What Bike?

J0E90 said:

Firstly I'd like to say happy new year and hello to everyone.

Part of my new years resolution for this year was to quit smoking, which is going well so far (13 days!) the other was to start cycling to work which is about 7 miles each way and a daunting prospect.

I therefore am looking to purchase a bicycle for this purpose, the problem im having is i dont have a clue about bikes and was therefore hoping someone would advise me?

Im 6ft2 and weigh about 17.5 stone (because of xmas) and I used to own a Townsend Timber Trail but it rusted before i could use it properly and it was very heavey...

I really want to do this and pursue my new found fitness vibe and continue to lose weight as i have done over the past 6 months but require the advice before i go out and just buy any old bike.

Thank you for you time,

Joe

What bike? Hmmm that's a very open ended question.
How much do you want to spend?
What's the ride to work like, flat vs hilly, roads vs bike paths?
Do you want a bike just for commuting, or do you plan to have the odd weekend ride, or do you have desires to ride long distances?
It wouldn't hurt dropping into a bike shop to ask questions.

By the way 7 mile is probably the perfect distance. It's not too far that you you'll make weak excuses not to ride, and long enough that you get around 1 hour solid exercise every day.
Two christmas' ago I started riding to work, 10km each way (6.2 mile). I rode 3 or 4 times per week. I didn't actually lose much weight (I was 85kg (188lb)), but my body shape totally changed. A lot of flab turned to muscle (the children are scared of my calves now).

Thanks for your reply, I am looking to ride on a normal road not very hilly but i want something comfortable. Could spend anything upto £200 not really looking for anything too flashy...

Joe

Congrats on kicking the smoking habit, I hope you can stick to it.

It sounds like you want a comfort bike, so I would consider looking at hybrids. Hybrids compared to road bikes put you in a more upright (and thus comfortable) position. You can't go as fast as you could on a road bike, but it sounds that your main goal is simply commuting, so that shouldn't be an issue.

J0E90 said:

Thanks for your reply, I am looking to ride on a normal road not very hilly but i want something comfortable. Could spend anything upto £200 not really looking for anything too flashy...

Joe

Here's your mission, DO NOT SPEND MORE THAN £200!
I don't want to rain on your parade, but there is no point spending 1000.00, to find that after 2 months cycling is not really for you.
It is really easy to get caught up the hype, especially if you start to research it. The more you look, suddenly you MUST HAVE disc brakes, and you MUST HAVE a double-overhead-underhang.
Forget about it. Set yourself a price and stick to it.
For comuting, get something comfortable, a flat bar hybrid.
Example: paulscycles.co.ukproducts.phpOpen ↗
Oops, this one blows the budget by £10, but I only searched for 40 whole seconds. You'll get the idea when you get out and have a look around. Go to as many shops as you can, and ask questions. Be careful to not get caught up in the technology hype. Post anything that looks interesting on the forums, and see if anyone has had experience with something you think looks right for you. Don't forget cyclingforums.comf136 england, wales and scotland.htmlOpen ↗ for local knowledge of good bike shops, bike clubs, etc...

We bought the daughter a bike for christmas (she's 25), and only spent $300 (Aussie dollars). It's only been 3 weeks, but she rides it everywhere and loves it.
Component wise, it's not brilliant, but that's the bike snob in me talking. It seems to get the job done. In terms of bang for your buck, things really have improved in the last few years. It's hardly worth getting a 2nd hand bike nowdays. Especially because if you plan to spend an hour per day on it, you MUST get a bike that is the right size for you.

Having said all that, I'm no real expert. Your job is to get as many different opinions as you can, and work out what is right for you.
The only real advise I can give you, is that if you can only afford £200.00, don't get sucked in and spend more than you can afford. Don't forget to cost in a helmet, maybe a pump, lights if you plan to travel in the dark. For that sort of money you should be able to get something that will get you started.
In 12 months time, you may decide that it's time to upgrade, time to give it away, or just continue with what you've got.
Sorry, I'm really rambling now, it's 1:20 here and I'm tired. Time for bed.
Good luck,
keep us posted,

Peter.

J0E90 said:

Firstly I'd like to say happy new year and hello to everyone.

Part of my new years resolution for this year was to quit smoking, which is going well so far (13 days!) the other was to start cycling to work which is about 7 miles each way and a daunting prospect.

I therefore am looking to purchase a bicycle for this purpose, the problem im having is i dont have a clue about bikes and was therefore hoping someone would advise me?

Im 6ft2 and weigh about 17.5 stone (because of xmas) and I used to own a Townsend Timber Trail but it rusted before i could use it properly and it was very heavey...

I really want to do this and pursue my new found fitness vibe and continue to lose weight as i have done over the past 6 months but require the advice before i go out and just buy any old bike.

Thank you for you time,

Joe

If you're just looking for a commuter that isn't as likely to get stolen and is cheap I'd consider an old schwinn varsity or something. If you still ride after a year or so, then up your budget and get a nicer bike.

thanks to all who replyed to my post, I have taken all that has been said into consideration and have decided to catch the bus, (only joking). The £200 budget is a good idea, i have been known to get carried away by fads that last 2 weeks. I will take a trip down to my local bike store this weekend and spend some of my hard earned pounds on getting my lazy ass into gear...

Agains thanks to all for you input...

Joe