CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

New to commute - bike and route

(22 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by newtoit
  • Latest reply from LaidBack
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. newtoit
    Member

    Hi all,

    Been lurking for a while and decided to take the plunge.
    I'm looking to start cycling to work and first things first, need a bike! Never really bought one before so I'm not sure where to start... I'm thinking of going for a Hybrid - I'd be riding about 7miles round trip each day from Liberton to the West End, and also going out and about now and again at the weekends. Quite keen to go out along the union canal, down the river from Mussy to Dalkeith, that sort of thing.

    I'm thinking I'd be wanting 700c wheels but not sure after that. My employer offers the Cycle to Work scheme but the bike would have to be bought from Halfords, so looking at their range I think the Carrera Crossfire 2 or Voodoo Marasa would be the type of thing I'm after - £250-350 price range. I would far rather buy from a small/local place if I can get something decent for a similar price, and take the hit on not getting it tax free, but everything I've seen in shop windows has been £500+ which is more than I can afford at this (very early) point in my career. Any guidance would be most welcome!

    Secondly, I was wondering if anyone can advise on the best route to take without getting mauled by a bus? I was thinking of heading down Kirk Brae, up the hill past Kings Buildings, along Blackford Road and down through the Grange and Marchmont, to go across the Meadows. Google's suggested route of riding down Liberton Brae, Newington Road etc seems rather intimidating to me... What would you good people suggest in that regards?

    Thanks very much in advance

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. SRD
    Moderator

    can i ask where in the west end? is there nothing to be gained by following bus route past kings bldgs along balcarres?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. newtoit
    Member

    Hi, it's just up the top of Lothian Road, by Festival Square so I think that would take me a bit too far across.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. SRD
    Moderator

    might be worth trying once. there should be a good route from the canal basin to festival square. i've never done it, but I know people here know it (I must find time to go look for myself)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. gembo
    Member

    I often recommend EBC courier seven gears is all,you need. Inwould get that if I was starting again

    I would go braid hills road, green bank, craighoise, myerside

    Bit of a loop but braidhillsmroad is great.

    Going back is going to be tougher

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. Nelly
    Member

    Check Cyclestreets for a 'quieter' route. As Gembo and SRD have said, sometimes circuitous makes sense, especially when starting out.

    As to bikes? EBC has a sale on this weekend - Bike Co-op sale bikes - probably some better ones there for the cash?

    Revolution trailfinder not bad value at £229?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. SRD
    Moderator

    If you're thinking of going Meadows via Tollcross to Lothian road, it's not that bad, in so far as the roads are wide and the crossing is signalised, but not exactly fun. You will need to be confident changing lanes etc. Several people on here do that daily, but if I was just starting, I'd be tempted to at least try an alternate route before settling in to a 'normal' route. (Maybe its just me, but once i've started going a particular route it takes a lot to make me change)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. gembo
    Member

    From festival square you can cut through via all bar one to conference centre then gardeners crescent to Lochrin basin.

    Alternate universe if QBC worked that would be a route, up from Cameron toll to kings buildings then down to meadows

    Quite a few options really

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. Roibeard
    Member

    I'm in the area and commute up to the Meadows from Gilmerton - I'd be happy taking a detour to chum you up the route if you fancy some company.

    Hybrids are well regarded as a commuter, but don't fear Lothian Buses - the bus lanes are actually your friend.

    The bad news is that you're likely to have a bit of a climb on the way home - "down Kirk Brae" means up Kirk Brae on the homeward stretch! There's no shame in walking up the hill, perhaps progressively trying to get further up before dismounting...

    Enjoy!

    Robert

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. newtoit
    Member

    Thanks, I think I'll try the various routes so I can have some variety in my life! I'm not looking forward to the uphill rides as the end of the day, but I definitely need the exercise...

    What is QBC, gembo?

    Posted 10 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    "What is QBC"

    Now there's a question.

    New readers start here.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  12. Morningsider
    Member

    Hi Newtoit - I commuted to the city centre from Gilmerton way for a few years. I would suggest Kirk Brae - Mayfield Rd/Causewayside and then hang a keft into the Meadows (North Meadow Walk) and out onto Brougham St, Earl Grey St and Lothian Road. Probably the most direct route, pretty quiet apart from the inevitable busyness of Lothian Road.

    Kirk Brae is a bit of a killer on the way back, but just skip to a very low gear and trundle up it.

    Do try and get the best bike you can afford, you won't regret investing a few extra quid. Also, make sure it is the right size - don't just order something without having had the opportunity to sit on it - as an incorrectly sized bike is uncomfortable to ride and may well put you off for good.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  13. Uberuce
    Member

    Kirk Brae is a scumbag, even more so because of the junction at its base. I know I would not have ridden that until I had incrementally worked my way up the cyclist confidence ladder: off-road routes, back streets, off-peak main streets and then the full bhoona of rush hour A-road.

