Time to get out of my trainers and into the saddle - help.

BenEadir

Hi all,

46 year old 183cm tall 94KG male here. For the last 6-7 years I've been keeping fit(ish) by doing 5k and 10k fun run type events throughout the year. Having an event coming up in a few weeks always helped motivate me to get out and train which in the main meant jogging 5k-7k 3 times a week plus a few core exercises.

I was doing a gentle run two weeks ago in preparation for the Samsung night time 10k and I suddenly got a ferocious pain in my left knee. I limped home (which wasn't too far thankfully) and within 12 hours the knee was swollen and next day the doctor diagnosed "runners knee" which is basically a result of too much impact going through the knee joint. It should be fine with some exercises in 6-8 weeks but I think it's a strong signal that my days of pounding the streets should probably be drawing to a close and thus I'm thinking what can I do to stay fit and cycling seems to be a good option as I live in Stillorgan and I'm sure there are plenty of good routes I could discover such as the N11 to Bray, the three rock cycle loop etc.

I've been reading some of the other "starter" threads and picked up some excellent tips on how to start out, investing in good shorts etc and the sizing charts indicate that a 58cm/59cm frame is what I need for a road bike or a 21" frame for a MTB or Hybrid which leads me to the point of this post. I don't know what type of bike I should even be looking for!!

If I'm going to use it primarily for trips of circa one hour on both main and secondary road I guess a road bike is what I should go for but I also like to do a small bit of light trail riding when we go to France each year and I wouldn't want to wreck a road bike by bringing it onto forest trails.

I'm guessing the right thing to do is go for a road bike and hire a MTB locally for the two weeks a year I need a MTB or should I consider going for a hybrid?

In terms of budget I'm going to be a novice so I'm looking for maximum value for money and I'm totally brand agnostic. I know there are far higher quality bikes out there but to begin with I just want something which is functional and suited to my expected use. If I do get mad into it I'll happily trade in the entry level bike and upgrade but I don't want to be one of those guys who lashes out €1,500 on a bike, uses it a few times and it then gathers dust for a few years.

Here are some bikes which look like they might do the job for me.

Road bikes
http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/1871/forme#buy-tab-tab

http://baldebikes.com/index.html#!/~/product/category=4331927&id=18422627

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810707_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-de-course-btwin-triban-3-a-id_8239800.html -

http://www.decathlon.fr/btwin-triban-500-id_8239801.html

Buy one of these when I get to France in a few weeks??

http://baldebikes.com/index.html#!/~/product/category=4331927&id=18422627

http://baldebikes.com/index.html#!/~/product/category=4320162&id=18355809

http://baldebikes.com/index.html#!/~/product/category=4320162&id=18422617

The Balde Bikes bikes seem incredible value!!

Hybrids
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_875971_langId_-1_categoryId_212377#[object Object]

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_1001840_langId_-1_categoryId_212377#[object Object]

http://baldebikes.com/index.html#!/~/product/id=18355820

My budget for the bike would be circa €500. Am I on the right/wrong track?

All suggestions/criticisms etc welcome.

Ben

quozl

You're on the right track with a road bike.

I'm another running casualty - my ankles really didn't hold up too great to long distance training, but I'm having no bother at all cycling. It gives me a lot of the same buzz and mental calm that running did.

Plus, the one (and only) sport guaranteed to make you look weedier and less buff than cycling is long distance running. So it's a step up in attracting the ladies

Lumen

You might get more responses if you ask the mods (e.g. by reporting your own post) to move this out of Cycling Adverts into the main forum.

Beasty

Lumen wrote: »

You might get more responses if you ask the mods (e.g. by reporting your own post) to move this out of Cycling Adverts into the main forum.

Done

Buzwaldo

For that budget you will get a decent second hand road bike if that's the route you want to go (and most on this forum would advise that). Any new roadbike for that price will be poor quality (except the decathalon fans who will be on shortly). If you are patient and keep an eye on second hand sites you will find one. Useful if you have a cycling friend to give a bit of advice.
You want one with carbon forks for comfort and most likely aluminium frame.
There tends to be more of the bigger brands ( eg giant defy) out there, and there is an advantage in that they are easier to sell on again.

