new to biking, any tips/advice?

[Selts]

So im going to get this bike next week when i get paid:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Im looking for any tips or advice if possible.

gonna be commuting to work and college in the week so about 10 miles a day?
just worried about someone stealing it more than anytime the college facilities arent the best!

thanks.

[nammynake]

Buy a decent D-lock, e.g. Abus or Kryptonite, if you are concerned about theft. Don't scrimp on a cheap lock as it's a false economy. A cheaper cable lock can be used to secure wheels to the frame.

If you're commuting get some decent lights if you'll be riding in the dark or on overcast or rainy days.

Look here for more information:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Disco You]

Padded shorts.
SPD shoes and pedals.

[anonymous-user]

any idiot can be cold and wet on a bike...

[Nikolai]

Can't believe this thread doesn't have a million replies already!

Nice choice, I got the Carrera Zelos in January and very pleased with it as a cheap commuter bike. I put decent flat pedals on because the toe clip ones it came with are awful, and changed the stem for a shorter one and flipped it so it pointed up as the standard one is 130mm long and I felt way too stretched out. You might find the same on yours.

Get proper lights so you can actually see in the dark, the little emergency ones are only good for that reason.

Keep a spare inner tube at home, and prepare to change the tyres at some point as they're not that great.

Definitely take it in for its 6 week check up as the cheap cables stretch like nothing I've experienced before making shifting horrible.

Enjoy it! I love riding mine, and I used to despise road bikes and their riders from the saddle of my mtb

Eta: endura mesh boxer is a good choice for plum protection

[Jayfish]

Budget what you spent on the bike, this will be your cost for 'kit' in year one, budget what you spent on the bike and the kit in year one, to get you through most of year two, except the cold bit at the end when you'll need to add a bit more (double it).
Year three will start well intentioned with a small 'I have everything I need I'll only need consumables' budget which will be exceeded by February at which point the desire for a titanium frame will force you to sell either a kidney or a ginger child.

[TheLemming]

A few bits of advice - don't buy that bike.

I've got a tdf, it was my first road bike. I'm up to 7 now..... I've still got it.

Its heavy, its overgeared (especially for a beginner) the wheels are horrible and the standard fit kinda tyres are heavy, slow rolling puncture magnets,

Its quite useable, its better than the zelos with a below bottom of the range gruppo, but you can do better.

If you are set on a tdf pay less than 200 secondhand. Barely used - they were £250 new at one point last year. Mine was £150 at two months old. There are lots of used ones about at the moment.

All that said its not a terrible bike, but For less, you could have a better one. The standard go to recommendation budget bike is a triban 3 from decathlon. The red triban has carbon forks and a trifle chain set, is lighter, has a wider range of gears and is all round a better machine.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Enjoy it! The problem with commuting is it can take the joy out of it - when you feel you have to do it and it is windy cold and pissing it down, it isn't always easy to remember how you got into it.
Look for different routes for the commute, explore the area, go out on it at weekends, find some mates to ride with, pub stops, sportives maybe...

[TheFungle]

Head down, arse up, pedal like fk

[Justin S]

Agree with the Lemming. They have steel forks, heavy frame and the Decathlon bike is better. Either the old red Triban or the new version is leagues ahead for similar money. Mate of mine had the same dilema/ bikes and was pleased in the end with the Triban.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I would buy second hand if you are handy with bikes or come from MTB scene etc

Or Triban

Or stretch to £500 and get something nice in the sale, think ive seens some Felts at that price

Blimey that Carrera has got odd gears, I love my 39/52 but 42/52 rings on a bike aimed at beginners , make sure you get a bike with a compact or tripple if you are starting out.

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Thursday 1st May 09:26

[Twin2]

I considered this then bought a red Triban 3.

Then fitted SPD pedals and bought decent shoes snd it's great. Could do with new wheels and tyres soon though.

Would very much recommend the Triban though

[Selts]

cheers guys, yeah i seen someone of facebook selling a carrera last night for 170 so might just get that for now

[General Madness]

Another with lots of praise for the Triban 3 here.

My first proper road bike and its excellent!

[TheLemming]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Blimey that Carrera has got odd gears, I love my 39/52 but 42/52 rings on a bike aimed at beginners , make sure you get a bike with a compact or tripple if you are starting out.

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Thursday 1st May 09:26

With a 12/26 cassette its sure as hell not a climber....

Kinda hard not to say its a "bad" bike, like I said I've still got mine, but there's a lot better options out there and its not ideal for a newbie. (Says the guy currently running a compact with an 11/32 on the rear!)