Commuting - I want to order a bike now...which one though?

Hi all,

Having just started a new job and giving up smoking just over a month ago I am in a unique position of getting fat and rich at the same time. I have deduced that riding to work will sort this out.

I did research this a few weeks ago but I can't find the threads on forums (I am sure I discussed it on here!)...I am looking for decent online stores (I had a few bookmarked but can't find them). And I want the best bike for up to £1000 and I want to pay interest free credit.

Last time I posted I on another forum about this I just got a load of "how much are you spending on a bike?!". Please don't reply like that. It might seem expensive but I intend to use it for at least 60% of the year and will be doing about 10 miles a day. So in all honesty I might be spending too little.

Also - can anyone give me any tips on stopping my chain snapping. I have always had chains snap on me!

I am hoping to order it tonight and get it some time next week so hoping people have a better idea than me! I know the size I need by the way.

EDIT: My sisters fella has a Specialised Hard Rock Sport Disk and my sister has some marin thing (although it's tiny @ 13" frame). I am going to take them for a "spin" now and see what they are like to ride.

EDIT: I would like hydraulic brakes and preferably dual suspension (but only if the rear can be locked out for road use).

Hi all,

Having just started a new job and giving up smoking just over a month ago I am in a unique position of getting fat and rich at the same time. I have deduced that riding to work will sort this out.

I did research this a few weeks ago but I can't find the threads on forums (I am sure I discussed it on here!)...I am looking for decent online stores (I had a few bookmarked but can't find them). And I want the best bike for up to £1000 and I want to pay interest free credit.

Last time I posted I on another forum about this I just got a load of "how much are you spending on a bike?!". Please don't reply like that. It might seem expensive but I intend to use it for at least 60% of the year and will be doing about 10 miles a day. So in all honesty I might be spending too little.

Also - can anyone give me any tips on stopping my chain snapping. I have always had chains snap on me!

I am hoping to order it tonight and get it some time next week so hoping people have a better idea than me! I know the size I need by the way.

EDIT: My sisters fella has a Specialised Hard Rock Sport Disk and my sister has some marin thing (although it's tiny @ 13" frame). I am going to take them for a "spin" now and see what they are like to ride.

EDIT: I would like hydraulic brakes and preferably dual suspension (but only if the rear can be locked out for road use).

Look at the Specialized Epic line or the Specialized FSR line. I have an FSR and almost would prefer the Epic. The FSR is very active even when the rear shock is set at it firmest.

Thanks for the reply so quickly. How do you mean it is very active. As in it still works as suspension. Does the Epic not have this problem?

Can you recommend any online stores?

EDIT: Just seen this. http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/itemviewer.asp?ID=852&type=bikes and it's out of my price range. Really want to stick to around £1000.

Also - can anyone give me any tips on stopping my chain snapping. I have always had chains snap on me!
Run a 7\8 cluster =wider chain, don't use hollow, narrow or 'light racing' chains.

LOL - thanks... I don't know much about bikes. I just know I want one to ride to work and back everyday and I don't want to get my bottom penetrated on the price.

I don't know of any decent online stores. Most people who are buying bicycles (especially higher end ones) insist on riding them before buying. They are right to do so; many aspects of a bicycle have to be personalized to your body, your riding style, and your needs. In fact, many manufacturers of bikes refuse to sell (or allow dealers to sell) their bikes online or by mail order; a quick Froogle search I just did turns up only the discount department store brands (Huffy, Mongoose, Schwinn) none of which, trust me, you want. You can buy bikes on eBay, but that is not for the faint-hearted or for first timers.

The consensus wisdom around here is that you should buy from a local bike shop, abbreviated as LBS in this forum. Local bike shops are known to take hours with customers to adjust the seat height, handlebars, and other components just right so that they have the perfect "fit." This is especially important in your case because you intend to spend a great deal of time on your bike, and because you are planning on spending a not-insignificant amount of money. Get your money's worth; get your bike fitted to you by an expert.

If you tell us where you live, perhaps someone can recommend a shop.

wow. It's very different in the UK. There are loads and loads of online stores here that will sell you any kind of bike you want.

wow. It's very different in the UK. There are loads and loads of online stores here that will sell you any kind of bike you want.

Where do bikes get fixed? Do they sell bikes at the mech shop? Look in the phonebook for cycling specific stores, not 'sports equiptment suppliers'. If you order online, you're still going to have to search out a mech specific shop.
My mechs shop has frames and say 10 bikes for sale, but I buy my parts in a store with 100 assembled bikes.

Thanks for the reply so quickly. How do you mean it is very active. As in it still works as suspension. Does the Epic not have this problem?

Can you recommend any online stores?

EDIT: Just seen this. http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/itemviewer.asp?ID=852&type=bikes and it's out of my price range. Really want to stick to around £1000.

An active suspension is just that...active. It reacts to all forces whether the force comes from below, as in a rock or log or crack or any kind of bump. It also reacts to all forces coming from above, as in pedaling force. It also known as the dreaded "bob". As you push down on the pedals the suspension squashes down and then comes back up. It's almost like riding a bike that doesn't have round wheels. There are ways of keeping it from bobbing but they aren't 100% effective.

The Epic uses an inertial valve to keep the suspension from reacting to force from above. When pedaling hard or when standing, the valve closes and doesn't let the suspension work. But if a force comes from below, like said rock, the valve opens and lets the suspension work to absorb the bump. It makes the bike like a hardtail when extra effort is needed, like climbing a hill but it also works like a dual suspension when gravity takes over.

The only problem with the Epic is that it cost more than the FSR for a comparable bike.

Hope this helps.

Where do bikes get fixed? Do they sell bikes at the mech shop? Look in the phonebook for cycling specific stores, not 'sports equiptment suppliers'. If you order online, you're still going to have to search out a mech specific shop.
My mechs shop has frames and say 10 bikes for sale, but I buy my parts in a store with 100 assembled bikes.
You take them to your local bike shop and pay them to service it....Most britons don't have their cars serviced at the garage they bought their car from either :eek: