Eskii

I've enjoyed the off topic stuff, if its worth anything. Nice bunch.

So if im hearing you guys correct - there's nothing wrong with the bike i've picked, but everyone is different and there may be something about it that I personally dont get on with. That makes sense to some degree, but can it really be that bad? I'll look into what I can do about getting to a shop. Can you tell me what it is I need to vary or try out? Is it different gearing? Or different manufacturer? Or different wheels? How do you begin to choose other than ride every bike ever made haha? Do you get to test ride for hours?

Phew, thanks Andy. I avoided a problem I didn't even know existed! I read the drop bars are better than flat bars because you can always hold a drop bar in the middle like a flat bar anyway. Is that not true? I have a lot to learn in terms of maintenance. My brain has been so full of new information I haven't got into that yet. I think I understand that I want to be tubeless, and I want a little bag under the saddle that has a pump, tyres patches, and sealant. I understand i'll to grease/oil the chain. But that's all I know so far, and I don't which makes or brands of those things to buy. One thing at a time, need to get a bike first! I'm excited!

I haven't had a bike since I was a child. I'm now 30. I'm of average fitness. I want a bike for general transport, for potentially commuting, but most of all for getting out in nature. I also have a medical condition called Fibroymyalgia that sometimes leaves me with no energy. There are so few in stock in the UK right now. My Cycle Scheme limit is £4,000. I have done lot's of reading. I think I understand most of the terminology now, but i'm still a little unsure as to what bike is right for me. I'm sure the answer is "go try as many as you can" but there are no shops near me, and Covid has made it tough. I need to make as good as an informed decision as I can now, and then hope for the best. Here is my thinking so far: Type of Bike: Considering I want to go in nature and on road in equal amounts, with maybe a slight skew towards nature, a Gravel bike seems best for me. Because of my medical condition, and my want to explore as far as I can, an Ebike seems great too. Means if I do commute I might not be so sweaty also Frame: I probably can't afford a carbon bike, so i'm guessing I will choose Aluminium. Fork: I probably can't afford good suspension, and seems like lots of people say you don't need it. I want comfort however, so I guess I will choose a carbon fork. Wheels: I like the idea of 650b 47mm tyres. I want comfort, both on and off road. I'm not trying to set world records. However, what I dont know is if 700c wheels with 37mm will be basically just as good off road but better on road. I know 650b will be more comfortable, and 700c will be more efficient, but how much is that difference? Gearing: This I understand less but basically you want a 2by gearing really. 1by gearing seems for special purposes i dont understnad. In general then I think the bike that fits me best is the Cannondale Synapse Neo SE. I looked at the new Topstone Carbon Neo which seems amazing but is right at the top of my budget, and doesn't come with 650b tyres. The lefty 3 does but that £5k and so out of my budget. I can't find any Neo SEs in stock right now so im just srot of waiting, but I honestly dont know if any of the decisions ive made are right. It's a lot ofmoney for a first bike too. Im confident i'll use it, and buying through the cycle scheme saves a lot. My main worry is buying the wrong wheels or it being too uncomfortable or causing me neck ache/back ache. Can anyone give me and advice, general or specific? It's a lot of money to spend and get wrong. I just want a bike lol.