New bike - need hints and tips for adult please

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Wasn't sure which bit to put this in.

I'm looking to replace my old heavy undergeared mountain bike for a lightweight hybrid. It will do 75% on-road/25% off-road. Ideally it would have easy ability to attach panniers and mudguards as it will be my every day commute to work bike. I need a pretty upright cycle position. Puncture resistant tyres would be a bonus.

Any thoughts or recommendations please?

I can't recommend a specific bike, but Trek and Specialized have a huge selection for most price ranges. Does your work offer the Cycle to Work scheme? If so, you could get a more expensive bike and accessories than you might otherwise be able to afford.

I've been looking at those brands -so that's great. Also looked at ridgeback.

We were going to go up to Evans in Kingston as they've a huge selection.

Unfortunately my employer will be a county council who, unfortunately don't seem to have got their act together with a cycle to work scheme. But we are going to invest in something reasonable, I don't want getting to work to be hard work!

mind you, marin does seem somewhat beyond my budget. nice though!

up to £400 (might go a little bit further when add panneirs and stuff)
still cheaper than a car!

OYBBK I have a giant hybrid bike, its really good on road it wasn't that expensive about £300 new, its alu frame, good gears and so easy to ride cos its got massive wheels. not really teken it off road though, i'm sure it'd be fine.

cool - will def take a look thrifty - thanks

OYBBK link to pic of my bike

That looks good. What is the gearing like on it? on my mountain bike when I get up to a reasonable speed I run out of gears and my legs have to go round unnaturally fast.

its got 24 gears, the gears are great actually and it has a little display to tell you what gear your in (lest you forget!). because the wheels are so big you can go quite fast in the biggest gear, however, i've been riding with ds lately so i rarely get out of the smallest cog on the front otherwise he cant keep up with me. his little legs are whizzing round and i do one peddle then coast. it goes loads faster and is loads smoother than my old (extremely expensive) mountain bike.

oh and the seat post has suspension to smooth the ride (seat is bloody uncomfy though!)

Wasn't sure about that seat - looks very wide!
I can't wait til my shopping trip!

ooo. not wide enough for my bum, is a special ladies seat that has a hole in the middle, i want one of those big wide seats with springs under

I think I shall have to experiment with seats a bit!
(I think you mean a sofa!)

brooks saddles are the comfiest!

Will look at those!

i like the look of this one seems right up my street however at £100 i think i may have to put up with my sore bum!

How exciting, a brand new bike

I am picking up a nice 2nd hand bike for running around town today, yeah and I am dead excited,

I got a great ladies saddle with the perineum bit cut out iyswim at shhh I can bearly bear to say it, halfords, eek !!

but, in my defense it was reasonably priced, about 30 quid and it really does the job, it is lovely to ride.

think it was a bikehut model

passmyglass, thats the kind of saddle my bike has only i dont think my perineum is the right shape for it!

ooooh thrifty how uncomfortable!!!!

I originally picked up the male version but luckily the shop assistant pointed it out to me, otherwise I could be in the same position as you

It is exceptionally exciting!
If I find one tomorrow - do you reckon I'll be able to take it home or will they have to do stuff with it?

if they have the one you want in stock (which is usual ime as you will have tried it on in the shop so to speak) they will probably need to fiddle with it a bit, then you can take it home

That would be great! we've put the bike carrier on the car so I don't have to cycle home 20 miles
I've spent far too much time on cycle forums this evening.

enjoy your shopping trip today :-)