Please Help! So confused:(

[Loulou79]

Hi all

For the first time in my adult life i am going to get a bike however im a overweight female who has no idea what im doing, and it all seems so confusing!

From my initial research i think a hybrid bike is the way to go (orig wanted a trad bike, basket etc but been talked out of it) but this is where i am stuck. I will be using it for park, shops, maybe a cycle through woods (flat dirt track)

I have been told i will need more than 5/7 gears that the traditional ones offer. I would like a luggage thing on the back (technical term ohhh and my other problem i dont have more than £450max to spend.

I have looked at these

http://www.viking-bikes.com/products/Trekking/5025-Kendal?from_fab=1

http://claudbutler.co.uk/cycle-range/range/claud-butler-hybrid/cb3029. Not sure how many gears this has?

http://www.dawescycles.com/p-758-accona-ladies.aspx


This one is pushing the price a bit for me
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb...nt.cypress.city.w/11870/56919/#specifications



Please can anyone offer me any advice or suggest others i may have missed?

Thank you so much x

 

[Loulou79]

Anyone

 

[TissoT]

They are look very similar !
The only way to be sure is to go and ride the bikes in question ...
You may find others more suited once your there ....

 

[PaulSecteur]

Do you have a decathlon near you?

You can usually try them out with a ride around the store...

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-376961-city-and-commuting-bikes

Even if you don't like their bikes, you might get an idea for the size you need.

 

[Paul99]

Why did you get talked out of a trad bike and who told you that you need more than 5/7 gears? I have 20 on my bike and use about 5.

You will be riding the bike so you should get the one that YOU like, the one that you feel comfortable on. The advice to go and try some before buying is the only advice you need.

The Victoria Pendleton range of bikes at Halfords are in your price range, so you can add these into your considerations.

 

[accountantpete]

What you need to do is

1) Identify the size you need and if poss go and test-ride a couple.

2) Get a triple chainset - ie one with a granny ring for hills and 2 bigger chainrings for flat roads.

3) Avoid the shocks (front fork suspension) as these are heavy and are only needed for serious off-road stuff.

 

[NEO]

the claud butler and viking look the best although a couple dont show the price. the giant is a bit on the pricey side as its spec is almost the same as the others. i would steer clear of the dawes as its got grip gear shifters which are rubbish. the butler and viking are pretty much the same depending on the price. best advice find a stockist go sit on them take them for a test ride see which feels more comfortable. happy cycling

 

[Loulou79]

Thank you all for your help so far. I have been to a few shops and they have all said a 19" size. Im 5 10"

I do like the look of the claude butlers. Do these have a triple chain set?

 

[Julia9054]

Have you considered Specialized? I have an Arial which i use as my commuter/shopping bike and really like it - its sturdy and easy to ride with a triple chain set. I have a pannier rack and lug all sorts of stuff about. I believe Evans are doing some good deals on 2013 models at the moment.

 

[Loulou79]

Hi

No i had not heard of specialzed but i will look.

I can not fine a cb odyessy anywhere! Grrr this bike search is turning into a nightmare instead of fun

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hi Loulou and welcome to Cycle Chat!
If you wanted a traditional bike with basket and so on mainly for shopping, riding to town or along the canal path, why did you change your mind?
Unless you have a massively hilly route to the shops, a traditional bike with even just 3 gears will be ideal.
Yes, they are much heavier than road bikes, a little bit heavier than hybrids. Comfy and reliable though. You can ride them in shirts.
You say that you are looking to improve fitness, this will come from riding regularly, if you first bike has 3 or 5 gears you will soon tackle hills using just those because you don't have anything else to compare with.
Which is better imo, good training for when you get fitter and get a more geared bike for even steeper hills and faster rides ( you will!)
@Puddles just got a traditional Dutchie bike, she may be able to advice more.
My main commuter is a single speed, no gears at all, love the simplicity.

 

[DCLane]

Hi Loulou.

You don't say where in the world you are. Buying a bike can be confusing as there's lots of different types. My suggestion is to work out what you'd like to use it for, your budget and what you currently don't plan to do!

However, as well as Decathlon you may want to try Edinburgh Cycles (nationwide), who have a Ridgeback Meteor 19" in stock for £300. My work uses them for their Velocampus student/staff hire and they're recommended.

They'll also have Specialized bikes - women's sizing.

 

[Loulou79]

Hi

Thanks you for all your help.

Im off today to look at the cb odyssey and legend. Also may go to decathlon as well to look at this

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/nework-5-womens-id_8222610.html

I have never heard of that make is it quite good? Any better than the CB?

Thanks all again - i will get there!

 

[Puddles]

Hi Loulou and welcome to Cycle Chat!

@Puddles just got a traditional Dutchie bike, she may be able to advice more.
My main commuter is a single speed, no gears at all, love the simplicity.

Big Bertha http://www.dutchie.co.uk/dutchie-chic-8-speed.html

is still under the Velo Technician, Dutchie are pretty awesome when I told them the special back nut cross threaded and the back light wire was broke-ed they said they would dispatch news ones straight away for free I was v.v. impressed with that. (Especially as that might have been my fault)

Bertha is beautiful seriously impressive in the flesh, you can wear a dress on her, she has a sturdy rear pannier, she has lights, she has locks, she has a pump, she has everything and she is black so therefore you know your wardrobe will not clash with her and neither will any accessories you choose. The steering style and riding style is like no other as you are upright (you feel like queen of the road) the steering takes a little to get used to if you have been used to other handlebars/bikes. 8 gears is more than enough to see you through the ups & downs of the road.

If you have not ridden a bike in forever (like I had not about 14 months ago) you could go the route I chose cheap serviceable 2nd hand ones are not too bad a starter bike to a) see if you will take to it and b) see what you like.

I started with a £90 quid Argos Challenge Meander a hybrid and added basket (avoid cheap wicker they let the rain in and if you bounce stuff can bounce out) I now have a waterproof covered one with metal inner and a stretchy lid to keep everything in, it has zippy pockets too - much more useful than the beautiful wicker one I had.

 

[byegad]

Do you know a cyclist? Someone who has more than one type of bike and you can trust to look over the bikes and give an honest opinion of each one. I'd say go for at least 21 gears, that's a triple up front and seven at the back, 24 would be better and 27 even better. Don't worry if that seems a lot, you'll start of using the middle front ring and some of the rear gears regulalry, but having sufficient low gears to get up hills that you'll tackle in a years time is better than having to adapt or replace the bike when you get a bit fitter and want to go further. I'd be happy to help if you live in my neck of the woods.