Cycling

(09-04-2012 00:19 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Well here's to hoping you get the job Munch
Will you be working back at the same place again, or is it similar distance as your last job?
What bike are you looking to get, and what bike did you ride before ?

Not the same place, but same area.
I rode a racer for many years, but the roads here are terrible, cost a fortune in wheels and tyres, so I became a hybrid man.
I started off with the racer type hybrids, but I found the wheels a real pain to find when they needed replacing, so I switched to the hybrids with mountain bike wheels. Takes a bit more effort in the cycling, but you get used to it soon enough, just choose suitable tyres and it makes it easier.
I like the hybrids as I can still fit all the accessories I need. I used to take a rucksack, but switched to a rack and panniers, much easier, and in winter I'll fit a light mudguard.

Not sure if anyones mentioned toe-cages to help your pedalling. I swear by them, but a lot of bikes come without them these days, and a lot of the standard pedals can't accept them. Well worth considering though, unless you have a real high end machine and are using special cycling shoes and cleats

Boomer - Indeed, I couldn't have put it better. Get rid of any aggression or the general bullshit of the day by cycling!

Munch - I went hybrid too (as you've probably read) It isn't until you cycle that you realise just how bad the roads are. Cracks, pot holes, glass! Shit!

I haven't got toe cages yet, but really want to add some to my bike. Are they all pretty standard or is there a certain type/brand worth getting ?
I wouldn't have thought anything about toe cages, but the more I'm cycling the more it makes sense, especially with a single gear bike. The foot position is important if you want to get out what you put in.

I cycle to work 6 times a week and use an american made downhill bike...its only because of the durability that I choose this bike...I go absolutely nuts up hill...don't even need 2 take a breath....cycled since the age of four...so I'm pretty used to it now aged 40 !! LOL...
Did a little stint for the local school...lands end to john-o-groats.....I wasn't actually involved till I knew how much they had to do 2 finish it....the object was to use a hi-tec exercise bike...the type that would probably register when U break wind...lol...anyway did some miles on it....1st day 160 km...100 miles...3 hrs 15 mins...next day same distance 3 hrs 25 mins..Just stick on Ipod and go nuts...don't stop 4 anything...sweat like mad...lol...I think keeping fit is very important and a bike is excellent for cardio vascular exercise...keepit up Money shot...good on ya buddy...

(09-04-2012 11:30 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Munch - I went hybrid too (as you've probably read) It isn't until you cycle that you realise just how bad the roads are. Cracks, pot holes, glass! Shit!

I haven't got toe cages yet, but really want to add some to my bike. Are they all pretty standard or is there a certain type/brand worth getting ?
...

Another reason I went with the mountain bike wheels was the wider availability of different types of tyre. With the 700c wide wheels there was maybe 1 or 2 commonly available tyres in the local shops, with 26inch wheels, there's maybe a dozen varieties. Of course, you're local experience may be different. but round here, most of the really good independant bike shops closed down years ago, and it's really just Halfords and an el-cheapo pile-em-high-sell-em-cheap store.
For off-road you really want the chunky knobbly tyres typically installed on mountain bikes. For road/tarmac, you're best with slicks. I tend to go for something inbetween. Slicks are fine, but the ones commonly in my local shops are quite cheap, not really worth the time of day, so I go for a slight 'knobble' instead. These give decent wear, allow for a bit of off-roading which is occasionally needed on my route, but aren't too much hard work on the longer tarmacced stretches.
The pot-holes aren't such a major issue now, as the cycle paths have been extended here, so over half my route is now cycle path, but glass and other crap is still a big issue. If you are going with slicks, best get the ones with a kevlar layer to protect against punctures, and I usually use anti-puncture tape as well, well worth the investment.

With toe-cages, last I looked they were all much of a muchness. The most common ones have a cage which bolts onto the front of the pedal, with a strap that threads through the pedal to go over the top of your shoe to hold it in place. There are some fancier ones that don't have the strap, but I'm not convinced they are worth the extra money. The basic choice is between plastic or metal ones. Metal will rust in time, but offers a bit more flexibility in that it can be bent to fit better if required (I used to ride in steel toe-capped work boots which needed a lot of room). Plastic is cheaper, and more rigid in shape, but will last ages unless you topple the bike over and snap them (been there done that)
If you shop around (maybe online) you can pick a cheap pair up for less than a tenner which will get you started and you can see how those ones feel for you, then maybe look around for something better based on that experience.

im thinking of changing from my mountain bike and getting a hybrid but dont know where to start. my budget would be about £200 , because i cycle everyday to work i might as well do it properly any suggestions?

