Cycling UK Forum

I already own a Brompton, a Croix de Fer (self build 30 speed, dynohub etc.) and a Cube road bike. A friend recently had her Brompton stolen close to home and it has made me more concerned about using any of mine as everyday hack transport. I don't have a work commute at the moment but I do try and cycle any journey under 6 miles or so.

Maybe I should look for a 1980s/1990s MTB or similar for £100 or less but I keep coming back to this http://www.decathlon.co.uk/hoprider-500 ... 22609.html

I have some new Schwalbe Marathons I could put on it and would probably want a better front light but it seems to tick many boxes otherwise. Your thoughts please x

That bike's been mentioned on here before now,I think the verdict was very good at £270,at £200 it's as steal(sorry)

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1/ Use the wrong lock and bikes are easily stolen. The better locks can be expensive, but are usually a sound investment.

2/ I don't arf like the Raleigh Chloe, available for about £320 assuming you buy it from the right place. http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/Pr ... 6&pg=11798

3/ Work commutes suck. It is better not to have one, or a job for that matter.

Thanks for the info.
My friend has admitted she had become quite blasé about locking her bike. The lock was a sold secure one but she was just locking the frame and not folding the Brompton or taking it inside with her.
I think the Chloe is neither girly enough yet a bit too girly if that makes any sort of sense?
I am doing freelance work which can be a bit in short supply and so a return to work may be imminent. I really don't want to have to use a car every day though. I seem to have broken that habit.

I was wondering how on earth a Brompton could be stolen, now I know carelessness?

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gaz wrote:Let's not blame the victim. It was stolen because of a thief.

+1

I'd say if you want a commute bike and you fear it might be stolen or vandalised in an attempt, then just buy something off-the-peg that is easily replaced, and don't get too attached to it. A bike at that price point (£200-ish) will be two a penny so only opportunist amateur thieves are likely to bother, and if you use a secure looking lock they'll probably just move on to the next. A determined thief will nick anything and get through almost any portable bike lock or chain within 60 seconds anyway so no point in worrying too much about a £200 bike if you have to leave it locked up outside. Just make sure that you leave nothing on it such as cycling computer, lights, saddle bag, even pump as they will nick anything... I once left a cycling cape and some tools / innertube in my saddle bag as I went to the supermarket, I discovered somebody stole the cycling cape and left the saddle bag open - quite what anyone would do with a cycling cape is beyond me, must have been kids. The irony is that the saddle bag was worth much more than the cape.

That Hoprider looks decent enough and comfortable for a few miles commute, a decent rack bag (I like the Carradice one that attaches with velcro straps to the rack frame and has a shoulder strap) that you can quickly remove and take with you and you're sorted.

I've actually used a similar bike for long rides in the summer, did 60 miles on mine one sunny day this year so they're perfectly comfortable for good distances. I also would just use the city hybrid tyres that come with it, they will be perfectly good for commuting.

Claireysmurf wrote: ... I don't have a work commute at the moment but I do try and cycle any journey under 6 miles or so. ...Maybe I should look for a 1980s/1990s MTB or similar for £100 or less....

well in all fairness, for occasional-to-daily use up to six miles almost anything is likely to do the job, the more robust/maintenance-free/undesirable to scumbags the better, probably. The tyres you have might be a good idea but I wouldn't get hung up on them, I'm sure you will find something to do with them even if you buy a bike with different sized wheels.

You could choose almost anything to do this job, so why not try something different? Some suggestions; an old three-speed, a dutch bike, an old MTB, an old 'racing bike'... the world is your lobster...

Faced with a similar requirement I have built/used a few different bikes. However the one I liked best had an old touring bike frameset, a hub generator, and a simple (read cheap) IGH. If you start with the right heap of junk and a suitable twinkle in your eye, I'm sure you could concoct something similar without too much difficulty. You could view this as an opportunity to try something different and furthermore hone your bike-fettling skills.

The only things against the Hoprider are that it is a new bike (so inherently attractive to thieves) and it is a bit heavy.

cheers