BenEadir

Buzwaldo wrote: »

For that budget you will get a decent second hand road bike if that's the route you want to go (and most on this forum would advise that). Any new roadbike for that price will be poor quality (except the decathalon fans who will be on shortly). If you are patient and keep an eye on second hand sites you will find one. Useful if you have a cycling friend to give a bit of advice.
You want one with carbon forks for comfort and most likely aluminium frame.
There tends to be more of the bigger brands ( eg giant defy) out there, and there is an advantage in that they are easier to sell on again.

Thanks Buzwaldo, I'd be quite happy to buy a 2nd hand bike but only if it's provenance is rock solid. I'd be very concerned about buying something which was stolen. I don't want to help someone benefit from stealing a bike.

Are there any reliable 2nd hand sites? I had a look on Adverts.ie (naturally) and there are some potentially suitable bikes on there like this http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/felt-f95-sora-racing-bike-58cm-no-swaps-pls/5112039 but the seller doesn't have a receipt so that would put me off straight away.

My preference is to support my local bike shop but only if I don't have to overpay to support them!

Ben

Hunterbiker

Think hard before going the hybrid route. I am on a hybrid and pretty much since getting a hybrid I wanted a road bike.
A hybrid is a great bike but its a compromise its neither one thing or another.
Thats only my opinion but more and more makers are launching these do it all models andthey are pretty much drop handlebar / roadbike based.

Hunterbiker

Oh and I smashed my ankle up pretty bad in a motorbike accident cant run / put any real impact through the joint. Cycling is no bother though.

not yet

Hunterbiker wrote: »

Think hard before going the hybrid route. I am on a hybrid and pretty much since getting a hybrid I wanted a road bike.
A hybrid is a great bike but its a compromise its neither one thing or another.
Thats only my opinion but more and more makers are launching these do it all models andthey are pretty much drop handlebar / roadbike based.

100%

I got hybrid last year and within a month yearned after a road bike, got one in Jan and have not looked back.

ps, get a road bike.

BenEadir

not yet wrote: »

100%

I got hybrid last year and within a month yearned after a road bike, got one in Jan and have not looked back.

ps, get a road bike.

Yep, I'm convinced a road bike is what I should get if I want to actually get out and train on it as an alternative to jogging. If I was looking for something to doss around on with the kids etc a hybrid would probably suffice but whilst the temptation of "best of both worlds" undoubtedly works from a marketing perspective I feel certain it's actually a "compromise of both worlds" you end up with.

Road bike it is.

So which road bike to get?

Ben

bazzamac

Ben.if your interested in the mtb I have a specialized rockhopper sl in a 19" which should suit your size.if you fancy a look im down the road in booterstown.

BenEadir

bazzamac wrote: »

Ben.if your interested in the mtb I have a specialized rockhopper sl in a 19" which should suit your size.if you fancy a look im down the road in booterstown.

Thanks Bazzamac but I think I need a road bike not a MTB.

Ben

My_Sharona

What about a cyclocross bike like a Cannondale CAADX? Not quite as fast on the roads but should be able to take a bit of abuse and mild offroading. Also there is clearance for mudguards and thicker tyres for winter.

I bought a CAAD9 when I lived in Dublin a few years ago and it's wickedly fast, but I always got more use out of my hybrid. I think a cyclocross bike would have been a better choice.

BenEadir

My_Sharona wrote: »

What about a cyclocross bike like a Cannondale CAADX?

They look like a better "hybrid" than some of the hybrids all right but I guess if I'm going to be using the bike for training on roads it makes most sense to get something dedicated/built for that purpose.

Ben

Seaneh

BenThere wrote: »

They look like a better "hybrid" than some of the hybrids all right but I guess if I'm going to be using the bike for training on roads it makes most sense to get something dedicated/built for that purpose.

Ben

A cyclocross bike is just a road bike that has a slightly more upright seated position and accomidates bigger (chinkier) tyres.

I have one and I swap the chunky 32m tyres out for 24mm continental GP's around this time evry year, I keep the chunkier tyres for commuting or touring.

That's another thing, *most* cyclocross bikes will come with atleast rear panier bosses, some woth front bosses too, and they are hardy bikes, so you can happily use them for touring in Ireland, the UK and Europe and because of the ability to take chunkier tyres, canal paths and greenways aren't an issue.

If you're looking for a "one bike for everything" sort of solution, it's hard to do better than the likes of a specialized tricross.

