http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Expensive advice needed en Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:02:56 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614&page=2#post-289129 Sat, 18 Aug 2018 22:28:44 +0000 gembo 289129@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@greenroofer, a happy ending. Have a look at Torm. A halfway house between btwinn and Rapha?</p> <p>Bike hirer in Mallorca trying to sell me second Hand van Nicholas. Tempted. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614&page=2#post-289120 Sat, 18 Aug 2018 18:24:13 +0000 Greenroofer 289120@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>P.S. I rode out today on this splendid bike wearing B'Twin kit from head to toe. There's something pleasing cussed about <em>not</em> wearing Rapha while riding it :-)</p> <p>P.P.S. I don't actually own any Rapha kit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614&page=2#post-289119 Sat, 18 Aug 2018 18:21:52 +0000 Greenroofer 289119@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So I took the new bike for its first proper ride today: a shakedown along the Lang Whang. It's all very new, so everything works and nothing rattles, which is rather lovely. Compared to its predecessor (aluminium frame, 28mm tyres, carbon forks) it's like riding a magic carpet that just soaks up the bumps, although whether that's the titanium frame or the 32mm tyres, I can't say (although given the cost of the former, I hope it's not just the latter!)</p> <p>I am, so far, pleased with the (Ultegra) groupset. The hydraulic disc brakes are just so <em>light</em> to use and the gear shifts are very crisp. I've had hydraulic brakes on my flat-barred commuter bike for years, but they are a revelation on the road bike. All that said, the 105 transmission on my old bike was pretty good when it was new, so I'm interested to see how the new groupset performs when it's a bit less new and clean.</p> <p>Enigma recommended <a href="https://dcrwheels.co.uk/">DCR wheels</a> and these came with a SON dynamo and still fitted in my budget. A SON dynamo wasn't something I'd originally planned to get as they are quite expensive and I've always been happy with Shimano dynamos. However, now I've got it I am really impressed. The SON is optimised for road bikes that run at relatively high speed. It feels completely smooth, with none of the notchy feel that you get from Shimano dynamos and when you spin the wheel it just <em>keeps</em> spinning but still makes the headlight burn brightly. Amazing. I now see what all the fuss is about.</p> <p>So there we are. A five-month journey that started with me seeking advice here and ended today with me grinning in the mist on the Lang Whang. I've got my dream 'bike for life', and now all I need to do is live up to the standard it sets and get properly fit enough to push its limits... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614&page=2#post-287431 Sun, 22 Jul 2018 22:39:09 +0000 mercury1and2 287431@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@greenroofer one does get nervous waiting for a ti bike - i was on my other bike -<br /> not ti -mtb today and NEDS on the ferry road red bridge gave me a worry so im going to sort out insurance tu sweet. Hope everything goes ok with your bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614&page=2#post-287427 Sun, 22 Jul 2018 20:08:38 +0000 I were right about that saddle 287427@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Greenroofer</p> <p>Galling. Don't let it tarnish the joy if you can? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-287424 Sun, 22 Jul 2018 19:43:48 +0000 gembo 287424@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@greenroofer Them don't sound very brilliant? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-287420 Sun, 22 Jul 2018 19:25:22 +0000 Greenroofer 287420@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This thread started four months ago. Part of the excitement of a semi-custom build is the anticipation...</p> <p>I was told on Friday (and then called again this morning to check) that the bike was ready and on the shop floor, so I went to collect it this afternoon.</p> <p>Them: "Here's your bike. It's all ready, apart from the rack, which won't fit"<br /> Me: "There's no saddle"<br /> Them: "It's all ready apart from the rack and the saddle. We haven't been able to source the saddle."<br /> Me: "There are no pedals"<br /> Them: "It's all ready apart from the rack and the saddle and the pedals. We can fit the pedals for you now, as we have them in stock"<br /> Me: "I was expecting mudguards"<br /> Them "It's all ready apart from the rack and the saddle and the pedals and the mudguards. They're here. I'm not sure why they haven't been fitted. Could you perhaps come back next week?"</p> <p>We did an initial fit, but then I rather disappointedly came home on the bus.</p> <p>When it's <em>actually</em> ready I think it's going to be a thing of understated beauty, but that's a thing to find out another day. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-286984 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 15:24:33 +0000 gembo 286984@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@iwrats, nice solution. Scrib tree in Douglas is a nice cafe and friendly but we always have a slight difference of opinion at the start of the pit stop when I lean my bike on the wrong bit of wall or window. I always shift it to the correct bit of wall. They never get the hint and move the racks round from the back, though they do watch the bike for me when I go pee-pee so it all works out. