Which bike? (Noob alert!)

T-Maxx

I need to drop 5-10kg and so have started cycling lately. My bike is a 11 year old cheap MTB and I've no kit either so I want to get a proper bike and kit to go - availing of the cycle-to-work scheme, hence my budget of €1000.

At the minute I'm managing a 30min spin 4-5 times a week, but my aim is to do one less short spin in lieu of a longer trip over weekends, so 3-4 x 30min trips during the week and 1 x 2 hour or so cycle over weekend.

I'm also using the bike to zip down to the local shop for bread and milk, taking the kids to football training, etc.

From my brief research it seems that a hybrid bike is what I'm looking for, but for a noob the choices are overwhelming - all recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

Also in terms of kit - what is essential stuff to have? And also why? I mean what's wrong with my tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt?:o

Any shops in particular (Dublin) which can be recommended or warned against?

I'm 190cm (6'2" approx) and 100kg.

Thanks in advance.

Dotsie~tmp

T-Maxx wrote: »

I need to drop 5-10kg and so have started cycling lately. My bike is a 11 year old cheap MTB and I've no kit either so I want to get a proper bike and kit to go - availing of the cycle-to-work scheme, hence my budget of €1000.

At the minute I'm managing a 30min spin 4-5 times a week, but my aim is to do one less short spin in lieu of a longer trip over weekends, so 3-4 x 30min trips during the week and 1 x 2 hour or so cycle over weekend.

I'm also using the bike to zip down to the local shop for bread and milk, taking the kids to football training, etc.

Some bike ideas.
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/best-road-bikes-under-1000-29719/

From my brief research it seems that a hybrid bike is what I'm looking for, but for a noob the choices are overwhelming - all recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

Also in terms of kit - what is essential stuff to have? And also why? I mean what's wrong with my tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt?:o

Any shops in particular (Dublin) which can be recommended or warned against?

I'm 190cm (6'2" approx) and 100kg.

Thanks in advance.

Keep the MTB for shops and stuff. Your good bike will get nicked.

If you are serious about 2hr + cycles get a road bike not a hybrid.

Nothing wrong with tracksuit but it will get caught in the gears and manky and dangerous. Cycle gear will help you maintain a comfy temperature too on long cycles plus its more efficient.

As for gear you will need.
-Bike
-Punture resistant tyres.
-Pedals + cycle shoes.
-Track pump + poratble pump.
-Repair kit + some spare tubes.
-Lights LEDs front and rear + helmet
-1 pair bib tights and a long sleeve jersey (we are moving into winter) + socks.
-Bottle + holder.
-New saddle! At 100kg believe me your bollox will than you for it. Selle SMP's are great.

This will get you goind and keep you on the road when difficulty hits.

Dotsie~tmp

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/best-road-bikes-under-1000-29719/
Also consider Giant , Felt, BH, Cannondale, Cube

Some bike ideas.

T-Maxx

Thanks I'll have a good read through that link.

Can you recommend any shops in Dublin?

Incidentally I was in Lidl today and saw they're selling a lot of cycling stuff - tops, bottoms, bib tights, underwear, jackets. etc. Are these any good at all (for a newbie like myself that is)?

Dotsie~tmp

T-Maxx wrote: »

Thanks I'll have a good read through that link.

Can you recommend any shops in Dublin?

Incidentally I was in Lidl today and saw they're selling a lot of cycling stuff - tops, bottoms, bib tights, underwear, jackets. etc. Are these any good at all (for a newbie like myself that is)?

I cant recommend a shop maybe someone can. As for all the gear bar the bike you need to buy it online as a shop prices are steep. I use http://www.wiggle.co.uk

As for Lidl stuff I'd grab a pair of 3/4 shorts and a jersey just to get started and have them as backup. Get some DHB off wiggle. Its good value and sturdy. One set will do if money is tight as I wash mine on a 30ºc wash after each ride. And socks, lots of cheap socks.

cjt156

Interrupts thread for obligatory Canyon Roadlite response.

