Beginners questions - sorry

[Thedrunkenbakers]

Morning all.

Ok, so where to start. Im in my late thirties, 5'8" with shortish legs. Pretty fit from lots of running, 5, 10ks, half marathons etc. 3 marathons booked for later in the year.

I have been thinking of getting a road bike for some time. Partly to mix up my exercise regime but a big factor now are the constant injuries running is giving me; i need an alternative to keep me fit when i cant run and I'm a hopeless swimmer.

Ive often fancied getting a road bike and friends of mine have them so this would be good for socialising too.

So where do i start? I need a bike and all the tackle. What maintenance does a bike need, what type should i go for (the choice seems incredible), what about clothing. How do i go on in winter when the nights are dark. What about slippy, wet roads? Worse still what happens in winter with ice, fog etc? And what about punctures? What about clubs?

Im sure there are a gazillion other questions i dont yet know to ask...

Thanks all.

 

[DefBref]

To help narrow bike choices a budget would be a first step.

 

[Cyclist33]

spend a grand and get a giant defy 1, cant go wrong!

 

[smokeysmoo]

So where do i start? Budget?
What maintenance does a bike need. Not much really, depends on useage, ability and desire to DIY
What type should i go for. Depends on preferred geometry, eg: racy v's comfort
What about clothing. The worlds your oyster
How do i go on in winter when the nights are dark. Fit some lights
What about slippy, wet roads? Decent tyres and increased routine maintenance
Worse still what happens in winter with ice, fog etc? Judgement call, ride or don't ride?, the choice is yours
And what about punctures? See 'What about slippy, wet roads"
What about clubs? Me? I hate the thought TBH, others love 'em, horses for courses

to CC

In your position the best thing youcan do IMO is get along to an LBS with a decent stock and get yourself sat on as many different types/makes as possible.

Eg: regarding geometry, and I'll use Cannondale to illustrate as I know the brand.

Cannondale Synapse = relaxed geometry, more upright. Some refer to as an audax bike.

Cannondale CAAD10 = race geometry and more aggressive, (think bum in the air).

You can tweak both geometry's towards each other by flipping stems, swapping stems etc, but you can't truly make one into the other, so again, proper fit is key as trying to make a bit later is always going to be a compromise, and if you're not comfortable on it you won't ride it.

 

[333]

I know what you mean about running and injuries, I was out for a small hill climb I like to do local to me (off road / trail) and I felt great from start to finish - however I forgot my knee straps, anyway I even smashed my PR, awesome I thought but got home and now the muscle / tendon part of the knee (left leg, right inner side) is killing me feels like someone has kicked it with size 11's!.... luckily the bike doesn't seem to aggrevate it so much apart from when hitting the hills, but its taking its time to heal and is really frustrating as I enjoy running and want to complete a Duathlon at the end of the year, but no running until its sorted now (and no running without knee straps ever!).

Good luck with your bike search, the guys here are awesome and really helpful, they helped me too.

 

[Slawek]

I'm by no means an expert and don't even have my a road bike yet but... I went down a place where I could rent a bike. Spoke with a guy in the shop a bit and then hired a bike following his advice. After 2 hours ride I knew I will be buying a road bike. It will not answer your other questions but at least you will know whether you will enjoy riding a road bike or not.

 

[dan_bo]

Ace username.

Have a look at planet X.

 

[Thedrunkenbakers]

To help narrow bike choices a budget would be a first step.

I guess 2k all in. I used to ride sports bikes and found that my shoulders and elbows became quite sore towards the end. Do sportier road bikes have the same level of pressure on the body as committed sports bikes. This wouldn't be good for my knackered shoulders. I know, i sound like a wreck. Too much sport as a nipper. They should stop encouraging this keep fit nonesense!

 

[redfalo]

I guess 2k all in.

depending on the running gear you can reuse (waterproof jacket, gloves) I'd earmark between a third and half of the amount for attire (pants, shoes, helmet if you want it, lock...) and some basic tools (tyre leavers, multi tool, pump).

depending on how knackered your shoulders are, you might consider a recumbent.

 

[Easytigers]

Hey there. I just bought a Planet X RT-58...great bike (I got the aluminium model for £600 but you could go the extra slog and opt for the carbon). It's very comfortable, speedy and great for climbing :-)

A few things to make sure you get sooner rather than later:
Track pump - it's a must to get your tyres to the right pressure and doesn't cost a bomb
Padded shorts
Helmet (is you want - personally I've never heard a long tail about a helmet that caused more injury....heard a lot of stories about how the helmet was the thing that saved a life...just my opinion by the way...the choice is yours)
Lights - get a Cree for the front (they can be had for £20 online and will make night day!)
Mini-pump: get a good one and test it before you go out...if you're left in the XXXX it'll be your best friend!
Multi-tool: again - get the best you can afford
Extra tubes

Have a lot of fun!!

 

[Sharky]

Your obviously a very keen runner. Maybe find a tri club, to keep the link with the running side and they will help you branch out into cycling. Wouldn't spend too much on your first road bike. Just a basic one to get started. If the bug bites, you'll have about 4 within 12 months, for all the different cycling disciplines.

Cheers keith

 

[Thedrunkenbakers]

Why on earth wouldn't you want a helmet or is that opening a discussion that probably shouldn't be opened? Vehicles, curbs and tarmac are harder than skulls, arent they?

 

[Scoosh]

Why on earth wouldn't you want a helmet or is that opening a discussion that probably shouldn't be opened? Vehicles, curbs and tarmac are harder than skulls, arent they?

There is a whole section of CC dedicated to the Helmet Debate - it is a very controversial topic.


MOD NOTE: Please do not derail this thread by entering the Helmet debate in here.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

You are only 40 minutes or so drive from Rutland Water - you could go there and hire a bike for a few hours and see how you get on, Rutland Cycles (or whatever they are called) will have all sorts of different bikes for you to try

 

[outlash]

depending on the running gear you can reuse (waterproof jacket, gloves) I'd earmark between a third and half of the amount for attire (pants, shoes, helmet if you want it, lock...) and some basic tools (tyre leavers, multi tool, pump).

depending on how knackered your shoulders are, you might consider a recumbent.

£650 - 1k for clothing and accessories? Really?


Tony.