I've benefited muchly from kindness/assistance of forumers in recent days. Chdot kindly helped me get my hybrid bike rideable again, but Laidback has now spoiled me for any other bike by letting me try the tandem for a morning commute.
Very pleased to report that the Helios Circe is a joy to ride. I love the hub gears, even though I kept forgetting which lever was up and which was down. And I kept forgetting and shifting while cycling even though I didn't need to. Why does anyone use a derailler for city cycling???? Never again! I made it up Merchiston Ave with stoker weighing in at 18kg and didn't need the lowest gear! And somehow hit exactly the right gear for that long slow uphill from Causewayside to Marchmont Rd that has caused me so much grief in the past. I have never felt I was in the right gear for that on my old hybrid.
While riding I was aware of the extra length of the bike, but didn't find it a problem. It is a little low going up over kerbs though. And I definitely noticed the length/weight while trying to lean it up against walls/take it through doors/gates etc. Of course none of this was helped by having my D-lock (unused since 2001) in a rear pannier (can't let a bike not my own be stolen!!). But it is do-able, even by me and I'm short , lightweight and not over-endowed with upper-body strength.
On a more general note, I'd forgotten how annoying it is to have cars in ASLs - although had one nice one slowly follow me down Salisbury Road as I coasted towards a red light and it didn't try to overtake! Potholes as bad as everyone said -- especially the Dalkeith Road end of Salisbury Rd, and a horrendous one in the middle of Holy Corner that I nearly hit at a really bad angle because cars coming the other way were edging at me in a nasty way.
Feels fabulous to be back on bike, getting a wee bit of exercise for the first time in months, and -- best of all -- on a bike that actually fits me, and feels good to ride.
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