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First Bike – Commuting and more – Please Help!

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  • January 27, 2016 at 11:54 am #25306
    Zoolaunder

    Hi everyone,

    I’m sure this has been posted many a time, so, sorry about that. I am really lost and confused and need some advice, hopefully you can help. I am wanting to cycle to work as a 3 mile walk in very boring and long. I then want to try do 5 – 10 miles home each day for fitness and then build up my fitness and stamina over the weekends. So, I first looked at a hybrid bike but got told that they are’nt any good for longer rides and the position you sit in is not ideal – I have had lower back problems through sport. (one person said a road bike puts me in a better position)

     

    Now, I scrapped that idea and looked at road bikes. Oh god, too many to choose from and look at and even understand all the differences. I am a novice to cycling but not in sport. I do believe in paying for good gear. But that being said – budget is circa £500 maybe more. I then read about these road bikes that have a more relaxed seating position but still a good fitness bike and with room for decent sized tyres and mudguards etc.

    Also, in terms of drop bars and changing gears, is this a simple thing? It just seems awkward?

     

    I have looked at Mango and they seem nice but once all the add ons and bits are added I was looking at over £600. Sitting on the fence there.  Then looked at Giant and I have now got into a position of total confusion.

    I would like something fairly comfy but something that I can learn to cycle properly on. I am 6’2″ and 16st (looking to get back to 15 but I am quite broad) so I dont know if this makes a difference too? I am also wanting some advice on pedals – the thought of being a novice with my feet clamped in makes me nervous, but I like the fact that you get the upward power too – how easily do your feet clip in and out and is this doable for commuting in stop start traffic? What saddles are the the best and comfiest for a starter too?

     

    If theres any advice you can share on what would be an option that would be great. I am hoping to have a shortlist of 3 – 5 bikes I can look at or choose from. In my mind, these are what I want –

     

    1. Comfortable but sporty

    2. Versitle for commuting and weekend rides (room for mudguards etc)

    3. Easy to ride

    4. Not Garish

    5. Ideally sub £500

    6. Pedals?

     

    I hope you can all shed some light on this for me and make this easier. I am wary of going to a shop and speaking to some lemon that knows as much as I do and just wants to sell me a bike that he’ll make the most money from. That said, Cycle in Richmond have a brilliant guy there whom was impartial and just gave me some decent advice. But their bikes start at £700…

     

    Thanks in advance,

    Jason

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  • January 29, 2016 at 2:11 pm #866111
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    Zoolaunder

    arfa wrote:

    arfa wrote:
    Cannondale have a great reputation for light weight aluminium frames and as an owner I have no complaints. Giant bikes have a great reputation and lots of happy owners too. A key difference I would point out on the synapse I highlighted is that it has a carbon fork which will take some of the “buzz” out of riding on crappy British roads and the norco has an alloy fork instead. The norco also has thicker tyres (only really necessary for gravel/off road). On groupsets, the cheapest is claris, sora, tiara, 105, ultegra and then on to dura ace/di2. For me, the cheapest i’do go is tiagra as it changes crisply and the components feel more durable than claris/sora. 105 is a little bit crisper in changes but as a first bike, I doubt it really would be noticeable over tiagra. On an aesthetic view, tiagra run the cables under the bar tape (which looks cleaner) and the cheaper sets run cables outside. Hopefully this helps and in short, either tiagra or 105 for me

     

    Again, thanks. Very helpful. I will keep this in mind tomorrow when I’m testing.  It truly is crazy how many little differences there are and how these all seem to make quite large differences. The Norco for the money seems a good bet. But I am also driven by the look. The synapse takes the looks prize but parts for money is Norco. Maybe I’ll just spray it one day and make it all matte and sexy.

    Thanks though! Guardian angels here.

     

    Re pedals, Shimano have a combo set for cleats and normal shoes which seems good to me and lets me get into them in my own time. Winning.

    January 29, 2016 at 1:56 pm #866109
    0
    MoominPappa

    arfa wrote:

    arfa wrote:
     the norco has an alloy fork instead

    Not according to the Evans URL above or Norco’s website – it is chromoly. 

    Now I absolutely agree about carbon having dampening properties compared to aluminium, but so does steel.

    Which will be better – carbon fork and alu frame or all chromoly frame and fork – now I don’t know. OP clearly has no budget for full carbon setup. 

    Alu frame and carbon fork should be lighter than full steel setup although that itself isn’t such an issue unless OP does a lot of hill climbing. 

    As a matter of fact I was also looking at Caadx and Arfa is right about their frames. 