Click here - for 1k bike-to-work budget, its the daddy.

As you were.

Mine is due in 2 weeks!

gerrowadat

I was in the same boat as you, was 117kg in may, now down around 112kg, caught the bug though :-)

Saddles are all much of a much, once you get decent bib shorts (or I wear undershorts and regular shorts over them) you're sorted. Learn to sit on the saddle properly and make sure you've a proper padding, I've never had soreness anything worth talking about.

I ended up getting the Cube SL Cross, which left a bit of cash for accessories. the LIDL bike stuff is grand, I've been wearing the long sleeve top and leggings the last few days as it's gotten a bit chillier.

I can't recommend any bike shop in particular, given the shop I got my own bike in was useless.

If you're going >2h on the bike, you're going to want a road bike eventually, although a good hybrid will be grand for the occasional trip that length (I've done 2h+/70km on mine without much bother).

run_Forrest_run

I will follow this thread with interest as I am looking to get a bike also through the cycle to work scheme.
I will use it for some commuting but mainly cross training, running being my main sport.

OP can I hijack your thread for a moment, it might apply to you too?
A mate sent me a breakdown of the various types of Shimano chainsets and since I've seen them I am always trying to get a bike for something higher than Sora components but for under €1000 in a bricks & mortar shop.

Am I being too demanding or should I be OK with Sora components?
I won't ever be racing or competing on this bike.

gerrowadat

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I will follow this thread with interest as I am looking to get a bike also through the cycle to work scheme.
I will use it for some commuting but mainly cross training, running being my main sport.

OP can I hijack your thread for a moment, it might apply to you too?
A mate sent me a breakdown of the various types of Shimano chainsets and since I've seen them I am always trying to get a bike for something higher than Sora components but for under €1000 in a bricks & mortar shop.

Am I being too demanding or should I be OK with Sora components?
I won't ever be racing or competing on this bike.

The bike I got (Cube SL Cross) is Sora and it's been perfectly fine, I've done 50k+ spins on it and not a bother. Above a certain quality/price points it's splitting hairs tbh.

run_Forrest_run

gerrowadat wrote: »

The bike I got (Cube SL Cross) is Sora and it's been perfectly fine, I've done 50k+ spins on it and not a bother. Above a certain quality/price points it's splitting hairs tbh.

Nice bike too, i like the mtb frame but the racer wheels, food for thought.

iseethelight

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I will follow this thread with interest as I am looking to get a bike also through the cycle to work scheme.
I will use it for some commuting but mainly cross training, running being my main sport.

OP can I hijack your thread for a moment, it might apply to you too?
A mate sent me a breakdown of the various types of Shimano chainsets and since I've seen them I am always trying to get a bike for something higher than Sora components but for under €1000 in a bricks & mortar shop.

Am I being too demanding or should I be OK with Sora components?
I won't ever be racing or competing on this bike.

If you stay away from the big bike brands you can get tiagra equipped road bikes for around 850, I saw one in the bike shop in the Omni center in santry. Can't remember the make. I bought a czech made spyder road bike in my local shop in Balbriggan that was 850 . Im not a huge expert but it seems a good bike to me with 10 sp tiagra.

run_Forrest_run

I put a deposit down on a bike today, while I wasn't totally planning on doing so I got all excited and went for it...Getting a Cube Peleton Race, the original price was 1,399 but reduced to 1,200 and he said he'll sell it to me for 1,100.
Now I'm sure there was lots of salesmanship going on but I was liking it anyway:D
Shimano 105 shifters & Chainset (compact version). The other Cube I was looking at was on sale for 1,050 and that had a mix of Tiagra & Sora on a 9 speed cassette..the Peleton Race had a 10 speed cassette...I was nodding as he spoke!

