Hello all, can you help me with some advice please

[Daryn]

Hi all really could do with some advice............

Ok Im approaching 49 this year, Im a taxi driver and really unfit these days, sick of going to old friends funerals so its time for a lifestyle change as I dont want to be the next one lol.

My brother-in-law has asked me to do the coast to coast bike ride (UK) and Im really keen on this but everytime I see a bike I fancy for the budget I have someone puts me off it and I dont want to make a mistake as I did 3 years ago and a rubbish cycle.

I was advised to buy a hybrid bike for the coast to coast, best of both word's a customer was telling me.

Ok so I have a budget as we all do, my budget is around £350, Ive seen a few bikes on the Halfords website on special offers, £500 bikes for my budget such as a boardman bikes. My B-in-Law has tod me best to get hydraulic brakes never had a bike with these before so didn think it a necessity so this is where you guys come in.

So what do you think guys what is best for me. Im around 5'-7'' tall weight just under 13 stone although Im planning on shedding this quick again on a low carb diet.

Many thanks in advance guys and thanks for allowing me to join.

 

[brucers]

For a long bike ride comfort is a major factor no matter quality of bike. Boardmans have a good reputation and are good value too.

 

[biggs682]

@Daryn go and try a few bikes at a local bike shop so at least you have an idea of what you do and dont want with your budget , there are loads to look at new and 2nd hand which would be my choice every time .

if you were nearer to me in Northampton i would say you are welcome to come and try a few of my retro and not so retro road bikes out

have fun and dont be scared to say no

 

[annedonnelly]

@Daryn, if you decide to go down the second-hand route - you'll get more bike for your money! - there are a couple of bike recycling schemes locally. It can be worth checking them out for refurbished bikes - usually there's quite a high turnover so if they don't have something today something might come in next week.

As others have said try a few out first. You want something that is comfortable and suit the sort of riding you're going to do. Have a think about what you need - how are you going to carry stuff on the C2C - do you need a rack? Things like suspension and disk brakes tend to be more expensive - if they're not they're probably rubbish.

 

[steve50]

Hi, I would suggest a good quality road bike or hybrid will suit you best, hydraulic brakes are great but modern cable operated brakes are very efficient these days and they also save weight which will be quite important for your C2C. Whichever bike you decide to choose look at options for fitting panniers and mudguards and also gearing. I have gone from 21 speed hybrid to 16 speed road bike as my fitness levels got better.
As suggested above , go try a few bikes, look at the 2nd hand hand market as your budget could potentially buy you a very nice used bike that would suit you nicely.
Boardman hybrid sportbike, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boardman-...832884?hash=item1c5f2c7334:g:9V4AAOSwYIhWiVys

 

[Daryn]

Thanks for the replies guys, I was looking at a few of these Boardman bikes, one of them was a sportbike.....

Give me your opinions on these few please I will have a go of them first though but what do you think. I dont mind second hand if I can get a good one but thats the point what is good lol. Ill look closer to the North east and see what I can find for the money but please take a look at these for me and advise.

Boardman MX sports bike- http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardman-mx-sport-bike

Boardman Hybrid Competition bike - http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/classic-bikes/boardman-hybrid-comp-bike

Boardman Hybrid Sport Bike -http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/classic-bikes/boardman-hybrid-sport-bike - this one doesnt look like its go disc brakes

Also whats the difference between hydraulic and mechanical disc brakes, is Hydraulic really needed on a bike, I know what it is but just dont think it would be something you would need on a bike I honestly dont know this is totally new to me, we did have disc brakes back in the early 80s but I never seen any with hydraulic ones.

Again many thanks in advance guys

 

[vickster]

If buying new from Halfords, join British cycling, get legal and third party cover and 10% off at halfords and chain reaction cycles. Costs around £30 so you'd cover the cost straight off

How rough is the path, suspension may be useful. Unless it's fairly smooth and you plan riding on roads mainly

Might want to read this about the Boardman hybrids, it's one newbie's experience but might be worth looking at other bikes and brands. Halfords don't allow on road test rides, Evans cycles do so perhaps pay them a visit too (and other local bike sellers like Edinburgh bike coop)

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/first-hybrid-bike-and-i-hate-it-help.193637/post-4086637

 

[Daryn]

Thanks for the feedback. Got to say I read that thread and it is off putting so I guess trying these type bikes is the way to go first.

The B-I-L has a mountain bike with suspension etc for the comfort maybe I should look at these instead as we are not planning on racing the c2c just taking it over 3 days or so. OH I just dont know which way to go lol but I will keep reading and let you all know what I buy

 

[Spinney]

I did the C2C in 2.5 days on a touring bike (this is like a road bike - i.e. drop handlebars - but with slightly fatter tyres, mudguards and pannier racks)
The only non-tarmac bit was a gravelly track descending towards Consett, which was fine on my bike. I don't think you need disc brakes unless you intend taking up mountain biking, and if you are thinking of suspension, bear in mind that the suspension absorbs energy that would otherwise be used to get you up them hills!

