Newbie looking for new bike advice

pcasso

Apologies in advance if this is the type of thread that gets started every other week but I have gone back ten pages or so in this sub forum and couldn't find a thread that really answers my questions.
Basically myself and the better half are both hoping to get new bikes having not done much cycling for twenty years or so.
Firstly we plan to do this courtesy of the bike to work scheme so I guess our budget can go as high as €1000 each, though we are yet to be convinced if spending that much is necessary.
The majority of our cycling will hopefully be on relatively quiet country roads and while it will be probably done at a leisurely pace I guess we would like something that would be comfortable doing a 40-50 km round trip.
There might be some steep slopes/hills to conquer on our travels as well.
I am guessing that a hybrid bike is the way to go as there will be some city and town cycling as well.
So as a total novice what should we be looking for?
I assume that the weight of the bike is most important and if this is correct is there major weight differences between different bikes?
What are the other important features I should look for?
Feel free to recommend individual bikes if you can.
I would definitely appreciate advice on where to go and not to go as I really am pretty clueless and could be sold an overpriced unsuitable dud.
I am based in Dublin 3.
Thanks in advance.:)

boomdocker

Here's my advice

Whatever you do, don;'t use your bike to work scheme now to purchase a hybrid

There is great value in the 2nd hand market. Keep your bike to work scheme for later down the line when you become more knowledgeable. Looks like you are going to get a hybrid - I have seen many people buy hybrids on the BTW scheme, then after 6 months realise that they want to progress to a road bike. Then they are stuck with what was an expensive purchase. In this instance you are far better buying your hybrid(s) 2nd hand - you'll get something really nice for 300-400e and keep your BTW for fancy 1,000 bike sometime in the future

Something like this is a decent hybrid for what you are looking to do: https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/carrera-gryphon/11833714

pcasso

Thanks for the advice boomdocker.
I will keep it in mind but I am not as convinced as you are that we will want to progress to a road bike so soon..
But I will keep them as an option when I am looking.
The same questions regarding what should I be looking for as a priority with a road bike probably applies too.
Cheers.

GottaGetGatt

Don't waste your time with a Hybrid, I got one too to start off cycling and like the above poster said, I wanted a road bike after a few months. Go with the bike to work scheme and go into a good bike shop and get sized for a bike.

Delboy007

https://youtu.be/U_pRXBp1H7M

as the other said please don't go for a hybrid bike go for a road bike. I use my road bike to commute to work through dublin city centre, I used to have a hybrid and d road bike is way better; less work; way more comfortable and alot more enjoyable.
check out d attached video; I had a Scott Speedster 40 and loved it (be about 800 to 900.) but Scott Speedster 50 wpuld just as good to start with ( http://www.wheelworx.ie/road-bikes/Scott-Speedster-50-2015?sort=p.price&order=ASC).

or if u don't like them d cube bikes would be just as good.

I have moved up to a Specialized Roubaix Pro now.

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057557698/1/#post98634998

boomdocker

Sounds like you should consider the new(ish) breed of bikes known as 'gravel bikes'

These are like cyclocross bikes and allow you to run fatter tyres, giving more comfort and allowing you to go offroad. Disc brakes are also standard. Great for commuting and adventures on the minor roads and lanes of Ireland. I ride a Rose DX Pro, that's a cyclocross bike, so as well as bit of racing, it's great for exploring the rural roads and lanes around where I live

All the major brands are now featuring a gravel bike, eg Giant Revolt or Anyroad, Trek Boone, Specialized Crux, Planet X London Road etc,

On the road bike front - to be honest you can't really go wrong with any of the bikes in the video the previous poster linked above

Buzwaldo

In terms of a hybrid, you say it will be for road cycling. In this case , you do not need any suspension on the bike - it only adds needless weight. Something like a Giant rapid, or the ladies equivalent, Giant Dash, will give you some idea of the type of bike you might look at. These models are by a reputable manufacturer, and are suitable for the type of cycling you mention, but you will be paying a bit of a premium for the 'Giant' name, and you may get better similar spec for a bit less with some other brands. But beware some models (often sold in shops where bikes are just part of their range) are cheap and nasty and you will get no pleasure from riding them (not wanting to name any models, but come back here for opinions on particular models)
Above mentioned Giants will resell if you do find cycling is not for you, or if you find it really is and want to upgrade, but generally any bike will only fetch 50-60% max of new price if sold in near new condition.
Many on this forum (myself included) are into the cycling and put up a good few miles on roadbikes, and the scenario alluded to above of regretting buying a hybrid, and soon needing a roadbike is quite a common one here, hence the above advice.
I concur with the fact of there being good value second hand.
But we don't know anything of your circumstances, age, etc and a roadbike is not for everybody - it definitely takes a small bit of getting used to. I do however remember when I started cycling five years ago (age 44 then), and doing a local lap on my older hybrid (with front suspension and wider tyres). I met a friend on the road one day on his roadbike, which he offered me a spin on. The difference was day and night - picture getting out of a toyota starlet and hopping behind the wheel of a 5 series BMW (the analogy is a bit tenuous - either way, your legs are the engine).
Anyway, I would also advise to at least consider picking up a second hand hybrid eg http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/giant-dash/9930860 and holding onto your BTW (I could suggest using one BTW to buy two hybrids,- if you could find a compliant LBS- and at least having one left, but that is probably not using the scheme as designed)
If going new, call in to a few bike shops in the area, and see what advice you are given, what kind of a feel you get etc. Hopefully somebody familiar with your location can advise on that.

