New bike / Evans Cycles

Yarmy

I like the look of the road bikes but have put on a *bit* of weight over the years since I last went cycling on a regular basis so thought a hybrid bike would be a bit more sturdy. I'm not sure of the bike to work scheme so will have to look at that.

Thanks

Herzlos

If you've got a bit of a belly like me you'll probably find the more upright position from a hybrid bike to be more comfortable too.

bouicca21

Much depends on what use the bike will get - but I’ve never yet seen anyone actually use their drop handlebars.  And although I no longer have to commute, I have recently become aware of just how useful a folding bike can be.

Nasqueron

bouicca21 said:

Much depends on what use the bike will get - but I’ve never yet seen anyone actually use their drop handlebars.  And although I no longer have to commute, I have recently become aware of just how useful a folding bike can be.

Should watch some riding on TV or club rides etc, plenty of people use them - just not sensible for a commuter etc

Herzlos

They definitely make more sense for more aggressive riding (more areodynamic) and longer distances (more places to adjust positioning). I like my drop bar bike but I spend pretty much all of the time at using the hoods at the top.

Username03725

bouicca21 said:

Much depends on what use the bike will get - but I’ve never yet seen anyone actually use their drop handlebars.  And although I no longer have to commute, I have recently become aware of just how useful a folding bike can be.

They're not for normal road use - virtually everyone rides them on the hoods or on the tops. The drops are for serious pushing along, first to the coffee shop on club rides, and chasing buses or lorries down the bypass before the elastic snaps. 

A road bike is a good option if you're planning to ride more than a handful of miles or so. Much more comfortable by design as they're for doing longer distances at higher speeds. My hybrid is great for shuttling around, any kind of distance and the road bike is out.

Yarmy

Hi,

I had a chat with one of the chaps in Evans Cycles and I ended up going for the Trek Dual Sport 2. I've had a couple of very short rides on it, just to get a feel for it, and am pleased with it so far. Feels more sturdy than my old bike and the gears seem a bit "easier" if that makes sense. In my younger, fitter, days when I went out for a ride maybe around 20 miles was my limit, so would like to try and build up to something similar over the summer.

I probably need to get a helmet and maybe a basic computer (speedo, miles and time) so any recommendations would be good. I guess the helmet would be a case of trying some on and seeing what feels comfortable ?

bouicca21

Again it’s a what do you need a bike computer for? The free version of Strava will give you basic info about your ride but it won’t let you save the route.  I like to save nice routes and sometimes need turn by turn directions. I have a garmin edge 530 which is a bit clunky, takes a bit of effort to learn, but is great for navigation.  Various friends prefer wahoo.

Yarmy

Hi,

Not too bothered about a map based 'gizmo' as, at the current time I'll just be going on roads that I'm reasonably familiar with. I'm looking for something that will show the miles completed on that ride (and store a total mileage), speed  and maybe a clock/timer. Probably lean towards a wireless one, if thats an option, but otherwise happy to go with wired.

Thanks

bouicca21

Yarmy said:

Hi,

Not too bothered about a map based 'gizmo' as, at the current time I'll just be going on roads that I'm reasonably familiar with. I'm looking for something that will show the miles completed on that ride (and store a total mileage), speed  and maybe a clock/timer. Probably lean towards a wireless one, if thats an option, but otherwise happy to go with wired.

Thanks

Try Strava. Pretty sure it will give you all that for free.  Then maybe work out what extra you need/want before buying a gizmo.

just checked and what you get on the free app is:

Distance, moving time, elevation gained, maximum elevation, average speed, calories

not sure what you get on the paid version.