bawjaws

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,722
The kind of things I would normally be using a bike for are commuting to work or running errands like grocery shopping. So I would ride to my destination and then fold the bike to take along with me
I don't really think lugging a folded-up Brompton around the shops is particularly practical - they're heavy, and even folded up they're still quite bulky (but much less so than a conventional bike).
 

Vert boil

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,018
blackpool, england
That's fair that it can be a bike theft target due to its price. As you've said, other expensive bikes also can be a target as well. I guess the difference is that I am far less likely to be locking up a foldable bike outside while I am busy with something else, right? I would fold the bike and take it with me. The kind of things I would normally be using a bike for are commuting to work or running errands like grocery shopping. So I would ride to my destination and then fold the bike to take along with me.

A vertical bike stand is an intriguing thought though. I guess to have a more regular commuter bike that is nice and light enough to easily use that probably can also run beyond $1k? Which makes it closer to the territory of a Brompton? What do you think?
At least in london the scumbags drive around on mopeds and they'll jump off and will physically take the bikes from you. If it's locked up they'll take an angle grinder to the bike stand, not the lock.

Price doesn't really have too much impact on weight unless you are spending serious money on carbon. Generally road bikes will be under 10kg, mountain bikes will be around 15kg. Commuter bike will be around a road bike or a little heavier. Price just gets better components (or a brand name). Unless you are going to have to carry it up and down stairs or ride up hills everyday, weight isn't a major issue.

It's impossible to give anything other than general advice over the internet. If the aesthetics of a brompton is a big draw and you can easily afford it then you should concider it. I've never seen anyone riding one have a hard time. Probably best to test ride one first if you haven't already to make sure the image you have in your head about them is the reality of riding one.

The price of a normal bike varies wildly. You can get a decent bike for a lot less used (or even new online since there is still a lot of over stock from covid times). Brand new from a brand name bumps the cost up closer to brompton.
 

Psychotext

Member
Oct 30, 2017
17,582
So my first stage of training for this year's events is complete and to be honest, I couldn't really have hoped it would go any better (at least not realistically).
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be at a higher FTP right now, but I've got to be realistic about how much I can improve that sort of thing at the age I'm at.

Just over a week until I ride coast to coast in Spain (bikepacking, self supported), and a ton I need to sort out.
 
Oct 27, 2017
447
Trying to figure out what to do with this bike I own.

IMG_2930.jpg
 

thoughtloop

Member
Apr 9, 2022
340
Starting a new job next week, but ever since I accepted the offer, I've been thinking about my bike commute route and feasibility. I don't own a car. My Kona Rove ST is my ride or die buddy, and has been for years. Tricked out for errands, commuting, and bikepacking at all times of year. But the new commute is gonna be 8mi each way. 16mi round-trip. Like two or three times per week. Woof.

I live and work in a US West Coast metro area with good bike infrastructure. I've been on almost every part of the route that I'd be commuting on. When the weather is nice, it'll be a beautiful 50 minute commute each way. Alas, I've spent the last week researching and test riding a few different Class 3 ebikes. I feel like I'm betraying my Kona, but this feels like the natural next step for a car-free person who doesn't want a motorcycle or moped/scooter. Lots of amazing options from Specialized, Trek, Tern, and Gazelle available locally.

This has also been my first time on a Class 3 ebike. Holy shit, the Bosch Performance Sport motors kick HARD. Barely any effort to maintain 20mph. Easy to push up to 25mph cruising speed with good use of gears and finding comfy cadence.

Has anyone else gone through this process?
 

NetMapel

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,045
Starting a new job next week, but ever since I accepted the offer, I've been thinking about my bike commute route and feasibility. I don't own a car. My Kona Rove ST is my ride or die buddy, and has been for years. Tricked out for errands, commuting, and bikepacking at all times of year. But the new commute is gonna be 8mi each way. 16mi round-trip. Like two or three times per week. Woof.

I live and work in a US West Coast metro area with good bike infrastructure. I've been on almost every part of the route that I'd be commuting on. When the weather is nice, it'll be a beautiful 50 minute commute each way. Alas, I've spent the last week researching and test riding a few different Class 3 ebikes. I feel like I'm betraying my Kona, but this feels like the natural next step for a car-free person who doesn't want a motorcycle or moped/scooter. Lots of amazing options from Specialized, Trek, Tern, and Gazelle available locally.

This has also been my first time on a Class 3 ebike. Holy shit, the Bosch Performance Sport motors kick HARD. Barely any effort to maintain 20mph. Easy to push up to 25mph cruising speed with good use of gears and finding comfy cadence.

