http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Designing the Ultimate Commuter en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:14:33 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200986 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 20:11:35 +0000 crowriver 200986@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"minimalism (an unknown word then) "</p> <p>Unless you were an art aficionado. In which case it meant quite a lot in the 1970s! :-)</p> <p>' "I quite liked the idea of the "megarange" cassette or freewheel"</p> <p>+1 (I still do.) '</p> <p>Me too! Think I have a seven speed one in the garage somewhere... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200930 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 13:45:43 +0000 chdot 200930@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I quite liked the idea of the "megarange" cassette or freewheel"</p> <p>+1 (I still do.)</p> <p>One apparent consequence of "compact" is the reduction of size of the largest chainring which means a reduction in the highest gear (which probably won't make a difference to most people) - unless matched to a smaller sprocket too.</p> <p>My 'new' bike has a 'home-made' compact of 45/28 with an 11-28 cassette - range 26-108", fine for just about anything! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200920 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:57:09 +0000 ianfieldhouse 200920@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson You're right. I could have sworn that there were mudguard mounts when I'd looked at this. Oh well saved myself from an impulse purchase there. ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200915 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:44:07 +0000 chdot 200915@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> "I always put it down to frugalism"</p> <p>Yes and no. Frugal is to some extent choice rather than 'lack of money'. </p> <p>A single chainring is cheaper - but also lighter. </p> <p>I was an early adopter of integrated circuits (before everything became chips) not (initially) cheaper than transistors etc. Definitely more minimal. </p> <p>OM film cameras. Carrying lots of cameras/lenses by bike, weight matters. </p> <p>Bridge not SLR digitals. </p> <p>Balance of functionality, weight, price. </p> <p>Psion - Palm - iPhone, MUCH more expensive than pen and paper! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200913 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:31:51 +0000 wingpig 200913@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>SCHMOMPACTS.<br /> I quite liked the idea of the "megarange" cassette or freewheel, which basically always gave you one extra really low gear for escape purposes without the need for a really small chainring. As my oldoldoldbike had 52/42 chainrings (again fitted in about 1991, and very recently re-used as they were still working fine with plenty of tooth left) I tried a megarange freewheel in 2003 to make things like regular trips up Dundas Street in stop-start traffic easier.<br /> I'd like to not bother with more than one chainring but occasional hills-with-child-or-lots-of-shopping and -downhill-with-tailwinds make me hang on to my current triple (and make-do Bike Station front mech). I even recently bought a replacement crank/spider from that German Shimano parts warehouse, when it looked like the existing one had been bent slightly in the Kaff-knackering impact from SD08 CEN and its driver.</p> <p>I think it was in this thread somewhere where I wished for cassette manufacturers to make the large cogs from harder materials, whereas currently it's usually the take-off gears which wear the soonest. Usually it's the two or three smallest sprockets which would be easiest to independently replace. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200909 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 12:26:31 +0000 kaputnik 200909@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>I was also a fan of minimalism</em></p> <p>I always put it down to frugalism ;) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200898 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:39:28 +0000 chdot 200898@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I ought to keep a record of what my sprocket arrangements are"</p> <p>"Ought" as in - 'you might find it useful'. </p> <p>Gears seem to be a mystery to many people!</p> <p>When I was young I was 'only' interested in a higher top gear to beat my '46mph top speed down steep hill' record.</p> <p>But there wasn't much choice in those days - even if you had the money.</p> <p>For most people, having a bottom gear that gets you up hills is more important - though it's not just about gears. Cycling from Canonmills to the top of The Mound also requires a certain amount of fitness.</p> <p>In the 70s when Jocky Allan had his Jane Street shop, one of the wonders was his SunTour sprocket board. </p> <p>Not only could you buy a single sprocket to replace the worn one you had used the most, you could have <em>designer gears</em>. </p> <p>My preference was 14 (smallest generally available), 16, 18, 21, 24, 30 (largest generally available).</p> <p>I was also a fan of minimalism (an unknown word then) and had a single chainring - 48T.</p> <p>Triple chainsets were almost unseen - only used by Alpine tourers.</p> <p>Mountain bikes 'changed everything'. The <em>original</em> ones were only for going downhill - <em>fast</em>. The Californian pioneers wanted to be able to cycle back up and started experimenting.</p> <p>Now the new trend is towards "compacts". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200891 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:57:35 +0000 acsimpson 200891@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ianfieldhouse,</p> <p>It looks nice but I like my commuter to come with mudguard fittings. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200887 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:38:59 +0000 wingpig 200887@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"Not really considerations for the average commute. "</em></blockquote></p> <p>I ought to keep a record of what my sprocket arrangements are - perhaps due to usually picking a discounted cassette which would enable me to almost never leave the middle chainring on the basis of its overall range and largest-sprocket tooth-count I usually encountered a noticeable jump in ratios at around 17mph, which was resolved by going up to nine sprockets. I think oldoldoldbike's 2*6 would have had quite a few gaps, but back then I would have put up with them for urban/commuting use in order to reduce the amount of (downtube-mounted-lever) shifting required in traffic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200882 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:32:16 +0000 ianfieldhouse 200882@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm seriously considering going <strong>N-1</strong> and retiring my road and cyclocross bikes in favour of a <a href="http://konaworld.com/roadhouse.cfm">Kona Roadhouse</a>. Looks like the perfect commuter for my needs and would also satisfy my needs for weekend outings.