|
|
Post by julesd68 on Apr 20, 2020 22:14:44 GMT
I am starting to look for a sub £1K road bike but don't really know where to start. Not something I know anything about. It's for casual / fun use and also to workout on with my new bike trainer. The lighter the better as will be taking it up and down second floor stairs at our block; my lower back isn't the best.
I'm hoping there might be some bike fanatics amongst you who can point me in the right direction.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Apr 21, 2020 8:44:10 GMT
A *good* local bike shop is one place to start.
For lightness definitely a road bike, racer perhaps.
I bought Giant as there are so many of them around. If I were looking again I'd work out the make my local bike shop told me about with the more comfortable ride. Trek or Specialized I think. They closed so I can't ask them
Do *not* go to Halfords or Evans.
If buying new go for last years model and save 20-30%
Look on Ebay to see how 2nd hand compares to new. Bikes are often unused
|
|
|
|
Post by Clive on Apr 21, 2020 8:58:18 GMT
Bikes are every bit as bad as hifi! You can buy a bike from a manufacturer - they decide what spec components to fit to their frame. This is usually done to a price so some parts are low-end. You can alternatively drive yourself mad by researching the best brake levers, discs, cassette, chain, gear mech, shifter, seat post, saddle, pedals and so on. A good bike shop would build up a bike for you to a better spec. Probably though a company such as Giant have access to better discounts...it depends how much work you want to go through to research all the options. The time to buy is late autumn if you want the best deal.
|
|
|
|
Post by edward on Apr 21, 2020 9:47:01 GMT
Jules, try Muswell Hill Bikes. The guys there know their stuff and don't charge rip off prices. Not sure what bikes they currently have in stock but worth a call. I took my bike (specialized) there last week for a service, bike performing really well. |
|
|
|
Post by TheMooN on Apr 21, 2020 9:56:09 GMT
Jules, as you have a dicky lower back consider a frame and handlebars that keeps your riding posture as upright as possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Apr 21, 2020 10:13:33 GMT
Jules, as you have a dicky lower back consider a frame and handlebars that keeps your riding posture as upright as possible. Disagree on upright for bad backs. Bouncing vertically up and down on your spine you are giving it more gip than at an angle even static, more so on roads. I continued cycling with a bad back many times and found myself better after the rida. Assume the aerobic exercise helped The good shop should help on this and hopefully Muswell Hill have what you need. So far as specs are concerned don't worry. The bike shop will advise. Giant and probably others have the same frame at different prices, up to double with the cost of the top end gears, brakes etc. Go cheap as the bottom end should be fine |
|
|
|
Post by TheMooN on Apr 21, 2020 10:49:26 GMT
Depends on the condition and individual Mike, for my part I found that the more angular riding posture of a road bike would eventually send my lumber into spasm and induce extra sciatica down my legs, As if that wasn't bad enough a worsening cervical discs condition meant that riding more prone and lifting my head. Was a pain in the neck...literally.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Apr 21, 2020 10:51:41 GMT
Point taken
Jules needs advice then and some test rides.
Either or neither (!) could make it worse
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Apr 21, 2020 11:14:31 GMT
Thank you all very much for your input!  So it looks like an 'Endurance' bike with its more relaxed, upright geometry could be the ticket with my back issues. Also needs to be set up correctly with seat not too high etc I feel I am on the right track now. |
|
|
|
Post by edward on Apr 21, 2020 11:18:44 GMT
Borrow my bike Jules if you like to get a feel of things.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Apr 21, 2020 12:53:26 GMT
Go for suspension on the front forks, it helps the ride quality.
Mine's a Gary Fisher which I believe is now part of Trek?
|
|
|
|
Post by speedysteve on Apr 21, 2020 13:05:29 GMT
We bought 2 Lectro Peak ebikes.
I test demo'd them.
Great for getting the missus out and about and beyond the long steep hill to the 'endless' New Forest.
She'd never been up that hill before.
Now it's a breeze.
When the warranty is over I'll be finding the speed control loop wire and making it switchable🙂 - off road use only of course. Don't want to be like that idiot on YouTube🏍️, I posted up a while back.
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Apr 21, 2020 13:34:44 GMT
Borrow my bike Jules if you like to get a feel of things. I'll drop you a line or call later ... |
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Apr 21, 2020 14:19:26 GMT
Go for suspension on the front forks, it helps the ride quality. Nonononono. Yes for off road otherwise adds weight, slop, loses feeling in steering, costs extra for a feature you don't need. Think Graphic Equaliser I have a full suspension bike for off road and I need the suspension where I go. |
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Apr 21, 2020 14:21:19 GMT
Borrow my bike Jules if you like to get a feel of things. I'll drop you a line or call later ... Has to be the first move. Find out what you like and don't like. Good bikes can be good prices. Crap bikes can be not that cheap and appalling VFM |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Apr 21, 2020 15:08:31 GMT
Go for suspension on the front forks, it helps the ride quality. Nonononono. Yes for off road otherwise adds weight, slop, loses feeling in steering, costs extra for a feature you don't need. I'm no sort of power cyclist, I have it for a bit of exercise and find it harsh enough on our tracks even with front suspension and fat tyres. My car is setup for sports handling, exactly as you describe! |
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Apr 21, 2020 15:58:40 GMT
Nonononono. Yes for off road otherwise adds weight, slop, loses feeling in steering, costs extra for a feature you don't need. I'm no sort of power cyclist, I have it for a bit of exercise and find it harsh enough on our tracks even with front suspension and fat tyres. My car is setup for sports handling, exactly as you describe! A good bike will feel utterly different to a bad one. Comparing say under £300 bike to over £1000 and the difference will be huge - as long as the gears etc are similar As a comparison I swapped from a mid 80s frame Holdsworth, old frame and fork technology to a 2015 Giant, list around £1500 This is comparable to a cheapie v's £1000+ say The difference was beyond my imagination. Handling in a different league, vastly reduced shock from the road. Felt like the Holdsworth had the brakes on I was shown this patented set up (still can't work out the manufacturer) when I was in my local bike shop and thought that would be very nice indeed as I ride some harsh roads. Not expecting them to close I didn't note the manufacturer - duh |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Apr 21, 2020 16:49:37 GMT
I'll duck out at this point as, relative to cars, I know sweet FA about bikes.
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Apr 21, 2020 19:59:14 GMT
The difference between a cheapo bike and even a £1000 has to be experienced to be believed.
A bike friend of mine said upgrading to a £3000 bike compared to my £1500 would be an enormous step up
Back in the mid 80s when I bought my Holdsworth I was staggered testing about 5 bikes £100 up to £350 before I said that was enough
That Holdsworth is now rubbish compared to the Giant
*Ruff* rule of thumb - £350 in mid 80s is about the same as £1500 now
Don't get me thinking that £3000 bike may prove too tempting
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Apr 21, 2020 20:17:46 GMT
Cars don't have that progression. I've had two £40k+ BMWs. The £28k Subaru wipes the floor with them for handling and any sports car metric you care to use other than straight-line speed, which is the one thing you don't really need.
|
|
