Building stamina, strength and confidence..and what bike to get?!

[anna_w]

Hi everyone,

I'm at very (very) basic cycling level just now - to break it down, to date I've never actually owned a bike, just hired them on holidays and so on, but I'm really keen to get my own and start cycling to and from work during the summer months etc.

I'm relatively fit already, 26 years old and run 10k a few times a week / go to various sports classes and do a bit of climbing every now and then, but when it comes to building stamina for cycling, I don't even know where to start!

I'm a bit of a nervous cyclist at the moment as I don't have much confidence; I'd planned on picking a basic bike up from a local stockist and practising, but I don't even know where to start on that front or what to look for!

So, in short, any advice on what to get and how to build up confidence would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Anna

 

[musa]

It take a wee while but after that you'll be fine.

For your what bike question you need to answer few questions like what budget I have? What do i want from a bike? etc

confidence only comes with going out and doing it

 

[slowmotion]

Welcome. Leaving aside the type of bike question, the very best way to build up confidence is to know how to ride on the road and in traffic. There is lots of good stuff on the Commuting forum here. Cyclecraft is also a good book.
You are young and fit. Duck to water...

 

[cyberknight]

It take a wee while but after that you'll be fine.

For your what bike question you need to answer few questions like what budget I have? What do i want from a bike? etc

confidence only comes with going out and doing it

+1
Do you intend to do off roading , cycle paths or road cycling, would you look to use it for commutes , enter what are called "sportives" which are timed "non -competitive" events etc etc..

 

[sidevalve]

If you only plan on going to work on roads and poss cycle paths a hybrid or road bike may suit you. Most MTBs may be a bit heavy ['till you get to the top quality kit] and I would say avoid suspension [just adds weight and complication, unless of course you really do intend to do some serious off roading].
As above budget and use are your criteria and only you can decide these. I would however really be keen on the weight factor as I've found 2 points - 1 - you have to push it and 2 - when a manufacturer has taken the trouble to build a lightweight frame they usually use good [or easily upgradable, if you so choose] components].
Finaly whatever you buy be it very cheap or very expensive get out and ride it and have some FUN.

 

[Psyclist]

Hi Anna, I'm 26 too I'd go for a road bike if you do running and such. I know a few runners who do road cycling for cardio, and enjoy hills as it helps more.

How tall are you? You may want to get sized up at a local bike shop for a proper measurement.

Also what's your budget?

A drop barred road bike would be better than a flat barred hybrid IMO, and you'll be used to the bars within a hundred yards of riding on them (even if you aren't confident, don't be, I was when switching to road but it was easy)

I'd advise getting a bike like the Declathon Triban 3, to see if you like road biking and are going to get into it, then, if you like it, sell it on and get a bike with a better specification within your budget (if that's what sort of bike you want of course)

If you're used to riding and want a better bike, just ask and I'm sure I, or someone else can point you toward a bike that you're looking for.

 

[Garz]

So, in short, any advice on what to get

I can recommend a road bike simply because there must be many on here that went for a mtb or hybrid first and ended up buying a road bike anyway.

Go to a decent shop that will let you test ride some models. Pick one that feels the best of course budget permitting. Try to narrow down to three (if the shop can cater for more) and pick yours from that.

When you first start you can pick a secluded car park to practice on or a quiet housing estate lane that leads to no-where to build up the confidence on.

Good luck!

 

[anna_w]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies!

To answer the questions:

My budget is up to around £400, ideally I'm not keen to spend more than that until I deserve a bike that I can get the best out of! Or rather, a bike that deserves a competent rider

I'm lucky in that my work does a cycle scheme where they let you get a bike tax free, so that helps!

I'm 5'6 and weigh around 55kg - would that have an impact on what I go for?

In theory, I'd be starting out on cycle paths and roads, but weekends would be for having fun and heading into the local hills and forests (of which there are plenty here in Scotland :P )

The secluded carpark / estate idea was a great suggestion - thanks! I'll definitely look into that as there's a big spacious shared estate behind where I stay just now. Just hope the neighbours don't laugh at me wobbling around too much!

I do a lot of spin classes, but I've been told they're really nothing like "real life" cycling at all...

Off to Halfords at the weekend I think!

 

[screenman]

That last line might not be thought of as very clever by some on here, myself included.

 

[400bhp]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies!


Off to Halfords at the weekend I think!

 

[anna_w]

Woops! My apologies… spot the new person :\ they have a tax deal with my work you see… other suggestions very welcome!

A

 

[Globalti]

The best advice would be to find a good local bike shop (LBS) not Halfords and make friends with the owner; at this stage in your cycling career you need their help and advice and they will give that freely in exchange for your loyalty. Later when you gain experience you can start buying stuff online.

Whatever you do, make sure you spend a reasonable proportion of your budget on some padded shorts, (see Wiggle for their excellent dhb range, Corinne Dennis, Minx Girl etc) and a cycling jersey as well as padded mitts and a helmet as well as a buff to soak up sweat. A bike computer is useful for recording your distances and times, frame pump, a couple of spare inner tubes, 3 tyre levers, puncture kit, multi tool, drink bottle and cage and if you are feeling really serious, a track pump like a Joe Blow Topeak. Don't make the mistake of buying a cheap MTB track pump with a fat barrel; you will need muscles like a gorilla to achieve the tyre pressures needed on a road bike. Suck all the air out of one inner tube, fold it tight, tape it up tightly with the tyre levers and put them in a small saddle bag with the multi tool. Scott do a good range of compact saddle bags.

Saddles are a big issue for beginners, what you do not want is a big fat squishy saddle like they have at spinning. You need a well-shaped women's saddle, which will support your pelvic sit bones and not something soft, which will chafe and make you sweat. If the LBS helps you to set that up correctly with the right height and angle and distance from the bars you should find that it quickly becomes comfortable. Specialized Body Geometry kit is excellent and they have women's saddles, which are broader to accommodate your wider sit bones.

If the LBS owner tries to sell you a bike that's not women-specific geometry, find another shop.

I'm not even advising you to buy a lock because you won't be leaving your precious bike ANYWHERE out of your sight, will you?

 

[black'n'yellow]

If the LBS owner tries to sell you a bike that's not women-specific geometry, find another shop.

not even if the bike in question fits perfectly well..?? Most of this 'womens specific geometry' stuff is just marketing bollox anyway...

 

[mip]

If you're in Edinburgh then pop along to the Edinburgh Bike Co-Op (http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/). They have 15% off their own brand bikes until Sunday.

Their staff are excellent, you'll get better advice than you would at Halfords.

 

[Sittingduck]

I do a lot of spin classes, but I've been told they're really nothing like "real life" cycling at all...

I'm a 'sort-of' experienced cyclist, who has ony recently started doing spin classes (in the past 7 months). In my experiance they help your road cycling quite a lot. In terms of fitness, lactic acid tolerence and ability to climb / sprint. Don't discount their befefits

Good luck with it!