Hello, cycling rediscovered!

[jessiemac]

Hi all,
I've been caught by the cycling bug, after watching all the fantastic achievements at the Olympics and other races. I thought it's time to get out there! I've salvaged the remains of my old bike from the garage, think it could be time for a new one What make should i look at for a first bike? or stay away from?
Anyway this looks like a friendly site so i thought i'd say Hi!
Jessie

 

[HB2210]

Hi Jessie,
I'm fairly new to cycling myself and this site is the absolute best. No question is to stupid to ask (believe me .. I've asked) And the members are really great and always seem to find a solution for you. I started with a mountain bike and moved to a road bike (both second hand but from a local bike shop) as you can pay crazy money for bikes I would get your own bike serviced and see if it's for you before spending money .. If you stick with it ... Go crazy and treat yourself
Welcome
Hazel x

 

[jhawk]

Hi Jessie,

Very nice to see that you're back in the saddle. While I cannot offer you any great advice, I'd recommend getting yourself down to your LBS. They'll be able to help you, for sure.

Happy trails!

Jack.

 

[Peteaud]

Hi all,
I've been caught by the cycling bug, after watching all the fantastic achievements at the Olympics and other races. I thought it's time to get out there! I've salvaged the remains of my old bike from the garage, think it could be time for a new one What make should i look at for a first bike? or stay away from?
Anyway this looks like a friendly site so i thought i'd say Hi!
Jessie

Budget?, type of bike?

 

[MikeG]

........ What make should i look at for a first bike? or stay away from?......
Jessie

Hi Jessie, and welcome to the forum.

The first question with regards bike choice is what surface you are going to be riding on. If it is 100% tarmac, then that narrows things down to road bike or hybrid. If mixed tarmac & towpaths, say, then hybrid is probably favourite. If it is going to be entirely off road, on trails etc, then you need a horse.

Best thing is to go to a specialist bike shop (not Halfords), with a budget in mind, and see what they suggest. Don't buy, but go to another shop, and have a more informed conversation with them. Then come back here and ask us about your potential choices. Then think about it for a week.........then after test riding 2 or 3 bikes, then, and only then, should you buy. Don't worry too much about brands: they are far less important in cycling than you might imagine.

Mike

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and Jessie.

What is the old bike? If it's a decent one it may be worth saving. Of course the lure of a new bike is always strong so as already mentioned above, what budget and what kind of riding are you thinking of doing?

 

[ScotiaLass]

Jessie

I ride off road including trails, tow paths, cycle paths and woods. I have recently bought a new mountain bike
I got back into cycling last October after several years of ill health.
I'm getting fitter and loving every minute!
Whatever you decide, just enjoy!

 

[Bryony]

to the forum!

 

[Dark46]

Hi and Welcome to the forum.
Glad your back in the saddle.

 

[i hate hills]

Welcome Jessie

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Welcome Jessie!
May I add to the excellent advice above: pick a colour and a shape you like, makes the miles go faster

 

[MikeG]

Was it something we said?

 

[jessiemac]

Wow, ummm hi everyone.
Thanks for all the great advice, very helpful. I'm looking for a road bike (never been on a mountain bike before, well not one that's ever been challenged) just looking so a bike i can get out for an hour or so a couple of times a week, so i don't think i need anything amazing. MikeG are the mainstream bike shops not the place to go? i may have been to Evans and Halfords this week. Ha. I found the staff really useful.
Anyway i got out this Sunday, great to be out and can't believe how many other cyclists i saw. Really good to see how popular cycling has become.
Jessie

 

[Dogtrousers]

One approach could be to ride your old bike for a bit (assuming it's roadworthy) and this will enable you to really focus on what you do/don't like about it - and thus what you do/don't want in a new bike, increasing the chances that any new bike you get will be just right.

Maybe tweak your old bike a bit - some new tyres maybe, something like that, see if it moves you in the right direction. Maybe you'll fall (back) in love with your old bike and feel terribly guilty when you do by a new one.

 

[SquareDaff]

Wow, ummm hi everyone.
Thanks for all the great advice, very helpful. I'm looking for a road bike (never been on a mountain bike before, well not one that's ever been challenged) just looking so a bike i can get out for an hour or so a couple of times a week, so i don't think i need anything amazing. MikeG are the mainstream bike shops not the place to go? i may have been to Evans and Halfords this week. Ha. I found the staff really useful.
Anyway i got out this Sunday, great to be out and can't believe how many other cyclists i saw. Really good to see how popular cycling has become.
Jessie

Welcome Jessie. Halfords have a "spotty" reputation. Some are good, some not so. I've never been to a bad one yet - but the Wakefield one I go to is far and above the others near me (i.e. Leeds, Harrogate, Doncaster). My only experience of Evans (at Castleford) wasn't good - but it was only one experience so I might just have been unlucky.

As others have said - if you're not sure what to buy yet then try as many different bikes and style of bikes as you can. You'll soon work out what feels comfortable for you and what doesn't. Then once you've narrowed things down to a handful of bikes ask people here if they have any experience of them. I'm sure anyone that has will be happy to help.