Cyclists

[gmanxiii]

Anyone cycle regularly? or maybe just started recently? im looking to start cycling mainly to do a bit of commuting fairly soon as we've just moved offices and theres showers! everyday i do a 10 mile commute into work that takes me about 30-40 mins on a motorbike, theres an old dude on a road bicycle who i see everyday i pass him about half way and he can get through traffic i cant and but i catch him on the straight and we get into the city about the same time. So since im pretty lardy now from not being able to do any excercise since my accident i think it would be good way to lose the gut, still get to work quicker than anyone else and have a refreshing breeze and sunshine/thundering rain on my face first thing.

Only thing is where do i start? What equipment would i need? What kind of bike would be most suitable? and how much to pay really.
should i expect to have a similar road sense to riding a motorcycle especially regarding filtering and stuff if not more?

i've just been debating with a friend of mine who lives in london who wants to do the same but he's never been on two wheels in busy city traffic. Hes adamant hes got brilliant road sense and is willing to pay like a grand for a expensive road bike which i said was a bit stupid and overkill especially if he decides he cant be arsed cycling again after a few months or he gets knocked off. Personally i'd go for the most cheap and battered thing i can find and just use that until i feel i want more comfort and speed.

So whad'dya reckon? I suppose im taking a view from like a learner rider might. i.e. buy the most reliable rubbish running bike you can find, get some experience, then progress to something more flash.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[_Will_]

People will come and say spend £700 on a bike and equipment, which i think is just silly.

I purchased a mens moutain bike (allbeit from family) for a tenner earlier this year, it has since done a thousand odd miles (i really should buy new tyres ) since i have forked out 15 for a self sealing innertube after a puncture and its still going strong, all i will have to spend in the near future is £15 on new tyres.

I do between 60-100 odd miles a week no problems, i've now got a little computer to tell me how fast/far im going aswell.

Realisticly it should cost you pittance.

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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[Dusty]

I bought the 06 halfords carrara fury when it had just come out. Cost £400 and something but has been surprisingly reliable for a halfords bike considering the abuse it's had. If I were you I'd just get something cheap and see if you get into it before you get something expensive. Having said that, whatever you do don't buy a cheap full suspension bike.
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Gallery

[Chriss]

I cycle to work on my brothers old mountain bike, with no suspension. It's only 6 miles (lots of hills, and off road) but the 10 year old bike manages it quite well, but it's hard work.

I'd buy a cheap bike, and see how it goes, and if you like it, carries on, ie, not just a phase, then upgrade.
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[D O G]

I try to cycle on my commute as much as possible - it is my favourite way to get into work. In London, which in general is as flat as a pancake, I find it incredible that more people don't do it.

I would say that the best way to start is to get a second hand bike from ebay for around £250 - make sure it is a road bike. DO NOT get a mountain bike for pure road riding. They are wider, heavier, have much greater rolling resistance, and generally made of cheaper components.

Go to Halfords and size yourself up - then leave and get a Halfords Carrera second hand, in the right size on ebay.

I would recommend toeclips to start, don't go straight to SPD's - you might not enjoy it and therefore there is no point getting all the kit.

DO get proper cycling shorts. On a 10 mile commute (likely to be c.45min to start with), twice a day, you will get a sore arse. Proper cycling shorts have anti bacterial padding which helps with comfort I personally prefer 'bib' type shorts (they don't cut into your stomache).

For your top, consider a hi-viz jacket, you will need it for the winter and shitty weather, but they are awful sweaty in the summer. Personally I go for a ludicrous cycling kit, which always gets appropriate attention!

(Depending on your size I have a hi viz jacket which is surplus to requirements - you can have it for the cost of the postage - PM if you want)

Logistically, I leave my work shoes at work, with troosers and shirt/lunch in my backpack.

May as well get a helmet too!

Once you have all the above, get a copy of the highway code. Then throw that fucker away! You won't be needing it on the pushbike. My favourite part of cycling is the big to cagers. The key to effective cycling is not to lose momentum - so try not to stop at all

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Get a flat bar road bike or get a mountain bike and fit slicks.

Something off ebay for a few hundred quid would probably be fine, dont get anything with suspension, it will be useless and heavy.

Get a cycling helmet, some gloves, a pair f lights and a decent rucksack which has two clipping straps on the front. Then just cycle.

Probably best to start off with just doing 2-3 times a week at first.

Cycling on the road will be even more dangerous than riding your motorbike. Have fun.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Itchy]

dude have you seen how big that hill is on Standlane? , unless you are willing to skitch into work there be many hills,

Prestwich is up and down , Salford is down all the way into strangeways , but then you have to think of it backwards.


Salford uphill all the way, then up and down via prestwich , then down standlane then up the horrible radcliffe bit and then up the Breightmet bit.

You can borrow a push bike of mine to have a go I have a lock too so you can have a try and not spent too much on somehting you'll abandon





When I was like 16 I push bike'd to work in Whitefield, took me about an hour from Radcliffe, and I was pretty fit in those days being able to run a 6 minute mile,

EDIT : here is the clue you meet him about half way, who knows how long it takes him to get up standlane? , if Hamhock man started same place as me I'd waste him,

if you are being beaten by cyclists would you like a lesson in attack filtering? a human cyclist cannot sustain more than 25mph on the flat and 15mph on steep inclines for more than a few minutes, I can sustain 30mph through absolute gridlocked traffic, you just have to be assertive.

EDIT2 , 30-40 minutes to get into the city? , wtf are you riding? a solex? my personal best is 14 minutes and 3 seconds from Portland Street door to door, Although this is somewhat dangerous, my average time into the city was 23 minutes. Albeit I live 1.3 miles closer.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[kawashima]

I bought cyclo-cross model. cyclo-cross model has tougher frame for off road, but lighter than MTB model. And cyclo-cross model has drop handle. You can fit wider road tyre with wire compared to road model. Road bike has tubular tyres and I can't maintain them.
That's why I bought cyclo-cross model.

[gmanxiii]