Beginners Guide to Cycle Commuting

kwmlondon

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Kernel_Sanders

Weird_Nev wrote: »

Spare inner tube £5
Plastic Tyre levers £3-£5
Small bike pump £10
Allen keys £5 or so
Spanner £10

I have these items, all of which were purchased from £ shops (except the pump: Sports Direct) This is MSE; we can't all afford cycle shop prices!

Weird_Nev

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

I have these items, all of which were purchased from £ shops (except the pump: Sports Direct) This is MSE; we can't all afford cycle shop prices!

Good work! I had to check online prices (I'm not in the UK) for a rough guide. I'm aware that Aldi often have deals which are regarded as good value.
However, I would caution the adage: Buy cheap, buy twice. I've found this is true with cycling equipment more than most things. Buy the correct item for your needs and it will serve you well for many years.

Kernel_Sanders

Weird_Nev wrote: »

However, I would caution the adage: Buy cheap, buy twice. I've found this is true with cycling equipment more than most things. Buy the correct item for your needs and it will serve you well for many years.

This might apply to the £1 inner tubes that we can get but I think the tools are adequate. Also, we have a big cycle related theft problem in the UK, so if you have cheap tools they are 1. less likely to get nicked and 2. the loss is not so keenly felt. The larger Asda and Tesco Extra stores also do cheaper accessories than Halfords, whose (e.g.) inner tubes are all £4.99. Sports Direct do a pump/multitool/puncture kit for just £4 http://www.sportsdirect.com/mfx-a-pure-breed-pump-and-multi-tool-931263
I thought your piece was well written, but if it's to become a sticky you may want to read through again and correct all the typos. Also, 'slitting journeys' might be a common term in Oz but I have no idea what that involves.
On the electric bike front, for 'advantages' I'd say they are simply the best form of transport in hot weather, and for 'disadvantages', I'd add that the battery replacement costs start from about 5p per mile for lead-acid and more than double that for lithium, which makes them as expensive as the petrol for a small, highly efficient car petrol or diesel engine.

WiggyDiggyPoo

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

I have these items, all of which were purchased from £ shops (except the pump: Sports Direct) This is MSE; we can't all afford cycle shop prices!

Pound shop items can be made of fudge TBH There are alternatives to those listed which also do cheap but ok quality gear.

And we can afford Cycle Shop Prices, not that they are that expensive anyway, I had my bicycle on my SOF/Budget every year - its no different to putting other essential items on there as seeing as I use my bike at least 4 times a week for commuting, its essential!

fewcloudy

Great article and well written!

A vote against buying equipment from Lidl/Aldis etc from me. Their cycling stuff doesn't last long (although I am sure someone will be along to tell me they bought a pair of underpants from them in the 70's and they're still going strong:p)

If the alternative is not having any lights at all then go ahead, of course. But you will be buying them for a second time in 6 months-1 years time. Lights, speedometers, gloves, panniers AND tools have all been tried and declared a fail by a group of us cyclists here in Edinburgh (family, friends, workmates), who have been lured into the shops by seemingly unbelievably low prices. The joke is that nothing seems to last more than a year.

I wont knock the clothing because I haven't tried it (shorts, longs, waterproofs) but as my current gear is a mix of Endura, Protective and Altura, I wont be trying Aldis anytime soon. My brother bought their paniers and they were also rubbish really; flimsy yet still managed to be bulky somehow.

WiggyDiggyPoo

Lidl/Aldi

Its annoying as like you say its hit and miss, overshoes disintegrated within a few rides but the jacket is still going strong. Helmet fits well but the panniers are made of cheese.

I will recommend the work stand, £30-40ish and its invaluable for fettling, other work stands can cost twice that and the fact lost of Lidl/Aldi work stands appear on ebay in the days following their sale in stores speaks for itself

fewcloudy

hi Wiggy

Thanks for that info. about the stands, I'm after a work stand so I will keep a look out.

When I got into work today I mentioned this subject of cheap bike bits from Aldis, and was reminded that the only reason my speedo failed was because some kids cut the wire, so cant really put that one down to being Aldi's fault!

For tools, I've built up mine through sales at places like Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op, Evans etc. Got a few fabulous Park tools cheap in sales there (alan keys, chain stuff and the like). And once bought, Park stuff seems to last forever.

WiggyDiggyPoo

Work Stand

If you try Ebay, there are probably some there are very similar style if not just Lild/Aldi one's been sold on. They'll probably be having an event Sept next I think.

Tools

I've kind of just built my kit up too, I dont see the point of spending a lot on a big tool kit when often you dont use half of it.

Kernel_Sanders

fewcloudy wrote: »

(alan keys, chain stuff and the like).

Who's Alan Keys?:)