New cyclist. Possible wrong bike?

[peterbeard]

Hi all, I decided for health and well being to start cycling again and dug my old hybrid out the garage and started cycling to work! Enjoying this I decided to purchase a road bike to be a little more adventurous and push on a little although I'm no expert. I didn't really put much thought into it and just bought online. The bike I bought is a British eagle Zeus but now I'm worried its maybe not the best purchase in the world. I don't want to put myself off with poor apparatus. The bike will be used to commute 10 miles each way daily, and at least once a week for a decent scenery inspiring run in Scotland. As I say I'm no purist I just want to get a little enjoyment out of it and commute to work and back, a bike is a bike to me, I couldn't find any reviews and just wondered if anyone has any experience or views on this bike. I paid £350.00 for it.
Thank you regards peter

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hi Peter, I can't help - haven't got a clue but as you are in Scotland, you're invited to the CCEcosse lunch in Stirling, thread here
No worries, somebody will surely be along promptly to answer your question.

 

[MartinQ]

If it's the argos one
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2415875.htm
it seems a bit on the heavy side and there are probably better buys out there for the money, but as long as its about the right size (one frame size?), it's got to be better than your old hybrid, so just get out there on it and if you upgrade at some point in the future, get some miles in your legs now.

 

[Brandane]

I just want to get a little enjoyment out of it and commute to work and back,

If it does that (gives you a little enjoyment and enables you to commute to work and back), then it is the RIGHT bike! At that price range, it won't have the best quality components, but that might not show itself until the bike is a bit older when stuff like bearings might need attention.
Meantime just do as you want with it, and most of all enjoy it. If you get the serious bug and you NEED something else in the future; well, cross that bridge when you come to it. You've heard of N+1?

 

[13 rider]

Seems OK for the money .Components at the lower end of Shimano range but a bike in that price range that's standard . Should do what you want it too . It will be quicker than your hybrid
Enjoy .

 

[palinurus]

Good work, 10 miles is a fair old commute if you're just starting out I imagine (when I started mine, many years ago, I thought 6 miles was a long way- my commute now happens to be 10 miles and I think it's a perfect distance).

I started my commute with a budget road bike bought out of a catalogue, it was OK- it didn't put me off, I rode it for a while- a few years- then bought something better. If I could magic up my first road bike now I'd probably start commuting on it again (after putting some more modern wheels on it- I can do without going back to steel rims)

Whether it's the right bike really depends on what you think of it- have you ridden it yet?

 

[Jimidh]

Just get out and enjoy your bike. Most of us will have started on budget priced bikes and upgraded once we ready to do so.

Enjoy

 

[steveindenmark]

Hi Peter,

I have just looked at the specs of your bike. You do not say why it is wrong for you and so I will assume its mine.

I would change the tyres. I think they are 23c which are racing tyres. I cant ride with racing tyres. I would change them for 25c tyres or 28c if they will fit. They give a more comfortable ride than 23c.

I would change the saddle to a charge spoon as they are cheap and comfortable. Apart from Koga, I have yet to find a comfortable Stock seat. But saddles are very personal and I am sure many on here get on well with Stock seats but I dont.

I would also fit a seatpost carrier or pannier frame to carry your gear.

After that it is just get on and ride. It is much nicer and easier to ride in the summer and it does take a while to get cycling fit, so stick with it.

 

[growingvegetables]

Don't listen to me - I'm no expert! It's heavier than my "entry-level" tourer (with its rack, mudguards, etc) which made my eyes a wee bit.

But get the miles in. Enjoy it for what it is - a good workhorse for the riding you need to do; I'm guessing it'll be tough enough for it!

And try for as much of the kind of riding you want to do, and where to do it .......... and when it comes to replacing/upgrading, your choice of bike will be so much easier. You'll know what you're looking for, test-ride a couple in a bike shop ... and fall in love.

 

[RoubaixCube]

for 330 notes you could have gotten a Triban 500SE that would have been leagues better than that poor excuse for a bicycle Argos bike.

The Triban is lighter and has better hardware. The wheels on them are junk though but you can easily find a pair of Mavic Ones entry level road wheels for £80-100 on ebay and they are perfect for you if youre a skinnier bloke unlike myself that doesnt need to lug around a lot of heavy stuff with you on a commute.

Being scotland a lighter bike might help with the climbs and such but I hope you enjoy your training

 

[adamhearn]

You haven't said whether you just don't like it, you don't feel and think it should be faster/better than the hybrid, it causes discomfort, it doesn't work as expected or something else.

Whilst a bike is a bike the main goal you should have is it should be a bike that fits. Better specifications will arguably improve bike ownership but may be the root cause of your concern.

for 330 notes you could have gotten a Triban 500SE that would have been leagues better than that poor excuse for a bicycle Argos bike.

The op already admitted to not putting sufficient effort into the purchasing process so beating him up over it isn't perhaps the most helpful of responses

 

[peterbeard]

I haven't received it yet I've been slumming it on my old catalogue CBR hybrid, I think I've really caught the bug. Lost 3stone just by going to work and back and loving the fresh air. Just wanted to up the game a little but there's so many bikes out there I just went for 1 in my budget I thought looked OK. Came on this forum and couldn't find any 1 mention the make and saw suggestions for other brands so panicked a little. I'm sure I'll like it and I can tweek little things like tyres, saddle etc as suggested. Plus I've never ridden a road bike so nothing to compare against. I also intend to buy an entry level MTB for trails I can do with kids or maybe have my hybrid upgraded at halfords for the intended use. Thanks all for the encouragement and suggestions i really can't wait to hit the open road and see where it takes me. I'd love to join a beginners club if any1 could point me the right way?.
Thanks again regards peter

 

[Mile195]

When I started out road cycling, I began on a 25 year old Peugeot that I was given by someone who was going to throw it away. It was far too big for me amongst other things, but I rode it to work for three years and cycled London to Brighton on it as well as some other long trips, despite it not technically being the "right" bike for my height, fitness at the time etc.
What you've bought will be fine. Eventually you might want to upgrade but that'll get you about just fine for the foreseeable future I'm sure.
Just make sure you set it up so it's comfortable. That's far more important than spending silly money on something with a higher spec, which at this stage you may get limited extra benefit from anyway.

 

[peterbeard]

Hi pat don't know how to respond direct to you so just a thanks for the heads up about CCEcosse thread and when I'm a little more seasoned and able to keep up I may come on 1 of your meets. Is it a club and how do u join up? Cheers p
Again all thanks for the encouragement and help I'll be sure to try and update how I get on when my bike arrives.
Be safe

Regards peter

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hi pat don't know how to respond direct to you so just a thanks for the heads up about CCEcosse thread and when I'm a little more seasoned and able to keep up I may come on 1 of your meets. Is it a club and how do u join up? Cheers p
Again all thanks for the encouragement and help I'll be sure to try and update how I get on when my bike arrives.
Be safe

Regards peter

Peter, if you want to tag someone on CC you put the @ before their username ex: @peterbeard
You can come to the meet by train/car/bus, it's not a bike ride, just get together.
We are not a club as such hehehe
For all things Scottish read the IrnBru thread