Cycling UK Forum

Hi guys,
Any useful tips please.
Am looking to replace my old Shimano MT 21c shoes with a winter warm flat shoe alternative, I ride toe clips and am a 'weekend' cyclist.
in case anyone is offloading a pair my size is 45.
thanks

Thanks for that, an interesting option. Not seen that one before.
Don't think it's quite for me though,
happy tandeming !

suggestions please,
I am looking to fit out my wife's bike to power assist for our weekend jaunts, up to 50 miles.
I bought the Cytronex system, about 5 years ago which works fine for me., the range and power seems enough.
We both ride quality steel bikes,Thorn, which weigh in at around 12.5kg.
Maybe there are newer products on the market worth looking at, or other ideas, any suggestions please.
many thanks
Alan

Thank you for news from the continent, we used to be a part of europe, maybe we will be again !
I think the homeless person is being very resourceful.
Enjoy your cycling and best wishes

yes more good points.
I do know some of the cycling groups here and certainly the recent election result, we returned 3 green councillors in BaNES and Lib Dem's are strong, should help.
In the past, initiatives by Transition Bath, have been kicked into the grass, but think there may be change in the air. Bath has improved in some regards e.g Clean Air, and some cycle paths.
I have a friend in Road cc who are based here, and I will see if they would add their voice.
Cyclists are very good at lobbying, but it needs to be clear what for.
In asking the question on this site, for me,it was to find what other places have achieved to broaden my appreciation of what might work..
My intention is to contact other people and groups to see what are their thoughts and ideas...
keep it coming..
thanks

So many anecdotes, links and examples since I posed the question, thanks,... where to start...!
Clearly our mainland European neighbours invest far more in cycling infrastructure than we do here. Cycling as an activity is embedded there as an integral part of transport, as well as recreation, the same is not (yet) true here.
However, there do seem to be many initiatives here in different cities trying out schemes with varying degrees of success.

My city, Bath, could I think be persuaded to try a small scale secure parking area but not sure,at this moment what would work.
It seems very difficult to prevent all thefts, but other issues as highlighted by your contributions are all significant... location, free or paying,
security, access and so on.
Cycling comes in so many shapes and sizes,sport, e bike, commuter, shopper, families,cargo etc.who to cater for ?
feel sure this conversation will continue.
Thanks

Hi
Thanks for your Leeds info.
And a useful reminder that sadly theft is real even with a decent lock.
I am forming a picture that different authorities are very different in their commitment to cyclists...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LDLQ6dGj0U
This is my favourite,so far..but it is Japan...

Great, will do thanks
A

Thank you so much for these examples of schemes with secure parking.
I live near Bath and am interested to see if a scheme might be viable here.
The city centre is being emptied of a lot of shops and as a result there is no shortage of space.
Although the whole issue of city centre regeneration is still unclear.
Because the city and surrounding area is hilly e bikes are also popular here and i see that these too are part of the mix.
We have several bike shops, and I find the idea of a hub combining facilities very compelling.
I hope to put together a case to present to our transport and environmental officers, in the hope that the council will get behind a start up scheme.
thanks again, please keep it coming..
A

Ok, seems after a morning of trying things out to have worked out my brake problem.
My bike is fitted with a Cytronex power assist system.
The axle on the Cytronex front motor drivewheel is made from 12mm material, and machined on two sides with flats to 9mm, to fit the forks.

The front fork ends have 9mm openings and radiused as per normal to take the front axle.
The Cytronex axle (from 12mm) does not sit as far into the fork end as it should and that is enough to misalign the brake pads.
A slight modification to the axle would solve the problem, I will let Cytronex know.
enjoy the bank holiday..

Thanks for the information re Derby, very interesting.
This idea is clearly not without its teething problems.
I hope other folk might join in with their experience of other places.
Some of the European cities have really got behind supporting cyclists, lets hope...
thanks for the links too..
A

Many thanks for all the help.
I've added a side profile photo of the problem brake. It seems to be centred pretty well, but I'm a bit baffled...

The idea is it's manned and locked up...

Not keen to file down the brake hanger..
can certainly try different blocks, these are Aztec.
it's on my 2nd tyre now..hadn't spotted it before, so it's not new..
thanks guys

It would be great to see more secure parking for bikes and e bikes in our cities.
A few cities have taken the lead, Bristol's mud dock, comes to mind, and I believe there are schemes in Edinburgh and London and probably elsewhere.
With city centres needing to re-invent themselves, cycling 'hubs' would seem a good start in re-energising our city centres, creating places to visit, use, socialise and go to work.
The parking hubs could link to,for example, coffee shops, bike sports and book shops, and space for start ups... encouraging people to use their bikes, secure in the knowledge that the bike will still be there when they return...
It would be good to share any thoughts on this topic.