Buying a bicycle

[Georgie]

Hi everyone. 

I'm taking early retirement and as I no longer run a car I'm thinking about buying a bicycle to get around locally, explore the area more thoroughly and keep fit. 

The thing is that I haven't been on a bicycle since I was a teenager and I have absolutely no idea what to look for in terms of performance, suitability etc. 

Can anyone offer any advice or point me to a reliable supplier/source of information?

Many thanks :)

G x

[Georgie]

[Flighty]

This website may be of use -
http://www.whycycle.co.uk/bike_styles/bikes_for_women/

[Aden Roller]

Good for you! A brilliant decision in my opinion.

Cycling is a cheap and very practical way of travelling short distances. With the right gear it does not need to be a fair weather thing either.

If you are intending to cycle mainly on roads and cycle-paths I would not go for a mountain bike. They are heavy and the thick tyres cause drag requiring more effort.

A hybrid or city cycle would be best one designed for road use. If you live in a hilly area 21 gears are useful to reduce the effort needed.

I have a Claud Butler and it sails along beautifully. Something like this might suit you: Claud Butler

I prefer an upright cycling position not the nose on handlebars job for racing. A light weight frame really does make a difference.

Drop into a local cycle shop for advice. A good shop should let you get on and have a go up the road and back. That place beginning with “H” wouldn't be on my list of places to buy a bike from.

[Unwashed]

Drop into a local cycle shop for advice. A good shop should let you get on and have a go up the road and back. That place beginning with "H" wouldn't be on my list of places to buy a bike from.

Absolutely.  Bikes is something the independents still do better than the box-shifters.  Value's pretty much as good as you'll get off the internet and local bike shops are typically run by knowledgeable enthusiasts. 

I'd second the suggestion for a hybrid/commute rather than a mountain bike because unless you're going off road you don't want suspension and knobly tires, but you do want a rack and mud guards.

Giant are a decent manufacturer at a good price.  Check out Wiggle if you want to browse a bit on-line.

[grannyjanny]

I have a hybrid Trek bike. I can't walk very far but I can cycle for miles. We have Tatton Park on our doorstep & I can go along the tracks easily with it. Most important, please get a helmet. When our youngest was getting married we both dieted & cycled, I could do 100 miles a week without much effort but would be jiggered for a week if I went for a 3 mile walk ::) ;D.

[staris]

i'm a bicycle mechanic by trade, it depends on what you will be using it for, but a hybrid bike will probably suit your needs it gives you the option of riding on the road and also on cycle paths or old railway lines, or if you plan on anything rougher you would need a mountain bike.
you need to think about weather you will be riding all year round and if so i would recommend full mudguards to keep you dry, the shorter clip on guards are nowhere near as good
i would say don't go to cheap as you get what you pay for ,i personally wouldn't spend any less than £250 and steer well clear of ebay bikes.
it's a good time to buy right now as it's been a poor year in terms of bike sale and most manufacturers have loads left and the new ranges are due out very soon so there are loads of good deals around at the moment  :)

if you need any-more info please ask  :)

[Aden Roller]

And once you've made your choice, ridden a few miles and feel more at home on your bike than you do on two feet........ consider a cycle trailer!!

We don't own a car by choice but we both use trailers for bringing home the weekly shopping, moving anything that is too heavy to carry and (most important of all) for the allotment.  :)

Today I brought home a sack of potatoes, a crate of beans, a bucket of plums, courgettes, spring onions, lettuce and beetroot. All together a load of around 100kg. I wouldn't have managed without the trailer.



I couldn't agree more with the idea of getting full mud guards and I'd add a decent set of lights to the list.

Let us know which bike you choose.

[pumkinlover]

AR- I admire your no car choice, cannot make same claim but we do our best to use bike and feets.

I have a trailer but I only use it for allotment, I am worried that it might get stolen as would not be easy to lock on most bike stands.  We usually use back packs to go to town.
Have you a method to make sure they are still there when you get back to them?

