Cycling at its best

[Boddie]

I am an avid walker and cyclist but feel that cycling provides me the best opportunity to see more and, like walking, is a great way to keep fit. A good bike, with the correct frame geometry, eases your effort and allows you to cover a great many miles in a day either as part of a club, or on your own. I have a made to measure frame, touring bicycle which allows me to carry the essentials such as waterproofing, spare tubes, a multi tool and of course my camera. I also own a full suspension mountain bike but it is over specced for most of my persuits. My advice to those wishing to put miles in is to buy a good steel framed machine, with pannier racks and bag loops on the saddle so that a decent sized saddle bag may be fitted. I have room for a tent and can set off for the weekend with no particular destination but can cover 100 miles over two days and pitch up at night at a nominal cost. This is enjoying cycling at its very best. On Sunday I simply find a train station and take the train home to Sutton Coldfield. Most trains are equipped with bike racks that provide security and I simply alight at Four Oaks and take the three mile trip home. Perfect.

Should any of you need advice on cycling and the correct machine to buy and clothing etc to don please get in touch.

Cheers

Boddie

[StuartDH]

How do you fancy writing a buying guide for bikes and accessories?

We've been working on a buying guide section on the site for the past few months and it's building gradually, but we don't have any info for cyclists at the moment.

The forestry commission often posts info on mountain biking events that we then post in the newspaper. As a result, we get quite a few visitors searching for info on routes, competitions etc and so a cycling section would certainly be quite popular.

[Boddie]

I can do that no problem. I actually work in the cycling industry but with a very niche product but I am more than happy to assist any of those wishing to take up the sport or as a leisure activity. One of the main reasons that people don't cycle so much is because they buy the wrong type of bike.
'Mountain bikes' seem to be all the fashion but when did anyone last tackle a mountain on one? Why buy suspension when you only ride on the road and maybe tackle a bit of cross country through woods from time to time. Its pointless. Just more weight to carry and something else that has the potential to go wrong. A proper mountain bike costs in the region of 1,000 sterling. "Mountain bikes' sold for less than that are not mountain bikes, they are simply their to supply what is considered fashionable.
For 1,000 sterling you can get an incredible touring bike with loads of kit. The retailer will measure you up and set the bike up just for you. The difference between a good bike and a substandard bike is probably close to 50 percent more efficiency. It's down to frame geometry, handlebar and seat height, gears and the correct positioning and choice of saddle, and of course the correct clothing that allows you to breathe naturally and keep the elements at bay. For me cycling in the rain is perfect. I keep dry through clothing that costs no more than 60 sterling. So anybody that wants advice, just let me know and the best advice I can give you is go to an independant bicycle retailer. Someone local who will maintain your bike and keep it in tip top condition. Stay away from 'chain stores'. I won't mention any names but you want to support your local retailer who will build a relationship with you and sell you what he genuinely believes is correct - not what makes their best margin.

If you need advice for a particular pursuit please get in touch through the forum.

Cheers

Boddie

[nitram]

I need a new bike for mainly off-road use (nothing hairy I just prefer to avoid the traffic and there are plenty of tracks on Salisbury Plain where I live). The ideal choice would appear to be a Hybrid. It needs to be strong to cope with potholes and light and responsive for going uphill (plenty of hills here). In the articles that I have read about bikes such as Trek FX7700 and Marin Alp Highway One, they do seem to vary in the uprightness of the riding position. I want to be quite upright to enjoy the scenery (not like my old mountain bike which forces a weight over front wheel leant forward position). I am 6' 1" tall and 60 years old so what advice would you give on the choice of make and model as there is no chance to try bikes out around here.

[Boddie]

Hello Mike

Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you - you've guessed it. I've been cycling

The Trek FX7700 is an excellent bike but does suffer from 'chain chatter' so its not the quietest of machines and can be irritating if you want to relax a little.

The Marin is excellent but one thing that concerns me with both bikes is the following - a lack of suspension and couplings for panniers etc. If you take a look at the bike here http://www.robertscycles.com/largeviews/audax1.html this is what is called an Audax bike.
Its benefits are;
It has drop handlebars, so you have multiple points for weight distribution.
It has 27 gears so that peddling uphill is achieved with ease.
It has two bottle cages
An attachment for a pump
Mudguards - so you can use ot in all conditions
Attachments for pannier racks - so you can carry some provisions
and the wheels are plenty strong enough to take you through the woods. If the terrain is really bad suggest a 'Thudbuster' seatpost is fitted. Mine is excellent.