</p> <p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/b1XVof5.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200870 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:57:33 +0000 chdot 200870@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Manufacturers' skills in simultaneously making components more friable and cheeselike"</p> <p>Aye, they don't make things like they used to...</p> <p>Of course things would be simpler if there was a linear relationship between cheap (junk) and expensive ('lasts for ever'). </p> <p>Part of the problem is 'what people want' - and how much that is 'human nature led' or 'led by marketing' - <em>or</em> 'marketing exploiting human nature'!</p> <p>As with many things bike realated it's often about balance/compromise. </p> <p>It's also still (to some degree) related to racing. At the top end small advantages can make a difference. The difference between 9 and 10 cogs on your rear wheel gives slightly more choice for optimum cadence/efficient power transfer. Not really considerations for the average commute. </p> <p>It's not <em>that</em> long since 6 cogs was 'normal'. More gears generally means thinner cogs and narrower chains and the inevitable faster wear - unless more expensive materials are used. </p> <p>Embrace innovation, but resist 'fashion'. The world (for the average bike riding person) changed with indexing and also Hyperglide. Easier/better gear changing had some longevity trade-off - the smoother teeth profiles don't survive as long as the previous, more clunky gear systems. </p> <p>Incremental increases in sprocket numbers may be less advantageous to 'average' bike riders (if such a person exists).</p> <p>But of course (many) people like shiny and new and more... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200860 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:09:40 +0000 chdot 200860@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This thread was started after someone said they want an UC bike <em>and</em> an Ultimate Trail bike. </p> <p>This appeared in <em>that</em> thread - </p> <p>"Picked a copy of Singletrack to read on the train and found a very favourable review of the Genesis as a 'do anything' bike. It's a good description of it as it's currently doing good service as a commuter and an off-road trail bike with 35mm cyclocross tyres on."</p> <p><a href="http://www.citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14088&amp;replies=1#post-180300" rel="nofollow">http://www.citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14088&amp;replies=1#post-180300</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200859 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:09:13 +0000 wingpig 200859@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"I've no idea how it kept running..."</em></blockquote></p> <p>Manufacturers' skills in simultaneously making components more friable and cheeselike whilst increasing their iron content and rustability have increased markedly in recent years. My oldoldoldbike had the same chain on it from 1994 to 2003. Its original freewheel (fitted in 1991ish) is still usable, attached to a spare wheel in the loft. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200856 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 08:54:15 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 200856@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was back up north at the weekend, and had my usual wander round the Old Aberdeen uni campus for a nostalgia hit. The nice thing about that is that not much has changed (unless you count the love-it-or-hate-it new library). But around the city there are new student blocks in lots of places.</p> <p>I pointed out the IT building where you had to go to access your email, and there was one giant printer that you had to buy credit for, and no-one had mobiles (one of my friends had a pager...). I had an ancient monochrome screened 286 to write my essays on, then saved up for a battered 486 specifically to do my dissertation. Bank of Mum and Dad had dried up when I was 12 and got my first job (in fact my first, of only two remarkably, student loan bought a secondhand car for my dad). Kids today don't know they're born etc etc.</p> <p>I bought a Falcon Scorpion mountain bike from Argos in my 4th year and used it to get to work. Had to be chained outside as there were absolutely no bike racks or sheds. I've no idea how it kept running, as I knew very very little about how to look after them at that time.</p> <p>Where was I? Ultimate commuter? So many variables... I'm going to get out the sketchbook tonight... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200847 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:04:41 +0000 gembo 200847@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In 1987 when I moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh university I was struck by the greater affluence of the students in the east. At that time the new town and marchmont were student ghettos but now they are spreading out a bit. Some might even go to tynecastle or Easter road now.</p> <p>Glasgow uni tried spreading out, after my time and created a student ghetto in maryhill. Still there But not sure how gentrified that bit of maryhill has become (not very) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200846 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 06:36:31 +0000 UtrechtCyclist 200846@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"suspect UtrechtCyclist no longer has access to the Bank Of Mum &amp; Dad..."</p> <p>Unfortunately that line of credit dried up some time ago! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200828 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 13:02:42 +0000 chdot 200828@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"suspect UtrechtCyclist no longer has access to the Bank Of Mum &amp; Dad..."</p> <p>Quite! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200827 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:59:29 +0000 crowriver 200827@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"But what are their bikes like?!"</p> <p>If the new student accommodation in Abbeyhill is any indication, the bikes parked there are almost universally shiny, and new looking. Usual mix of MTBs, 'town bikes' and the odd 'road bike' or 'fixie' thrown in for good measure.