(09-04-2012 13:13 )munch1917 Wrote:  SNIP

I've found the tyres on my bike to be pretty decent so far. It is mainly for road use, although I've taken it down the canal toe path and it was fine. They are slicks. A bit wider then road bike tyres, but still 700c . If I wanted to go off road I'd need the mountain bike wheels for sure, however with lack off suspension I'd be screwed!

The cycle paths near me are pathetic. Most last only 50 yards before you encounter a lampost, telephone boxes, electrical boxes or other objects. I tend to keep on the roads, although they aren't kept great in places they are generally okay.

I will look into the anti puncture tape as well, thanks

Thanks for the info on the toe cages, I will look on Evans.co.uk and order some up. Well worth using that website as well if ever you need anything, even better going to one of their shops, much better then Halfords.

(09-04-2012 20:32 )LODOS Wrote:  im thinking of changing from my mountain bike and getting a hybrid but dont know where to start. my budget would be about £200 , because i cycle everyday to work i might as well do it properly any suggestions?

LODOS, plenty of hybrid bikes to chose from, I would personally suggest stretching the budget a little more though IF possible. £200 would be suffeciant for a hybrid, but £50-70 you could get better value for your money.

(09-04-2012 20:32 )LODOS Wrote:  im thinking of changing from my mountain bike and getting a hybrid but dont know where to start. my budget would be about £200 , because i cycle everyday to work i might as well do it properly any suggestions?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/store...yId_165534

If the link doesn't work, it's a Carrera Subway from Halfords. That's a 'Limited Edition' currently on offer almost half price, they do others in the range around that price. There's another Limited Edition one for an extra 30 bucks which looks OK too. They often have special offers, especially around the bank holidays, so don't pay full price
My old bike was one of these from several years ago. I didn't expect too much from it, but it was actually surprisingly good. Most of my old bikes before this were Raleigh, but they switched production out of the UK, and my last one was an absolute pig, so bad I wouldn't trust the brand again, so I went for this bike last time, and I was so impressed I'll most likely be buying one again very soon.

If you can get to a shop to compare models, don't let a salesman fool you by pointing out the fancy attachments. In my experience, less is more, when it comes to the gear sets, brakes, etc, the more basic it all is, the easier it is to maintain or repair, same with things like suspension, unless you really need it, don't bother.
I'd suggest the most crucial factor when comparing models is weight, give them a quick lift with one hand, a lighter bike will be much easier to ride. Given two bikes, one cheaper but with fancier more expensive gears and brakes, the other more expensive, more basic, but lighter, I'd pay a bit more for the basic but lighter machine.
You can always upgrade the attachments over time, but you can't make a frame lighter.
Quick release wheels are worth getting, but I think most hybrids around that price seem to have them anyhow (if you park in a public place, be sure to secure quick release wheels else they could get nicked ).

@Money_Shot
The cycle paths here are a mish-mash. They had a program of extending the paths to join the local towns, but it's a mixed bag. There are some proper off-road dedicated paths, which luckily is mainly what I use for my work route. The rest is either a stripe of paint in the gutter of the main road, or a shared pavement, which has always struck me as odd since you aren't 'supposed' to ride on the pavement, then they make it a cycle path!

If you use anti-puncture tape, be aware that it stretches over time, so deflate the tyres and reseat it every few weeks to allow for the stretch.

I've used evans before, but found them a little expensive at times. Wiggle often had good offers, and also stocked obscure parts that other wouldn't have.

the link does work and its looks great, i will go to my local halfords and check it out thanks.

Well, I got the job, start monday, so it looks like I am back on the daily commute
Not sure what days/hours I'll be working yet as it's only a part-time job, and the hours are a bit flexible, so may take a few weeks to settle in and sort out what works for us both.

So, I'm not sure whether to order my new bike this weekend, or wait. I have an emergency spare here, but it's probably not up to doing that long a trip consistently, I currently have it set up on a stand indoors and use it as an exercise bike
I'm tempted to wait for my first pay packet, but I don't know if I can stand the bus that long.

Still, looking forward to getting back in the saddle consistently and getting some real fitness back again, I've gotten way too lazy, and hopefully it'll help me shed those last few pounds to get to my target weight as well.