help me choose a bicycle
- Thread starter Jazzz
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gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
I started out with secondhand road bikes and put a new shitty Halford's rear wheel on maybe once a year.
The frame is pretty well the only original bit left of my Giant 830 - so my ideal commuting bike would now work out as £400 for one with hub gears and drum brakes, plus another £100 when the standard rims finally gave up and I had some new wheels built.
The frame is pretty well the only original bit left of my Giant 830 - so my ideal commuting bike would now work out as £400 for one with hub gears and drum brakes, plus another £100 when the standard rims finally gave up and I had some new wheels built.
co-op
But....but cLoWnFiSh....
The point I was making was that while he may think he's on a wind-up, he shows many of the classic signs of someone who is not in control of (or even aware of) his own emotional states.
He most likely doesn't actually know what he's doing - or rather why he's doing it (and the two are inseparable at the level of individual meaning).
Generally speaking, whenever you are drawn to irrational levels of anger and irritation by a subject some such process is going on. It is almost totally unavoidable with the subject of cars - they have massively transcended their 'objective' reality and become utterly identified with the alleviation of pain from the deeper psychic wounds of their adherents.
Anyway, I didn't mean to distract you from the car-porn threads.
co-op
But....but cLoWnFiSh....
Oh don't be so sensitive. It was a petty jibe at worst.
I don't think any apology is needed from you either. But funny how you popped in there with your comment, quoting me, when we have bandied words on this subject before.
Of course it was a petty jibe - that's why I remarked on it! You can do better than that. But you're right, in that I shouldn't have phrased my post as a direct response to yours. I was simply trying to state what I thought was pretty obvious; that there's no point in taking seriously what is becoming a pretty tired and obvious wind-up.
Blimey, out of all the threads I've started I least expected this one to kick off 
cobblers: thank awfully for the advice old chap, but the thing is my garage is full, and if I was to buy another car, it would mean selling the Bugatti, or the DB6 to make room
But I can fit a bicycle in there without too much trouble. Also, I like pedalling. I pay gym membership to do it right now. So, I'm after a bicycle, and this is a bicycle thread.
I think editor's idea of getting something from the local bike shop is probably good because then if there's any problem they should be able to sort it - I won't really have much of a clue. Might just drop in there now
cobblers: thank awfully for the advice old chap, but the thing is my garage is full, and if I was to buy another car, it would mean selling the Bugatti, or the DB6 to make room
But I can fit a bicycle in there without too much trouble. Also, I like pedalling. I pay gym membership to do it right now. So, I'm after a bicycle, and this is a bicycle thread.I think editor's idea of getting something from the local bike shop is probably good because then if there's any problem they should be able to sort it - I won't really have much of a clue. Might just drop in there now
knatchbull
Active Member
There is a good section on the London Cycling Campaign website on buying a bike - see http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=409 - it explains about the different types etc etc
if you've got a few days to spare before buying one it may be worth joining the London Cycling Campaign - as well as all the other benefits of membership you can get 10% of bikes in many of the bike shops in London - again check out the LCC website.
if you've got a few days to spare before buying one it may be worth joining the London Cycling Campaign - as well as all the other benefits of membership you can get 10% of bikes in many of the bike shops in London - again check out the LCC website.
fredfelt
Mostly unknown member
I probably should not say this but I do like your posts. Not because I agree with them, but it's good to get another point of view. Personally speaking as a wooly minded green leaning liberal it's quite easy to get caught up in a bubble of the right on agenda.
But to respond to your point, why squander £400 on a basic car when you could get a fine bike for the same amount. My last bike was a custom build for em, costed well over a grand and has given me much more pleasure than any car would. Money well spent as far as I'm concerend.
Back on topic. For a fast Hybrid check out Specialised Sirrus Elite. A former house mate had this fine machine.
Also check out any bikes with (decent) HUB gears. Perfect if you want low maintaince. You get around 8 internal gears, bit heavier than normal gears, but many people love them. Orbea make a really nice hub gear hybrid bike. Not sure what it's called but costs £500.
If you work PAYE ask your company about the cycle to work scheme. You'll save %40 off the cost as you get your bike salary sacrafice. If your company is not a member you might be able to get them to join.
i've got £500 to spend at halfords through the cycle2work scheme, i'll be commuting about 10 miles each way (though maybe half that when i move in a couple of months). The ones that have caught my eye from looking at this thread and elsewhere are:
Pinnacle Mean Streak 2.0 2008 Street Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86877
Specialised Sirrus Elite 2008 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86038
What are the things to look for when deciding? I gather that a Hybrid bike is best, probably without front suspension? Unfortunately as it has to be ordered through Halfords I probably won't get an opportunity to go and try a load of them out before deciding.
Also, re cycle2work, it says the money is for "bicycle and safety equipment", what does this extend to? obviously helmet/hi-vis, but does it include locks, puncture repair kits etc?
