Beginners questions - sorry

[vickster]

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


Tony.

Very easy!!

 

[mrbikerboy73]

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

+1 on that.

 

[redfalo]

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


Tony.

If you start from scratch, that's not this difficult:

shoes: £ 75
Altura Night Vision Evo: £ 89.99
2 summer shorts: £ 80
2 autumn/winter shorts: £ 100
mitts: £ 10
autumn gloves: £ 25
2 short sleeved jerseys: £ 75
soft shell jacket or long sleeved jersey: £ 65
Cat eye front light £ 23
cat eye rear ligth: £16
Helmet £45
lock £40
pump £20
tyre levers £3
multitool £15
simple cycling computer £15
saddle bag £15
2 water bottles £10
2 inner tubes £ 10

total: £ 732

 

[Garethgas]

At the risk of being controversial, I never have and never will dress up to ride a bike.
I still wear jeans, trainers and a few tee shirts (depending on the weather) and regularly do 40, 50 and 60 mile runs without any problems.
Having said that, I ride a very relaxed pace so I can't really comment on the type of person that's a competitive rider.
Might be a good idea to ride as I do and buy what you need when you need it?
As for the type of bike, I've reduced my stock to two bikes now, a cheap and cheerful subway 1 for local rides and a genesis equilibrium for the longer rides.
In my opinion, if you intend to ride anything more than about 20 mikes, you really should consider a road bike.
They are way more capable and a good quality one is a joy to ride...even uphill !
Just for your information, whilst the Genesis is an absolute dream to ride, (very comfortable) there are plenty more that will be equally good.
We will be expecting pictures of whatever you buy though

 

[vickster]

+1 on the equilibrium being comfortable. I have just done 70 odd miles on mine and given I am utterly crocked (pelvis, knee, shin, ankle), I feel remarkably unsore!! My feet hurt the most (can't blame the bike for that)

 

[outlash]

If you start from scratch, that's not this difficult:

shoes: £ 75
Altura Night Vision Evo: £ 89.99
2 summer shorts: £ 80
2 autumn/winter shorts: £ 100
mitts: £ 10
autumn gloves: £ 25
2 short sleeved jerseys: £ 75
soft shell jacket or long sleeved jersey: £ 65
Cat eye front light £ 23
cat eye rear ligth: £16
Helmet £45
lock £40
pump £20
tyre levers £3
multitool £15
simple cycling computer £15
saddle bag £15
2 water bottles £10
2 inner tubes £ 10

total: £ 732

I could pick a few items you might not ever need (lights for example) but you don't need all of that when you first start, a pair of shorts, jersey, saddle bag & basic repair kit is all you need to get going. You can accumulate other kit as and when you need it. You can (and probably will!) spend more over time but you certainly don't need a list that long to start cycling.


Tony.

 

[redfalo]

I could pick a few items you might not ever need (lights for example)

Sadly, that's indeed the attitude of many around-the-year cyclists in London. Drives me crazy, to be honest. It's nothing like almost crashing into an unlit fellow cyclist at 7am on a rainy January morning....

you don't need all of that when you first start, a pair of shorts, jersey, saddle bag & basic repair kit is all you need to get going. You can accumulate other kit as and when you need it. You can (and probably will!) spend more over time but you certainly don't need a list that long to start cycling.

That's very true of course. I think the core question is how fixed you budget constraint is. OT said his budget was 2000 pounds "all in". My main point is that it's a fallacy to think "well, I spend 800 or 1000 quid on a decent bike and that's it".

You don't need all the stuff on day one, but most of it most probably during the first year.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

There's a fab Tri club opened in Sleaford recently if you're interested. PM me if you want details.

 

[SteCenturion]

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

+2 Or £800 on a 2013 Defy 1.

Better still, £999 on a 2014 Cube Peloton Race.

Do you have C2W available to you ?

If so you can buy a £1k bike for roughly £700 (salary sacrifice) as a lower tax earner or much less if you are GARY BARLOW.

 

[outlash]

Sadly, that's indeed the attitude of many around-the-year cyclists in London. Drives me crazy, to be honest. It's nothing like almost crashing into an unlit fellow cyclist at 7am on a rainy January morning....
.

Not just in London either. I do wonder sometimes if people think they have some kind of magic force field when they get on a bike...


Tony.

 

[SteCenturion]

£2k is a very good starting budget.

I would be inclined to spend £1k on the bike which will get you a quality aluminium frame with Shimano 105 from Cube, Giant or Boardman.

The same £1k will bag you a carbon bike with full Shimano Ultegra (even higher spec) from Planet X.

Aim then to get all your clothing & extras for £500.
If you shop around & buy last years designs & colours you can buy very good cycling kit @ good discounts from www.chainreactioncycles.com www.ribblecycles.co.uk www.probikekit.com www.merlincycles.co.uk www.wiggle.co.uk & www.evanscycles.co.uk

You will need 2 of some clothing items - 1 on & 1 in the wash, so..
1x good quality cycling lid
2x bibshorts
2x jerseys
1x pr cycling shoes
1 or 2x winter bib tights
4x socks
1x lightweight (packable) rain jacket
1x heavyweight winter rain jacket
1x summer Cycling gloves
1x winter Cycling gloves

Then...

V.good quality lock
Lights
mini/micro pocket pump
Track pump for home use
Puncture repair kit
2x Spare inner tubes (1 to take with you & 1 for home)
1x saddle bag (if you want to carry a spare tube, repair kit, mobile phone etc).

You could build all this stuff up as you spot good deals in sales but some of it is needed immediately.

Your cycling buddies should be able to help with other practicalities.

See if you can get on a basic maintenance course through a local bike shop or cycling club.

Most importantly of all, enjoy your cycling & the camaraderie of like minded friends.

 

[Thedrunkenbakers]

Ive looked at loads of these bikes and many look great - thanks for the suggestions.

How weird it is to buy a bike without pedals too? My Raleigh Grifter had pedals.

 

[vickster]

Because a lot of road bikers want specific shoes and pedals and they may already have. Most lbs will put basic flats on a new bike if you ask

 

[Thedrunkenbakers]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.

 

[Thedrunkenbakers]

http://www.cannondale.cn/2014/bikes/road/elite-road/supersix-evo/supersix-evo-6-105

Well waddaya know. Went out and got me one of these. Now I need some decent weather to get out.