non electic bikes

[lantus]

hi

had my electric bike for a year now bought from 3E electric bikes (totally love it).
but now thinking i might be fit enough to try my 7 mile work commute on a non electric bike but which one?

I know lots of you have ordinary bikes so what to go for,something mid range price wise about £200/£300

cycle 80% road 20% cycle path (potholed)

 

[rh1968]

Sounds like a hybrid or a cyclocross bike would suit admirably for you.

My biggest bit of advice would be, given your budget, to buy secondhand! £200-300 these days really doesn't get you much at all, whereas my road bike was bought for £120 on eBay (having carefully checked the seller's bona fides, reason for selling etc), I spent around £70 and maybe three hours doing it up and it's insured for £1400, that being the new for old replacement cost.

If you want something that's not just convenient transport but will give you joy every time you use it you should definitely consider secondhand. But do, of course, make sure the seller is genuine, everyone who buys a stolen bike is encouraging the thieves and they'll get yours one day!

 

[lantus]

Sounds like a hybrid or a cyclocross bike would suit admirably for you.

My biggest bit of advice would be, given your budget, to buy secondhand! £200-300 these days really doesn't get you much at all, whereas my road bike was bought for £120 on eBay (having carefully checked the seller's bona fides, reason for selling etc), I spent around £70 and maybe three hours doing it up and it's insured for £1400, that being the new for old replacement cost.

If you want something that's not just convenient transport but will give you joy every time you use it you should definitely consider secondhand. But do, of course, make sure the seller is genuine, everyone who buys a stolen bike is encouraging the thieves and they'll get yours one day!

not sure i know enough to buy from ebay are there many online shops that sell used or refurbish?

 

[stevebills]

not sure i know enough to buy from ebay are there many online shops that sell used or refurbish?

I would take someone with you that knows about bikes and I agree you can get a £800 bike for £350 off ebay with liitle use.

 

[allen-uk]

Borrow one, preferably, just in case you can't make the commute!

Or if you've still got your conventional bike in the shed, oil it and pump up the tyres, and use that. Don't spend money till you're sure!

A

 

[Mussels]

If you are near Stafford then there's a charity that fixes up and sells 2nd hand bikes very cheap.

 

[lantus]

Borrow one, preferably, just in case you can't make the commute!

Or if you've still got your conventional bike in the shed, oil it and pump up the tyres, and use that. Don't spend money till you're sure!

A

would a shed bike not make it to difficult ie cheap bike, harder work, thats why i was thinking mid range. or does it not make that much difference!

 

[allen-uk]

A 'shed' bike (I like the phrase!) wouldn't make THAT much difference. Sure, a 'shop' bike might be a bit smoother, but if your first question is to see if you can DO a 7 mile commute, it would give you a very good idea whether it was the bike clapping out after 4 miles, or you!

And as soon as you're happy with the rider, then spend a few hundred quid (if you've got it). Real bike fantatics (not me, I hasten to add), think that anything under about £800 is cheap and nasty.


A

 

[lantus]

A 'shed' bike (I like the phrase!) wouldn't make THAT much difference. Sure, a 'shop' bike might be a bit smoother, but if your first question is to see if you can DO a 7 mile commute, it would give you a very good idea whether it was the bike clapping out after 4 miles, or you!

And as soon as you're happy with the rider, then spend a few hundred quid (if you've got it). Real bike fantatics (not me, I hasten to add), think that anything under about £800 is cheap and nasty.


A

update; borrowed a mates bike today think it might of been a case of trying to run before i could walk, but if you dont try you'll never know.

thanks for the advice saved me some money there, electric all the way for me!!

 

[Trevor Holloway]

I would not give up on it, maybe ride the muscle bike (as opposed to battery) once a week when the weather is nice and you have allowed yourself extra time or resist the temptation of the battery assist for increasing distances.
As many will vouch the fitness does come without you noticing (it did for me too).

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

my hack about bike is a felt qx75. stunning bike for the money. buy second hand and you will be getting a steal. if you want to go uber fast then i can highly recommend a scott cr1 pro with full durace . bit pricey but i love mine

 

[allen-uk]

I think Trevor's got the right idea - do a bit occasionally on the 'muscle' bike. Have you got one in the shed? If not, maybe think of buying a 2nd-hand one from a proper bike shop - for around £100 you will get something useable, and you can always trade it in at a later date.

A.

 

[Trevor Holloway]

I got my mountain bike from "Freecycle" with a bent rear wheel, so swapped that wheel with one off an old bike with seized seatpost (too high to use), ended up swapping the chain too !
Should get my replacement battery and controller back on Monday and although its been a five week wait its meant that the "muscle" bike has been used two / three times a week in that time.
I will probabley end up swapping between these rather than between the battery bike and the car !

 

[Mussels]

I finally did it today, I rode my shed bike from the M25 to the City centre!
My charger went pop last night and rather than fork out for the slow public transport I decided to bite the bullet.
I originally intended to take the longer and flatter route but at the last moment went for the direct route over the hills, it only took me about 10-15 minutes longer but my legs feel knackered.
Now I just need to find a bigger framed shed bike that I fit on, shame as the one I have is really nice.

 

[Grumpyoldgit]

hi

had my electric bike for a year now bought from 3E electric bikes (totally love it).
but now thinking i might be fit enough to try my 7 mile work commute on a non electric bike but which one?

I know lots of you have ordinary bikes so what to go for,something mid range price wise about £200/£300

cycle 80% road 20% cycle path (potholed)

Why two bikes?
Just switch the power off if you feel the need for extra exercise. At least then you have the option to change your mind when reality kicks in.

 

[Trevor Holloway]

Why two bikes?
Just switch the power off if you feel the need for extra exercise. At least then you have the option to change your mind when reality kicks in.

I tried that idea but it was too tempting to have the help - the controller blowing on the electric bike switched me over (mind you I could have just swapped out the front wheel from pre-conversion and left the battery at home).