Cycling UK Forum

What would be best for the job of hauling say deliveries around relatively flat urban/suburban areas, a cargo bike or a road bike with decent open trailer? The latter is prob the cheaper option, plus you have a more rideable bike when you're not 'working'. What advantages does the cargobike have?

Excellent feedback, thanks all. G

I just had the brilliant brainwave to google Sora flatbar shifters (durr) and can see that they are available.
But if anyone has any useful tips on making the switch with this set up then go ahead...

Is it possible to convert a drop bar road bike equipped with Sora drivetrain to flat bars? Can you get the changers?
Any advice welcome. G

ditto the workstand - really excellent value.

sorry engage eyes and brain before typing: just saw post above recommending same book by Tim MOORE.

Tim Moore wrote a good book about riding the Peace race route on an East German shopper: The Cyclist Who Went Out In The Cold.

A couple of bits of advice given to me many years ago that I found helpful:
Take in the top and select the gear you want to be in when you get there. Ideally you don't want to want to be changing on the ascent.
Stay in the saddle for as long as you can.
Pedal heels down, hands together in the centre of the bars, for a long drag up.
If you come to the end of your rope and the road is quiet and visibility good then zigzag your way up to take the sting out of the gradient.

I live in flattish Suffolk and when I go somewhere very hilly I find myself pointlessly attacking hills. That's ok in Suffolk where you might not see another for an hour or two. I notice that local riders in hill country peg up them patiently!

Interesting feedback and observations. I think I should start a log and see see what happens here in the Far East (Anglia). Thanks everyone.

I too find that it has been worth buying liner gloves. It gives you the flexibility of using medium weight gloves when it's not that cold or wearing with the liners when it is brass monkeys. Plus, if you or the weather warms up, just take the liner pair off and pop them in your pocket...

We hear a lot about trends in temperature and also rainfall but not so much about wind. Is the UK getting windier - or is just me?
(Not me getting windier - that goes with age - I mean the weather... )

Very helpful, thanks everyone for your input. G

I'm in the habit of recharging my cat eye front light 'periodically'. However I recently got caught out when it abruptly ran out of juice while I was out in the dark lanes.
I've always resisted putting it on charge at any opportunity in the belief that it's not good for battery life and/or it reduces its capacity.
But am I out of date: does it matter how much I plug it in, eg into my p.c. when at work?

An interesting discussion as ever with fellow CTC members.
Re the path bike, were they used more on an outdoor track than an indoor wood block surface?
Another thought occurs to me: cinders anyone?
https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/searc ... ction=view

What was a path bike, in the olden days?