(User46386 posted while I was typing this - I note that we both agree on brakes!)

Edit: the advantage of drop bar bikes (once you are used to them, which will only take a couple of rides) is the variety of different hand/arm positions you can use, which stops your arms and shoulders hurting! If you get a flat bar bike, consider putting bar ends on it to give you a change of hand position.

 

[bonsaibilly]

I was going to say go and get a Boardman Hybrid Comp right away, but it looks like they have sold out of the size you would need. BB

 

[vickster]

You could look at touring bikes. Spa cycles have s good selection at different price points and aren't too far away from you in Harrogate

Steel is a very comfortable material, less jarring than Ali especially on fatter tyres (even on skinny 23mm ones too)

 

[bikingdad90]

I have a Norco Threshold A2 from Evan Cycles. It is a cyclocross bike a bit like the Boardman CX but I fitted semi slicks so it can still do basic offroading while having a slick tread for on road.

A good compromise between a road bike and a hybrid.

Are you staying in B&Bs and supported or are you carrying everything on the bike in which case you may need a rack and panniers?

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi all really could do with some advice............

Ok Im approaching 49 this year, Im a taxi driver and really unfit these days, sick of going to old friends funerals so its time for a lifestyle change as I dont want to be the next one lol.

My brother-in-law has asked me to do the coast to coast bike ride (UK) and Im really keen on this but everytime I see a bike I fancy for the budget I have someone puts me off it and I dont want to make a mistake as I did 3 years ago and a rubbish cycle.

I was advised to buy a hybrid bike for the coast to coast, best of both word's a customer was telling me.

Ok so I have a budget as we all do, my budget is around £350, Ive seen a few bikes on the Halfords website on special offers, £500 bikes for my budget such as a boardman bikes. My B-in-Law has tod me best to get hydraulic brakes never had a bike with these before so didn think it a necessity so this is where you guys come in.

So what do you think guys what is best for me. Im around 5'-7'' tall weight just under 13 stone although Im planning on shedding this quick again on a low carb diet.

Many thanks in advance guys and thanks for allowing me to join.

Good for you and well done for taking positive action.

So here's the thing, in truth, you can ride coast to coast on any bike...any bike at all.

really the choice is not so much about this one ride but about what it will mean to you to start cycling, in general.

Perhaps consider your cycle career beyond the C2C, will you continue as a weekend rider, will you keep cabbing...which means a commuter is out of the question, will you start to yearn for the unmade open paths of the forests and hills?

Think about the future and then choose a bike. Whatever you get will serve you well on a C2C.

Mountain bikes are great fun for tracks, paths and off road but are not ideal for making swift progress on tarmac...or ideal for covering long distances of predictable tarmac. Also the suspension will soak up shocks but also energy, some of which you may want to transfer into the tarmac as speed.

Hybrids, in my own opinion are a commuter and casual rider bike (sorry hybrid owners I hope you get what I mean by that). They are generally a little more upright and can be more comfortable...or can be perceived to be.

Road bikes (racer with dropped or curled bars) look intimidating, uncomfortable and fragile. In truth they are the opposite and are excellent at covering miles...on tarmac, with ease. They do allow more hand positions but also drop you into a more aggressive position to avoid wind and help ping you along, there are variants of road bikes with more relaxed geometry aimed at riders who are moving from MTB and hybrids. Don't be intimidated to talk to bike shops about the different styles of road bike

Touring bikes are road bikes with a utilitarian spin, allowing mount for racks, mudguards and all sorts. They are perfect for long rides but can seem a little out of place In a group of club riders...that's social pressure for you

There are also bikes like recumbents and trikes which allow very fast flat riding (not so good on hills) but may be a specialist choice.

So consider where you think your move into riding will take you and head in that direction.

Personally, I think the choice is simple...road or Mtb...if you plan to ride roads, eventually you will own a road bike. Maybe not this time, as they look a bit frightening but eventually.

I shall take cover now as many will disagree with my conclusion and will be right to do so but they will have the benefit of experience having coloured their choice, you are not there just yet.

In a year you will be advising new riders on why you ended up on a road bike or MTB

 

[Licramite]

I would go for a Hybred , the gearing is less severe than a road bike (you get the granny ring which can useful) and you may be going off road towhich your thin tyred roade is useless. Look for weight - or lack of it. you can get really light hybreds
I would go bike shop and get fitted for a bike - you got get one that fits you and finally get a good pair of padded shorts.

 

[vickster]

You can get road, CX and touring bikes with a granny ring too. Or hill friendly gearing on a sram compact double