a complete beginner

[marjk]

Anyone with advice please?
I am a fat lass, getting on a bit, and haven't cycled for decades so will need to learn all over again and build up competence as well as confidence!
My first hurdle is to buy a comfortable hybrid bike. It can't have a cross bar as I have an arthritic hip which is well controlled by drugs but limits the lift of my leg. (I know, I sound more ready for the knackers yard than for beginning cycling).
I am 5' 7" tall and so far have ascertained that I need a medium frame, 17-19" ish. With a budget of around £250 - £300 as my husband doesn't see the sense in spending a fortune for it to sit in the garage (he of little faith!).
Help....

 

[aJohnson]

Hello and welcome firstly. You'll be sure to get alot of good advice here, like I did, I'd love to give you some advice but the others will give better advice. Also, good job taking up cycling again

 

[killiekosmos]

Hi, marik and welcome to the forum. My advice would be to visit some local bike shops (LBS) and see what they have on offer. Ladies bikes should offer you the ease of stepping through rather that swining a leg over the bar to get on. You need to try a few and also decide what sort of cycling you want. For on-road stuff you won't need suspension but may want mudguards to protect you from spray.

A colleague at work got a Giant for commuting from this range

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/women/

If your employer does Bike2Work you could get the bike over 12 months off your pay and save VAT and tax.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hi marjk

Good news getting on the bike!
Choices choices!

Firstly, decide what you'll need the bike to do, how far you'll ride, the type of terrain hilly/flat, tarmac or rougher tracks. Will you use it just for fitness rides or for commuting, nipping to the shops. Will it be wet weather usage as well. Do you intend to ride quickly or sedately, short distances always or building up for maybe a 50 miler charity do?

There are many options, but answering some of the above will help.

Some other things, have you got a good LBS... Local Bike Shop and what brands does it stock? Are the friendly and helpful, if you need help in a given area somebody here will know.
Also don't be tempted by suspension on a bike, it's likely to be unnecessary.

A riding buddy is a good extra!
The book 'Cyclecraft' by Franklin (HMSO BOOKS) is the Bible for cycling safety on the road, knowledge is power.

help us to help you. Cheers!

 

[marjk]

Thanks for the quick responses. Flippin eck, I'm new to this forum lark too, but it's great that folks are willing to be so helpful to a complete stranger.
It could be a long drawn out affair (the choosing and buying of my bike I mean) since we are both teachers and sadly return to the grind tomorrow, giving only weekends to look and try.
We have a good LBS (gosh I'm getting into the lingo already) which I'm sure will see a lot of us over coming weeks.
I'll keep you posted.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for the quick responses. Flippin eck, I'm new to this forum lark too, but it's great that folks are willing to be so helpful to a complete stranger.
It could be a long drawn out affair (the choosing and buying of my bike I mean) since we are both teachers and sadly return to the grind tomorrow, giving only weekends to look and try.
We have a good LBS (gosh I'm getting into the lingo already) which I'm sure will see a lot of us over coming weeks.
I'll keep you posted.

No worries, keep asking the questions.

 

[Garryboy]

My other half got this bike a couple of months ago and she loves it. mainly used on the local cycle paths but she has ventured out on the road also. good quality bike for the price. didnt get it from evans but from LBS on cycle2work scheme.

here it is
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/claud-butler/explorer-200-2009-womens-hybrid-bike-ec018803

 

[bexcycles]

The cycle2 work scheme is a really good idea.

 

[kewb]

i think claude butlers come into their own here , solid built great quality bikes
i can only think of giant as competition in the price range along with dawes
id avoid catalogue shops as youd be expected to part build the bike yourself
as with online bikes i think ? ive heard that butlers bought online come with only the handlebars to attach but dont quote me on that ?
your lbs would sort you out proper and youl likely get a free service or two as well as all the advice you could want and information .

 

[soulful dog]

I've been pretty happy with my 2nd hand Claude Butler Odyssey with it's step through frame, though I think the newer models have a front suspension fork which must make them a bit heavier now. If I hadn't went down the 2nd hand route, I would probably have opted for Edinburgh Bike Co-ops Revolution Streetfinder. There's a decent range of hybrid bikes available at £250-300 though, really just depending on what you want to use it for and if you want it complete with mudguards and a rack or would just consider adding them later.

 

[swee'pea99]

Good for you Marjk! You'll be enjoying it more than you thought possible sooner than you know.

The advice to visit your LBS is spot on - they should sort you out with the right bike. After that, three basic bits of advice:

Keep your tyres well pumped up
Gear low, pedal fast
Little and often. Don't push it (especially at first) enjoy it.

Let us know how you get on.

Oh, and welcome!

 

[just4fun]

i was thinking the same bikes that killieKosmos recommends

 

[Corvette chic]

As one fat lass to another get your bike take it somewhere quiet to practice on (retail park/school grounds?) and enjoy it

Apart from being laid up at the moment I had been getting 50-70 miles a week in it's great fun AND I'm the wrong side of 50

Get your bike get on it and ride... where do you live?

 

[Randochap]

Marjk!

You are lucky that there are more choices than ever in recreational bikes.

I'd recommend you look around for shops with "comfort bikes" such as the Electra Townie or Biria. If your range of motion is restricted, the Biria "easy boarding" models work well, allowing those who otherwise can't "get a leg over" to ride in comfort.

Make sure you get a model with some nice low gears. Then hill climbing is not such a chore.

Cheers,
RC

 

[postman]

Hello and welcome.

Plenty of good advice on here but don't rush into buying a bike.Take your time and look a good few.
All the best.