First bike advice....

[simon.r]

I've only skimmed the thread, so apologies if this has already been mentioned, but fit is important.

I'm assuming you know roughly what size frame you need, but beyond that some bikes just seem to fit better than others. Length of stem, seatpost-layback, height of bars etc etc all contribute. They can be changed. but I'd suggest at least sitting on a bike before you buy it to see if it feels right for you. Even with no experience you'll still get a feel for what will suit you.

 

[biggs682]

Marin do some great bikes well worth looking at .

2nd hand is or would be my choice to start with and then once happy you enjoy cycling then look for a new machine , we all know people that have paid very good money and then sold at a big loss a few months later !

 

[Cyclist33]

Tis a shame I dont know what I am onnabout as I quite like this too although I cant see if it has locking front forks lol!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specializ...1205678117?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3a7d067425

i think that specialized has a lockout on the fork, you can just make out part of the lever for it at the top of the right hand fork leg. at any rate its a well regarded bike. not a bad price i would think if it stays under 200 quid.

 

[Emmaroid]

Thanks, i'm just wary as someone pointed out earlier, if I cant check bits of it over to see if it is ok, it could be costly to fix...

Just sat watching The Incredibles and looking at bikes on Ebay as well as in the shops... *sigh*

 

[MattHB]

C2w is the best option if your strapped for cash. Just check that your employer is set up to claim back the vat, if not it won't be much (if any) cheaper in the long run. Although it can still be worth it if your cash flow won't allow.

 

[Emmaroid]

Hi and thanks for the reply.

We are only a small business so not sure how the land will lie but will certainly ask!

 

[bainy16]

cycle to work scheme is great if your work place will agree to do it, i got my bike through the scheme and you can spend upto £1000 this also allows you to buy the kit aswell.hope you get sorted soon and enjoy your cycleing.i got my bike from j e james in rotherham not sure how far this is from you but they have great range of bikes and equipment they also measure you up to mzke sure you are getting the right sized bike plus they price match so be sure to check online prices first

 

[Pale Rider]

I would avoid secondhand, particularly from ebay - as a novice, you will be easy meat for some of the dodgy sellers on there.

Bike shops - good ones - are one of the few places on the High Street where the customer still gets genuinely looked after.

So what you need is a good bike shop, which may also have something secondhand to suit - no problem buying used in that instance.

I'm not familiar with East Yorkshire, but I'm sure other members can come up with a name or two.

Buying locally is also handy for the bit of fettling the bike will inevitably need, and if it does break completely, you have far more chance of a satisfactory outcome.

Edit: I now see a suggestion from Bainy (above) - get yourself in there.

 

[Emmaroid]

Rotherham is quite far from me and we have quite a few places in Hull nearby, just none I have been to so far sell second hand although there has been a few more suggestions from someone else so will visit there.

Thanks

 

[London Female]

What about buying second hand from a shop? If you don't really know much about bikes, which I don't, it may be a better option as at least they will have serviced it before and you will have some service support from them. We have 3 LBS in my town and two of them sell second hand bikes. Maybe you could ring around some in your surrounding area to see if they have any, they may let you put down a deposit and pay off in installments on second hand too. You could also ask them to call you if anything comes in they think may suit you.

 

[Emmaroid]

Thanks, Yep I am going to look at that as an option too. Will see what I can find. I am certainly steering towards a second hand one simply because I am unsure what I am going to need at the moment and think I will get a new one when I know more what I am going to be getting upto

 

[Muddyfox]

Thanks, Yep I am going to look at that as an option too. Will see what I can find. I am certainly steering towards a second hand one simply because I am unsure what I am going to need at the moment and think I will get a new one when I know more what I am going to be getting upto

Emma, if you have someone that can give a potential buy the once over then Gumtree is another source for a secondhand bargain, even though alot of people will tell you that ALL bikes on Gumtree are stolen ;-) or just keep an eye on the forums here .. CTC forum and Bikeradar

Simon