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Starter bicycle question

5t3IIa

5t3IIa

Registered User
Are these nice and normal stats for a bike for someone who is starting out and doesn't have much money to spend on anything else?

Frame: Raleigh ladies steel trekking frame -
Fork: Rigid steel unicrown fork -
Gears: Shimano TY18 rear derailleur -
Shifters: Shimano 6 speed Revoshifters -
Crankset: Steel crank with steel rings -
Brakes: Powerful alloy V-brakes -
Wheels: Aceedo single wall alloy rims running on steel hubs -
Tyres: 700x28c Trekking tyres -
Handlebar: Steel bar -
Stem: Alloy adjustable quill -
Saddle: Sprung style comfort saddle -
Seatpost: Steel post -
Pedals/Extras: Resin pedals.
Comes complete with Mudguard front and rear with rear carrier and hockey-style chainguard
IS RED!!!

Please don't be too dismissive of my choice as if I don't get this one I'll be caught back in the mire of indecision and I really want one asap! I mentioned Evans in a thread a while back and anyone would think I was fluffing monkeys at your grans house the reaction it got :(
 
What model is it?

Bikes are like everything else, the more money you spend the better you get.
 
tommers said:
What model is it?

Bikes are like everything else, the more money you spend the better you get.
Click to expand...

Raleigh Oakland 2009 Womens Hybrid Bike.

I do understand that I will be getting what I pay for but I really am starting out, 99% fairweather, using it to go to Sainsbury's and probably only then because I'm sick of it getting cobwebby in the hall. Spending anything over £155 just doesn't seem worth it. Of course if I fall in love with it all then naturally I'll be saving up for something amazing :)
 
I'm humming and ha-ing about suspension at the moment and how much difference it makes when all you're after is smoothing out normal road bump-age as opposed to rock-climbing. I think my front shocks were seized for years and now I've greased them I've started to notice how they pogo when I'm climbing steep hills ....

Those wheels are a bit skimpy - unsurprisingly when I have to pay over £100 just for a rear wheel.
I weigh 17 stone and carry stuff in my rear basket so I've ended up with the bike equivalent of a Volvo estate.
 
5t3IIa said:
Raleigh Oakland 2009 Womens Hybrid Bike.

I do understand that I will be getting what I pay for but I really am starting out, 99% fairweather, using it to go to Sainsbury's and probably only then because I'm sick of it getting cobwebby in the hall. Spending anything over £155 just doesn't seem worth it. Of course if I fall in love with it all then naturally I'll be saving up for something amazing :)
Click to expand...

Then it'll be absolutely fine. :)

You can always upgrade bits and pieces as you go if you want, as they wear out or whatever. I always get tyres with puncture protection, but see how you go.

Oh, and if it's a choice between steel and carbon frames then I'm steel all the way. ;)
 
gentlegreen said:
Those wheels are a bit skimpy - unsurprisingly when I have to pay over £100 just for a rear wheel.
I weigh 17 stone and carry stuff in my rear basket so I've ended up with the bike equivalent of a Volvo estate.
Click to expand...

Skimpy as in small? I'm short...and heavy :D

tommers said:
Then it'll be absolutely fine. :)

You can always upgrade bits and pieces as you go if you want, as they wear out or whatever. I always get tyres with puncture protection, but see how you go.

Oh, and if it's a choice between steel and carbon frames then I'm steel all the way. ;)
Click to expand...

Thank you though I sense some sarcasm in there. Steel weighs a ton, right? :D
 
5t3IIa said:
Thank you though I sense some sarcasm in there. Steel weighs a ton, right? :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, steel is heavier but it's more flexible, more comfortable and doesn't snap in half. :mad:

No sarcasm at all.

Edit: ah, except that I obviously mean aluminium, not carbon. :rolleyes:
 
[bikeshopmode]spending more moneys on a bike is always worth it:

you'll feel you ought to ride it more

you'll enjoy it a hell of a lot more when you do

any new bike below 250-300 is an utter chore to ride

...

i could go on

btw- i don't think tommers was being sarcastic, steel* rightly gets alot affection. it lasts for ages, isn't necessarily much heavier and has certain characteristics that are very desirable.

*high quality cro-moly steel anyway, the hi-tensile gas pipe used on cheap bikes (like the raliegh) is hideous.

if 155 is your absolute limit (and i'm really not trying to berate you for it :)) go second hand or try and find an end of season reduction. you can find some real deals for that kind of money, some bicycle shops (including the one i work at) take in bikes as part-ex and recondition them to sell. this negates the risk of buying a hundred pound second hand bike that needs a two hundred pound service.

:)

[/bikeshopmode]
 
Boycey said:
[bikeshopmode]spending more moneys on a bike is always worth it:

you'll feel you ought to ride it more

you'll enjoy it a hell of a lot more when you do

any new bike below 250-300 is an utter chore to ride

...

i could go on

btw- i don't think tommers was being sarcastic, steel* rightly gets alot affection. it lasts for ages, isn't necessarily much heavier and has certain characteristics that are very desirable.

*high quality cro-moly steel anyway, the hi-tensile gas pipe used on cheap bikes (like the raliegh) is hideous.

if 155 is your absolute limit (and i'm really not trying to berate you for it :)) go second hand or try and find an end of season reduction. you can find some real deals for that kind of money, some bicycle shops (including the one i work at) take in bikes as part-ex and recondition them to sell. this negates the risk of buying a hundred pound second hand bike that needs a two hundred pound service.

