What type of bike
Posted by: Mick P on 15 March 2004
Chaps
I am only a couple of weeks away from retirement and as such will need a mode of transport. I am trying to avoid buying a second car and would like to buy a bike to do relatively short journeys of say up to 5 or 6 miles. Mainly as an aid to returning my body to its previous Greek God proportions.
I will be going to the gym between 8.00am and 10.00am most weekday mornings and a bike would be a good way of getting there.
Swindon has a good cycle path infrstructure and I have no interest in cyling up mountains or mud tracks. It there is no tarmac, I shall not go, so to speak.
So what sort of machine should I be looking at and is it better to buy from a national chain such as Halfords, a local chap or via the net.
Many thanks
Lycra clad Mick
I am only a couple of weeks away from retirement and as such will need a mode of transport. I am trying to avoid buying a second car and would like to buy a bike to do relatively short journeys of say up to 5 or 6 miles. Mainly as an aid to returning my body to its previous Greek God proportions.
I will be going to the gym between 8.00am and 10.00am most weekday mornings and a bike would be a good way of getting there.
Swindon has a good cycle path infrstructure and I have no interest in cyling up mountains or mud tracks. It there is no tarmac, I shall not go, so to speak.
So what sort of machine should I be looking at and is it better to buy from a national chain such as Halfords, a local chap or via the net.
Many thanks
Lycra clad Mick
Mick,
I see you as a North Shore sort of guy so you probably want one of these:
Alternatively find your friendly local independent bike shop and buy something cheap, sensible and robust. Buy second-hand if you can -- you'll get much better value.
Matthew
I see you as a North Shore sort of guy so you probably want one of these:
Alternatively find your friendly local independent bike shop and buy something cheap, sensible and robust. Buy second-hand if you can -- you'll get much better value.
Matthew
"What do you think of Pashleys"
Don;t they make Postie bikes? If they do and, presumably, you buy 5,000 a year then I guess you could get a serious discount.
Matthew
EDIT: Indeed they do
They also make this:
You could be poured into the front bit after your gym session and get Mrs Mick to cycle you home.
Don;t they make Postie bikes? If they do and, presumably, you buy 5,000 a year then I guess you could get a serious discount.
Matthew
EDIT: Indeed they do
They also make this:
You could be poured into the front bit after your gym session and get Mrs Mick to cycle you home.
Mick,
If it's your first bike, I'd advise not spending much money cos it'll probably get nicked anyway. You should be able to pick up a reasonable bike for a couple of hundred or so which will meet your needs to start with (even less of course second-hand). Something with stabilisers might be useful for the first couple of weeks or so
Other than that, buy one with suspension to protect the Parry bottom from the damaging effects of badly maintained roads.
David
If it's your first bike, I'd advise not spending much money cos it'll probably get nicked anyway. You should be able to pick up a reasonable bike for a couple of hundred or so which will meet your needs to start with (even less of course second-hand). Something with stabilisers might be useful for the first couple of weeks or so
Other than that, buy one with suspension to protect the Parry bottom from the damaging effects of badly maintained roads.
David
"Why would you need mudguards?"
Becuase if you don't you get a stripe of watery diesel up the back of your uber expensive Goretex cycling jacket.
Mine looks like this and fixes to the seat post rather than the frame:
Matthew
Becuase if you don't you get a stripe of watery diesel up the back of your uber expensive Goretex cycling jacket.
Mine looks like this and fixes to the seat post rather than the frame:
Matthew
Mick, on a common BIKEI don't believe it,which lacky is going to have to do the peddling And in LYCRA too, my poor old mind boggles, could the folks of Swindon stand the shock 
Retire gracfully you old sod 
like the rest of us or how about wheels on a zimmer?????? just a thought!!
an inert oldie.
And in LYCRA too, my poor old mind boggles, could the folks of Swindon stand the shock Retire gracfully you old sod like the rest of us or how about wheels on a zimmer?????? just a thought!!an inert oldie.
"Something like the Specialized Crossroads, Giant FCR or Marin Muirwoods would suit"
I agree. Especially as I might have a Marin Muirwoods for sale in a month or so.
It looks like this:
But has VP DX-a-like platform pedals and Bontrager Race Lite wheelset (with very cool 27/28 straight-laced black spokes) and Contiental Avenue 1" Semi-Slicks.
It's under-sized for me so would probably fit Mick as well.
Matthew
I agree. Especially as I might have a Marin Muirwoods for sale in a month or so.
It looks like this:
But has VP DX-a-like platform pedals and Bontrager Race Lite wheelset (with very cool 27/28 straight-laced black spokes) and Contiental Avenue 1" Semi-Slicks.
It's under-sized for me so would probably fit Mick as well.
Matthew
Indeed - cycle baskets are pants. Paniers at a push, but cycle baskets are totally ghey.
I've got a Specialized Hardrock HR - it's kind of sold as a downhill sprint bike (I believe) but I use it on-road and it's a nice upright position. Front suspension (which I always thought was gimmicky) but it works a treat on Exeter's pee-poor Topsham Road - and you can still "feel" what the road's doing, as the forks are adjustable. I'm a bit annoyed though as the bottom bracket's already wearing after only 291 miles, but then I do rag the living hell out of it - it's always fun overtaking rush hour traffic downhill - clocked up 35 mph on it at one point...
This is the latest version - mine's the 02/03 model which looks similar but more like a racer - the crossbar is horizontal. Oh - it also has a minor scratch (ex-dem) which shaved about £100 off the price - always worthwhile when only the largest frame'll fit you!
The new Choppers don't have the cool gear shift btw - get an old 1970s one if you want one (I do!). Spokey dokeys'd be cool too - I was SERIOUSLY considering trading the Specialized for one until Richards Bikes told me they weren't getting any in - boo hoo!
__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
[This message was edited by domfjbrown on Tue 16 March 2004 at 15:12.]
I've got a Specialized Hardrock HR - it's kind of sold as a downhill sprint bike (I believe) but I use it on-road and it's a nice upright position. Front suspension (which I always thought was gimmicky) but it works a treat on Exeter's pee-poor Topsham Road - and you can still "feel" what the road's doing, as the forks are adjustable. I'm a bit annoyed though as the bottom bracket's already wearing after only 291 miles, but then I do rag the living hell out of it - it's always fun overtaking rush hour traffic downhill - clocked up 35 mph on it at one point...
This is the latest version - mine's the 02/03 model which looks similar but more like a racer - the crossbar is horizontal. Oh - it also has a minor scratch (ex-dem) which shaved about £100 off the price - always worthwhile when only the largest frame'll fit you!
The new Choppers don't have the cool gear shift btw - get an old 1970s one if you want one (I do!). Spokey dokeys'd be cool too - I was SERIOUSLY considering trading the Specialized for one until Richards Bikes told me they weren't getting any in - boo hoo!
__________________________
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had.
[This message was edited by domfjbrown on Tue 16 March 2004 at 15:12.]