cycling beginner needs help

Eamondomc

Hi all. I am new to cycling and am just riding for about 3 weeks. I bought an old mtb with 26 x 1.5 inch slick tyres. I am currently doing a 20 mile round trip around my local roads that is up and down with two pretty steep hills each about 1 mile long and can do it comfortably enough now but in the beginning found it tough enough. It takes me roughly 1.5 hrs now though in the beginning it took me 2 hrs plus. I do it 3 times a week. I am considering buying a new bike now and going a little further and doing some local fun rides. Mostly my cycling is on tarred roads with chips and tar as the surface and rough enough in places and was just wondering if anyone could recommend the best type of bike for me to get hybrid or road? I still find the 2 hills tough and when would have to take this in to consideration. My current bike is a raleigh and cost me just 90 euros. I am 52 years old and not looking to win any races but not wanting to be at the back of the pack at 50 plus k rides. Any help greatly appreciated.

Cee-Jay-Cee

if your managing hilly 20k route in a heavy old MTB then you'd fky it on a road bike.

If you intend on doing a bit of off road cycling too then maybe s cyclocross bike would suit you best and would suit rougher road surfaces too. Generally they don't have as an aggressive geometry as racer/road bikes and so you wouldnt find the transition from MTB to road style bike too difficult.

If you don't intend on doing any off road cycling then get a road bike and fit 25 tyres on it for a bit extra comfort. Go for a bike with a more relaxed geomtry like a trek domane or Felt Z series.

Beasty

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Eamondomc

Ok thanks. A friend lent his road bike today. A claud butler something or other and indeed I managed my run as usual and in 1hr 20 mins my fastest time yet so I m off to shop next week. thanks

t5pwr

Here's a article I came across today while browsing around. Might help you maybe on a few things starting out http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/sportives/sportive-news/31-things-always-wanted-know-cycling-afraid-ask-138592

Eamondomc

Yeah I just read it and it makes sense thanks.