Choosing a bike

Manxman_in_exile

I'd want to try a few bikes before buying if possible.


I don't have a problem with Halfords and Great Outdoors, but if you search the Public Transport & Cycling board you may find that some posters are quite derogatory about their service and advice. Evans used to be a "proper" bike shop but it's now part of Mike Ashley's Sport Direct group, and I'm not sure what to make of that. My wife got a new bike from Evans a couple of years ago and she was perfectly happy with them.


If you live in Norfolk you could try Pedal Revolution (I think they have branches in Yarmouth and Kings Lynn as well as Norwich) or Specialized Cycles (spelling?) who's Norwich branch is (or was) opposite the Fat Cat pub. They both seem good shops to me. There's also Madgett's Cycles in Diss (may also have a shop in Ely?).


I'd 'phone round a few local shops, explain what you (think) you want and ask their advice. If they seem helpful, try them out.

Manxman_in_exile

As per Fiona CW suggests a cyclocross bike might be a better bet then an out and out road bike if you really want drops. Might be a bit too specialised and pricey though.


You could also ask for general advice here: https://forum.cyclinguk.org/index.php


Not sure if you have to be a Cycling UK member to post or not. (I'd recommend you consider membership anyway, but it's a bit of a hobbyhorse of mine!)


EDIT: 35 is young. I was a couple of years younger when I started cycling again.

halfajack

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

I'd 'phone round a few local shops, explain what you (think) you want and ask their advice. If they seem helpful, try them out.

I've now visited two very highly regarded local shops and been utterly underwhelmed with the service. The first one wanted to sell me the first one I linked to, which I subsequently discovered couldn't actually fit bigger tyres which I'd specified. The second one, after recommending the second one I linked to (GT) on facebook actually couldn't recommend anything else when I popped into the store. He'd said on facebook there is a lower spec one and when I went in he spent a few mins on the computer he said he was mistaken and it was actually an older model he'd thought of. I've not experienced the kind of personalised, keen to help the newbie service others seem to so am not keen to go back. I'd rather try and learn more and choose from a wider range online now.

halfajack

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

As per Fiona CW suggests a cyclocross bike might be a better bet then an out and out road bike if you really want drops. Might be a bit too specialised and pricey though.

Yes, the other ones I've been looking at are called 'gravel' by some places and 'adventure' by others - or some have both categories, but I have seen cyclocross too and will maybe look into that.

Norman_Castle

halfajack wrote: »

No. 1 reason for preferring dropped handlebars is not noble - I like the look of them! I also talked through pros and cons with friends and they came out on top.

Does it matter what they look like? Its more important they're comfortable to use for the riding you do. Do any of your friends own bikes with either dropped or flat bars? If so borrow each for a ride.
For a short commute and off road leisure riding a hybrid is likely to be much more suitable.
Are disk brakes better than rim brakes downhill? I've overheated my v brakes in hilly coastal areas.

halfajack

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Does it matter what they look like?...

Are disk brakes better than rim brakes downhill? I've overheated my v brakes in hilly coastal areas.

Sadly, it does matter what they look like. If it's more aesthetically pleasing to me, I'm more likely to want to use it. Think of that what you will - I'm not claiming it's anything other than a bit shallow but it's one of the few things I knew I wanted before I researched more about commuting by bike.

Disk brakes I have heard are more reactive and a better option for wet weather, although a couple have said it doesn't make much difference. It's quite rainy where I am and in fact the way it's been for the last week is starting to put me off the idea altogether! :-D

parking_question_chap

Correct, generally discs will perform better in the wet.

Suggest rather than asking dealers what they advise you get on some specialist bike forums for suggestions. Then find a bike store with that model and test it. Dealers are always going to try and sell you the bikes with the biggest profit margin.

jbainbridge

Yes .. you want a gravel / adventure bike. Eg http://https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=353104&productId=1406764&storeId=10001

I have a Pinnacle Arkose and love it.

halfajack

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Correct, generally discs will perform better in the wet.

Suggest rather than asking dealers what they advise you get on some specialist bike forums for suggestions. Then find a bike store with that model and test it. Dealers are always going to try and sell you the bikes with the biggest profit margin.

Indeed! From what I've experienced though, they actually have very little for my price range in the kind I want and it's not the best environment for browsing!

halfajack

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Correct, generally discs will perform better in the wet.

Suggest rather than asking dealers what they advise you get on some specialist bike forums for suggestions. Then find a bike store with that model and test it. Dealers are always going to try and sell you the bikes with the biggest profit margin.

jbainbridge wrote: »

Yes .. you want a gravel / adventure bike. Eg http://https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=353104&productId=1406764&storeId=10001

I have a Pinnacle Arkose and love it.

That's exactly what I'm after. Finding one in a colour I want and in XL is proving challenging!