Solitary chicken - need advice

[clucker1]

I have just ridden a bike for the first time today after 30 years and it is true you never forget how to ride a bike! Thinking about buying a new one or going second hand. There seems to be loads to choose from. We have a fab retailer locally with lots of space to test drive so going to have a look at the weekend. Have never used a bike with gears. Want something to go out with the kids on, not too far on roads and tracks. What should I buy? Are those traditional bikes, the ones with the baskets any good for the kind of stuff? Oh yes and it needs to be for a 45 year old. Apparently there are hybrid bikes too. Thanks in advance, any experience in this subject much appreciated!!

[Yorkshire Pudding]

I've just bought my first for 20+ years and I'm 44! I went for a hybrid with suspension as we ride a lot on the canal towpath - not off road exactly but far from smooth.

The suspension really does reduce the ouch factor. I've also bought some cycling trousers with padding beneath and that helps a lot too - I didn't feel the aches and pains at 20 that I do now!

 

We went to the Edinburgh bicycle cooperative as they were the only place that did the cycle to work scheme that OH is using, the care and service were excellent - they were knowledgeable and took a lot of care to ensure we found the right bikes - and mine is 'last year's model'- so substantially cheaper than the newer one for a good spec.

[Space Chick]

I took up cycling again last year after a 24 year break.

 

Hubby and I got sports hybrids.... They are lighter than mountain bikes, but aren't as challenging for inexperienced riders as drop handlebar road bikes.

 

I too had never driven a bike with gears either, but you soon get the hang of them.

 

My bike is a Giant make, it cost £300 from Tredz.

 

I would strongly recommend the padded cycling leggings, they do make for comfier riding.

 

I'd suggest going to a bike shop and seeing what feels comfortable. I had to go for a smaller frame size than I was expecting to.

 

It is very addictive is cycling, and great fun

[ali-s]

I bought a new bike in March. It is an Apollo Etienne from Halfords. The bike is an aluminium hybrid so it is lightweight and suitable for road and track cycling. It looks like a traditional sit up and beg bike, it has a low step through frame so I don't have to swing my leg up high to get on it. It has 18 gears which at first I thought I would not get the hang of but I soon got the hang of it. The saddle is a dream, so comfy! The bike cost £199.99 it was on special offer, reduced from £315.

I am cycling 25 miles a week to and from work. The road is a bit hilly in places but the bike and myself are cruising along I cycle 12 miles to and from town on Saturdays to do small amounts of shopping, easy peasy on this bike. Also frequently do up to 10 miles of leisure rides on a Sunday.

 

I bought a few extras for the bike. A pannier rack for the back and a couple of pannier shopping bags. The bags hook on the rack and then fasten with velcro. The bags look like ordinary shopping bags so are nice to carry around town. A basket for the front which matches the bags. Waterproof fabric with a rain cover. This has a quick relief clasp so I can also use it as a shopping basket. Lastly a dress guard for the back wheel so I can wear dresses or skirts whilst riding my bike.

I wear my ordinary clothes whilst cycling and heels! I have a whole wardrobe full of cycling clothes

 

By the way I am 49 years old

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I can recommend that you get recommendations for a good cycle shop from colleagues/ friend / family. I have a bike, but mine is a full blown Trek mountain bike( but with a tiny 15in frame) I have a luggage rack and panniers on it. Ive had it a long time and can bee seen whiz zing around on it. I've scared a few yoof when I've hurtled by. I have proper cycle shorts for longer trips and a day glo jacket along with a helmet.

 

I only have a mountain bike so I don't trash it with all the potholes! I have used it off road too.

[ubereglu]

When I chose my bike, (nearly 10 years ago), with my Dad I would recommend you try out as many as you can and do a bit of wheeling around the car park etc, wherever you are purchasing it from. Make sure you are able to lift the bike up and can carry it, this is very important when trying to manouevre it through styles etc or around the shed.

 

I really like Giant bikes, but have an Optima in silver and purple colourways-it's been a really good bike actually and I've not had too many problems with it. Just make sure you keep up with general maintenance.

[craftyhunnypie]

I've got a German Hercules step through city bike. I prefer sit up & beg sort of bikes, I never got on with my lean forward mountain bike.

There is an advert at the moment for a lovely retro sit up & beg style bike on the telly. I think it may be Halfords?

Emma.x

[Bramble]

Ooooh, how exciting!

I bought a bike a while ago - used to ride a lot when I was younger, but hadn't sat on a bike for about 25 years when I bought mine - only trouble is, I'm too scared to ride it anywhere I might be "seen" by neighbours etc, which is very sad.

I bought a cheapish mountain bike type thing from Halfords - I would say it's DEFINITELY worth getting an aluminium frame, they are a bit more expensive but they're so much lighter (specially if you need to lift your bike into/out of car/rack etc.

I've actually just raised the handlebars on my bike - I think I would have been better going for the "sit up and beg type" as that was what I was used to when I used to ride, mountain bikes tend to have a lower position and I wasn't all that comfortable with it. Bought a gizmo from Ebay to raise the bars about 3" and it has helped.

Let us know what you get!!!!

[Angie]

I'm another who got rid of my lean forward mountain bike for a sit up bike, a dutch style ,step through hybrid and it rides on any surface except up rough ground, but i don't want to go up a grassy rocky bank. I love my girlie bike complete with basket and crocheted skirt guard i made for it.

[clucker1]

Thank you everyone for all of your very helpful advice.

Well.......we went along for just a look.....anyway, the place we went to we had bought all of our kids bikes from there over the years.....anyway, tried several bikes including a sit up and beg one which, I thought I would love....definitely liked the look...but it felt so weird to ride having your hands out so wide and it felt like a penny farthing in comparison to the mountain bikes I tried. Apparently the traditional type of bike wouldn't stand up to the terrain I plan to go on either. So, ended up buying a mountain bike namely a merida Juliet bike in purple(the very important bit being the colour!!) Anyway, so far, very comfortable, it is aluminium so I can lift it over a style. Have also bought a very cute basket and the all important helmet too. Going to have a quick go before work tomorrow.

[Bramble]

Ooooh, well done, I kind of guessed you'd end up doing a bit more than looking!!! You are right, of course, colour is crucial, a purple bike will work MUCH better than a silver one!!!!!!!!

You even inspired me to go out on my bike yesterday I didn't go very far and walked with the bike to a stretch of unused road (new business park that hasn't opened yet) and had a zip up and down there. I only fell off once (when the bike wasn't even moving ) so I'll go and have another go tomorrow - think I'll be very nervous riding in traffic though ...

Let us know how it goes with your new bike ... ENJOY

[Plum]

I've asked OH for a bike and am interested in the hybrid type ones but I really don't understand all the spec stuff.

 

Looked in a bike store today and was pleased to see they come with quick release tyre things which would make it easy to pack in car rather than get a rack or go for a folding bike. What's your experience?

[Mrs Webmuppet]

LMW has a Merida Juliet in purple! She says it very comfy, unfortunately the frame is too big for me.