Which bike? Not had one since I was about 15!

[AB]

2021 is the year I become a Dad again, work is going to be full on and COVID has kicked my ass by ruining my team sports to a large extent.

I need to lose some weight and get fit.

I have say £1,000 for a bike I can ride around locally on, mostly on the road, and also occasionally do the 5 miles journey to the office.

I've not had a bike since I was 15, I know zero about them really, but I'm more than happy to buy 2nd hand if I get more 'bang for my buck.

Any pointers whatsoever on where to start will be really appreciated. If anyone has a bike they are selling or knows someone who is, please put me in touch. I'm 5ft 10 ish if that makes a difference.

Happy New Year everyone.

Edit: This is for sale relatively locally, not much else on FB Marketplace

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/47190986...

Annoys me when people don't put prices. Looking at the guys profile, he seems to be into his bikes so it's probably not stolen which is a bonus!

Edited by AB on Friday 1st January 10:46

[Darkslider]

You're probably going to be limited to buying something local as Covid has bumped up the prices of bikes like nobody's business, most 2020 stock sold out immediately and 2021 stock is all preordered out too, manufacturers can't keep up with their orders so if you ordered now you could be looking at Q3/Q4 in all honesty.

What kind of riding do you anticipate doing? There's a huge variety of bike styles with overlaps in each discipline now, but if you want a jack of all trades bike I'd consider a 29er HT mountain bike.

[Dnlm]

AB said:

Annoys me when people don't put prices.

I was wondering why that bike was listed at £123k!

I'd say used can get you better value, but its rarely worthwhile for first purchase - there's so much to understand that paying somebody for the buying advice / post purchase follow up is more than worth the extra.

Going into a largeish retailer like Evans or Halfords was my first (grown up) bike move years ago , and the direction was useful in getting something appropriate for then.

Actually wanted to do a similar level of get fit and 5 mile commute to work. A mountain bike was DEFINITELY the wrong idea - I got a cube hybrid with flat bars for about 700 (probably a grand now). Progressed onto road drop bars in a year or two as I got into cycling , but it was the right move then and frankly didn't mind the few hundred loss for that period of use. Bro In law actually uses something similar now to ferry 18 month old about as it has all the mounting points etc.

[bristolbaron]

For road riding and commuting a full suspension mountain bike probably isn’t the best idea.
I’d be looking for a hybrid or gravel bike to suit your requirements. ‘Last year’ I bought a Trex FX3 and cycled across the country on it as well as a lot of local riding. I preferred the more upright style I’m used to over drops on a gravel.

The same bike is on eBay currently:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TREK-FX-3-DISC-2020-HYB...

But there’s plenty of others that would tick the same boxes.

[Dnlm]

Darkslider said:

, manufacturers can't keep up with their orders so if you ordered now you could be looking at Q3/Q4 in all honesty.

That's a bit of an exaggeration, specially at 'lower' end. More of an issue if wanting a specific popular bike than a first timer.

Another useful point - when starting out I found speed least important, easy gear changes and braking ability most. Wasn't too fussed about hills so went for "1x" which only had one set of gears to change, and hydraulic disc breaks - can't recommend that enough if within budget.

[Mr E]

For light exercise and a 5 mile commute, a flat bar hybrid is where I’d be. £1k will get a nice one with a quality drivetrain and decent discs.

Picked purely at random from Halfords.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardm...

Your local little bike shop will offer something similar and I’d usually support them over a large chain. But, Halfords can be cost effective with via British cycling - also consider cycle to work if you’re a high rate taxpayer.

[Darkslider]

Dnlm said:

Darkslider said:

, manufacturers can't keep up with their orders so if you ordered now you could be looking at Q3/Q4 in all honesty.

That's a bit of an exaggeration, specially at 'lower' end. More of an issue if wanting a specific popular bike than a first timer.

Hopefully you're right, I've just been looking around for a new road/gravel bike and everything in sensible prices and sizes is out of stock of 2020 models and 2021 pre orders are for April/may delivery. However my girlfriends pre ordered 2021 bike has already had its delivery date put back once already so I'm not holding much hope for getting it in time for spring

We are looking at £1.5k bikes though, you might be luckier with a lower price range.

[Blink982]

I’d recommend a drop bar gravel bike. A mate of mine bought a hybrid to cover short journeys and then found out he liked it and used the bike throughout last year racking up a load of miles and quickly found that although his Boardman hybrid has stood him in good stead, he now wants to get a road or gravel bike and wishes he had bought one instead. Aim for hydraulic brakes which ironically start at around £1000. Halfords do the Adv8.9 which would suit. However getting hold of one is the issue so be prepared to buy something as soon as you find one. This was actually the case long before the pandemic started as I found that bikes seem to be built in limited runs so if you hesitate, invariant they’re sold out again until the next batch.

[AB]

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice.

I went over to see the bike I linked to in original post. Had a quick ride around on it and parted with £350. The reasoning behind this is that I'll see how I get on in my spur of the moment decision to get into cycling, see if I actually do bother going out 3 times a week or bothering my arse to get on the bike and cycle to work.

If I do then I'll stick it back on marketplace and look at spending the original budget which when I looked at it, £1,000 seemed a bit steep when I have a proven track record of having the best intentions and not sticking to them.

