Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10810869

To be honest I wouldn't care to ride a bike in London Traffic. :erm:

Anyone here think this will work?

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Without proper cycle lanes it will be chaos. the amount of times I've discovered that the slow moving traffic is down to a cyclist being on the road.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

It wouldn't incentivise me, and its nothing to do with riding a bike in London.

Its just the way the scheme is devised. You have to spend £45 a year to be a member before you're allowed near a bike. Then if you have it for more than 30 minutes, you are billed for it. Then if you turn up at your destination and its full you have to frantically get on your phone find the next nearest docking station, furiously pedal there, hope there is room and then run back to where you actually wanted to go. And then if the bike is nicked, you have to cough up £300 cash (which your contents insurance probably won't cover) which is at least 10 times the value of the bike.

I don't think there's a single part of the scheme that does make sense.

If it was free to register and maybe free for the first hour I might use it now and again for a laugh but it isn't the easiest, cheapest or safeest way to get about. And if I use it to dodge a crowded tube then everyone else will ahve the same idea and couldn't get bike for love nor money. If you are serious about what you are doing at the time (say trying to get to work) then you just wouldn't be able to rely on the scheme. And if you want it as a general convenience, then its stupidly expensive.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I dare you to find a new bike for £30. A half decent bike will quickly set you back £300 to £400.

Personally, I wouldn't use them as paying £45 to be a member and then £1 per hour is too expensive. A 23 kg bike sounds excessive as well. I prefer having my own urban assault vehicle kitted out as I like it. :D

I suppose they can be nice for occasional use, but not for the more serious/daily cyclist.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Yes but we're talking about a bicycle that every one has had their own betty swollocks on, NOT a new bike ;)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

You can buy seat covers :)

Seriously, I doubt these bikes are cheap. And if properly maintained, a replacement value of £300 doesn't sound too strange. A decent tyre costs £30.

@23 kg and 3 gears they do sound like cast iron monsters that'll be difficult to reach any decent speed on. I bet they'll be difficult to stop as well...

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

It isn't a "half-decent bike" though. Its utilitarian, which by its nature is cheap.

You can get reasonable bikes for £50-£100 online. Considering this bike has less gears etc and buying in the volume that TFL can bargin with (10,000s+) then the wholesale cost would probably be less than £30/unit as I was being generous. I can get one for £70 retail then i'm sure wholesale with mass orders and contracted support i'm sure the cost could be negotiated less than £30/unit.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

They're going to get vandalised, tyres punctured, wheels kicked in, cables snapped etc.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I disagree. These are sturdy bikes, not performance bikes. That doesn't mean they are cheap. They will see a fair amount of abuse and will be built to stand that. That doesn't make them cheap.

I guess our definition of reasonable differs. Most of the carp that say Halfords sell struggles to last a year without falling apart given frequent use. That type of bike is definitely not up to this type of use.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

You're talking design of fixtures and fittings here. These bikes are titanium or carbon fibre.

They are big and bulky (i.e. to be sturdy and withstand abuse) but that doesn't mean the price goes stratospheric.

I'd be suprised if there was more than £5 or £10 worth of raw materials (metal and rubber) in that bike. Again, whole sale prices here, not B&Q. If you want things a bit thicker and stronger than you raw materials go up in proportion to amount you use. The TFL bikes do not contain 10 times more material than you'd get for a bottom of the line bike,

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

These bikes weigh 23 kg (stated in the article). My aluminium bike weighs 12 kg. These are not titanium or carbon fibre bikes. They are heavy steel bikes. And the replacement value isn't stratospheric.

It's not about amount of material, it's about quality. As I said earlier, a decent tyre retails at 25-30 quid. I can't find any on Evans that are cheaper than £17. Obviously, wholesale will be cheaper, but we're just talking about one tyre here. Wholesale price of one tyre is more than your estimate for the raw materials in the entire bike.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

A good idea imo ,this type of scheme is already in use in Cardiff and Reading by this company who have just launched another scheme in calaise making three in france .I can see it taking off in this country

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

My point wasn't the weight, it was the cost of the material. Steel, iron, aluminimum are cheap. Cheaper than you'd think.


