CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Hello and request for Advice

(80 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by StepRam
  • Latest reply from StepRam
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  1. StepRam
    Member

    Hello everyone,

    My Name is Stephen aka StepRam I am an IT support guy and I live in Edinburgh and am looking to buy a bike and get back into cycling.

    As a teenager I cycled everywhere, I owned a road bike for dashing across town etc and a Mountain bike for my paper round! I crashed the Road Bike badly just before moving to Edinburgh to come to Uni and never did any serious cycling thereafter.

    I have just lost a lot of weight (18 Stone 6 down to 14 Stone 8 in 4 months) and am on the road to regaining my fitness, (although I am sure I will never be as fit as I was as a teenager)!

    Currently I walk as much as I can, between 3 and 6 miles a day between the office and clients sites, I am now looking to get but on a bike and step that up a lot

    I am looking for some advice about my current plan which is to get a Cyclocross bike which I will use for general commuting and running around town travelling from the Oxgangs / Fairmilehead area into town and between clients sites, which are spread out all across Edinburgh.

    I am concerned about a Cyclocross bike on the Canal paths and some of Edinburgh's 'fantastically well maintained' roads! I am also concerned about how to carry my kit, on a daily basis I normally carry A Laptop, Ipad, DLSR, Lenses, Cables, Spares and general rubbish. just now this leads to a very heavy Rucksack hence I am thinking about Panniers. However the thought of putting my precious and experience kit into a Pannier with all the knocks and vibration is a concern. but so is heavy ruck sack!

    I also want to (get to a point) were I am cycling almost as hard and fast as I used to, but still want to arrive looking semi-professional (or at least not like a wet smelly sweating slob). By semi-professional I currently wear smart Jeans and a smart short sleeved shirt and tready shoes.

    I would be very grateful for any comments, feed back and advice that anyone can offer me.

    Thank you

    StepRam
    PS if you really want to know more about Me see http://www.blipfoto.com/stepram

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. chdot
    Admin

    Welcome!

    I'm sure you'll get lots of (overlapping) advice.

    Panniers yes - decent waterproofing (one might be enough).

    Mudguards (for improved chance of professional look) though full waterproofs probably advisable too.

    Layers (and judge when to remove before you get too hot - and do it...)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Cyclocross bike is an excellent choice. Burly enough for the rough surfaces, fast and light enough not to be a chore. Also gives you the option to strip the stuff off to go for a fast blast.

    I've got pannier racks, though for a smoother carry I've also got a seat post mounted Carradice into which the day's clothes, food and iPad go. My DSLR currently comes in with a Crumpler shoulder bag, but got a new little padded Crumpler which I'm working out how to mount safely on a new little front rack.

    A chdot says, panniers and mudguards = good.

    blipfoto.com/anth as it happens... ;)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. wingpig
    Member

    Afternoon/welcome.

    "I am concerned about a Cyclocross bike on the Canal paths and some of Edinburgh's 'fantastically well maintained' roads!"

    Don't be. I go everywhere on 23mm tyres and manage.

    However the thought of putting my precious and experience kit into a Pannier with all the knocks and vibration is a concern.

    Even in a pannier attached to the rack attached to the frame the stuff in the pannier isn't being shaken nearly as rapidly and violently as things solidly attached to the frame sometimes seem to be. Think about where you'd like the heavy chunky things to be if you fall over - relatively safe in a pannier or in a backpack, where they can simultaneously jab into you and break if you land on them?

    Jeans in summer sounds nightmarish to me, but I don't think my opinion on the level of exertion required to start getting unprofessionally sweaty can be considered normal.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. SRD
    Moderator

    Panniers all the way. less sweaty. more comfortable. tidier.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. custard
    Member

    sounds like a plan
    theres a gazzilion options on panniers
    I run a bike bin which has its pros
    but is heavier/bulkier than a standard pannier
    though I wonder if you could make a foam mounting within a bike bin for the DSLR stuff?

    Loads of choice in the cross category now.
    A friend is looking at getting one and swamped with choice

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Hello StepRam and thank you for asking an almost perfect set of this forum's favourite questions :)

    I agree with what's been said already but maybe avoid the fixed/single-speed cyclo-cross variants. Lots of gears will let you go as easy or as hard as you require.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Oh, almost forgot on the clothing.

