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John pemberton
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Joined: 20 Mar 2010
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:14 pm    Post subject: Newbie Reply with quote

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
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Roy Gardiner
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Joined: 14 Jul 2003
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Location: London and Essex

PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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Joined: 08 Feb 2007
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Newbie Reply with quote

John pemberton wrote:
I have to admit I do not know the first thing about buying the correct equipment or what questions to ask

Warm welcome to the forum John. Sounds like you will fit in on here perfectly!! Cool
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billyam998
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Joined: 29 Mar 2007
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

billyam998 wrote:
...Personally lI would go for something secondhand...
Agreed. When you come to sell a bike you know how much they depreciate.
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Ed2001
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Joined: 30 Nov 2006
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Location: Manchester so much to answer for

PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Totally agree with joining a club where you should get help and support.
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Tucker
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Joined: 03 May 2006
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

billyam998 wrote:
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"


+1. Amazingly you'll walk out with a bike costing £1999, best case.
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billyam998
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh and don't buy second hand cranks from a chap called cryoplasm Wink
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eastway82
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tucker wrote:


+1. Amazingly you'll walk out with a bike costing £1999, best case.


But worth about £999...
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Richard Norris
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Joined: 26 Oct 2008
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Location: Colchester

PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

eastway82 wrote:
Tucker wrote:


+1. Amazingly you'll walk out with a bike costing £1999, best case.


But worth about £999...


And 8 cm too big...
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JONNO
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Joined: 24 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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Joined: 23 Oct 2003
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Location: waiting to jump/going down with pedals on fire

PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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John pemberton
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Joined: 20 Mar 2010
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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hed
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

are you the John Pemberton?
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special guest star
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hed wrote:
are you the John Pemberton?


has it taken you a year to get the courage to ask?
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hed
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

special guest star wrote:
hed wrote:
are you the John Pemberton?


has it taken you a year to get the courage to ask?


did you ever see the John pemberton tackle?
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EllieBoots
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Joined: 29 Nov 2010
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

special guest star wrote:
hed wrote:
are you the John Pemberton?


has it taken you a year to get the courage to ask?


Laughing
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Ed2001
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Joined: 30 Nov 2006
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Location: Manchester so much to answer for

PostPosted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hed wrote:
are you the John Pemberton?

the inventor of Coca Cola Confused
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