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-286983 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 14:34:33 +0000 I were right about that saddle 286983@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>One cannot enjoy one's cakestop if one has to keep a constant eye on the bike racks.</p> <p>The solution is to legalise drugs, thus reducing acquisitive crime by two-thirds at a stroke? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-286981 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 14:06:07 +0000 gembo 286981@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@greenroofer when do you use the lock? Obviously locking the bike at home or in Edinburgh I can see the desire for a gold standard. Out and about in the remote countryside of Scotland and England I wonder who would steal your bike? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-286980 Sun, 15 Jul 2018 13:22:33 +0000 Greenroofer 286980@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So, acknowledging the old saw "cheap, light, strong. Pick two" the new bike is light and strong. The galling thing I'm now finding is that because it is so light and strong, the insurance company require that it is always locked with a Sold Secure Gold lock. These all seem to weigh a ton and so all the lightness benefits I have expensively purchased are completely cancelled out.</p> <p>I'm going to have to lose some weight from round my tum to make up for this fancy lock... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-282011 Mon, 07 May 2018 10:00:16 +0000 wingpig 282011@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I await the trickle-down from gene-insertion bacterial synthesis and tissue-scaffold organ-construction research to produce bicycle frames made from structural biopolymers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-282008 Mon, 07 May 2018 09:23:38 +0000 I were right about that saddle 282008@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo</p> <p>Titanium price used to be a function of the Russian submarine programme. There are a few elements that work this way - chemistry of boranes only well known because of military surplus. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-282005 Mon, 07 May 2018 09:08:10 +0000 gembo 282005@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I hired a van nich Boreas - airforce grade titanium (it said on the crossbar) from Pro Cycle Hire in Mallorca. Not cheap to hire. I thought it was in much better Nick than the carbon bikes. Either because the titanium is more robust for hire bikes where people are generally slightly less sensitive to damage or because few people hire it compared to carbon or a combination.</p> <p>It was a bit big for me perhaps and like the Spa Elan it had the handlebars high up and I forgot to ask them to remove some spacers but on the whole I liked it better than any of the bikes I actually own. Though I was cycling in sunny climes with mostly gentle breezes. </p> <p>I await the trickle down from Porton Down scientists breakthrough in the halving of the cost of producing titanium. Expect the bikes will stay the same price but become higher spec? Just buying a frame and getting LBS to build might be the way forward. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-282003 Mon, 07 May 2018 08:42:56 +0000 I were right about that saddle 282003@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That is a handsome bicycle @Greenroofer. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-282001 Mon, 07 May 2018 08:15:05 +0000 Greenroofer 282001@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@crowriver - I did, and finally settled on the Enigma Etape, which is now on order. Much to the horror of the bike shop I'm having it with mudguards, a rack and a dynamo. There's an ongoing debate about the saddle: I love my Brooks B17 but Dougie the bike fitter doesn't approve of them for reasons of getting a reliable and stable fit. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-281999 Sun, 06 May 2018 23:14:50 +0000 crowriver 281999@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Have you considered the Spa Cycle Elan? Titanium frame, a choice of hydraulic or cable pull disc brakes, 105 groupset, mudguards, etc. </p> <p>Half the price of the Enigma Etape too. </p> <p><a href="https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m1b0s21p3553/SPA-CYCLES-Elan-%28105-11-Speed-Hydraulic%29">Linkee</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-281992 Sun, 06 May 2018 21:26:38 +0000 Greenroofer 281992@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>For reasons related to the discussion earlier in the thread, I've been looking at the same thing. I was quite taken with the ETA insurance offering. I've no experience of them as an insurance provider, but the actual insurance looked quite good. I'm waiting for their response to my question about whether the bike is insured if it's unsupervised on a train.</p> <p>I'm feeling quite positive about ETA (the roadside recovery people, not the terrorists/freedom fighters) at present after my experience with a snapped gear cable a couple of weeks ago, when my £18 recovery package with them came to the rescue and a taxi collected me from Bonnyrigg at no charge and brought me home at 7am on a Sunday. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-281988 Sun, 06 May 2018 20:30:56 +0000 mercury1and2 281988@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>expensive bikes do need some insurance has anyone got insurance for three bikes and who do they recommend? thanks ps not home insurance </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-277740 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 23:08:40 +0000 gembo 277740@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have hired a van Nicholas in Mallorca for April the other fietsclub dads are all carbon </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-277739 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 22:28:14 +0000 mercury1and2 277739@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>my pennies worth- im looking at Van Nic and Enigma and hope to test ride both very soon - for me it is about the feel of the bike and the nearest fit which as others have said is very important. Enigma do signature and core type bikes i think - signature is welded in uk and core? is welded in Taiwan- Enigma do double butted and Van Nic do i think cold worked- and the warranties are quite different. I think at the prices you have to be fitted, then see how it rides, and then the function- best of luck </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-277735 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 20:19:09 +0000 Morningsider 277735@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Greenroofer - nice. I was very close to buying an Enigma a few years ago. Then it turned out we needed to get the roof rebuilt - which cost us around the same as a custom build Enigma for every day of the week. One day... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-277734 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 20:15:42 +0000 amir 277734@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@cyclingmollie you'd have had to change your CCE name and it wouldn't have been good </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-277731 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 18:52:36 +0000 Cyclingmollie 277731@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had similar discussions before my last significant birthday. Although they turned out to be hypothetical I decided that I'd want a titanium frame. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-277728 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 18:21:00 +0000 gembo 277728@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nice, l like titanium. Van Nicholas always worth a look and Lynskey if you want a shamrock.</p> <p>I am wondering if all three of the above have the frames made in Taiwan? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-277726 Sat, 17 Mar 2018 18:09:55 +0000 Greenroofer 277726@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>An update.</p> <p>I spent two hours with Edinburgh Bike Fitting last weekend. As well as making some interesting tweaks to the set-up of my existing bike, he set up his adjusta-bike thing to match the geometry of a Skinnymalinky, and it was clear that it was lower and longer than I was keen on.</p> <p>He made an interesting point which is that for most ordinary people (i.e. with arms and legs of normal proportions) you don't need a custom frame.</p> <p>He then pointed me to <a href="http://www.enigmabikes.com/bikes/etape/">this</a> and I went oooooo <em>shiny</em>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-276184 Wed, 28 Feb 2018 11:50:03 +0000 minus six 276184@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>i'd be keeping an eye on scoring a CdF Ti frame off ebay</p> <p>got a CdF stainless on ebay last year for buttons, an absolute steal </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-276183 Wed, 28 Feb 2018 11:50:00 +0000 fimm 276183@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You have to get a Shand Skinnymalinky just for the name ;-)</p> <p>Lee Craigie rides a Shand MTB which she calls "Jimmy". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-276175 Wed, 28 Feb 2018 10:48:58 +0000 Arellcat 276175@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You can buy a second-hand velomobile for less than 4000 Euros. How about <a href="http://www.ligfiets.net/advertisement/17503/velomobiel-quest-26-inch.html">this one</a>? (not mine)</p> <p>You might also take a look at Enigma titanium frames. One of Laid Back's customers (who is otherwise riding in a whizbang Milan velo) has one and by all accounts is getting on very well with it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18614#post-276139 Tue, 27 Feb 2018 23:31:46 +0000 GDR 276139@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a Shand Skinnymalinky and it is SUPERB. Probably the best bike I have ever owned or ridden. I am not what is termed athletic build but somehow this bike barrels along. Mine has steel forks but I think they can do carbon nowadays. Built up for me by Ryan at Pedals with Ultegra, Chris King BB and headset and his own handbuilt wheels. Love it!<br /> If you want disc brakes and ability to take wide tyres then I can recommend the Kinesis ATR titanium. I have 105 on mine and a Sugino “impossible” crankset .<br /> But I’m with gembo-go for the Shand. Really nice guys<br /> If you really want some bike porn go to Bespoked Bristol in April. A hall full of handbuilt bikes (including Shand). Been a couple of times and it’s a fun way to part with a wad of cash! </p>