    Depends on budget, but 'cycle specific' yet 'normal' clothing has a price tag - Levis now make some cycle specific cut jeans. Rapha do some great trousers and jeans (though their very existence inflames 'debate' - I'm in the 'like quite a lot' camp). Vulpine are another, slightly, every so slightly, cheaper than Rapha, that do decent trousers and shirts, including ones that are water resistant (considering trying some of their trousers for winter, or waiting on the next Rapha sale).

    Of course you can wear whatever you want to ride - I'd definitely have to cut the speed back a little to arrive looking unsweaty and immediately ready to go, but everyone is different - it's a case of getting out there and trying it and seeing what works for you.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. Instography
    Member

    +1 for cyclo cross and I noticed the other day that Alpine bikes in Stockbridge has Genesis Croix de Fer for £850 although there's likely to be price cutting everywhere soon as 2013 stock is cleared out.

    If I carried my DSLR around I'd probably use a bar bag rather than a pannier. More accessible for stopping and using. Ortleib do a camera insert for their bar bags.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. Instography
    Member

    Not all cycle specific but I like Rohan jackets and trousers for cycling. Very nicely cut and designed for moving around in, hard wearing and some water resistance. Not as fashionable as Rapha or Vulpine (or Howies) but they have good sales where bargains can be acquired.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. SRD
    Moderator

    We started out with the bike coop's bog standard panniers. they lasted through pretty hard use and stayed waterproof.

    Now have a quite sturdy/firm sided pannier from timbuktu that I use for laptop/ipad/books/papers and a pair of ortleibs for clothes/shopping etc. the black timbuktu and one red ortleib probably look mismatched, but work very well for my needs.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Panniers, rack, mudguards = essential and will turn most any bike you choose into a sound commuter.

    Ortlieb of course are the pannier of choice for many persons carrying things needing to be guaranteed waterproof (i.e. a laptop), although they are simply tough cordura sacks and you would want to make sure things are well padded.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  13. rosscbrown
    Member

    +1 on the cyclocross. I'm a fan of Specialized and their 'Tricross' range. I started with a 2010 Sport and I'm now onto a 2013 Elite with disk brakes. And if I need to (long story...) I'd defiantly get another Tricross.

    I've spend the last 4 years moving laptops about by bicycle - no problems to date. Now using a Macbook Air with an SSD so even less chance of something going wrong.

    As for clothing: for rides under 2 miles I dress in my work gear (smart casual - shirt, work trousers and leather shoes. More than that I tend to wear cycling gear and change at the office. Everyone's different. Also, if there's a headwind I'll usually change.

    I've got a nice set of pull over waterproofs that fold down small enough to keep attached to the bike.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  14. allebong
    Member

    Another confirmation that a cyclocross bike is perfect for you. I'll emphasise again that mudguards and rack are a necessity for an enjoyable (or at least tolerable!) commute.

    We had some discussion of carrying DSLRs in this thread - bit of a sidetrack actually, but that's not unusual for this forum..: http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=10554#post-115778 experience seems to be that a good padded bag offers enough protection for a camera and electronics.

    Clothing is a personal thing. I will say that it's not realistic to expect to arrive semi-fresh above a few miles if you've been putting effort into it. I'd go for cycling gear and a change at the end.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  15. crowriver
    Member

    I would suggest a bike bureau type pannier for you laptop, ipad and work documents, etc. Fits on a pannier rack like a normal pannier but a better shape for folders, laptops and seperate compartments like an old style briefcase. Good bags available from Altura, Carradice, maybe Ortlieb too.

    For the camera and lenses a racktop bag with plenty of padding is the best. You can get specialist camera bags to fit on the top of a rear bike rack, probably Altura or Topeak do them, can't quite recall. A quick web search should give some results.

