Down The Rabbit Hole - Help?!

[CSaw]

Hello from Essex!

Trying to get into cycling again, particularly for work, after a long pause (i.e since childhood). Joined to hopefully help overcome a number of obstacles:
1. Stuck on first step of picking the type of bike for a road/rough cycle path. Then how do I buy, second hand or new?
2. Lack of experience/confidence on the roads (my school year dropped the cycling proficiency test when I was younger, grr!) Any way of getting familiar/comfortable - adult Bikeability?
3. Anyone have any experience with decent folding helmets?
4. Urological complications mean a more specialised saddle will probably be helpful. Urethral stricture treated with urethroplasty a number of years ago. Operation involved being sliced straight through the perineum - what got me OFF a bike in the first place! Am thinking something like this? http://www.rido-cyclesaddles.com/sensational-new-r2-c100064.html

Pointers to the right discussions/answers would be great - I really want to get over my indecision and just get stuck in and out there!

Pleasure to be here!

 

[mjr]

1. Probably at least 28mm wide tyres for rough path, ideally 37s IMO or wider. It'll rule out the raciest road bikes but pretty much anything else will probably work so it'll depend what else you think you might enjoy doing with it. I'd buy from a shop if you're new to this, even a legit secondhand bike dealer,.rather than chance the small ads.

2. There are some adult bikeability providers like Outspoken. If they're not in your area or near enough to travel, ask your county or unitary council or www.bikeability.org.uk

3. No. I don't think any yet meet the standards, but discussions of the accursed headgear is confined to a special forum on here. Ask there?

4. Ask your medics, please.

Welcome and good luck!

 

[cyberknight]

what about a recumbant ?

 

[raleighnut]

Brooks Imperial ?

 

[Cycleops]

Really depends on what type of bike you'd be most comfortable on, apart from your saddle problem. By that I mean would you prefer straight or drop bars? If straight some sort of hybrid would be good, maybe something with wider tyres, 37c or wider as suggested by @mjr above. If drops than an 'adventure' bike might be good. What's your budget?
Secondhand night be worth looking at too. Try to get something that's not had much use.

Evans Pinnacle about £500

Specialized Diverge E5 about £800

Or second hand;
https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/boardman-hybrid-bike-mint/1307643391

 

[Randomnerd]

Secondhand steel frame job with room for wide-ish tyres: I’ve a Surly Pacer which does about everythIng I want on gravel or tarmac with the right tyres. Main thing is to get about and try lots of frames, but try not to be too tempted by new, shiny jiggerypokery. @biggs682 of this parish has a Ribble for sale which looks a handy machine. If you ar mechanically minded or know someone who is, building a bike from a decent frame is a great way to learn about cycling maintenance

 

[Cycleops]

You're right of course @woodenspoons , i have something similar but I don't think getting into frame materials is nessecary at such an early stage.
I would just add that disc brakes would be the most effective for all weather braking.

 

[biggs682]

thanks @woodenspoons

@CSaw this is the ribble that was mentioned earlier Ribble alloy road bike 56cm REDUCED £350 i also have the 2 bikes below for sale

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/...eal-commuting-or-starting-off-bike/1307637741

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/...ideal-commuting-or-leisure-machine/1307642521

plus a 2014/5 Cannondale caad 8 road bike that is currently set up with flat bars and running a 2 x 11 gearing and has only done aprox 500 miles with its previous owner

i a only based in Northamptonshire so not a million miles away and you are welcome to come and any or all of them

re saddle's have a look at the Selle smp range as they have been designed on your body , i love them

 

[CSaw]

Thanks all for your replies! Will be perusing links and fully digesting them tomorrow.

I'm confident I can avoid a recumbent though - don't think I'll be that sensitive in me 'Netherlands' to need a lie down!

 

[Threevok]

I had a few problems with my undercarraige for about two years and found this saddle really helped

https://www.merlincycles.com/selle-smp-trk-road-saddle-92964.html

*Other retailers are available