My advice to newbies.

[david.rolls]

👏🏼 thanks for going to the effort of writing this all down! Very helpful information

 

[declan99]

im glad to be part of the community

 

[clarkhan]

Good advice, will heed to that

 

[CharleyFarley]

👏🏼 thanks for going to the effort of writing this all down! Very helpful information

I didn't think it was helpful.

 

[Greasy Gilbert]

Over the years, I've had many people at work approach me about commuting to work (usually when I'm freezing cold, trying to lock the bike up and desperate to get inside to the sanctuary of a warm radiator). I so wish that I could have been able to point them towards this post. I can't think of a single item to add to it.
Bravo @andyfromotley

 

[postman]

My word poster not seen since Dec 2011.

 

[Aston]

... and no more posts since February 2024

I've read through and all interesting stuff.

I'm in need of some help deciding what to do.

I'm retired, would like to go cycling, we live in west Dorset, so lots of hills, but I have an idea about searching out flatter bits - railways and canal paths and next year maybe try some camping on the bike. As a start I bought a 10 year old Dawes Ambassador for £40 to get me going, complete with a front basket

I'm finding it a bit of a struggle on the inclines around the village (not the big hills, we live in a valley), the bike has a Shimano Tourney RD-TY300 7speed with Shimano Cassette CS-HG200 7speed 12-28T and a 38T Chainring (this is all from an online source I've found and does not mean a lot to me).

Could I change the cassette for lower gears to help on the hills... or as it was £40, sell it on and buy something more suitable, I expect I could find up to £300 at a push for the budget, buy another older bike or something new... I've told my wife I'd like to be a bit fitter... so who knows!

Thanks all

 

[Big John]

I've no idea what condition your Dawes is in but I reckon if you sold it you'd get your money back. Dawes have a good reputation and tend to hold their value. Sounds like you need something with a double chainring or even a triple on the front. There will be lots around on the second hand market. You may even find a few Dawes knocking around. I use a compact 50/34 chainring on the front so when looking for a bike make sure you have at least a 34 tooth chainring to help on the hills.

 

[ColinJ]

...so when looking for a bike make sure you have at least a 34 tooth chainring to help on the hills.

As in 'smallest chainring no bigger than that'... (Bigger = harder, smaller = easier.)