Interested in getting into cycling - where to start?

[Wormkilla]

Hello all. My friend has got me hooked on the Tour de France and now road racing in general with all the strategy behind it, now Im getting interested in getting out myself a bit. I run a lot by wouldn't mind incorporating at least one longish ride a week into my training schedule and seeing where this goes. I currently have a Giant hybrid bike which is about 20 years old. It has thin road tyres and is in decent condition. But Id be interested in upgrading to a road bike.

Just looking for advice on where to start with this - would it best to look for a brand new bike? Or a bike on facebook marketplace? What are some decent brands these days, and brands to avoid? Would I be able to get a half decent bike for under $1000?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mofra]

Marketplace is decent, but a relationship with your LBS (Local Bike Shop) is gold. They can help you as you start getting into it a bit more, upgrading components, comfort etc.

Many things that others will tell you are 'good' may be uncomfortable, and comfort really is the most important thing. Saddles especially are highly individual.
There are even lease/hire options for a short term test before you work out in which direction you want to go (geometry that is more race or endurance based).

 

[faible]

Hello all. My friend has got me hooked on the Tour de France and now road racing in general with all the strategy behind it, now Im getting interested in getting out myself a bit. I run a lot by wouldn't mind incorporating at least one longish ride a week into my training schedule and seeing where this goes. I currently have a Giant hybrid bike which is about 20 years old. It has thin road tyres and is in decent condition. But Id be interested in upgrading to a road bike.

Just looking for advice on where to start with this - would it best to look for a brand new bike? Or a bike on facebook marketplace? What are some decent brands these days, and brands to avoid? Would I be able to get a half decent bike for under $1000?

Thanks in advance!

Buying a bike second hand is going to be a lot more value for money but you're also not necessarily going to know what the right size, in that brand, for you. So there's a bit of a learning curve if you don't already have that information or someone that can help you with it. Marketplace as always will be a journey of finding a seller who's actually looked after their bike, and if it's carbon you'll want to take a good look to make sure it hasn't been crashed as they're not simply repairable.

Some bike shops will help you out if you go in and say you're looking for a secondhand bike, they'll often have a customer buying a new one and be on the look-out to sell theirs, but not all bike shops will necessarily be as helpful with this (I worked at one that did, but that was many years ago and it's closed).

A decent pair of bike shorts will go a long way to making the experience more pleasant if you haven't already got a pair.

 

[Wormkilla]

Buying a bike second hand is going to be a lot more value for money but you're also not necessarily going to know what the right size, in that brand, for you. So there's a bit of a learning curve if you don't already have that information or someone that can help you with it. Marketplace as always will be a journey of finding a seller who's actually looked after their bike, and if it's carbon you'll want to take a good look to make sure it hasn't been crashed as they're not simply repairable.

Some bike shops will help you out if you go in and say you're looking for a secondhand bike, they'll often have a customer buying a new one and be on the look-out to sell theirs, but not all bike shops will necessarily be as helpful with this (I worked at one that did, but that was many years ago and it's closed).

A decent pair of bike shorts will go a long way to making the experience more pleasant if you haven't already got a pair.

Marketplace is decent, but a relationship with your LBS (Local Bike Shop) is gold. They can help you as you start getting into it a bit more, upgrading components, comfort etc.

Many things that others will tell you are 'good' may be uncomfortable, and comfort really is the most important thing. Saddles especially are highly individual.
There are even lease/hire options for a short term test before you work out in which direction you want to go (geometry that is more race or endurance based).

Thanks heaps guys. I have a local bike shop very close. Its 99 Bikes. Not sure if they are too big a franchise to take seriously...I've bought some bike shorts and a jersey. The jersey is two sizes up from what I normally wear and still feels tight and uncomfortable. Is this normal? Frankly I think Id be happy to wear a running top and bike pants. Does a jersey make that much difference?

Im guessing Ill need a phone holder too. Its a pain trying to read my watch as I go.

 

[faible]

Thanks heaps guys. I have a local bike shop very close. Its 99 Bikes. Not sure if they are too big a franchise to take seriously...I've bought some bike shorts and a jersey. The jersey is two sizes up from what I normally wear and still feels tight and uncomfortable. Is this normal? Frankly I think Id be happy to wear a running top and bike pants. Does a jersey make that much difference?

Im guessing Ill need a phone holder too. Its a pain trying to read my watch as I go.

Ideally you want your riding gear to fit tightly, avoids it flapping about in the wind and stops the sweat running down from your armpits. But obviously wear what you're not going to be self conscious wearing. Comfort-wise there's a reason all cyclists end up in tight fitting lycra, it's practical.

Each brand will probably fit differently too, and it'll depend on your frame. Cyclists tend to be fairly small in the upper body, so most cycling gear (especially 'race fit' stuff) will be cut for that body shape. Might take a bit of trial and error to find a brand that works for you. Shorts can be the same journey.

99 Bikes should be fine, it'll come down to the staff, some franchises will have great staff, some will be shit, like anything.