pcasso

Lads, thanks very much for all your advice.
My only concern with your advice is that I am guessing that you are all reasonably hardcore enthusiastic cyclists (who would have thought in a cycling forum ) Is it possible that your opinions are unduly swayed by this?
So, on the assumption then that we are going to buy road bikes, what are the do's and don'ts of buying one of them.
Comfort would be a premium for us I think as I don't see us doing huge mileage at any one time.
Can anyone recommend a cycle dealer in the Dublin city centre/Northside that might be particularly helpful to newbies?
Thanks again for all your help.
It is really appreciated:):)

brocbrocach

pcasso wrote: »

Lads, thanks very much for all your advice.
My only concern with your advice is that I am guessing that you are all reasonably hardcore enthusiastic cyclists (who would have thought in a cycling forum ) Is it possible that your opinions are unduly swayed by this?
So, on the assumption then that we are going to buy road bikes, what are the do's and don'ts of buying one of them.
Comfort would be a premium for us I think as I don't see us doing huge mileage at any one time.
Can anyone recommend a cycle dealer in the Dublin city centre/Northside that might be particularly helpful to newbies?
Thanks again for all your help.
It is really appreciated:):)

Thinkbike/Buildabike off Capel st have a wide selection. They have a good webstie to compare brands, prices etc.
If you're in dublin 3 360 Cycles near the wooden bridge in Clontarf have a good selection of bikes.
I know you're not sure what type of bike you want to get yet which is fair enough. A good hybrid and a roadbike overlap a good bit. Some questions for yourself which might help to narrow it down. Would you want a carrier on it or would you be happy wnough to carry your gear on your back? Would you be happy wearing specific cycle shoes on it or would you rather hop on to it with your runners? Would you want thicker or thinner tyres?

People would often look at the specs of a bike they're buying rather than weight. Over a certain price most bikes are light enough for anyone who's not racing. The specs would mean the wheels, gears, chainset, tyres etc. Ask in a shop what the specs of a bike you're interested in are. Compare those specs with the other bikes in the price range. If you don't know which is better check online or ask in the shop.

Delboy007

pcasso wrote: »

Lads, thanks very much for all your advice.
My only concern with your advice is that I am guessing that you are all reasonably hardcore enthusiastic cyclists (who would have thought in a cycling forum ) Is it possible that your opinions are unduly swayed by this?
So, on the assumption then that we are going to buy road bikes, what are the do's and don'ts of buying one of them.
Comfort would be a premium for us I think as I don't see us doing huge mileage at any one time.
Can anyone recommend a cycle dealer in the Dublin city centre/Northside that might be particularly helpful to newbies?
Thanks again for all your help.
It is really appreciated:):)

Hi I would not call my slef a hardcore enthusiastic cyclists; but am in a club but thst took a while to get there.

I have been cycling to work for d last 8 years (it is 11km to work and 11 km home). I had a really go hibird bike for 6 and thought it was ok until I bought a road bike, wish u had got the road bike it years ago. If I was to do it again I would have gone straight to d road bike.

I got both my bikes in wheelworx Unit 48, Fonthill Retail Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin. It is a great place to get your bike really helpful etc and added bonus u get free service for life of d bike and free set up (not just at d start but as many times as u need)
bit far out to get to but we'll worth it

nilhg

Just a few observations that might be of use to the OP,

Hybrid bikes: this is a very broad category ranging from what are essentially hardtail MTB with more road friendly wheels to the newer flat bar road bikes which are essentially roadbikes with flat bars and MTB style shifters and brake handles, if you decide to go for a hybrid you are probably going to want to ask in shops about bikes more in the flat bar range.

Bikes nowadays are modular and commoditised, very few of the bigger brands actually make many of the components, almost everything is bought in and even the frames are most often manufactured in large factories in the far east which build for many different brands.

All bikes are built to a price point but different manufacturers make different compromises to get to that price, so some models will have an older heavier frame or set of wheels but maybe a newer groupset, others will go the other way. Often buying the best frame at your price point and upgrading the components as they wear out is a good strategy.

Fit and comfort is important, vital even, paying a bit more to a shop that will spend time to get that right for you is money well spent, never buy something if you feel that the salesman is pushing the one he has in stock on you, walk away even if it looks great value unless you are absolutely certain that it's the right size for you.

My first bike was a flat bar road bike, luckily enough a cheap one, I bought it in January, by April I'd bought a full on road bike, it has over 30,000km on it now, best money I ever spent.