Advice on buying a bike

pama · 27-05-2013 9:11pm #1

HI All

I am moving house soon and am going to be a lot closer to where I work. I am selling my car and am going to use a push bike for getting to work. I have no idea what sort of bike to go for. I would like something light enough as I will have a laptop on my back when getting to work also.

Can anyone give me any pointers on the sort of bike to be looking for and what sort of accessories should I be buying with it?

Cheers

reallyunique · 28-05-2013 4:56pm

A few things to know first:
How long is your commute going to be?
Is it urban, suburban or out in the sticks?
Is commuting your prime motive for getting the bike or do you harbour mad notions of going racing?
Does your job allow you to use the bike to work scheme?

pama · 28-05-2013 10:05pm

Hi

Thanks for the reply

1. about 20 mins
2. Firhouse to Citywest in Dublin
4. Yes, no immediate interest in cycling as a past time
5. Yes and I have read about it and will definatly be availing of it as its a no brainer

reallyunique wrote: »

A few things to know first:
How long is your commute going to be?
Is it urban, suburban or out in the sticks?
Is commuting your prime motive for getting the bike or do you harbour mad notions of going racing?
Does your job allow you to use the bike to work scheme?

delos · 28-05-2013 10:35pm

If you get a bike with a rack, have a serious think about a decent laptop pannier bag. I found the laptop a bit uncomfortable on my back and when you add the power lead and other bits it is surprisingly heavy. Also, I just didn't trust bungee cords to hold it on the rack in it's normal bag. Having the laptop on one side doesn't seem to make the bike too unbalanced either.

reallyunique · 29-05-2013 12:09am

Totally agree w. Delos.
A rack is great for carrying anything but particularly things you'd not like to drop or are heavy (laptop). For carrying a laptop either get a waterproof bag and put it in there or make sure the pannier is waterproof. (Plastic bag and cheap pannier are a credible way to go for those less well heeled)

For a five mile trip each way you don't need a racing bike. They'll be stiff and very efficient but unforgiving of bumps, no mudguards or rack mounts and the drop bars can be off-putting if you've never used them before.
A decent hybrid with wide tyres (personally I like 32 or better) will do what you want. Giant, Specialized, Trek, Felt etc, etc all have models that will suit. They all come with different gears, forks, brakes etc which are more or less similar but there are a few things worth looking for/avoiding.

Don't get suspension. Suspension is nice on an MTB but the cheap stuff is just more weight and mechanical problems. Avoid.

Disc brakes. I love 'em but for what you're doing they are probably not required. They brake better in the wet (which is nice) but disc-ready forks can be a bit less comfy than standard ones.

Get mudguards and a rack. These are optional extras on a commuter bike the way a windscreen and doors are on a normal car. (No, racing cars don't all have them but what idiot drives one of those to work.) If the bike you're being shown wont take them then you don't want it! Mudguards keep the filth from splashing into your face and up your back. The rack means not having a big heavy (whatever you want to bring with you) digging into your back. You can also get big panniers and do a decent Tesco run too.

Make sure the bike can take nice fat tyres. If you want skinny ones that's fine, just make sure that you can change your mind and go for more comfortable ones without buying a new bike.

Get a bike that fits properly. Shops will happily sell you what they have rather than what fits you (same for shoes, pants etc). Trust me, size matters! Too small and you'll feel cramped and may have too big a drop to the bars making your hands arms and shoulders sore. Too big and you'll get a big metal bar in your crotch every time you stop.

Get two bad ass locks. One U lock (Kryptonite or don't bother) and a stout cable one. Watch the videos on how to lock your bike. Spending 150 notes on locks seems silly until you get the bike stolen. You feel like crap, you may end up getting a taxi home or to work costing nearly as much as the extra for decent locks and you need a new bike. Locks are no guarantee but don't skimp. You will regret it.

Don't get hung up on the weight of the bike. Dublin doesn't have any big hills so a few extra pounds on the frame doesn't matter at all. Your locks, laptop and other bits will weigh more than the difference between a racer and an MTB so forget about it. Comfortable matters. Reliable matters. The rest is only important if you have the cash to spend chasing it.

Gears etc are another load of old tosh. You don't need 33 gears or anything like it for commuting. One ring at the front is fine if you wont be carrying much kit. If you think you'll end up grocery shopping then two rings on the front (even 50/34) should see you home without a heart attack. A big ring on the back of 28 or better is nice too unless there's three at the front in which case the triple will make sure there's a low enough gear.
SRAM and Shimano make decent kit and either should do you. Better parts usually last a bit longer and feel nicer to use. Look on the net for the hierarchy of group sets.

Puncture resistant tyres will make the bike heavier and will drag a bit. Worth it though. You get where you're going on time and, relatively, clean. Still, bring a spare tube and pump. When you don't, thats when the puncture fairy strikes.

Lights, definitely get lights. They seem like an extravagance in the summer but you need them. Me, I like to see and be seen so I spend big(ish) on the front. You don't have to at first so just get a decent white one. You can always upgrade. At least one rear red one. I like two. One on the back of the rack and one on the right-side pannier. Some people like high viz stuff. I'm not convinced. It makes you more visible but bikes aren't inherently invisible. You don't get seen 'cos they don't look. Whatever makes you feel comfortable though. Same for helmets. I don't bother as I don't seem to hit my head on stuff but if you fall over a lot then it makes sense to protect the bit of you that has the balance issues

I'd love to recommend a steel framed bike as they can be a bit more comfortable than AL but they're like hens teeth these days and oddly expensive for what they are.
Stick to the big brands and you'll get a fair deal and there should be very little to choose between similar models from each manufacturer.

