bike advice

[DaGaffer]

OK, I'm now feeling like a fat bastard after six months' commuting to work by car and not getting enough exercise, and I want a new road bike to get me back in shape (I have a mountain bike that I rarely get any free time to take into the sticks and use these days). I want something well made but nothing hardcore, probably a hybrid of some sort, up to about £500-£600. Any advice? I quite like this:

Trek Soho

but I happily admit I know nowt

 

[Frizz]

If you're cycling solely on the road, get a proper road bike. A decent one can easily be found within your price range.

In my experience, hybrids just don't cut it on roads.

 

[Will]

A decent hybrid would be ok if you are aiming for a commute, rather than getting the miles in.

I always fancied a Cannondale BadBoy if I was going to get a city bike with gears. Or a Brompton, though thats a very different machine.

You should get a fix though.

 

[TdC]

I like hybrids myself, though as Will says, if you're looking to get miles in then get a bike that's the correct size with a decent saddle. Have it set up so that you're happy, and that doesn't mean "sitting on it in the shop for two minutes" that means having some miles under your belt and going back to have a chat with the bike shop tbh.

Also, a proper commuter will have mudguards and lights, so best have a chat with the shop about that.

In an aside, I have an On-One Scandal (mountainbike) which is set up rigid, and I put slicks on and rode on the road. The Scandal is an excellent bike imo, but one should ride it in the woods on trails, because that's what it's designed to do. Riding it on the road felt a bit like large men beating me with big sticks. I say this, because bikes are designed in certain ways and factors like geometry and (also, but to a lesser extent) what it's made of come into play. A mile-muncher roadie is a bike like a mountainbike or a hybrid tourer is a bike, but that is equivalent to saying a ferarri, tractor and volvo are all cars. Best visit a quality bike shop. It's worth going an extra mile.

 

[DaGaffer]

I've been around a few bike shops now and I'm more confused than ever; is there any kind of online review service or a magazine that gives you advice on gear shifters, chain sets etc? There are several bikes I like the look of, but making an objective judgment about which is best is beyond me, especially as they're all ball-park on price; for example, there are two Specialized bikes that are the same price but one is a (superficially) higher spec, 2007 version versus a 2008 version; Specialized Globe Comp 08, or Specialized Globe Expert 07. On the other hand there's this Marin, which looks lurrvely, but other than brand name, could be a pile of crap for all I know. It looked nice, and felt comfortable, but they all do! (Along with a Trek and the Cannondale Bad Boy Will mentioned, although that was a bit too expensive). Help!

 

[TdC]

hmm those three bikes are very similar in spec and potential upgrade path. I think the Marin looks nice, but tbh if buying for myself I'd be most inclined to go for the '07 Spesh, due to the fact that it seems to pack the most carbon. I like carbon, but that's me. You, you said you want a commuter, so I'd only get the Spesh '07 if your bike shop will fit you mudguards and a rear rack. Especially the former you will want, and a rear rack is handy for all sorts of things.
Also, carbon is not keen on being banged, scraped, bumped or stolen. Alloy, or better, steel can handle that a lot better.

Those bikes are very alike. I'd say, ride all of them and pick the one that feels nicest tbh.

 

[Will]

Get the 07, its a slightly higher spec, it has zertz inserts in the forks and seatpost.

I've got an irrational hatred of Marins, but that doesn't look too bad either. Slightly more road bias than the specialized.

 

[DaGaffer]

Finally picked up my new bike. Just ridden it the 10 miles home, in the pouring rain; which was unpleasant, but part of my new, "don't be such a poof about going out in the rain" regime. Thing is, its the first time I've been on a bike in about a year, so I'll probably be in a bad way by the morning, or even sooner; I'm off to the Hammersmith Apollo to see Dara O'Briain tonight and I'll probably have to be prised out my seat by the end.

 

[Tom]

Oh my, is your arse going to be sore tomorrow.























And then theres the saddle soreness......

 

[TdC]

lol Tom. true though prolly

well done DaGaffer! soon you'll be talking about which stretchypants are best for long distances

 

[Will]

Good choice. Now you just need to get some drops on it, remove all the gears, the ability to freewheel, and the back brake.

I would recommend some mudguards though. They look shit, but are very very practical.

 

[Dr Medusa]

You want one o these.
They are the best bikes ever.

 

[Will]

That one isn't as good as yours. Thats only a two-speed.

 

[Dr Medusa]

True. And mine has a much comfier seat. Mine's Ossim.

 

[Bodhi]

0wned.

 

[Deebs]

Eww, fugly bike!

 

[DaGaffer]

0wned.

Awesome! *Sells bike*

 

[Tom]

Forestry Commission - grizedale - the north face trail

Anyone here done that? Should be off to the LD this weekend with a mate who isn't as used to cycling as I am, so wondered how tricky it was. He's a bit madder than me though, so the tricky stuff should appeal to him.

 

[Darthshearer]

Forestry Commission - grizedale - the north face trail

Anyone here done that? Should be off to the LD this weekend with a mate who isn't as used to cycling as I am, so wondered how tricky it was. He's a bit madder than me though, so the tricky stuff should appeal to him.

Tom, if you do TNF alone it will be very disappointing, use it to link the other trials in Grizdale. IMO TNF trial is poor and relies too much on the north shore. If you want a good day out at a centre get yourselfto Dalby.

TBF isnt technical at all, the trail centres are not meant to be to an extent as they are meant to flow from one section to another.

If you want there is loads of natural cycling round there and that would be far more enjoyable for a noob.

try ridethelakes.com

 

[Will]

Come to Glentress. Its much more awesome. And I can take you round the secret stuff.

 

[Darthshearer]

Come to Glentress. Its much more awesome. And I can take you round the secret stuff.

I can quote for that place, heaven

 

[Tom]

Come to Glentress. Its much more awesome. And I can take you round the secret stuff.

Thats in Scotchland though. I ain't driving 200 miles to ride for 200 minutes

 

[Will]

I could make it an all-dayer.

 

[TdC]

he's trying to kill you Tom, don't fall for it

 

[Darthshearer]

I could make it an all-dayer.

Take him to Inners

 

[Will]

Inners is a bit short. Though I could take him on the downhill stuff.

 

[TdC]

he's trying to kill you Tom, don't fall for it

now he's being blatant about it. downhill stuff indeed

 

[Will]

Just the tame stuff. Single orange rated on the new FC standards. No drops over 6 feet, no doubles more than about 6 feet.

 

[Malecheon]

Come to Glentress. Its much more awesome. And I can take you

I could make it an all-dayer.

he's trying to kill you Tom, don't fall for it

It doesn't sound like it's killing he's got in mind

 

[TdC]

sorry, what was that? my mind just created an image so horrible that I must have passed out for a second in self preservation