The Fitness Thread

[machin05]

You going to be using apart from commuting?

 

[wanderer89]

You going to be using apart from commuting?

I don't think that I will be, no.

 

[machin05]

For a 2-3 mile commute, comfort should be king really. A hybrid is a perfect balance of comfort and getting there relatively quickly. A mountain bike might be more comfy, but you waste a lot more energy getting from A-B. A good hybrid will also give you the opportunity to start doing some longer weekend rides too.
My one other bit of advice if you get a hybrid is to buy bigger tyres. At least 28mm wide, but maybe even wider if the forks allow it.

 

[lemonjelly]

Didn't know where to put this, it was either here or the Advice thread, thought here would be better...

I need some help/advice on a new bike as I've started biking to and from work.

I've borrowed a bike from the girlfriend's stepdad, who's like 6ft+, I'm 5'6 at a push haha. You can imagine the struggle, but not just that, the pain I'm in, I'm not sure if it's just because I've not been on a bike for years or the bike just doesn't suit me.

Distance wise, work is about 2-3 miles away so not that far, but far enough that it takes me an hour to walk back. Getting here there are a couple of hills, not so much steep, just lengthy (if that makes sense?).

I realise I've probably not written that very well at all, so if there's anything else that needs adding, I'm more than happy to oblige.

Thanks for any help at all!

Not dissimilar to my own position recently. Have a look back at the past 3 or 4 pages and you'll see me asking similar-ish questions.

I started cycling to work as I was aware I did no other real exercise. It's a great way to start getting a bit of cardio-vascular workout. My brother was binning a bike and I took it off his hands.

First time I rode it, within 300 yards I was wheezing, and the legs were burning! Showed how out of shape I was.
It took a month of regular cycling, then I started noticing improvements in stamina, speed, and most noticeably recovery time. Stick at it and in a short time you'll see the health benefits, as well as you'll be quicker.

My brother binned off another bike, which was an upgrade again, and I noticed the better quality in the bike. Since then I have bought a hybrid. The price of bikes came as an initial shock, but do shop around. My journey is similar to yours - 3.5 miles. On the new bike each journey is now taking as little as 12 mins, or as much as 20 max. A year ago, it took almost 30 mins.

Don't skimp on getting a good quality helmet. A good waterproof hi-vis is also a handy purchase. get decent lights, and also have some changes of clothes at work - I have an old pair of trousers there in case I get caught in a downpour, and on mornings like today, such things are a lifesaver!

 

[Johnny75]

I wouldn't bother getting a good quality helmet. Just get one that fits you the best, you're not racing in Le Tour and more expensive helmets don't give you anymore protection than one that costs £15.

To add to that you should replace your helmet every year as the plastic and foam will deteriorate through age and you will think it isn't damaged even by dropping it off the end of a table or from a couple of feet. It is and you need to change it.

 

[wanderer89]

I'll stick my two peneth in, sounds like you need a hybrid bike - give you a good, comfortable riding position with a good range of gears, definitely get a frame size to suit your height and depending on where you get it from get them to set it up for you when you collect it - they'll set the saddle position etc as well as height.

For a 2-3 mile commute, comfort should be king really. A hybrid is a perfect balance of comfort and getting there relatively quickly. A mountain bike might be more comfy, but you waste a lot more energy getting from A-B. A good hybrid will also give you the opportunity to start doing some longer weekend rides too.
My one other bit of advice if you get a hybrid is to buy bigger tyres. At least 28mm wide, but maybe even wider if the forks allow it.

I'll definitely be looking for a Hybrid bike, any particular brand that are decent? I don't think I'll get very far just googling Hybrid bikes...

What are the benefits of the bigger tyres?

Not dissimilar to my own position recently. Have a look back at the past 3 or 4 pages and you'll see me asking similar-ish questions.

I started cycling to work as I was aware I did no other real exercise. It's a great way to start getting a bit of cardio-vascular workout. My brother was binning a bike and I took it off his hands.

First time I rode it, within 300 yards I was wheezing, and the legs were burning! Showed how out of shape I was.
It took a month of regular cycling, then I started noticing improvements in stamina, speed, and most noticeably recovery time. Stick at it and in a short time you'll see the health benefits, as well as you'll be quicker.

My brother binned off another bike, which was an upgrade again, and I noticed the better quality in the bike. Since then I have bought a hybrid. The price of bikes came as an initial shock, but do shop around. My journey is similar to yours - 3.5 miles. On the new bike each journey is now taking as little as 12 mins, or as much as 20 max. A year ago, it took almost 30 mins.

Don't skimp on getting a good quality helmet. A good waterproof hi-vis is also a handy purchase. get decent lights, and also have some changes of clothes at work - I have an old pair of trousers there in case I get caught in a downpour, and on mornings like today, such things are a lifesaver!

I'll have a look later, thanks LJ!

Yeah, although I am still struggling, I'm not as bad as I was when I first started, thankfully.

I've been looking at helmets (tap in), hadn't thought about a hi-vis though due to the weather getting lighter. I have realised I need to start taking a change of clothes to work though, the sweat is absolutely dripping off me when I walk in!