    January 29, 2016 at 12:34 pm #866107
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    arfa

    Cannondale have a great
    Cannondale have a great reputation for light weight aluminium frames and as an owner I have no complaints. Giant bikes have a great reputation and lots of happy owners too.
    A key difference I would point out on the synapse I highlighted is that it has a carbon fork which will take some of the “buzz” out of riding on crappy British roads and the norco has an alloy fork instead. The norco also has thicker tyres (only really necessary for gravel/off road).
    On groupsets, the cheapest is claris, sora, tiara, 105, ultegra and then on to dura ace/di2.
    For me, the cheapest i’do go is tiagra as it changes crisply and the components feel more durable than claris/sora. 105 is a little bit crisper in changes but as a first bike, I doubt it really would be noticeable over tiagra. On an aesthetic view, tiagra run the cables under the bar tape (which looks cleaner) and the cheaper sets run cables outside.
    Hopefully this helps and in short, either tiagra or 105 for me

    January 29, 2016 at 11:10 am #866105
    0
    Zoolaunder
    MoominPappa wrote:
    Zoolaunder wrote:
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/search-s2-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec072576

     

    Been pointed towards this. Spec looks great?!

     

    I was dribbling over this one, however C2W provider limitations precluded me from buying it.

    What is not to like in that price,  105 groupset and chromoly frame?!

     

    I really hope that one day I will appreciate all the diiference in sets etc. To me they are cool names with varying price ranges which make me sad that this could cost a lot of money…! Ha.

    I have been looking… more… and saw the Giant Defy 0 (as well as the 5,4 and 3 etc) on offer at Rutland for £650. Are Cannondale and Giant quite similar? See, I am a cricketer and golfer. And I understand all the differences between forged and cast, fitted and standard as I play to a high level. I want to push myself to get the equivalent bike, but I dont know if I would appreiciate or benefit…

     

    How much of a difference is there with these Claris and Sora and 105 etc?

    January 28, 2016 at 4:45 pm #866103
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    MoominPappa
    Zoolaunder wrote:
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/search-s2-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec072576

     

    Been pointed towards this. Spec looks great?!

     

    I was dribbling over this one, however C2W provider limitations precluded me from buying it.

    What is not to like in that price,  105 groupset and chromoly frame?!

    January 28, 2016 at 4:36 pm #866101
    0
    MoominPappa
    Comrade wrote:
    …  the shops I enquired at all wanted to charge their full ticket price for the voucher. … 

    Giant St Paul’s sold me 1 month ago discounted Anyroad 1 2015 with C2W voucher.

    Must have been the last 2015 bike they had.

    Didn’t have to argue with or persuade them to get it on C2W.

    Although you (OP) might have to wait until the 2016 clearance… 

     

    Disclaimer – I’m not an employee or anyway related with the abovementioned business apart from being a happy customer. I’m not receiving payment, discounts or in any way benefitting from my statement. 

    January 28, 2016 at 10:54 am #866099
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    . .

    Zoolaunder wrote:

    Zoolaunder wrote:
    if I stack it, will I get nailed by charges?!?!

    So they say. I hope to never find out.

     

    Zoolaunder wrote:
    Will 58cm be too small for me

    58 is correct for you according to Cannondale’s sizing chart, but everybody is a bit different so try it and see

     

    January 28, 2016 at 10:37 am #866097
    0
    Zoolaunder

    arfa wrote:

    arfa wrote:
    The norco is a great spec and i’d definitely consider it in your shoes. On discs, if you’re commuting you will be using your brakes more than usual and I found i’d get 4000 miles out of a set of wheels before the rim wore out to the point of being dangerous not to replace – that’s essentially 200 quid for a new set of wheels. Discs on a commuting bike are a must for me, especially in an urban environment

     

    Ok. that makes sense then. pay more upfront to save more over time – logic. Argh…. Just looking through Evans and theres some good deals on Fuji’s, Cannondales, Norco… Going to try and ride these three and hopefully make a desicion.

    Are wheels really that much? Thats crazy.

    January 28, 2016 at 10:22 am #866095
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    arfa

    The north is a great spec and
    The norco is a great spec and i’d definitely consider it in your shoes.
    On discs, if you’re commuting you will be using your brakes more than usual and I found i’d get 4000 miles out of a set of wheels before the rim wore out to the point of being dangerous not to replace – that’s essentially 200 quid for a new set of wheels. Discs on a commuting bike are a must for me, especially in an urban environment

    January 28, 2016 at 9:32 am #866093
    0
    Zoolaunder

    http://www.evanscycles.com

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/search-s2-2015-adventure-road-bike-ec072576

     

    Been pointed towards this. Spec looks great?!

