http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: What makes your utility cycling more efficient? en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:17:55 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715&page=2#post-227230 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 16:47:03 +0000 Frenchy 227230@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"those jeans look ideal but $109 seems a bit high"</p> <p>Try the discount code "WORK20" for 20% off. Offer ends today, apparently, but there's likely to be another one soon. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715&page=2#post-227216 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:27:35 +0000 gkgk 227216@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Re "Nero's small-size takeaway cups", you can ask for the small coffee but in a big cup. Works for Starbucks, anyway. Not sure about Costa or Greggs. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715&page=2#post-227213 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 14:14:31 +0000 Ed1 227213@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I own two pairs of these jeans: <a href="https://www.betabrand.com/bike-to-work-britches.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.betabrand.com/bike-to-work-britches.html</a> Whilst the reflective details are nice, it's "</p> <p>those jeans look ideal but $109 seems a bit high </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715&page=2#post-227170 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:15:34 +0000 dougal 227170@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@wingpig @WC This is clearly why medium is the superior size :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227166 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:03:05 +0000 neddie 227166@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Belt drive, mudguards &amp; disc brakes FTW.</p> <p>No oil. No brake dust. No mud. No mess. Hardly any cleaning.</p> <p>Even Mrs edd1e_h doesn't mind the bike being kept on the carpet. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227162 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:40:16 +0000 Frenchy 227162@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I thought about this a bit more. My two main commuting revelations have been waterproof shoes and jeans with a gushet in the crotch.</p> <p>It took me far too long to even think about looking for waterproof shoes, but what a difference it makes not having to worry about cold wet feet once I get to work. Still looking for a pair with a sole which doesn't wear through in six months, but I may just need to spend a bit more money on them.</p> <p>I own two pairs of these jeans: <a href="https://www.betabrand.com/bike-to-work-britches.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.betabrand.com/bike-to-work-britches.html</a> Whilst the reflective details are nice, it's the gushet neuk in the crotch which makes them worth the money. I believe other manufacturers sell similar jeans which also have a water-resistant coating, but I'm hesitant to believe it lasts long enough to be worth it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227161 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:38:11 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 227161@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nero's small-size takeaway cups are just the right size to have a couple of sips before realising the coffee flavoured water tastes like it was possibly milked directly from a civet that had eaten a couple of coffee beans then strained through a used dishwasher filter that you can throw the rest away without thinking you'd wasted <em>too</em> much of your money. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227160 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:36:39 +0000 chdot 227160@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bicycle+coffee+cup+holder&amp;hl=en-gb&amp;prmd=sivn&amp;tbm=isch" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bicycle+coffee+cup+holder&amp;hl=en-gb&amp;prmd=sivn&amp;tbm=isch</a></p> <p><a href="http://blog.eleanorsnyc.com/5-bike-cup-holders/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.eleanorsnyc.com/5-bike-cup-holders/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227156 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:24:55 +0000 wingpig 227156@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nero's small-size takeaway cups are just the right size to have their lids pried off by a standard wire bottle cage. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227154 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:14:26 +0000 Min 227154@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Now you're asking! I have had it for a number of years but it is a pretty basic metal hoop that screws on to your handlebars. It might be this:-</p> <p><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Top-Line-BH1500-Bar-Hopper-Handle-bar-Mounted-Cup-Holder-for-bikes-and-scooters-/331934605805?hash=item4d48d821ed:g:epcAAOSwZG9WhVTg" rel="nofollow">http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Top-Line-BH1500-Bar-Hopper-Handle-bar-Mounted-Cup-Holder-for-bikes-and-scooters-/331934605805?hash=item4d48d821ed:g:epcAAOSwZG9WhVTg</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227148 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:41:28 +0000 dougal 227148@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Min What kind of cup holder do you have? I saw loads of brightly-coloured plastic ones in Copenhagen but didn't make it into a bike shop to see if they were readily available! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227139 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:10:44 +0000 Min 227139@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Can confirm takeaway coffee cups sit snugly in the cheapest of bottle cages. </em></p> <p>Neat. The cheapest solutions are the best. My bike is too small to take a downtube bottle cage! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227137 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:07:09 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 227137@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The very simplest of little things. My rucksack has a couple of clips on the back (for carrying walking poles) which my coiled lock fits perfectly into. Not chance of getting oil on stuff in the bag, no need to have it dangling off the bike, not really any chance of forgetting it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-227133 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 08:41:05 +0000 dougal 227133@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Can confirm takeaway coffee cups sit snugly in the cheapest of bottle cages. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226978 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 19:48:47 +0000 Ed1 226978@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wish I did have as have my 8 mile cycle home from work in jeans and its raining outside. Will have to pick some up </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226976 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 19:39:42 +0000 gkgk 226976@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't see many people out and about with Rainlegs - lightweight thigh chaps, like the horsey people use. Imagine rain trousers that can be put on in 10s without getting off the bike, and that only cost £20 but breathe better than goretex, and that pack up small and light. Terrific! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226972 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 18:34:24 +0000 sallyhinch 226972@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a super Dutch (natch) pannier bag that just hooks on and off and can be picked up and carried by the handles when I'm shopping then popped back onto the bike to get stuff home. It is huge. And it is a cow print, which doesn't make it any more efficient but does cheer me up every time I see it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226968 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:43:25 +0000 Firedog 226968@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I saw loads of rear baskets on holiday in Europe this year and I've followed the trend by sticking a Basil rear basket on my bike. It's been my best purchase to date. I can just chuck stuff in it rather than carrying panniers. No-one's going to nick it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226967 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:29:28 +0000 cc 226967@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My bike has this lot:<br /> <ul><li>a big but slightly wrecked old picnic basket that's cable-tied to the front carrier. The basket's big and sturdy enough for anything I need to carry. I just chuck things in it and off I go. It stays on the bike. I do put a security chain through its handle so it's not that easy to steal, assuming someone actually wanted to steal a slightly wrecked old sixth hand picnic basket.</li><li>A front carrier that's bolted to the bike, rather than hanging off the handlebars - so the weight of the load doesn't affect the steering.</li><li>Dynamo lights live on the bike and are always on. No need to think about lighting ever.</li><li>A big chain guard. No need to worry about my trousers.</li><li>A wheel lock. Bliss. It keeps its key when unlocked so I don't have to.</li><li>A sturdy wide central kick stand lets me just prop the bike up on its stand without having to even lean it against anything - as long as the ground doesn't slope, anyway.</li><li>I chose a vinyl saddle instead of a fancy leather one so I would never ever have to worry about polishing it, feeding it or getting it wet.</li><li>A couple of security chains live in the bike basket and I use them to lock the bike up. They're long enough that I can lock it to practically anything. They're heavy, but so's the bike and so am I, so who cares.</li><li>A big loud bell has turned out to be an efficient and reasonably polite way of asking stray pedestrians to move off the cycle path as I'm approaching them.</li><br /> </ul> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226966 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:27:06 +0000 acsimpson 226966@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I use an axiom paddywagon rack bag. It 7 litres in it's smallest configuration but if I go shopping has another 12 litres of expansion capability. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226961 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 15:45:19 +0000 wingpig 226961@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Likewise bolted-on dynamo lights. Racks on both bikes and I usually carry a cotton bag or my bag-for-life-with-pannier-hooks with me in case I need more shopping than expected on the way somewhere. Lock stuffed in a cheap underseat bag for relatively quick access. Both bikes have a bracket for the bag so that it's the only thing which needs to be switched across when switching bikes. It still seems to take me longer to lock/unlock than people around me at shops and office car parks but once when in a rush I accidentally locked my bike to a non-secure bit of fence at the swimming pool when I was about nine, so I never rush the locking-up process. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226959 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 15:41:32 +0000 Disco Dave 226959@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I never go anywhere now without a bikezac folded up either in the pannier or under the bungee cord. To be fair, it's probably more mending tape than original bikezac, but it's just so handy whenever I decide to make an impromptu shopping stop. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226957 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 15:33:04 +0000 Klaxon 226957@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dynamo hub, B&amp;M Lyt front and a back I don't remember. Both have standing function. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226956 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 15:21:02 +0000 Frenchy 226956@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Nothing on my bike can be removed without the use of tools</em></p> <p>What kind of lights are you running? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226953 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 15:08:55 +0000 Klaxon 226953@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nothing on my bike can be removed without the use of tools</p> <p>That means that it gets left without worry outside and picked up with no faff on a dark morning </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226951 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 14:57:19 +0000 dougal 226951@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Ed1 I am so paranoid now about having things stolen from my bike! Maybe a basket or porteur rack with cargo net is the right meeting point between functional and unstealable. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226950 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 14:46:41 +0000 Ed1 226950@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>May be a obvious thing to say, but pannier bags that you can leave on bike not an expensive one . With no bag bike has no storage so if out need to remember to take a ruck sack and need to plan if going to buy anything also no nice to ride with one if hot. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226942 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 14:03:40 +0000 dougal 226942@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I couldn't decide if a specific cup holder for my bike was a step too far! I don't consider myself such a committed coffee drinker. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226910 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 12:41:42 +0000 Min 226910@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a handlebar mounted cup holder. :-) It is only really possible to use it while wheeling the bike or on a smooth cycle path though as the drink and possibly the cup with it get thrown out immediately on the roads. I also have a frame mounted thermos flask. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16715#post-226905 Wed, 10 Aug 2016 12:27:53 +0000 gembo 226905@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>EBC used to sell a flask that fitted in the bottle cage years back to keep coffee warm </p>