[Darkslider]

AB said:

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice.

I went over to see the bike I linked to in original post. Had a quick ride around on it and parted with £350. The reasoning behind this is that I'll see how I get on in my spur of the moment decision to get into cycling, see if I actually do bother going out 3 times a week or bothering my arse to get on the bike and cycle to work.

If I do then I'll stick it back on marketplace and look at spending the original budget which when I looked at it, £1,000 seemed a bit steep when I have a proven track record of having the best intentions and not sticking to them.

For a full suspension 29er in the midst of the Covid bike tax period that sounds like a steal! If you're prepared to box it up and ship it you can broaden your resale market by using eBay and I'd wager you'll turn a healthy profit. Sure it's not the ideal machine for cycle paths and commuting but like you say as a taster to see if you get into it it'll be grand.

I'd suggest taking it to your local trail centre once you find your feet and having a go at some blue trails on it, you might find a new hobby worth keeping it for and buying something more road biased to handle the commute.

Keep us updated as to how you get on with it

[AB]

Did 5 miles today, up some big inclines too! I know it probably sounds pathetic but I was definitely panting by the end, I don't ever remember being this unfit.

Worst bit was the seat!!! Definitely need a gel one. Total killer!

I also think the XL might be a bit big for me, feet on the floor and the crossbar is pressing on my balls

Had fun though.

[Darkslider]

AB said:

Did 5 miles today, up some big inclines too! I know it probably sounds pathetic but I was definitely panting by the end, I don't ever remember being this unfit.

Worst bit was the seat!!! Definitely need a gel one. Total killer!

I also think the XL might be a bit big for me, feet on the floor and the crossbar is pressing on my balls

Had fun though.

Persevere with the hills and with the seat, your body will get used to both!

Yeah an XL 29er is a big ol' gate, I'd put that bike firmly in the 6ft plus camp, for short road rides you might get away with it if that's not you though.

[AB]

I'm firmly not in the 6ft camp. 5ft 10 with my big boy shoes on

[Gompo]

AB said:

Did 5 miles today, up some big inclines too! I know it probably sounds pathetic but I was definitely panting by the end, I don't ever remember being this unfit.

Worst bit was the seat!!! Definitely need a gel one. Total killer!

I also think the XL might be a bit big for me, feet on the floor and the crossbar is pressing on my balls

Had fun though.

Well done for getting out there and riding, your fitness will soon pick up and like many things it's the law of diminishing returns.. When I first entered the thread and I'd seen that you were looking at an XL bike I was a little taken aback given your height, but if you're out there riding then it seems you are getting on OK. If you get into it perhaps next time you'll get a 'Large' bike - you perhaps got a good deal on your current ride because of the size.

[DukeDickson]

AB said:

Did 5 miles today, up some big inclines too! I know it probably sounds pathetic but I was definitely panting by the end, I don't ever remember being this unfit.

Worst bit was the seat!!! Definitely need a gel one. Total killer!

I also think the XL might be a bit big for me, feet on the floor and the crossbar is pressing on my balls

Had fun though.

Don't bother with a gel seat. Painful nether regions happen for a certain number of reasons & if you haven't been on a bike for years, your sit bones will be unused to it. It will change if you persevere, then you might have to consider the chamois cream (or alternative) situation . However, you may be doing more distance & regularity by then.

[AB]

The next one will definitely be a large! This is just a tiny bit too big but not so big I'm like a 10 year old riding their Dad's bike.

We'll see how I get on.

[Roaringopenfire]

If you have the option, do use the 'ride to work' scheme which gives you tax relief on the price. Bike wise there is so little about - I ordered a Specialized Sirrus in the colour I wanted in early December. Delivery date is May or June.

[AB]

I knew there was a reason I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 15...

Did 10 miles today pretty much on the flat. Almost home, downhill stretch and completely washed out on a right hand corner on a patch of ice. Someone was looking down on me as the bike slid for about 20 metres with me following it on my side. How I'm not hurt I've got no idea. I basically just slid curled up in a ball until the kerb stopped me.

Bloke behind in his pickup stopped to ask if I was OK and commented how lucky I was to have just got up and jumped back on. The ice definitely helped.

There's gonna be some bruise on my right thigh and elbow later.

[gangzoom]

AB said:

Almost home, downhill stretch and completely washed out on a right hand corner on a patch of ice. Someone was looking down on me as the bike slid for about 20 metres with me following it on my side. How I'm not hurt I've got no idea. I basically just slid curled up in a ball until the kerb stopped me.

You really need to be careful on the roads at present, there us virtually no grip regardless of what you are riding. I've had understeer and over steer all within seconds when doing barely 5 mph around a corner!

Even on straight bit you can feel the lack grip if you try to change direction too quickly, its certainly keeps you awake, but shows how AWD and electronics in cars protect so many drivers from sliding off the road!!

Don't let the fall keep you off the bike though, the countryside is amazing this time of year!

[AB]

I won't, my pride was hurt more than anything although there's a cracking few bruises starting to appear.

Looking forward to going out tomorrow and being a bit more careful. I'm not 15 anymore and falling over stings a lot more than I remember.