Buying a Bicycle

[Pip Madeley]

I'm after a bike, as part of my attempts to lose a bit of the beef, and I've found this one... I'll be riding mostly for exercise (round parks), occasionally on the road if I need to.

Men's 26" Universal Dual Suspension Shadow Bike

Was: 139.99 [Save: 70.00] Now: 69.99

Take to the road on this stylish Men's 26" Universal Dual Suspension Shadow Bike. Features include: 18 speed index gears with twist grip, V-brakes and alloy rims. Suitable for ages 14+

Features:

26" wheel cycle
18 speed index gears
V-brakes
Alloy rims
Leg: 29" - 35

I'm 6ft tall, do you think that's suitable? I don't want to buy the wrong bike for me.

[Simon R]

I think this is the one for you...





Yum scrum.

I haven't been on a bike for literally years. I used to really like it as a child but it must be a decade nearly since I rode one.

[Captain Tancredi]

I still don't know how to ride one- never really wanted to as a child, wouldn't have anywhere to keep something oily and grubby now and the last time I tried, I started to panic when I was moving under my own power- which kind of defeats the object.

Pip, if you're thinking of cycling in Heaton Park, take care of the tram tracks or you'll be going up and down all afternoon...

[Dirk Gently]

...take care of the tram tracks or you'll be going up and down all afternoon...

I'm sure Pip won't mind going up & down all afternoon.

[Jon Masters]

I don't have a bike now, but having bought a few over the years for the kids and hired them most holidays my best advice would be to go to a specialist shop and have a go on some of them. In particular, being tall like me , you want to keep an eye on the saddle and handle bar heights - some bikes seem to have very limited ability to adjust these.

Shadow Bike

I think Ambassador Kosh might want a word about that

[Si Hunt]

Go for it Pip. I'd love to be able to cycle to work.

Si.

[Captain Tancredi]

I'm sure Pip won't mind going up & down all afternoon.

He might with a tram up his backside...

[Wayne]

My only advice as someone knows what it's like to've been carrying around a lot of weight, is to make sure you get a decent saddle fitted before embarking on any lengthy rides.
Unless you want yer winky woo to go numb for 2 days.

[WhiteCrow]

I'm after a bike, as part of my attempts to lose a bit of the beef, and I've found this one... I'll be riding mostly for exercise (round parks), occasionally on the road if I need to.

I cycle to work every day, and I have 3 bikes.

One of them is a bit like the one you have there, and to be honest it's a pain.

One important thing about bikes is how much they weigh - the heavier they are, the harder it is to get going. Of course on the whole the lighter a bike, the more expensive it is.

So I'd suggest you going to find out how heavy it is.

One way of getting a lighter bike is get one with an aluminium frame - problem is that's expensive.

Another solution is to look for a different bike. That bike is a full suspension bike - and the suspension systems add a LOT of weight. As I said I went for a cheap full suspension bike, and it's ever so heavy.

Looking back I should have gone for one with just a forward suspension on it, or even one without suspension at all - my first Universal bike in 1999 was this sort, and was ever so light despite being a steel frame.

But the size sounds about right.

Oh and my advice - always get a nice padded seat, and these days a helmet is a MUST. I came off my bike once, and the helmet shattered, but better it that my head. That is one bad incident by the way in 8 years of cycling (but only been cycling to work the last 2 years), the health benefits really are enormous though.

So looking at the site - I'd be tempted to go for this bike myself if on a limited budget and expecting to ride mainly on the road (not off road) ...

http://www.woolworths.co.uk/ww_p2/pr...l?pid=50837015

If going offroad, then yes some suspension is a bonus, but I find just front suspension is enough (I have it on my other 2 bikes), I don't find much benefit from the full suspension, and as I said it adds a lot of weight, but that's just my opinion.

[Rob McCow]

Dunno about pedal cycles - we're interested in spin cycles because our washing machine is broke.

Si's bike is also broke.

The more you put things together the more they fall apart that's the essence of the second law of thermodynamics and I've never heard a truer word spoken.

[Alex]

If you want to save money, it might not be a bad idea to keep an eye on Freecycle, Pip, it's a community recycling kind of project where people offer things up rather than throwing them away. Loads of stuff comes up on my local one (anything from furniture to computers to bicycles), and it's a way to save money. Paul & Jody told me about it and they use it from time to time and I know they've always been happy with what they've got.

[WhiteCrow]

Si's bike is also broke.

Sounds like a job for ...

[Pip Madeley]

That's some great advice Mr CrowUK, thanks for that - I'll certainly take that all into account... I think I'll do as Mr Masters said and see a specialist shop. I don't mind spending a bit more because I want something that's suited to me and more importantly, will last me a long time (I can't see myself driving in the next few years). As I get confident with riding again, I expect I will use it for getting to and from work. And yes, of course I'd wear a helmet - safety first is my motto!

I'll let you know how I get on.

[Jon Masters]

I know it's no direct use to you but I found our local specialist shop were just that bit more helpful, had plenty of time for the boys to try their bikes out , and actually weren't much more expensive.

In contrast I'd avoid Halfords like the plague

[Pip Madeley]

Oh, definitely - I checked out Halfords prices and they were frankly laughable.

[WhiteCrow]

That's some great advice Mr CrowUK, thanks for that - I'll certainly take that all into account... I think I'll do as Mr Masters said and see a specialist shop. I don't mind spending a bit more because I want something that's suited to me and more importantly, will last me a long time (I can't see myself driving in the next few years). As I get confident with riding again, I expect I will use it for getting to and from work. And yes, of course I'd wear a helmet - safety first is my motto!

If you get the right shop, then they are very good at matching up your requirements - usually you can go in say "I'm looking to spend X" and they'll find you a best buy for that.

I once bought a bike from my brother, but it had so many features and a steel frame it was really heavy, so it was hard work cycling - which meant I gave up early on. It's worth paying a little more to get a really good bike. If you can afford 100-200 bracket, then you can get a bike which you'll really enjoy taking out.

There was a Guardian guide to cycling published last month,but it was practically laughable - a "cheap" bike in there started from 400 - Guardian readers honestly.

Be warned though - bikes don't last forever. One of my bikes I bought for 150 is on it's way out now - I've had it since 2004. However I've clocked up about 5,000 - 7,000 miles on it I think. If biking does become your major way of getting around, it's probably worth getting a second cheap no frills bike - it means if you get any maintenance work on one, you can leave it to the weekend, you should always have a bike "ready to go" etc. I've had mornings where I woke to a flat tyre, so hopped on the spare etc.