Starting to cycle again after 15+years off!

[Blakeatron]

Started to cycle again recently to try and shift the weight. Dug my old raleigh max out of mums garage, 2 new inner tubes and off I went.

The first few weeks were hard going but I am building speed and times and can get up hills a lot easier now than when I started.

So deciding I should invest in some new gear, snag is I dont want to spend a lot! £400-500 max with some gear.

So what bike to look for - or what to avoid?

I have decided I would like front suspension as my shoulders are not the best after a motorbike crash - which also means I cant ride the bars down road style, I would also like disc brakes -and that is about it!

Also going to get a helmet and some goggles/sunglasses.

Will just carry on wearing 'normal' clothes for now. But will need a bottle cage and holder, pump and some kind of on road repair kit.

I am riding on the road and some roughish tracks so was thinking a mountain bike would be best?


I have an evans and wheelbase locally so will go and see both, but thought i would ask you lot for some unbiased advice

[anonymous-user]

First off I'd reconsider the suspension requirement, suspension on low end bikes is heavy and largely ineffective so it offers very little. You'd get a similar feeling on your body by running wider tyres. Have a look at hybrids which offer a similar riding position to mountain bikes but are a bit lighter, the pinnacle neon range is good, i bought my wife one and the Trek district range and Globe and Ridgeback hybrid bikes are popular at work as are the ever present boardmans.

Wiggle are a good bet for the accessories, I'd budget £100 for the lot, a saddle bag, a multi tool (topeak are good for all this stuff!), helmet, gloves and things. Try somewhere like sports direct for a cheap base layer which will keep you cooler than cotton. Cycle shorts will make a huge difference too! The DHB kit is exclusive to wiggle and very good.

[Cupramax]

Much the same as you except I never rode originally (well not since my early teens). I ended up with a Specialized Crosstrail disk and very pleased with it I am. The only thing I'd say is make sure you get a ride of whatever you pick as I would have chosed the wrong size. This will almost definitely mean a visit to your local bike shop.

[Blakeatron]

Cheers lads - I rode a friends with front suspension and did find it a lot easier, although it was more effort.

I know I will end up blowing budget, just spent an hour on the evans website!

[anonymous-user]

Blakeatron said:

Cheers lads - I rode a friends with front suspension and did find it a lot easier, although it was more effort.

I know I will end up blowing budget, just spent an hour on the evans website!

fair enough but was it a £400 bike or a better bike thus with smoother, lighter suspension?

Wheelbase have a good reputation and a Whyte stockist so something like this might be worth a look if we are blowing the budget!... http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/brands/whyte/2013-whyte...

[Blakeatron]

His was a £400 odd bike with equally expensive aftermarket forks... that white looks nice

[Gizmoish]

Voodoo Hoodoo, 2011/12 model NOT the new one. £500 at Halfords. Bosh.

[Blakeatron]

Well i finished just after lunch and when on the hunt. 3shops and 12 bikes later i have blown budget and got a cube analog!

just done my usual after work 4 mile route and it was so much easier, feel like i could add a couple of extra miles with no problems.

[Blakeatron]

quick pic

Edited by Blakeatron on Thursday 11th July 18:54