mrbadexample
Senior Member
- Location
- Walsall
Good afternoon all. 
Short version: Hello. I'm MBE. Have bike, will travel.
Long version: Well, what am I doing here? I went to see my folks early in August, and clocked my old racer rotting in the back of my dad's garage. I've been meaning to liberate it for a while, but it's a bit of a wreck. Last used circa 1988 by a lunatic teenager who hadn't yet passed his driving test...
So, I brought it back to the Midlands with me. The plan was to give it a go to see how much I used it, and buy a decent one if all went well. I replaced the perished tyres with the cheapest I could find on eBay (the inner tubes were, surprisingly, ok). The brake blocks were a bit hard so I replaced those too. I dismantled the brakes, cleaned all the crud off, and mantled them again. The wheels were a bit egg-shaped and a bit battered around the rims from hammering up and down kerbs, but to shell out for a new set of wheels would have cost more than the bike's worth. A lot more.
I rode up and down the (quiet residential) road outside my house. It was horrible. Astonishingly, the confidence I had 20+ years ago had almost completely gone. I was wobbly as hell, especially when trying to fumble through the gears on the down tube. I found it almost impossible to look over my shoulder without falling off. I nearly gave up there and then.
However, since I'm a stubborn old sod, I decided I'd stick with it. My plan was to cut out all the short car journeys, thus saving £££s and (hopefully) shedding lbs. During my brief trial, I noted that the road surface looked very hard and unforgiving. I spend a lot of my time watching professional riders fall off and injure themselves horribly, so I bought a hat. My first trip was to the local car spares shop for a couple of replacement bulbs. Three miles each way. Perfect for a first go.
I staggered into the shop on legs of jelly (there's a fairly decent drag up to the shop). Got served depressingly quickly (I was hoping for a queue and a bit of a rest). Tried to remember if I suffered from pins and needles in my testicles last time I used the bike.
Was fairly sure I didn't. Rode home. All in all, not too bad a start, despite being rather nervous of the busy roads, unable to look over my shoulder properly & uncomfortable as hell.
A day or so later I thought I'd pop round to my mate's house to fetch a book. I set off, got to the hill (actually just a railway bridge) round the corner, and found myself desperately searching for a lower gear. I reached for the lever on the down tube (wobbling like mad), pushed it too far in my haste and shoved the (obviously incorrectly adjusted) rear derailleur into the spokes. This didn't go well. Broke the chain, almost ripped the derailleur off its mount, walked home.
I wasn't happy. I'd spent about £40 on a bike that's worth maybe £5, and only made one trip on it before I killed it (it is no longer worth repairing). I only needed it to last for a few months so I could work out if it was worth buying a new one.
So, I started looking at bikes. I decided I wanted a hybrid, for a number of reasons. Most of my riding will be on roads, but canal towpaths feature widely round here so a bit of light off road capability was required. The more upright position should be better for my bad back, and I'd be able to turn to look behind me more easily. I also felt I needed something a bit more robust than a road bike. I'm 43, 6'3", tipping 17 stone
(I've just had to buy my first pair of trousers with a 38" waist, which was depressing) and have had little to no exercise since I had to stop playing rugby about 16 years ago. Unless darts counts?
After much pontification, I decided on the Globe Work 2012. No point in spending any more until I know if it'll get used properly. I'm already pushing the £500 mark now it's been kitted out with rack, mudguards (can't give myself any excuse not to ride it
), pump, bottle cage, lock, hat, spare tube, trip computer - I haven't even bought lights yet! Found a Specialised shop at Fort Dunlop and ordered it there. They price-matched Evans on the bike.
Anyway, I picked it up today:
I've been out for an hour on it this afternoon. It seems great. Much more stable than the racer, a better riding position for visibility & easier to look behind me. It needs bar ends and a rear view mirror. Oh, and a frame / saddle bag. And a multitool. The list goes on...
So here I am.
I'd like to know what you think of the bike (even if it's derogatory!), what you'd have gone for instead, and any tips you might have.
Off to start a motivational thread in the Beginners' section. That'll be the hard bit - getting out there when it's cold and wet. Today was lovely, sunny but relatively cool.
Cheers all!
MBE
P.S. Yes, I do know that my driveway needs weeding.
