Sensibly priced cycles

Dunno Winky, never been inside a gym. 

Winky,

I think the two main frame makers in the world are Giant and Merida. They produce the frames for practically everyone. They themselves are excellent value for money, especially the Giants.

Regards,

WW.

I bought a Merida hybrid about 2 years ago and use it practically everyday.

DSC_4538 by winkyintheuk, on Flickr

Had a day at the BC Championships Cyclocross yesterday. Perfect "Belgian" weather - mostly cold and rainy. Click through for many photos from the day.

I certainly won't intentionally be doing THAT!

Join a gym,then after a few months Big h will become Little h.

About 5 years ago i the bright idea of cycling,bought mountain bike. At the top of our rd is a very busy main rd,almost got taken out by a 40 tonner. Went strait back home,bike in garden shed,cycling over for good. Joined gym at my sports club and use their bikes. Never get wet and no 40 tonners to avoid.

Mista h

Twice I had crashes cause by car drivers on the cycle.

I have not given up, though I now have a handle bar mirror, have a hi-viz jacket, and keep off busy roads. I'd rather walk the pavement in that case, but I have no intention of giving up. I am much too shy to go to a gymn, where there is a voyeuristic element that would freak me out!

Being naturally thin, anyone would wonder what the heck I was doing in a gymn in the first place!

ATB from George

Not in my experience. Gyms are so bloody boring they erode my will to live. On the couple of occasions I have tried to stick to a "workout schedule" I have failed (or at least chosen the option to stop wasting my life in a gym). I choose just to ride my bike instead. Yes, there are some risks on the road, but that's life. Spending 10-12 hours a week on an exercise bike is not my idea of a life worth living.

(To be fair, you advice was to "join" the gym, not to actually go along. Your advice is therefore easily followed.)

Reminds me of a work colleague a few years ago. He decided to start commuting by bike. Started in the pitch dark in the middle of winter with no lights. Ran into a kerb he didn't see and gave up for good, saying it was too dangerous.

It is fundamentally strange logic to base one's assessment of risk on a single anecdote. Many people do so, of course.

As for getting wet, it really just adds to the variety of the experience. It isn't actually unpleasant, just different (although you do need to stay warm enough - which is not difficult at all). And the water washes straight off.

I'll never convince you, though. People who decide that cycling isn't for them are usually just as passionate in that decision as those that decide that it is. Enjoy your gym.

I am sure that Winky will agree with this. When you ride a cycle, you have an aim, or several in the process ...

Usually there is a compelling reason to get to the destination, and in a certain time ...

Thus you are faced with an obstacle that is in the way such a nice or nasty hill [depends on the mood at the time] that must be climbed within your time constraint. It ceases to be a challenge about over-coming the short term muscular discomfort [before you reach the downhill part] and so the muscles seem not to ache much or for long. You are in the fresh air, you look at the scene as no motorist or even pedestrian would. You start to enjoy the very fact that you did not wimp out because it might rain, for despite possibly being wet [or out in the deep cold] you are toasty warm and will soon dry out again! It is a lovely feeling!

You get hardy without masochism!

As it goes I actually was doing a few free weights at home so as to strengthen my lower back till April and the most recent cycle crash. I have not yet resumed this, because it was ill-advised [according to the doctors] with my leg, but that was not for pleasure in any case. Just to avoid potential torn muscles when heavy lifting in less controlled conditions at work.

But the whole ambiance of gymnasia, and the sweaty atmosphere is totally unappealing to me. On the other hand, if I have time I stop and talk to total strangers, provided they are on a cycle! And the most pleasant people are cyclists!

Don't let anyone put you off the cycle idea Howard! I might even arrange a Naimee cyclists meet for your pleasure next year, when you have built up your stamina a little!

ATB from George

So I must be a sad sod! I have always cycled everywhere including to and from my gym which I thoroughly enjoy(except rainny days-sorry winki!). I do drive a very comfortable automobile for longish journeys.

I have always respected drivers and cyclists alike but   there are always  "spoilers" on both sides of the argument.