I'm talking wholesale cost of materials here. Good tires and cheap tires are still made out of rubber. Sometimes small composites may be added but it doesn't send the price soaring.

However you cost it though, I am sure the bikes do not cost £300 to replace and so they are profiting out of people's misfortune. I'm sure there are admin costs to replace the bike etc, but i'm sure they've budgetted for a bit of revenue in there.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

There is a button available at docking stations that when pressed locks the bike in place and alerts the roaming small army of bike techs that a bike is out of action and needs fixing.

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I just looked it up. Hot-rolled steel coil costs $550 per ton. 23 kgs of it is $12.65. Then there's the cost of making a bike out of it. And you've got to buy tyres. Kevlar reinforced ones preferably, so you don't have to fix a flat every other day. :)

They may well be cheaper, just not as ridiculously cheap as you seem to think. Building a sturdy product comes at a price as well.

I suspect part of the price is the consideration would be to not tempt people to have one 'go missing' and keep it or sell it on.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

You don't have to go to Halfords for their Apollo carp. Their are reasonably priced, well built cycles available online and from your local cycle shop.

My Raleigh Hybrid aluminium bike cost me £199 over 6 years ago. You can still get a similar replacement model for £270. I do about 2000 commuter miles each year and probably average £40 a year for maintenance/repairs.

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I hope these new cyclists are less of a danger to pedestrians (and themselves) than the existing ones.

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Highly unlikely. Until there is some sort of compulsory proficiency test there will be suicidal idiots giving responsible cyclists a bad name.

People who used to cycle around their streets when they were kids can now go and play at being road cyclists around those big red buses and white vans. That's not a recipe for disaster at all, is it?

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

The bikes are not cheap.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

When someone says "£800 or £900" it indicates that he doesn't know how much it costs. It has a clear figure. Everything has to be costed for in contract. I suspect its because he wants to the hide the fact that the scheme will pull in some nice revenue at its users' expense when the bikes are stolen.

I would dearly love to hear just how these bikes cost "£800 or £900" with a full breakdown.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I suppose it could be the cost per bike including the costs of the whole system.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

This temporary Londoner and his younger daughters are often on their bikes come the weekends (older ones are having none of it nowadays) but i doubt you`d ever catch me risking life or limb riding anywhere near the centre of London.
I actually used to enjoy driving until i moved down here so i`ll be damned if i`m going to spoil the cycling too. :)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I think I will do this:

My daily ticket on the tube, zones 6 to 1, costs £4.20. Making it £8.40 a day. £168 over four weeks.

If I were to get off in zone 2, would cost £2.20 making it £4.40 a day. £88 over four weeks.

A Saving of £80.

I would then cycle (or walk sometimes) to work and the scheme costs £45 a year. I would break even after 2 weeks!

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Until you get to to your zone docking station and there are no bikes there. Or when you get to your work all the docking stations are full.

Personally I wouldn't rely on anyhting as important as getting to work on time on the bike scheme.

If you want to do something like that, i'd see if there is anywhere in Zone 2 you can store your bike safely and just buy one.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

It would be hard to steal. The pricing (first 30 mins included with membership) and the prohibitive cost of it if you were to use it more than a few hours encourages you to use it to get from point a to b, then relinquish it. People won't be attaching it to a fence while they go into a cinema/shop/park.

---------- Post added at 16:05 ---------- Previous post was at 16:03 ----------

Then I'll walk. The idea of the station being full is worrying but I'll check how busy the ones outside my work typically are.

---------- Post added at 16:06 ---------- Previous post was at 16:05 ----------

Then I'll walk. The idea of the station being full is worrying but I'll check how busy the ones outside my work typically are.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I have many complaints about cyclist's, they are totally mental, l have been a driver for over thirty years, and the times that l could have killed them, when they go through red lights or come over from being on the pavement, or coming up your left side and taking off your wing mirror.

