Cycling newbie

[hunta]

Whereabouts are you?

 

[Hawk13]

If you are riding for fitness then riding on the road is an easier way of maintaining a constant cadence / heartbeat.

If you are not interested in speed then using a hybrid or even a mountain bike on the road is good way of getting fit as the extra weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics really do have an effect. (I am amazed at how much slower I am on the 29er than my road bike on road sections.)

A hybrid will also make fitting easier. It is quite amazing how many people neglect setting up their bike correctly and this can lead to knee and back problems. Bikes are not one size fits all and can be very personal - especially if you have long legs and short body or vice versa. And even within brands, bikes are designed to do different things.

Also, get yourself on Strava - being able to track and monitor progress is great (especially if you have a competitive streak).

I would buy second hand if I was on your budget but I understand that there is not much about. A Cannondale Synapse has been recommended and I would confirm they are great bikes. I used the 'basic' model as my winter training bike for a number of years and it was bombproof, comfortable and well equipped (only the wheels need to be changed to get noticeable improvements).

And finally, budget on £100 for shoes / pedals and learn how to use clip ons properly. And then some decent shorts - I ride in Gore C7 bib shorts which are not cheap (luck to get them for less than £150) but they are top quality and super comfy. Cheaper versions are available.

 

[daverichardson]

The two go together.
If you are doing it for fitness then fine but you must also enjoy it or it will not continue
If doing it for fun fine too and you will get a benefit of fitness thrown in

Personally I would go the fun route

 

[midlifecrisis]

Strava, because if you didn't record your ride on that and share it on Facebook, tiktok, Instagram and twitter, it didn't exist.

 

[midlifecrisis]

And do selfies of yourself in Lycra on a superexpensive bike that you won't go any faster on than a sub-grand one

 

[CatmanV2]

Whereabouts are you?

Harlow. Literally need to be able to pull on some kit and go out the door.

C

 

[JonW]

Secondhand is definitely what I would be looking at...

Something like this

Second-Hand Bikes, Bicycles & Cycles for Sale in Southgate, London | Gumtree

Find great local deals on second-hand bikes, bicycles & cycles for sale in Southgate, London ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

 

[3leftovercrest]

Have you thought about rowing and getting a concept II rowing machine???

My meniscus has gone so need an Op so was rowing 5 times a week In the gym and got totally hooked.

Like cycling, absolutely no pain on the meniscus.

Managed to get down to to 19:30 for 5k which took me 6 months of being totally f*cked at the end of each row and falling off the Concept II with feet still stuck in the foot stirrups. Looked like a dick but did not care...

When the poxy virus hit and gyms shut down, only option was to take up road cycling so have now done 4 months “road cycling” on my wife’s mountain bike....

I see it rather like altitude training as I‘m putting in a f*ck load of extra effort than I need to but can’t seem to crack more than 18mph average over my 15 mile route in Suffolk with 4 hills... but does not matter as its getting me very fit...

So conclusion,,,, cycling won’t knacker your knee as I have no pain but I really got great upper body fitness from rowing that I have lost cycling.... So will dump road cycling once I can get back to the gym safely..

If I had the space, I’d have a rowing machine at home....

Stu

 

[CatmanV2]

I have thought about rowing. Typically though it screws my hip (OA) up, although with some padding this has been better. Rowing machines are also quite sizeable and I'm not really into staring at a wall (or even a screen) while going nowhere. I may revisit, though. Cheers
C

 

[Hawk13]

Secondhand is definitely what I would be looking at...

Something like this

Second-Hand Bikes, Bicycles & Cycles for Sale in Southgate, London | Gumtree

Find great local deals on second-hand bikes, bicycles & cycles for sale in Southgate, London ✅ Shop hassle-free with Gumtree, your local buying & selling community.

www.gumtree.com

I think you can do better than that. This was only £595 retail (so wanting £500 without warranty, first service etc is a bit much) and the group set has only got 8 speeds so you are going to see big jumps between gears.

This is the same money (ish) and gets you 105 groupset.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cannonda...090253?hash=item28999ffa8d:g:HikAAOSw22pfJtuI

 

[GeoffCapes]

Definitely go second hand. You get a lot more bike for your money.

Avoid anything that is from Halfords.

I would go for something that is a 'Sportive" type bike as that will be comfortable. Have a look on Ebay for a Giant Defy, comfortable and well equipped, you're an inch or too taller than me and I love mine. I've a 4 figure one for the road and a £250 for my trainer. They're not that much difference to ride.
Obviously the 4 figure one is better in every way, but the geometry is the same.

You'll need a large.

