http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: How to Buy a Bike en Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:23:29 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-296207 Thu, 22 Nov 2018 08:16:48 +0000 gembo 296207@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@unhurt how is that a downside? Bells are there to be rung. Indeed some would argue that they are never really bells unless they are ringing.</p> <p>@bill I understand your dilemma. Drops are not the best for the canal bridges but they are the best for the open road. I have in the past resorted to just saying the words Ding Ding if not able to ring in time eg if braking etc.</p> <p>Reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald version of the great Frank Loesser number If I were a bell (I'd be ringing) which is joyful </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-296206 Wed, 21 Nov 2018 23:53:40 +0000 unhurt 296206@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a wee bell that clips onto the rubbery cover on the hoods of my drops, so you can reach it from on top and when in the drops. Can photograph if helpful?</p> <p>Downside is it's the sort of bell that pings itself when riding on really bumpy sets. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-296204 Wed, 21 Nov 2018 23:19:16 +0000 bill 296204@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I am thinking about getting a new bike because I can get £400 off first £800 spent on a bike from Evans through our new work health insurance (vitality). I was looking into getting an adventure-road type (e.g. <a href="https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-2-2018-womens-adventure-road-bike-EV306249">Pinnacle Arkose</a> )</p> <p>One thing that I am not sold on are the drop bars (I have never ridden a bike like that). I had a look through multiple threads mentioning 'drop bars' and most of you highly recommend them. One more concern I have is the bell ringing. Currently I have the bell right within my left thumb reach. I find it very useful because I do ring it at the canal bridges but sometimes I find it a bit difficult to manage braking, gear shifting, ringing and maneuvering on cobbles at the same time. </p> <p>So my (perhaps silly) question would be can you set it up so that the brakes, gear shifters and bell are all within easy reach? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-274360 Sun, 04 Feb 2018 19:00:31 +0000 chdot 274360@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“2nd stem so far”</p> <p>That’s probably where I would start.</p> <p>Obviously you already know you can different lengths and also angles to raise bars.</p> <p>Perhaps consider different bars too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-274354 Sun, 04 Feb 2018 18:14:22 +0000 Schemieradge 274354@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I thought I'd add an update here... I tested the Croix de Fer 20 and it felt really weird coming from a relatively upright commuter bike so I realised there was no way I'd really know what it was going to feel like until I rode it for more than 20 mins. So I took a leap of faith and bought the thing.<br /> A few months on, I'm generally really pleased with the purchase.<br /> The main thing is it's taken about 20 mins off my commute round-trip. So getting to hang out with the kids for a bit longer at night it great. Of course I'm getting a good deal less exercise now so am considering adding an extra day of cycle commuting (currently only do it 3 days a week).<br /> In general (mostly for the above reasons) I think it's a great bike for commuting... the downsides are I'm struggling to get totally comfortable on it - which is what I'm waiting for before increasing the commuting days. Too much weight on my wrists and tail-end discomfort... but the downside is outweighed by the good (plus the commute is now so quick I can easily put up with the discomfort). I'm fairly confident I'll get to the bottom of the bike fit in time (I hope so anyway - on my 3rd seat and 2nd stem so far).<br /> Thanks for all the help I got here. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-266664 Wed, 15 Nov 2017 21:03:39 +0000 Schemieradge 266664@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>but this will have been excellent strength training</blockquote></p> <p>Maybe for someone with a normal skeletomuscular system - I've just been wondering why my knee had decided to swell up for no (apparent) reason whatsoever over the last month.<br /> Because it was doing twice the work it normally does perchance?.. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-266565 Wed, 15 Nov 2017 09:41:40 +0000 I were right about that saddle 266565@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>the lower cog in my derailleur was so clogged up I don't think it has turned for a couple of months</em></p> <p>Dérailleur gears really aren't suitable for commuting in many ways, but this will have been excellent strength training? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-266555 Wed, 15 Nov 2017 01:16:50 +0000 unhurt 266555@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>But very satisfyingly, we hope? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-266538 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 21:26:11 +0000 Schemieradge 266538@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>poking the malfunctioning part with a stick to dislodge the caked on mud to see if that fixes it</blockquote></p> <p>This failsafe maintenance schedule failed me drastically the other day - when I was putting on my winter tires I noticed that the lower cog in my derailleur was so clogged up I don't think it has turned for a couple of months. I wondered what that strange vibration was.<br /> The upside is now I've unclogged it cycling feels like I've got a constant tailwind.