The Cycling Thread: Part 4

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I want it initially for long rides on a weekend for fitness, then will commute half way to work which is around 15 miles. Am I right in thinking I will be better off with a roadbike?
 
I want it initially for long rides on a weekend for fitness, then will commute half way to work which is around 15 miles. Am I right in thinking I will be better off with a roadbike?

Depends on the terrain you want to ride on. Road bikes are just that, for road use only due to the tyres/wheels/frame not being up to off road use.

Even canal paths etc can be problematic for a road bike. If it's solely only ever going to be used on the road then fine, if not it may be worth looking at some sort of hybrid or cross bike.
 
Need to look into this further I think. Is a hybrid one with front suspension and no rear? A hard back or something do they call them?
 
There are many different types of hybrid and dependant upon how rough the terrain you want to ride it on depends on what bike you get.

A hard tail is a cross country mountain style bike normally with a thick and heavy frame and tyres. These are great for serious off road cycling and will soak up most terrain as well as being efficient enough for long distance peddling. They will have front suspension forks.

Then you have full suspension mountain bikes, they are very expensive, tend to be heavy unless you spend thousands and are ideal for the very roughest of downhill trails. They aren't very efficient as the suspension will soak up some energy.

Then we move on to off road orientated hybrids. These normally have a slightly less heavy frame and front suspension only. They also tend to have thinner tyres but not always. They are more efficient as they are lighter and will handle all but the very toughest off roading.

Then we have middle of the road hybrids with a sturdy frame, solid fork, intermediate tyres and usually bigger wheels. These can handle some pretty rough terrain and are not exactly slow on the road but will not do anything as well as a more specialised variant.

Then we move on to road hybrids which are essentially road bikes with flat handle bars.

Then of course the classic road bike with drop bars.

There is also cyclocross bikes to mention which are essentially middle of the road hybrids with drop bars. These are for road snobs who refuse to ride with a flat bar. :devil:
 
Need to look into this further I think. Is a hybrid one with front suspension and no rear? A hard back or something do they call them?
A hybrid is mainly like a cross bike but with flat handlebars, no suspension.
A hardtail is a mountain bike with suspension forks but no rear suspension.

Edit: a far better description and overview by Dave above :cool::)
 
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Thanks Dave for the detailed explanation, much appreciated. I'm thinking I might go for a hard tail hybrid, as the terrain round me can be pretty rough and also I'd like to cycle round the trails near me aswell as the road for some long distance cycling, is this the best hybrid to go for? I'm looking at spending around £500, however you have to use a designated store so will look into some good ones near me.
 
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jono987 said:
Thanks Dave for the detailed explanation, much appreciated. I'm thinking I might go for a hybrid, as the terrain round me can be pretty rough and also I'd like to cycle round the trails near me aswell as the road for some long distance cycling, is this the best hybrid to go for? I'm looking at spending around £500, however you have to use a designated store so will look into some good ones near me.

I've got a hybrid with solid forks and it gets used almost daily for commuting on roads as well as blasting round the local canals. It handles it really well but can be uncomfortable on the arms if it's really rough.

If it's mainly going to be used on roads or the trails aren't too tough then go for a solid fork hybrid with carbon forks if the budget will stretch. Disc brakes are awesome too but you might be struggling at that price point.

You'll still get a decent bike for £500 though.
 
Awesome thanks, I mainly want it for some well needed cardio as I fine jogging to be too boring and cycling seems a good mixture of fun and exercise, been years since I've been on a bike so will be a bit of a shock to the system I reckon
 
jono987 said:
Awesome thanks, I mainly want it for some well needed cardio as I fine jogging to be too boring and cycling seems a good mixture of fun and exercise, been years since I've been on a bike so will be a bit of a shock to the system I reckon

Padded shorts!
 
You mention commuting HALF WAY to work, where are you leaving the bike? Ref hybrids they can be a "jack of all trades..." there is nothing wrong with that but worth knowing. There are two types IMO, hybrids that are more like mtb I.e. 26inch wheels and those that are more like road bikes with bigger wheels. For long stretches bigger wheels will be handy , for stop start city riding a 26inch wheel may be better.

Based on a 500£ budget I would look at the Boardman Hybrid Comp.
 
I will be driving half way and leaving the car at a relatives and then cycling the rest of the way to work. The boardman looks nice but i cant find a local cycle to work scheme shop that sells it.

What are your views on this bike?