They have to abide by the codes of the road, the same we do, Its ok to ride a cycle, l suppose the green people will say, it will be brilliant, BUT to me they are a menace.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Sounds like madness to me. Just buy a decent bike (mine was £315 in a sale, cut down from £399) and that was just over 2 years ago. That's saved me roughly £600 a year in bus fare. I've just today spent £65 on new parts to replace some worn out parts (crank, chain, gear cassette and bottom bracket).

And, I have cover in my house insurance to cover bikes for up to £1500 if they get stolen while not in my house. And that cost me an extra couple of quid in my monthly fee.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

strange as it may seem Arthur does raise a good point as does London road ,if this scheme takes off and i see no reason why it shouldn't ,shouldn't the people using them have to take a proficiency test before registering for the scheme ,i mean elf 'n' safety has to be considered in our compensation culture and maybe a short term insurance policy similar to car hire should be used

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Don't tar me with the same brush, thank you. Not *all* cyclists are the same. I stop at red lights and give way at roundabouts. I've seen some idiot cyclists too, but I'm not one of them.

I also have to say that not all you car drivers are the angels you think you are either. I've had a few idiots in cars/vans do similar things.

That includes a couple of drivers who have jumped a red light at a crossing and almost ran people over who were crossing the road.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I think Boris will biff the elf 'n' safety fairy square in the backside if they make a fuss.;)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

unfortunately it won't be down to him when the operators of the scheme get sued because someone got injured ..and i'll bet a years wages it will happen in the first year of the scheme .People will use these bikes and if they fall off will sue on the grounds they weren't shown how to use them ,happens all the time .

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Oh I expect there is something they have to agree to BEFORE joining or activation.:)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

They have to read this

Police officers were ridiculed today after drawing up a step-by-step guide to riding a bicycle.

The 93-page full-colour guide, which comes in two volumes, gives advice on how to balance so officers do not fall off.

The book, titled the Police Cycle Training Doctrine, also covers key skills such as how to brake, turn and avoid the kerb.

Officers were told to eat and drink because they will get hungry and to wear padded shorts to protect their bottoms.

It also warned officers not to arrest suspects while in the saddle, or, in their words, "engaged with the cycle".

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...g-a-bicycle.do

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Why was the money not used to give FREE public transport or is that too simple

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Yes it is too simple. Go compare the price of running the underground vs the cost it took to set up this scheme.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Well lets put it this way, l am fed up to the back teeth, with damn cyclists thinking they own the road, telling motorist to p*** off, when we toot the horn, In fact l would go as far to say, they should have insurance, so that if they hit my car, knock me down or brake a mirror, so that l can sue them for damages, just like us motorists.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Not helping.If you think the scheme is ridiculous say so and why..:p:

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Very sensible advice on longer rides. Hunger knock, bonking or hitting the wall is not pleasant at all. I doubt it applies to the beat on a bike though.

---------- Post added at 22:03 ---------- Previous post was at 22:02 ----------

It sounds to me like you should give them a bit more space on the road and keep your bloody hands of the horn.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

But the underground was and is already running so is the busses', it will cost £45 a year to regester to use the bikes on top of the millions it cost to set it up whats wrong with giving the people some thing back .Free public transport is it that some one won't be cashing in on it

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I think asking for an initial outlay isn't asking too much. It'll encourage responsible behaviour and ensure bikes will be returned (hopefully). Just plunking a couple of bikes for public use on the street isn't going to work.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I think you missed the point.Public transport or private it get very congested and crowded and journeys are long.A bike can go places that vehicles cannot and is quicker..Also there are parts of London not served by the underground.

If I were a Londoner and knew the back routes and the ways that aren't open to vehicles I might embrace the idea especially if I lived in a flat with nowhere to store my own bike.