    Depending on the size and weight of the camera gear, a bar bag is another option: keeps the gear in view and close to hand while riding.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  16. StepRam
    Member

    Wow Thanks for the amazing response everyone

    I've picked up on some peoples points individually below as I realise that it may be a little much to expect everyone to read the whole (now growing thread).

    chdot - Been looking Ortlieb panniers and definitely mud guards, waterproofs et all

    WC - Thanks, sub'ed on blip, that was the plan, strip down for the mad dashes across the city in emergencies and for the weekend! Also have a few Crupper bags was thinking about another for the bike.

    wingpig - Thanks, looked at some 23 mm tyres with "fast-rolling file-tread centre but added side knobs for improved cornering" opposed to big nobblie mountain bike type tires. Is that the same ones? I like the Idea of padded bag(s) with thin the rear mounted Pannier, But what about the fact the Panniers are at car bumper hight? re Jeans I agree, can see them Living in the Pannier, and wearing something more appropriate to cycle and slipping the Jeans on on arrival!

    custard - Thanks sounds like a plan indeed, as the kit I carry will vary (somewhat) each day a custom foam bild may be a hassle. But it it sure seams like a sensible idea. The choice of bike and brand is the next Question.

    Cyclingmollie - The fixed wheels just seam silly to me (sorry If that offends anyone). Thanks everyone has responed so well I'm amazed and very very grateful.

    WC - Thanks again, I'll look at those was toying with the idea chucking normal cloths on top of some cycle specific stuff on arrival and carrying a towel and some smelly stuff!

    Instography - I'll definitely check that out probably the top end of my budget though. I have also seen some advice about the bar bags elsewhere and I think if I was touring that would be the answer, but When I arrive at a site I would then need to carry 2 Panniers and third bag they might think I was Julian looking for the Ecuadorian embassy! LOL

    SRD - I don't see the miss match as an issue lets face it none of us look great when sweating on a bike!

    rosscbrown - Macbook Air nice bit of kit, how do you carry it / did you carry the old laptop? Ruck or Panniers? your Clothing idea's sound like a very good idea, I suppose it will vary according to weather and as I get more experienced / fitter.

    allebong - Thanks I'll read that thread next, yeh I understand that its going to be a trade off, its more about avoiding being too bad and If its a really important meeting with a new client I will just have to take the ride easy and allow extra time!

    crowriver - Thanks would the knocks on top of the rack not be worse than if the kit was hanging in the Panniers on the side? Camera wise I carry a Canon 60D with a 50mm as Standard and either my 17-85 or my 70-300 and some times a flash if that means anything to you!

    More Questions
    It seams Cyclocross with 23 mm tyres, Panniers and some kind of padding is the way to go!
    Ortlieb panniers seam to be a winner for water proofing and I will need to get looking for padded Camera and laptop bags, that are light and fit in the Panniers!

    What about Bike Brands and Models?
    Disk or Cantilever Breaks?
    Do I need a supper expensive helmet? Staff in Evans suggested £50 will get a good one more if you want lighter and better ventilation?
    I was also thinking about Mountain Bike "walk-able" shoes and cleats, better grip can buy black shoes and get away with them for small client visits and carry light weight more formal shoes for meetings and the cleats make the bike harder to steal? But are they impractical for day to day use?

    Thank you again everyone for the very very warm welcome and all of the advice. Thank you

    Posted 10 years ago #

  17. kaputnik
    Moderator

    For a comfier ride around town, and more grip, I'd recommend a wider tyre - 25 or 28 or 32 should fit in any CX fork/rear triangle. You won't get much benefit out of a 23mm tyre in town, the pressure is higher so the ride harsher (although the rolling resistance lower). 23 and even 25s aren't great on cobbles, particularly as they have a habit of sometimes getting wedged inbetween badly grouted setts (of which Edinburgh has an abundance).

    If you're just on tarmac and the odd bit of whindust, a fully slick / lightly treaded tyre is ideal. It's only if you're going to be on must, gravel or rougher stuff that you might consider a heavier-weight tyre or something with bigger knobbles.

    You can get fully practical cleated shoes that look just like a plain blacktrainer. The SPD cleats are recessed inside the sole so pose no problem for walking and you won't sound like a pantomime horse on hard surfaces!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  18. Uberuce
    Member

    You'll never be as fit as you were as a teenager, but stick at the bikey stuff and you'll be fitter than you ever were as a teenager. *inscrutable Pai Mei beard stroke*

    There's a world of difference between the comfort of 23 and 32 tyres, but not a world of difference in speed. Since arriving at work in a presentable state is one of your criteria, I'd go with the camera-cushioning 32's. This has the handy side effect of meaning you'll probably get mudguards that can fit the ZOMG amazing studded winter tyres.

    Bike brands and models - depends what your budget is. I have two Genesis bikes and love them both. One's a cyclocross/tourer, the Croix de Fer; the other is also a cyclocross but seems silly to you.