</p> <p>"Suspect phones (contract rather than purchase?) and computers may have parental involvement."</p> <p>Also suspect UtrechtCyclist no longer has access to the Bank Of Mum &amp; Dad... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200824 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 10:24:24 +0000 chdot 200824@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I looked around at the students and realised that they all had nicer phones than I have ever had, and nicer computers than I've ever had, and maybe I should try and overcome my natural aversion to spending money"</p> <p>But what are their bikes like?!</p> <p>Suspect phones (contract rather than purchase?) and computers may have parental involvement.</p> <p>Thinking of spending £500 on a '5 mile commute' bike shows you're not <em>that</em> averse. </p> <p>I see you are now thinking about riding your N+1 more. Perhaps it will 'replace' your Dutch bike... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=6#post-200823 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 10:17:45 +0000 chdot 200823@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I might try my luck again at the Bike Station"</p> <p>You'll need extra luck as 'students' have just about cleaned the place out! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200821 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 09:52:57 +0000 UtrechtCyclist 200821@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Although I just looked again at the link from @gkgk which does look like a bargain.... Maybe the things that it does well are similar to the things that my Dutch bike does well though, and I should get something more different. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200820 Sun, 04 Oct 2015 09:49:15 +0000 UtrechtCyclist 200820@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I think I would summarise that the Revolution Country Traveler is a reasonable bike for the price, but that I could get something a bit cheaper if I was prepared to shop online and/or do a bit of tinkering myself. Also some of you are skeptical as to whether I need to spend so much.</p> <p>@Dave/Gembo, the courier race looks like a very good deal, but I think I want drop handlebars, not least because they make it easier to stack multiple bikes on the train. They're also slightly better for leaving in my stairwell. </p> <p>@crowriver, those options from Wiggle look great, but since this will be my first non-Dutch bike I think I'd like to test it out in a shop so online companies aren't ideal.</p> <p>@Roibeard, I did think about a folder, but to be honest I've only failed to get a bike on the train once in the last year of commuting Edinburgh to Leuchars, so for the moment I think I won't go down that route. There are good bike lockers at Leuchars which I may end up using if getting the bike on the train becomes a hassle.</p> <p>@ChDot, I also questioned whether I need to spend this much for such a simple commute. But this will be my only non Dutch bike, and hence my only bike that weighs under 19kg, so I think I want a little more versatility out of it than I said earlier. </p> <p>Also, I was teaching the other day and I looked around at the students and realised that they all had nicer phones than I have ever had, and nicer computers than I've ever had, and maybe I should try and overcome my natural aversion to spending money...</p> <p>Anyway, thanks again all for the suggestions, I might try my luck again at the Bike Station and see if they have anything in my size that fits my needs, but if not I think I'll go for the country traveller. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200797 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:26:19 +0000 gembo 200797@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That is a good deal if you are size medium Utrecht cyclist that would be worth a punt </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200796 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:10:18 +0000 crowriver 200796@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gkgk, that is a great deal on that spec. Would be ideal for the OP's needs. I see it has fixing points on front fork suitable for an MTB-style front rack/basket carrier too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200795 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:04:59 +0000 crowriver 200795@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot, that is lovely! If I had any room in the garage I'd be sorely tempted... ;-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200794 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 11:54:02 +0000 gkgk 200794@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>5 miles each way? lock it at Leuchars, £189 (from £339!), <a href="http://www.decathlon.co.uk/nework-500-city-bike-id_8303893.html">3 speed hub gear, cable disc brake solid ox from decathlon</a>, hooray! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200791 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 10:37:54 +0000 gembo 200791@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Very true crowriver I forgot about that though the leisure riding might be on flat routes too? When we were chilling our bones to the marrow on red stone rig, a chap came up very slowly on a single speed. He did look like he was perspiring.</p> <p>Something like a ridgeback velocity is often considered as a good all rounder? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200790 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 10:34:28 +0000 crowriver 200790@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aye a single speed bike would do that commute no bother, but maybe not so suitable for the leisure riding mentioned. Very good deal on the Revolution Track 14 just now (52cm frame only): £254 is a bit of a steal frankly. Braze-ons for a rack and mudguards too by the looks of it.</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-track-14" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-track-14</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200789 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 10:33:39 +0000 gembo 200789@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Would need some vintage pedals? What is the lunch box attachment on the racks about? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14087&page=5#post-200788 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 10:28:19 +0000 chdot 200788@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Of course for that ride to that university there's always something like this!</p> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/181890740188" rel="nofollow">http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/181890740188</a> </p>