The cycle2work scheme we have also allows us to go to some non-halfords stores, theres one near london bridge (might be called on your bike?), is this a good one to go to? what about halford's seperate bikehut stores? I can get to the one in Rickmansworth easily by tube so would it be better to go there than halfords in harrow?
Pinnacle Mean Streak 2.0 2008 Street Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86877
Specialised Sirrus Elite 2008 Hybrid Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86038
What are the things to look for when deciding? I gather that a Hybrid bike is best, probably without front suspension? Unfortunately as it has to be ordered through Halfords I probably won't get an opportunity to go and try a load of them out before deciding.
Also, re cycle2work, it says the money is for "bicycle and safety equipment", what does this extend to? obviously helmet/hi-vis, but does it include locks, puncture repair kits etc?
The cycle2work scheme we have also allows us to go to some non-halfords stores, theres one near london bridge (might be called on your bike?), is this a good one to go to? what about halford's seperate bikehut stores? I can get to the one in Rickmansworth easily by tube so would it be better to go there than halfords in harrow?
Cid
Proper break this time
Plus yearly costs: £300+ on insurance, £100+ on road tax, £100+ on MOT, £100+ on repairs/bits, £300+ on fuel...
Yeah, great plan... Do you actually drive or do you live in some bizarre fantasy world where driving can be cheaper than cycling?
fredfelt
Mostly unknown member
As you are buying from the cycle to work schem load your bike up as well. You can get as many accessories as you like, I'm quite sure they are covered. For a 10 mile commute i recommend...
Panniers (Ortlieb roller classiscs) - at least get waterproof ones to store a change of clothes in
Rack (Torteck are good) - to hold the panniers (make sure the bike you buy as mounts)
Track pump
Waterproofs
locks, high viz etc...
Don't bother with suspension.
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
If getting a rack, fix a basket to it - handy when you don't need to carry much stuff - presumably this scheme is only tax relief - i.e. 20 percent off ?
A small pump you can actually carry.
PTFE tyres so you don't actually need to use it.
As for suspension, once you've had it, you'll miss it.
I have front suspension and a seatpost.
A small pump you can actually carry.
PTFE tyres so you don't actually need to use it.
As for suspension, once you've had it, you'll miss it.
I have front suspension and a seatpost.
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
fredfelt
Mostly unknown member
About 40% discount in total - not 40% because of income tax! Maybe more off if you take interest into account as you pay in installments.
Enjoy your tourer if you get one. I'm taking mine for an airing in a couple of weeks for a cycle tour of Northern france - no solid plans yet!
I've after test riding three cycles - first a gitane oregon at around £200, then a trek at £500, then a third bicycle - I've taken the plunge and placed an order. It's being custom built for me right now and I pick it up tomorrow. I wonder if I've really been a bit silly here but it made my heart sing, it's going to look the nuts and I'm like a little kid at christmas right now. Thanks for everyone's input it's really helped me think about what I want out of a bicycle. 
Photo coming up!
Photo coming up!
Chz
Stark Raving Sane
I tend to favour the Specialized if you can't go down to give them a try. There are always sales and particular models that come off better, but I find that they're very good value on average. No really outstanding models, but nothing that's utter shite either. I keep buying Hardrocks when they get nicked because they're the cheapest thing that's any good outside of sales. Was tempted by the Sirrus this time around as I don't offroad much any more, but I just got another Hardrock and put slimmer tyres on it instead.
wayward bob
i ate all your bees
Asssss
eta: eek i knew the baby hammering on the keyboard would get me into trouble one of these days
eta: eek i knew the baby hammering on the keyboard would get me into trouble one of these days
Strumpet
gypsy girl
I've after test riding three cycles - first a gitane oregon at around £200, then a trek at £500, then a third bicycle - I've taken the plunge and placed an order. It's being custom built for me right now and I pick it up tomorrow. I wonder if I've really been a bit silly here but it made my heart sing, it's going to look the nuts and I'm like a little kid at christmas right now. Thanks for everyone's input it's really helped me think about what I want out of a bicycle.
Photo coming up!
OI where are the pics!?!?
I searched for bike threads cos I'm gonna get me one...prob. tomorrow and wanted Urban knowledge and PICS! Damnit
How is the bike Jazz? Pic?
London_Calling
Pleasant and unpatronising
Loving this pedal porn!
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
One of these....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Og6LkJTITs
I'm sure someone could do a ragtime modification....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Og6LkJTITs
I'm sure someone could do a ragtime modification....
fogbat
The Talibum
No worries, then. If nobody has any suggestions on here, I'll have a good search of this forum (when on a more reliable internet connection).
If there's nothing relevant, I'll start a new thread.
And yes, will do
Dead jealous of Mini-Strumpet, btw. I need someone bigger to tow me along while cycling
If there's nothing relevant, I'll start a new thread.
And yes, will do
Dead jealous of Mini-Strumpet, btw. I need someone bigger to tow me along while cycling
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