New person, new bike

[Nicola P]

Hi Everyone

I'm new on here, looks like a good bunch of folks!
I live in Bedfordshire and had my much loved pushbike stolen from Wolverton station in May and have ever since been riding an old crate assembled from the leftover body parts of previous cycles. Enough!
Buckled wheel, one semi-seized brake and a very girlie paintjob I'm now looking to buy myself a decent bike, trouble is I'm waaay out of touch so don't really know what I'm looking for.
Really want a drop handle racing jobby but wonder if they are a bit flimsy - I'll be cycling along canal paths and hopping on and off the train. Any ideas folks?
Another thing I'm just not sure about - I'm 5' 1" so what size frame should I be looking for?
Apologies for my general ignorance, any feedback gratefully accepted.

Have a good day!
Nicola

 

[Theseus]

Welcome ...

1. Get down to your nearest independant local bike shop (LBS) and get yourself measured up
2. Try before you buy, resist the urge to get the first that fits. make it your mission to visit as many LBS's in your area as you can.
3. For a tough drop bar bike, take a look at the ones built for cyclocross, a type of cross country bike racing. They need to be light, yat take rough treatment

 

[Rob3rt]

Road bikes are not particularly fragile!

 

[Globalti]

A cyclocross bike is a good suggestion. have a look at Boardman's CX bike; it has disc brakes, which are brilliant for commuters in wet weather and in muddy conditions. Good price too. Unfortunately it means buying the bike from Halfords and their stock is particularly low at the moment; I've just heard that they are about to fall out with Boardman. The best thing to do is find a good local bike shop and make friends with them; they will set you up with the right bike in the right size and keep it maintained for you.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi Nicola, and welcome.

The cyclocross recomendation makes perfect sense and is doubtless the perfect solution given you want a drop bar bike that can stand canals and uneven surfaces..

thing is, they look kinda fugly to me (ducks...sorry I'm just keepin it real )

As Rob3rt says a roadie is not always fragile but i do suspect the wheels will take a hammering on a canal path. Many on here will disagree but that would be my concern.

Given your need to hump the bike on a train would you consider a folder, a'la Brompton. They are quite trendy nowadays and have become the weapon of choice for the educated types (Architects, GP's etc).

Either way great to meet you. hope your choice works out well.

PS Touche has the best suggestion so far (IMO) especially point 2.

 

[BrumJim]

Hi Nicola, and welcome.


As Rob3rt says a roadie is not always fragile but i do suspect the wheels will take a hammering on a canal path. Many on here will disagree but that would be my concern.

Depends very much on the canal towpath. Mine is mostly brick, concrete, tarmac and hard packed fine gravel, and a road bike is fine.

 

[Nicola P]

Depends very much on the canal towpath. Mine is mostly brick, concrete, tarmac and hard packed fine gravel, and a road bike is fine.

Hehe lucky you, some of ours round here are akin to using a hammer drill for 45 mins, truly

 

[Nicola P]

Thank you kind people, for all your help, genuinely appreciated! Am off out now to see a man about a cog (or 2)! Back soon.

Laters!
Nicola

 

[Dangermouse]

Also have you considered a Hybrid bike, would solve all the problems

 

[Headgardener]

My Dawes Horizion has been ridden on the gravel tracks in the New Forest with no ill effect and the frame size goes down to a size 43cm which is about 17" in old money. It also comes with a rear rack so that you can attach panniers and/or a rackpack. Next years models will be out soon so you might be able to pick up this years model for a reduced price. Oh and welcome the forum by the way.

P.S. Forgot to mention that the Horizion is a tourer so dropped bars and tough as old boots

 

[Iainj837]

Welcom Nicola and welcome

 

[mark st1]

Can i buy your old bike ?

 

[MrJamie]

Welcome

Is it the canal through MK you cycle on? Ive only really used it as far north as Stoke Bruerne and as far south as Berkhamstead, but I dont think I would have liked it at all on a road bike, some parts are pretty bumpy/slippy even on a hybrid.

I think which bike depends on how much money you're thinking of spending and what surfaces you plan to ride on

 

[alecstilleyedye]

avoid the boardman cross bike; known awkward bottom bracket that isn't too tough...

 

[Boon 51]

Welcome to the forum, the people on here are very helpfull..