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Original poster

I need a bike. Any advice?

16 replies

littlelamb · 04/08/2006 19:01

Where is the best place for me to get a bike for myself? I would want to attatch a child seat on the back. Is it worth paying a bit more for a better make, or would a bog standard one do? I just need it for a couple of miles a day, to get dd to nursery and me to work. Thanks

OP posts:

flack · 04/08/2006 19:10

You could do worse than Halfords or a local bike shop; what is your budget?

Original poster

littlelamb · 04/08/2006 19:18

I was ignored for a whole 20 minutes in my local bike shop today I realise they were with a another customer but they didn't even agknoweledge I was there. I don't really know what my budget is, as I have no idea what is reasonable. Didn't even think of Halfords. Might pop in there tomorrow

OP posts:

flack · 04/08/2006 19:23

You ought to be able to pick up something "ok" at Halfords' for about £100. The staff may be clueless, but at least they have their corporate reputation to protect so should provide some kind of service guarantee.
You need to shop around for local shops, most of them have some kind of specialty (mostly BMX, old bangers, racing, whatever) so you may not have been their usual clientale. Plus a large % of staff anywhere you go are usually barely post-teen boys -- not really an age group renowned for good manners(!).

SminkoPinko · 04/08/2006 19:40

I love this site. It helped me decide what kind of bike I needed. I think the basic advice is to spend as much as you can afford. You do get a very different ride on different types of bikes and you get what you pay for. I feel like I'm flying when i ride my current bike- a Marin sausilito which is a hybrid designed for city roads. (I got it on ebay for around half the rrp- ebay def worth a look if you know what you want after some research but always get it properly serviced and I would definitely want specialist advice on fitting the child seat safely.) I would not go to Halfords, personally- their bikes have a rep for being badly made, though they are cheap. Ime, the cycling enthusiasts who staff independent bike shops aren't always great at conventional customer service- seems to attract shy types passionate about cycling and you have to approach them and steer them onto talking about the things you really want to know. Happy cycling!

If you want to look at some pictures of bikes and get an idea of prices the bicycle doctor is a good site.

fennel · 04/08/2006 19:46

I'd say the opposite of Sminkopinko (much as I usually agree with her advice) and would just go for something cheap or 2nd hand if it's really for just a couple of miles nursery run a day.

also then you don't have to worry about it getting stolen.

i know the Bicycle Doctor shop Sminkopinko linked to, they are very much into buying the best you can possibly afford. but it really depends if you're going to cycle loads or just a bit.

foxinsocks · 04/08/2006 19:51

how long has it been since you cycled? I have taken up cycling again in the last year or so but (rather embarrassingly) it took me about half an hour to figure out the valves (presta valves for those in the know!) on my tyres to pump them up because when I last cycled, they were just the plain old jobbies.

Don't forget to factor in the cost of pumps, lights (if it will be dark when you cycle), helmets etc.

I may have a child seat that I have finished with quite soon if you wanted a second hand one.

SminkoPinko · 04/08/2006 19:53

yes- stealing can be a problem, tis true. I would have totally agreed with you till a few months back, fennel. Had a real old banger which got a busted wheel- put it in the repair shop and the nice guys in there lent me one to use while it was being mended. It was a revelation- one of those light nippy foldy bikes- i just couldn't believe how much better it was to ride. I started plotting to get a new bike from that moment. I was honestly amazed at the difference a faster, smoother, lighter, stronger bike made to my enjoyment of cycling.

fennel · 04/08/2006 19:54

but you can factor out the cost of gym membership or similar exercise costs and time as you can be fit just by cycling.

fennel · 04/08/2006 19:56

hmm. perhaps will rethink.... i have a bike which my sister bought new before the aforementioned Bicycle dr persuaded her she needed a smaller one and she forked out a fortune on this new one. So I got the old one. it's not an old banger though, just not up to Bicycle Doctor super-standards.

incidentally she has problems fitting child seat + child to the small frame of the specially fitted small bike, something to think about if you are looking for having a child seat on.

SminkoPinko · 04/08/2006 20:04

Hmm. I'm not a purist or anything and have never actually been to the bicycle doctor shop, I must add- just used to browse their website for pictures of bikes I wanted but couldn't afford! I do also think I had a very crap bike before so the contrast between it and the rather good bike my local shop lent me was staggering. The one I have now is probably too big, framewise, but it is again comparatively lovely to ride.

Original poster

littlelamb · 04/08/2006 20:22

Wow thanks for all the advice! Foxinsocks thats a really kind offer, I'll certainly think about taking you up on it. I did mean to ask, though, is it practical to cycle to work? Would I be all gross and sweaty by the time I got there I'm not hugely unfit, but it IS a while since I cycled.

OP posts:

fennel · 04/08/2006 20:43

on the gross sweatiness everyone's different but I find cycling on the flat to work isn't too sweat-inducing. I used to cycle 5 miles each way in fairly stately dignity and not too sweaty. but my new job is up a steep hill, great for the thigh and bum muscles but bad for sweat. so it really depends on your route, I'd have thought a couple of miles would be OK.

and you can keep clean clothes at work too, or take in spare clothes especially on hotter days.

luckily my new work has an open air pool so now I am obliged to go swimming after cycling in am getting fit but not getting much work done.

Original poster

littlelamb · 04/08/2006 20:50

wow fennel whatever do you do?! I want a workplace with a swimming pool!

OP posts:

fennel · 04/08/2006 20:55

i work in a university. am particularly enjoying the job since I discovered the pool.

Original poster

littlelamb · 04/08/2006 20:57

Ooo very nice I have applied for a few positions at a university, still waiting to hear about them though. Mine also has a pool

OP posts:

flack · 05/08/2006 11:45

Right now (August) is a really good time to pick up a childseat on Ebay. Will save you £10-£40 on the usual 2nd hand value.
You could do worse than find a branch of the local cycling club (CTC), Littlelamb, and just ask if there's any way they can give you some informal advice.

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