Kanga

I hear you I already want to buy everything better and its been a week. So here is the plan, set a goal reach it, buy new toy and donate current entry level bike to the next guy who wants to start losing weigh and get fit as long as he plots his progress on The Hub and does the same once he is ready to apgrade.

Thanks so far guys/Gals This bike was cheap enough and I should have done more homework. So for now I will keep it until I really know what I want and can make an informed choice. What should be the things I look at to make this "informed" choice of mine?

Right So I have been doing this thing for a week now, and doing a gentle 10km route (mostly tar) a day since Saturday. Bear in mind I am a large unfit creature so in my book thats is monster milage while I doubt its a sufficient warmup for any of you though. Here is the thing, I decided while driving home that I will cycle stopped at the first LBS and asked for advice. Owner looked at me , said aha you need an XL, debated discs vs V Brakes, knobblies vs slicks and whether I needed a cycle computer. Of course there were lots of pretty bikes so I assumed these guys are pros. 10 minutes later I pay for a sparkling (actually matt) Specialized Hardrock with V Brakes + some accesories, helmet, gloves and a XXXL pair of cycling shorts (soon to be XL). I then walk down to the pub virtually under the Shop and have a beer while they "set up" my new steed as well as add a water bottle cage. Thus I never sat on the bike, I did touch the paintjob and liked the feel Now honestly I cannot blame the LBS becuase I spose I know better and should have done more homework than "mhhhh F*%$ it I am tired of being dik!!!!) Also I walk into his shop and I am not the average lean machine he sees in his shop so I am sure he is also out of his comfort zone. And he seems like the guy who would have answered my question knowledgeably and truthfully had I known what to ask. After reading mulitple articles, forums and some chats with "real Cyclists" I think I might have a bike that may be a little big for me, and I should have gone discs, better front shock with lock out etc etc etc, I also like gadgets so I am sure this fuels my thoughts as well. So after that longwinded background here is my question.... If I am ready and fitter, I am buying myself a "real" bike. What are the things I should be looking at and what questions should I be asking when I go into the LBS again? What sort of price range to get a decent (Non competitive) bike in your opinion. Ps; I plan to do some road riding during the week and some Koeberg/winelands etc trails over weekends.

Well got around 12km this afternoon, nowhere near what you guys do but hell a monster leap for me. Most noticeable is that I loved every second of the ride, even the tough (tough for me) bits. My Mate got himself a Scott of some sort from City Cycles this morning so having a parther in crime is good fun. My right wrist was getting a little sore towards the end, could this be riding position or am I just using previously unused muscles?

DaLoCo, looking at your signature, your dream is closer than you think http://www.3d-printing.net/content/3d-printing-future-bacon-sandwiches We discussed this at a conference a few months back.

Well went for a ride yesterday along the beach and I enjoy this bike thing(more like a cruise than a ride) The one who must be obeyed has decided she wants a bike as well, so I will have a partner in crime. Strangely two of my beer drinking buddies have also taken to the idea and are both heading for a sportmans warehouse/ cycle shop this weekend. This could be contagious

I have a sneaky suspicion that this is what will happen It might be laziness I am sure the budget will suffer, I ike gadgets and nice toys and dont sleep well so this might be the sprt for me

Thanks, I am sure it wont be easy but hell we doing it. Agreed, I certainly love the idea, now to put it in practise Mhh I think Excitements battle plan is more like Excrement Baie baie dankie, Thanks much apreciated, but I should have done this years ago Sticking to the plan, is the plan. Thanks Hopefully Soon Thanks Wow, I take my hat off to you Sounds well fair Thanks guys,

Hi Guys, oh yes and gals I know you good people are used to people who are superfit and do a gentle 100km ride after work, well unfortuneately this thread will be "slightly" different, I will hopefully track how I get fit, learn to ride etc etc etc on your forum. OK, I have bought a MTB and will now get on it and start getting fit and losing weight. The bike in question is a Specialized hard rock 26" with V Brakes, I know I know I should have bought a better bike, but will be happy to do so once I have dug my heals in and I know I will stick to this. Scary bit, I am around (or A round ) 138kg, 1.92 M so I need to lose somewhere in the region of 30kg. The Plan is to ride to get fit and enjoy MelkBos and surround, get a seat for the 16months old lady in my life (her mom/ my wife might take up MTB to if I hang on long enough ) and take her for Sunday rides etc. I travel a fair amount ( a few days a week and some late nights) but I plan to get three rides in a week at the least + the Saturday/Sunday ride with the little one. First ride (Wednesday Morning 5.30am) was roughly 4km and good fun along the beach road Tonight we try 6km derriere willing. Any advice, comments, snide remarks etc welcome

OK guys thanks So MTB XL (to be checked) Hard tail What elso needs to be considered. Please bear in mind I know very very little about this.

Right so where do I start. I am a large little fella, 130kg, 6ft4" and need to lose a good couple of pounds doing something I enjoy (See I have my first being born in April and my wife reckons I need to be around for a while. I cant understand people who run when there is no one chasing them, love squash but I need to be a lot fitter first and gym has never quite done it for me. (Dont like the hyped up pimple ridden overeager roid boys staring in the window) Oh and I love gadgets etc. Hence I thought cycling, it feeds my gadget addiction with gears and cycle computers, suspensions etc, I enjoyed when I did it for a while but I must say it will take me a while before I like the garb. So for very social (i.e comfort) what size bike, what type of bike and what should I be looking for? Thanks in advance!