Bike and cycling advice

Discussion in 'Off Topic Area' started by Rhythmkiller, Jul 18, 2014.

  1. Rhythmkiller

    Rhythmkiller Animo Non Astutia

    Hi Guys,

    I am about to buy a bike i just seen on a website. It's a Dawse road bike. i have absolutely no idea about biking whatsoever but was gonna buy one to get to work and back. It's a 16 mile round trip and i figure an effective way to keep fit. Trouble is on the website it asks me what size i want. The options are 14.24w and 16/26w - What does this mean.

    I just want a bike. My height is 5ft 10" if that makes a difference.

    Any help much appreciated.

    Baza
     
  2. Bozza Bostik

    Bozza Bostik Antichrist on Button Moon

    I find sizing bikes is a nightmare. And the same size on two different bikes by different companies can feel really different.

    My advice is to find the bike in a local shop, check/try the sizes and then order.

    Not the best help and advice, I'm afraid, but that's what I'd do :)
     
  3. mjl

    mjl ITF Taekwon-Do (1st Dan)

    For road bikes, if that's what it is, read this:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/h/option/bikesizeguide

    Don't know your budget but I have one of these and they're excellent:
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-road-bike-white-id_8239800.html

    Here's a review: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/reviews/road-bikes/btwin-triban-3-299-99

    Note the red vs white is a different spec, the red (now discontinued) had carbon forks, well, this is fine until you ride over a pot hole. Anyway, I had no choice of colours so bought the white and it's very nice and as you'll read in the review it has a very good spec (other than the carbon forks it's just about similar to the red so the rest of the review is applicable)
     
  4. Rhythmkiller

    Rhythmkiller Animo Non Astutia

    Thanks for the advice, that bike is a bit under my budget this is the one i'm about to buy

    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Dawes-Espoir-3000-2013-Road-Bike_56600.htm

    Baza
     
  5. Mitch

    Mitch Lord Mitch of MAP Admin

  6. Rhythmkiller

    Rhythmkiller Animo Non Astutia

    Yeah it does help, problem is the webiste i am buying from doesn't state if it's measurements are in CM or " it's just a W. Think i'll buy the smallest and if it doesn't fit i'll send it back. They are all adult bikes anyway so logically the small would be average size, i think and the other one for the 6ft guys?????

    Baza
     
  7. Simon

    Simon Administrator Admin Supporter MAP 2017 Koyo Award

    If there are any plans to take the bike off road then maybe a medium size frame is a better option.

    This makes it easier to throw the bike away should you fall off.

    A larger frame is fine for just road use, as falling off shouldn't be an issue.
     
  8. Mitch

    Mitch Lord Mitch of MAP Admin

    Give them a bell Baza, might save you a lot of grief :)

    I've just been getting into cycling a bit recently, loving it! Although ow, my arsebone :D

    Mitch
     
  9. Mitch

    Mitch Lord Mitch of MAP Admin

    I can supply evidence to the contrary :D

    Mitch
     
  10. Rhythmkiller

    Rhythmkiller Animo Non Astutia

    I have literraly just phoned them and have changed my mind on this bike. The bloody thing doesn't come with pedals?????? apparently road bikes generally don't come with pedals so i'd have to buy them as well and they start at £50. When did cycling become so expensive. Looking at hybrid bikes now, they come with pedals you see and i've seen a couple Claude Butlers i like.

    Baza
     
  11. Mitch

    Mitch Lord Mitch of MAP Admin

    It's to let you choose whether you want normal pedals, or the ones your shoes clip onto (and I think there are different types of those). You probably knew that, sorry :D

    If you have time check out the Boardman bikes at Halfords, they get good write ups.

    Mitch
     
  12. Rhythmkiller

    Rhythmkiller Animo Non Astutia

    Someone just looked over my shoulder at work and told me that my company operates the cycle to work scheme. Just about to hand over £400 and all of a sudden i can save 42% on the purchase from the salary conributions woohoo!!!!

    May the shopping commence.

    Baza
     
  13. Mitch

    Mitch Lord Mitch of MAP Admin

    Excellent! :)

    Mitch
     
  14. Rhythmkiller

    Rhythmkiller Animo Non Astutia

  15. Mitch

    Mitch Lord Mitch of MAP Admin

    Enjoy! Get some padded bike shorts too :D

    Mitch
     
  16. Yatezy

    Yatezy One bad mamba jamba

    Most important piece of advice you'll ever need! Road bikes have very little give in them, it's amazing how bumpy roads are :eek:

    Also if you enjoy a bit of competition and have a smartphone, download an app called strava. Has routes on it people have put in and then you can compare your times and speed to theirs on different sections of the route :D
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2014
  17. 47MartialMan

    47MartialMan Valued Member

    Esp if you cycle in a mankini



    Agreed.

    I would like to state that the consideration of extra gear should be as much as a concern for the cycle.

    I know a bike store that allows the customer to try it for a week

    There is a slight usage charge upon the grade of the return
     
  18. Rhythmkiller

    Rhythmkiller Animo Non Astutia

    Yup wish i had thought of this before hand, my bum is in serious pain. I'll get these on Saturday.

    I actually downloaded one called cycledroid which is pretty cool. Got my max speed to 31MPH yesterday on the way home. The tyres on the bike need changing though, they make you work very hard so need to get hybrid tyres. Winter will soon be upon us here in ther North so will keep with the chunkies for the moment i think.

    Baza
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2014
  19. bassai

    bassai onwards and upwards ! Moderator Supporter

    Sports direct do a pretty decent , and cheap , line of cycling clothes , including padded shorts.
     
  20. Unreal Combat

    Unreal Combat Valued Member

    You don't really want to be taking a road bike off road, you'll end up with popped tires sooner rather than later and a lot more often than is convenient.

    Carrera, being Halford's own bikes, are surprisingly a decent brand taking into account their cost. I used to have one of their road bikes and it lasted me well until it was stolen.

    Also, instead of getting padded shorts, which you'd need to change into to ride all the time for comfort, get a gel padded seat instead.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2014

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