Giant Defy Full Carbon Road Bike | eBay

It has a compact chain set with double tap levers. The chain been waxed since new. Being used to riding MTBs, I scraped a pedal crank on a speed hump and there are a few other marks as pictured. The bike is as standard with a SRAM Apex group set, added Shimano pedals and a couple of bottle cages.

www.ebay.co.uk

This will go for 5-600 quid.

Giant Defy Advanced 3 Disc, Carbon frame, Large. | eBay

Giant Defy Advanced 3 Disc, Large. Light Blue. I've cleaned it up, barely a mark on it, apart from the small scratches on the L crank arm. (shown in the picture). The tyres are pumped up, gears and brakes working well, it's ready to go.

www.ebay.co.uk

This will be nudging or maybe just over a grand.

Giant Defy Composite 1 carbon road bike Large hardly used. Fantastic condition. | eBay

Fantastic condition. This bike is in nearly as new condition whoever buys it will not be dissapointed.

www.ebay.co.uk

This looks good, although it's composite, the gears (Ultegra) are excellent.

 

[CatmanV2]

Cheers all

Looks like this may have to go on hold..... Appreciate all your input though

C

 

[GeoffCapes]

Cheers all

Looks like this may have to go on hold..... Appreciate all your input though

C

If we go on another lockdown, I'd get a bike beforehand!

 

[CatmanV2]

If we go on another lockdown, I'd get a bike beforehand!

Indeed. Go long in exercise equipment.....

C

 

[philw696]

Cheers all

Looks like this may have to go on hold..... Appreciate all your input though

C

Ah disappointed was enjoying this thread now it's gone like premature ejacúlation.

 

[CatmanV2]

Ah disappointed was enjoying this thread now it's gone like premature ejacúlation.

In honesty, I was expecting it to be rather more spirited, given our high spending cycling brethren.

C

 

[Scaf]

I totally get it. But this isn't for 'fun'. It's for fitness


C

Even if used on the road a mountain bike will give you a much better workout than a road bike.

 

[Vampyrebat]

Definitely go second hand. You get a lot more bike for your money.

Avoid anything that is from Halfords.

I would go for something that is a 'Sportive" type bike as that will be comfortable. Have a look on Ebay for a Giant Defy, comfortable and well equipped, you're an inch or too taller than me and I love mine. I've a 4 figure one for the road and a £250 for my trainer. They're not that much difference to ride.
Obviously the 4 figure one is better in every way, but the geometry is the same.

You'll need a large.

Giant Defy Full Carbon Road Bike | eBay

It has a compact chain set with double tap levers. The chain been waxed since new. Being used to riding MTBs, I scraped a pedal crank on a speed hump and there are a few other marks as pictured. The bike is as standard with a SRAM Apex group set, added Shimano pedals and a couple of bottle cages.

www.ebay.co.uk

This will go for 5-600 quid.

Giant Defy Advanced 3 Disc, Carbon frame, Large. | eBay

Giant Defy Advanced 3 Disc, Large. Light Blue. I've cleaned it up, barely a mark on it, apart from the small scratches on the L crank arm. (shown in the picture). The tyres are pumped up, gears and brakes working well, it's ready to go.

www.ebay.co.uk

This will be nudging or maybe just over a grand.

Giant Defy Composite 1 carbon road bike Large hardly used. Fantastic condition. | eBay

Fantastic condition. This bike is in nearly as new condition whoever buys it will not be dissapointed.

www.ebay.co.uk

This looks good, although it's composite, the gears (Ultegra) are excellent.

Great minds hey Mark!...........First Maserati's, then premature babies, and now bikes!!

 

[Felonious Crud]

Have you thought about rowing and getting a concept II rowing machine???

My meniscus has gone so need an Op so was rowing 5 times a week In the gym and got totally hooked.

Like cycling, absolutely no pain on the meniscus.

Managed to get down to to 19:30 for 5k which took me 6 months of being totally f*cked at the end of each row and falling off the Concept II with feet still stuck in the foot stirrups. Looked like a dick but did not care...

When the poxy virus hit and gyms shut down, only option was to take up road cycling so have now done 4 months “road cycling” on my wife’s mountain bike....

I see it rather like altitude training as I‘m putting in a f*ck load of extra effort than I need to but can’t seem to crack more than 18mph average over my 15 mile route in Suffolk with 4 hills... but does not matter as its getting me very fit...

So conclusion,,,, cycling won’t knacker your knee as I have no pain but I really got great upper body fitness from rowing that I have lost cycling.... So will dump road cycling once I can get back to the gym safely..

If I had the space, I’d have a rowing machine at home....

Stu

I sold my Concept II last week for a helluva price - a good 50% more than I'd have got pre-Covid. Now on the lookout for an elliptical thingy that Mrs Crud will likely get on better with than she did with the rower.

 

[philw696]

Love our Nordic Cross Trainer.