SUPER basic starting setup for cycle commute

Mercutio

Mercutio

Mercutio

Soldato
Joined
11 Jun 2003
Posts
5,229
Location
Sheffield, UK
Considering cycling as an option for getting to work. It's about 40 mins walk/10 mins on the bus so thinking likely about 15 on a bike tops which should be fairly reasonable.

Could use a bit more cardio for fitness etc, gym goes ok so I'm not UNfit but more is good at the moment.

What's going to be the MOST basic setup possible for starting?

Bike + accessories.
With distance to/from work I won't be needing serious breakdown kit to start with and I'm probably going to look rather ridiculous in lycra so screw that (a little too much gut at the moment).

Suggestions and prices welcome tho :) MIGHT have a bike, need to take a look at a freebie from a friend that needs some attention.
 
£500 all-in is the figure that normally pops up in these threads.

Realistically you can get a cheap road bike from Halfords/Decathlon/etc for £300. Helmet ~£40, basic lights ~£25, spare tube/levers/bike tool/pump for ~£30 and that's pretty much the basics for <£400.

Edit: Just popped onto Halfords and saw this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_899675_langId_-1_categoryId_165710. Obviously not going to be amazing but never seen a road bike that cheap before :eek:.

Otherwise the Carrera TDF (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810691_langId_-1_categoryId_165710) and Virtuoso (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_840917_langId_-1_categoryId_165710) are both alright, as is Decathlon's Triban 3 (http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html).

Bear in mind that you get 10% off Halfords as a member of British Cycling which costs £13.50 for a year on the Bronze membership, and you get £10 cashback through Quidco. So for £3.50 you'll save £30+. And Halfords are on Quidco too ;).
 
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My bike was £70. Came with pedals but shoes and cleats were another £50.
Padded shorts £8 a pair, rain jacket £10 and helmet £25 from Decathlon.

My commute is a bit longer than yours and I carry a spare innertube, pump and tyre levers with me.
 
40 mins walks says 2.5 miles ish. Practically any bike will do for that. Helmet, lights, small repairs kit. Lycra is probably overkill for that distance.
 
Helmet? do you want to wear one of these egg things?

things i carry in a draw string bag are. Spare tube, mini pump, tyre levers, couple of patches, and one of them little multi tools (allen keys, screw drivers ect)

you would want to decide on the style of bike that you want.

oh and my couple mile cycle into town takes around 10 - 15 mins
 
Would you guys cycle 18 miles each way to work? I'm unfit but figure given the right amount of time I could get very fit doing this....


Ps sorry for the hijack.
 
rotters, you would be surprised how quickly your ability increases.

First trip I took was 8 miles and I found it tough. I moved up to 22 miles which nearly killed me. Now I wouldn't even give any thought to 30 or 40 miles and I've not been road cycling that long.
 
I'm not sure I'd fancy 18 miles twice a day. Maybe in a couple of years when I've got thighs like tree trunks. I'd certainly not want to be doing it in the rain or whatever - it'd have to be something I could choose on a day to say basis.
 
I wouldn't want to ride more than 10 miles each way every day, especially with no alternative. Be fine in summer, but when its freezing cold, raining and blowing a gale, its going to feel like a very long ride.
 
rotters said:
Would you guys cycle 18 miles each way to work?
Click to expand...

I would now, but before I was a daily cyclist I think 36 miles a day, five days a week would have killed me!

Is there any way you can get a train one way, and cycle the other until you get used to it?
 
I'd do 18 miles each way even on my 25 year old bike. My commute is 13 miles each way and I often go longer routes up to 23 miles
 
Tis rather annoying in my case, I used to be able to do pretty solid/fast rides and was doing at least 3 miles a day on the bike (not really THAT much but decent for 14-16 on a crappy mountainbike, could do 1.6m with hilly bits in about 6 minutes) so it would be rather nice to get comfortable in the saddle again.
 
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