    Brakes - If my understanding is correct, cantilevers are inescapably rubbish, but they still exist because of cyclocross; you can't use caliper brakes racing around a field because they get gummed up so quickly, and you can't use the superior V-brakes because no-one's figured out how to make STI's for them. Disc brakes, however, are ace. I've got them on my Croix and the only difference between wet and dry braking is that they squeal like a freight train filled with plaintive hamsters in the wet.

    Helmets - the extra money never goes into making a road helmet safer, just comfier, airier, lighter and more aerodynamic, and I guess that's the order of price increase. Past the £50 mark, I can't see the money going into anything but weight and aero, which I consider a waste, but since I've never worn an expensive helmet, I don't know if they're comfier. I doubt they can compete with the comfort of no helmet at all, which is how I usually ride, so...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  19. Two Tired
    Member

    I really can't recommend the Schwalbe Marathon plus tires enough. Haven't had a puncture in 7 years (since I switched) of city cycling and touring. Love them, all year round. Grippy enough for winter conditions and to me, undetectable additional roll resistance. Completed my first 100km cycle on them mid June (the Lepra St Andrews run) and was rolling faster than a lot of larger dudes on shiney road bikes it seemed to me! I've taken them across some properly appalling surfaces too, it is just great to be able to remove the puncture worry from my journeys, especially if I'm in a hurry.

    Ill add my vote in for ortleib, great panniers and can double up as pillows when camping :-)

    Ill also put in a word for specialized sirrus elite, not tried the cyclocross so can't comment on that. But have put my sirrus through a lot and it has never let me down! Nippy through town, feels great when fully laden and light enough to sling on your shoulder when your map skills fail and you end up having to lug it up a bunch of steps!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  20. rosscbrown
    Member

    When I bought my first helmet, the sales rep told me it was all about fashion. They all meet the same safety standards. Go to the store and try lots on - pick the one that feels most comfortable.

    As for carrying my computer - usually in a back-back because most of my rides are pretty short. On longer rides I've tied down a backpack onto the top of my rear rack.

    I've mostly run on 32s on the bike but have been considering 28s - I'd go for comfort.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  21. allebong
    Member

    My hacked-together road bike has 28mm tyres and I can tell you that at no point have I ever thought 'gee I wish I had less cushioning between me and the fine Edinburgh streets!' The funny thing is that wider tyres actually roll faster than thinner ones (see: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/bicycle-tires-puncturing-the-myths-29245/ and others) which does call into question many of the design decisions made for road bikes these days - when you factor in air resistance and inertia things get more complicated though.

    +1 for Uberuce on cantilever brakes, I'd avoid the things like the plague, though I've been spoiled by hydraulic discs. Speaking of which I'd take cable discs on a commuter any day over rim brakes - can't stand the feeling that every time I brake I've worn away another thin little sliver between me and a blowout disaster. There's also little so frustrating as having to junk a wheel due to rim wear when the spokes and bearings are still going strong. You can now get 'mini' V brakes that I can confirm work wonders with drop levers though nobody seems to fit them to new bikes.

    One note about mudguards, and something that's been irritating me recently, is that something like this:

    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolution-pathfinder-12?bct=browse%2fbicycles%2fcommuter-hybrid-bikes

    does not feature 'full mudguards' no matter how much EBC think it might. I don't know who decided that front guard abomination was suitable but it might as well not be there if you're riding in the wet. It'll keep the road scum off the headset and front of the frame but that's it. It'll be all over your face, body, BB and drivetrain. Insist on a proper length full guard with a big fat mudflap almost scraping off the ground. Even make a mudflap yourself if you must - it may look odd but the payoff in dry feet and a clean drivetrain is worth it a thousand times over.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  22. wingpig
    Member

    Definitely get at least 32mm. I 'manage' on 23mm but only because nowt fatter fits my frame.
    Side knobbles for cornering only apply off-road. Slicks are fine for everything except rutted ice. Good puncture-resistant semi-slicks are useful for the odd bit of broken glass. Having valuables at bumper height is less of a problem (assuming actual contact with cars to be rare) than trapping all your back's heat-output.

    (Third reply attempt... others seem to have been spamtrapped somewhere beneath kaputnik's reply.)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  23. chdot
    Admin

    "Third reply attempt... others seem to have been spamtrapped"

    'Hope' problem is at your end - nothing in spam trap.