</p> <p>Anyway - in the bike buying dept - I've put a deposit down on a XL Croix de Fer 20 which should arrive in time to test it by the end of the month.<br /> So in answer to my original question as to how you buy a bike as a lanky-git.. the answer is verrrry-slowly... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-265604 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 18:21:27 +0000 Schemieradge 265604@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And back to the original problem of finding something I want to try in stock in the size I need!... I get there... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-265602 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 17:53:49 +0000 crowriver 265602@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I really need to try one"</p> <p>Absolutely. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-265601 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 17:49:45 +0000 Schemieradge 265601@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@crowriver - totally down with the idea of hub gears and chainguards. But I'm happy with the weight/low-maintenance/stopping-power combo of my disc brakes so not anxious to change them. I guess the CityZen C8 ticks a lot of the boxes...<br /> It's more the (apparent) upright sitting position that I'm not sure about... but I really need to try one before I can make judgements like that! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-265595 Sat, 04 Nov 2017 16:29:50 +0000 crowriver 265595@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>" I can't quite imagine munching the miles down the railway path day after day with one."</p> <p>If it's primarily for a relatively short distance commute (9 miles or so each way?) then hub gears and brakes, sealed from all that mud and water, plus a chainguard, will give you a very reliable bike.</p> <p>If you're doing 90 miles all in a oner however, a drop bar lighter "audax" or sportive style bike or "light tourer" might be better.</p> <p>Horses for courses and all that... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-265548 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 22:05:38 +0000 minus six 265548@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dublin Street Techno Party<br /> Dublin Street Techno Party</p> <p>@chdot man you bring the 90s memories flooding right back </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-265545 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 21:57:18 +0000 chdot 265545@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“53-39 up top and 28-11 at the back”</p> <p>That covers most things, though there are times when a 34 at the back is useful (makes Dublin Street easier). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319&page=2#post-265544 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 21:54:50 +0000 chdot 265544@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“all the rest is just commentary”</p> <p>Sometimes I think all the rest is just fashion! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265543 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 21:53:38 +0000 chdot 265543@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“you might well ask why I'm posting on cityCyclingEdinburgh in view of that}</p> <p><em>Anyone</em> can join/post (note THE RULES, left).</p> <p>Generally of most interest to people in the Lothians and Fife.</p> <p>“such a good forum though”</p> <p>Yep, and you posting about the Pencaitland Path has been useful to many people here.</p> <p>It’s one one of my favourite ‘destinations’ that I only visit every couple of years. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265542 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 21:51:58 +0000 minus six 265542@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em> I'm 6ft3 but I rarely come further west than Musselburgh</em></p> <p>oooh cheeky</p> <p>i haven't read this thread but my advice is simple</p> <p>53-39 up top and 28-11 at the back</p> <p>drop bars and a stoic disposition</p> <p>keep your chain line straight !!</p> <p>all the rest is just commentary </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265540 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 21:45:38 +0000 Schemieradge 265540@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@steveo I'm 6ft3 but I rarely come further west than Musselburgh (Yes you might well ask why I'm posting on cityCyclingEdinburgh in view of that - such a good forum though!)- thanks very much for the offer.</p> <p>@gkgk have added those to the list thanks.</p> <p>@urchaidh I tried those bar ends on my current bike since I always seem to be searching for somewhere to put my hands anywhere but on the actual grip. I never took to them - partly because they stopped me getting through a motorcycle (and bar-end)-proof gate I pass everyday - the other reason was I missed having my hands hanging off the end of the grips in a 10 past 10 sort of config.</p> <p>Thanks @Mr Cyclery. They look really solid practical bikes - if a little on the heavy side. I'm not sure why I'm hesitant about bikes like that. I have them filed away in my head as being really practical city bikes you can jump on to go down the shops without getting geared up... but I can't quite imagine munching the miles down the railway path day after day with one. Probably a lack of creative thinking on my part than anything else... Thank you for the suggestions. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265521 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 18:46:48 +0000 Harts Cyclery 265521@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@crowriver, thanks! Comfy, practical bikes do exist, honestly! