On Your Bike!

[Sir Shep]

So firstly apologies if there is already a cycling thread out there but I couldn't see one so please don't be too harsh if there is a I rarely start threads!

 

Anyway I'm sure many of you like to cycle so can give advice to someone who owns a  bike but rarely uses it, mainly because I can't do much with my dogs on it but also because I'm a tad on the lazy side! 

 

I'm particularly interested in getting an electrical bicycle that I could use to get to and from work with little effort and hopefully cut down on my car use, mostly to save money but also help to do my bit.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Ta. 

[goose2010]

I have a E-Bike. Well its a E Mountain bike but all use a similar technology. 

 

If you are just looking for a commuter bike i would look at a hybrid with either a fixed folk or one with a front suspension depending on what you are cycling on. And when i mean that cycle paths next to the road are usually quite bumpy and your forearms / shoulders will really appreciate a bit of bounce! 

 

Like everything else in the world bikes are currently very limited on stock as companies are struggling for parts / shipping etc. 

 

The biggest stumbling block is price. You can pay anything from 1k - 15k these days! 

 

Halfords do a couple of great ones if it is just for commuting and then you can obviously look at places like Rutland Cycles but there you are probably looking at 3k plus.... 

 

I got one as i am a keen mountain biker and basically shattered my knee playing football. I lost that power and couldn't keep up with my mates on the uphills. The E bike literally changed my biking life you get you rest in going uphill! 

 

 

 

 

[MustardTiger]

E-bikes are for wusses!  Leg power! 

 

I'll race you up the Ashby road hill 

 

I don't get e-bikes. You have to charge them up using electricity, they do the hard work for you so you don't get as much of the exercise element and they cost a bomb.

 

Aren't they key reasons for using a bike - environment, exercise and economy?

[goose2010]

3 minutes ago, MustardTiger said:

E-bikes are for wusses!  Leg power! 

 

I'll race you up the Ashby road hill 

 

I don't get e-bikes. You have to charge them up using electricity, they do the hard work for you so you don't get as much of the exercise element and they cost a bomb.

 

Aren't they key reasons for using a bike - environment, exercise and economy?

some would say that people that think this about e-bikes just simply cannot afford them and are missing out on the fun 

 

Honestly unless you can see at 25kph going up hill you wouldnt keep up with an ebike. 

 

As i said in my post they have helped me get back out on a bike and keep up with my mates. 

 

when i got mine about 3 years ago they were quite rare at trail centres now they are probably a 50/50 split.  

 

We can get round the loop at cannock chase twice now so for me e-bikes = twice the fun. 

 

And you say about exercise you as basically doing the same just quicker. 

[fuchsntf]

3 hours ago, MustardTiger said:

E-bikes are for wusses!  Leg power! 

 

I'll race you up the Ashby road hill 

 

I don't get e-bikes. You have to charge them up using electricity, they do the hard work for you so you don't get as much of the exercise element and they cost a bomb.

 

Aren't they key reasons for using a bike - environment, exercise and economy?

So because you are at this Moment a superman, you deny others, some Basic training.Possibility  of getting into the country,Enjoy cycle paths.

Even still have a Chance to Take Part in Adventure trails vor Mountain bikes, because of Illness or any health reason...

You Dont seem to know much about this world..und ist complications, a sort of Maggie Thatcher who introduced the "Me" World has acceptable...I

 

Let me tell you young man/ or old man...

I Travelled/trekked even worked/ also VSO every corner of this world.Until I 42.. Since I was a Child loved a Good cycle,

over normal roads/towns and over Hills & dales..

Then it happened....!! For the 2nd time..( At 23 I had to give up high Performance sport)

From 42yrs of age,First took the pain, until I decided I couldnt and wouldnt Take the Recovery period anymore 3-4 days....

 

Then with grateful tears in My eyes, ( & some also my kids consider me a Bit of an hard barsteward)  a couple of German Colleges introduced

Me to the pedelec / Electric bike...It allowed me to again to Enjoy the country,do some Cross Hill connections,But Making Great  1-10 day River Tours

around Europe...After I thought i had to totally  sacrifice part of my life of Hiking & trekking, the Pedelec,through First rent then Investing in buying one

of decent quality ,it gave me nearly another 20yrs of manouverability & exciting interfacing with nature..Plus over my perspective travels, I come across various

Nationals of various groups...Some normal cyclists who could Take their friends, who also had Health difficulties

 

So who are the wuzzes...The Ones who arrogantly brags about their fitness prowess, or who those struggling, through no fault of their own,get on with with life

& Take up the challenges life throws at them....and I aint talking about myself,

but those who really have grabbed their lives by the balls, with their own personal health issues...

Now once I moved to the wheelchair, I have also been positively suprised what " up and about"  adventure travels W.Chairs Bound Users get up to..

