GCN's Guide To Buying Your First Road Bike

So you've decided to buy your first road bike, and taken your first step into the larger world of the cycling community. But it can be quite overwhelming; there are so many different styles and brands of bikes to chose from - and knowing where to start can be daunting. In this video, Ollie helps you find everything you'll need to know about purchasing your first road bike to start you on your journey of becoming a cyclist.

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What was your first road bike?

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Right Time STEMS INSTRUMENTS - Elliot Adair
Kite Lines - River Hamilton
Travellers - Ran the Man
Your World on My Shoulders (Instrumental Version) - OTE
Suburban Sunrise - Ran the Man
Reveries - Ran the Man
Regrets (Instrumental Version) - Jack Elphick
Do Tell (Indie Pop Version) - Niklas Ahlstrom
Cosmic World - Gridded (1)
Compadre - Tigerblood Jewel
All or Nothing - A Month of Sleep

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[botchok]

Decathlon is like the Primark for active people lol. I walk in to get a pair of shorts, I walk out with a dumbbell set, dip bar, fleece sweater and a f'king tube of energy tablets.

[stephenmorris]

Excellent that GCN thinks of people starting off with the sport. It can be really confusing. Well done GCN and Ollie.

[GreatJoey]

Fantastic to see a cycling channel that gives as much time to beginners as it does the more serious riders. It's refreshing to have a presenter like Ollie who can reflect on his first bike experiences and understands that first time buyers do not necessarily have the knowledge to match their enthusiasm for cycling (yet).

[club]

Notes:
Pay attention to gear ratios (1:32 recommended) and chains (compact or 5:34 recommended) or basically, larger on the back and smaller on the front for climbing up hills
Two types of brakes (Rim brakes, and disk brakes). He recommends disk brakes for hilly areas because they offer substantially more powerful brakes that are more consistent especially in wet and provide better control in general but rim brakes are ok and are slightly lighter
The frame material has a substantial impact. Aluminum is good because it is light and resistant to corrosion as well as the bikes are more affordable. But he also recommends carbon fibre bikes if you have the budget because it is stiffer and lighter. You can also use an aluminum bike with a carbon fibre fork to reduce vibration
-Reputable brand for the frame to make sure it is properly tested and has a good warranty
-The more the tire clearance for more tire changing versatility
-Mounting points are good for accessories
-Bonus if a bike has an outboard bearing in a threaded bottom bracket because they last longer and require less maintenance
-Higher wheel spoke counts are more sturdy
-Ideally, wide rims (25mm or 28) suit wider tires because wider tires offer more comfort, grip, and less rolling resistance to help you move further with less effort
-Saddle comfort is very personal so you can change it
-Using clip-less pedals and shoes so you can push and pull with peddling

[robmitchell]

Spent £400 on a Triban from Decathlon at the start of the lockdown last March. Knew nothing about cycling at the time, and thought I'd just do a few rides - soon fell in love with cycling and have since done over 3000 miles on it! - including several 100+ mile rides. Now tempted to upgrade, but I absolutely love this bike! Never had any issues with it at all

[davasg]

goes to decathlon to get one thing, leave with five. Yup sounds about right, can confirm.

[DGResult]

OMG THE RC500 !!!
I have been saving for this bike for a while and I bought it yesterday !
I will get it after 2 days and I cant wait.
UPDATE:
I got the bike and its just Perfect.
UPDATE AGAIN:
Even after 2500km the bike is Perfect.
UPDATE AFTER AN YEAR:
I only had 2 chains changed for 8 month of riding in 2020
and a new cassette which is normal. Other than that everything else is fine !

[hugobci]

Decathlon is the devil's den. Every time I go there my wallet is sucked into de void 😂

[davidmarshall]

As someone who did this exercise about 6 months ago, I’d say Gravel for sure if it’s your first ‘proper’ bike. Even if you don’t use it off-road, it’s more robust than a road bike for day to day urban use, dodging cars, drains, potholes and kerbs. Nearly as fast as well, with a slightly more relaxed geometry which is probably recommended for newbies. Then you’ve got at flexibility to go more places as well.

[RobMacLeod]

Really loaded with helpful info--I have sent this to all my graduate students as they enter the phase of their lives when they can either get into good physical activity habits or slide into sedentary lives with the excuse they are too busy to make time for sports. Cool music track too!

[Servicevelo]

Decathlon forever. More fun, less snobbery. Great video.

[accio_braincells]

I was so overwhelmed when trying to get my first bike, so much conflicting information! But seeing as I live in the city and wanted it to also be a commuter bike, I bought a Trek FX 3. I have to say, for my first ever non Walmart bike, I absolutely love it! I added some clip-less peddles and I am having the time of my life on it. Although, for my next bike I think I'll get one with drop down handles because I find myself wish I could change my hand positions.

[katarzynapabianek]

My ex was into road bikes and all he left me left with is the hobby ;)
Looking for my first gravel and this video is very informative! More videos for newbies please! :D

[adrianromero]

I just bought the Triban RC 520 gravel bike, and so far I'm in love with it, I'm glad for the the recognition decathlon is getting here.

[nickw]

I was lucky enough to do the maratona a few years ago, on my first road bike which retailed at the outrageously expensive cost of £400, at the start I had immediate bike envy as everyone else seemed to have a Pinarello dogma with Di2, but at the end of ride I had a brilliant day a great memory and a bike costing a few thousand more couldn't have possibly made it any better.

[hobbo]

Finally Decathlon are getting recognised and some needed airtime! I bought my first road bike the legendary Triban 3 which lasted me 6 years and went everywhere! Then I upgraded for the Carbon CF 920 last year and the value for money is amazing. Even the clothing range is fantastic quality at a reasonable price whilst looking great 👌🏼

[RESolberg]

Finally, a story that recognized the true cycling world. The one where $800 is the upper limit of your budget. Well done 👍👌😊🚴

[bertchalmers]

FINALLY the MIGHTY RC500 gets some Airtime mine has done: Sportives, 24hr Mountain bike race (solo), Cyclocross, Duathlons, Triathlons, commuting and TT's for just over 500quid it is

[stijndeklerk]

Refreshing to see bikes being suggested at this pricepoint. Weldone GCN.

[ivarbrouwer]

One good point here is that budget options get some love, but there are many other online alternatives other than decathlon out there to look and consider too. The advantage of Decathlon is: you can go to a store and look and feel everything without being disturbed by some sales dude. Also, Decathlon has it’s own product lines and especially in cycling clothing offers some cheap and unique features. (Never buy some bike without the advice of an experienced friend, don’t trust bike measurements of sales people, consider the purpose of your riding, be aware of the wheels: read a review and if possible go for higher quality wheels from the get go.
I know this sponsored content is GCN’s bread and butter, but I would like to see some of the English and Chinese cheap but trustworthy options. Also Ollie skimped over women’s specifics far too quickly: this deserves it’s own topic.