What bike - no idea what to look for!

[JCDC]

Hi
I am a complete beginner so please feel free to point me in the direction of an idiots guide. I'm a runner principally, but with a desire to start some competing in duathlons next year, as well as to undertake some longer cycle challenges (quite fancy the London to Cambridge as a target). I currently cycle a Pashley which is fine for pootling around a flat city, and can cope with canal paths, but weighs a ton (which is probably good weight training!). I've had a couple of longer outings on it (managed London to Ware and swore at that last hill, and a ludicrous but very funny cross-country effort that felt like I was pulling a tractor).

The question is where do I start looking for something light and speedy? What things will be important? How do you know what gears and brakes you need? Can I get something that will be a good fast and light racer than I can take on the occasional jaunt on a cycle path or through a corn field without either destroying the bike or my bum? I am fairly little (5'1") so will need something on the xs to s side.

I can get access to cycle2work vouchers so don't mind the price too much, but I don't want to buy something entry level that will be frustrating quickly, or too nice that will be wasted on me whilst I am working out what I am doing. Any thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[vickster]

Go to Evans, have some test rides of bikes, see which fits, is comfortable and makes you smile. Are you a female or male 5'1, if the latter, it'll be harder to buy a 'men's' bike that is small enough. Riding a pashley, I am guessing the former however. Also, not all c2w vouchers are accepted everywhere, so check that. The limit is usually £1000 too

Unfortunately light and fast and study enough for rough stuff is a difficult combination, paths and tracks ok on a roadbike, but proceed with caution, really rough stuff, you may need to get off and push. Nothing to do with your bum, on rough surfaces, standing may be better. Bum is to do with the right saddle for you, unfortunately no one can say what that will be. Your bum needs time to toughen up too, padded shorts help

 

[JCDC]

5'1" female. 7st 5.
I hopped on a Specialized xs on the weekend (measured 16" from centre of pedal to top of frame), and that felt about the right size in that it didn't feel as though I was over-reaching to the handlebars. That was around £500. It was a step through though which just feels more normal to me, being used to a Pashley. Reading online though, it looks like a lower top bar will always equate to a heavier bike? I have no idea how you get on and off a bike with a diamond shaped frame!

 

[JCDC]

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/147838/products/whyte-malvern-2014-ladies-hybrid-bike.aspx

Is something along these lines a good idea? Or is this likely to be too heavy still?

 

[raleighnut]

Can't help with the bike I'm afraid but you're right about heavy bikes being good for training. As for getting on a diamond framed bike its swing your leg over time, not very elegant but loads do it.

 

[vickster]

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/147838/products/whyte-malvern-2014-ladies-hybrid-bike.aspx

Is something along these lines a good idea? Or is this likely to be too heavy still?

That's not a roadbike, it's a hybrid, more for pottering around on rough stuff, perhaps commuting, won't get up to high speeds...are you wanting flat bars or drop handlebars?

Flat bars, something like a Specialized Vita, dropped bars something like a Giant avail, Trek Lexa, Specialized Dolce. Should be able to get something decent for around £500, especially with sales on at the moment

e.g this in a 48cm http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/dolce-x3-2014-womens-road-bike-ec053035

A roadbike in your size shouldn't be more than 10kg really (a hybrid with suspension will be 12-14kg with fat tyres adding drag too)

 

[Cycleops]

The Malvern is not too heavy at 13.75kg but you really don't need the suspension forks! They only add to weight and don't give you much in the way of comfort. If you want it to feel a bit faster try to find something with 28/32c tyres.

