What's the best sort of bike to get? Advice please!

[Redcello41]

Hey guys! I really want to get a bike (not a stationary exercise bike) at some point to cross-train for my running. Am doing a bit of research into it and was just wondering who cycles on here as a form of cross-training and what type of bike do you use? Any advice would be much appreciated!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Best to go to a reputable bike shop for advice and frame size to suit you, a bit like a gait analysis for running, do not get a. E bike, they are expensive and dangerous, best brand bikes are Bianchi, Fiji, Magnum, Giordano is also a good brand.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks, will check those out!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

A fabulous idea. I have been cycling for almost abyear now.

I have a dawes hybrid which is almost 20 years old and am looking to buy a new ike too.

I want something for road and for gravel paths and some easy woodland paths/trails. That discounts a road bike with tiny puncturable tyres. However, I do want to be able to ride reasonably fast on road if possible.

So probably I'm looking at a gravel bike (drop handlebars) or a hybrid (flat handlebars).

I have always had flat handlebars and have pretty much decided to stick with that.

Then I get to brakes and gears ...

But when all is said and done, lots of bikes are currently out of stock and it's very hard to try out for size etc. While we're socially distancing.

So I'm on hold!

For you - think budget and think about what sort of cycling you want to do. That will narrow it down a lot.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes a lot of bikes are sold out at the moment, so I may have to check it out and get a bike when things are go a bit back to normal!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I have the same bike as linda9389 , a Dawes hybrid bikes2udirect.com/B2734.html I got it via a work salary sacrifice scheme many years ago, and used it for riding around Oxford, and then it sat in bits in a corner of our Hove flat gathering dust for many more years. It got a reprieve when I decided to do my first triathlon back in 2017, and I've ridden it a bit more consistently since then - in the summer anyway! I have done two sprint triathlons on it. It's now living on a turbo trainer in our spare bedroom, where it's getting a lot of use 😊😊😊

I'm definitely not an expert, but I would think a hybrid (it's a cross between a mountain and a road bike) is a good choice for someone who wants to do a bit of cross training on a bike, but maybe not worry about too much speed (?). It depends a lot on how upright you want to be on the bike. On a bike like the Dawes, with straight handlebars, your posture is somewhere between the way you see people racing on drop handlebars or aerobars, and how someone sits on the more genteel sit-up-and-beg type bike. You might find that the more forward-leaning positions are harder on your back - or not! I personally feel more in control of a bike with lower handlebars. There are different levels of comfort on a bike: suspension, a big cushy seat, big fat tyres - all make for a softer, slower, ride.

As AlMorr said, though, it's much better if you can get to a bike shop, get proper measurements, and try a few different rides out for yourself.

For a particular brand, I would give a shout out to Decathlon. I have upgraded to one of their Triban road bikes, hoping for a faster triathlon 😄 It's a fabulous bike!

Hope you find a nice one! xxx

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Wow thanks for all that info, very helpful! I'm not so worried about speed, just so I can cross-train a bit to help my running that's all! Will have a good explore and see what options there are!

[misswobble Marathon]

One that doesn’t weigh a ton 😁 Honestly. Try lifting it before you buy it

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

That's a great tip! Although I have spent the last 15 years of my life lugging a heavy cello here, there and every where even up and down hills hahaha! And the cello I have now has a flight case that is almost as heavy as the cello itself! That's good 'strength training' hahaha!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

Absolutely 💪😃👍

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Halfords do 0% interest free. I got mine there so they could say what was suitable. I have a nice Boardman which is hybrid but I think it’s more road tbh.

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Great will check that out, thank you!