westlondon24
Member
Hi everyone,
Would love to hear some opinions please-would really help me out. Please excuse the longer post.
Cycling background: had a Specialized Sirus hybrid between ages of 16-19. Had lend of a lovely 90s Peugeot for a few years (I’m 24 now) after this (picture attached just because I liked the style).
This was a great introduction to a road bike, though I found it hard on some of the hills around West Yorkshire where I was. I didn’t feel like I got a complete sense of road cycling as I struggled to do any proper rides really (quite heavy, slightly too aggressive geometry, too hard climbing caused the rear well to pop out a lot). I found it hard to build my fitness up on this bike.
Situation:
I’m back in London now and basically just want to go most places by bike. I want the ultimate freedom a bike brings. My interest in proper road cycling has waned from the relatively low level it was at, but my desire to get back on two wheels on the road has only been increasing.
Location:
I’m in Chiswick and am oriented towards town (I.e. east) for various reasons - meetings, events, urban exploration. As a place to go for a more traditional ride that doesn’t take long on main roads to get to, I can only think of Richmond Park. I personally see it as great for either fast training session on a road bike or a walk. I no longer vibe with anything in between. I actually prefer cycling in town since the pandemic - I find the drivers around West/South West London to be much worse than in town.
Needs:
Wants:
What I’ve been looking at:
So I’ve been looking at single speeds, road bikes and hybrids. In terms of a new road bike, a Specialized Allez would really be the lowest spec I would be wanting (I think in terms of value?), though this is outside of my budget. I’d be looking more at second hand road bikes through a shop or ex-display to be honest, as I’d like more advice about sizing. I’ve also been looking at Quellas. Had a test ride on the Varsity which felt pretty good, but even better when the helpful guys at Bikesoup Westfield suggested changing the angle of the bullhorns to be less aggressive. Found this to be a comfortable, light, nimble ride. The appeal of the single speed is rather strong. I tried a Giant FastRoad SL2 today, but just found it to be a bit sluggish to be honest. It seemed like a good bike, but I just didn’t really gel with the riding style-too upright.
I am still slightly concerned I’ll regret choosing a single speed. If I would be ok for Ladbroke Grove, Holland Park Av., Percy Circus I’ll be happy.
What bikes do you think I should be looking at?
Many thanks
Would love to hear some opinions please-would really help me out. Please excuse the longer post.
Cycling background: had a Specialized Sirus hybrid between ages of 16-19. Had lend of a lovely 90s Peugeot for a few years (I’m 24 now) after this (picture attached just because I liked the style).
This was a great introduction to a road bike, though I found it hard on some of the hills around West Yorkshire where I was. I didn’t feel like I got a complete sense of road cycling as I struggled to do any proper rides really (quite heavy, slightly too aggressive geometry, too hard climbing caused the rear well to pop out a lot). I found it hard to build my fitness up on this bike.
Situation:
I’m back in London now and basically just want to go most places by bike. I want the ultimate freedom a bike brings. My interest in proper road cycling has waned from the relatively low level it was at, but my desire to get back on two wheels on the road has only been increasing.
Location:
I’m in Chiswick and am oriented towards town (I.e. east) for various reasons - meetings, events, urban exploration. As a place to go for a more traditional ride that doesn’t take long on main roads to get to, I can only think of Richmond Park. I personally see it as great for either fast training session on a road bike or a walk. I no longer vibe with anything in between. I actually prefer cycling in town since the pandemic - I find the drivers around West/South West London to be much worse than in town.
Needs:
- Lightweight-I’m 5’6/7 60kg and lacking in upper body strength. I really don’t like not being able to manoeuvre my bike easily.
- £450-600 really.
- Can lock it up outside most places.
- Nimble.
- Regular pedals or clips - don’t want to have to change outfit/shoes.
Wants:
- Less things to go wrong on the bike - in the hope that this means less barriers to actually getting out on it.
- Comfortable bars - drops or bullhorns.
- I’d be lying if I said that looks weren’t important - a classic style would be nice.
What I’ve been looking at:
So I’ve been looking at single speeds, road bikes and hybrids. In terms of a new road bike, a Specialized Allez would really be the lowest spec I would be wanting (I think in terms of value?), though this is outside of my budget. I’d be looking more at second hand road bikes through a shop or ex-display to be honest, as I’d like more advice about sizing. I’ve also been looking at Quellas. Had a test ride on the Varsity which felt pretty good, but even better when the helpful guys at Bikesoup Westfield suggested changing the angle of the bullhorns to be less aggressive. Found this to be a comfortable, light, nimble ride. The appeal of the single speed is rather strong. I tried a Giant FastRoad SL2 today, but just found it to be a bit sluggish to be honest. It seemed like a good bike, but I just didn’t really gel with the riding style-too upright.
I am still slightly concerned I’ll regret choosing a single speed. If I would be ok for Ladbroke Grove, Holland Park Av., Percy Circus I’ll be happy.
What bikes do you think I should be looking at?
Many thanks
If you look after a bike, there really aren’t that many things to go wrong 
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