New biker... what to look for in a bike?

greenketchup

Hi all,

I'm a complete novice to cycling and I'm looking to get a new road bike for my commute.

I've a few ideas on bikes, but I'm wondering if someone could tell me the main things I should be looking for? I've done a bit of research and it can get quite technical with the different terms etc so any help would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks!

Bigus

Try borrow a few bikes first to educate yourself,

Roger Hassenforder

is it just for the commute?

tupac_healy

greenketchup wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm a complete novice to cycling and I'm looking to get a new road bike for my commute.

I've a few ideas on bikes, but I'm wondering if someone could tell me the main things I should be looking for? I've done a bit of research and it can get quite technical with the different terms etc so any help would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks!

Im in pretty much the same boat as you! My work commute would be far too long to make every morning, so I was after a bike to keep fit whilst the football season is over!

Since my budget was 500 at the most (was not prepared to spend more on something that I will only use to keep fit, I.e. not entering races or using to commute) I bought a claude butler, its pretty basic in its setup but it does what I need!

It takes some gwtting used to but I find it really comfortable now, not sure if.its what your after but for the money its a pretty good bike!

greenketchup

It's mostly for the commute, about 10km each way, ill do it 2/3 times a week I hope! Id like to use it on the weekends too, I live in Wicklow so there would be few hills involved..

I've a budget of about €500, I've been looking at the Dawes Giro 300 or the Carerra Virtuoso, I'm still looking though. Unfortunately my knowledge is limited, I'm only going on what the people in the bike shop are telling me and what I can find on line, so any advice/recommendations extremely welcome!

tupac_healy

greenketchup wrote: »

It's mostly for the commute, about 10km each way, ill do it 2/3 times a week I hope! Id like to use it on the weekends too, I live in Wicklow so there would be few hills involved..

I've a budget of about €500, I've been looking at the Dawes Giro 300 or the Carerra Virtuoso, I'm still looking though. Unfortunately my knowledge is limited, I'm only going on what the people in the bike shop are telling me and what I can find on line, so any advice/recommendations extremely welcome!

If I were you I would not bother with the shop sellers, I found MOST of them very UNHELPFUL when I was shopping. Daunting a task as it is walking in to buy something you know nothing about, it makes it worse when the 'sales' assistant acts like he could not give a toss how much money you have in your pocket, he just didnt want to be there... obviously I wont name the company... but disappointed to say the least.


Lucky for me, there are 2 lads in the office that are into fittness/diet and one of them is an avid cyclist, my advice is to speak to a cyclist if possible

greenketchup

Hence me being on this forum! Don't really know any cyclists..

zindicato

if its only for commuting ive got a Marin mill valley bike medium sized
heres the spec of it in excellent condition and way better specs that youll get on both bikes youve mentioned, and im running it on 23's nowadays. price is 650
http://www.marin.co.uk/2011/bikepage.php?ModNo=11MI

tupac_healy

greenketchup wrote: »

Hence me being on this forum! Don't really know any cyclists..

Good point

greenketchup

zindicato wrote: »

if its only for commuting ive got a Marin mill valley bike medium sized
heres the spec of it in excellent condition and way better specs that youll get on both bikes youve mentioned, and im running it on 23's nowadays. price is 650
http://www.marin.co.uk/2011/bikepage.php?ModNo=11MI

Thanks, gonna use the government bike scheme though

dizzyg

I was in the same boat. Didn't know much, wanted a bike via the bike-to-work etc.

Looking back, I'd have bought a second-hand bike via online recommendations etc. People are always upgrading so you can get something half-decent for a lot less money. So spend 2/3/400 on a make/model that's a couple of seasons old. That way you'll have something to compare with - hybrid/road, gear types, frame stiffness etc.

Ride that for a year or so and then use your bike-to-work to upgrade.