So, even though it's a bit late now, what do people think of Cube bikes?? Decent?? Please say they are:eek:

I just hope I don't come off it within a week, I'm new to racers and christ, those tyres are thin!

So, can someone please recommend a good lock and a solid, well built and strong front and rear light?

Lumen

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I just hope I don't come off it within a week, I'm new to racers and christ, those tyres are thin!

Keep it smooth and you'll be fine.

Dotsie~tmp

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I put a deposit down on a bike today, while I wasn't totally planning on doing so I got all excited and went for it...Getting a Cube Peleton Race, the original price was 1,399 but reduced to 1,200 and he said he'll sell it to me for 1,100.
Now I'm sure there was lots of salesmanship going on but I was liking it anyway:D
Shimano 105 shifters & Chainset (compact version). The other Cube I was looking at was on sale for 1,050 and that had a mix of Tiagra & Sora on a 9 speed cassette..the Peleton Race had a 10 speed cassette...I was nodding as he spoke!

So, even though it's a bit late now, what do people think of Cube bikes?? Decent?? Please say they are:eek:

I just hope I don't come off it within a week, I'm new to racers and christ, those tyres are thin!

So, can someone please recommend a good lock and a solid, well built and strong front and rear light?

Honestly the only lock I'd recommend is none. Keep your good bike for your training and long jaunts and get an ugly well running cheapo for shops and stuff. My bike is either locked in my house or under my arse.

Stay away from any road verges that have that concrete meets tarmac groove near the gutter. These can catch your thin tyres like a rail. Gave me my closest call yet. Dont be afraid to move out into the road 3 or 4 ft and claim that peice of road if the gutter isnt safe to ride on.

run_Forrest_run

Dotsie~tmp wrote: »

Honestly the only lock I'd recommend is none. Keep your good bike for your training and long jaunts and get an ugly well running cheapo for shops and stuff. My bike is either locked in my house or under my arse.

Stay away from any road verges that have that concrete meets tarmac groove near the gutter. These can catch your thin tyres like a rail. Gave me my closest call yet. Dont be afraid to move out into the road 3 or 4 ft and claim that peice of road if the gutter isnt safe to ride on.

thanks for that advice, can't wait to get it now.

triggermortis

Cube are a good brand and well put together bikes. I have a Cube Aerial that I use to commute on all year. It's all Sora and has been no hassle at all. I have a Boardman that is the same age and sees better weather conditions and even though I look after both bikes, the Boardman is starting to look tatty while the Cube is still in good nick.
As for a lock, I have a Kryptonite U lock with a cable.

T-Maxx

A Raleigh Pioneer bike has been made available to me and it's a huge improvement over my MTB - it's lighter, has 700 wheels, and taller gears which shifts smoother.

I've looked at a few bikes, and lately the Carrera TDF at €312 looks really tempting (cash now and a better bike later through C2W), but with winter ahead I've decided to stick it out with what I have and reconsider my options in the spring.

I've got some cheap cycling basics (helmet, jersey, leggings) at Lidl to get me going so all I really need now is wheel time.

Thanks for everybody's input.

ghogie91

Dotsie~tmp wrote: »

Keep the MTB for shops and stuff. Your good bike will get nicked.

If you are serious about 2hr + cycles get a road bike not a hybrid.

Nothing wrong with tracksuit but it will get caught in the gears and manky and dangerous. Cycle gear will help you maintain a comfy temperature too on long cycles plus its more efficient.

As for gear you will need.
-Bike
-Punture resistant tyres.
-Pedals + cycle shoes.
-Track pump + poratble pump.
-Repair kit + some spare tubes.
-Lights LEDs front and rear + helmet
-1 pair bib tights and a long sleeve jersey (we are moving into winter) + socks.
-Bottle + holder.
-New saddle! At 100kg believe me your bollox will than you for it. Selle SMP's are great.

This will get you goind and keep you on the road when difficulty hits.

