Choosing a bike?

[big_si]

Wow! I pop out for 30 minutes and there's a million replies for me to return to! GREAT!!! AND they're all on topic! YD Amazes me every day!

Originally Posted by nickb

I assume this will be used for a daily (or at least frequent) commute. How extensive is the journey and over what terrain?

If the tax man or work ask... yes, it's used for a daily commute. Realistically it's going to be for leisure and fitness but not commuting as it's 25 miles each way and I'd die if I attempted it at present, or would have to go back to work by the time I got home!
Much of the bike use would be road but not exclusively. I'm planning for mud to also feature!

Originally Posted by nickb

What conditions do you expect to cycle in? Will you ride in all conditions or just fair weather?

Realistically fair weather... Who knows though if I get hooked!

Originally Posted by nickb

What stuff will you be carrying with you? Laptops, books & paperwork, lunch etc.

I expect to be carrying a backpack with camera gear so I can combine it with another hobby if I see something worthy of snapping.

Originally Posted by nickb

IMHO £250 is nowhere near enough to spend on a bike that will be used daily in all conditions, although you should be able to buy something very good second-hand for that money. A lot of people splash out big bucks on a nice bike for commuting only to flog it when they discover that they don't really fancy it

That's why I don't want to spend too much... I don't want it to be as useful as my gym memberships of the past!!!! I could up the budget a bit if it's not realistic... Wouldn't want to spend more than £500 including all bits and pieces though.

Originally Posted by nickb

If you buy a mountain bike, you'll eventually have to fork out for road-specific tyres and mudguards at the very least. I'd only use a mountain bike for a commute if I had to ride across fields. If your journey includes some hardpack trails, then a hybrid would be more appropriate but if the journey is on tarmac roads then a road bike is much better. You do not want suspension for road use.

Sounds like a road bike would be best to start with as I think that would be most of it's use initially to build up some fitness... with the view to getting some off road wheels for when I want to go and play in the mud?

Originally Posted by WannabeMermaid

I guess it partly depends on whether your commute is 10 miles of non-stop cycling or 2 miles of constant stop start city traffic. Oh, and when you get there will there be somewhere safe and out of the weather to store your bike? It's highly unlikely to be covered by your household contents insurance!

If my fitness / working hours ever allow me to ride 25 miles each way to work there is a cycle shed at work which has cameras on it and is right next to security. Should be ok there.

Originally Posted by chrisch

That would be my route, but dunno if Si can do that with the rent scheme? You can pick up an old hardtail for not very much these days. Bang on slicks and some mudguards and away...

Sounds like the best route if I can do it.

Originally Posted by nickb

TBH I wouldn't bother with the 'Cycle to Work' scheme. It ties you into crap deals from even crappier dealers like Halfords who ought to be banned from selling and servicing bikes.

Si, you should check out eBay for some fantastic bargains on bikes, especially as you're near to London/M25 with a huge catchment area.

Ebay could be a good option actually. Might be more money to be saved there than doing the scheme.

I've been surprised that Halfords aren't actually one of the suppliers. Most of them seem to be smaller dedicated bike shops which was reassuring. The finder tool is here....
Get a tax free bike for work | CYCLESCHEME
Any particular shops on there that are recommended?


Thanks to all for all the help so far... I'm such a bike numpty!!!

[Finless]

What! No engine!

Oh well, no need to warn you about not buying this one.

[MarkP]

Originally Posted by BJ

When I last bought a bike I asked my friend Chris Boardman (he's my only friend!) what sort of bike I should get.

Straight to the point, he retorted dryly: One with mudguards. You won't ever ride it otherwise!

Blimey, not AGAIN.

[Glyn]

Take a look at this bike, Revolution Courier, from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative. Fantastic bike for commuting, fast around town and bomb proof. Not so good on long straight journeys as it is geared a little to low, and only available in 18" plus so doesn't fit a short arse like me. and you get a quid change out of £250!

[Glyn]

Originally Posted by Glyn

Take a look at this bike, Revolution Courier, from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative. Fantastic bike for commuting, fast around town and bomb proof. Not so good on long straight journeys as it is geared a little to low, and only available in 18" plus so doesn't fit a short arse like me. and you get a quid change out of £250!

Lost the link: Revolution Courier '07 (£249.00)

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by big_si

.....
Sounds like a road bike would be best to start with as I think that would be most of it's use initially to build up some fitness... with the view to getting some off road wheels for when I want to go and play in the mud?

....

No, too much hassle. Start with off-roader and change the tyres to road slicks. Replace chunky tyres for off road use. There are some very good road tyres available in 26X1.9 to fit MTB rims.

Look for something like an old Kona Cindercone or similar 2nd hand. You can gradually add bits as you go, front suspension forks, better brakes and so on. pretty much everything is interchangeable. My frame is 1980s vintage carbon fibre Trek but everything else has been replaced at some point.

Don't worry too much about brands all the cheaper frames come out the same Taiwanese factory.

Chris

[nickb]

Originally Posted by Glyn

Lost the link: Revolution Courier '07 (£249.00)

That's a cracking looking bike for the money. Even better is the 'Race' version for an extra £30 - including 700c wheels:
Revolution Courier Race '07 (£279.00)

[Tunicates]

Chrisch and Nick giving great advice here.

Also, I'm eating my words a bit about the £ amount.
That bike looks pretty good for the money.

[IanD]

I can highly recommend one of these

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...downey/tri.jpg

[BJ]

but she's got no mudguards.