    January 28, 2016 at 8:48 am #866091
    0
    Zoolaunder

    arfa wrote:

    arfa wrote:
    I am going to stick my neck out and recommend this: http://m.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-alloy-tiagra-disc-2015-road-bike-ec071022 Why ? I commute on one in London, they’re excellent bikes and very comfortable. It comes with disc brakes which are better in crappy weather (plenty of it at the moment), your wheels will last longer (the rims don’t get ground down by caliper brakes). This bike has a tiagra groupset which is way crisper than claris and sora. Essentially, this is a bike that will meet all your needs and it will last better and should avoid the maxim of “buy badly, buy twice”. Yes it is more than your budget but this bike is a bargain if you think of getting several years use out of it. To put it into context, I have done 7000 miles on mine and have only had to get a new set of disc pads on mine – minimal cost per mile.

    I didnt realise/really think about the caliper brakes eating at the wheels… Its the little things you neglect. Do they really take that much away from the life of your wheels? For instance, if I went for the Mango and got the Team Vision wheels – would they just need replacing after X amount of miles?

    Thanks for the advice! Looks like a lovely bike. I was looking at the green and black ones, however, the 61cm frames all seem to be sold out… Will 58cm be too small for me? (I’m 6’2″)

     

    I was looking at the Fuji Sportif – any good? Any other recommendations? Like you’ve all said, would like to have 3 good options.

     

    Guys, thank you all so much for the advice! I was not expecting such a response! Really appreciate it.

    January 28, 2016 at 8:41 am #866089
    0
    Zoolaunder
    . . wrote:
    Zoolaunder wrote:
    I think I am going to try get the Canondale Synapse and go from there. Evans have last years model on a good offer and that seems good to me… Unless of course theres better options?

    Evans are very good for test rides, so go and try it out, and maybe compare with one or two others.    Just don’t bin it!

    http://www.evanscycles.com/help/test-rides

     

    Stupid question – if I stack it, will I get nailed by charges?!?! I am hoping to pop in this evening and do some test rides on Saturday am.

    January 28, 2016 at 8:27 am #866087
    0
    arfa

    I am going to stick my neck
    I am going to stick my neck out and recommend this:
    http://m.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-alloy-tiagra-disc-2015-road-bike-ec071022

    Why ? I commute on one in London, they’re excellent bikes and very comfortable.
    It comes with disc brakes which are better in crappy weather (plenty of it at the moment), your wheels will last longer (the rims don’t get ground down by caliper brakes).
    This bike has a tiagra groupset which is way crisper than claris and sora. Essentially, this is a bike that will meet all your needs and it will last better and should avoid the maxim of “buy badly, buy twice”.
    Yes it is more than your budget but this bike is a bargain if you think of getting several years use out of it. To put it into context, I have done 7000 miles on mine and have only had to get a new set of disc pads on mine – minimal cost per mile.

    January 27, 2016 at 11:07 pm #866085
    0
    . .

    Zoolaunder wrote:

    Zoolaunder wrote:
    I think I am going to try get the Canondale Synapse and go from there. Evans have last years model on a good offer and that seems good to me… Unless of course theres better options?

    Evans are very good for test rides, so go and try it out, and maybe compare with one or two others.    Just don’t bin it!

    http://www.evanscycles.com/help/test-rides

    January 27, 2016 at 8:45 pm #866083
    0
    Zoolaunder
    Dr. Ko wrote:
    I think the important step is to define your needs and the related features. Back in my storage I have so called race bikes as well as touring/commuter bikes. The commuter bikes are for riding to/through town. I can change my daily commute between 8 and almost 20 miles one direction.

    – tyres 25 to 28 mm wide, you’re still in town so 28 mm is totally enough, Schwalbe Marathon are a good option

    – ass savers

    – saddle for a more relaxed position e.g. Brooks sometimes combined with a Caradice saddle back. 

    These commuter bikes are usually based on a used steel frame and used 10 speed Shimano Ultegra parts. Here a example with a new aluminium frame and a low budget: Budget bike of course for London it needs some add-ons London extras.

    I must admit building your bike is an unlikely option for you, but I wanted to give you ideas for a commuter bike. A friend had almost the same situation, he opted for a second hand bike.

    Final idea: If you want to convert your commuter bike for weekend fun, get a second set of wheels like Fulcrum 3 with lighter racing tyres like Conti GP 4000 II, while your working day wheels will be 3 kg including tyres, these weekend wheels are about 2 kg a major difference.

    Good luck!

    Dr. Ko

     

    Hi Dr Ko,

     

    Thanks for the info – I clicked on the budget build but only saw part 3 of your build. What commuter bikes have you got? And I wouldnt be against building, but saying that I also just want it asap so this may not be a good idea for now.

     

    Mango have the team vision upgrade they offer for only 69.99 – are they good and light enough? I think I am going to try get the Canondale Synapse and go from there. Evans have last years model on a good offer and that seems good to me… Unless of course theres better options?

     

    What are good tyres for commuting then? I see all these puncture resistant ones – are they what I should get? And the Canon comes with 25mm – should i get slightly bigger or are these good enough for the job at hand?

    Thanks

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