Choosing my first bike.
 

Hi. I've been commuting by bike for the last 3 months. It's an old, borrowed cycle of my friend. I think it's time to buy something on my own as I got really hoooked on riding a bike. Since the last bike I've bought was a mountain bike a couple years ago I've decided to ask for your help before I make my mind.

I don't want pay more than 200 pounds at the moment, because I'm still a beginner. I've selected two bikes on Amazon but I can't really figure out which one is better or are they of the similar quality.

1. ECOSMO 700C New Fixed Gear Road Race Bicycle Bike- 700R08H: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

2. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Martello-Sin.../dp/B00X61UYLU

Are these good choices? Or should I aim for something else?

Also what frame size is the best for me if I'm 185 cm tall? I don't have the measurement of my leg at the moment cause I'm on a holiday but I'd say they are quite long.

Thank you for any help provided.

Hi there! Good to see one more cyclist on the road!

I like to think of the commuter bicycle as both a vehicle and an investment. Being a vehicle means that it must offer a comfortable, yet efficient trip, from point A to point B. Being an investment means that I could justify spending a little bit more today in order to get a quality product that is well able to serve me for years and even decades, and in this way, save me a lot of money that I'd otherwise spend on petrol, public transportation, etc., along the way.

The bikes you have listed are both singlespeed/fixies. For a relatively flat commute, this is a great arrangement. But if you do face some hills, I'd rather take a bike with multiple gears. Even on the flats, on some days I might be a little more tired and ride one gear slower than usual, and in so doing, replenish my energy. Will a single gear be good for you?

Both bikes offer straight handlebars. These are very good for shorter trips, but if your commute is a longer one, you may want to use a bike with drop handlebars in order to have more hand positions, as well as be able to reduce your air resistance. Their price, however, is a limiting factor.

When commuting, I find fenders and a luggage rack make an important difference in terms of comfort, especially when riding every day. Since the bikes you linked to don't come with either part installed, it may be worth checking with the seller if the frames do have eyelets for them. If they do, you will still have to factor in the cost of these components and their assembly, since they are not included. Of course, you may also decide you don't need them.

When looking at the bike as an investment, you might want to consider a little bit more expensive bicycles that come from more renowned brands and that may also offer you warranty. For example, this is one small suggestion that you may want to also consider.

Finally, you may be able to find a very good quality bike that satisfies all or most of your requirements in the used market. A look around ebay is often worth it.

Any chance your friend would sell you the bicycle you have been riding? I would stay away from Amazon bikes, especially if you have never bought a bike before. I have never heard of either bicycle.

If your commute is under 10mi, is flat, you don’t need to carry anything on the bike, and you don’t want fenders- then those bikes may work.

On the Amazon bike-
There are no eyelets for a rack or fenders.
There are no gears to help with hills.
There is only 1 brake when you need to stop quickly in traffic.


I didn’t even look at the other. Do you ride and enjoy a stripped down optionless singlespeed right now? If so, then the Amazon would match quite well with what you have.

How far is it?
Do you commute year round, whatever the weather?

I commuted for several years with a £200 bike for a total of 25k miles, so it is certainly doable.

Hi, the bike I use now is a ruin. I could still ride on it as he has his own but it's this bike is so slow that most female bikers can ride faster than me.

I am going to do around 5 miles a day in a flat area.

I only concerned about the bike size. The one I'm using now feels to small for my size. What should I be looking for if I'm 185 cm tall?

That's all you! Never heard of a ruin...what style of bike is it? You might find a 54 cm bike too small. That's the problem with ordering online - you can't ride it first to see how well if will fit you. If you are willing to up your price range, [MENTION=387585]AciD[/MENTION]Fast had some good luck with a Mango (see thread here: http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...term-test.html). I'm 5'11 and 54 cm is too small for me when talking about something with a road bike fit.