Re: Bike Advice : Sun Jul 29, 2012 7:47 am  

No pain, no gain

Re: Bike Advice : Sun Jul 29, 2012 1:30 pm  

I'm in agreement with Jerry on this one. I bought a cheap mountain bike and used to dread going out on it, the tyres were so thick I felt like I was pedalling like mad and getting nowhere, it was also difficult choosing the right gear to be in when on the road.

I then got a Carerra Subway from Halfords under the cycle to work scheme, it's the best thing I've ever bought. I had good Customer Service, every question was answered fully and all the accessories I asked for (Stand, lights, and cycle rack) were all fitted properly. I even got a free 12 month service plan.

It rides like a dream and I can do 15-20 miles which is an achievement for someone like me who never used to take any exercise.

Above all I ENJOY going out on it.

OP If you can stretch your budget a little I would look at the Carerra, one thing I learnt from reading online reviews is to stay away from the Halfords budget range "Apollo"

Re: Bike Advice : Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:30 pm  

thanks for all the advice, Not yet had chance to go into any shops but just come across this on the internet http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=80857 looks like a decent deal?

thanks for all the advice, Not yet had chance to go into any shops but just come across this on the internet http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=80857 looks like a decent deal?

Re: Bike Advice : Wed Aug 01, 2012 2:32 pm  

Robbo wrote: thanks for all the advice, Not yet had chance to go into any shops but just come across this on the internet http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=80857 looks like a decent deal? At those prices yes, get yourself measured for the frame size and get one The bike I have for main use is a Dawes Galaxy tourer, I've had it for fifteen years at least and its never needed any maintenance - only in the last year has it developed a wobble on the back wheel but thats just a spoke adjust when I can be arsed. The Galaxy is now £1800 (I didn't pay anything like that and could never afford it now) but they have always specialised in road tourer bikes, always fit proper touring gear sets rather than use smaller off road sets, and always fit superb wheel hubs, in short they know what they are doing.

Robbo wrote: thanks for all the advice, Not yet had chance to go into any shops but just come across this on the internet http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=80857 looks like a decent deal? At those prices yes, get yourself measured for the frame size and get one The bike I have for main use is a Dawes Galaxy tourer, I've had it for fifteen years at least and its never needed any maintenance - only in the last year has it developed a wobble on the back wheel but thats just a spoke adjust when I can be arsed. The Galaxy is now £1800 (I didn't pay anything like that and could never afford it now) but they have always specialised in road tourer bikes, always fit proper touring gear sets rather than use smaller off road sets, and always fit superb wheel hubs, in short they know what they are doing.

Re: Bike Advice : Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:13 pm  

Think I might go for it then , I'm 5 ft 8 so I'm thinking an 18 inch frame?

Re: Bike Advice : Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:32 pm  

Go off your inside leg rather than height, my step father is 3inch taller than me yet has a 2inch smaller inside leg measurement

Re: Bike Advice : Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:38 pm  

Robbo wrote: Think I might go for it then , I'm 5 ft 8 so I'm thinking an 18 inch frame? http://www.livestrong.com/article/187060-how-to-determine-the-proper-bicycle-frame-size-for-a-persons-height/ Sounds complicated but its not really, but still the best way is to go and sit on one - remember you're buying what is in effect a road bike and not a mountain bike, a bigger frame on a road bike will make for a more comfortable riding position and not knacker your back in completely especially in the hybrid style where you don't really want to be leaning forward too far. Personally I'd always go for the biggest frame I could stand astride over, adjusting the seat height so that your legs extend properly when cycling is nothing really to do with frame size unless your on a stupidly small frame, but being comfortable on the bike is down to the height of the frame and the reach to the handlebars and unfortunately you're always going to be taking a chance on that if you just buy online, I'd be tempted to go into a store that has a good range of hybrid bikes and sit on a few different sizes - avoid mountain bike sizing as you'll just confuse the issue.

Robbo wrote: Think I might go for it then , I'm 5 ft 8 so I'm thinking an 18 inch frame? http://www.livestrong.com/article/187060-how-to-determine-the-proper-bicycle-frame-size-for-a-persons-height/ Sounds complicated but its not really, but still the best way is to go and sit on one - remember you're buying what is in effect a road bike and not a mountain bike, a bigger frame on a road bike will make for a more comfortable riding position and not knacker your back in completely especially in the hybrid style where you don't really want to be leaning forward too far. Personally I'd always go for the biggest frame I could stand astride over, adjusting the seat height so that your legs extend properly when cycling is nothing really to do with frame size unless your on a stupidly small frame, but being comfortable on the bike is down to the height of the frame and the reach to the handlebars and unfortunately you're always going to be taking a chance on that if you just buy online, I'd be tempted to go into a store that has a good range of hybrid bikes and sit on a few different sizes - avoid mountain bike sizing as you'll just confuse the issue.

Re: Bike Advice : Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:58 am  

The old advice of stand over the frame and check scrotum clearance is pretty much useless nowadays with sloping top tubes and compact frames.

Go to Evans and sit / test ride on a few similar bikes to find what's most comfy for you. I would guess at 5'8" you'd be wanting more of a16- 17" frame. If the frames to big you'll end up getting sore hands and wrists as you accommodate the weight bearing down on them. To small and the.cockpit will be to cramped and you'll feel to upright. Plus when standing up in the pedals your kness will keep hitting the bar.

Re: Bike Advice : Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:28 pm  

Just been to my local bike store for a look around and ended up buying an 18 inch "probike Blizzard". Knew I wouldn't be able to walk in and just browse.

Sat on a few frames, 22 was impossible, 20 was to high, 18 seemed about right. there was another probike a bit cheaper but I didn't like the look of it as much so went for this one even though It's got front fork suspension which is probably crappy. Doesn't feel too heavy though. 140 quid :/ Picking it up in a bit so I'll soon know if I've made a bad choice or not I guess.