*I think for someone starting off on a road bike there is no need for puncture resistant tyres, spare tube and tyre levers and a pump is a better option, if you opt for a harder tyre, I suggest a gatorskin hardshell, my winter training tyre
*No need to change the pedals or get shoes, the toe clips are just fine for a beginner. If you go with changing the pedals, Look Keo classics are a great pedal
*Would suggest Bontager cycling shorts (my first ever pair, was like sitting on a matress) with the extra padding rather than changing a saddle, like I mean if your going to be going changing componants straight off the bat, it be better to just add the money to a better bike, san marco and fizik saddles are up there with the best, there used alot in the pro peloton

p.s. the arse pain does eventually go away, like two or three weeks of the oohh ahh paul mcgrath is all it takes to get a cycling arse

ghogie91

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I put a deposit down on a bike today, while I wasn't totally planning on doing so I got all excited and went for it...Getting a Cube Peleton Race, the original price was 1,399 but reduced to 1,200 and he said he'll sell it to me for 1,100.
Now I'm sure there was lots of salesmanship going on but I was liking it anyway:D
Shimano 105 shifters & Chainset (compact version). The other Cube I was looking at was on sale for 1,050 and that had a mix of Tiagra & Sora on a 9 speed cassette..the Peleton Race had a 10 speed cassette...I was nodding as he spoke!

So, even though it's a bit late now, what do people think of Cube bikes?? Decent?? Please say they are:eek:

I just hope I don't come off it within a week, I'm new to racers and christ, those tyres are thin!

So, can someone please recommend a good lock and a solid, well built and strong front and rear light?

Cube are fine, listen your not going to get a Dogma first time around, you need the lower end bikes to progress ( your cube is middle of the road, not lower end) I got a Giant Defy 4 in Feb and since I have upgraded to a Ridley Orion and hopefully will progress to a Ridley Noah or a Pinarello Dogma

Its a steep learning curve and expensive to get up and running but once you get there you will be grand. When I got my bike I skint myself to get:

DHB Bib and Bib shorts on wiggle
Specialised Helmet (Please please use one)
Specialised Cycling Shoes
Beginner slipless pedals
Cateye Nanoshot front light
Moon Shield Rear Light
Common Bits: (2 Spare tubes, tyre levers, compact pump, repair kit
3 Jerseys, DHB 30L commuter bag, rainproof jacket, multitool)


Other than those essentials i got:

Contour Roam2 evertually to video my cycling daily incase of any accidents or so after I nearly got splattered a few times, I started with 20kms and now I am competing in 180+ races while always commuting everywhere by bike too

My overall plan is to get my Dogma or Noah and use my Orion to whip around towns and to work and stuff like that and leave the main racer at home

Additional info:

Turbo trainer is a great tool that were coming into the winter. I have a Tacx Satori, basically lets you use your bike indoors and the satori in particular gives very good resistance, you can wreck your legs o nit for an hour an evening if you would like, I have a room in my house with a screen, The Sufferfest Videos, 2 fans, the bike and the satori and thats my torture chamber.

You have to make the mistakes to learn from, then you will gain better knowledge.

With all of this said, I was clueless when I started cycling in Feb of 13, look at all i know now

run_Forrest_run

@ghogie91 wow, that's some amount of info and gear.
Thanks for the info.

ghogie91

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

@ghogie91 wow, that's some amount of info and gear.
Thanks for the info.

No Bother

Just PM me if you have any bother

There are alot better educated and seasoned cyclists on here, some of the mods are robot like in advice thats spot on everytime but Ill try help out best I can, its just fresh in my memory as I was in your position not very long ago at all

T-Maxx

The bug has really bitten me big time. I had my mind set on a 2014 Defy 2 (€1000), but then saw this 2013 Corratec Dolomiti 105 for €840. I'm going to try it out this week to see what it's like in the flesh.

Not too much info on these bikes but seems pretty decent. (Bikeradar review)

Thoughts?