How about something like this: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardman-hybrid-fi-bike-2014 or this: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/flight-01#details or if you want the chunkier tyres: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/x3#details

 

[Profpointy]

if you want to compete go faster / further on it then you definitely want a drop bar road bike (a racer as we used to say). And given you're not a big lass, so long as you don't go mad on ultra light wheels with only 8 spokes, and don't sit like a sack of potatoes, it should stand up just fine on moderate tracks. A "cross bike" is a slightly heavier and more robust variant to consider if doing rather rougher tracks - but still road friendly if fitted with smooth tyres

A hybrid, though ok for some uses, is simply a bad choice for the competitive / sporty use you mention - you'll need to duck down out of the wind if going any speed or if there's a headwind - and in any case gives a wider choice of hand positions on a long trip.

A lady's frame (in the sense of a step-through like the Pashley) is "a bad thing" for various engineering and weight reasons - but a lady's frame in the sense of being sized slightly shorter - but "man's frame shape" so to speak might be better to get the right size / shape.

I'd suggest you need someone, perhaps one of the women on here, to recommend a good shop who'll take the time to help you get the right size & fit and not be patronising to a girl / non-expert. I'd be willing to travel to a good shop. Having a go on a bike is less important arguably. Assuming you're in London, I got great (fitting) service from Condor i Clerkenwel. Spent perhaps an hour sitting on their adjustable size-o-tron and when bike duly arrived I think I moved the handlebars about 5mm 6 months later so it was spot on really. The bike was superb too if budget permits

regarding cycle to work - the savings are perhaps marginal these days even on 40% tax - Ok if you can get exactly what you want, and not lose out on any discounts, don't want a bike costing over a grand, but savings are thin / non-existant sometimes.

Gears - whilst I am a great believer in a "triple" you'll get more choice with a "compact double" - and unless you're doing big hills or carrying luggage "double" isn't silly - and will still be a huge improvement on your 3 speed Pashley.

Brakes should be fine on any half decent bike.

 

[AndyRM]

Sounds like a cyclocross bike would be a good bet, if you're on and off road. Drop bars will give you more hand positions for longer challenges and duathlons. Here are a couple of ladies specific options I've found. @Profpointy has made some excellent points.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Genesis-Col-du-Glandon-650b-2014-Road-Bike_67501.htm

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-one-2014-womens-cyclocross-bike-ec054864

 

[Profpointy]

couple more thoughts

saddles - this is a tricky question, but nearly everyone here will agree that padded or gel saddles are A Bad Thing and uncomfortable especially over time. What saddle does suit you is a personal thing and harder to answer.

Mudguards - whilst not usual on a race bike proper they do hugely help keep you dry and clean - personal choice but think about it. I was convinced aged about 11 and have always had them on every bike - but I don't race.

Likewise pannier rack - you don't want luggage on your back, though a saddlebag is an alternative - but won't take a laptop pc say. A rack wouldn't be usual on a race bike proper.

Tricky thing with rack and mudguards is they can't usually be added later to the more sporty bikes. So called audax or sportive bikes can have em though

 

[vickster]

couple more thoughts

saddles - this is a tricky question, but nearly everyone here will agree that padded or gel saddles are A Bad Thing and uncomfortable especially over time. What saddle does suit you is a personal thing and harder to answer.

Mudguards - whilst not usual on a race bike proper they do hugely help keep you dry and clean - personal choice but think about it. I was convinced aged about 11 and have always had them on every bike - but I don't race.

Likewise pannier rack - you don't want luggage on your back, though a saddlebag is an alternative - but won't take a laptop pc say. A rack wouldn't be usual on a race bike proper.

Tricky thing with rack and mudguards is they can't usually be added later to the more sporty bikes. So called audax or sportive bikes can have em though

The Avail models from Giant will take a rack and the decent Giant (or horrible Crud) mudguards

Looks like the OP is in Cambridge / Glasgow, Evans or Edinburgh Bike Co might be a good starting point

 

[Wafer]

Pretty useless for the occasional jaunt through a corn field though and road bikes may manage paths, but whether they are enjoyable or not is another matter...

 

[vickster]

Occasional jaunt vs London to Cambridge and duathlons, roadbike makes sense to me, or a CX but hard to find in small sizes