Discussion
Evening chaps, this is my first time venturing into PP so please be gentle!
I'm trying to get back in shape, i play 5 a side a few times a week but need to do more. Can't get on with the gym and a couple of old sporting injuries make running long distances difficult.
When I was younger I was always on my bike, so I want to get back into that, but I need a bit of advice regarding what kit to get.
- I wont be commuting on it
- I'd like to avoid a road bike if possible (mainly due to lack of confidence and appalling condition of local roads)
- i'm spoiled for choice with a few national parks and the peak district close by, I'd be quite happy slinging a bike on the roof and driving out into the country for a ride.
- I'm jusy over 6ft and 18st. Carry all my weight around my middle, which looks great.
So, based on the above, can someone recommend a good entry bike? I don't want to spend a fortune, but if a £500 bike is what I need then thats what I'll get.
I'm trying to get back in shape, i play 5 a side a few times a week but need to do more. Can't get on with the gym and a couple of old sporting injuries make running long distances difficult.
When I was younger I was always on my bike, so I want to get back into that, but I need a bit of advice regarding what kit to get.
- I wont be commuting on it
- I'd like to avoid a road bike if possible (mainly due to lack of confidence and appalling condition of local roads)
- i'm spoiled for choice with a few national parks and the peak district close by, I'd be quite happy slinging a bike on the roof and driving out into the country for a ride.
- I'm jusy over 6ft and 18st. Carry all my weight around my middle, which looks great.
So, based on the above, can someone recommend a good entry bike? I don't want to spend a fortune, but if a £500 bike is what I need then thats what I'll get.
£500 is about your starter point - give or take - and will get you a decent mountain bike.
Remember you'll also need kit.
At a minimum - helmet, spare tubes, multitool, gloves.
That got me through my first six months of mountain biking. After that shorts, jerseys, base layers, jackets, cleats, shoes, camelback, etc etc
This one is worth a read:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/best-mountai...
My personal recommendation?
Last seasons Carrera Vulcan, on Ebay, £200 (The black and green one). Its a well regarded starter bike, hard to break, takes the abuse and keeps going. The spec for the price is excellent, it was pretty hard to touch new, lightly abused it's a bargain and a half.
I had one and hammered it over all sorts of terrain for the best part of a year before upgrading.
Remember you'll also need kit.
At a minimum - helmet, spare tubes, multitool, gloves.
That got me through my first six months of mountain biking. After that shorts, jerseys, base layers, jackets, cleats, shoes, camelback, etc etc
This one is worth a read:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/best-mountai...
My personal recommendation?
Last seasons Carrera Vulcan, on Ebay, £200 (The black and green one). Its a well regarded starter bike, hard to break, takes the abuse and keeps going. The spec for the price is excellent, it was pretty hard to touch new, lightly abused it's a bargain and a half.
I had one and hammered it over all sorts of terrain for the best part of a year before upgrading.
I would also suggest looking at a road bike or cross bike though. Secondhand would be my suggestion.
I'm like you I have some great places to ride within 30minutes but when I get time to ride I have to load the car up drive to the venue, unload the car, ride alone, load the car, drive home, unload the car, wash bike, wash kit. Get the idea? It's quite a chore to ride even though I love riding.
With a road bike (currently I'm after a cross bike) you kit up and off you go your out for a ride.
I'm like you I have some great places to ride within 30minutes but when I get time to ride I have to load the car up drive to the venue, unload the car, ride alone, load the car, drive home, unload the car, wash bike, wash kit. Get the idea? It's quite a chore to ride even though I love riding.
With a road bike (currently I'm after a cross bike) you kit up and off you go your out for a ride.
I used to love mountain biking (starting in about 1988). I fell out-of-love with cycling for about 20 years. I am not mad keen on road bikes so bought a Boardman Hybrid which I have been really impressed with.
The frame geometry is comfortable (for a middle aged bloke!), the ride is smooth and it seems reasonably robust (no issues to date - but I do worry with the 25mm section tyres on my example.) I do light trail work, cycle paths and road riding now. There are a number of bikes within your budget and Halfords have 15% off until Wednesday.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes?brand=Boardm...
