http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Type of Bike for Edinburgh en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:59:37 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286234 Tue, 03 Jul 2018 08:38:09 +0000 gembo 286234@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I am thinking of going down a tooth with my SA three speed for similar reasons as the first gear is hard given weight of bike. Have to stand on the cranks. No way I am getting off and pushing.</p> <p>Actually I did get off and start pushing in east Lothian at a ford we found. There was a cyclist dismount sign which needs to be obeyed. Very slippy under foot in the ford (there is a foot bridge too). The earlier sign - not suitable for HGV also true. On a back road from Humbie to Fala. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286232 Tue, 03 Jul 2018 07:47:36 +0000 I were right about that saddle 286232@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@crowriver</p> <p>Thanks. I thought SA was propriety and the gears are <em>way</em> too high which is why I'm aiming at the chain wheel first. Need to drop the whole range in half if I can. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286231 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:52:14 +0000 crowriver 286231@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's a Sturmey Archer hub so you'll need a specific sprocket for it. SJS Cycles yer best bet I reckon. Options for the XRD-8 hub seem to be 23T or 25T - worth checking which you have. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286230 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:22:53 +0000 I were right about that saddle 286230@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The bike is not as heavy as the top gear. I can barely turn the cranks in 8. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286222 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 19:54:48 +0000 gembo 286222@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>325 per cent range should be enough but guess heavy</p> <p>Just go flat places like the dutchies </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286220 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 19:48:11 +0000 I were right about that saddle 286220@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Frenchy</p> <p>I'll example you with thievery. The sun's a thief, and with his great attraction robs the vast sea. The moon's an arrant thief, and her pale fire she snatches from the sun.</p> <p>@gembo</p> <p>She sweet but I couldn't get her home from PoP without a new chain ring or some food on the hill you dig? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286218 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 19:37:13 +0000 gembo 286218@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I like Madame IWRATS bicycle </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286217 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 19:31:46 +0000 Frenchy 286217@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's solved your bikamy moral quandary, at least. Some would consider that theft though, which might introduce a different moral quandary... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286213 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 18:29:13 +0000 I were right about that saddle 286213@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>OK. Run to shops fine, but stabbed myself in the thigh turning a tight corner and ran out of gears on the way home. Need a smaller chain wheel. Bike Station here we come.</p> <p>Madame IWRATS came home and declared 'what is that monstrosity?'. Straight from work in a smart summer dress, hopped on and took a spin round the sunny local square. Came back and declared that she'd turned the local youths' heads and the bike was now hers hahaha @Frenchy didn't see that coming yo. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286212 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 18:11:18 +0000 Frenchy 286212@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS - I thought you were a strict bike monogamist? Or is this just an excuse to ride one bike whilst pushing another? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286209 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 17:15:33 +0000 crowriver 286209@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS, nice! Perfect for a city runabout. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286206 Mon, 02 Jul 2018 15:24:01 +0000 I were right about that saddle 286206@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.dutchie.co.uk/en-GB/bicycles/women/dutchie-chic-eight-speed">Somebody just gave me one of these for free.</a> The tyres were flat, the front brake was slack and the handlebars were squint but that all got fixed in ten minutes.</p> <p>Will take to shops tonight see how it fares.</p> <p>Thinking of a trip to Oxfam for a tweed cycling suit if it's a practical Edinburgh steed. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286141 Sun, 01 Jul 2018 19:32:35 +0000 Cyclingmollie 286141@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes, "nicked" is right. There are shops that sell second-hand bikes which might be a good alternative. The Bicycle Station and Eastside bikes for example. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950&page=2#post-286132 Sun, 01 Jul 2018 16:13:26 +0000 WBCotton 286132@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hey everyone! Thank you so much for all the replies! Definitely looking for a tough appearing cross bike with racks, some waterproof panniers, mud guards, grabby run-flat tires, decent lights, a horn and an armed guard to watch over it so it doesn’t get “nicked” (hope I used that right!). Throw in a 1000watt electric mid-drive motor and a high capacity battery for all the hills and wind and I’m all set! (Kidding about that last part... http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286129 Sun, 01 Jul 2018 14:36:11 +0000 mcairney 286129@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I should add I got one of these last year through bike-to-work:</p> <p><a href="https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike-50-53-55-5-57-5cm-frames" rel="nofollow">https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike-50-53-55-5-57-5cm-frames</a></p> <p>Reasonable spread of gears (though with it being 1x11 there are bigger jumps between gears), hydraulic disc brakes and carbon forks. It will take a set of raceblade mudguards and a pannier rack though the fitted tyres are definitely for offroad use- they've got a soft compound and I'd worn them out after 3 months of road cycling! I replaced them with Schwalbe Marathons and they're still going strong. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286127 Sun, 01 Jul 2018 14:27:21 +0000 crowriver 286127@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I'm not getting the CdF love-in tbh."</p> <p>Me neither, but if someone gave me a brand new one as a pressie I I wouldn't say no.</p> <p>"my mate spent a weekend painting his new baby with fake rust"</p> <p>Clearly the thief was an expert in trompe l'oeil technique and could spot the forgery. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286126 Sun, 01 Jul 2018 14:25:11 +0000 mcairney 286126@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm not getting the CdF love-in tbh. Sure they're nice bikes but they're overpriced for the spec (£1K for Sora and cable disc brakes? Really??) and a touch on the heavy side. I do realise that a good steel frame does provide a good combination of stiffness and a comfortable ride. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286107 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 22:07:31 +0000 the canuck 286107@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>i got my specialised through the cycle to work scheme, don't think i could have afforded something as good otherwise.</p> <p>(i know there are others nicer, but they were a bit much, and then custom building requires more thought than i was interested in...)</p> <p>i once left a bike locked all day in montreal city centre, with the keys in the lock. no one took it.<br /> my mate spent a weekend painting his new baby with fake rust, and it was gone within 3 hrs of him parking it at work. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286091 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 19:21:26 +0000 minus six 286091@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>As far as I could see the Cdf did not offer any extra features</em></p> <p>its all in the handling </p> <p>remains graceful under pannier weight, no flex</p> <p>and as others here have said before, its very forgiving when you're knackered at the end of a long day in the saddle</p> <p>if i only had one bike, it would be a CdF</p> <p>two bikes, and it would be CdF and the Tarmac sl5 comp</p> <p>i'll go electric when i draw my pension, and not a day before </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286087 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 16:42:40 +0000 crowriver 286087@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Ed1, "a rusty country explorer is better as has same features but less likely to be stolen". </p> <p>Yep. Or if like me you don't mind some "vintage" components, a mid-1990s CrMo framed 18-speed Raleigh Pioneer (6-speed freewheel) in a fetching shade of metallic burgundy (okay it's kinda purple, but wine coloured purple, not Cadbury's dairy milk or Roman purple). About as unglamorous as they come, but I swapped to drop bars, added a rack, Marathon+ tyres and front dynamo wheel and it's a nice wee tourer. I rarely feel desperately worried about parking it outdoors, even with a relatively crap lock. Even in Glasgow. Oh and the chains last forever. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286082 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 15:16:12 +0000 SRD 286082@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@wbcotton before you buy, do check if your new employer or place of study offers any deals. it is often possible to get an interest-free loan or similar deal. there are also official 'cycle to work' deals that reduce your tax paid, but opinion is that these are no longer particularly attractive. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286078 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 14:05:43 +0000 Ed1 286078@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I looked at one of those in Edinburgh bike coop 6 months ago as they no longer make the revolution country explorer and mine is getting rusty. As far as I could see the Cdf did not offer any extra features the same soro gears steel frame and disc brakes but it costs double the price. I also looked at a Ridgeback Panorama in peddlepower but on that not sure why I would have to pay 300 extra to get discs making it 1350.</p> <p>I would tend to think a Cdf or a Panorama is a bit too expensive for edinburgh a rusty country explorer is better as has same features but less likely to be stolen. A genesis croix de fer, to in fashion, would never know if would still be there when parked.</p> <p>It may be best to get a bike built up by the bike smith, as could choose all the parts. The steel frame axles wheels built in lights wide tyres for pot holes, lots of gears, hydraulic brakes, built in lights rack guards and mat paint so looks undesirable. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286076 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 13:55:18 +0000 steveo 286076@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>+1 for the cdf. Fantastic all round bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286074 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 13:39:13 +0000 minus six 286074@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>genesis croix de fer is hands down the best all-rounder</p> <p>reasonably fast road bike on slicks, and in the winter it has sufficient clearance for mudguards and studded ice tyres</p> <p>stick a pannier rack on the back and it handles a weighty weekly shop no bother </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286058 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 09:48:18 +0000 gembo 286058@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Chap that wears the long socks is currently smashing along on his version of the scaffy bike. It is a skinny scaffy bike with upturned bars. He is bombing along on it </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286055 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 09:36:10 +0000 I were right about that saddle 286055@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Unfashionable colour scheme. Not expensive looking. Not an MTB or a fancy road bike. Basically unglamorous, preferably old and slightly tatty, commuter bike</em></p> <p>The Scaffolding Bike™ there ladies and gentlemen. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286053 Sat, 30 Jun 2018 09:32:26 +0000 SRD 286053@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Solid axles. Unfashionable colour scheme. Not expensive looking. Not an MTB or a fancy road bike. Basically unglamorous, preferably old and slightly tatty, commuter bikes with mudguards are unlikely to be nicked."</p> <p>High end mountain bikes definitely get nicked, not so sure about road bikes. </p> <p>There was a post a while back about the most stolen bike - it didn't fit either of those categories, but I can't remember what it was. anyone?</p> <p>I have a theory that a bike with a basket and/or a child seat is unlikely to be stolen... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286042 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 23:31:51 +0000 the canuck 286042@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>happy canada day! (almost)</p> <p>i have been riding a hybrid (either 18 or 27 speed, i can never remember), and i like it.<br /> good lights, good lock. i'm going to get a little padlock for the front wheel.<br /> you can register your bike with 'immobilise' and get a little microchip (like on a pet) which doesn't track the bike, but does allow you to prove that it's yours if there's a dispute. apparently anything that makes the bike easy to identify is a deterrent, so mine has stickers. i may ask for more for christmas.</p> <p>panniers.<br /> mudguards, unless you like the taste of road dirt.</p> <p>you won't consider edinburgh winters to be winters (in montreal, i had icicles from my eyelashes), but i've noticed that they are more humid than i'd expected. my commutes are pretty short, but i'm often sweating by the 5 minute mark in just a light long sleeved merino and a light windproof jacket. (but it's too cold at the start to go without jacket.) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286029 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 18:05:26 +0000 crowriver 286029@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"how one calculates that is hard to say."</p> <p>Solid axles. Unfashionable colour scheme. Not expensive looking. Not an MTB or a fancy road bike.</p> <p>Basically unglamorous, preferably old and slightly tatty, commuter bikes with mudguards are unlikely to be nicked. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18950#post-286014 Fri, 29 Jun 2018 16:55:39 +0000 Blueth 286014@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sadly, the most important property of a bike for use in Edinburgh is its lack of attractiveness to thieves. Though how one calculates that is hard to say. </p>