Newbie

John pemberton · Cat 4 Groupie Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

This is my first post and I’d like to introduce myself. My name is John age 36 from Crewe Cheshire. I used to play a lot of football but, due to a little bad luck I have recently had to stop playing well banned from playing by the wife and family. I have had ACL reconstruction on my right knee 11 years agp and then late last year had ACL reconstruction on my left knee; both due to football Smile

I am now in need of another sport. I have always been in to watching the Tours on television but never got in to serious cycling myself. Now is my chance. I do cycle to work and back every day 8 miles and this does keep me weight off but not all of it. I can feel a slight weight increase and do want to keep it under control whilst enjoying road biking. I am prepared to spend up to £2000 on bike and equipment as I know I will like going out early on the roads to miss cars when spring and summer arrives. I have to admit I do not know the first thing about buying the correct equipment or what questions to ask when I do visit a shop. My local shop is Cyclestore in Congleton. Can you recommend a bike firstly? Then followed by the equipment needed? Then some questions so I get the correct responses from the sales person?
Thank you all for reading and your follow up posts.
John

Roy Gardiner · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:32 pm Post subject:

Hi John. If you've been observing what passes for seriousness on this forum, be prepared for frivolous responses. But as yours is a sensible request the moderation team will keep that under control.

IMO you do not need to spend anything near £2k on a first bike. I reckon £500-£700 will get you a machine that's good enough to cycle on seriously. You will need to spend on clothing, shoes, crash hat (maybe), in addition to the bike itself.

Try to find an independent bike shop where you deal with the owner, or the owner is at least on site running the place.

The people who will help you most are your local cycling club, I maintain a list (see my sig below) so do British Cycling http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/Bridge/club_finder.asp. Get in contact, maybe go along to a club evening.

You will probably want to start out on 'no-drop' social rides, usually done on Sunday mornings. These are ones where everyone rides as a group, maybe stops for coffee, and never leaves anyone behind.
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Dogma Dave · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie

billyam998 · E, Gold Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 3103

welcome to the madhouse, my tip would be not to go into the shop and say "I've got 2 grand to spend on a bike what can you do for me"

Personally lI would go for something secondhand or even borrowed to start with.
Join a local club, they will maybe have some loan bikes and, may also be elligible for discount at said local independant store.
A good independant store will also have demo bikes that you can try before you buy.
Have fun Wink

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Roy Gardiner · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:46 pm Post subject:

Ed2001 · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject:

Totally agree with joining a club where you should get help and support.
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Tucker · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject:

billyam998 · E, Gold Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 3103

Oh and don't buy second hand cranks from a chap called cryoplasm Wink

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eastway82 · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:18 am Post subject:

Richard Norris · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:34 am Post subject:

JONNO · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:39 am Post subject:

Eight miles a day each way to work is more than ANYONE on here has done for years, Chapeaux. Wink

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special guest star · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject:

Cyclestore is an excellent shop...I think they are *CENSORED* dealers?

Or you could go to Macclesfield cycles for Planet x stuff - what size are you - there is a bargain at the mo for 899 carbon/(large/with dura mix) or some smaller and cheaper alu ones, which would be more than adequate - spend the rest on spare wheels, kit and a weekend away!

Lots of clubs/rides in that area - there is a chaingang in the summer that meets on the A34 near moreton hall

John pemberton · Cat 4 Groupie Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

Thx for the replys.
Roy Took a peak at the link n found Audlem link. So may check those out. Also on Sunday I saw a few Crewe lads out on the road so will have to chase that up as well.
I do like Carbon fibre bikes:) So may check out that Macclesfield shop thanks for the heads up.

Billyam998 thank you for the advise

Johno I doubt that very much Shocked

John

hed · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:38 pm Post subject:

are you the John Pemberton?
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special guest star · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:42 am Post subject:

hed · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:22 pm Post subject:

EllieBoots · E, Bronze Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 390

Ed2001 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:26 am Post subject:

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