I am not suggesting to buy this brand or model - I just feel you would be better served with an audax as they are light, extremely functional and I feel you would get more use out of it.

If you tell me where you are I will put you in touch with a reputable dealer that will set a bike up for you, taking measurements, respecting the components you want, your budget, style of riding and let you take it for a test ride. Remember, a few pounds saved on buying online or from a catalogue can be disastrous should you suffer a problem so let me help you find a dealership you can trust and build a relationship with.

Hope this helps

Boddie

[nitram]

Thanks Boddie. That is interesting because I allready own a custom Dave Yates Audax bike which took me a long time to decide on. I had an old mountain bike that was good for 30 miles and I wanted to go for longer rides so I compromised between speed and efficiently (race bike) and comfortable but not so responsive on the hills tourer (e.g. Dawes Galaxy) and decided on Audax. It has been superb on the hills and wonderfully comfortable. I am now 60 and this bike is too stretched out for me so I want a much more upright position (mountain bikes are no good for looking at the scenery because they are designed to keep you leaning forward with weight over the front wheel for control else the first bit of rough stuff will chuck you off the back of the bike). When I asked my LSB about converting my Audax to straight bars and rugged wheels they said that the wheels would not fit because of the lack of clearance between the forks, shortening the stem to reduce the stretch would affect the stability and that I would need a complete new groupset as Campag won't convert to straight bars. So I need a new bike to replace both the mountain bike and the Audax. I love and wish to maintain the ruggedness of mountain bikes because most of my cycling is still off-road to get maximum peace and quiet and pleasure of the scenery. But I want better response for hill climbing (its harder when you get old and heavy) and long distance capability hence the Hybrid idea. Having said that I do have a dream to cycle the length of the Rhine when I have time (may have to wait for retirement) so need a bullet proof bike that can take panniers and mudguards etc; I may have to go custom build again (don't tell the wife) because when you look at the more upright comfort models there do not appear to be any high quality ones available and even with people like Trek they have bottom of the range specs.

[Boddie]

You are 100 percent correct. Sometimes to compromise is a bad idea but when you think of the pleasure that a correctly set up bike will give you over something off the shelf its worth that few extra pounds. I have sent a message to the bike shops in your vacinity and asked for those willing to suggest options and provide a test ride to contact me direct. I will then pass you their information and you can book a test ride, and hopefully we will find the perfect model. Are you located in Salisbury itself?

Cheers

Boddie

[nitram]

Boddie,
Thanks for the quick reply. I'm 10 miles from Salisbury and the LSB that I normally use for expert advice etc; is Stonehenge Cycles. As I'm sure you are well aware, plenty of places sell bikes but only a few are expert enough to trust to actually spec a bike up for you and build it. I shall be interested to hear what responses you get. Where do you work then?

[Boddie]

I am ex-Brooks Sales and Marketing Manager. I have been onto a specialist trade only forum and everyone is saying St Johns Street Cycles (Thorn Cycles). If you ask for Robin and tell him that Andrew sent you he will fit you out for the cycle that best fits your needs. maybe a 60 mile drive but think of the comfortable miles ahead of you.

You can call Robin on 01278 441522 or robin@sjscycles.com. Remember my advice is independant but I am more than happy to recommend St Johns Street Cycles as they are reknowned for excellent service and Robin is in the trade for all of the right reasons. He is a seasoned rider and an excellent technician.

Hope this helps

Andrew

[nitram]

Thanks again Boddie. I know SJS as I have driven past there many times on my way to North Devon and wanted to stop for a browse. Wife and kids not impressed though. Many people that I know have made mail order purchases from them because they are so competetive on price. They are certainly the best in this area of the country. I have just checked out the website and it looks very promising. I am especially interested in the Rohloff hub as I much prefer riding to maintaining a bike. It looks as if their frames will allow the building of a fast and responsive bike with rugged mountain bike type wheels. Couple this with the Rohloff hub and I should have the bullet proof bike that I want.