Is my bike up to it?
Discussion
Hi all
I used to cycle quite a lot when I was younger, but like most people as I got older I became less into it. I'm 32 now, and thinking about changing my work commute from an 80 mile drive to a cycle-train-cycle regime. Fuel costs being the major factor.
The bike I have now is a Scott Yecora, which I bought second-hand from a friend about five years ago. It's been in the shed for ages, but I whipped it out last weekend for a blast on the roads and ended up doing a 13 mile trip. Fitness-wise I was fine, apart from a sore ar$e for a few days afterwards, and I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of 'freedom' you get when cycling compared to driving. I've missed that.
The bike has standard V(?) brakes, front suspension, and has no modifications other than a trip computer, bottle holder, and little storage thing I fitted. I'm 6'4" and 110kg so always been a bit concerned that the bike would struggle with my weight somehow, maybe resulting in tyres deflating quickly or something? That said, it coped ok with the 13 mile road ride I did.
Along with the daily usage for commuting, I'd also like to start off-roading again on the odd weekend. I've been motivated on that front by reading a few posts on here, especially about Rivington, I grew up not far from there. When I say off-roading I don't mean anything to extreme like cycling down waterfalls and 20ft jumps, just generally having a bit of fun and getting full of mud and having critters splatter in my face.
So, I guess what I'm asking is, do you reckon my standard 6-ish year old bike will cope with my demands? If so, can I get it "serviced" as such, just to make sure everthing is ok? Shall I Ebay it and get something 'better' with disc brakes and all the gubbings? Or Maybe just upgrade it somehow? Maybe keep the Scott for commuting and get something meaty for weekend use? I only have a little shed though.
Cheers!
I used to cycle quite a lot when I was younger, but like most people as I got older I became less into it. I'm 32 now, and thinking about changing my work commute from an 80 mile drive to a cycle-train-cycle regime. Fuel costs being the major factor.
The bike I have now is a Scott Yecora, which I bought second-hand from a friend about five years ago. It's been in the shed for ages, but I whipped it out last weekend for a blast on the roads and ended up doing a 13 mile trip. Fitness-wise I was fine, apart from a sore ar$e for a few days afterwards, and I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of 'freedom' you get when cycling compared to driving. I've missed that.
The bike has standard V(?) brakes, front suspension, and has no modifications other than a trip computer, bottle holder, and little storage thing I fitted. I'm 6'4" and 110kg so always been a bit concerned that the bike would struggle with my weight somehow, maybe resulting in tyres deflating quickly or something? That said, it coped ok with the 13 mile road ride I did.
Along with the daily usage for commuting, I'd also like to start off-roading again on the odd weekend. I've been motivated on that front by reading a few posts on here, especially about Rivington, I grew up not far from there. When I say off-roading I don't mean anything to extreme like cycling down waterfalls and 20ft jumps, just generally having a bit of fun and getting full of mud and having critters splatter in my face.
So, I guess what I'm asking is, do you reckon my standard 6-ish year old bike will cope with my demands? If so, can I get it "serviced" as such, just to make sure everthing is ok? Shall I Ebay it and get something 'better' with disc brakes and all the gubbings? Or Maybe just upgrade it somehow? Maybe keep the Scott for commuting and get something meaty for weekend use? I only have a little shed though.
Cheers!
Get it serviced at your local bike shop and just get out and ride! The bike will be fine and a perfectly adequate for commuting and riding through local parks etc. If the bug bites and you start to enjoy then look to upgrade when you know you'll get a return on the investment.
Can your work offer any of the Cycle2Work schemes?
Can your work offer any of the Cycle2Work schemes?
hughjayteens said:
Get it serviced at your local bike shop and just get out and ride! The bike will be fine and a perfectly adequate for commuting and riding through local parks etc. If the bug bites and you start to enjoy then look to upgrade when you know you'll get a return on the investment.
Can your work offer any of the Cycle2Work schemes?
Thanks for the reply Huge!Can your work offer any of the Cycle2Work schemes?
I've found a local place http://www.ronspencercycles.co.uk/ so I'll give them a ring and see if I can get my bike serviced this weekend, then take the big step onto the cycle-train-cycle commute.
I'm a contractor so wouldn't be able to partake in the Company's Cycle2Work scheme, if they had one which I'm sure they don't.
Thanks for the encouragement!
PatBateman said:
hughjayteens said:
Get it serviced at your local bike shop and just get out and ride! The bike will be fine and a perfectly adequate for commuting and riding through local parks etc. If the bug bites and you start to enjoy then look to upgrade when you know you'll get a return on the investment.
Can your work offer any of the Cycle2Work schemes?
Thanks for the reply Huge!Can your work offer any of the Cycle2Work schemes?
I've found a local place http://www.ronspencercycles.co.uk/ so I'll give them a ring and see if I can get my bike serviced this weekend, then take the big step onto the cycle-train-cycle commute.
I'm a contractor so wouldn't be able to partake in the Company's Cycle2Work scheme, if they had one which I'm sure they don't.
Thanks for the encouragement!
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