If you just want a bike for road cycling though, get a road bike as it will be that little bit lighter and quicker.

not yet

BenThere wrote: »

Yep, I'm convinced a road bike is what I should get if I want to actually get out and train on it as an alternative to jogging. If I was looking for something to doss around on with the kids etc a hybrid would probably suffice but whilst the temptation of "best of both worlds" undoubtedly works from a marketing perspective I feel certain it's actually a "compromise of both worlds" you end up with.

Road bike it is.

So which road bike to get?

Ben

Trek Domane 2.3..

3-4 different hand positions, better set up on the bike for longer rides.

Hunterbiker

Decathlon's BTwin brand always seems to come out well in reviews for the price.
This is the best bit deciding what to buy!

RonanP77

I only started cycling properly a few weeks back. I had started running in Feb. and did a few runs but hurt my calf. I'm looking forward to running again, I have a duathlon this weekend. Even though I have a dodgy calf, I have absolutely no problem cycling.

I wanted to go for a bike for around €500 too but ended up spending €850 on a Trek 1.2, I got it on the bike to work scheme so it's only costing me €11 a week between now and December. Would that scheme be a possibility for you?

Lumen

Seaneh wrote: »

A cyclocross bike is just a road bike that has a slightly more upright seated position and accomodates bigger (chinkier) tyres.

It really isn't. The chainstays are about 9% longer (in the case of the Tricross compared to the Tarmac) which changes the handling noticeably, and they often don't descend anything like a proper racing bike.

They're also expensive or heavy or both.

I owned a Tricross and it handled like a barge.

mirv

Longer chainstays isn't exactly a bad thing for heavier taller riders - he did say he was 183cm, as well as for the chain angle when cross chaining. Also means you're better set for weight balance and avoiding shimmy.

Seaneh

mirv wrote: »

Longer chainstays isn't exactly a bad thing for heavier taller riders - he did say he was 183cm, as well as for the chain angle when cross chaining. Also means you're better set for weight balance and avoiding shimmy.

And this is why it suits me, while not tall (175cm) I do weigh 105kg.

Longer wheelbase also helps with the ride comfort. While it might be "boring" and "predictable" I don't find the tricross's handling bad, it's just not as sharp as a true race bike, but it doesn't need to be.

BenEadir

not yet wrote: »

Trek Domane 2.3..

3-4 different hand positions, better set up on the bike for longer rides.

Triple my budget I'm afraid but it could be something I'd upgrade to if having invested in a beginners bike I catch the bug and start to spend big!!!

Ben

Seaneh

Hey, Ben, what is your budget?

BenEadir

Lumen wrote: »

It really isn't. The chainstays are about 9% longer (in the case of the Tricross compared to the Tarmac) which changes the handling noticeably, and they often don't descend anything like a proper racing bike.

They're also expensive or heavy or both.

I owned a Tricross and it handled like a barge.

I'm 46 and 94KG so comfort and stability are far higher on my priority list than out and out performance.

I already have a 1992 Peugeot MTB (from new!!) like this one which must weigh in excess of 20KG I bring to France for 2-3 weeks every year for family tipping around on forest trails and trips to and from the beach/local town etc so my requirement for training as an alternative to jogging needs to be focused exclusively on just that i.e. something which I can get out and be happy training on for +/- an hour 3-4 times a week plus some longer trips if (as I would fully expect) I get roped into the groups who do Malin to Mizen Head type trips to raise funds for the local GAA club etc.



Ben

Lumen

BenThere wrote: »

I'm 46 and 94KG so comfort and stability are far higher on my priority list than out and out performance.

46 isn't old and 94kg isn't heavy.

I don't want to drag this thread too far down a rabbit hole, I'm just saying there are a whole host of reasons why almost nobody chooses cyclocross bikes for dedicated road use. If you look at a large non-racing event like the Wicklow 200 you will see almost no CX bikes.

Almost everyone finds road bikes uncomfortable on first encounter, but that doesn't last long.

The main thing is to pick something decent in your budget which fits you well.

BenEadir

Hunterbiker wrote: »

Decathlon's BTwin brand always seems to come out well in reviews for the price.
This is the best bit deciding what to buy!