:)

[/bikeshopmode]
Click to expand...


Now all you've done it grind me to a halt again :D
 
sorry :o

if i had any thing suitable at the mo i'd forward details like... have you checked out recycle? :)

(i'm assuming your location is referring to your post code :hmm: )
 
gentlegreen said:
Those wheels are a bit skimpy - unsurprisingly when I have to pay over £100 just for a rear wheel.
I weigh 17 stone and carry stuff in my rear basket so I've ended up with the bike equivalent of a Volvo estate.
Click to expand...

they're also using a screw-on freewheel cluster which means bent axles a go-go if you're carrying much weight (not necessarily in terms of the rider but i'd never use one to carry shopping over the rear wheel). they are an absolute nightmare and the cost to upgrade to a proper cassette system is more than the cost of the bike.
 
Boycey said:
sorry :o

if i had any thing suitable at the mo i'd forward details like... have you checked out recycle? :)

(i'm assuming your location is referring to your post code :hmm: )
Click to expand...

Yah, I triangulate within Roman Rd, Bethnal Green end and Mile End Road, Stepney Green way.

Recycle thread here? or Freecycle?
 
no- recycle in elephant and castle, they sell second hand bikes- reconditioned jobbies and stuff from police auction. :)

i'd heard of another similar thing in bethnal green but can't find any info right now, will ask someone who knows and post later :)

you're right next the uni what i'm currently on sabbatical from btw.
 
Boycey said:
no- recycle in elephant and castle, they sell second hand bikes- reconditioned jobbies and stuff from police auction. :)

i'd heard of another similar thing in bethnal green but can't find any info right now, will ask someone who knows and post later :)

you're right next the uni what i'm currently on sabbatical from btw.
Click to expand...

Any details of places in the Endz would be great, thanks!

I'm right next to the uni you don't go to? :D
 
get a cheap bike first time IMO, get on ot see if you like it, if its for you spend 200-300 quid on the next one and go to a good dealer like edinburgh cycles co-op.

Have a good one cycling.

get is serviced 6 weeks after then every couple of months after that!

Beware the penis measuring technical cycle geeks, you know who you are;)
 
5t3IIa said:
I'm right next to the uni you don't go to? :D
Click to expand...

hehe- yep :D

still can't find info about the local thing but in the meantime:

Recycling @ Elephant & Castle
110 Elephant Road
London
SE17 1LB

020 77037001

tell them what you can spend and that you'd really really like a cassette rear wheel. don't worry if you don't know exactly what that is (i usually use a prop to demonstrate), it makes it much tougher- if you were going to do shopping and put it in bags on the back it will be worth it's weight in gold. :)
 
Boycey said:
hehe- yep :D

still can't find info about the local thing but in the meantime:

Recycling @ Elephant & Castle
110 Elephant Road
London
SE17 1LB

020 77037001

tell them what you can spend and that you'd really really like a cassette rear wheel. don't worry if you don't know exactly what that is (i usually use a prop to demonstrate), it makes it much tougher- if you were going to do shopping and put it in bags on the back it will be worth it's weight in gold. :)
Click to expand...

*makesnotes*

Thanks very much matey :cool:
 
Herbert Read said:
get a cheap bike first time IMO, get on ot see if you like it, if its for you spend 200-300 quid on the next one and go to a good dealer like edinburgh cycles co-op.
Click to expand...

I agree. It's not like it's going to be the only bike you'll ever have.
 
I've got a Raleigh Oakland (2007 I think).

I used to ride it for a 4.5 mile commute every day with a big hill in the middle. It's a heavy bike and I got fit quickly, but it's a nice ride. The only problems I encountered were down to it having been put together by a fuckwit at the bike shop; my mate sorted it out for me.

After six months I decided I wanted something better, and bought a road bike. Much lighter and quicker, but less comfortable.
 
Buying cheap bikes is a false economy. Complete waste of money. They come with shite components that wear out or break too easily, or don't work very well in the first place, and if you decide you want to sell it you'll get fuck all for it. In fact, you'll probably have to pay someone to take it off you.

There's no need to remortgage your house to buy a new bike, but don't skimp either.
 
If I knew what I do now when I was first buying a bike I'd have looked for something relatively old and steel on e-bay that looks in ok condition and then got it serviced.

There are quite a few with very low starting bids and they don't seem to go for much. They will do to get you started and the initial outlay should be relatively low. If it is good quality frame you can then use it as a base to build up differently as you cycle more and develop your own preferences.

At the moment there's this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Henry-Burton-Stafford-ladys-sports-bicycle-bike_W0QQitemZ110357765670QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item110357765670&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 It may not be ideal to start with drop handlebars, but there are quite a few around and a bit of searching should find something that suits.
 

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I had a bike for under £100 for cycling 4 miles to and from work 3 times a week. it was fine. your choice will be fine.
 
Im currently looking for a bike on e-bay, shop ones of £300 new, go for half that price second-hand. Marins or Carreras are good makes so im told.

Need a decent one for London 2 Brighton bike ride, my old Raleigh/pub bike is shit.
 
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