Cycle mania hits Britain

Emdad Rahman:  Cycling has never been more popular.  Bradley Wiggins made history by becoming the first Brit to win the Tour De France and the Englishman’s phenomenal triumph has led to calls for him to be given a knighthood. During the 2012 Tour de France, French newspaper L’Equipe named Mark Cavendish the Tour de France’s best sprinter of all time. Sir Chris Hoy is leading out Team GB at the Olympics. The successes of the likes of golden girl Victoria Pendleton have spurred on a mega bike buying frenzy amongst the nation.

Buying a bike, though, can be very confusing with so many different bikes available from hundreds of manufacturers, and lots of price points… where do you start? Here’s British Cycling’s guide to different types of bike on the market.

Road bikes
These bikes are very lightweight and usually have thin tyres and drop-handlebars. They’re great for speed and long rides on tarmac. As the name suggests they are not ideal for use off-road and often lack the ability to add mudguards or a rack, which limits their adaptability for commuting or more general use. Road bikes start at around £220.

Mountain bikes
The mountain bike is the most popular type of bike on the market – and with good reason. It can go anywhere thanks to its strong frame and wheels, powerful breaks, knobbly tyres, wide range gearing and confidence-inspiring riding position. While slower than a road bike on tarmac, a mountain bike can easily be adapted for road duty by swapping to slick tyres. Add mudguards and a rack and you have an ultra-sturdy commuter or touring bike.  Prices can start from around £100.

Hybrid bikes
As their name suggests, these are a cross between a road and a mountain bike. They generally have the larger wheels of the road bike, with tyre widths midway between a road and a mountain bike, which means a comfortable, fast-rolling ride. Most hybrids have flat handlebars with mountain bike-style controls, giving a more comfortable riding position with better visibility and easy access to the breaks and gears. Hybrids often have the ability to mount racks and mudguards – some come equipped with these items as standard, making them ideal bikes forcommuting and everyday use. Bikes labelled as hybrids can often by very different, with some much more akin to mountain bikes, while some are little more than road bikes with flat handlebars.  Prices start from around £100.

Folding bikes
If you’re pushed for space or would like to combine your cycling with other forms of transport, a folding bike could be perfect for you. They pack down small and will fit in car boots, on trains and under desks. Decent quality folding bikes begin around £350. Don’t be tempted by the bargain basement folding bikes, as these generally tend to be poorly designed and poorly made. Prices start from around £200.

 
Town bikes
Upright “Dutch” bikes are perfect for popping out for flattish rides or on fairly short, sedate commutes. They’re usually fitted with full mudguards and fully enclosed chains, making them perfect for anyone who wants to cycle in everyday clothes. Town bikes often come fitted with racks, dynamo lights and sometimes locks, making them complete, ready-to-roll packages for relaxed, short-hop town riding. Breaks and gears tend to be simple and enclosed, making for a low maintenance, reliable ride.
British Cycling Membership
Become a member of British Cycling for £2 a month (£24 per year) and save money on lots of cycling products and items.

Cycle to Work Scheme
If you’re worried about buying a bike outright, ask your employer about the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme – http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Cycling/DG_190101.

Rob McLean, Recreation Manager at British Cycling, said: “If you’re just starting out, buying a bike can be confusing. That’s why at British Cycling we encourage people to think about what they want to get out of their cycling.
“Before heading to your local bike shop ask yourself where you’re going to be using your bike the most – on the road, in the park or on hilly terrain. Are you buying a bike because you want to get to work, because you want to get fit or simply because you want to get out and have fun? All these are factors to take into account before you buy a bike. Remember it’s important to get a bike that will suit your lifestyle and to buy a good quality bike.”

Thirty-three year old Shah Khan is a support worker for Camden Council. The father of two has an inspiring cycling story to tell: “When I was young, I remember cycling with my little brother, pulling him along on his tricycle. I have always loved riding and fixing bikes.
“In 2007, I sustained an injury which led to an operation, leaving me bed-bound for two months. Not being able to do anything but watch TV in bed, I was now spoon fed. I was an active person who seemed to have been wiped out by this tragic event.
“One day my friend called me to wish his best. He mentioned a ride called The British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride, and I researched this ride, finding some amazing stuff on the BHF website. Being ill, I really started to feel how fragile our bodies are. As a proactive person I decided that the first thing I would do would be to take up this challenge.”
Shah’s doctor advised him not to do anything too vigorous. He had a perfect solution: “Cycling was a fantastic way for me to regain my fitness. I bought myself a cheap bike from ebay for £30, and hit the road. Every day, in the dark of the morning, I’d cycle to work. During this time, I started a campaign to raise money for this ride, writing letters to company heads, designing posters, making money tins, and sending emails. Before I knew it I was so well known within the company I worked for that everyone knew me as the ‘guy with the bicycle’. I worked with a lot of mature colleagues, and colleagues who were really unfit. Seeing my cycle inspired people who approached me to ask tips on good bikes to buy, and where to buy from.” Shah took his laptop to work, and checked ebay and Gumtree. “Not long after, eleven people came in with bikes that we had viewed online,” he said.
The Duke of Edinburgh Leader who has abseiled the tallest building in Reading for the St Mungo’s charity for homeless people has now started a young people’s project. All his clients are now Bronze Award holders and Shah has trained to become a DofE leader, “I also undertook a course in advanced expedition leading, outdoor survival and team building and also work part time at a climbing school.”