Cycling...The new black

I'm going to be signing up to the cycle to work scheme and getting a road bike.

I have no idea where to start looking really, anyone on here have any good knowledge as to what i should be looking out for?
 
Evolution said:
I'm going to be signing up to the cycle to work scheme and getting a road bike.

I have no idea where to start looking really, anyone on here have any good knowledge as to what i should be looking out for?
Click to expand...

Get one pre owned on ebay etc... Loads out there on sale from people who bought them on the CTWS and used them once!!!
 
Evolution said:
I'm going to be signing up to the cycle to work scheme and getting a road bike.

I have no idea where to start looking really, anyone on here have any good knowledge as to what i should be looking out for?
Click to expand...

What exactly do you want to use it for ? Good and bad roads all year round ? Sport-oriented fair weather training mending punctures every 5 minutes and dreading the slightest pothole ? Bit of trails as well as roads ? It makes a big difference to what's suitable. CTWS often isn't good value unless the terminal payment is very low. You can frequently find sale bikes (2013 end-of-line) for better value overall, sometimes with finance if you hunt about.

New bikes are usually a big rip-off. Main thing is to try before you buy (don't be tempted to buy out of a catalogue) and get them set up properly. A bike fit session will probably be far better money spent than an extra £150 on branding / component stuff. Also if you want pedals/kit etc. from scratch allow a LOT of budget - most of it is stupidly expensive for what it is but very cheap stuff can be pretty nasty.

You aren't going to get anything high end in a road bike for a grand in a shop and even less value for money out of a branded bike (Specialized etc). Beware of buying carbon bikes 2nd hand - the history of what's happened to the frame viz crashes etc. is very important to longevity / safety and sellers lie. Buy carbon new and titanium / alloy second hand. Carbon is all very well for a kilo or two of weight advantage. But it's much cheaper just to lose a few pounds - and maintenance is usually cheaper with non-carbon. Bikes are money pits and the fancier they are the more maintenance / repairs cost. I do my own maintenance, but the tools are expensive to set up.

If you are tempted to buy new and it's not for serious competition etc, have a look at Ribble, Planet-X and Decathlon bikes for excellent VFM. Frame is important, but the most significant things to consider which have huge bearing on price are wheels and gears.

If you buy second hand then make sure you do your homework, try the bike out if possible, get the right size and ideally take someone who knows something about bikes along with you to check it out.
 
Should have given a bit more info shouldnt i :rolleyes:, thanks for the above though. I do plenty of running during winter but this tails off in summer, got a few friends who are up for riding though.

Its main use will be riding on good roads through out the summer months, aiming for a weekly 50 mile round trip with the odd shorter one or two during the week.
All of the local shops that are on our scheme are small specialist retailers it seems but obviously order from the main brands too. I'll be going in for a proper fitting / testing too.
Wanted to ask around before going in and them telling me what i need, when i probably dont.

Just using the CTWS as i'll not really notice the amount taken from my wage each month but throwing anything from £500+ straight at a bike i would.
 
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Been confirmed we're due to move offices at Easter so no longer in walking distance to work.

Got the Cannondale Synapse 6 to help me on my way
 
Anyone done much riding in Ibiza? Reports?
Is it fairly safe getting around given how crazy some of the drivers are?
Good places to head?
:)
 
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