I remember my sister-in-law has three bikes stolen in the same number of years despite her taking great care to secure them.Indeed on one occasion they came right into the front hall and took the bike..This system could keep londoners very fit and healthy and ultimately it may get cheaper as the system expands

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Yes, although for a strictly limited set of people. However, London's got a lot of people.

Not generally in the cycle hire areas, though, which is strictly the very inner bit which by definition has most of the tubes - my nearest hire station is at Kensington Olympia, 50 minutes on public transport (the one at Vauxhall is quicker to get to, there being a direct train, but I might as well stay on the train).

It's basically useful if you're able-bodied, aged 14+ and have business that takes you to two places in inner London on the same day. If you've got kids, aren't able bodied or are coming in from outside Zone 1 it's not really for you.

The police have long had a Roadcraft Manual, so I fail to see the difference. Surely if anyone ought to know the right way to behave on the road it's the rozzers?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roadcraft-Gr.../dp/0113408587

Because obviously you never shout anything rude at other motorists from the safety of your own vehicle? Come off the grass, this is *London* we're talking about.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

And I know lots of motorcyclists who try to filter through in the mornings but end up stuck behind some inconsiderate car driver who won't move off the white line all becuase they can't fit through the same gap as the motorcyclists ;)

What about the car drivers who see a gap in their mirror in the lane to their right and don;t bother doing a safety check to see if the gap is actually a gap and end up hitting a motorcyclist with the side of their car (has happened to me more than once and only just avoided on the motorway a few times)

We all have a right to use the road, try being considerate to others and perhaps you might get some back ;)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Boris Johnson launches 60ft-long bendy bike

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2010/08/94.jpg

http://www.newsbiscuit.com/2010/08/0...ng-bendy-bike/

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

In fairness, I think Arthur isn't moaning about motorcyclists, more those on bicycles. I've seen a lot of cyclists who seem to think they are the only person with any right to be on the road (or on the payment, ignoring the nice cycle lane, which winds me up as a pedestrian), and take stupid risks in the name of saving 30 seconds.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Seen a few people with these bikes now.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I read on the website that soon you can register for casual use. This means there's no monthly/annual fee but it charges you £1 extra per use which isn't too bad I suppose.

When its active, might be nice to go ride in Regents Park and Hyde Park once in a while.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Also ignoring red lights, speeding, not being able to ride the things properly, leaning on your car and generally being a right pain + they don't have any insurance and the moron of a mayor thinks its a great idea to congest the roads further with thousands more bikes.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I have to agree. Councils round here spend many thousands of pounds of our money providing cycle zones at traffic lights - 9 out of 10 cyclists ride straight through. They widen pavements so pedestrians and cyclists can share - most cyclists still use the roads.

My experience on both pedal and motorcycles is that anything that can't keep up with the general traffic creates additional risk, by obstructing other road users and when the rider tries to avoid slowing down or stopping.

However, if you can separate cyclists and motor vehicles - that'd be great!

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Some pretty rabid anti-cyclists about here. :dozey:

As someone who tends to cycle 9 miles each way to-from work most days (and then spend the rest of the time either driving or cycling at work) along some pretty busy roads I have to say car drivers need to remember they aren't the only people using the road. I've almost been wiped out by one driver who completely ignored the road markings and the cyclist in high-viz clothing who was actually cycling in the correct lane.

Personally I think its a great idea. It gets people active and the more cyclists about the more general motorists will have to get used to them instead of screaming past shouting obscenities for them daring to use the same road as their crappy knackered corsa.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I used one today. Liverpool Street to Shoreditch (rather short journey but my normal route, from Bank, isn't much more than that).

Rather good. Bike is sturdy and it does an ok speed at 3rd gear. More than enough bikes to take and more than enough open slots to put one into. There are now quite a few people using one in London (at least, around the city) and a lot of people interested. When you consider it's members only for the moment then it's a success if you ask me! Only down side is the station outside my work wasn't working, hence departing from Liverpool street.

Can any cyclists give me tips for road driving? Namely, on a busy road I need to turn right and am to the left of the traffic. What is the safest way to cross to the right hand side of the traffic?

