Hi all, newguy signing in

[Hudson1984]

Hi all.

I'm Sam, been cycling of and on for a couple of years now, started with cycling to work and have now moved up to cycling for recreational purposes - and funnily enough started drving to work again

I ride a 2012 specialized allez which i've upgraded to full tiagra groupset. Lovely first bike and didn't cost the earth either - although I think I could do with 10 speed rather than 9 (although my triple chainset is great at the end of a ride when a rogue hill comes from nowhere )

I intend to pick your brains a bit as i'm now in two minds for a next step.

I want everything!! but obviously can't have it all so really after some help of what is a best route to take. Next year i'm intending to get a "bling" bike for taking part in some sportives and riding a bit more seriously - and because I now love specialized this will more than likely be a tarmac.

My concern is for this year, I can't decide whether to get a mountain bike (specialized hardrock) or a touring bike (as yet undecided on model) I really want to start cycling to work again but with our rubbish bike rack at work it really needs to be an understated work bike so thought a tourer looks a bit more subtle than my bright red road bike! so either of the routes need to be usuable daily as well as for their intended use.

it's really a case of options. I want to do Lejog unsupported and camping en-route which i'm notsure the hardrock would be really suited for - well suited but not ideal. But then i'd also like to take in some singletrack which a tourer isn't really suited for.. Dilemma!!

anyway, hope to speak to some of you soon and hopefully I won't bore you too much with my ever changing mind

[hubgearfreak]

I really want to start cycling to work again but with our rubbish bike rack at work it really needs to be an understated work bike so thought a tourer looks a bit more subtle than my bright red road bike!

how far, how hilly, does it include rough stuff such as cobbles, towpaths etc.?

[Hudson1984]

I really want to start cycling to work again but with our rubbish bike rack at work it really needs to be an understated work bike so thought a tourer looks a bit more subtle than my bright red road bike!

how far, how hilly, does it include rough stuff such as cobbles, towpaths etc.?

1.6 miles, no hills I live in norfolk, all roads so tarmac only.

well in my other post it seems like a trailer could be used on my bike so I can infact use that for touring which saves me having to buy a designated tour bike. Meaning I can just stick with getting my hardrock for the rough stuff and the daily ride (locking out the sus for daily riding though)

[hubgearfreak]

if it's a rubbish bike rack and such a short journey, then i'd get an old & cheap bike just for work. it'll serve you well to be left outside the pub or other places you may not wish to leave an expensive one.

[Hudson1984]

yea probably for the best! yep it's an awfull bike rack - some "expletive removed" robbed someone's 40 odd year old racer which had a flat tyre and worn breaks so I don't like my chances on a nice bike.

I do like the idea of getting an old racer and stripping it down and giving it a fresh coat of paint and a bit of a tidy up but then i'm probably digging my own grave even with that! my own worst enemy!

[eileithyia]

Hi and welcome, just a heap of junk that it does not matter if it gets nicked, some cheapo secondhand bike will do (just make sure it is not the one that was actually nicked ). I certainly would not be spending out any real money under the circumstances and save it to buy some decent stuff for non - work cycling.

[Hudson1984]

yep going to have to agree.

I used to put £1 in a pot each day I rode to work as I assumed this to be an approximate saving over driving... amazing how quick it mounted up!

Think i'll keep and eye out for an old racer and maybe turn it into a cheap single speed or something, make it at least presentable and save the pennies for some longer rides with camping