Cycles and trains

[Bluescouse1]

Hi Guys

I know most of you guys cycle for miles, but with me my bike is a necessity for getting around
rather than a choice, let me explain.

I have bad legs, so I cant walk too far, using the bike helps me get around and also
gives me some kind of work out, if not much

I am starting work soon and dont live too far from a rail station.
I can of course leave it at the station locked up
but I was wondering how easy it is to get a bike on a train
its only two stops not far
but for me the terrain is too much for me to attempt the ride.

I reckon its about a 5 mile round trip,
My bike is around 15 years old now.
it has serverd me well down the years
but I am begining to wonder if I need to get something a little lighter
as cash is not at it foremost at the moment
can anyone also so give me an idea for a reasonable price
for a light weight bike.

thanks in advance

 

[fixedfixer]

Trains and bikes. You'll find a lot on here and other forums about how difficult train companies make the task of taking a full size bike on the train. (or Tarin as you guy's on Merseyside call them )

As you are doing short distances have you considered a folding bike? Train companies treat them as luggage and therefore you don't have to book space / a ticket for the journey. Folders are a bit heavier than a normal bike, but as you're currently on a 15 year old stead there may not be a lot of difference.

Dahon seem to be the most widely available and have the larger range - therefore price levels from entry to quite high spec. There are many other folding makes, some fold smaller (Brompton) but that's reflected in costs.

Take a look at the big online shops and see the range from £350 upwards. You can find cheaper folders but they'll be heavy and you get what you pay for.

Hope you get something that suits.

 

[upsidedown]

Depends on the type of train.The old type 150 trains have 3 fold up seats on either side of the carriage, pretty easy to get on. The 168 class have a big area by the disabled toilet. If you can get along to the station to see the trains the class is identified by the first 3 numbers on the long number on the train. I'm no train-spottter by the way, i just use them every day !
If you're only going 2 stops there's no reason why you can't just stand in the doorway, shouldn't be a problem unless you're going through the city centre at rush hour. You sometimes have to be a bit thick-skinned but this comes with time.

As mentioned above a folder is a good option. The Brompton type with small wheels is good but expensive. Dahon do full sized bikes that fold in half.

I'd give it a go with your current bike, good luck !

 

[Bluescouse1]

Trains and bikes. You'll find a lot on here and other forums about how difficult train companies make the task of taking a full size bike on the train. (or Tarin as you guy's on Merseyside call them )

As you are doing short distances have you considered a folding bike? Train companies treat them as luggage and therefore you don't have to book space / a ticket for the journey. Folders are a bit heavier than a normal bike, but as you're currently on a 15 year old stead there may not be a lot of difference.

Dahon seem to be the most widely available and have the larger range - therefore price levels from entry to quite high spec. There are many other folding makes, some fold smaller (Brompton) but that's reflected in costs.

Take a look at the big online shops and see the range from £350 upwards. You can find cheaper folders but they'll be heavy and you get what you pay for.

Hope you get something that suits.

Haha

Thanks for that
I deserved it tarins
I checked the spelling in the text but not the title.. never mind

Thanks for the advice,it is something to look at
I would prefer not to buy a folder, but if it is better for me maybe a change would be OK

I have just been checking the weight of my bike
and if I am doing it right
I was shoked at the weight of it
I work it out as 37 lbs,,,,,,

Now maybe my scales are naff.
weight myself first, I came in at 13 st 10.. and in the red corner the bike which
with my and it combined weight came in at 16 st 5
so to my working out made a differnce of 37 lbs
please feel free to correct me anyone

so even a lighter bike may help
mine is a Royce Union,, dont know if anyone has ever heard of them.
it has shimano index written on the side

 

[Bluescouse1]

Depends on the type of train.The old type 150 trains have 3 fold up seats on either side of the carriage, pretty easy to get on. The 168 class have a big area by the disabled toilet. If you can get along to the station to see the trains the class is identified by the first 3 numbers on the long number on the train. I'm no train-spottter by the way, i just use them every day !
If you're only going 2 stops there's no reason why you can't just stand in the doorway, shouldn't be a problem unless you're going through the city centre at rush hour. You sometimes have to be a bit thick-skinned but this comes with time.

