Bike for cycling in Edinburgh

[Anonymous1502]

I want to buy a bike to take with me to university in Edinburgh however I never visited Edinburgh so I have no idea what the roads are like therefore I don’t know what bike is best suited. I always wanted a road bike with dropped handlebars, I went to a bike shop and the guy working there wasn’t so sure it was the best idea. Are there good tarmac roads in Edinburgh? Which type of bike should I get?

 

[slow scot]

I'll let Edinburgh residents reply! Was tempted though.

 

[Cycleops]

I too will leave the condition of the roads to the residents.
In more general terms what will you be using the bike for? Will you need to carry stuff? Many like a hybrid for city streets and is arguably the most practical but you could also use a drop bar bike. You may also consider a folder which you can take on trains and buses, easier to secure too as you may be able to take it in a building with you and save on an expensive lock. You can often pick these up cheaply as many are bought and hardly used but I imagine prices are going up in the current situation.

 

[vickster]

If leaving a bike anywhere around a major city of university, get a very good lock (or two)..and/or just a cheap hack bike Maybe a nice cheap vintage road bike You don't need flat bars for city riding, in traffic, cross lever brakes are really good I find and sitting up covering them gives a better view ahead that hoods or drops

Edinburgh always seems quite hilly, so lots of gears probably an advantage (and good brakes for going down again)

You're going to university in a city presumably far from home, but you've never visited?

 

[Anonymous1502]

I too will leave the condition of the roads to the residents.
In more general terms what will you be using the bike for? Will you need to carry stuff? Many like a hybrid for city streets and is arguably the most practical but you could also use a drop bar bike. You may also consider a folder which you can take on trains and buses, you can often pick these up cheaply as many are bought and hardly used but I imagine prices are going up in the current situation.

I want the bike to go on long cycling trips ideally more than 4 hours as a hobby. I won’t need to carry anything except a water bottle I want a light fast bike. It will be my first own bike so I want a nice one. For some reason I am not convinced by hybrid bikes. I definitely dont want a folding bike they are too expensive and probably not good fro long distance cycling.

 

[Anonymous1502]

If leaving a bike anywhere around a major city of university, get a very good lock (or two)..and/or just a cheap hack bike Maybe a nice cheap vintage road bike You don't need flat bars for city riding, in traffic, cross lever brakes are really good I find and sitting up covering them gives a better view ahead that hoods or drops

Edinburgh always seems quite hilly, so lots of gears probably an advantage (and good brakes for going down again)

You're going to university in a city presumably far from home, but you've never visited?

I would have visited but because of the virus all the university tours got cancelled. I will get a good lock. The bike that I have seen wanted has 16 gears Is that enough?
https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-allez-e5-2020-road-bike-EV366599

 

[Cycleops]

Not a question of enough but how low do they go, in this case not very but you might manage. The Allez is a popular bike. All you’ve got to do is find one in your size

 

[Anonymous1502]

What do you mean by how low they go?

 

[Cycleops]

I mean is the gear ratio low enough to get you up steep hills to keep the pedals spinning without getting too out of breath and having to dismount. I don’t know your cycling fitness nor how steep the hills are there so I can’t answer that.

 

[vickster]

That has a good low gear. However, Specialized bikes are very nickable (think the Allez at one time about the most stolen) so make sure it’s fully insured (check the policy terms for locks and how to lock up). Edinburgh in the top 3 for bike thefts. Well Over 2000 a year!
I’d get something vintage for under £150
Maybe @biggs682 is selling again?

 

[HLaB]

I want to buy a bike to take with me to university in Edinburgh however I never visited Edinburgh so I have no idea what the roads are like therefore I don’t know what bike is best suited. I always wanted a road bike with dropped handlebars, I went to a bike shop and the guy working there wasn’t so sure it was the best idea. Are there good tarmac roads in Edinburgh? Which type of bike should I get?

The majority of Edinburgh has OK surfaces for road bikes but its quite hilly and there are cobbles in places. I went to uni on my hybrid which was better suited than a road bike to that (lower gear and more comfortable wider tyres) but that was 8 years ago, less valuable (nickable) and my journey would have been sub 5miles.

 

[Anonymous1502]

The majority of Edinburgh has OK surfaces for road bikes but its quite hilly and there are cobbles in places. I went to uni on my hybrid which was better suited than a road bike to that (lower gear and more comfortable wider tyres) but that was 8 years ago, less valuable (nickable) and my journey would have been sub 5miles.

Do you think getting the specialised allez is a good idea?

 

[HLaB]

Do you think getting the specialised allez is a good idea?

A lovely bike but quite an expensive and nickable bike for leaving outside the uni (my old uni Edinburgh Napier Uni only had exposed Sheffield stands). If you can afford/live with that risk a road bike would be my preference however as I like hills and I'd just avoid the cobbles.

 

[Anonymous1502]

A lovely bike but quite an expensive and nickable bike for leaving outside the uni (my old uni Edinburgh Napier Uni only had exposed Sheffield stands). If you can afford/live with that risk a road bike would be my preference however as I like hills and I'd just avoid the cobbles.

There will be a secure bike rack with my accommodation I will get gold standard lock and a 2nd one perhaps just to make sure it doesn’t get stolen.

 

[vickster]

There will be a secure bike rack with my accommodation I will get gold standard lock and a 2nd one perhaps just to make sure it doesn’t get stolen.

Locks will deter but not stop a thief with an angle grinder for long so get insurance!