New cyclist, tips please?

[rockingthelook]

I'm thinking of buying a bike in the sales, i'm a bit nervous , ages since I had a bike ride, but wanted tips on how to start off, I would like to achieve better fitness, health, a bit of weight loss and mental wellbeing, I've become a bit of a couch potato this winter and know I need to literally get off my arse and do something?, help please dear mumsnetters?

Are you thinking purely leisure cycling, or daily commuting? Totally different beasts IME. Either way though, being on the bike is great

Don't suspension. If nothing else. Don't get Fing Suspension. Lighter is also generally better.

Is it mostly flat where you live? You sound like you'd lack confidence riding on roads, so are there cycle paths you can use to gain confidence?

Just leisure cycling for me, there are cycle paths where I live but I'm also on a hill so will probably put in in the back of the car, go on the paths and drive home again, don't anticipate going on the roads

Halford's will let you try a range of styles.
Can you get a wheel off/on?

@ragged why not suspension? I've got a hybrid with front suspension which I use on eg river tow paths, parks, cycle paths. Just curious?! The bike is an Orbea, quite sturdy and solid which suits me.

For most people suspension is very heavy & adds expense & no benefits. There are other reasons to avoid it unless one goes on very rough ground a lot of the time. Lots of online articles about this. Inexpensive suspension is the worst sort (OP is likely to be on a relatively low budget).

www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bicycles/608772-pls-explain-why-suspension-forks-bad-road-riding.html

www.whycycle.co.uk/cycling-advice/increasing-comfort/suspension-forks-and-frames/

www.bikeradar.com/news/5-bike-handling-problems-caused-by-bad-suspension-set-up-and-how-to-fix-them/

bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/53679/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-front-and-rear-suspension

Join your local breeze group - womens only rides, most groups have rides for all abilities. We cycle while we chat, eat a lot of cake, and have a good giggle www.letsride.co.uk/

What's your budget?

Do you think you will use the bike regularly? IME cyclists either ride very regularly (often for both commuting and sport) or hardly at all ... this is partly because irregular cyclists buy cheap bikes, and cheap bikes are not very nice to ride.

You also need to budget for wet/cold weather gear if you plan to ride through the winter.

If you have a limited budget and are not prepared to ride on roads and in bad weather, then tbh you might be better off buying a subscription to a gym and going on the bikes there.

I'd recommend getting a decent basic hybrid bike. Something at the £300ish mark will be more than adequate, yet not so shit that you don't want to use it. I spent £350 on my hybrid and commute on it every day - as I'm not a serious cyclist and don't ride loads of miles, anything fancier would be a bit of a waste.

In terms of kit for the bike, all you need is a helmet, lights, and mudguards IMO. Ignore the upselling Halfords etc will try and force on you. And re clothing - as you're not planning on anything too serious/long, ordinary gym leggings plus a warm base layer and a high vis breathable jacket would be more than adequate. Forget bib shorts or padded bum things for the time being. And good luck!

Hi OP. I got back into cycling about a year ago. I bought a Pendleton on sale at Halfords for £200 which has been great, only 7 gears but I found tat was enough initially. As for equipment to go with it, I found padded shorts were essential and bought a pair for about £15 which have been fine.

I later started commuting, weather permitting, and bought extra stuff as I needed it.

Hope that’s helpful.

I bought a bike for my 50th birthday having not ridden for years. At first i was quite nervous and only rode a few miles at a time. Now I am.much more confident, and can knock off 50 miles.

i started with a hybrid bike which was fine. I then got a road bike which I now use most of the time. I even use clip-on shoes which I never thought I would cope with.

Make sure you get properly fitted for a bike. You might be able to get one through th "Cycle to work" scheme which will.make i cheaper.

Thanks @ragged. That's useful to read up on.

Happy cycling in 2020 to all!

I would also add, get some proper cycling trousers/shorts with a padded bottom - it makes a difference, particularly when you're starting out.

Thanks all for your advice, much appreciated, I've both a jacket, padded trousers and a helmet so far...just the bike to buy now :)

I’d recommend Evans over Halford as the staff are usually experienced cyclist their pinnacle hybrid range is a good quality beginners bike

Whereabouts do you live? Local.independent bike shops rather than big chains might be your best bet. MNer on here might be able to recommend one.

Also check if your employer offers the 'Cycl to Work' scheme as you can then buy a bike tax free which makes it cheaper.

Padded saddle cover is an alternative, especially if you don't want to kit up in lycra.

Try the bike before you buy it - I've been allowed to test both bikes I've bought as an adult on the road before buying them (and they were £200 - 300, so not properly expensive).

Ask for help to get the bike set up comfortably for you - I had a different stem (the bit that connects the handlebars to the rest of the bike) put on because my arms are short and I can't reach as far as the 'average' woman. And get a saddle you find comfortable!