About time...

[Smoggie_87]

Sounds weird as I'm typing this, but I'm 24 and I'd never bought my own new bike. Over the past year I've just been riding cheap second bikes off eBay and Gumtree, always having problems (obviously). I reached 17st not too long ago, and decided enough was enough. Went round to me local bike store and picked up a cheap-ish (£200) bike. Something to get me out of the house on a weekend, and I'm going to commute to work as from tomorrow. It's only 2 miles there, but I'll likely take the long way home as it's a nicer ride.

I've just got back from my first bike ride and went about 7.5 miles. So much more entertaining and relaxing, rather than going to the gym which I gradually gave up with because I found it so boring. Having only really ridden very cheap Halfords Apollo bikes, I've instantly noticed the difference, even though I haven't splashed out on a top quality. I plan on getting a proper road bike later in the year when I can afford one, but this will do for now. Although having ridden on some of these roads today, I think investing in a full-suspension mountain bike would be better. I swear Mount Snowdon was less bumpy

Here's to a fresh start...

 

[AndyRM]

Good man!

I know it's early doors, but if you are going to be commuting you might want to consider a pair of slick tyres. I put a pair of Schwalbe City Jets (~£10 each) on my wife's MTB and she loves the increase in speed.

The long way home is always a good option

 

[Ozzrahog]

Good man!

I know it's early doors, but if you are going to be commuting you might want to consider a pair of slick tyres. I put a pair of Schwalbe City Jets (~£10 each) on my wife's MTB and she loves the increase in speed.

The long way home is always a good option

What he said about the tyres, I swapped the stock tyres on my MTB for city jets and on the road the difference is very clear and they have managed to go through slippy muddy tracks without too much drama

 

[stephyt]

well done gettin back out on ur new bike... i have a halfords apollo jewel mtb which is heavy and got knobbly tyres on so thinking of puttin slicks on for the time bein then gettin a road bike by end of the yr i dont commute to work but im out every couple days on it

 

[Andrius.B]

+1 for the road semi-slick tyres.
Just about everyone I know who has tried them for commuting never went back.

 

[Paulus]

Another one for changing the tyres. Slicks will let you go faster for less effort on the road. Knobbly tyres are not meant for the road, but muddy trails and fields.

 

[BrumJim]

Mmm, I was 39 before I bought my own first brand-new bike. Late starter, obviously...

 

[Smoggie_87]

Will give the slicks a try after pay-day.

Just did my first commute this morning, so much more relaxing and quicker than the car, it's only 2 miles, but no sitting in endless queues, although I must've hit about 90% of the red lights. And to top it off, played 2 games of 40 minute 5-a-side. I wonder if my legs will move in the morning.

 

[mark1974]

nice one smoggie
update us on the leg pain so i know its not just me who sits in a ice bath haha

 

[Smoggie_87]

Hah. I powered through and even played a few matches of 5-a-side football.

Just went to my LBS (where I got the bike) to get my gears adjusted as a few were skipping/slipping, but he said that's normal with a new bike; and since it's only been a week, he said come back in a few weeks for the proper full (free) checkover. So glad I went to that shop, the guys are so friendly.

 

[Smoggie_87]

Just a quick question, as people above mentioned slick tyres.

Did a look on eBay, and the Schwalbe City Jets come in 26x1.5 and 26x1.95 - what's the difference/which should I go for?

 

[defy-one]

I have those in 26 x 1.5
Plenty of tyre for road use. In fact if I was buying again, I would have gone slimmer with the 1.25 versions