Also, when turning right, should I take the inside or outside line of other traffic turning right.

Any additional things you think I need to know would he helpful. Not cycled on busy roads much.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

How did you use one. Did you become a member or just borrowed a friend's membership?

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Became a member last Friday, got key yesterday with a week loaded onto it.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

So you paid £5 + £3 for the key and now you can just top when its gone?

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

When stopped in traffic (e.g. at a light). Stand in the middle of the line. Do not move to the kerb, or you risk being run over by someone turning left. If going ahead, move towards the kerb when you've past the left lane(s) of the junction. When turning right, move to the middle of the left most lane turning right (if you go further, you'll have to get back again). Then move to the kerb after the junction. As for crossing to the right turn lane: look behind you to see if any traffic is approaching. If there is sufficient space, signal right and the cross.

That's my 2p. I generally feel safer driving as if I were a car and claim my space on the road where necessary, but that's just me. I've never cycled in London though. Oh when in doubt: try to establish eye contact with drivers. Make sure that you know that they know that you are there.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I might end up using the scheme actually. I was planning on walking the distance between work and the station but might look at biking it if bikes are available. And not a disaster if not I suppose.

Might wait until winter though so I don't arrive all hot and sweaty

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Wow. That's a turnaround given your initial negative thoughts on the scheme. :)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Didn't think about the top up. I payed the amount you said but if this week goes ok I will probably extend it for a year.

---------- Post added at 20:17 ---------- Previous post was at 20:16 ----------

LOL. I am less likely to do it in winter because of the reduced viability in the dark and the weather! The bikes are in zone 1 at the moment, where would you be working.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

How sturdy are the bikes Damien? :erm:

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

They can take knocks, and rough roads from what I can see. I didn't test how it deals with damage though.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Not really. I think the scheme is still badly concieved but if I don't rely on it (and I won't) and its cost effective (it is for certain trips) and after the novelty has lapsed and if it still works then it might make a nice change to use it.

I still expect to turn up at a docking station to find no bikes at my origin and no spare spaces at my destination. And then the stress trying to get my bike back at a docking station before I am late for work and before I get charged.

I get no problems and no stress walking but if the scheme works and I get no stress and price is reasonable, then might as well, would be fun. Lot of ifs though. I did say once the casual user scheme is up and running I would cycle about for fun at the weekends.

---------- Post added at 20:23 ---------- Previous post was at 20:21 ----------

I'd be going from Liverpool St Station to near Old Street.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Ah that will be easy then. Same route I took to Shoreditch today almost! Up Bishopsgate then left (or up Moorgate).

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Well I hope all you Londoners will be using it as, if successful as it seems to have been in other cities, it might possibly be something that spreads out to other large towns.

Anything that reduces traffic congestion surely has to be a good thing?

So I hope you will come back and report if you do use it punky.:)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

It'll be adding to the congestion as people who would normally be on the tube may now be on the road instead...

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I don't think it will reduce traffic congestion. It will be probably do the opposite if you have 30,000 new bikes on the road.

I think it will be handy for those trying to dodge the tube for small journeys so hopefully the tube will be more comfortable.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Hand signals (no not that kind!) ;)

I find them very helpful when moving between lanes.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Never use both hands to stick the V's up at motorists, for safety's sake ;)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I also think a quiet read of the highway code that applies to cyclists might be useful..Though the suggestions about going round a roundabout leave one dangerously at risk..safer to just walk round the busier ones.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

The only other tip I would offer is - Use the cycle lanes, they are there for cyclists of whatever ability. Do find it really annoying to have cyclists on the road right next to a cycle track. :fit:

For pedestrians using shared tracks - be aware cyclists go much faster than you, so don't hog the whole width of the path.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

..... and don't walk your dog on it's extendable lead with you one side of the track and the dog 20 feet away on the other side of the track.:rolleyes:

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

This is awkward when I need to move to the right lane.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I do have a question.

