Will Londoners get on their bike?

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Angua

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

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.

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by danielf

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.

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

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.

[punky]

Originally Posted by danielf

What kind of budget do you have?

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'.

Originally Posted by Angua

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.

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

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

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by punky

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

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

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

[danielf]

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

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

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 ----------

Originally Posted by punky

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'.

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

[punky]

Thanks again Dan

Originally Posted by danielf

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.

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..

[Angua]

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

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

Originally Posted by Angua

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

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

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

[Angua]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

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

Don't forget the funny shoes

[Angua]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Nani?

Odd

[thenry]

just come across this...

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

[danielf]

Originally Posted by thenry

just come across this...

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

Ah. The Neistat brothers...

Here's another classic.

Bike thief