I wouldn't bother getting a good quality helmet. Just get one that fits you the best, you're not racing in Le Tour and more expensive helmets don't give you anymore protection than one that costs £15.

To add to that you should replace your helmet every year as the plastic and foam will deteriorate through age and you will think it isn't damaged even by dropping it off the end of a table or from a couple of feet. It is and you need to change it.

Thanks for the helmet advice Johnny.

Might look into a hairmet so I don't spoil the "do" :icon_lol:

 

[machin05]

I've got a Specialized Sirrus Elite. I went from 25mm to 28mm when i needed new tyres and the difference was incredible. So much more comfortable, soaks up the bumps and doesn't feel any slower or less efficient, you just need to drop the psi a little.

What's your budget?

 

[Tredman]

I've got a specialized crosstrail hybrids, one of their mid priced hybrids. Really nice bike, but I like Machin's idea of larger tyres - it feels a little unstable on non paved roads and paths.

 

[wanderer89]

Oh okay, bigger tyres sound a good idea to me then.

Budget wise, I don't really have one due to the fact that I didn't know how much a bike would cost. Ideally, nothing too expensive but then again, I'd imagine you need to spend a fair bit to get a decent bike.

 

[lemonjelly]

Cost was an issue for me in buying. I had a shock when machin advised that anything below £600 was a bit of a waste. A colleague at work who's serious advised machin was underestimating. I then went & had a lie down!

I ended up going to decathalon & spending £400.

On a night out with a mate of mine, he recently said I should have been checking cash converters. Not sure whether that's worthwhile advice or not personally, as it is gonna be hit and miss.

 

[machin05]

I'll stick my two peneth in, sounds like you need a hybrid bike - give you a good, comfortable riding position with a good range of gears, definitely get a frame size to suit your height and depending on where you get it from get them to set it up for you when you collect it - they'll set the saddle position etc as well as height.

How was the Chesire Cat, btw? Did you conquer the Mow Cop?

 

[Stan Hullis]

Really please my hard work in the gym is paying off.

Two new personal best lifts tonight and a load of pizza to celebrate.

 

[wanderer89]

Popped into Halfords yesterday, they had a few Hybrid bikes, but I don't really know what I'm supposed to be looking for when it comes to a Hybrid bike.

 

[lemonjelly]

Steer clear of halfords! They're fucking awful. Know a guy who works there too. Nice guy, but would't trust a bike he'd built.

I know what you mean though mate. I essentially pestered machin. wombat also popped up with info, as did tredman. Combined with a couple of serious cyclists at work, I ended up trusting sections of info from each person to make my guess on what to get

 

[wanderer89]

Steer clear of halfords! They're fucking awful. Know a guy who works there too. Nice guy, but would't trust a bike he'd built.

I know what you mean though mate. I essentially pestered machin. wombat also popped up with info, as did tredman. Combined with a couple of serious cyclists at work, I ended up trusting sections of info from each person to make my guess on what to get

I only popped in to see what they had, try and price stuff up but looking at stuff, I realised I had no idea what to get so pricing went out the window :icon_lol:

Hopefully I'll get there, I do appreciate all the help though guys, honestly.

 

[So Long Architect]

For what it's worth, I've been using a Specialised mountain bike and road bike with no problems whatsoever. Well made, good prices, and go on for ever if you look after them (well, since 2008).

 

[machin05]

Yeah, Specialized are awesome. But like LJ said, go to a proper bike shop. They can advise, spec up, fit and poperly prep the bike for you.

For a commuter/hybrid, I'd be looking for a light a frame as possible and keep a keen eye on which components are on the bikes in your price range. Do a bit of research on them - loads of excellent bike review websites out there. Oh and at least 28mm wide tyres, but go for as wide as the forks can accomodate.

I like disc brakes, and if you're looking to commute often (ie in bad weather as well as good) I would highly recommend them as they perform just as reliably in the wet as they do the dry.

 

[Wombat del combate]

I did a maximal aerobic/lactate taste with a physiologist this morning. Fuck. Ing. Hell: warmup was 5 minutes at "easy pace", less than a minute to recover, 2.5 minutes at "fairly hard", a brief rest and then 2 minutes "hard". Then 3k all-out. I was blowing out of my arse after 2k.

 

[machin05]

Anyone local up for this? - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/155767/The-Banks-s-Round-the-Wrekin-2017

Going to go for the 64 mile route, I reckon.

 

[machin05]

Anyone local up for this? - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/155767/The-Banks-s-Round-the-Wrekin-2017

Going to go for the 64 mile route, I reckon.

Just submitted my entry for the 64 mile route! :yikes:

Best get training as it's in 3 and a half weeks!

Tempted by the Brewood Challenge (which has been menioned on here) too. Same distance on 24th June. http://www.brewoodcyclechallenge.com/brewood-cycle-challenge-2017-2/

After that, I'm looking at a 85 mile Audax ride round North Wales (departs about a mile from my parents) on 8th July. Might wait and see how well I cope with the 64 mile rides first :icon_lol: http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/17-627/

On a different note, has anyone on here paid for a professional bike fit service before? I tend to get a bit of tennis elbow on my left arm and an aching right shoulder on longer rides, but not sure what to start tweaking to try and alleviate it....?