I don't know what to get!! help greatly appreciated

[sparco05]

Hi guys, really sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong place...

I read your really helpful guide in the beginners section but I'm still at a bit of a loss.

I'm a rather large (overweight) 25 year old and am looking to lose some weight and find a fun way to exercise.

I recently found out that my employer participates in cylescheme so living relatively near where I work.i thought I could use a bike for the commute, but also looking for something I can take over to the downs or devils dyke at the weekend.

my lbs weren't at all helpful when I went in and that may well be due to me really not knowing what I'm after (I'm guessing a hybrid of some sort), however its put me right off them and now looking to use Evans in Gatwick..

Hoping to spend around the 300 mark, my journey to work will be on the road and the first part being up a rather steep hill! :P

I haven't really used a bike in over 10 years and know nothing about what brands are good, components etc so really just need some advice.

I did dust off my old Apollo abyss, to be honest I would need two new tyres, a rear wheel, the gears don't like to change and it needs new brake pads etc so thinking its probably not worth the cost to repair!!

any suggestions on the kind of bike or any specific ones I should be looking at? As I said will probably be using Evans and looking around the 300-350 mark.

any help greatly appreciated!

Shaun

 

[welsh dragon]

Can't help you regarding what bike I'm afraid, but im sure someone will be along In due course to help you. I'd just like to say welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy it. good luck in choosing the bike that's right for you, and hope you enjoy the experience of getting back onto a bike.

 

[sparco05]

Hey, thank you for the welcome, this does seem like a friendly place

 

[TomSH27]

Hi Shaun, you can get some decent deals in the sales online, I don't understand why you seem limited to Evans as I would have thought Wiggle or even Tredz or Pedalon would offer you more options. For your budget you may struggle but I think Road.CC did a good article on sub £500 bikes but search online for reviews as it's a good way of getting a basic feel for what to look and look out for. you can check out a second hand option but especially do some research beforehand so you don't buy a dog. If you can push to another £100 or so then your options will increase markedly, my main advice would be to read up first and don't limit yourself to one seller especially an online vendor as that will be a recipe for disappointment.

 

[sparco05]

Hi Tom, thanks for the advice! To be honest I hadn't reallly considered online as I figured that talking to someone face to face might be an idea considering my lack of knowledge/experience :P Having said that the advice given by my LBS was pretty much "any bike in the shop will do what you want" and that if i find one i like, they'd do a quote but it would take a long time, just felt like they weren't interested! the next nearest one proceeded to recommend their most expensive bikes as soon as I mentioned cycle2work.

I was only really thinking Evans as they are the next nearest retailer to me and I live quite near their warehouse showroom in Gatwick!

Will definitely take a better look at what else is around though, im in between Crawley and Brighton so im guessing there must be a fair few places that are on my employers scheme!

Budget wise I would be prepared to go to £500 but helmet etc included in that figure, I want to spend enough to make sure im not going to get something thats completely wrong for me and having spent it force me to get off my lazy backside initially while its still tough being the unfit, overweight drinker and smoker that I am lol

Shaun

 

[TomSH27]

Hi Tom, thanks for the advice! To be honest I hadn't reallly considered online as I figured that talking to someone face to face might be an idea considering my lack of knowledge/experience :P Having said that the advice given by my LBS was pretty much "any bike in the shop will do what you want" and that if i find one i like, they'd do a quote but it would take a long time, just felt like they weren't interested! the next nearest one proceeded to recommend their most expensive bikes as soon as I mentioned cycle2work.

I was only really thinking Evans as they are the next nearest retailer to me and I live quite near their warehouse showroom in Gatwick!

Will definitely take a better look at what else is around though, im in between Crawley and Brighton so im guessing there must be a fair few places that are on my employers scheme!

Budget wise I would be prepared to go to £500 but helmet etc included in that figure, I want to spend enough to make sure im not going to get something thats completely wrong for me and having spent it force me to get off my lazy backside initially while its still tough being the unfit, overweight drinker and smoker that I am lol

Shaun

Yes try before you buy always is best, but I mention online because you will possibly have more scope for a deal, some sites will also offer part finance options at 0% interest.

 

[sparco05]

Cheers will definitely shop around once I know what im after! I see what you mean now thanks

Thanks for the website suggestions in your previous post!

Shaun

 

[TomSH27]

Cheers will definitely shop around once I know what im after! I see what you mean now thanks

Thanks for the website suggestions in your previous post!

Shaun

Welcome

 

[sparco05]

Test rode a couple of bikes today, does anyone here have much experience with pinnacle? Never heard of them before but quite liked the ride!

 

[vickster]

Evans own brand, good spec for money but not very innovative looking IMO . Not that this matters a jot if you have test ridden and are happy

 

[sparco05]

Ah fair enough I'm not too much of a badge snob haha so won't let that put me off!

It was a bit more than I hoped to spend but from riding it, seemed worth it, I guess I'm better off spending a little extra on something that I'll actually ride after all :P

 

[Pale Rider]

It was a bit more than I hoped to spend but from riding it, seemed worth it, I guess I'm better off spending a little extra on something that I'll actually ride after all :P

Your original budget of £300 was tight for a reasonable bike.

The owner of my local bike shop told me prices have gone up a bit in the last few years, meaning the starting point for something decent is nearer £400.

 

[gbb]

Price ranges on bikes are funny things, its true, for every penny extra you spend you get a better bike, but you can carry that on forever....
As an indicator...my first roadbike was a Raleigh Chimera, heavy, basic componentry...but that bike was rock solid, did many thousands of relatively hard work miles..faultlessly, and only cost me £250 when a 'good' entry level roadbike was IRO £400.

My wifes last two bikes (hybrids) both cost sub £300. Both have been fine, if you look after them. Her previous bike cost £200...it lasted very very well.

The more you spend in fairness, the better the experience should be, lighter, smoother, better looking, better componentry...but it doesnt mean 'cheaper' bikes are crud...far from it.

Just make sure you're happy with your choice and it is capable of doing exactly what you want.

 

[sparco05]

Thanks for the comments guys, i quickly realised that my budget wasn't particularly realistic yesterday!

Im still not 100% sure on the choice of bike yet so am going to take a look at another lbs today and see what they have to offer now I have a better idea of what I want.

The chap at Evans recommended this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/cobalt-two-2014-hybrid-bike-ec054768

What do you think? As I said I enjoyed the test ride but know very little about equipment etc.

cheers

Shaun

 

[vickster]

That's fine if you are truly riding off road. If you are riding on road primarily, forget suspension, at that price point, all it adds in weight and saps energy and speed

Look at the Ridgeback range for good rigid fork hybrids around that budget (or less), something with 35mm+ tyres is decent for paths

e.g. be a couple of KGs lighter than the pinnacle I would think too

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ridgeback/velocity-se-2014-hybrid-bike-ec059637

Or one of the Pinnacle range http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/lithium-two-2014-hybrid-bike-ec054692