The Cycling Thread

Originally Posted by mattSV

Unless you are spending £1k plus, my recommendation would be to go for the best hardtail you can afford hardtail. 'Budget' FS bikes usually put price over quality/performance - i.e. they are very much built down to a budget (a bit like an Korean SV )

Agreed, I was looking at nearly triple my original budget but I dont think i will be that daft, if i was going to spend that sort of money I should really get a mtb and a road bike!

the reviews of the Halwits bike looks good, I just don't like the idea of buying a bike from them!!

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by 454697819

I would like to ride to work a couple of days a week to start with so a road bike would be a good idea, however I am torn between that and buying a hard tail MTB and and some slicker rubber, as I live not far from some fantastic trails and out in the country side the odd field ride sounds good!

Does your work do the Cycle to Work Scheme introduced by the last government to encourage folks onto bikes? If they do it is a great way to get a good bike a lot cheaper than you think. Take a look here to get an idea of how much you can save.

[maviczap]

If you don't want to buy from Halfwits, then how about Wiggle, you can try their bikes before you buy I think

Plus they do bikes on the Cycle to Work scheme. Here's the page. Good savings to be made

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/h/option/cycletowork

sadly my work do not do the cycle to work scheme, they seemed confused and weirded out by the fact I even asked!

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by maviczap

Yep, on longer rides, you'll probably need 2 small bottles or 2 large depending on how hot it is.

Snacking regularly on the ride will help, sweets like jelly beans or jelly babies are good, although too many will make you sick

Plenty of water / energy drink is key. When working you need to be drinking at least 500ml an hour and some sports physiologists will recommend 1 litre an hour. I always take two 750ml bottles and go through one every hour more or less. I think the average cyclist is pretty poor on this, often the lads I ride with have one bottle for a 4 hour ride! They drink when they are thirsty, but that is too late.

It was hot yesterday, so was sweating a lot. I got through 3 bottles in 3 hours (topped up bottle at the top of the Horseshoe Pass - loads of motorbikes there!) even though the pace was not high. Always have plenty of fluids with you.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Plenty of water / energy drink is key. When working you need to be drinking at least 500ml an hour and some sports physiologists will recommend 1 litre an hour. I always take two 750ml bottles and go through one every hour more or less. I think the average cyclist is pretty poor on this, often the lads I ride with have one bottle for a 4 hour ride! They drink when they are thirsty, but that is too late.

+1

[Viney]

Originally Posted by 454697819

looks good,

I have found a website that does Kona & GT on 0% interest, whislt not ideal would suit me down to the ground at the moment, Plus may be able to push the boat further and go full susp.. I did like my last full susp bike

Depending on the type of riding, and mainly road, then dont get a full susp bike. you spend half your effort pushing the bike up and down.

I have Canonndale Badboy hybrid, which on london roads i wished had the front suspension of its bigger mono forked brother, but i got this off the insurance so can't really complain. Compared to my old MTB, its soooo much easier to ride, and i can quite happliy cruise along at about 18-20mph on the flat without too much effort.

@Mr Numbers:

If you're considering a road-bike then this will probably hit the mark:
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p27449/Spe...z-24-2010.aspx

Big-name manufacturer with big-name guarantees on frame & forks, both of which are good quality at this price. People love their Allez bikes, never heard a bad word about them

Edit:
There are some decent Scott bikes in your price-range too:
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/Catalogue....kes&MakeID=626

I have 2010 Scott Speedster S20 and it's a better bike that I am rider. They do a S50 in in that price-range, and an S50FB which is the same bike but with flat-bars.

HTH

I've got the S50 and Im really liking it. I know it's an entry level bike but I'm an entry level rider. I'm sure it will last me a good while

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by 454697819

the reviews of the Halwits bike looks good, I just don't like the idea of buying a bike from them!!

I know what you mean, but if they sell Boardmans IIRC they have to have some reasonably trained spanner monkies. Although I am not sure if this is always the case.

What you could do is buy the bike from them and then take it your local bike shop for a once over / setup. I know it will cost a little, but everybody I have seen with halfords bikes they bikes have been OK but the problems have been with the setup / build up of the bike rather than the bike itself ( gears not working etc etc )

As for tyres, its difficult. I run 23mm Continental Gp4000S's with the super light contentinal tubes. I am not a light person and I very rarely get puncutures, and these are a racey tyre. I think the trick is to use a decent quality tyre and tube and then keep them inflated to the right pressure and then dont ride in the gutter where all the dust, grit and general road cack accumulates and then you dont pick it up.