Try to find a shop that cares about non-racing bikes or you'll find follow up service, maintenance (very important) etc very irritating. If you find such a shop in Dublin please PM me as I've yet to discover one.

Accessories:
Locks!!!!
Mudguards, rack and panniers (two if you can).
Pump, spare tubes, puncture repair kit (learn how), waterproof pants, decent waterproof jacket, lights, bungee cords.

I'm sure I've missed loads of serious stuff but I hope that helps a bit.
Whatever you get make sure you're comfortable or you'll end up taking the bus.
Good luck!

pama · 29-05-2013 9:18am

Thanks so much for your advice that has really helped me

reallyunique wrote: »

Totally agree w. Delos.
A rack is great for carrying anything but particularly things you'd not like to drop or are heavy (laptop). For carrying a laptop either get a waterproof bag and put it in there or make sure the pannier is waterproof. (Plastic bag and cheap pannier are a credible way to go for those less well heeled)

For a five mile trip each way you don't need a racing bike. They'll be stiff and very efficient but unforgiving of bumps, no mudguards or rack mounts and the drop bars can be off-putting if you've never used them before.
A decent hybrid with wide tyres (personally I like 32 or better) will do what you want. Giant, Specialized, Trek, Felt etc, etc all have models that will suit. They all come with different gears, forks, brakes etc which are more or less similar but there are a few things worth looking for/avoiding.

Don't get suspension. Suspension is nice on an MTB but the cheap stuff is just more weight and mechanical problems. Avoid.

Disc brakes. I love 'em but for what you're doing they are probably not required. They brake better in the wet (which is nice) but disc-ready forks can be a bit less comfy than standard ones.

Get mudguards and a rack. These are optional extras on a commuter bike the way a windscreen and doors are on a normal car. (No, racing cars don't all have them but what idiot drives one of those to work.) If the bike you're being shown wont take them then you don't want it! Mudguards keep the filth from splashing into your face and up your back. The rack means not having a big heavy (whatever you want to bring with you) digging into your back. You can also get big panniers and do a decent Tesco run too.

Make sure the bike can take nice fat tyres. If you want skinny ones that's fine, just make sure that you can change your mind and go for more comfortable ones without buying a new bike.

Get a bike that fits properly. Shops will happily sell you what they have rather than what fits you (same for shoes, pants etc). Trust me, size matters! Too small and you'll feel cramped and may have too big a drop to the bars making your hands arms and shoulders sore. Too big and you'll get a big metal bar in your crotch every time you stop.

Get two bad ass locks. One U lock (Kryptonite or don't bother) and a stout cable one. Watch the videos on how to lock your bike. Spending 150 notes on locks seems silly until you get the bike stolen. You feel like crap, you may end up getting a taxi home or to work costing nearly as much as the extra for decent locks and you need a new bike. Locks are no guarantee but don't skimp. You will regret it.

Don't get hung up on the weight of the bike. Dublin doesn't have any big hills so a few extra pounds on the frame doesn't matter at all. Your locks, laptop and other bits will weigh more than the difference between a racer and an MTB so forget about it. Comfortable matters. Reliable matters. The rest is only important if you have the cash to spend chasing it.

Gears etc are another load of old tosh. You don't need 33 gears or anything like it for commuting. One ring at the front is fine if you wont be carrying much kit. If you think you'll end up grocery shopping then two rings on the front (even 50/34) should see you home without a heart attack. A big ring on the back of 28 or better is nice too unless there's three at the front in which case the triple will make sure there's a low enough gear.
SRAM and Shimano make decent kit and either should do you. Better parts usually last a bit longer and feel nicer to use. Look on the net for the hierarchy of group sets.

Puncture resistant tyres will make the bike heavier and will drag a bit. Worth it though. You get where you're going on time and, relatively, clean. Still, bring a spare tube and pump. When you don't, thats when the puncture fairy strikes.

Lights, definitely get lights. They seem like an extravagance in the summer but you need them. Me, I like to see and be seen so I spend big(ish) on the front. You don't have to at first so just get a decent white one. You can always upgrade. At least one rear red one. I like two. One on the back of the rack and one on the right-side pannier. Some people like high viz stuff. I'm not convinced. It makes you more visible but bikes aren't inherently invisible. You don't get seen 'cos they don't look. Whatever makes you feel comfortable though. Same for helmets. I don't bother as I don't seem to hit my head on stuff but if you fall over a lot then it makes sense to protect the bit of you that has the balance issues

I'd love to recommend a steel framed bike as they can be a bit more comfortable than AL but they're like hens teeth these days and oddly expensive for what they are.
Stick to the big brands and you'll get a fair deal and there should be very little to choose between similar models from each manufacturer.

Try to find a shop that cares about non-racing bikes or you'll find follow up service, maintenance (very important) etc very irritating. If you find such a shop in Dublin please PM me as I've yet to discover one.

Accessories:
Locks!!!!
Mudguards, rack and panniers (two if you can).
Pump, spare tubes, puncture repair kit (learn how), waterproof pants, decent waterproof jacket, lights, bungee cords.

I'm sure I've missed loads of serious stuff but I hope that helps a bit.
Whatever you get make sure you're comfortable or you'll end up taking the bus.
Good luck!

pama · 29-05-2013 9:19am

Thanks a lot

delos wrote: »

If you get a bike with a rack, have a serious think about a decent laptop pannier bag. I found the laptop a bit uncomfortable on my back and when you add the power lead and other bits it is surprisingly heavy. Also, I just didn't trust bungee cords to hold it on the rack in it's normal bag. Having the laptop on one side doesn't seem to make the bike too unbalanced either.

Advice on buying a bike

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