    If not, unknown CCE issue.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  24. Its_Me_Knees
    Member

    +1 for Schwalbe Marathons.

    And Nikon DSLRs......sorry....had to be said.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  25. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I've got 23s on the cross bike, and 25s on the rebuilt commuter, and the 25s are ridiculously more comfy than the 23s. Possibly down to running a lower pressure, but I'd imagine the make-up of the rubber has an effect as well - these 25s are easily as comfy as the 32 skinny-knobblies I was running before (on both those bikes). I don't understand quite why the difference is as marked as it is, but I'm happy it's the case.

    Cross bike has discs; commuter has cantis. And I'd echo the sentiments above. When first set-up and fettled the catis are immensely good, but they do need keeping on top of. The braking with flar bar levers is as good as the disc braking with drop bar levers on the cross bike, but the discs just work and work and work (and carry on working in the wet).

    Speccing a new bike for commuting, no doubt about it, discs all the way.

    And yes, yes, yes... FULL mudguards. Years back I eschewed mudguards as I didn't like the aesthetic. Now I've realised that not only is that wrong, and certain bikes look a lot better with 'guards, but also that dry backside is a godsend.

    Helmets covered well above - if you're getting one go with what feels comfortable (and what colour you like!).

    Posted 10 years ago #

  26. earthowned
    Member

    +1 for Schwalbe Marathons

    I have not yet had a puncture in several years of abuse from Edinburgh's roads with them. I use 32mm which I appreciate on the cobbles ;-)

    My commute bike is a (much modified) Specialized Tricross which I highly recommend apart from the canti brakes. You won't stop quickly in the wet and they suffer from annoying judder at low speeds. Get disc brakes if you can.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  27. rust
    Member

    £50 h*****s seem to fit a whole lot better than £30 ones to the point where it almost seems suspicious...

    Does your laptop have an SSD? I don't think vibrations would be an issue for a regular hard drive, but it seems like a half decent excuse for an upgrade...

    Posted 10 years ago #

  28. DaveC
    Member

    Perhaps we should have another PY end of month but with Cyclocross bikes? Everyone who has one and can make the coffee morning, could bring theirs along so Stephen can have a good look, weigh, and try out a few?

    My tuppence: I have a Steel framed Cotic X. Cable disk brakes with full mudguards and a rack on the back. I have Ortleib Classic Rollover paniers. I used to have a racktop bag which was waterproof and padded - and as you wanted something for the camera higher than a bumper? the racktop fullfills this, I think. In summer I use Marathon Plus and in winter I use Schwabe Snow tyres with studs. The CX bike has plenty of clearance for fat tyres and studs.

    Dave C

    Posted 10 years ago #

  29. Arellcat
    Moderator

    There's also little so frustrating as having to junk a wheel due to rim wear when the spokes and bearings are still going strong.

    I just replace the rim, and the spokes as well if I can't get an equal sized replacement.

    I've ridden in Edinburgh for years with Panaracer Paselas: 32mm and just enough cushioning. And at least as good as Marathon Pluses for fending off attacks of the Faeries, whose full name must never be said. As for 23 being faster than 28 being faster than 32, I can roll my 50mm Schwalbe Kojak and 40mm Marathon Racers along at 33mph, with a little aero help along the way.

    With Schwalbe Big Apples, and some nice 60mm SKS mudguards to cover them, you can laugh in the face of Edinburgh roads and pour ice cubes down the trousers (?) of potholes. That'll also mean you can fit spiky tyres in winter without buying new mudguards. And SKS really are about the best.

    Disc brakes in the wet are lovely things to have.

    I use Carradice rather than Ortleib panniers though. I shoot a Nikon DSLR too, though just a little baby one. I worry about shaking it too much, so I wrap it in a t-shirt or woolly hat first and put it in my pannier. Blackburn or Tubus racks will last forever.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  30. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    "Perhaps we should have another PY end of month but with Cyclocross bikes? Everyone who has one and can make the coffee morning, could bring theirs along so Stephen can have a good look, weigh, and try out a few?"

    Not a bad idea. Of course that would give us duplicate Cotic Xs (though obviously one in a better colour than the other....) so I'd maybe still rock up on the Kaff, given it was also once upon a time sold as a possible CX frame.

    Posted 10 years ago #

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