Big Bike Purchase

[thetinmine]

Dear cyclingnews forum folk,

So yesterday on my 36th birthday I went out to get a bike. A selfy present. My dad thought it was a hilarious idea and chipped in a couple of hundred quid. So off I went to Velovia, in Paris, my home town, to by me a new bike. With 400 spondoliees I thought I would be cycling home with the mother of all peddle bikes. I wasn't. It's been a long time since I bought a new bike.

I am a velib user here in Paris and my account tells me I am cycling 60km a week- commuting. Next year I am moving to Switzerland and have a lake side hilly commute of about the same distance each week. I am, in case you haven't already gathered not a big rider.

About 10 years ago I got massively into the tour de france. I have been to see it several times and watched Bradley lead out Mark Cavendish last year at the end of Rue de Rivoli across Place de la Concorde. I was at the top end of Jardin de Tuilieres. I could see him in front of me and zoomed in on the big screen ahead of me. It was amazing. I had bought a 50 quid Gitane 12 speed about 5 years ago at a mates house in the south of France and loved to ride it- a circuit of about 12km a day. I love the road bike handlebars- what I am trying to say is... I could get into this.

My wife asked me this morning, is this another one of your fads? possibly is this answer. But when yesterday the dude at Velovia showed me this: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/croix-de-fer/croix-de-fer I had a sort of toad of toad hall moment... I wanted one.

I don't think I can warrant spending a grand on a bike. I dont want a fixy nonsense, and I have sort of run out of patience with my 50 quid heavy old Gitane ride.

I think this is my specification:

- I want to be able to get from A to B - and not be too heavy about it, I will provide the weight.
- I want 2 wheels- that I can effectively sort out if problems arise.
- It can't have any red on it. The bike. I don't want to add any of my own so good brakes
- I want to avoid getting mud on my ares. In the same token I love the look of a cross, provided I could attach a mud guard.
- I don't want to break the bank. 400- 600 squids- maybe I am being unrealistic...

Anyways, any comments advice- websites would be great. We have decathlon.fr here and a second hand traders website called leboncoin.fr which is full of various bikes http://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/offres/ile_de_france/?f=a&th=1

Would be glad for some tips,

with much love,

T

 

[JayKosta]

Keep the Gitane and put full fenders on it. Change the seat if you'd like, and wrap the bars with some comfy padded tape. It's probably only a few pounds heavier than a new bike after adding pedals, bottle cages, pump, etc.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[Bespoke]

Keep the Gitane and put full fenders on it. Change the seat if you'd like, and wrap the bars with some comfy padded tape. It's probably only a few pounds heavier than a new bike after adding pedals, bottle cages, pump, etc.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

I was thinking the same. Use your money for some other means of deriving enjoyment on your bike. As it is, you've got a charming older bike that, as JayKosta says, can be upgraded at the contact points.

Have fun.

 

[King Boonen]

In all honesty, for that kind of money, you'd be better off sticking with the Gitane. Plus it's a nice bike anyway!

 

[hiero2]

In honor of your Toad Hall moment - I suggest you put the money in a safe spot, and save some more for that Croix de Fer.

Also, keep an eye out for a used Croix. I would be looking on Ebay or Craigslist - you would look on Ebay, or something else local to you. Be patient, wait for the correct size. And wait for a good price. Used bikes lose a lot of value - except for the impatient person who wants something particular. Used bike sellers frequently start out asking more than they can get - because they think "it should be worth it".

Meanwhile, fenders on the Gitane is good advice.

 

[Boeing]

Dear cyclingnews forum folk,

So yesterday on my 36th birthday I went out to get a bike. A selfy present. My dad thought it was a hilarious idea and chipped in a couple of hundred quid. So off I went to Velovia, in Paris, my home town, to by me a new bike. With 400 spondoliees I thought I would be cycling home with the mother of all peddle bikes. I wasn't. It's been a long time since I bought a new bike.

I am a velib user here in Paris and my account tells me I am cycling 60km a week- commuting. Next year I am moving to Switzerland and have a lake side hilly commute of about the same distance each week. I am, in case you haven't already gathered not a big rider.

About 10 years ago I got massively into the tour de france. I have been to see it several times and watched Bradley lead out Mark Cavendish last year at the end of Rue de Rivoli across Place de la Concorde. I was at the top end of Jardin de Tuilieres. I could see him in front of me and zoomed in on the big screen ahead of me. It was amazing. I had bought a 50 quid Gitane 12 speed about 5 years ago at a mates house in the south of France and loved to ride it- a circuit of about 12km a day. I love the road bike handlebars- what I am trying to say is... I could get into this.

My wife asked me this morning, is this another one of your fads? possibly is this answer. But when yesterday the dude at Velovia showed me this: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cross/croix-de-fer/croix-de-fer I had a sort of toad of toad hall moment... I wanted one.

I don't think I can warrant spending a grand on a bike. I dont want a fixy nonsense, and I have sort of run out of patience with my 50 quid heavy old Gitane ride.

I think this is my specification:

- I want to be able to get from A to B - and not be too heavy about it, I will provide the weight.
- I want 2 wheels- that I can effectively sort out if problems arise.
- It can't have any red on it. The bike. I don't want to add any of my own so good brakes
- I want to avoid getting mud on my ares. In the same token I love the look of a cross, provided I could attach a mud guard.
- I don't want to break the bank. 400- 600 squids- maybe I am being unrealistic...

Anyways, any comments advice- websites would be great. We have decathlon.fr here and a second hand traders website called leboncoin.fr which is full of various bikes http://www.leboncoin.fr/velos/offres/ile_de_france/?f=a&th=1

Would be glad for some tips,

with much love,

T

check out on-one web or planet x. both UK based mail order. lots of value

 

[DirtyWorks]

In honor of your Toad Hall moment - I suggest you put the money in a safe spot, and save some more for that Croix de Fer.

Also, keep an eye out for a used Croix. I would be looking on Ebay or Craigslist - you would look on Ebay, or something else local to you. Be patient, wait for the correct size. And wait for a good price. Used bikes lose a lot of value - except for the impatient person who wants something particular. Used bike sellers frequently start out asking more than they can get - because they think "it should be worth it".

Meanwhile, fenders on the Gitane is good advice.

All this is great advice. It sounds like you are in Paris. Definitely get fenders and IMHO, the next bike needs fender space and mounts. The occasional shower is quite a bit less miserable without your back wheel soaking you.

Ebay can be tough to find good deals.

I ride a cyclocross bike for this reason. Light enough and definitely has room for all kinds of tires without a weight penalty. Casual riders like the disc brakes on many new bikes. I don't, but that's me.

I'm not in Paris. Dreaming of Berthilion ice cream right now.