Newbie wanting to cycle to work

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Effects wrote: »

I wouldn't want to commute on my single speed all the time. Just doesn't suit my style of cycling on a commute.

I've seen more people broken down on ss bikes than geared bikes over the years.
The only indexing issue I've had in the past three years was a result of a pedestrian running into me and I came off the bike. Slightly damaged the derailleur and I had to adjust it.

I'd hate to be a beginner having to tackle some hills on a SS while trying to commute.
Any beginners I know that got single speed bikes at the start just gave up after a while.

I have to say my experience of people broken down is the complete opposite - and my friends who started ss have stayed cycling!

To each their own.
My fixed gear bikes take an awful lot less maintenance from me and the bike shop than the geared ones. That said the groupset on one of my geared bikes is in the way out and it's a massive PITA. I haven't had a fixie give up on me yet!
Actually the first bike I rode, from age 10 to 23, had gears that never worked, and was stuck in it's highest gear for 10 years, despite the odd bike shop fettling.

Different strokes for different folks. Ss are a great cheap and easy to maintain introduction to cycling for a short commute.

Above all else they're so much easier to clean :pac: (I feicin hate cleaning my bikes, and I have to do it all the feicin time!)

Wishbone Ash

Effects wrote: »

I don't get why anyone would recommend a single speed bike for someone who hasn't cycled since they were a child. Except maybe you want to remind them of what it used to be like to ride the bike they had as a child.

Less maintenance, maybe. But how much maintenance does it take on a bike with gears? Certainly not enough that it would rule out getting a bike with gears.

The OP is on a fairly tight budget - single speed bikes are much cheaper to buy and maintain. I commute on a single speed (40k round trip with about 250m of climbing) and I very rarely have to do anything to the bike. My road bikes require about 5 times as much attention.

vanman99

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Wouldn't know that area to be honest. Well I started my commute on a mountain bike until it gave up (it was about 15 yrs old) I found I couldn't get up to a high enough speed as I ran out of gears. Suspensions dissipate some of the energy you expend by peddling so it wastes a lot of energy.

I'm no cycling expert by any means though - just speaking from my experience of commuting the last few months. Decathlon do make good value for money bikes though.

That's a very heavy bike and unless you're commute is off road I wouldn't. Take a look in Halfords, probably not much difference in weight but has a better group set and will get you up hills quicker. If you're using your bike to work, I'd go for a better bike, you'd be surprised how the bug bites you when you're up and running, you might want to do a bit more. As for gear, pick up cheap stuff in Aldi/lidl, until you you know you'll stick with it. - https://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-crixus-limited-edition-cx-bike

droidus

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The OP is on a fairly tight budget - single speed bikes are much cheaper to buy and maintain. I commute on a single speed (40k round trip with about 250m of climbing) and I very rarely have to do anything to the bike. My road bikes require about 5 times as much attention.

The best of both worlds is obviously a hub gear.

CramCycle

Ush1 wrote: »

I'd be going Tallaght to Grange Castle, looking at this bike:

https://www.decathlon.ie/ie_en/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-en-s300777.html

Would the road bike be easier then on the uphill yeah?

If your commuting Tallaght to Grange Castle, its pretty flat and on good quality roads, I'd go for the road bike over the hybrid.

xckjoo

Another vote for second hand road bike. Forget all the suspension and off-road stuff for now. Fat tyres and suspension make the ride comfier but you lose some of your energy output to them so they're counter-productive for commuting. Also forget about racer type bikes as they have other quirks.

Find a decent bike shop in your area (someone here might recommend). You'll learn bike maintenance as you go, but a good bike mechanic is invaluable. Even if you know how to do everything, specialist tools are often needed so it's usually more cost effective to pay them to do some jobs than buy the tools. I'm usually surprised by how cheap the jobs are and saves you from being overwhelmed.



If I was starting over I'd look for a second hand bike from a decent brand, with storage (back bike rack) and dirt protection (mudguards and chain guard). Add lights, a lock, a helmet and a light rain jacket. Hold off on buying gear until you see if you're going to keep it up. Get a well known brand as it's more likely the gears, brakes, etc. will be of high quality. Minimise the amount of maintenance work.


Oh and buy a bottle of slime for your tyres. Works surprisingly well for punctures. Punctures can ruin your evening

Thargor

Fighting Tao wrote: »

As a fool that made the mistake of getting a hybrid on the b2w I’d recommend getting a road bike. You will want to go faster and further after a while.

Same, regretted the hybrid after about 6 weeks, bit the bullet and bought a decent roadbike a while later, Ill never buy anything else now.