Has anyone else gone through this process?
My ebike isn't class 3 nor is it a crazy performant ebike. I bought a cheap one just to build up a habit of commuting with it and see if it fits my lifestyle. I was convinced because of how much easier it made climbing some of the hills on my commute. I commuted far more with the ebike than my regular bike. That was last year and I am now considering spending more money to get a better bike this now as you can see in my earlier post. Honestly, I think if getting the ebike allows you to keep up your riding habit easier, then it is worth it. After all, it is your car replacement for commute, so you want to make sure it's a nice experience. You are improving your health, maintaining the environment and so much more by continuing to bike.
 
Last edited:
Oct 27, 2017
447
You know where the bike is from? If it from a department store like walmart, it wont be good for actual off-road trails. So it is best for simple travels.

It's actually a Gary Fisher Piranha from 2005ish. I bought it from a local bike shop right before I decided to road bike more. (Roads were easier to get to then trails to ride this on). Since then it's sat in my basement.

If I had any sort of bike repair skills I'd try to refit it to work as more of a gravel bike. Otherwise I'm trying to decide if it's worth selling or not

I put air in the tires and rode it around the block. It works fine but the gears could use some cleaning and adjustments.
 

Vert boil

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,018
blackpool, england
Wanna know how mad smart I am?

A creak randomly appeared on my road bike a few weeks ago. Tried to work out what it was whilst riding and guessed that it was either the headset or a chainring screw on the crank.

Finally could be arsed to clean the headset and take apart the crank this morning, went shopping tonight and the creak was still there and finally figured out what it was. Just the fucking seatpost...
 

Facism

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,046
Wanna know how mad smart I am?

A creak randomly appeared on my road bike a few weeks ago. Tried to work out what it was whilst riding and guessed that it was either the headset or a chainring screw on the crank.

Finally could be arsed to clean the headset and take apart the crank this morning, went shopping tonight and the creak was still there and finally figured out what it was. Just the fucking seatpost...

Had this problem a bunch of times. Seatpost is ok now but the rails in the seat creak so I have to pack the ends with grease to stop it lol
 

Darren Lamb

Member
Dec 1, 2017
2,978
Starting a new job next week, but ever since I accepted the offer, I've been thinking about my bike commute route and feasibility. I don't own a car. My Kona Rove ST is my ride or die buddy, and has been for years. Tricked out for errands, commuting, and bikepacking at all times of year. But the new commute is gonna be 8mi each way. 16mi round-trip. Like two or three times per week. Woof.

I live and work in a US West Coast metro area with good bike infrastructure. I've been on almost every part of the route that I'd be commuting on. When the weather is nice, it'll be a beautiful 50 minute commute each way. Alas, I've spent the last week researching and test riding a few different Class 3 ebikes. I feel like I'm betraying my Kona, but this feels like the natural next step for a car-free person who doesn't want a motorcycle or moped/scooter. Lots of amazing options from Specialized, Trek, Tern, and Gazelle available locally.

This has also been my first time on a Class 3 ebike. Holy shit, the Bosch Performance Sport motors kick HARD. Barely any effort to maintain 20mph. Easy to push up to 25mph cruising speed with good use of gears and finding comfy cadence.

Has anyone else gone through this process?

I bought a budget ebike when we moved a couple miles to the west - the subway was no longer walkable and I wanted to make my commute easier.

No regrets! I still like commuting with my acoustic bike when I have time for a shower at work and want the exercise, but the ebike is a great way to get to work quickly and in my work clothes. Takes about 30 minutes to go 7 miles each way on the ebike
 

Psychotext

Member
Oct 30, 2017
17,582
Urgh, I get tempted by ebikes every time the big hill on the way home kicks my ass.

Like, how noticeable is the difference?
It's doing virtually all of the work for you... how much difference do you think there will be? lol

(I should note this is also dependant on your country. A US e-bike is potentially very different to an EU one)
 

HTupolev

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,695
Like, how noticeable is the difference?
As noticeable as you want it to be and as it's configured to be.

If you turn the motor off, it's a bike. If you get a throttle-controlled ebike with a powerful motor, you can zoom up hills without pedaling.
If you get a fancy one that can drive the motor according to a pedaling torque sensor, you can feel like you're stronger than you are.
 

Frontieruk

Member
Oct 25, 2017
673
I should note that if you ever run out of battery it becomes a VERY HEAVY bike.

My manager found that out trying to show off to his partner who's an avid cyclist, he got home 20minutes after her after the batteries died and he'd bonk'd on the hill heading home, he'd been using battery to keep up rather than slow her down forgetting he would have to get it back up to their house.
 

linkboy

Member
Oct 26, 2017
14,633
Reno
Hooray.

I was planning on taking my bike over to my parent's tomorrow and going for a ride with my brother (first ride of the year).

Got home from work and noticed my left wrist started to hurt and feels a bit numb.