I must say the idea of strolling into Decathalon on the first day of my holiday with €500 to spend on a new bike like one of these seems very appealing. For whatever reason Decathalon really so seem to offer great value bikes.

Something like this for €500 with aluminium frame and carbon fibre forks seems excellent value http://www.decathlon.fr/btwin-triban-500-id_8239801.html

Ben

BenEadir

Lumen wrote: »

46 isn't old and 94kg isn't heavy.

Lumen wrote: »

The main thing is to pick something decent in your budget which fits you well.

Couldn't agree more. I've fallen into the trap of buying things which tried to tick two boxes at the same time over the years and almost without exception they ended up ticking neither box.

I'm pretty sure a good value new or better spec used road bike which is the right size for me (58/59cm frame) is the way I should go.

Ben

Seaneh

BenThere wrote: »

I must say the idea of strolling into Decathalon on the first day of my holiday with €500 to spend on a new bike like one of these seems very appealing. For whatever reason Decathalon really so seem to offer great value bikes.

Something like this for €500 with aluminium frame and carbon fibre forks seems excellent value http://www.decathlon.fr/btwin-triban-500-id_8239801.html

Ben

That is indeed a very good bike for the money and would do everything you want it to do and have eyelets for mudguards and a rack if you wanted to use it for commuting.

Seaneh

BenThere wrote: »

Couldn't agree more. I've fallen into the trap of buying things which tried to tick two boxes at the same time over the years and almost without exception they ended up ticking neither box.

I'm pretty sure a good value new or better spec used road bike which is the right size for me (58/59cm frame) is the way I should go.

Ben

If I was you I'd be going second hand. you will get a lot more bike for your money in the second hand market.

not yet

BenThere wrote: »

Triple my budget I'm afraid but it could be something I'd upgrade to if having invested in a beginners bike I catch the bug and start to spend big!!!

Ben

Well start saving so because without a doubt you'll be upgrading. Getting out on a bike for an hour is the best way to clear your head.

BenEadir

Seaneh wrote: »

If I was you I'd be going second hand. you will get a lot more bike for your money in the second hand market.

I am totally open to that Seaneh, I just want to make sure it's a genuine sale from a genuine guy not some arsehole who's stolen a bike!!!

Is Adverts.ie the best place to keep an eye out?

Ben

Seaneh

BenThere wrote: »

I am totally open to that Seaneh, I just want to make sure it's a genuine sale from a genuine guy not some arsehole who's stolen a bike!!!

Is Adverts.ie the best place to keep an eye out?

Ben

There's an adverts sub forum on this forum.

Post a thread with "WTD: Road bike" and the size you want in the title.

Then in the post itself say what you want, why you want it and how much you have to spend.

Give that a few days to turn up some results, if that doesn't work head to adverts.ie

Lumen

BenThere wrote: »

I'm pretty sure a good value new or better spec used road bike which is the right size for me (58/59cm frame) is the way I should go.

Be really careful with that sizing. I'm that height and ride a 56 or 58, but many 6footers would be comfortable on a 56 at most. 59 is a big-ass bike.

I'm not making a size recommendation since it's way too personal (not just a function of height) but bear in mind that whereas you can make a bike bigger with a longer/steeper stem, you can't make one smaller.

OTOH buying a cheap bike in the wrong size is a lot less painful than buying an expensive bike in the wrong size.

mirv

Lumen wrote: »

If you look at a large non-racing event like the Wicklow 200 you will see almost no CX bikes. Almost everyone finds road bikes uncomfortable on first encounter, but that doesn't last long.

You also often find people running 23mm tires when they really shouldn't, as well as disastrous bike fits too. If skinny pro-team riders are running ridiculously supple 25mm tubulars on smooth alpine tarmac, what does that say about your average heavier rider running cheap/stiff 23mm clinchers on horrible wicklow roads?

It also happens that there's a plethora of road bikes in the shops and not CX bikes.

All I'm saying is that a CX bike isn't necessarily a bad option, especially with regards to comfort, stability and braking (if its a disc model), or at least a road bike with generous clearances and proportional chain stay lengths. Something like a Genesis CdF, or the Planet X carbon cx bike if you stuck some nice 28mm rubber on it, although both are out of the OP's budget

It's really strange that bikes these days come with enormously long head tubes for the less flexible/racy yet keep ridiculously tight clearances for tyres and have short chainstays.

