The Retirement Thread

[Dirk]

Hi folks , just wondering has anybody here got any experience of a Carrera Intercity folding bike (Halfords) I would need to carry it on the train and then ride about 8 miles on country roads to my destination. Can't afford anything fancy and would prefer a new bike even if its basic and safe.

Yes - we bought 2 of them about 5 years ago.
Pros - 20" wheels instead of 16" gave a better ride than my mates Brompton.
Good range on the gearing.
Decent build quality.
Good brakes.
Mudguards and rack as standard.
Nice looking (subjective opinion)
A lot cheaper than a Brompton.

Cons - Heavier than a Brompton and doesn't fold as compact.

For the price they are pretty good.
We sold ours after a couple of years because we just weren't using them.
If I were to buy another folder, I'd probably go for a Brompton purely on it's compact fold and weight.
Overall, the Intercity is a reasonable quality bike at a decent price, which does the job it's intended to.
If you do buy one from Halfords, make sure that you double check everything as their PDI was rubbish on the ones I bought.

 

[oldwheels]

The weather gods are playing games with us today. At the moment it is sunny but the last time it did this I got togged up and went out. Waited until I was a reasonable distance from shelter and suddenly emptied shedloads of hailstones on me. By the time I got back it was snowing and as I was preparing lunch I heard a strange noise. Giant hailstones bouncing off the back bunker and wheely bin. Currently back to sunny.

 

[welsh dragon]

Sleety rain here.

It has now turned to snow.

 

[rustybolts]

Cheers Dirk your experience much appreciated , sounds good , the 20" wheels would make them a little faster I would imagine , did you assemble them yourself or get Halfords to? I think I'll assemble myself I might be more careful but wonder is there much involved

 

[Dirk]

Cheers Dirk your experience much appreciated , sounds good , the 20" wheels would make them a little faster I would imagine , did you assemble them yourself or get Halfords to? I think I'll assemble myself I might be more careful but wonder is there much involved

Halfords assembled them but obviously didn't check the tyres and brakes.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Horrible weather yet again - been awful since the end of October tbh - less than 100 miles ridden since then and tbh I've lost interest at the moment.

Hopefully some better weather in March/April will get me back on track again.

 

[classic33]

26 years ago we'd waist deep snow down here in March. Doing the MLTB Summer training at the time.

Thirteen months later, we'd tankers bringing in water and roads melting. Helping out on an MLTB Summer training course.

Both done at Blake Dean, before moving up to the Lake District. Blea Water area.

 

[screenman]

Today is not a good day for the heating boiler to give up working, British Gas say 9 days to come out to us, so a local guy we shall have to find.

 

[classic33]

Everybody snuggled up keeping warm and dry?

 

[screenman]

Everybody snuggled up keeping warm and dry?

Read above.

 

[Dave7]

Today is not a good day for the heating boiler to give up working, British Gas say 9 days to come out to us, so a local guy we shall have to find.

Oh dear......that is not good. Hope its sorted quickly.

 

[Dave7]

Everybody snuggled up keeping warm and dry?

We have the heating on. First time for ages in an evening. The gas fire is normally sufficient in the lounge or the electric one in the conservatory.
I was cold right through.

 

[classic33]

Read above.

Duvet wrapped round you.

 

[screenman]

Duvet wrapped round you.

It will be a while before it gets really cold as we have wet underfloor heating, trouble is though once the boiler is fixed it will take 24 hours to get warm again.

 

[Dave7]

we have wet underfloor heating

????