[Aden Roller]

Thanks PL but choosing not to have a car is easy for us partly because we are used to not having the convenience of a car in the first place. What you don't have you don't miss.  ;)

When moving to our present place position was a very important factor: not too near the noisy main road and equidistant between shops, school/work. It's also fairly flat around here until you reach the South Downs.

Having a bicycle is the most convenient way for us to travel: no parking problems, no waiting for buses and it's affordable.

We use pretty strong steel flexi-locks and hook the bike up to the trailer. If possible we also park under CCTV coverage. Not many of the sort of people who want to pinch a bike would be seen dead cycling with a trailer behind them.  ;D

[grannyjanny]

Something else you might need if the bike hasn't got one Georgie is a gel seat ;D.

[Aden Roller]

Something else you might need if the bike hasn't got one Georgie is a gel seat ;D.

A good tip!

These can make the miles glide by.  ;)

[grannyjanny]

Years ago I used to put a tea cosy on the seat but the girls refused to be seen out with me so I had to suffer :) ;D.

[Aden Roller]

Years ago I used to put a tea cosy on the seat but the girls refused to be seen out with me so I had to suffer :) ;D.

Better than on your head!!  ;D

[lavenderlux]

I'd also (like Unwashed) recommend the company 'Giant' for good quality bicycles at reasonable prices.
I'd never ever in my life had a 'new' bike so to celebrate my retirement a few years ago I treated myself to a Giant Sydney model and I love it  It has three gears and baskets back and front and suits me fine for getting to and from the allotment

[Kleftiwallah]

The Greentyre company supplies tyres that will not puncture !  The greatest pain in the rear is a puncture.    Cheers,    Tony.

[non-stick]

I bought a Globe hybrid a few years back - put Schwalbe puncture proof tyres on and it's fine. Got if cheaper as it was "last years model".

And I echo what someone said earlier - get a helmet. Couple of guys I work with have had offs and would have had far more serious accidents without wearing a helmet. Both crashes cracked their helmets, not their heads!

Ditto going to a local bike shop - get measured properly for the bike. It makes all the difference.

I also put hybrid pedals on - I can wear ordinary shoes or cycling shoes dependent on how far I'm going. Clipping in makes pedalling loads easier

[pumkinlover]

Thanks for reply AR- I never thought about the lack of street cred when pulling a trailer (that kind of thing never occurs to me ;)) Can you  lock the trailer to the bike? Round here a lot of theft is for selling on so still a potential target.

[macmac]

Brilliant idea G.
I never had a bike as a child so my first purchase was at 54  :o
I'd hadn't really ridden one either .
Mine was bought from a  chap who gets cycles from the local police,he then reconditions them and sells at the local quarry.'No idea what make but it has got big wheels .
the only advice I can offer is invest in a gel seat so much more comfy.The OH and I often trundle off down the prom in the evening,you really see things you don't when travelling by car as well as the excercise.

[Borlotti]

I gave up driving, by choice, when I retired, and like Lavenderlux, I got given a Giant Sydney bike from my children for my 60th birthday.  Must say I did give them a few hints about a bike.  Bought two panniers and can carry loads and loads of shopping in them, even if I have to push the bike home, if it is overloaded.  Also can carry loads home from the allotment.  Don't ride on busy roads, but can ride on the pavement, and stop if pedestrians, and the police don't seem to mind, or ride through the park to the allotment, or on cycle paths if any on the A10.  Don't think cars like bikes on busy roads.

[Aden Roller]

Giant make good bikes but there is a range of types. As several people have said - I wouldn't go for a mountain bike as they are heavier so take more effort to move. Try lifting the bikes you look at and remember you have to pedal that along as well as yourself and a load if you carry anything.

Frame = the lighter the better.


Schwalbe puncture proof tyres are excellent - I use them and, although a bit dearer (around £20 a tyre) and not 100% puncture proof, they do reduce punctures enormously. My Claud Butler had these as standard.

I prefer a few gears to spare for heading into the wind, going up hill or towing my trailer so more than the 3 speed sturmey archer would be my recommendation.

Above all, whatever choice you make, I really wish you many happy, safe cycle trips.
It's a great way to travel.