Cycling UK Forum

Does anyone know where I'm likely to get a really cheap carry bag for a non-folding Bike?

I've just had another bike stolen from outside uni - the rules DO say that I'm not allowed to bring my bike indoors - but after £120 spent on locks, and two lost bikes (both worth next to nothing to anyone but me), I've fell out with this rule. All the bag needs to do is cover the bike up, whilst I get it through the lobby and up a flight of stairs (obviously, carrying it - I don't expect to still be able to push!!) Cheapest I've found is around £100, and that has hi-density foam, and all fancy bits i don't really need!

Doesn't even have to be a bike bag - if anyone can think of some other kind of bag I could use, I'd be grateful for suggestions!

OR, if anyone can recommend any secure cycle storage in the centre of Coventry, that'd be even greater still!

Would John Atkins shop be too far out for you? They might oblige and let you leave a bike there.?

The missus ran me such a bag up from ripstop nylon. If you're at all handy with a sewing machine or have a tame relative who is, Pennine outdoor sell decent material or just buy some cheapo nylon from the local market.
Remember you'll have to carry the bag with you so don't choose anything too heavy. I addled my brain over a suitable bag for a different use but couldn't think of anything.

John Atkins is Leamington, right? Yeah, a bit. Leaving it at a shop really isn't an option, though - I very often need the bike late at night. But thanks for the suggeston

Glueman, someone suggested that this afternoon. Seems like a huge amount of work though - I don't think I know anyone with a sewing machine tough enough to sew the kind of fabric tough enough to carry a bike! Any hints?

Following on from this, my SO seems to think a folding bike with full size wheels would be better and less hassle. Unfortunately, the only one I like the look of is £600 (I'm a designer - looks are important!) and not being a bike connoisseeur, I don't think it'd be worth spending THAT kind of money on one of MY bikes!

Is the increase in convenience/quality really that significant from my original idea of a small MTB? The first that was stolen was a 16" frame, so it wasn't big to start with - and I could attempt to go smaller. If you take the wheels, bars and pedals off a conventional bike frame and put it upside down in a bag you can't see through, surely it takes someone who really knows bikes to realise what's in the bag anyway?

Does anyone know if there's a cheap folding bike available that doesn't look like a folder or a full suspension mountain bike? (Like the new Dahon Cadenza but cheaper!)

Well last time I used John Atkins it was where it has always been in Far Gosford Street, it is then a short walk up past the Poly toward the council offices, sorry Coventry University, it was always "the Lanch" or Lanchester Polytechnic when I was growing up.....

eileithyia wrote:Well last time I used John Atkins it was where it has always been in Far Gosford Street, it is then a short walk up past the Poly toward the council offices, sorry Coventry University, it was always "the Lanch" or Lanchester Polytechnic when I was growing up.....

Oh right. I didn't know that's what it was called, but I know the one you mean now! I googled it, and it came up with an adress in Leamington!

Mythical wrote:Does anyone know if there's a cheap folding bike available that doesn't look like a folder or a full suspension mountain bike? (Like the new Dahon Cadenza but cheaper!)

I doubt it. Most folders make the rider look like a cartoon character to these conservative eyes (with a small c). Ripstop nylon will go through conventional sewing machines, it ain't leather!
The other option is learn to love a flea market Dawes Kingpin or Raleigh Stowaway.
Maybe the army and navy stores do large bags? Or perhaps buy some plastic tarp material (Ikea kids dept?) and staple the edges? If you want hi-tech in either bag or bike you're gonna have to pay for it. If you just want a cover to keep the concierge off your back anything will do.

Hey, there's an idea - I could sew a couple of those big blue ikea bags together!

Mythical wrote:

eileithyia wrote:Well last time I used John Atkins it was where it has always been in Far Gosford Street, it is then a short walk up past the Poly toward the council offices, sorry Coventry University, it was always "the Lanch" or Lanchester Polytechnic when I was growing up.....

Oh right. I didn't know that's what it was called, but I know the one you mean now! I googled it, and it came up with an adress in Leamington!

Tell 'em Sharon told you about them, on the other hand perhaps not.......

eileithyia wrote:Tell 'em Sharon told you about them, on the other hand perhaps not.......

Bolt the door when they see you comin down the street do they?
heheh....I kave that kind of relationship with a bike shop back home!

If it's the shop I'm thinking about, they'll never let me spend any money - they've always got a way I can fix it for free! Such patient people, too! Maybe now I need a new bike they'll find a way I can get one for free! (here's hoping )

I thought I saw some cycle storage lockers there? Maybe around Armstrong Siddeley and Jaguar? Might have been wrong. May be only for staff anyway? You could try asking the Council - they imply that there is some city-centre storage?

I think my son mentioned that the Far Gosford branch of Atkins was under new ownership.

I had the storage problem when I was at Leeds nearly 30 years ago. The hall warden said "In my garage" - he rented an adjacent one to sublet to students with motorbikes. The cleaners (who mothered us rather) got wind of it somehow and said "In your room, where else?" Happily I was able to please them both - hack in the garage, best bike in my room

Hmm strange that the Far Gosford shop has become called "a branch". This was the original shop owned by the John Atkins of world championship cyclo-x fame and son of Edie of WRRA record breaking fame.

It was bought by a couple of cyclists from the Leam C&AC, hence why there might now be a branch out in Leamington.

For clarity, I knew that John Atkins no longer owned the shops, but I meant that Coventry and Leamington now appear to be going separate ways. Doesn't appear that the Leamington shop's site is working properly yet, but clearly different branding.

So where in Leamington is the shop? There never used to be a John Atkins branch when i worked there, the main ones I dealt with were; Smiths cos it was 1/2 mile from work and my orignal Super Galaxy came from Shayler's who was just around the corner.

Back on the subject of cycle storage, when we stayed just outside Amsterdam between the hotel and the train station (10 mins to centre) was a bike shop which had a massive underground storage area for bikes, many of the locals stored their bikes there and hopped on the train to the centre, it had a user friendly bike ramp from the ground floor.

Perhaps more bike shops here should consider the idea, I know one or two have done so. Facilities offered also included servicing etc whilst at work....