type of bike - cycle club

2012paddy2012

I cycle from time to time I intend to join a local cycling club soon - I can avail of theback to work scheme

Should I go for road bike or what would you recommend for an average cyclist

Thinking of halfords - apprecite advice

Thks

Paddy

shutup

2012paddy2012 wrote: »

Should I go for road bike or what would you recommend for an average cyclist

Yes go for a road bike. (Racer)
I don't think any club will let you come out with any other type.

My own opinion would be don't use your bike to work yet. Go second hand until you know you are hooked. Then go large on the new bike.

Darkglasses

shutup wrote: »

Yes go for a road bike. (Racer)
I don't think any club will let you come out with any other type.

My own opinion would be don't use your bike to work yet. Go second hand until you know you are hooked. Then go large on the new bike.

I was allowed out on my first club spin (Wexford Wheelers) on my hybrid, I think plenty of clubs do too.

But yeah, definitely get a road bike if you want to do your cycling on paved surfaces.

Tenzor07

2012paddy2012 wrote: »

Thinking of halfords - appreciate advice

Thks

Paddy

Defo not! Try a local independent bike shop staffed by knowledgeable enthusiasts to find the best bike for your cycling needs...

not yet

Some horror stories about backup service from Halfords, I'd go with somewhere local-ish. You deal with the owner or guy who has an interest.

No disrespect to Halfords lads must most of them seem to be kids. Get 10 min on a road bike and you wont go back.

WillyFXP

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Defo not! Try a local independent bike shop staffed by knowledgeable enthusiasts to find the best bike for your cycling needs...

Then go to halfords when you know what you're looking at

Captain Havoc

We allow hybrids but I would be very discouraging of them.

Roger Hassenforder

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Defo not! Try a local independent bike shop staffed by knowledgeable enthusiasts to find the best bike for your cycling needs...

nonsense. they've some fine bikes, like any shop, some staff members will be muppets, some willl know what they're talking about.
Ive only had good experice in Halfords (when you can get someone).
Ive no affiliation to them

smiggyontour

Definitley get a road bike. I work with a few lads who got hybrids on the BTW scheme who regret it and are now looking to get road bikes.

Thats good advise about holding on to your BTW until you are sure you will stick with cycling. Getting a good second hand bike means you will have a decent winter bike.

If you join a club you will probably want to upgrade your bike at some point and to be honest its so addictive you will and at least you will have the BTW to spend on something with higher spec for the summer months

smiggyontour

Captain Havoc wrote: »

We allow hybrids but I would be very discouraging of them.

Why so ?

Tenzor07

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

nonsense. they've some fine bikes, like any shop, some staff members will be muppets, some willl know what they're talking about.
Ive only had good experice in Halfords (when you can get someone).
Ive no affiliation to them

What's nonsense? Supporting your local Irish independent bike shop where you can get some great advice and backup from enthusiasts?

Chips Lovell

Being an indigenous business does not, by definition, make you a good business.

Tenzor07

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Being an indigenous business does not, by definition, make you a good business.

Any particular examples? :pac:

Dermot Illogical

smiggyontour wrote: »

Why so ?

2 bikes side by side. One with drop bars, the other straight. It's a recipe for disaster when they meet.

smiggyontour

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

2 bikes side by side. One with drop bars, the other straight. It's a recipe for disaster when they meet.

That makes sense all right

gerrowadat

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Any particular examples? :pac:

Both (large, Irish) bike shops I've bought bikes from in the last year have been no better than halfords in terms of knowledge and customer service.

joxerjohn

Some very good value from Halfords, particularily on Boardman models. Some of the low cost entry level bikes are really too heavy and not great spec. having said that they are good enough to get you going. E.g the Carrera range you wouldn't lose much if you decided to sell on later.

TychoCaine

smiggyontour wrote: »

That makes sense all right

Plus, hybrids are slow as sh1te compared to a road bike. They can't keep up

DaithiMC

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Defo not! Try a local independent bike shop staffed by knowledgeable enthusiasts to find the best bike for your cycling needs...

Bit harsh - if you don't go to Halford's you will miss out on some very reasonably priced and made bikes. The Boardman range in particular is impressive and if you had any knowledge on Chris Boardman's technical know-how and attention to detail you should take a look.

I would say that if you are confident in bike mechanics then Halford's is as good as any shop and if not then use the LBS for this - most aren't dismissive of a bit of business even if the bike was not originally bought there.

Tenzor07

DaithiMC wrote: »

Bit harsh - if you don't go to Halford's you will miss out on some very reasonably priced and made bikes. The Boardman range in particular is impressive and if you had any knowledge on Chris Boardman's technical know-how and attention to detail you should take a look.
I would say that if you are confident in bike mechanics then Halford's is as good as any shop and if not then use the LBS for this - most aren't dismissive of a bit of business even if the bike was not originally bought there.

Sorry for going OT here OP!

I'm not missing out on anything!

And I am quite well aware of Boardman bikes thank you.. I do like the look of the "Elite Series" bikes, which are sold through Boardman’s own network of independent retailers.

Sure, basic stuff like punctures, fitting bicycle lock brackets or adjusting the height of the seat-post would be fine for most people to have done in Halfords..

Though I trust my LBS to do anything I either don't have the time to do, or the knowledge such as wheel building or suspension servicing for example.

DaithiMC

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Sorry for going OT here OP!

I'm not missing out on anything!

And I am quite well aware of Boardman bikes thank you.. I do like the look of the "Elite Series" bikes, which are sold through Boardman’s own network of independent retailers.

You're welcome... and I am guessing Aldi or Lidl are not on your favourite list of shops either... :rolleyes:

Tenzor07

DaithiMC wrote: »

I am guessing Aldi or Lidl are not on your favourite list of shops either... :rolleyes:

Do they sell bikes? If so, no I won't be buying any of them...

quozl

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Do they sell bikes? If so, no I won't be buying any of them...

If they sold bikes, I would! I bet they'd be great value for money.

MD1983

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Defo not! Try a local independent bike shop staffed by knowledgeable enthusiasts to find the best bike for your cycling needs...

and the inexperienced OP will recognise these enthusiasts how? often in the LBS you get the "dont really give a crap" assistant, or the "see you coming" assistant to sell you stuff you dont need on an overpriced basis

Tenzor07

MD1983 wrote: »

and the inexperienced OP will recognise these enthusiasts how?

Umm..I dunno... by walking into a bike shop and chatting with them and getting some great advice?? :rolleyes:

often in the LBS you get the "dont really give a crap" assistant, or the "see you coming" assistant to sell you stuff you dont need on an overpriced basis

For a second there I thought you were talking about Halfords!

You've obviously had a bad experience with a retail establishment?

My whole point is that a lot of bike shops are staffed by Owner operators and/or with staff who are regular cyclists...not merely someone working there "cuz it's just a job like"

Perhaps there are club members working in the OP's local bike shop who can get him onto the right bike for what he wants..

2012paddy2012

joxerjohn wrote: »

Some very good value from Halfords, particularily on Boardman models. Some of the low cost entry level bikes are really too heavy and not great spec. having said that they are good enough to get you going. E.g the Carrera range you wouldn't lose much if you decided to sell on later.

Thks any particular model for a newbie ...going change bike (basic) I have anyway for a road bike I think ...saw good one in halfords it did seem very heavy ,,thinking about 700/800 to start ...board man seems place to start tho from info here ta

2012paddy2012

smiggyontour wrote: »

Definitley get a road bike. I work with a few lads who got hybrids on the BTW scheme who regret it and are now looking to get road bikes.

Thats good advise about holding on to your BTW until you are sure you will stick with cycling. Getting a good second hand bike means you will have a decent winter bike.

If you join a club you will probably want to upgrade your bike at some point and to be honest its so addictive you will and at least you will have the BTW to spend on something with higher spec for the summer months[/QU

I like the look of this as I sometimes spin along the canal this would seem a good starter for road and off road perhaps ..... Appreciate any views on model
Thks

Boardman CX Comp Bike 2014
4.9 - 7 Reviews
€719.99
Qty.