Cycling UK Forum

Sudden loss of power shouldn't result in a fall, but a throttle contolled e-assist would completely remove that risk.

Yes, I felt that that would be the case, & in fact one of my reasons for suggesting a 2 wheeler is that I think she might find she can ride one fine - her son has recently bought her a 2 wheeled folder (make as yet frustratingly unidentified so it could be awful!) She wants to cycle short distances on the flat to improve her fitness, so a throttle assist may not be the answer in her particular case, although I can see it could be very good for someone who wanted to cycle further.

Stabilisers fundamentally change the way a bike handles, so caution is required.

Yes, and I think a trike would need a different riding style too. I must say I wouldn't fancy using stabilisers much myself, but was hoping they might be a useful intermediate step, and cheaper and less difficult to store and lift than a trike given her particular circumstances. But perhaps I'm being over optimistic? I might wait until the folder arrives & suggest she splash out some money on stabilisers to try them - it would be less of an outlay than a three wheeler, and where we live in mid Wales there isn't much chance to give one a test ride.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/22VQM33

Got to this too late unfortunately,

Done but with two Bromptons and a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket its difficult to cover all three within the limitations of the survey.

Worth thinking about the different geographical characteristics. European bikes such as Bromptons are designed primarily for bike/rail travel; US ones such as Bike Friday primarily for bike/plane travel and Asian such as Dahon primarily for storing in the limited space of a typical apartment (not taken on trains or planes). With that home market usage overlay the reasons for the differences in design become obvious. I have one Brompton for work use in combined train/bike travel, one for family outings by train or car and the Bike Friday for travelling by car or plane where I want a good road bike with me at the destination for exercise/leisure.

This is a useful observation for understanding the different characteristics of folders. I have a Bike Friday for touring / flying & a Brompton for city use incorporating train/bus/tube as required. I owned 3 cheaper folding bikes before I invested in these, which have proved by far the best for my particular needs - well worth the extra expense and quality as they do a lot of miles and get folded a lot. I've toured on the Bike Friday in Europe & Asia, & the paintwork is tough as old boots too which is a real help!

Does anyone have any experience of using stabilisers on an adult's bike? A friend's elderly mother is keen to get back into light cycling, but is concerned that a missing kneecap will mean she'll suddenly lose pedal power & fall off the bike. She's thinking of a small wheeled folding trike, but these seem very heavy (& beyond her budget if folding,) and, given her limited storage space and need to get the thing into a car I've been thinking that perhaps stabilisers on a two wheeler might be a better answer. Any thoughts / experience / suggestions amongst the forum?

Second that. My Roughstuff is the nicest bike I've ever ridden, & the paintwork is absolutely bombproof - it's got a strangely rubbery finish & even dropping it down the corner of a pebbledash wall barely scratched it.

Thanks Spicerack - that's what I wanted to hear! I know luggage space is a bit limited on those trains but haven't been on one for a while so was worried they might have really tightened up. But sounds as thought they'll probably be reasonable so that's good! I did do a search for a previous thread but was obviously asking the wrong question - I'll have another try

Thanks - do you think they'll haul us up at check-in for the size of the bags though?

We're just about to leave for a fully laden trip down the Danube on our 20" wheel folders when I belatedly discover this on the Eurostar website:

If you’ve got an adult ticket, you can take a maximum of 2 bags with you on the train. That’s as long as each item is no longer than 85cm. You can also take one small item of hand luggage.

We can put the 4 panniers each into laundry bags (already a bit dicey in size) but the bikes are a bit over that size in their bags Does anyone know how strict they are likely to be on the 6.50am Friday train to Bruxelles?

Another vote for Bike Friday and Airnimal: I have a BF New World Tourist, my wife has an Airnimal Chameleon. Both terrific bikes in their way, both have a quick fold that'll easily get them into a car boot or a shoulder bag, and both are available in sizes to suit 6ft+.

+1 for Bike Friday. I've ridden my Pocket Llama on many tours with mine, fully loaded & including Vietnam with all its unsealed rocky mountain passes. (It is also fantastic in busy SE Asian cities where you need to e able to see in the flow of traffic & be really manoeuvrable.) I can't speak highly enough of it. More expensive but you can find them second hand in good nick, totally worth it imho

Right, that makes sense, I'll call them in advance then to make sure. There's always a field somewhere if nothing better comes up!

Great, thanks for that!

Anyone know of a simple ish campsite in this area for 2 small tents camping this week? Nothing online or marked on the map as far as we can see. (This plea is an addition to the fantastic response for routes to Meriden this weekend - thanks all!)

Wow! Thanks so much for your responses. I also had a useful reply from the Meriden Rally organiser, so between all these we should be able to find the right route. I'm away for a few days, but as soon as I get a chance I'll check out your suggestions in detail & get back to you if I need any further info. This forum is so good!

Three of us will be cycling from mid Wales to Meriden for the 100th Anniversary in May. We've sorted a route as far as Ludlow, but are trying to figure out a quiet route from there to Meriden, probably via Kidderminster or Droitwich, or points in between. The Sustrans routes don't seem very direct - does anyone have any suggestions? (Bearing in mind we'll have full camping kit & one of us will be towing a dog in a trailer so locked gates & cycle path barriers might be a problem!) Thanks a lot, I don't know the Birmingham area so advice much appreciated.

No better way to learn a language!

I'd happily have a complete bike from Spa at 30% less than the price of just a frame from Roberts.

Understandable, but as I don't change tourers very often (had the last one for 30 years) I fully expect that this Roughstuff will last me for the rest of my cycling life, & the incomparable comfort, sure handling & load carrying make it really worth it for me. Horses for courses really, just depends on what people need at any given time.