I'm looking at getting a bike (mainly for fitness but eventually getting around although the terrain isn't very bike friendly). I remember Angua said to get a road bike and not a mountain bike to reduce friction. But if I get a road bike with the smooth slick tyres, what is it like if I do go offroad? OK on grass but impossible through forests?

I've seen hybrids but they seem expensive. I should imagine most of my riding will be on road but wouldn't mind going through country side on it.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I'd say go for a hybrid. They generally have MTB style gearing, slicker tyres than Mountainbikes, flat handlebars and no suspension. They are fine for light off-road, and faster on the road than MTBs, and don't have the drop bars that road bikes do. Not suited for downhill racing, but fine on towpaths/disused railways, light forest trails. What kind of budget do you have?

Evans do a Specialized Globe Vienna from £300 for £200. It's a nice bike. My wife has the woman's version.

http://www.evanscycles.com/categorie...s/hybrid-bikes

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Another vote for hybrids, especially if you're on mixed terrain.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Would also agree with hybrid. Another thing to avoid is any rear suspension, all this does is use energy which should be going to forward momentum.

As for cyclists on the road. My grumble is when there is a cycle track on the left and they are on the road immediately adjacent going in the same direction as traffic. Why :shrug:

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Some cycle tracks are a joke. I remember one in Nottingham (years ago), on Castle Boulevard that had a tree in the middle of the cycle track every 20 yards. Needless to say, it wasn't much use, and I would ride on the road in that particular section.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

... and you never see any cars or delivery vans parked on Cycle tracks. :rolleyes:

Cycle tracks that share the road with vehicles also tend to be on the part of the road with drains, etc, therefore more susceptible to potholes, damaged surface. Most councils don't have a high priority for repairing potholes on cycle tracks.:(

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Not really thought about that yet. Initally thought "Cheap as possible" but then thought that if I got one of the aforementioned £70 Amazon specials, it may discourage me from using it than if I spent 'a bit more'.

Bit suprised about that. Does it not help comfort at all?

I do find bikes a bit uncomfortable, even with gel seats.

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Your butt gets used to it after a while. Rear suspension can be more of a pain in the a... ;)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Yes. I've got a fairly trained butt, but then I've been cycling pretty much every day for 35 years. The missus has taken up cycling after years out of the saddle last year, and she still gets a sore butt, but then we go on rides of 30-40 miles.

Padded cycling shorts do help. We've got lycra shorts but wear baggy shorts over them, so we are still presentable.

---------- Post added at 13:18 ---------- Previous post was at 13:14 ----------

I think the Specialized Globe I linked to looks like good value for money. It's the time of year when retailers start making space for the 2011 models, so there are some good deals to be had. It is worth spending a bit more than the aforementioned £70 imo. You get better quality components, which do make for a nicer ride.

Edit: It's also a good idea to go to a cycle shop and try some bikes. There's several Evans stores in London:

http://www.evanscycles.com/stores?po...london&x=0&y=0

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Thanks again Dan :tu:

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

My local council has spent a lot of money building some very good off road cycle tracks using the old railway lines.They go everywhere and it's possible to get across town and mostly avoid the main roads.

So when I find some one deliberately refusing to use the off road cycle tracks that run alongside the main roads, instead hugging the pot holes and drainage in the gutter I'm mystified and then seriously peeved. I think machismo is at work then..:)

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

I sneaked round the rear suspension issue by having a sprung seat ;) Worth making sure the saddle is at the right angle and you can get special ones to protect your tender man parts :D

The road using cyclists I grumble about are avoiding using a cycle track which is in better condition than the road :rofl:

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Exactly!and they are wearing the classic spandex and snazzy helmet..

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Don't forget the funny shoes https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2010/08/44.gif

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2010/08/43.gif Odd :shrug:

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

just come across this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-I...layer_embedded

Re: Will Londoners get on their bike?
 

Ah. The Neistat brothers...

Here's another classic.

Bike thief