Hi all,
I've not cycled since university over a decade ago, but am keen to get into it for infrequent fair-weather hobby cycling in Hertfordshire, which isn't the most demanding of places but does have atrocious roads and several crushed stone/gravel trails.
Having borrowed a hybrid for a ride I'm convinced I'd like a dropped bar bike, which is also what I used to ride at uni, so with the combination of potholes/gravel and trails, I think either a robust road bike or perhaps ideally a cyclocross would be for me.
The issue is I don't think I'll be doing it seriously/frequently enough to justify much more than a bargain purchase, but I am mighty tempted by the cheap Carrera Tanneri that Halfords offer (http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...mited-edition-cyclocross-bike-2015-black#tab2) and perhaps using the saving to upgrade a few things down the line.
Question 1) Halfords have an awful rep.. is this so bad as to be worth paying 3x the price to avoid?
2) What upgrades should I consider down the line? First on my list is tyres - something tough and semi-slick or a commuter tyre would suit fine I guess. Then I'm not sure - maybe chainset? Which leads to..
3) What should I be looking for to ensure a chainset is compatible? I see many are listed for differing numbers of cassette speeds. The Tanneri has an 8-spd cassette, so must I ensure the chainset is 8-spd compatible rather than say 10/11-spd which many appear to be? There is no information on the Halfords site about the bottom bracket other than "Square taper sealed bearing'. And perhaps quite importantly...
4) How hard is it to change chainset?
5) Wet or dry lube? Just kidding... I can see lots about this already.
6) Since I'm coming at this with no bike specific equipment.. is there anything beginners often forget to purchase tools/equipment wise?
Many thanks in advance,
I've not cycled since university over a decade ago, but am keen to get into it for infrequent fair-weather hobby cycling in Hertfordshire, which isn't the most demanding of places but does have atrocious roads and several crushed stone/gravel trails.
Having borrowed a hybrid for a ride I'm convinced I'd like a dropped bar bike, which is also what I used to ride at uni, so with the combination of potholes/gravel and trails, I think either a robust road bike or perhaps ideally a cyclocross would be for me.
The issue is I don't think I'll be doing it seriously/frequently enough to justify much more than a bargain purchase, but I am mighty tempted by the cheap Carrera Tanneri that Halfords offer (http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...mited-edition-cyclocross-bike-2015-black#tab2) and perhaps using the saving to upgrade a few things down the line.
Question 1) Halfords have an awful rep.. is this so bad as to be worth paying 3x the price to avoid?
2) What upgrades should I consider down the line? First on my list is tyres - something tough and semi-slick or a commuter tyre would suit fine I guess. Then I'm not sure - maybe chainset? Which leads to..
3) What should I be looking for to ensure a chainset is compatible? I see many are listed for differing numbers of cassette speeds. The Tanneri has an 8-spd cassette, so must I ensure the chainset is 8-spd compatible rather than say 10/11-spd which many appear to be? There is no information on the Halfords site about the bottom bracket other than "Square taper sealed bearing'. And perhaps quite importantly...
4) How hard is it to change chainset?
5) Wet or dry lube? Just kidding... I can see lots about this already.
6) Since I'm coming at this with no bike specific equipment.. is there anything beginners often forget to purchase tools/equipment wise?
Many thanks in advance,