I also agree with the poster above - the effort of taking the bike on a dedicated ride would put me off. I am a fair weather rider and so every opportunity (evenings after work etc) should be grabbed. We have a campervan which we can throw the bikes in with the family when the time is right - but it all takes time rather than the short and frequent rides required to loose weight (or in my case to gain fitness)
Mike
The frame geometry is comfortable (for a middle aged bloke!), the ride is smooth and it seems reasonably robust (no issues to date - but I do worry with the 25mm section tyres on my example.) I do light trail work, cycle paths and road riding now. There are a number of bikes within your budget and Halfords have 15% off until Wednesday.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes?brand=Boardm...
I also agree with the poster above - the effort of taking the bike on a dedicated ride would put me off. I am a fair weather rider and so every opportunity (evenings after work etc) should be grabbed. We have a campervan which we can throw the bikes in with the family when the time is right - but it all takes time rather than the short and frequent rides required to loose weight (or in my case to gain fitness)
Mike
KarlMac said:
- I'd like to avoid a road bike if possible (mainly due to lack of confidence and appalling condition of local roads)
I had the same fear- it was unfounded they are no harder to ride and perfectly durable enough.As usual the best example of Road bike abuse- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZmJtYaUTa0
That said- MTB opens alot of trails up a road or hybrid bike will not be fun on, you just suffer abit on tarmac.
I would suggest a second hand bike, either Fleabay or try your LBS, mine often has part exchange bikes tucked out back which are perfectly good, only a few years old and often total bargains. Spend what you save on good shorts, gloves and a helmet.
Is commuting on it really not possible? That's likely to be the best way to actually get the effect you want if you can manage it, as - at least if you've got a family as well - it's about the only way most people can get decent miles in!
Next question is what sort of riding do you enjoy? If you want to be on tarmac, then don't worry about the notion of a road bike being unable to withstand the local road conditions. At the sort of budget you want to spend, you're not going to be looking at full on racing machines with fag paper clearances between tyres and frame anyway, so you can put some slightly larger tyres on it, which will be more comfortable and less likely to puncture if you hit a pothole.
Also, watch Road Bike Party on Youtube to see just how much abuse a road bike can take!
Having said that, the most important thing is what would keep you riding! I have both road and mountain bikes. I commute to work on the road bikes when I can, and that does make up the vast majority of my mileage, but if I had to pick just one, I'd stick to the mountain bikes without giving it a second thought, as I could still commute on the MTB - albeit more slowly, and probably with a second pair of tyres - but I wouldn't have much fun on the trails on a road bike!
Next question is what sort of riding do you enjoy? If you want to be on tarmac, then don't worry about the notion of a road bike being unable to withstand the local road conditions. At the sort of budget you want to spend, you're not going to be looking at full on racing machines with fag paper clearances between tyres and frame anyway, so you can put some slightly larger tyres on it, which will be more comfortable and less likely to puncture if you hit a pothole.
Also, watch Road Bike Party on Youtube to see just how much abuse a road bike can take!
Having said that, the most important thing is what would keep you riding! I have both road and mountain bikes. I commute to work on the road bikes when I can, and that does make up the vast majority of my mileage, but if I had to pick just one, I'd stick to the mountain bikes without giving it a second thought, as I could still commute on the MTB - albeit more slowly, and probably with a second pair of tyres - but I wouldn't have much fun on the trails on a road bike!
Richyboy said:
I'm unsure about a road bike is well, how do wheels not end up being consumables on these crappy roads. Also, wearing skimpy low cut lycra leggings that seem to be prerequisite for a roady when its always my legs that have sustained all the injury when I've come off on the road.
Girls dig scars so be proud of coming off. Richyboy said:
I'm unsure about a road bike is well, how do wheels not end up being consumables on these crappy roads. Also, wearing skimpy low cut lycra leggings that seem to be prerequisite for a roady when its always my legs that have sustained all the injury when I've come off on the road.
Seriously, go and look for Road Bike Party on Youtube. You'll be amazed at how much more of a battering they can take than you'd expect. Obviously don't actually go looking for potholes though.Found this on eBay within a few mins:
Looks OK - although has 26" wheels - some prefer the 29er
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Whistle-Miwok-1484D-Gent...
29er
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Diamondback-Descent...
Above are just some alternatives to Carrera which a lot of people opt for..
best of luck.
Looks OK - although has 26" wheels - some prefer the 29er
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Whistle-Miwok-1484D-Gent...
29er
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Diamondback-Descent...
Above are just some alternatives to Carrera which a lot of people opt for..
best of luck.
