Uber Bikes for Manchester

[MossCommuter]

Useful to know - especially as I'm another chorltonite. But being also of long leg I might not bother. Are they electric? How do they get charged if so?

There is electricity for the lights and the GPS and wotnot

There's a dynamo

 

[fossyant]

Think I'd only do a mile on one. 19 mins for 3 miles... 9mph.

 

[John the Monkey]

Saw my first one in motion today - a lady riding one up Oxford Road. Looked like hard work, but she was going g faster than I was walking...

Odd thing about them is that people insist on leaving them against/in the city's bike racks, despite there being no need for them to lock to or lean on anything.

 

[jefmcg]

Odd thing about them is that people insist on leaving them against/in the city's bike racks, despite there being no need for them to lock to or lean on anything.

They want you to leave it in a recognised bicycle parking place

 

[Origamist]

I used one this morning on my commute in (out tonight so getting the tram home).

I live in Chorlton and had about 10 all very close to choose from. Love the concept. Finding and unlocking the bike was super simple.

The issue is the bike. Even at max height the seat was way way too low for me (34 inside leg), it was uncomfortable .The gear ratio is really conservative, just spinning it the whole way in. It was like riding a kid's BMX.

The app said it took 19 minutes to do 5km/3 miles, so still faster than walking but hard work and slow compared to a 'normal' bike.

I don’t think the bikes are designed for Europeans, let’s hope they don’t take them to Scandinavia.

Agreed. Had a spin on one yesterday around Media City. I found it way too cramped and would not want to do more than 2 miles on it. Shame as the idea and execution is great.I even like the orange mag wheels.

 

[John the Monkey]

"They want you to leave it in a recognised bicycle parking place"

No objection to that, they don't need to be left blocking the stands though.

 

[nickyboy]

Agreed. Had a spin on one yesterday around Media City. I found it way too cramped and would not want to do more than 2 miles on it. Shame as the idea and execution is great.I even like the orange mag wheels.

I guess "regular cyclists" aren't really the target market. Occasional cyclists seem to prefer to be able to get their feet firmly flat on the ground when they stop so perhaps they're specced to suit that market?

 

[Origamist]

I guess "regular cyclists" aren't really the target market. Occasional cyclists seem to prefer to be able to get their feet firmly flat on the ground when they stop so perhaps they're specced to suit that market?

I think that's fair to a point. They're not likely to assuage the demands of a cycling snob like me, but a couple of extra inches on the seatpost and you would have had me considering leaving my Brompton at home for post work drinks...

Frustratingly, they're not as good as 'Boris Bikes' and that is a disappointing. They do look cool in a 80s sort of way, however

 

[MossCommuter]

All true but Manchester city centre is compact. I wouldn't do a commute on one from Chorlton on a daily basis but on the odd occasion I would. From Oxford road to Piccadilly,? Absolutely! Or NQ back to Deansgate? Sure

I hate walking

 

[BRounsley]

second trip yesterday.....Victoria to Spinningfields, 7 minutes on the bike (hit every traffic light!!!). The killer feature is how quick you can get ridding, the longest part is finding the app on the phone......bikes still too small mind!

 

[MossCommuter]

A friend was told by his colleagues that there were gears on them which were operated by the volume control of his phone's headphone cable

Tee hee

 

[srw]

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...mobike-review-better-than-londons-boris-bikes

Helen Pidd's review. "Better than Boris bikes".

 

[nickyboy]

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...mobike-review-better-than-londons-boris-bikes

Helen Pidd's review. "Better than Boris bikes".

Cliché alert..."Rainy Manchester"...bloke cycling with a proper rain cape in photo. I've never seen anyone with one of those...ever

In other news Ill sign up. May be useful to get me to the start of a Northern Quarter pub crawl (somewhat less useful to get me back from the finish)

 

[Origamist]

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...mobike-review-better-than-londons-boris-bikes

Helen Pidd's review. "Better than Boris bikes".

I'm going to agree with 4 out of her 5 points.

Single speed shaft drive, leaden tyres, fig-leaf mudguards and limited seat post adjustability does not make for a fun ride.

 

[nickyboy]

What I couldn't find is whether I can use my deposit to hire more than one bike concurrently. So if I and Mrs N want to cycle to somewhere in Manchester, do we both need accounts or can I use mine for both hires?