    It might be that I'm a big scaredy cat, but I'd not want to have that junction on day one. The simplest option(until you've got some more miles in your legs) is to take advantage of the fact that you can transform near-instantly into a pedestrian and just use the crossing.

    The hill itself just means you'll have to use the inner ring at the front. It's good at that kinda thing.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  14. cb
    Member

    The Cyclestreet quiet route looks not bad:

    http://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net/journey/37797191/

    I might also be inclined to zigzag through the Grange (perhaps via the Astley Aisnlie) to the top of Leamington Terrace and then do the Balanced route at this link...

    http://edinburgh.cyclestreets.net/journey/37797221/

    ...which takes you on the route that Gembo described.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  15. Snowy
    Member

    Hi, newtoit.
    Similar suggestion to Morningsider but if you want to avoid Tollcross...

    ... a pleasant route along North Meadow Walk, up Chalmers St, then down Lady Lawson Street and then Grindlay Street to pop out beside the Usher Hall.

    (return via Lauriston St > Lauriston Gardens back to Meadows due to one way streets)

    Enjoy the ride!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  16. allebong
    Member

    Welcome.

    Plenty of good advice given about the route, not something I can help you with much though. For the bike 7 miles is reasonable to do on a hybrid, especially given the state of the roads around here, and if you want to go somewhat off road at times.

    Of the two bikes you mentioned I'd steer away from the Carrera due to that suspension fork - it's a heavy waste on that sort of bike and will likely cause many maintenance headaches down the line. The Voodoo looks like a great choice for the money. Disc brakes are excellent for commuting especially in worse weather.

    For commuting there are a few basically essential accessories. I know the feeling of splashing out on a decent bike and then having to spend yet more again on extras but they will make your commutes considerably nicer. First up, if you have any ambition to keep going when bad weather really hits, is full mudguards. I can't overstate the benefits they offer - as well as keeping the fine Edinburgh road filth off you they will drastically extend the life of the bike and its delicate parts. Lights/reflectives are also obviously needed when the darkness rolls in but you could put those off for a bit yet. Rack and pannier are also great for carrying stuff but you may prefer a backpack. I commute 3 miles each day in normal clothes but to be honest 7 would make me wear the cycle specific ones - nothing fancy, basic padded shorts and a synthetic jersey will get you going while the summer is still here.

    Few smaller things - bottle/cages, bar ends (really great for improving comfort), puncture repair kit + tubes, basic tools and the like. Rather intimidating shopping list, now that I've typed it out, so look at it as an investment. Once you're got the stuff you're set to go in the knowledge you won't be stopped by punctures/bad weather/discomfort. It'll pay off and before you know it you'll be looking to get a weekend fun bike as a change from the commuter ;)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  17. Snowy
    Member

    And the old chestnut - if you haven't done it for a while - practice changing your inner tube at home 2 or 3 times. It'll mean you are three times faster when you inevitably have to do it at the roadside sometime in the (hopefully distant) future.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  18. Smudge
    Member

    and when the time comes to change tyres, or earlier if you like, get tyres with puncture proofing. I favour Schwalbe marathons, other brands/types are available and other people prefer other types, but I'd rather have a few extra grammes in the tyres than faff about sorting punctures personally.
    (he says touching wood, crossing fingers and setting down offerings and incantations to keep the puncture fairy away!)

    Oh and visit a PY to have a look at what people are riding and get a range of (conflicting?) advice ;-)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  19. cc
    Member

    After your bike the next most important thing is a good lock, the best you can afford.

    As for routes, the one which I was going to suggest is pretty much the cyclestreets.net quiet route which cb posted.

    Pay attention to the cyclestreets.net routes as they can tell you about little cut-throughs, offroad paths and quiet roads. These are the joyful places to cycle in Edinburgh, at least for me.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  20. Charterhall
    Member

    You'll also need space for your n+1 bike ;)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  21. newtoit
    Member

    Thanks for replying, folks.

    I think I'm going to start off with that route down Middle Meadow Walk and out by the Usher hall, see how it goes. Will try and vary routes on the way back to start with.

    Found out that I don't have to use the voucher in Halfords, there's a whole load of other shops I can use too so I will now have to investigate them!

    Cyclestreets seems like a good site, it's definitely going in my bookmarks. The QBC is utterly ridiculous, I can't believe they consider that to be "quality".

    The flat seems quit handy for bike storage, think the better half would kill me if I kept it in the flat but we have a handy store cupboard in the stairwell for each flat which is lockable, room for his n' hers...

    Thanks for all your help

    Posted 10 years ago #

  22. LaidBack
    Member

    From a gradient point of view going south I almost always use Gilmerton and then Mount Vernon or Ellens Glen to cut over.
    Running into town the bus lane up Minto St is easy work once you get used to the buses. As oft commented the LRT drivers are ok although you do have to work with them.
    Lauder Rd is nice and broad if you want to avoid QBC. You do have afew non-signalled junctions though. Anyway, whatever route you choose I hope you get on well.

    Posted 10 years ago #

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