I really hope it's not early signs of carpal tunnel, because that's the last thing I need right now.

🙄
 

Kanhir

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,938
Urgh, I get tempted by ebikes every time the big hill on the way home kicks my ass.

Like, how noticeable is the difference?
It depends on the amount of assistance you dial in. At least with mine, the lowest assist level (eco) feels more like it's just compensating for the increased weight of the bike going uphill, so you can still sort of replicate the non-ebike feel if you want. Anything above that makes big hills much less of a misery.

Keep in mind that some of the higher-end ebikes people are talking about here (throttle-based or >25kph) are legally classed as mopeds in the UK and EU with licence requirements to match, so you don't see them around all that much.
 
Oct 25, 2017
1,642
Dundee, Scotland
I'm just looking for something to take the edge off when coming home.

I'm basically downhill all the way to work in the morning, I barely have to pedal at all. Journey home sucks though 😂

Tempted by one of the Boardman ebikes, if only because it's a Boardman I'm riding now. My local Halfords seems to have an offer on where they'll give me 25% off if I trade in, which seems to represent ridiculous value.

One guy in the office has a "cheap" Apollo ebike and describes the sensation as a friend constantly behind you, giving you a push.

I was against the idea last year, I figured after a few weeks I'd conquer the hills and barely feel it, get fit and recapture my youth. It's not happening. Facing the fact you are middle aged and hilariously out of shape is sobering, especially when pushing a bike up a hill while a twenty something tears past you on a Trek ebike!
 

bawjaws

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,722

HStallion

Member
Oct 25, 2017
65,524
Just started riding my new e-bike to work. Its about 26 miles roundtrip but its 95% riding on canal trails with the occasional road to cross over so a very "easy" ride especially with the e-bike assisting. I can make it one way in a little under an hour. I've been back on cardio in general for a year and a half so this is a great way to save some mileage and gas money on my car while also getting in a solid 2 or so hours of cardio in between my gym/workout days.
 

bawjaws

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,722
I'm a complete novice so what advantages do £400 pedals offer?
These pedals are expensive because they have built in power meters - hardware that tells you how much power you're putting through the pedals as you cycle, which is desirable for particularly keen cyclists who are training, racing or otherwise looking to monitor or maximise their effort. A pretty niche item for your average cyclist, though.

And the pedals in Frontieruk 's pic are actually more like £750 than £400 - you do get a £400ish version which only monitor power on one side, whereas the £750 version that Frontier has monitor both sides independently.
 

Frontieruk

Member
Oct 25, 2017
673
These pedals are expensive because they have built in power meters - hardware that tells you how much power you're putting through the pedals as you cycle, which is desirable for particularly keen cyclists who are training, racing or otherwise looking to monitor or maximise their effort. A pretty niche item for your average cyclist, though.

And the pedals in Frontieruk 's pic are actually more like £750 than £400 - you do get a £400ish version which only monitor power on one side, whereas the £750 version that Frontier has monitor both sides independently.

I've treated myself for the Garmin cycling dynamics for the independent sides, from my experience I prefer heart rate over power for monitoring rides as ongoing, but power is an interesting metric as power | speed can actually react independently to each other and reviewing rides can actually show you how to use your power more efficiently.

I'm a complete novice so what advantages do £400 pedals offer?
 

linkboy

Member
Oct 26, 2017
14,633
Reno
I finally got my tow-hitch and bike rack on my car, and was able to how my bike out for the first ride of the year (that wasn't just around the block).

20240508-173253.jpg

(that paved path does a loop around the fenced field).

Nothing super difficult, but a good way to ease back in.
 
Oct 27, 2017
8,016
Right, this is the season I get my fat arse back on the bike more regularly. The weather is good, the Quantocks are literally just over there so I have no reason other than pure lazy.

Also just bought my daughter her first 'decent' mountain bike, she's been coming with me on some gentle forays around the area on her knackered, too small, 10th hand horror bike, a very old and shabby Carerra Blast (and she's been doing great to be fair), but she wants to do more and go for longer so I got her a Carerra Vengeance. 14 inch frame so actually fits her, proper trigger shifters rather than the fucking awful grip shifters she's been stuck with so far, basic suspension that isn't wrecked etc.

Carerra/Halfords are fine I guess. I could doubtless have got something better second hand for similar money - but she had her heart set on this one, she's been making a beeline for it and lusting over it every time we go to Halfords for car things for the last year; also they were doing that 25% trade in, so we essentially got £100 for her ratty old bike making the new one £285 so I was happy enough and she is very excited.

Need to give mine (YT Capra) the once over now, needs a proper deep clean, lube, could do with some more brake pads, need to run set up the suspension again as I'm a bit heavier than I was last year, etc etc.

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