Cycling UK Forum

I have filled in the survey - I was expecting a question on what lights I currently use and perhaps an anyother comments box. As a commuter a rugged and reliable set of indicator lights would be worth having - from the reviews I have read on the few models available none really seem to be quite up to it.

I have has my Trek Soho for just on a year now done approx 4000 miles - no problems except for a couple punctures. Back wheel now Marathon plus tyre and both wheels have green slime smart tubes, been fine since. (Probably get a puncture tomorrow now).

I used to ride a Trice explorer but sold it several years ago after I slipped a disc - clambering in out of it didn't seem like a good idea once my back recovered in case it caused a repeat problem. The original slipped disc was caused by coughing believe it or not.

gilesjuk wrote:

WaterLab Rat wrote:I had a couple of daft overtakes this evening on my way home from work - daft because I was doing 30 in a 30 limit and just for once driving the car. One of the overtaking cars then turned left 100 yards or so further on. Sometimes I really wish I had Jedi powers so I could explode a persons head with a single thought.

It doesn't matter if you were doing 50. You're still a bicycle and must be passed.

I wasn't on my bike - I had taken te car in that day to fill up with cheap petrol and pick a load of wood. I don't think I have a large neon sign permanently above my head that reads 'Cyclist - treat with total disrespect!'

Talking to another colleague at work today. She was saying she was a little envious of my riding in with the lovley weather. So I replied that she should give it go but she felt that 15 miles was a bit far - especially without a shower at work but mostly the fast aggressive nature of the traffic on UK roads was her number one off-putting factor. I agreed that it certainly makes it very difficult to sell the idea to friends and colleagues, particularly some days when you not only get the careless close shaves but the deliberate harrassment as well.

I had a couple of daft overtakes this evening on my way home from work - daft because I was doing 30 in a 30 limit and just for once driving the car. One of the overtaking cars then turned left 100 yards or so further on. Sometimes I really wish I had Jedi powers so I could explode a persons head with a single thought.

The only showers where I work are emergency ones. I am the only regular cycle commuter and everyone says they are impressed that I do a 10mile each way trip. I don't really see myself as the sort of person who can encourage others and generally my colleagues seem locked in the mindset that it just isn't possible for them. One girl did say a while back she was thinking of cycling in because rising petrol costs and I gave the links to the Southampton cycle challenge website and Halfords Carrera Subway 8 as an entry level commuter bike but the subject hasn't come up again. I also said I'd ride in with her when she started.

iconic wrote:Van nic do a belt drive version of the amazon which looks really nice
http://vannicholas.com/27/Amazon_Rohloff/bike.aspx
.

That does indeed look rather lovely - the open framework van nic V in the rear triangle drop out, that's just showing off - nice touch though

I am also looking at the Tout Terrain Metropolitan from Bike Fix and have enquired about a model fitted with the Nuvinci N360. I think Robin was being fair and honest - they don't like or believe in belt drive but he wasn't calling me wrong for liking it. If that's what I want on my next bike it just won't be a Thorn, and the world will continue to turn on it's axis.

I recently made an enquirey to Thorn about whether they would do a Gate belt drive version of a Rohloff equipped Raven. Robin e-mailed me back with Andy's stock response to this question which is quite definite and NO! Robin also asked that I phone him to talk about hub gear options and has now given me something else to think about in the shape of the Nuvinci N360 hub gear. Apparently not that common in the UK but more in use in Europe and the US. Anyone had any experience of it here?

I got the small Yframe earlier this year after considering several trailers. Opted for it because it is a good price - I like Radical trailers but you do pay a premium for them - and I like the fact that it just comes as flet bed that you can add you own load carrying to suit. Still experimenting a bit on that score and hope to make myself a range of cargo carriers to go on it.

I'll add my vote for Lezyne - I particularly like the screw on fitting to the tyre valve.

I have been riding my Trek Soho for nearly a year now and find it hard to concieve of getting a bike with deraileure gears again - and the Soho only has the lowly Nexus 8. I want to get a second bike so that I can have one for leisure rides and one dedicated commuter. I have been looking at Raleigh Alleyway and the Globe Live 3 - though they only seem to be available in the US. The Nichloai Argon TR also looks good and in the Cylce magazine the add for the Tout Terrain Metropolitan caught my eye. Mind you if I had the funds the Co-Motion Americano Rohloff would top the list. The real question for me is Alfine 8, Alfine 11 or splurge out and get Rohloff.

Couple of days ago riding home from work along Romsey Road in Southampton a car passes me with a shout of 'Get off the f***ing road' and the passenger stick his arm out in a one finger salute until the car turned left a few yards ahead. Emboldened by this the next car to pass me does so practically touching my bar end mirror while there is a car coming the other way. In my view both were deliberate attempts to intimidate a cyclist off the road. Hopefully when I take the helmet camera video clip to the police someone will go and have a little chat with them.

I have to admit that since being the victim of a miscarriage of justice because my accuser got two 'independent' witnesses - aka, lying mates - I would be very reluctant to get involved; I really do not want to see the inside of a courtroom again. I hope that if I find myself in a similar situation where there has been actual injury I can find the courage to do the right thing as you did.