New bike

[Josho]

Right the Mrs is nagging about getting a bike and going for rides.

That's fine but if I'm gonna do it I'll get a proper one and use it and keep fit...

Theres semi rural tracks etc round us that she will want to go on and also I may use it got for the 7.4 miles commute to work.....

Any ideas for a starter bike at all. I hate cheap nonsense as a start. No idea on budget but definitely below 1k...

For context I love a game or two of ninety minute football a week but I also love Stella and have a 3month pregnancy style beer belly. So I'm not about to do the tour de France

Thanks!

[Barchettaman]

Hybrid style.

Get hydraulic brake discs.

Make sure the tyres aren’t too nobbly.

Bear in mind it’ll take your arse a while to get used to the saddle, so don’t throw in the towel if you’re still sore after a few rides.

The Pinnacle range at Evans is decent value, as are the hybrids at Decathlon.

Pinnacle Cobolt 1

Decathlon Riverside 900

Best of luck!

Edited by Barchettaman on Sunday 17th May 10:46

[Josho]

Awesome thanks.

Is lack of suspension totally irrelevant?

[Solocle]

Josho said:

Awesome thanks.

Is lack of suspension totally irrelevant?

Suspension is great for off road jumps, tree roots, that sort of thing.

From a comfort perspective, fatter tyres at lower pressure will do more, and won't sap your energy like suspension.

Bear in mind that I'm perfectly happy hitting gravelly trailways on my 28 mm tyres on a carbon road bike, so you don't need hugely wide tyres.

[MockingJay]

Have a look at a Gravel bike. Capable both on the road and down bridleways, canal towpaths and the like.

You'll find plenty for under a grand, have a look at something like the Cannondale Topstone - https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-topstone-al...

[Barchettaman]

Josho said:

Awesome thanks.

Is lack of suspension totally irrelevant?

Suspension in a hybrid is more relevant when it comes to the manufacturer selling the things; it’s something that people think they ‘need’.

Having said that, I recently serviced the coil front forks on my e-hybrid and it made a massive difference on fast gravel descents.

Canal/tow path on the flat? Commuting? Don’t need it.

[hyphen]

OP, as you are new to biking, depending on where you live/go, bikes are commonly stolen so buy a decent lock(s) too.

[g7jhp]

Things to consider:

- Suspension adds weight
- Discs stop better in wet
- Thinner tyres roll better on road
- Knobbly tyres better off road
- A good 20+ gears helps on hills

Hybrid is good compromise.

Road bike hybrid is a gravel bike (with drop handlebars).