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265514 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 17:34:14 +0000 crowriver 265514@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Harts Cyclery, those bikes look to be exactly what I was trying to spec for the OP. </p> <p>:-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265510 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 16:37:55 +0000 Harts Cyclery 265510@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If you're looking at the Kalkhoff Durban then give this a look too:</p> <p><a href="https://www.gazellebikes.co.uk/bikes/cityzen-c8/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gazellebikes.co.uk/bikes/cityzen-c8/</a></p> <p>Available from yours truly, in Corstorphine. Also, plenty of upright bikes with hub gears and fully enclosed chain cases available too. Orange C8 a particularly nice example.</p> <p><a href="https://www.gazellebikes.co.uk/bikes/orange-c8/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gazellebikes.co.uk/bikes/orange-c8/</a></p> <p>Or for less money: </p> <p><a href="https://www.gazellebikes.co.uk/bikes/esprit-c7/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gazellebikes.co.uk/bikes/esprit-c7/</a></p> <p>(Note: you can toggle between men's/ladies' pictures on the website if you don't like the look of step-through frame) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265509 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 16:31:02 +0000 urchaidh 265509@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>It is usually at this point that I feel I should also mention horn bars</em></p> <p>... or even just old school bar ends fitted to your flat bars. My previous commuter was a flat bar Whyte Portobello (worth a look, really liked it) with bar ends fitted.</p> <p>The bar was maybe a bit long for this, with the heels of my hands on the bar ends my arms always felt a little too splayed, but it didn't annoy me enough to actually get around to cutting the bar shorter. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265508 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 16:25:48 +0000 amir 265508@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>the stretchy-out face-down unnecessariness of the drops..</p> <p>But that's the most useful bit of drops when there's a headwind</em> </p> <p>This all very much depends on how well your bike is set up for your body and the way you cycle. It is important to get the reach right (both horizontal and vertical) as well as the bar width.</p> <p>Touring bikes typically have the bars set up higher than a racing bike.</p> <p>So it's less to do with the shape of the bars than how they are setup </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265507 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 16:12:16 +0000 neddie 265507@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>the stretchy-out face-down unnecessariness of the drops..</em></p> <p>But that's the most useful bit of drops when there's a headwind </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265496 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 13:29:54 +0000 wingpig 265496@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is usually at this point that I feel I should also mention horn bars - they have the three comfortable positions available to drops without the stretchy-out face-down unnecessariness of the drops themselves, with the advantage of the bar ends being within reach of the thumbs for bar-end shifters. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265494 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 13:13:02 +0000 Ed1 265494@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It’s a Pinnacle Lithium that is rusting outside my house I would not recommend one myself, I found it uncomfortable not the best ride quality sore on wrists and hands after an hour. The lithium also has very wide handle bars that make it difficult on the canal. Its built on a mountain bike frame with 700, 38 wheels it seems twitchy at speed not a very relaxing or comfortable ride in my view. It is light as aluminium which may impact on comfort or may be the thick mountain bike bars that make harsh most hybrids are not on mountain bike frame (I don’t think) possibly a reason for this as design for fatter tyres so has a more ridged frame. It had good wheels Alex rims that did not need adjustment and good paint quality. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265475 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 04:27:17 +0000 gkgk 265475@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Reducing weight was mentioned - not easy when increasing from small/medium frame to XL, esp with a hub gear, but the gravelly hub-geared <a href="https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-arkose-alfine-8-2018-adventure-road-bike-EV275630">Pinnacle Arkose 2018</a> is about 11kg (the Smithfield is &gt;15kg). Or there's the straight-barred <a href="https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-alfine-2018-hybrid-bike-EV306906">hub Lithium</a>, though that one's not available until mid-Dec. Evans will get any bike in at any size for a test ride. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265472 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 00:24:48 +0000 crowriver 265472@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Pretty sure I saw a rather new looking Genesis Smithfield locked up near the Omni centre this evening. Did seem like a very nice bike, but also a bit theftable: would need a beefy lock I reckon to be left somewhere like that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18319#post-265458 Thu, 02 Nov 2017 21:59:46 +0000 steveo 265458@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What height are you Schemieradge and where do you work? You could have a shot of my CDF if you are around the gyle. </p>