Richyboy said:
I'm unsure about a road bike is well, how do wheels not end up being consumables on these crappy roads. Also, wearing skimpy low cut lycra leggings that seem to be prerequisite for a roady when its always my legs that have sustained all the injury when I've come off on the road.
Wheels are tougher than you think. It's only offroad I've damaged them - or crashing.I'll come off almost weekly offroad, it's not unusual. On the road I've had one accident and at 25mph you're getting hurt.
Lycra is comfy, aero, did I mention it's comfy? It's the right kit for the job.
Baggies, liner shorts and a jersey are more the done thing on an MTB - showing up on MTB kit on a road bike isn't exactly frowned on but after a few rides I'm sure someone in the group would say something. Simply because it' not ideal for the kind of riding.
Right kit for the right job
Well done for getting going OP.
I went through a similar thought process to you - I'm over 6' and *ahem* slightly over 18 stones, which I also keep mainly in a 'power reserve band' just above the hips. When I started looking at road bikes they seemed impossibly spindly and fragile - surely the thing will crumple like tinfoil under my majestic mass? However, I've got a second hand road bike that has so far been much more robust and sturdy than me! Even though the wheels seem to be made of spiders' webs and spaghetti, they soak up a lot of punishment, possibly because they transfer it all up the seat stem into my tender parts.
I went through a similar thought process to you - I'm over 6' and *ahem* slightly over 18 stones, which I also keep mainly in a 'power reserve band' just above the hips. When I started looking at road bikes they seemed impossibly spindly and fragile - surely the thing will crumple like tinfoil under my majestic mass? However, I've got a second hand road bike that has so far been much more robust and sturdy than me! Even though the wheels seem to be made of spiders' webs and spaghetti, they soak up a lot of punishment, possibly because they transfer it all up the seat stem into my tender parts.
ajcj said:
Well done for getting going OP.
I went through a similar thought process to you - I'm over 6' and *ahem* slightly over 18 stones, which I also keep mainly in a 'power reserve band' just above the hips.
One word of warning to the OP... Getting into cycling isn't necessarily going to shift the fat!I went through a similar thought process to you - I'm over 6' and *ahem* slightly over 18 stones, which I also keep mainly in a 'power reserve band' just above the hips.
When I started cycling 3 years or so ago, I was 5'10" and 19 stone. Today, I'm also about 5'10 and 19 stone!
Over the intervening time, I've dropped my resting heart rate from 70 to 60, some of the bulk has moved from fat to muscle and I can ride up things I could barely walk up back then, but whilst my cardiovascular fitness has rocketed, my love of pizza and Refreshers has kept said cardiovascular system well insulated!
For around £500 I've just ordered this Cube Attention. Looking at the bits (bar front fork) it's all pretty bang on..
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.i...
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.i...
Thanks for the responses guys, its all appreciated. I'll try and answer some of the comments in order.
I really don't think I want a road bike, where I live is not particularly great for cyclists, lots of hills, dual carriageways, doubled parked cars etc... I also really haven't got the figure for Lycra!
Our daughter is coming up to a year old, the point of cycling is to give me some down time from work / parenting. I'm a fairly miserable bugger and my idea of relaxation is being away from other people and getting some peace and quiet. The thought of putting her to bed, shoving the bike in the car, nipping off to Rother Valley or Fox House and having a couple of hours listening to a podcast is great.
Losing weight is not a massive issue, i'd like to get fitter and try and convert the bulk to muscle.
Had a look at the Carrera in Halfords, feels like a really comfy bike.
Thanks again to all those that have commented, any advice is greatly recieved.
I really don't think I want a road bike, where I live is not particularly great for cyclists, lots of hills, dual carriageways, doubled parked cars etc... I also really haven't got the figure for Lycra!
Our daughter is coming up to a year old, the point of cycling is to give me some down time from work / parenting. I'm a fairly miserable bugger and my idea of relaxation is being away from other people and getting some peace and quiet. The thought of putting her to bed, shoving the bike in the car, nipping off to Rother Valley or Fox House and having a couple of hours listening to a podcast is great.
Losing weight is not a massive issue, i'd like to get fitter and try and convert the bulk to muscle.
Had a look at the Carrera in Halfords, feels like a really comfy bike.
Thanks again to all those that have commented, any advice is greatly recieved.
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