bike with a good frame. He was right. I still have the same frame, headset and bars but everything else is different. It is the only bike i have had and I have used it for everything. In two weeks time it will be my winter bike.

Aim not to be one of those people who sells your bike in 6months time at half the price you paid for it.

bikerdude69

lindseycoc wrote: »

Nervous about a club but totally understandable by the sounds of it I ll need a lot of advice. Better start looking for second hand bike shops

I understand not wanting to join a club,I go out on my own with the strava phone app so I can see how my time compairs to other riders on the segments that I cycle and I try to go quicker each time out which works for me but I you are wanting to race then I think you will need to join a club for the experience of riding in groups
Good luck with it and let us know how you get on

shaka

Ad by the way join a club either cycling or tri and there will be plenty of experience and advise on offer .