Short version: Hello. I'm MBE. Have bike, will travel.
Long version: Well, what am I doing here? I went to see my folks early in August, and clocked my old racer rotting in the back of my dad's garage. I've been meaning to liberate it for a while, but it's a bit of a wreck. Last used circa 1988 by a lunatic teenager who hadn't yet passed his driving test...
So, I brought it back to the Midlands with me. The plan was to give it a go to see how much I used it, and buy a decent one if all went well. I replaced the perished tyres with the cheapest I could find on eBay (the inner tubes were, surprisingly, ok). The brake blocks were a bit hard so I replaced those too. I dismantled the brakes, cleaned all the crud off, and mantled them again. The wheels were a bit egg-shaped and a bit battered around the rims from hammering up and down kerbs, but to shell out for a new set of wheels would have cost more than the bike's worth. A lot more.
I rode up and down the (quiet residential) road outside my house. It was horrible. Astonishingly, the confidence I had 20+ years ago had almost completely gone. I was wobbly as hell, especially when trying to fumble through the gears on the down tube. I found it almost impossible to look over my shoulder without falling off. I nearly gave up there and then.
However, since I'm a stubborn old sod, I decided I'd stick with it. My plan was to cut out all the short car journeys, thus saving £££s and (hopefully) shedding lbs. During my brief trial, I noted that the road surface looked very hard and unforgiving. I spend a lot of my time watching professional riders fall off and injure themselves horribly, so I bought a hat. My first trip was to the local car spares shop for a couple of replacement bulbs. Three miles each way. Perfect for a first go.
I staggered into the shop on legs of jelly (there's a fairly decent drag up to the shop). Got served depressingly quickly (I was hoping for a queue and a bit of a rest). Tried to remember if I suffered from pins and needles in my testicles last time I used the bike.
Was fairly sure I didn't. Rode home. All in all, not too bad a start, despite being rather nervous of the busy roads, unable to look over my shoulder properly & uncomfortable as hell.A day or so later I thought I'd pop round to my mate's house to fetch a book. I set off, got to the hill (actually just a railway bridge) round the corner, and found myself desperately searching for a lower gear. I reached for the lever on the down tube (wobbling like mad), pushed it too far in my haste and shoved the (obviously incorrectly adjusted) rear derailleur into the spokes. This didn't go well. Broke the chain, almost ripped the derailleur off its mount, walked home.
I wasn't happy. I'd spent about £40 on a bike that's worth maybe £5, and only made one trip on it before I killed it (it is no longer worth repairing). I only needed it to last for a few months so I could work out if it was worth buying a new one.
So, I started looking at bikes. I decided I wanted a hybrid, for a number of reasons. Most of my riding will be on roads, but canal towpaths feature widely round here so a bit of light off road capability was required. The more upright position should be better for my bad back, and I'd be able to turn to look behind me more easily. I also felt I needed something a bit more robust than a road bike. I'm 43, 6'3", tipping 17 stone
(I've just had to buy my first pair of trousers with a 38" waist, which was depressing) and have had little to no exercise since I had to stop playing rugby about 16 years ago. Unless darts counts? After much pontification, I decided on the Globe Work 2012. No point in spending any more until I know if it'll get used properly. I'm already pushing the £500 mark now it's been kitted out with rack, mudguards (can't give myself any excuse not to ride it
), pump, bottle cage, lock, hat, spare tube, trip computer - I haven't even bought lights yet! Found a Specialised shop at Fort Dunlop and ordered it there. They price-matched Evans on the bike.Anyway, I picked it up today:
I've been out for an hour on it this afternoon. It seems great. Much more stable than the racer, a better riding position for visibility & easier to look behind me. It needs bar ends and a rear view mirror. Oh, and a frame / saddle bag. And a multitool. The list goes on...
So here I am.
I'd like to know what you think of the bike (even if it's derogatory!), what you'd have gone for instead, and any tips you might have. Off to start a motivational thread in the Beginners' section. That'll be the hard bit - getting out there when it's cold and wet. Today was lovely, sunny but relatively cool.
Cheers all!
MBE
P.S. Yes, I do know that my driveway needs weeding.
(I'm away to read your other post ...)
Mind you, on day one I rode up the Broadway from the Arboretum, and it nearly killed me. Made it without stopping though. 
