Be gentle-I`m new..............

[goo_mason]

Welcome, joemaxi! I'll just stand by what the others have said about bike choices rather than give any more advice.

All I can say though is that within a year you're likely to be craving another bike, spending lots of money on tempting bike kit and - hopefully - coming out on one of the CC Central Scotland 'friendly' rides! This cycling business is highly addictive!

 

[jonny jeez]

Hey Maxi, and welcome, sorry I didn't respond sooner....I'm a little late to this thread.

I run with an ancient old MTB that has, over the years evolved into more of a hybrid.

Flat bars, grip shift gears ...just like the old Raleigh Grifter...(if you are 40, then you know what I'm talking about), these don't irritate my hands at all and allow super fast changing from top to bottom gear (which happens a lot at the lights)

I use a rucksack albeit one of those vented frame ones that kinda stands off of my back to stop it becoming uncomfortable or hot (even in mid summer) and I have covered many miles with that set up. (about 40 miles a day, 2-3 times a week…except during December and Jan…oh and a bit of Feb…OK..Ok so I'm a fair weather commuter…well it was icy round my way)


It sounds like the only substantial difference to my set up is that my old MTB is alloy framed (very advanced in her day) and so is very light…even lighter after this mornings commute, but that's another story.

Good luck with your choice, Norms advice on choice sounded very sensible…I kinda like those drum gears myself

Now, that's got me thinking…..

Have fun and stay safe

Jonny

 

[Arch]

I'm going back to the bike shop in the next couple of days just to make my final choice but I think, what ever kind of bike I choose, I would like it to have a set of panniers( dunno if that is the correct term!) just to carry some work gear in.

Once again, thanks for the many replies, I really am amazed with the responses!

Very good idea. Panniers are the way to go. Just one thing - the bike won't have them, it'll have a rack to carry them (Apologies if that's obvious), then you choose panniers to suit you - big, small, showerproof, highly waterproof, whatever you need. I would recommend the sort that clip on and off easily, rather than anything that is fastened on with straps and so on - just easier to take off and carry with you. Many also come with shoulder straps to help with that. And if you buy a pair, you don't need to use both all the time, it's quite possible to ride 'one sided'. A good shop will have a nice range, or look at one of the many online bike stores.

Once you have panniers, you can not only commute on it, but also shop. And tour.

 

[chap]

As it says,be gentle!

You`ve probably heard this a million times but here goes.........

I`m 40, fron Grangemouth,not too fit but a keen trier! I`m a lorry driver (oops maybe shouldn`t say this on a cyclist website.....) but have been bitten by the cycling bug!

The company I work for is a member of the cycle to work scheme so I have about £700 to treat my self to a bike to commute to work.It`s about a 10 mile round trip,nothing too energetic.

Having been to my local bike shop for some advice,he reccomended a Specialized Vienna Hybrid for £450. My only concern is that there is no front suspension-is this important on a mainly commuting bike?

Not knowing anything about bikes I thought I would ask the experts!

Basically all I want is a very light bike,capable of eating up the miles if I decide to go for a longer run and one that would be at home on a canal path-no off roady stuff for me!

The shop I visited in Falkirk,GW Smiths,are Specialized and Trek agents,so It would probably be one of those two brands.

Just another quick question about gears.

Which would you reccomend-normal levers or those push button thingies!

Hope you can help!

Suspension, for a full sized bike, is generally overrated. Shocks should generally be absorbed by the tyres and the saddle. Perhaps it is an idea to borrow a bike for the 10 mile journey, if your wrists become painful then you could look towards a front suspension bike.

I would recommend a Brompton, it would be perfect for that distance, and could sit at the back of your lorry watching how you treat your fellow cyclists, if you drive well it may give you an even smoother ride back home

Although you will find that you may take it places you wouldn't otherwise do with a full sized. Failing that, the Treks look nice, and appear to be well built.

 

[downfader]

Has anyone mentioned mudguards? Very handy for stopping the water flicking up your crotch if you get caught in a quick shower.

 

[chap]

Has anyone mentioned mudguards? Very handy for stopping the water flicking up your crotch if you get caught in a quick shower.

And don't forget your lights*.


*Shameless, I know.

 

[ACS]

And a Buff

Every cyclist must have a Buff, it's in the big boys book of cycling fashion.

 

[Norm]

And a Buff

Every cyclist must have a Buff, it's in the big boys book of cycling fashion.

I forgot to take mine today, the first time I've ridden without it since it arrived. *brrrrr*

 

[chap]

And a Buff

Every cyclist must have a Buff, it's in the big boys book of cycling fashion.

Be careful, if you wear it too loosely, you might get charged at by a Daily Mail reader mistaking it for a Burka.

 

[joemaxi]

Thanks for the suggestions guys-still not sure about the buff though.............

On a plus point,I`m 99.999999% sure the bike is going to be a Specialized Sirrus Elite. Been doing a bit of trolling the net and I keep going back to the Sirrus.The 2010 model in black looks nice and understated and won`t have too many chavs wanting to nick it!

As for lights, flashing LEDs should be ok as my trips are all in well lit areas and if I`m heading to work I usually have a hi-viz vest on anyway.

Just looking at the spec of the bike,it has Rapidfire gears-is this a push button change or 2 leavers for up and down shifts?

Gonna go and look at the buff website and see if I can convice myself that I wont look like an axe murderer if I wear one...............

 

[ttcycle]

Good choice Joe the Spesh Sirrus was a nice bike when I tested one out a few years ago. The buff is an absolute amazing piece of fabric- you can use it as a balaclava, a hat of sorts- a must in this weather.

I think the shifters on the Sirrus are push button as you call it - very easy to change.

 

[joemaxi]

God-I thought I was the only one awake at this time!

 

[bauldbairn]

Welcome to the CC forums joemaxi - your from Grangemouth, remember Fitzcharles(Buses) has a hugh stock of bikes.
I was in Bridge of Allan on Tuesday and Rock and Road Cycles have a few bikes in their sale too.

Having said that there's nothing wrong with the Specialized Sirrus Elite either.

 

[downfader]

Thanks for the suggestions guys-still not sure about the buff though.............

On a plus point,I`m 99.999999% sure the bike is going to be a Specialized Sirrus Elite. Been doing a bit of trolling the net and I keep going back to the Sirrus.The 2010 model in black looks nice and understated and won`t have too many chavs wanting to nick it!

As for lights, flashing LEDs should be ok as my trips are all in well lit areas and if I`m heading to work I usually have a hi-viz vest on anyway.

Just looking at the spec of the bike,it has Rapidfire gears-is this a push button change or 2 leavers for up and down shifts?

Gonna go and look at the buff website and see if I can convice myself that I wont look like an axe murderer if I wear one...............

Ahh love the Sirrus range. Brother has one of the so-called "entry" models and its easily as good a ride as my old Marin Fairfax (which was about £200 more at the time I bought it). Sirrus have a sturdy frame, good tyres and wheels.. winning situation riding one of those.

As for buffs, been riding for years and have yet to be conviced. I have a beard anyway so the wind dont bother me.

 

[Arch]

getabuff getabuff getabuff!

I have... 4, although one is longterm mislaid (it's in this flat somewhere!)

I find them really useful - neckwarmer one minute, hairband/bandana the next, lightweight hat for under a helmet. Just having it round your neck, you can pull it up over your mouth if you encounter a cloud of midges or dust (esp late summer, when they are combining the fields).