GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
Anyone out there actually got one that they ride?
I don't have the stones to commute for 4 seasons of the year (rural 13 miles each way). I've realised that unless and until I sell the car then having it sat there outside my front door is always going to tempt me into it when the weather is bad, or I'm tired, or lazy. So the car is going up for sale.
I'm going to see if a folder makes train commuting more of a realistic proposition. The station is a two minute walk from home but I've a 20 minute walk to the office at the other end. Having no transport lunch times is a drag as town is a 25 minute walk away. I considered buying a clunker to leave at the station but decided against as a) no proper cycle parking at the station and chaining it to the railings isn't fair on the people who live around there, b) even clunkers get nicked c) I don't like riding clunkers.
I looked a compass marine folder. £133 delivered. Then a Strida caught my eye. A bit of research on eBay reveals Mk III's go for around £100 and seem to hold that price pretty much regardless of age so long as they are in working order. Parts are still available, there are even a couple of London based shops that do spares, repairs and service, and looking at the parts diagrams any half way competant home mechanic should be able to do most things once you get used to the wierdness e.g. an 18t shimano screw on freewheel in the bottom bracket area.
Put in a bid and got one. It is on its way to me now. If it turns out to be the unrideable comedic disaster it has the potential to be, and which some predict, I'll let you know. Likewise if it is an enabling success. Watch this space.
I don't have the stones to commute for 4 seasons of the year (rural 13 miles each way). I've realised that unless and until I sell the car then having it sat there outside my front door is always going to tempt me into it when the weather is bad, or I'm tired, or lazy. So the car is going up for sale.
I'm going to see if a folder makes train commuting more of a realistic proposition. The station is a two minute walk from home but I've a 20 minute walk to the office at the other end. Having no transport lunch times is a drag as town is a 25 minute walk away. I considered buying a clunker to leave at the station but decided against as a) no proper cycle parking at the station and chaining it to the railings isn't fair on the people who live around there, b) even clunkers get nicked c) I don't like riding clunkers.
I looked a compass marine folder. £133 delivered. Then a Strida caught my eye. A bit of research on eBay reveals Mk III's go for around £100 and seem to hold that price pretty much regardless of age so long as they are in working order. Parts are still available, there are even a couple of London based shops that do spares, repairs and service, and looking at the parts diagrams any half way competant home mechanic should be able to do most things once you get used to the wierdness e.g. an 18t shimano screw on freewheel in the bottom bracket area.
Put in a bid and got one. It is on its way to me now. If it turns out to be the unrideable comedic disaster it has the potential to be, and which some predict, I'll let you know. Likewise if it is an enabling success. Watch this space.
