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Chalky. |
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 Chalky. World Chat Champion
Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Karma :  
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Monkeypony |
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 Monkeypony World Chat Champion

Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :  
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 Posted: 12:30 - 11 Mar 2015 Post subject: Re: I needs me a push bike |
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Chalky. wrote: | Want to get a pushbike to cycle to work, 3.5 miles each way.
At the moment I have a very old steel framed bicycle, it's shit and heavy and the gears are about fucked.
I want to travel as quickly as possible on my new steed - what shall I get? Should I get a bike with the curved handlebars? Or flat handlebars? The roads are country lanes, one car width at some points. All tarmac.
Any old second hand racer style bike?
Those of you who cycle to work, do you have workwear waiting for you ready to put on? |
For a 3.5 mile ride, any old piece of shit will do, in fact, the heavier and more awful the bike, the better the exercise.
However, if you're planning on doing longer rides, or actually enjoying the experience of cycling, I'd be looking at avoiding anything with any suspension, and making sure whatever I picked had skinny tyres rather than bulky off road ones with a high rolling resistance.
As for flat or drop bars, it's entirely up to what you're comfortable with. I'd always recommend drops as it gives you more options for your body position if you're going to be spending a while in the saddle.
I'm lucky and have changing rooms and showers at work where I can leave my work wear, It's a lot less hassle than dragging it back and forth every day. ____________________ Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU) |
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Baffler186 |
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 Baffler186 World Chat Champion

Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :   
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 Posted: 13:00 - 11 Mar 2015 Post subject: |
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Depends what the gradients are like, but I always found a good (2nd hand) road bike was much easier up the hills and on the flat. I could never get on with the drop bars so changed them to flats. Those skinny wheels are very hardy, I never hand any problems and only got 1 puncture in about 500 miles of riding.
other option, Hybrid, but will be heavier. Buy cheap road bike and see if you like it, then if you get into it more, buy better one ____________________ Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic |
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Tungtvann |
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 Tungtvann World Chat Champion

Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Karma :  
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Chalky. |
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 Chalky. World Chat Champion
Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Karma :  
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 Posted: 14:07 - 11 Mar 2015 Post subject: |
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Monkeypony |
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 Monkeypony World Chat Champion

Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :  
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 Posted: 14:09 - 11 Mar 2015 Post subject: |
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In short. Yes. Great bikes with virtually no maintenance. ____________________ Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU) |
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Baffler186 |
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 Baffler186 World Chat Champion

Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :   
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stinkwheel |
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 stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist

Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :    
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 Posted: 14:25 - 11 Mar 2015 Post subject: |
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What is your old bike?
For 3.5 miles, you could probably go single speed unless there are some serious hills, ditching a whole load of weight and complexity in the process.
I ride an old 70's puch road bike with a bog basic "gas pipe" steel frame I got at the car boot sale for £35. Single speed conversion, alloy rims, alloy seatpost and more modern tyres made it a hell of a lot lighter. North road bars and a long-nose saddle took care of the comfort. I'd happily do a 3.5 mile commute on it ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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Monkeypony |
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 Monkeypony World Chat Champion

Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Karma :  
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 Posted: 14:25 - 11 Mar 2015 Post subject: |
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Having said that, If I was spending that sort of money and was after flat bars, I'd probably go for something like this:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPFBTIA/planet-x-pro-carbon-shimano-tiagra-flat-bar
There really is a fuck-ton of choice for your budget, but if you're only ever going to go a max distance of 3.5 miles, is it really worth the money? ____________________ Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU) |
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Tungtvann |
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 Tungtvann World Chat Champion

Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Karma :  
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Chalky. |
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 Chalky. World Chat Champion
Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Karma :  
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 Posted: 09:09 - 12 Mar 2015 Post subject: |
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Seb |
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 Seb World Chat Champion

Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Karma :   
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 Posted: 09:28 - 12 Mar 2015 Post subject: |
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And on the flipside, I got a fancy £1700ish road bike to inspire me to ride more which it did in a big way. Imo that money was spent on my health, not just a shiny bike
Back on topic:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSFB/planet-x-xls-shimano-tiagra-flat-bar-road-bike
Another PlanetX recommendation, very much the same vein as the Pro road flatbar linked above but a little more commute friendly with all weather brakes and more clearance for mudguards etc.
As for the Roux, it'll be a hassle free bike but that does nothing for me, it's going to be as heavy, soggy and uninspiring as the bike it's replacing. A waste of £750 given the circumstances if you ask me. ____________________ 2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST |
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stinkwheel |
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 stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist

Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :    
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 Posted: 16:24 - 12 Mar 2015 Post subject: |
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Dat some hell of a bike.
Ok. You COULD single speed it (the frame would work, has semi-horizontal dropouts) but it's on small wheels which limits options. Also them forks!
Yeah, you're right, I'd probably look for something else.
I personally like (but don't have because I prefer pissing around and tinkering) genesis bikes which use steel frames and are sensible, robust bikes.
They do one called a "smithfield" which is a tough, hub geared, town bike. Bit on the dear side.
I particularly like their "flyer" which is a single speed road bike. Will take mudguards and comes with a set of classic shallow drop bars with hoods for lots of hand positions. Could easily be replaced with flats and straight brake levers.
For a 3.5 mile each way run, you could ride almost anything. If I were in your place, I'd get down to my local cycle recycling cooperative and see what frames they have in that are a bit unusual, look good and fit well. Then I'd make myself either a single speed or a hub-gear road commuter bike. Next road bike I make for myself will probably have a hub gear and coaster brake. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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G |
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 G The Voice of Reason
Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :     
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Chalky. |
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 Chalky. World Chat Champion
Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Karma :  
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 10 years, 50 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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