As mentioned above a folder is a good option. The Brompton type with small wheels is good but expensive. Dahon do full sized bikes that fold in half.

I'd give it a go with your current bike, good luck !

Thanks.. I meant to mention the destination yes sorry
I am going away from the City rather than toward it
I should imagine that would be a plus at peak times
yes your right, staying by the door is an option.
am I right in thinking I would need to go to the very end of the train to take a bike on

thanks

 

[Ste T.]

Hi Bluescouse1,
The good news is that if you are travelling on Merseyside, that means Arriva and they are very accomodating. I would go so far as to say they are a template of how an intergrated rail service should run. ( No I dont work for them ) No pre booking, no peak hour restrictions. Each train has spaces set aside for bikes/ prams/wheelchairs, and when they're full you can stand by the doors. An engaging smile and a "sorry" goes a long way at 8.30 in the morning.
This is the same company that was one of the worst cycle intergraters just a few years back. I don't know what changed, but it gives great hope to other cyclists living in areas with awful franchise holders. Things can change for the better. :¬)

 

[E11a]

From the Merseyrail website www.merseyrail.org/your-journey/bicycles.html :

All trains have designated areas for cyclists situated at both ends of the train. Merseyrail trains offer great opportunities outside peak hours to travel with bikes to a range of locations throughout the North West and beyond.

We advise that travelling during peak times may cause congestion issues on board the train, and that wherever possible you should avoid travelling with a bicycle during this time.


Some of their stations have secure reserved bike places. More details here :

www.merseyrail.org/your-journey/cycle-scheme.html

 

[benb]

Haha

Thanks for that
I deserved it tarins
I checked the spelling in the text but not the title.. never mind

While you're at it - what's that rogue apostrophe doing there? Unless there's something called "and trains" that belongs to Cycle.

 

[E11a]

Ste - Merseyrail's not run by Arriva. It used to be a joint venture between Serco and NedRailway but has changed it's name to Abellio (which is the same as NedRailway, I think).

 

[newb]

the first and last carriage on the merseyrail trains have space for bikes but.... this space is often used by prams. When I get on the train I just stand by the doors, never been a problem.

phil

 

[ian789]

Yeah merseryrail are good. 4 bike spaces per train, and you can also go in the disabled if it's free. It's a pain when people sit in the bike parking.

I wouldn't fancy it at busy times to be honest. But the secure parking at the stations look good but i've never used them.

Have you considered a folding bike? Funds permitting

 

[Smiler100]

If cash is tight - try www.goinggoingbike.com

 

[Bluescouse1]

Hi Bluescouse1,
The good news is that if you are travelling on Merseyside, that means Arriva and they are very accomodating. I would go so far as to say they are a template of how an intergrated rail service should run. ( No I dont work for them ) No pre booking, no peak hour restrictions. Each train has spaces set aside for bikes/ prams/wheelchairs, and when they're full you can stand by the doors. An engaging smile and a "sorry" goes a long way at 8.30 in the morning.
This is the same company that was one of the worst cycle intergraters just a few years back. I don't know what changed, but it gives great hope to other cyclists living in areas with awful franchise holders. Things can change for the better. :¬)

Good one thanks

 

[Bluescouse1]

From the Merseyrail website www.merseyrail.org/your-journey/bicycles.html :

All trains have designated areas for cyclists situated at both ends of the train. Merseyrail trains offer great opportunities outside peak hours to travel with bikes to a range of locations throughout the North West and beyond.

We advise that travelling during peak times may cause congestion issues on board the train, and that wherever possible you should avoid travelling with a bicycle during this time.


Some of their stations have secure reserved bike places. More details here :

www.merseyrail.org/your-journey/cycle-scheme.html

Thanks for that
I was looking at it earlier myself
I think I should be OK as Im travling away from the City
I used the secure bike part of my local station today by the way
well I chained it too a stand
And it was still there when I got back

MARVELOUS

 

[Bluescouse1]

While you're at it - what's that rogue apostrophe doing there? Unless there's something called "and trains" that belongs to Cycle.

o,m,g,