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Cycling to school

  • 27-02-2013 8:27pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2


    Hi,
    I'm looking for a bike to cycle to school.

    I was advised to look for hybrid bike, with height around 21' and with gears.

    Is there any other criteria i need to consider?

    Do you have any websites or shops around Dublin that i can check on?

    Thank you :)


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 287 ✭✭serendip


    How far do you have to go?

    A hybrid is fine. But so -- unless it's a very long way -- is probably pretty much any old bike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 140 ✭✭reallyunique


    Where in Dublin do you live? There are lots of great bike shops so there's bound to be one near you. If you give the area people will recommend the best ones.

    Before you even buy a bike check out places to lock it up. If there's nowhere to lock it safely then you may not have the bike long. Make sure you have a safe place to lock it when you get home too or keep it indoors. Bikes locked outside on a street are easily damaged or stolen.

    Most bikes will be fine but if you're spending money it makes sense to get the best you can.

    Hybrids are nice but ones with front suspension just make the bike heavy and they need to be maintained, which costs money. Buy one with no suspension.

    Hybrids often have knobbly mountain bike tyres which are not much use on the road. Get the shop to put on slick/touring tyres. You can do this yourself after you buy but it'll cost more.

    Get mudguards. It rains in Ireland and you'll get covered in dirt.

    Definitely get gears, single-speed/fixies are fine but if you're new to cycling then gears will be easier to use than a fixie and make hills easier than a single-speed.

    Get two locks!!! One Kryptonite, one chain/cable (no cheap locks, not ever!). If you cycle to school and don't lock it properly (see YouTube) it WILL be stolen.

    Get a bike that fits you! A bike that's the wrong size will never be used. The shop will get one the right size but check it's comfortable. If it isn't then tell them. Don't let them sell you something you're not happy with.

    Test ride as many bikes as you can. The more you try the better. If a shop won't let you go for a decent ride then go somewhere else. By the time you've tried two or three you'll have a better idea of what you like.

    Hope some of this helps :) Best of luck!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭humbert


    Definitely don't be tempted by suspension. Ideally get a bike with branded components (derailleurs, shifters, brakes), e.g., shimano. Look at what's available second hand.

    A decent bike will cost more than you expect but will still be better value than the full suspension "mountain bike" for €150 you might be tempted to buy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 shengxian


    Thank you guys for your advice :)

    serendip,

    I live in Dublin 2 and have to travel to Beaumont. I had searched through adverts.ie and gumtree.ie but couldn't find a good bike. Do you have any other sites in mind that you will like to recommend to me?

    reallyunique, humbert,

    I stay in Dublin 2. I couldn't store my bike in my place so i'm planning to store it at my friend's basement instead of just locking to the public lock post. I figured that there's still risk locking at the basement but it should be lower.

    I'm budgeted around 200 euros on an old hibrid bike and around 90 euros for 2 locks
    I'll put in mind of mudguard, no suspension, gear, and touring tyres.My height is around 164cm.


    Do you have any suggestion where i can get one?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    You might check out Little Sport in Fairview. They usually have a stock of second-hand bikes. alternatively, check out Rothar in Phibsboro who recycle old bikes. They might come up with something to suit...


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