Dan Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I'm getting back into my cycling just now and decided to treat myself to a new bike, but I'm a bit out of touch so just wanted to know if anyone could recommend a good road bike for me. I have spotted this one, is it any good ? http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70739 Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I'm not into cycling, but I know a good place to get cycling jerseys from: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CyclingTopsUK_ ... idZ2QQtZkm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sl114 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 You need or you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 You need or you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 21, 2008 Author Share Posted May 21, 2008 I'm not into cycling, but I know a good place to get cycling jerseys from: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CyclingTopsUK_ ... idZ2QQtZkm LOL Thanks mate, but I would look a bit silly in them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarnie Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I'm not into cycling, but I know a good place to get cycling jerseys from: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/CyclingTopsUK_ ... idZ2QQtZkm LOL Thanks mate, but I would look a bit silly in them I've got a few that would fit you! I know I'll swap you some for that Z4M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 21, 2008 Author Share Posted May 21, 2008 P.S. Why do the cheaper bikes come with pedals when the more expensive ones don't ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 P.S. Why do the cheaper bikes come with pedals when the more expensive ones don't ? They assume you have SPD's and fancy being stuck to the bike as it hits the kerb / tree / floor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 21, 2008 Author Share Posted May 21, 2008 P.S. Why do the cheaper bikes come with pedals when the more expensive ones don't ? They assume you have SPD's and fancy being stuck to the bike as it hits the kerb / tree / floor! I've always hated anything that fixes your feet to the pedals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAFC99 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 best off going for a spiecalized tarmac comp, full carbon, will be about 1300 if you get last years model. (they are light as a feather) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Ming Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Dependant on how many miles you do lots of carbon fibre is really of dubious benefit and great cost. A full carbon bike might be a whole pound lighter than a much cheaper equivalent and then you get a bag of tools, a bum bag with bits in it and have a bottle of water somewhere and any possible saving are written off!! I had a hybrid for a year and moved onto a Boardman Comp that had carbon forks and some extra's (£600) http://washford.scene7.com/is/image/Was ... 898?$prod$ I bought it through the http://www.cycle2work.info/ scheme. Our work signed up to it and you get it interest free, with tax deductions and it cost just over half price All businesses can sign up to the scheme and they get tax benefits as well!!!! (win win as I see it.) Its not ony Halfords that do the Scheme its just that thats the noe my firm uses. The Boardman by the way is a great bike and i use it almost daily for the 10 mile round trip to work and back. If you need more info PM me Ming the Cyclist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcash5 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 Evans is not highly regarded in cycling circles to be honest, - very commercial. personally i would look at the likes of Parkers international. Agree about the weight saving but carbon fibre is a different animal interms of response, its alot less forgiving in terms of flex over rough roads or if you damage it (slipping over or banging it in the back of the car.) Alot of people, including myself stick to carbon stays and carbon forks. Specialized are banging out some beautiful bikes this year but to be honest as long as spend the money you will get a decent bike. Main thing to look out for is some bikes spec in campagnolo or shimano, many cyclists have a preferance, mine is shimano due to i prefere setting it up. If you a complete amature or getting back into the game, try and have a go on as many as possible and find out what works with you best. About the cycle to work scheme: if you are going down this route i would urge you to read the small print carefully. Having worked at halfords i know many companies actually set it up a bit cheekily as you pay back the so much each month for the allotted time but in the end you dont actually own the bike!!! Read it VERY carefully. