Getting a bike

lcfcstephen

elverson wrote: »

So you've never got a puncture?

I cycle around 30 miles a week (used to be closer to 50 until two months ago) but in the 15 months I've cycled I've had three punctures - I do have Slime put in my wheels now and the first two were before I had Slime in. I think have been fairly lucky with not getting punctures but my wife also cycles a similar distance and hasn't had any punctures (road bike whereas mine is an old mountain bike)

alexanderalexander

elverson wrote: »

So you've never got a puncture?

I haven't actually had a puncture since I fitted Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres a few years ago (which are probably as close to puncture-proof as you can get).

Before that, or on the very odd occasion since that I have had a different type mechanical failure, I'd just take my bike straight into a bike shop if there's one nearby (I am usually cycling in inner London so that might not be very far), or just lock it up to sort out later, and then get on the bus/tube or use a Boris Bike. I couldn't imagine myself taking my wheels and tyres off whilst wearing my suit on the way to work anyway, even if I were carrying all the kit.

Maybe if you're routinely cycling through fairly remote areas you might want to take an emergency repair kit with you as a breakdown could be severely inconvenient, but if you're in a busy urban area with lots of other transport options it seems excessive (and an unnecessary barrier to newbie cyclists, many of whom might not even be confident doing repairs themselves anyway!).

silverwhistle

boatman wrote: »

http://www.goodbikegear.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/Marin-Fairfax-SC2-2016
Nice little Marin.

Out of curiosity I had a look and it raises a question about sizing for me. I thought I was 5'10'' although may be less now I'm older, so I'm right on the cusp with the sizing. Should I go smaller or larger in such circumstances?

Currently I've a second hand men's bike as I've never seen the point in more flexible women's frames.

On another point, there is some really good advice on here, but for general enquiries like the OP's it can be a bit intimidating with all the talk about groupsets and the like. I had to go and check what my s/h bike was: it's a Claude Butler Cotswold bought off my neighbour but I've no idea of the components. I replaced the chain, rear block and derailleur cage but I still couldn't tell you what they are!

boliston

I've used various bikes over the years for commuting, mountain bikes, hybrids, racers etc but the only bike i would now ever consider would be a brompton - they are about 600 used but you will always resell it even years later at about the same price, unlike other bikes which are often worthless after a few years
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Bikes/177831/i.html?_from=R40&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&LH_ItemCondition=4&_dmd=2&LH_Auction=1&_nkw=brompton

parking_question_chap

Imo Bromptons are ideal for rail commuters or if you need to put it in the car, the expense is wasted if you don't need the mega compact folding aspect.

"unlike other bikes which are often worthless after a few years". Generalised tosh.

SailorSam

Anyone watching Countyfile ?
They've just been talking to a group of men, one of them is blind and on the back of a tandem. As part of the Remembrance Day festival, they're doing a ride from England to France that mirrors that done by the Cycle Regiment in the first world war. The soldiers of the day had to average 12mls a day, and that was on an old steel bike, and they were in full uniform and had to carry all their kit, including a rifle.
That must have been some ride, especially if you were getting shot at.

boliston

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Imo Bromptons are ideal for rail commuters or if you need to put it in the car, the expense is wasted if you don't need the mega compact folding aspect.

"unlike other bikes which are often worthless after a few years". Generalised tosh.

My primary reason for getting the brompton is that my non folding bike was stolen whilst parked at work - at least with a brompton there is pretty much zero chance of theft as you would never need to park a brompton in a bike shed or on the street - you just fold it up and put it under your desk!

Another advantage is the superb manoeuvrability with the smaller wheels and the luggage system that clips onto the frame at the front without involving rear panniers

fred246

At one stage I was going to buy Bromptons - one for each family member for holidays. I didn't because of one reason - security. Once it's folded into a neat, very valuable package they get stolen - it's like a laptop I suppose. I do have a folding bicycle which I use occasionally as it fits easily into the boot of a hatchback. It's horrible to ride in comparison to a normal bike. If small wheels were good they'd be fitted to every bike. They're awful.

fred246

While this is MSE I will say that the folding bike can be quite a money saver. The hospital where my parents are often admitted charge extortionate amounts for parking. There are yellow lines around the hospital for about a mile. I just leave my folding bike and a lock in the boot. Park a mile away. Use the folding bike to get to the entrance and lock it there. The folding bike cost me £40 off gumtree (not a Brompton of course just a bike with 20 inch wheels with a hinge in the middle). It has easily paid for itself.

armyknife

silverwhistle wrote: »

Out of curiosity I had a look and it raises a question about sizing for me. I thought I was 5'10'' although may be less now I'm older, so I'm right on the cusp with the sizing. Should I go smaller or larger in such circumstances?

Currently I've a second hand men's bike as I've never seen the point in more flexible women's frames.

On another point, there is some really good advice on here, but for general enquiries like the OP's it can be a bit intimidating with all the talk about groupsets and the like. I had to go and check what my s/h bike was: it's a Claude Butler Cotswold bought off my neighbour but I've no idea of the components. I replaced the chain, rear block and derailleur cage but I still couldn't tell you what they are!

I've the same problem as I'm 5'10-5'11", it's proven difficult to choose between medium and large frames. I don't have an answer other than relying on a decent bike shop owner/attendants superior knowledge.