Cycling

[Rogocoko]

I want to take up cycling this summer. Anybody got any recommendations on brands of road racers & shops (both in Dublin and online) that you'd recommend?
I'm looking to get a bike thats good for a beginner but something I won't have to replace for a few years and will be able to do long distances as I wanna eventually do some serious cycling! I'm hoping to not have to spend more than €750 on the bike and maybe not more than €250 on any accesories I'd need. If anyone has any info I'd really appreciate it. Cheers.

[Leinsterman]

Can you get your employer to help you purchase it through the CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME
It'll save you a few quid.

[sheepshagger]

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/store ... _langId_-1

[Rogocoko]

Can you get your employer to help you purchase it through the CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME
It'll save you a few quid.

My employer just has a deal with Raleigh, so You'd have to buy a raleigh bike. Although I had a Raleigh as a kid I haven't heard of any serious cyclists using them. But I may see if my employer will let me buy another brand of bike. Thanks for the info.

[akared]

Bought a bike from http://www.wheelworxbikes.com recently, they were very helpful and knowledgeable, would definitely recommend them. I bought a hybrid http://www.wheelworxbikes.com/product_i ... ts_id=1803, great bike but it's probably not what your looking for.

[Leinsterman]

My employer just has a deal with Raleigh, so You'd have to buy a raleigh bike. Although I had a Raleigh as a kid I haven't heard of any serious cyclists using them. But I may see if my employer will let me buy another brand of bike. Thanks for the info.

It's a government scheme so they shouldn't be able to force you to stay with one specific manufacturer.
It works like the yearly travel pass scheme.

[Slipper1]

A couple of triathlon doing, fitness nuts friends of mine swear by these guys...

The Cycle Superstore

[Avenger]

The cycle superstore, Cycleways and Wheelworx are all excellent and will help you find what your lookIng for.
If you have a specific brand in mind, they may not all cover that. I think Cycleways will pretty much order anything.

I got a cannondale through Cycleways a few months ago and love it.
I didn't find them great got accessories. I went to Wheelworx for shoes but I had also got pedals from cycle superstore (I've been around). All 3 are excellent.

[mikerob]

I don't know what the Dublin branch of www.cyclesurgery.com is like but the London branches I've been to stock good quality bikes and the staff have been knowledgeable and helpful.

You say you want to do long distances... do you mean touring, in which case you'll be looking for a touring bike that can be fitted with mudguards and a rack for panniers, or do you mean something like a 100km sportive ride, using a road bike?

For a good quality starter road bike, you could look at something like a Specialized Allez, Cannondale CAAD 8 or Trek 1.2 - you can't go wrong with any of those and the choice really depends on what you think on a test ride, or if the shop will do you a deal - there are sometimes good prices on last seasons models.

[Avenger]

Anyone planning on doing any cycling events this summer?
I'm going to do the Wicklow but only doing the 100km... not ready for 200km yet.

[johng]

Usually do that and the Wexford cycle in September.

Only got out for a run on Friday for the first time though. Need to get the skates on!

[TerenureJim]

+1 on wheelworx, their set up out in Liffey Valley is very impressive. If you're in the city/southside I'd recommend McDonald Cycles in Wexford Street (it's the part of Camden St that isn't Camden St with Wheelans in it) & Rathgar, great staff who seem more interested in getting the right bike for what you need rather than trying to flog you one with a range of specialist bits you won't need.

Also if you're going to start doing a lot of cycling, you might want to chat to someone in a bike shop or even your GP about diet as if you haven't been cycling at all over a lengthy period of time the increased exercise can cause some ahem "bowel issues" at first.

[Leezer]

dont get a red bike

that's my advice

[Bosco]

Everyone knows red bikes are faster

[Peg Leg]

Everyone knows red bikes are faster

All that red bikes do is stuff their face!

[Slipper1]

Everyone knows red bikes are faster

The wheels have fallen off all the red bikes I've seen recently

[Bosco]

you are not watching enough red bikes

[johng]

Everyone knows red bikes are faster

Yes but despite their willingness they are usually ugly.

[claire_m]

I bought a specialized bike about 10 years ago. I've done a triathlon and duathlon on it and despite my wanting to do more (and I love it when I'm on it!) I never use it as much as I thought I would when I bought it, so it's still in very good nick!

I spent about £500 and a good £100 on accessorises. I'd echo going for a last season bike. If there are any tri stores in Dublin, have a look. Also, you can get cycling and tri magazines, so I'd recommend tracking a few down as they tend to review bikes and kit and you can pick up tips and pointers.

I do get my bike serviced every year and I do take care of it, it really is a thing of beauty!

Good luck!

[Rogocoko]

Thanks for all the info Guys!

I now have a new dilema! I been told to defo get a carbon front fork as it allows for a smoother ride.

But gears I'm torn between Sora and Tiagra... Tiagra are the better ones but getting them starts to push me over my budget. Anybody know if its worth paying that bit more and getting the tiagra gears? I'm doing the cycle to work scheme and I'm not too keen to go over the €1,000. but i also don't want a bike that will be redundant in 6months to a year when I get more into the cycling!

You say you want to do long distances... do you mean touring, in which case you'll be looking for a touring bike that can be fitted with mudguards and a rack for panniers, or do you mean something like a 100km sportive ride, using a road bike?

For a good quality starter road bike, you could look at something like a Specialized Allez, Cannondale CAAD 8 or Trek 1.2 - you can't go wrong with any of those and the choice really depends on what you think on a test ride, or if the shop will do you a deal - there are sometimes good prices on last seasons models.

I'd be more into the 100km sportive ride, I was looking at the Specialised Allez and the trek 1.2 but the 1.2 has Sora gears so would it be worth moving to the 1.5? I was also looking at the Bianchi Via Nirone (both sora and tiagra), do you know anything about them?

Cheers!