Choosing a bike?

[IanD]

Si


I bought a set of these last year, pretty good for the money.
Torch High Beamer Twin Halogen Mountain Bike Light 4009 on eBay, also Lights, Cycling Accessories, Cycling, Sporting Goods (end time 08-Apr-08 12:27:06 BST)

[Tunicates]

Either of those light sets should be great.
Cateye is an old hand in the game and everything they make is VFM in term of performance - you get what you pay for.

The Cindercone your looking at is about the right level to start at, though it can be a struggle to get full mudguards fitted. I'm not strictly sure that you need front suspension either.....it often just makes a bike bob up and down rather than go forwards when you're hauling on the bars (which you shoujldent be doing any ways......its better to sit and twiddle your feet round fast than to be pushing a heavy gear and making ape shapes) so a super smart move would be to ask if the shop will swap the sus forks for a set of Project-3 forks - made by Kona to be a rigid replacement for front sus. You will get much better performace out of the bike, but just a little less comfort.
Maybe that doesnt sound like something you want to do, but it's worth mentioning here. It's possible that your bike shop would make the swap for not a lot extra......

Anyways, whichever....
The best thing about starting at the level of the Cindercone is that you will love riding it. After the first week or so, you'll be getting home and be thinking about going for another ride on it just for the crack.

Dont bother getting/using clipless pedals straight away - unless the shop will make you a deal for pedals and shoes with the bike, some will, some will just laugh........but they are well worth using after about the first month.
Why?
They'll certainly improve your pedalling style, speed, and fitness, but you dont want to have to deal with too many new things straight away, so just deal witht he bike and the journey at first. Add the clipless pedals once you are comfortable with everything already.
Do try them out for the first ride in the woods, not on tarmac, cos you will fall over with them at least once. Its the law.
We will all be so pissed-off if you came back and tell us that you didnt fall over ever.

If your commute is over 4 miles, then a pair of padded lycra shorts will help prevent you getting nappy rash from sweating into your cotton thunderpants. Just cover them up with jeans...... or anything. You can make your cycling a lot more pleasant by using some kind of wicking clothing rather than cotton. Wool is great as a mid layer as is fleece, but a thin wicking jersey of some sort as underlayer is what you'll want cos you are going to sweat cobs for the first month or so.
Get a water bottle and use it.
Eat bananas.
Take the bike off-road.
Post a picture of you covered in mud with the bike and a shit-eating grin.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Tunicates are Mad

...though it can be a struggle to get full mudguards fitted. ......

The little half size off-road mudguards are OK.

If you take it to Tesco get a big fuck-off lock or a big fuck-off dog to chain to it. I have lost 5 now

Chris

[big_si]

Originally Posted by chrisch

The little half size off-road mudguards are OK.

If you take it to Tesco get a big fuck-off lock or a big fuck-off dog to chain to it. I have lost 5 now

Chris

Funny you should say that... But we're going to get one of these fellas when we move to the new house




Not the most ferocious dogs but very loyal and protective (hopefully to bikes! ) and big enough to put off a lot of people I guess

[Tunicates]

Oh yeah! Your lock should cost £45 and not any less! At that level you get a proper lock - and then you have to use it properly......

Oh, god, thats a topic in itself!

This is probably the sort of thing to look out for - £ 60 quid
(Or a motorbike chain - but a good one. Some are made of cheese.)

GRANIT 1000/80 Sold Secure Gold - Zyro

Big enough to go round the front wheel, the frame and you soli object.
Make sure the solid object is connected at both ends.
I.e.Dont use signposts ever. It only take two guys to cut off the signs and lift your bike over the post and into their van.......

Edit_ ......or just attach the dog.

[big_si]

Ok... Shopping list

Bike (£540-ish)
mudguards (£20-ish)
helmet (£40-ish? How do I choose one of those? Nice colour or one that looks cool? (or is there a more scientific method?))
pump (£25-ish)
lights (£50-ish)
good lock (£60-ish)

So that's about £735 now. Is there anything else I need to add to the shopping list? (please say no! ) What's the chances of a bike shop doing me a deal if I buy it all from them in one lump?

[chrisch]

Mountainbiking is more expensive than diving in my experience

[Tunicates]

You might be able to persuade the shop to do discounts on the accessories.
The best way would be to say straight out that you are planning on buying a bike for about £550 and would they consider giving some discount on £200 worth of accessories.

One shop I know wont discount a thing BUT they do offer a years free servicing. Thats not a bad offer as it goes - as its the first year that your bike will need it the most.



Helmet. Its got to fit and its got to be comfortable. A £35 helmet is as good as a £75 one. The more you pay, the more ventilation there is - and thus less helmet there is, so what there is has to be stronger and use more clever technology and cost more. Just make sure it either conforms to SNELL or ANSI (little blue or green sticker on the inside) - and the British Kitemark is worth precisely toss for helmets no matter what Which Magazine says.

[big_si]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Mountainbiking is more expensive than diving in my experience

How dumb am I??? Diving, Mountainbiking and fcuking photography!!! What shall I take up next? Eating Faberge eggs???






Just looking at websites of dealers in my area that I'm going to contact. One of them offers this as an incentive to buy through them....

Originally Posted by Cycledealia website

AFTERCARE
Two services come free with every new bike we sell. The "First Service" at four weeks is the most important service your bike will ever have. Your bike will "settle in" over the first few journeys causing bearings and cables to loosen and machine built wheels to lose some tension, if the bike is left like this it will cause premature wear and malfunctions. So we like to get the bike back and service it to ensure it runs smoothly.
A second free service is provided at 6 months. This is the service that every bike should have once a year. If you continue to have your cycle checked annually it will give you many years of faithful service.

Sounds like a good thing to me? Am I right?

[Tunicates]

Thats exactly the kind of place you want to be buying your bike from.

HAve fun.