KR

Tony

Probably suited the guy with the Lion Of Flanders flag printed on his helmet.

I have adopted (in the past few weeks) a more conciliatory behaviour. I still ride like I mean it, but don't waste my breath, or even anger, on other road users. I found I was diminishing the experience by being overly smug and overtly critical of the actions of others (cars cutting me off, cyclists blowing stop-lights, pedestrians wandering aimlessly into my path and off-leash dogs on a shared-use path I use etc...). I was spending my happiness on judgement, abuse and anger to no positive effect whatsoever. "Correcting" another road user achieves nothing except reinforcing their stereotypical view that we cyclists are arrogant @r$h01e$.

I used to think I was standing up for the rights of cyclists everywhere not be killed or injured by other road users. I now realise that I was achieving nothing and becoming angry doing it.

I have had altercations with cyclists when driving and  drivers when cycling. Not sure about experiences across the channel but here in the uk it's "no man's land"! It' sadly  a "no win situation" to either side.

KR

Tony

Of course a crash between a pedestrian and a cyclist is certainly to be taken seriously, but a crash between a motorist and cyclist is almost certainly worse for the cyclist. I have taken to being totally convinced that all motorists are homicidal maniacs, especially Volvo drivers. Hence. I stop meekly while the offending motoring muppet works out what to do next. I smile gently, because I managed to avoid the less than point one percent of idiot motorists having injured me once more, and idiot motorist is left in helpless embarrassment. A result. He or she will be more careful next time, and I come away in one piece!

The rest of motorists are no problem either to their own self-consciousness or my safety.

I prefer idiot pedestrians. they tend not to be fatal, though the same defensive actions are required.

As a cyclist, it is no good being dead right.

Reminds me of the old maxim partly derived from the old Book Of Common Prayer, "there are two sorts of pedestrian, the quick and the dead!"

ATB from George

Dear Tony,

Whenever someone says that I think to myself, did you pack too much into it? 

ATB from George

Dear George,

It was just brief....

KR

Tony

LOL!

G

Wait for the entourage!

Dear Tony,

Or perhaps the peleton!

A friend of mine told me that he knew I would be fully recovered from my crash when I bought myself another Volvo and ploughed mercilessly into a peleton of fifty innocent cyclists and drove away smugly!

I don't think that a good plan, but I am considering another Volvo  I sold that last one more than two years ago after more than a decade of carefully driving round cyclists in it. 

I fancy an Amazon, which was made from 1956 till the early 1970s. Basically the chassis lived on until the 240 series was dropped, so a long lived design!

Half of all Amazons made are still on the road, so probably the most durable car ever made.

ATB from George

Comfort and style George!

and I know you like this one  too!

Volvos are  a no-no for me!

KR

Tony

Yes gyms can be boring if you workout on your own,but Big H can go with his wife and/or friends and then its not as bad. I go early in the morning and often its a group of 4/6 of us. I have been lucky as one of the guys looks after security(ex boxer) as his line of work for a living and has shown all of us how to use various bits of kit properly. This makes working out far more interesting and he always pushes you that little bit harder + when i have finished and had a shower i feel all the better for it.

Mista h

Most important thing by far is getting the right fit. Often the staff at Evans don't know what this. Try to find someone who can tune the set up for you so it will be comfortable on any longer trips. For your part, insist on a decent trial ride rather than just sit on bike in shop or once round block.

Have a look at some steel frames too. Slight flex can provide a nicer ride than aluminium which can be harsh. Brands like Surly, Salsa and Genesis may have something in budget. I see aluminium as better for entry level racers before moving onto carbon or titanium.

Wheels are vital. A lot of the pile 'em high sell them cheap vendors give you poor wheels. Maybe negotiable with the shop as part of the package.

Finally, the cycle-to-work scheme is a must if yourself or family have access to it. if you don't second-hand is your friend as values collapse quickly. Maybe rope a cycling mate into helping you buy?

PS Try Pearson Cycles which is somewhere near you from memory - proper bike shop.