Train Transport of S40

[jrs665]

Awaiting a cruzbike S40. Will it be identical to transport on a train as a diamand frame bike having similar wheelbase and 700 wheels, or is there more to it?

[mjr]

It'll go in the roll-on-roll-off spaces on some Greater Anglia (Stadler Flirt), refurbished Crosscountry (Turbostar), Thameslink (Siemens Desiro City) no problem, so I suspect it would also be OK on other Siemens Desiro trains (Northern, London NorthWestern and I forget who else) and refurbished Turbostars.

You'll probably be OK on the Electrostars used on Southern, Great Northern and others, and I think the Turbos on Chiltern and GWR, where bikes just get left in the unused doorways. The pedal won't fit in the holder on most Aventras (Greater Anglia London commuter services, West Midlands, some others) but I think it might lean in the bike space OK.

It will only fit in half the spaces on the refurbished 455s on Southwestern Railway suburban services because the leading crank will prevent the front wheel fitting in the slot (bikes are told to alternate nose-tail and be strapped). Last time I saw them, some GWR local diesel services also had wheelbenders. I think it may be OK in the racks on SWR London-Portsmouth/Southampton services.

I think it won't fit properly in unrefurbished Turbostar (some Crosscountry, some East Midlands, some TfW, some others) units because of the lack of a suitable crossbar to hang it from, but not all guards complain about a bike leaning underneath the hanger.

I'm not sure whether the leading crank will be a problem with hanging the bike up on the wheelhangers of the new Hitachi Intercity Expresses (LNER, GWR, some Avanti, some East Midlands, some Transpennine) but why should you be exempt from the problems regular bikes suffer?

[a.twiddler]

If the OP might consider removeable pedals, at least for trips involving trains, perhaps that might give more options?
I doubt that folding pedals would be rigid or durable enough for any distance, but removeable ones might be. I haven't any experience of them myself, but it's something I might consider.

[OldBloke]

If the OP might consider removeable pedals, at least for trips involving trains, perhaps that might give more options?
I doubt that folding pedals would be rigid or durable enough for any distance, but removeable ones might be. I haven't any experience of them myself, but it's something I might consider.

MKS folding pedals are very strong. I use these https://www.mkspedal.com/?q=en/product/node/457

OB

[a.twiddler]

MKS pedals seem well made, and I had a pair of FD-7s on my Spirit to save space in my crowded garage. Strangely, though, I found my left foot tending to rotate outwards by about 30 degrees on long day rides, when they became uncomfortable, rather than staying more or less vertical. There was no play in the bearings, but there was a tiny amount of movement in the folding mechanism. I think that it might have been that, combined the fairly small serrations of the pedal, which caused this to happen. When I sold my trike, which gave me more space, I fitted an old pair of MKS non folding BMX pedals to the Spirit, and it's been fine since. The pedals in the link, having more aggressive serrations, might overcome this problem too.

I like the idea of being able to fold the pedals on a bike where the cranks protrude at the front, as even when parking, it can minimise the likelihood of bashing them on something or causing annoyance to passers-by. Folding pedals have the disadvantage of not having the bearings at each end of the spindle, so if not well made, can soon develop wear which exaggerates any play due to the less than ideal mechanical design. This is why cheap folding pedals tend to be a bit pants and limited to short distance use on folding bikes. The MKS design seems better made. I might have a try of the pedals linked to, myself.

Mechanically, detachable pedals are probably a better design (and a theft deterrent) but to me,at least, the thought of taking bits off your bike which sods law dictates you will lose or be unable to find when you are a bit harrassed and in a hurry in the middle of nowhere, doesn't appeal as much.

[mjr]

I think the leading cranks may be more of an obstacle than the pedals.

[Grldtnr]

How hard is it to spanner of the pedals , I do swap my pedals around a lot , never do them up over tight , just nip them in a handy 15mm spanner ,then they are off.