Advice needed for a newbie

[carparkno1]

So with lockdown on and me working from home, I'm looking at getting into cycling for my daily exercise. I'm coming off a very bad knee injury that still isn't right, so jogging simply isn't a option right now. At 6ft4 and 16.5 stone it's far too much impact pressure on the legs.

I was due to get a bike at Xmas but work was manic so I never got to my local Decathlon for a chat so any advice appreciated!

Firstly, I haven't ridden in twenty years, so I'm looking really at something for riding on the pavement/tarmac mainly but would be nice to take on some gravel and dirt in my local country parks. Nothing extreme, just nice cycling in the woods etc. Would a hybrid be better suited than a mountain bike?

Second, would I automatically fit an xl or xxl frame as a rule? I'm worried about how much weight they can take!

Third, for budget options I was looking at £500 for an introduction bike, and Decathlon had a couple that looked alright, but friends have told me Facebook is gold for barely used bikes that offer more for the same money (conscious of social distancing rules so can't get one that way now). Does anybody have any recommendations for bike type and brand?

I realise this is a wide open post for interpretation but basically imagine a big guy with a knackered knee who wants to sweat a bit in a non XXX channel kind of way

Thanks!

[MOBB]

I would say a second hand hybrid for a few hundred pounds is a good idea

But I would also recommend spending a bit on having a professional bike fit due to your knee injury, you want to be in the optimum position to protect it

[Jockinthebox]

Something like this 2nd hand

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardm...

[Gargamel]

Obviously bikes attract a wide range of opinions and everyone has favourites.

I would say keep your eye out for Specialized or Giant bikes. Hard tail, MTB or similar will be fine, at 6’4 you need at least a 58 or 60 frame size.

Now sometimes the online bike stores have very good discounts on the bigger frame sizes (well actually big and small) since they can’t always shift them, so its worth having a look online with Evans etc.

You don’t need a fancy bike fit, just make sure you leg is only slightly bent when you are all the way down on the pedal.

[Gargamel]

This is pretty good for new bike

https://www.evanscycles.com/en-nl/cube-hyde-2020-h...

Or

https://www.evanscycles.com/en-nl/specialized-cros...

[carparkno1]

Already some great advice thank you! I'll do some googling and research on the models mentioned and frame sizes. I didn't know it was done in cm as well as standard M/X/XL!

[MockingJay]

I would say get yourself a cheapo used Carrera or Decathlon bike to start out with, something around the £100 mark.

I say this because you simply might not enjoy it in the long run and end up a few hundred quid down with a bike you don't use. You can also use the cheapo bike in any conditions and if you do really enjoy cycling and want to upgrade to something better you'll lose next to nothing when you sell it on.

Edit: If you're dead set on starting out on something decent and around the £500 mark take a look at used Specialized Allez Elite. I picked one up for £450 which was barely used and served me well until I got the Aero bike. They're solid, light weight and comfortable.

Edited by MockingJay on Monday 13th April 17:22

Edited by MockingJay on Monday 13th April 17:23

[carparkno1]

MockingJay said:

I would say get yourself a cheapo used Carrera or Decathlon bike to start out with, something around the £100 mark.

I say this because you simply might not enjoy it in the long run and end up a few hundred quid down with a bike you don't use. You can also use the cheapo bike in any conditions and if you do really enjoy cycling and want to upgrade to something better you'll lose next to nothing when you sell it on.

Edit: If you're dead set on starting out on something decent and around the £500 mark take a look at used Specialized Allez Elite. I picked one up for £450 which was barely used and served me well until I got the Aero bike. They're solid, light weight and comfortable.

Edited by MockingJay on Monday 13th April 17:22

Edited by MockingJay on Monday 13th April 17:23

Thank you!

[Locoduck]

carparkno1 said:

MockingJay said:

I would say get yourself a cheapo used Carrera or Decathlon bike to start out with, something around the £100 mark.

I say this because you simply might not enjoy it in the long run and end up a few hundred quid down with a bike you don't use. You can also use the cheapo bike in any conditions and if you do really enjoy cycling and want to upgrade to something better you'll lose next to nothing when you sell it on.

Edit: If you're dead set on starting out on something decent and around the £500 mark take a look at used Specialized Allez Elite. I picked one up for £450 which was barely used and served me well until I got the Aero bike. They're solid, light weight and comfortable.

Edited by MockingJay on Monday 13th April 17:22

Edited by MockingJay on Monday 13th April 17:23

Thank you!

Second this, can't go wrong with a specialized allez, plenty of cheap ones knocking about. Other option would be to see what bike shops offer a fitting service, i think the specialized concept stores do this so you could get properly fitted when buying the bike to make sure you don't pick up any injuries due to poor positioning.