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 22, 2008 Author Share Posted May 22, 2008 Some good advice there, thanks very much lads. Well I did another 14.2 miles last night, quite a hilly route. It took me 58 minutes on a ten year old Mountain Bike which weighs a bloody ton and is geared so low it struggles to exceed 30mph even down the side of a cliff I know thats slow, but it's only my second ride in about six years, first ride was Monday and my butt is still sore from the saddle !!! I've decided I want to get back into road cycling. I was doing over 100 miles a week until I got knocked off by a car about ten years ago. I actually wrote the car off, and the Police said I hit the car so hard I burst his tyre. I was lucky. Had to have surgery to re-attach my left knee cap and was on crutches for a few months, but nowadays it's all fine. My heart rate back then was 49bpm at rest, so I was quite fit. Anyway, I'm forty now and more or less finished with the powerlifting and want to concentrate on fitness. My only worry is my weight. I've slimmed down to 19 stone but thats very heavy for a cyclist and Road bikes look so delicate I'm concerned my weight will upset the handling and possibly even be dangerous so I need to buy something decent. And obviously at 19 stone any weight saving on the bike isn't going to have much of an effect Thanks for the tips anyway, I'll try the website which was recommended Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAFC99 Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 defo get a carbon miles more comfortable at soaking up shocks from the road and they arent killer priced! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySpak Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 If you want to get fit, ride a Mountain Bike on the road, the fat tyres will increase the resistance and you'll have to work harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emperor Ming Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Evans is not highly regarded in cycling circles to be honest, - very commercial. personally i would look at the likes of Parkers international. Agree about the weight saving but carbon fibre is a different animal interms of response, its alot less forgiving in terms of flex over rough roads or if you damage it (slipping over or banging it in the back of the car.) Alot of people, including myself stick to carbon stays and carbon forks. Specialized are banging out some beautiful bikes this year but to be honest as long as spend the money you will get a decent bike. Main thing to look out for is some bikes spec in campagnolo or shimano, many cyclists have a preferance, mine is shimano due to i prefere setting it up. If you a complete amature or getting back into the game, try and have a go on as many as possible and find out what works with you best. About the cycle to work scheme: if you are going down this route i would urge you to read the small print carefully. Having worked at halfords i know many companies actually set it up a bit cheekily as you pay back the so much each month for the allotted time but in the end you dont actually own the bike!!! Read it VERY carefully. Dan Hi dan I did exactly that. In the cycle2work scheme YOUR employer buys the bike and you buy it from them. Halfords relinquish the bike the second you ride it out of the shop. I pay 13 equal payments and it is mine. The last one covers the admin etc. The cost still works out almost 50% off. the actual amount depends on your earnings and the more you earn the more you get off strangely enough. Its a tax thing. As soon as I have paid for this cycle I will be getting another one for off road use. Carbon forks I would agree with but much more is of little use to a normal rider other than for bragging rights. I also agree that the auxiliaries make the bike as much of not more than the bike itself.. Good luck with your hunt Dan. Ming the daily rider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT2Z Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Another buyer through the ride2work scheme. Its a no brainer, I'm just about to buy my second bike. I ended up getting a better bike for the same budjet I was going to spend. Thats the only downfall, you should get the bike you want and save the tax, not up you're budget. Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3FIDDYZ Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Cannondale Bad Boy is a good option or any of the others in the range... and the specialised are doing some good kit. Buying a frame and then building the bike up from there means you get all the good bits.... And you can pick up some bargains off ebay... Also try and look for something that has either Front or front and rear lock out on the suspension. It means you get the best of both worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 If you want to get fit, ride a Mountain Bike on the road, the fat tyres will increase the resistance and you'll have to work harder. LOL, yeah thats what I'm doing now, but I want to join the local cycling club and their Sunday ride is 60 to 70 miles at average speeds "in excess of 18 mph". They said if I attempt that on a mountain bike I would never want to see the bike again... Mind you even on a proper road bike I couldn't do that distance yet, but at least I know what I'm working towards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 27, 2008 Author Share Posted May 27, 2008 Hi danI did exactly that. In the cycle2work scheme YOUR employer buys the bike and you buy it from them. Halfords relinquish the bike the second you ride it out of the shop. I pay 13 equal payments and it is mine. The last one covers the admin etc. The cost still works out almost 50% off. the actual amount depends on your earnings and the more you earn the more you get off strangely enough. Its a tax thing. As soon as I have paid for this cycle I will be getting another one for off road use. Carbon forks I would agree with but much more is of little use to a normal rider other than for bragging rights. I also agree that the auxiliaries make the bike as much of not more than the bike itself.. Good luck with your hunt Dan. Ming the daily rider Thanks Ming. Thats very appealing, and now that I have gone Limited I am an employee of my own company, so I should be able to do it. I'll look into it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.