Scott Sportster X50 Men 2013
 
I will be driving half way and leaving the car at a relatives and then cycling the rest of the way to work. The boardman looks nice but i cant find a local cycle to work scheme shop that sells it.

What are your views on this bike?

Scott Sportster X50 Men 2013

Boardman are exclusive to Halfords I think but other stores might order one for you.
 
Are halfords part of the cycle to work scheme do you know? I have tried using the cycle to work scheme shop search and even putting my local halfords post code in but it dosent come up.
 
Are halfords part of the cycle to work scheme do you know? I have tried using the cycle to work scheme shop search and even putting my local halfords post code in but it dosent come up.

They're on a different scheme sadly. At least from what my research has uncovered.
 
It seems they do the same kind of scheme so i will ask my employer to sign up to theirs instead i think.
The bike is £500, how much do you think i should get as a voucher to cover accessories? Also say if i get a £600 voucher, but i only spend £550, will do i return the £50 or do i have to spend it all?
 
It seems they do the same kind of scheme so i will ask my employer to sign up to theirs instead i think.
The bike is £500, how much do you think i should get as a voucher to cover accessories? Also say if i get a £600 voucher, but i only spend £550, will do i return the £50 or do i have to spend it all?

You have to spend it all, there is no refund process. You're best to work out the exact costs before you work out what size voucher you request.

Between lights, helmet, lock you could easily spend £100.

Also wrt silverfox's comment, Boardman are not exclusive to Halfords, the shops up here in our cycle scheme stock them. :smashin:
 
Okay thankyou.

Hopefully my employer wont take forever sorting it out as im itching to buy it now, taking alot of self restraint not to stick it on my credit card lol.
 
You have to spend it all, there is no refund process. You're best to work out the exact costs before you work out what size voucher you request.

Between lights, helmet, lock you could easily spend £100.

Also wrt silverfox's comment, Boardman are not exclusive to Halfords, the shops up here in our cycle scheme stock them. :smashin:

Which shops are you referring to, if you don't mind my asking? Boardman, a bit like the Decathlon bikes, are seriously good value ... and I'd prefer one of them over something else with my voucher :)
 
Okay thankyou.

Hopefully my employer wont take forever sorting it out as im itching to buy it now, taking alot of self restraint not to stick it on my credit card lol.

It can take a while for vouchers to arrive - I ordered my voucher around 20th March for delivery 19th May (ish).
 
Which shops are you referring to, if you don't mind my asking? Boardman, a bit like the Decathlon bikes, are seriously good value ... and I'd prefer one of them over something else with my voucher :)

TSF, my apologies, had a total brainfart there and I was reading Boardman but thinking Specialized...no idea why. :facepalm:

Your earlier post was correct, I believe Boardman are Halfords only. Sorry for the confusion, time for a coffee I think.
 
Ref Halfords, if it anything like last year, when the big cycling tours start (Italy and France) they had good discounts on bikes and accessories. They also sponsored the ITV 4 highlights program to advertise this.
 
TSF, my apologies, had a total brainfart there and I was reading Boardman but thinking Specialized...no idea why. :facepalm:

Your earlier post was correct, I believe Boardman are Halfords only. Sorry for the confusion, time for a coffee I think.

C'mon man, don't tease me! That's really unfair :(

Specialized tend to be Evans, but you do see them in other places too. Good bikes - my last was a Hard Rock '03 - not the best components, but it could take a damned hard beating and not complain. Went through tyres and brakes and the rest was flawless.

Got nicked from a secure underground car-park in Liverpool (we think it was the security guards).
 
Jono -take your time, don't jump in too quick, important to choose the right bike, and the right size/fit!

The Boadman Comp I linked to is an option, but not the only choice. You may also be able just to neogtiate a better deal than going down the voucher route, if you went to a local bike shp (Not Halfords). I have never bought a bike a RRP, ask for a 10% discount, a price match, or £50 worth of kit etc ;)

If you can use a road bike, and that will be the fastest/most efficient way to travel on roads, then you could look at a road bike like those in Decathlon.
 
Road bike will be fine. I use mine on the canal towpaths which are rough as. It's a lot more comftable than the hybrid althouth it has carbon forks and seatpost.

Oh and if your company are using Cyclesheme the best deals will be decathlon - They do great bikes though.
 
My new Freeride bike arrived yesterday. Fitting some Spank upgrades over the weekend. Can't wait to ride this!
 

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