Lumen

mirv wrote: »

You also often find people running 23mm tires when they really shouldn't, as well as disastrous bike fits too. If skinny pro-team riders are running ridiculously supple 25mm tubulars on smooth alpine tarmac, what does that say about your average heavier rider running cheap/stiff 23mm clinchers on horrible wicklow roads?

I dunno, I ride 21mm clinchers at the moment (on a bike that will take 28s) and they feel great. :pac:

Clinchers have lower rolling resistance than tubs. Pros use tubs because they're safer/more practical. Wide tyres are currently fashionable but although I've seen all the graphs I suspect more than a little manufacturer pressure-to-innovate-for-the-sake-of-sales behind this. Who wants old skinny Zipps now the new fat Zipps are around?

mirv wrote: »

All I'm saying is that a CX bike isn't necessarily a bad option, especially with regards to comfort, stability and braking (if its a disc model)

Disc braked CX bikes at least stop properly, but cable discs are not without issues (weight, noise, modulation, lever travel) and hydros are still very expensive (though I want them anyway).

mirv wrote: »

...or at least a road bike with generous clearances and proportional chain stay lengths. Something like a Genesis CdF, or the Planet X carbon cx bike if you stuck some nice 28mm rubber on it, although both are out of the OP's budget

The CdF is 11.5kg! Fine for a tourer or commuter, but since most road bikes with calipers will take 28mm tyres and weigh several kgs less, what's the point? Compatibility with huge tyres creates a whole set of problems for no gain (until it starts snowing).

I've run many different sort of road bike with tyres from 21mm to 45mm and everything in between and I keep coming back to the classic formula of skinny tyres and nippy handling, but each to their own.

BenEadir

So I was getting physio on my knee for the last 6-8 weeks and it hasn't worked, looks like I have a Meniscus Tear http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00358 rather than Chondromalacia patella http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/patelladisorders/a/chondromalacia.htm and I'll need a small operation to clear out the torn cartilage. I guess if Suarez can have the same operation and come back within 4 weeks to play like he did against England there's hope I'll get back out doing some exercise by the end of the summer which is why I need to get focused on what road bike to get as either way my running days seem to be over.

Here's where I'm at. I've been down to my LBS who are very helpful guys. No hard sell and good listeners. They understand that I'm looking for something which will spend most of it's time doing 2-3 hour weekend spins and a couple of 60-90 minute early morning spins from April to Sept.

I unfortunately used my bike to work allowance a couple of years ago to get a bike for my wife so that's no longer an option and means I need to squeeze as much bang for my buck as I can.

In terms of new bikes I'm leaning towards one of the following:-

From the LBS:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/cube-peloton-pro-road-bike-2014/rp-prod114144 - €1,099 from my LBS

http://www.stevensbikes.de/2014/index.php?bik_id=1&cou=IE&lang=en_US - €999 in the LBS

Given I can't take advantage of the BTWS I don't think I'm going to lash out €1,000 for the bike +++ for the clothing and accessories etc on top.

The next best "New" options are

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810601_langId_-1_categoryId_212536#tab2 looks like excellent value for money and gets quite good reviews from Bike Radar http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/product/review-carrera-virtuoso-09-34691/

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html - circa €530 so the equivalent of spending €1,100 on the BTWS.

An alternative would be to buy something better 2nd hand. Something like this CANNONDALE CAAD8 SORA which at 56cm is probably the right size for me (I'm 183cm tall) and has carbon forks and would cost +/- €400. http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/cannondale-2013-caad8-sora/5793170

Am I on the right track? Should I gamble on a good looking 2nd hand bike and see how I get on or get one of the entry level new bikes?

Ben

desertcircus

Even if you don't opt for the Decathlon bike, if you find yourself in the vicinity of a Decathlon store call in and pick up some clothing. Their gear is consistently better value than anyone else.

BenEadir

desertcircus wrote: »

Even if you don't opt for the Decathlon bike, if you find yourself in the vicinity of a Decathlon store call in and pick up some clothing. Their gear is consistently better value than anyone else.

I'm off on the annual trek to France in 5 weeks time and will be within 15 minutes of Decathlon in Challans so will probably be there a couple of times during the holiday as we tend to load up with their gear for both the kids and ourselves.

Ben