Getting back into cycling

[Mark_h]

Up until about 6 -7 years ago I used to be a regular cyclist with a decent road bike and a decent mountain bike.

Then we had kids and so my free time disappeared and what free time I did have was taken up with the motorbike. The Scott and Bianci left gathering cobwebs and spider poo at the back of the garage.

Since then I've commuted to the station on an old bicycle but then my work changed and I had to wear a suit more often so have now got a scooter for riding to the station.

Had a sort out in the garage the other day. Picked up the road bike and it felt amazing just in my hands, all light and beautifully engineered. Lugged out the mountain bike and immediately recalled the muddy trails I used to find with it.

So for the last few years cycling has been something I did to get to the station and more recently it's just something I do with the kids on a pretty dull hybrid clunker as I usually need to tow one of them and until recently used to have a seat on the back.

Question is should I service the road bike or the mountain bike first?
I really enjoyed the road bike and it's the right time of year but do I then get badged as a Bradley wannabe like all the other folks round here who have suddenly got themselves brand new £2k road bikes?

Which is least likely to end up with me having a coronary on the side of the road?

What do you recon?

Start on road or trail first or just give them a coat of oil stick them back in the garage for a few more years and take the SV out for a blat?

[krhall]

Who cares if people think you're a wannabe...get out there and enjoy it!

[Jackie_Black]

As long as you don't go out trying to look like him! I've done 110 miles on my roadbike this week. Can't recommend them enough, wish i'd got into it earlier. Definitely service it first as they are simpler machines and make you feel good quicker because they fly!!

[krhall]

Yeah def don't put team sky lycra on...saw several overweight efforts in this last night with their shiny new bikes and clothes...my battered up focus and stealth clothing sneaks under the radar every time.

[Mark_h]

Last time I was out Marmite tops were all the rage!

My Moobs are too big for tight top at the moment which is another driver for getting some miles in.

[maviczap]

Yep, get back on the road first, get your fitness up before you venture off road.

I did the same when my first child arrived in 97, plus with some health problems meant I gave up riding completely.

Started back on the road a couple of years ago, went to the Pyrenees last year!!!!

Don't worry about the others on the road, just get the Bianchi serviced and if you really enjoy it, buy it some upgrades or buy that 2.5k road bike next year

I'm with KR here, don't buy a Sky team kit, there's lots of wannabe's out there, who look like knobs, same goes for anyone in TEAM GB kit, unless it is Wiggo, Cav or G out on a training ride!

[maviczap]

Last time I was out Marmite tops were all the rage!
.

Still sell them in Evans cycle shops :D

[Mark_h]

Don't worry about the others on the road, just get the Bianchi serviced and if you really enjoy it, buy it some upgrades or buy that 2.5k road bike next year


It was so perfect when I used to use it but at least 10 year old technology so any upgrades will end up with me chasing it all round the bike to get some compatibility. Old Chorus 9 speed groupset was super-lovely just need to hope I can bring it back to life as I will not be in a position to spend hundreds getting it working or thousands buying some carbon monster.

[Jackie_Black]

It will be fine, is it alloy or steel?

I'm definitely getting either a steel or titanium bike next i reckon. Alloy is harsh as hell and the mechanic in my LBS said that carbon frames are pretty much disposable after a few years :eek:so my 2.5k roubaix would be scrap if i bought one.

Just drag the bike out, pump the tyres up and gt85 the chain and groupo up. Then go for an easy spin. I reckon by the end of next week it'll be all you want to do!!

[Mark_h]

Has 7005 frame - Mega Pro in the pretty Celeste/sunburst colour scheme with perfect frame welds.
Time Carbon Forks
Complete Chorus group set
Mavic Rims (I think)

Was quite stiff but given it was my first decent road bike had nothing much to compare it against. But it all just fitted perfectly. Had to put a slightly wider range cassette on but that gave me just enough for round here to save having to convert it to a triple.

Felt twitchy as hell on a quick ride up and down the road not helped by riding on clipless pedals in sandals!

The mountain bike just felt like riding a giant Jelly. It's a real old-school Scott Tampico

[maviczap]

Has 7005 frame - Mega Pro in the pretty Celeste/sunburst colour scheme with perfect frame welds.
Time Carbon Forks
Complete Chorus group set
Mavic Rims (I think)

Nothing to upgrade here really, once you get riding again you won't need that big cassette, but don't buy a triple, get a compact chainset instead. That'll give you the same gear range as a triple and make getting up any incline easier.

Luckypants rode the Pyrenees with 28 -12 cassette & a 50/34 chainset last year.

The only upgrade I'd get is a carbon seatpost, but if you're comfy enough then no need

You should get good money for a complete Chorus groupset in good nick if you split your Bianchi.

But if its 9 speed I think its easy to upgrade to 10speed, but not 11 speed.

Campag did the same as Shimano and made upgrading difficult, but Shimano backtracked and now you could upgrade from 8 to 10 speed with little difficulty. Campag didn't, which was a mistake.

Felt twitchy as hell on a quick ride up and down the road not helped by riding on clipless pedals in sandals!


LOL been there :D

[fizzwheel]

That sounds a nice bike as it is, give it a fettle and some tlc and it'll be fine. I wouldn't be looking at upgrading any of that tbh

[Mark_h]

If memory serves I'm on a 28/12 + 52/39 with 172 cranks so my main upgrade is my fitness. I looked at making it a triple but it all got ugly and the current set-up is so pretty I'll either get fitter or avoid big hills.

[maviczap]

If memory serves I'm on a 28/12 + 52/39 with 172 cranks so my main upgrade is my fitness. I looked at making it a triple but it all got ugly and the current set-up is so pretty I'll either get fitter or avoid big hills.

Yep, triple will make it look ugly, where as the compact won't, but you should be able to get up most things on that cassette - chainring combination.