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SystonFox]

I started the original cycling thread in 2014? I believe?

 

8 years on and I’ve upgraded to a full carbon 105 group set bike. Love cycling. Love reading about it. Love the temptation to upgrade to dura ace di2 or spunk more money on a bike than I would a second hand car but alas the wife will never forgive me.

 

also in reality it may get me an extra 0.5mph on my average speed which isn’t worth £8k!

 

some great routes out the back of syston/goscote/beeby way. Roads for days and minimal cars. Cafe ventoux is a staunch favourite of mine

[Zear0]

8 hours ago, Sir Shep said:

So firstly apologies if there is already a cycling thread out there but I couldn't see one so please don't be too harsh if there is a I rarely start threads!

 

Anyway I'm sure many of you like to cycle so can give advice to someone who owns a  bike but rarely uses it, mainly because I can't do much with my dogs on it but also because I'm a tad on the lazy side! 

 

I'm particularly interested in getting an electrical bicycle that I could use to get to and from work with little effort and hopefully cut down on my car use, mostly to save money but also help to do my bit.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Ta. 

My dad did the same as he was looking for something to help him commute from Birstall to Country Hall and went for an e-bike and he loves it.  Side bonus is that he can join me on weekend rides and we both get an equal experience as we'd never be able to cycle together both on normal bikes without one of us having a compromised ride.  If you're not into, or struggle with, the physical demands of cycling they're brilliant as it enables you to go on longer rides which might be outside your physical ability.  This was a few years ago now, but we even went on a cycling holiday to the alps together and it was amazing and enable by the e-bike.  It's these experiences that the e-bike enabled that just make me laugh at the predictable ignorant comments regarding them that I'm disappointed, but completely unsurprised, to read here.

 

As other people have mentioned, stock is still scarce so you're best bet is to go to bike shops and see what's available.  Halfords offer a decent trial period on the bikes so you can find the one that's right for you and there are loads of great independent bike shops to visit.  I've never once experiences a bike shop owner not want to help people find a bike.  They're exclusively people with a passion for it.

[pleatout]

Not got any advice on e bikes.  I still use old fashioned legs  but random thoughts from me as a commuter.

 

Stop thinking like a motorist - use estate roads, parks, cycle paths.  Go around hills not over them.   The quickest route in a car isnt the quickest on a bike.

Dress like an explosion in a paint factory.  Being "cool" in all black and dead isnt a good look.

Get a light for the front and back and another and another see above

Add extra time for the trip to and from.  And give in to "I wonder where that goes"

Always dress as though it is slightly warmer than it actually is.

Dont cycle to work when it's raining.  There are few more unpleasant feelings than putting wet kit back on to go home.

 

[MustardTiger]

1 hour ago, fuchsntf said:

So because you are at this Moment a superman, you deny others, some Basic training.Possibility  of getting into the country,Enjoy cycle paths.

Even still have a Chance to Take Part in Adventure trails vor Mountain bikes, because of Illness or any health reason...

You Dont seem to know much about this world..und ist complications, a sort of Maggie Thatcher who introduced the "Me" World has acceptable...I

 

Let me tell you young man/ or old man...

I Travelled/trekked even worked/ also VSO every corner of this world.Until I 42.. Since I was a Child loved a Good cycle,

over normal roads/towns and over Hills & dales..

Then it happened....!! For the 2nd time..( At 23 I had to give up high Performance sport)

From 42yrs of age,First took the pain, until I decided I couldnt and wouldnt Take the Recovery period anymore 3-4 days....

 

Then with grateful tears in My eyes, ( & some also my kids consider me a Bit of an hard barsteward)  a couple of German Colleges introduced

Me to the pedelec / Electric bike...It allowed me to again to Enjoy the country,do some Cross Hill connections,But Making Great  1-10 day River Tours

around Europe...After I thought i had to totally  sacrifice part of my life of Hiking & trekking, the Pedelec,through First rent then Investing in buying one

of decent quality ,it gave me nearly another 20yrs of manouverability & exciting interfacing with nature..Plus over my perspective travels, I come across various

Nationals of various groups...Some normal cyclists who could Take their friends, who also had Health difficulties

 

So who are the wuzzes...The Ones who arrogantly brags about their fitness prowess, or who those struggling, through no fault of their own,get on with with life

& Take up the challenges life throws at them....and I aint talking about myself,

but those who really have grabbed their lives by the balls, with their own personal health issues...

Now once I moved to the wheelchair, I have also been positively suprised what " up and about"  adventure travels W.Chairs Bound Users get up to..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes.

[fuchsntf]

6 minutes ago, MustardTiger said:

Yes.

I'll Take your Yes for all sides...

You still should also be proud, if you are Keeping up your fitness...or any level that helps to Keep you moving..

I just wanted to show other perspectives