cycle commuter magazine issue 2

steps toSummerfitnessPedalling towardsa new you!

Your guide to... Pumps Rucksacks Panniers Tools

Holidays by bike • Your guide to cycle security • No-sweat cycling • Bike care made easy

54top cycling products

Featuring

Issue #2 Summer 2009£1.95 where sold

On test: bikes for all seasons

Rain or shine...

5

Cycling essentials

The Most Versatile Bike. Ever.Ride Longer with Trek FX.

**Half price accessory pack offer when you buy any Trek Hybrid throughout March and April**See your local Trek dealer for details.

Meet FX at trekbikes.com/fx

TREKBIKES.COM | © 2009 TREK BICYCLE CORPORATION

FX ad for cycle commuter magazine.indd 1 06/04/2009 10:27

www.cyclescheme.co.uk

48

16

contentsBikes tested

Issue #2 Summer 2009

16Merida Speeder T3 The Speeder will handle a daily commute but also the odd longer fitness ride

32Specialized Globe City 3 A bike that’ll handle the streets no matter what the seasons throw at you

48Dahon Mu P8 This bigger-wheeled folder is good for short hops or longer trips: a great all-rounder

38Kona Africabike 3 The Africabike combines practicality with style and will do someone else good too!

Top products & essential kit12 Stuff

Bringing you the best cycling gear for your commute and beyond

18 Bags Rucksacks and courier bags to swallow your stuff

20 Panniers Got plenty to carry? Let the bike take the strain!

21 Pumps Don’t get deflated: we’ve got the right pump for you!

All about... 4 Welcome to Cyclescheme

A quick introduction to the scheme: how it works, who’s eligible and where you get the bike

8 FAQs If it can be asked, we’ve been asked it: find answers to some of the most common questions here

14Get fit for Summer How to use your commute to look and feel 10 years younger.

20 How to keep your steed safe Thieves want a shiny new bike as much as you do. Don’t let them walk off with it...

30 Masking pollution When you’re thinking about protection, don’t forget your lungs!

35 Tooled up! A few simple tools and skills to help your commute run as smoothly as possible

42 Get away by bike Thinking about taking a bike on holiday? Here’s our simple guide to the essentials...

46 No sweat cycling Follow these guidelines and you’ll arrive at the office neither hot nor bothered!

Features

32

38

Produced, designed and published for Cyclescheme by Farrelly Atkinson www.f-at.co.uk

Prices correct at time of going to press. E&OE. All content © Cyclescheme 2009

3

for a list of marin dealers visit:

www.marin.Co.UK

URBANTake control of your commute

+ride more


Cyclescheme is the UK’s number one provider of tax-free bikes for the Government’s Cycle to Work initiative. We offer big savings on the best bikes and safety equipment. Dealing with Cyclescheme’s network of over 1,400 local bike shops also gives you the best experience, with the expert personal service, convenience and choice that larger multiple retailers just can’t match.

Welcome to a better way to get a bike!

Welcome...

5

The Cycle to Work Initiative is a salary sacrifice scheme which

gives you the chance to save on the cost of a new bike as well as

security and safety equipment to go with it. The way salary sacrifice

schemes work is that you give up part of your salary and receive an

equivalent benefit that is exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance.

What does this mean in practice? Well, technically it’s your employer

that buys the bike. You hire the bike and equipment from them, and you

pay them back the cost of your bike from your gross salary. You save on Tax

and NI payments, saving you money over the hire period. VAT can also be

claimed back, and this saving is usually passed on by employers, unless they

are not able to – for example in the case of universities and NHS trusts.

Cyclescheme has partnered with over 1,400 independent bike shops

throughout the UK giving you access to a massive amount of choice and

expert advice on your equipment selection. To locate your local store go to

www.cyclescheme.co.uk and use the postcode store locator.

You are not limited to any brand of bike or equipment and so you can

choose the best for quality and value for money. This results in the best

package of bike and safety equipment for you.

Cyclescheme runs schemes with the Department of Transport, Office of

Fair Trading and Department of Health, as well as a scores of police forces,

councils, universities and blue chip companies. Custom hire agreements are

written entirely in accordance with government guidelines and every service

is free to employers, including promotional literature and roadshows.

Pedalling factsWaitrose, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, has become

the first supermarket in the country to introduce

an eco handcart pulled by electric bikes in a move

that will also help boost the number of delivery

slots available to customers, without increasing the

number of vans on the road.

Who’s it for?Want to take part? Great! If you’ve received this mag from your employer then they’re probably already running a scheme, so things should be straightforward. There are some limits to who can take advantage of the tax breaks, though. The most important ones are:

• The scheme is open to all full, part-time and contract staff whose term of employment is more than the

period of the hire (12 months)

• You need to be a UK taxpayer via the PAYE system

• You need to be over 18 years of age to comply with Consumer Credit Act legislation

• You need to be earning more than the National Minimum Wage after your wages have been reduced to comply with UK tax law

The Cycle to Work Initiative is a salary sacrificescheme which gives you the chance to save on thecost of a new bike as well as security and safetyequipment to go with it.

About Cyclescheme...A new online route planner will allow cyclists to map their journeys via off-road routes and cycle paths for the first time. The system, commissioned by Transport Direct and Cycling England, has been created by CycleCity Guides following months

of detailed surveys conducted by a 15-strong team of cycle-mounted mappers. It allows cyclists to plan their route incorporating the Sustrans National Cycle Network, bridleways, canal towpaths and other off-road cycle paths not available on car satnavs and online services such as Google Maps.

So far Manchester and Merseyside are up and running on the test site, and all the Cycling England Cycle Cities and Towns – including Bristol, Brighton and York – have been surveyed and are due to go online at a later date. After typing in their journey details users of hte site are given turn-by-turn written directions and a map, which can be broken down into detailed sections. This can also be downloaded as a GPX file to be used with a GPS system.

The final version is due to go online later this year but you can get a first look at the test version of the website at http://tinyurl.com/cf2e3b

Making tracks online

Summer 2009

6


Pedalling factsFemale membership of British Cycling has risen by

25 per cent in the past year thanks to the success

of Britain’s female Olympic cyclists. Women are the

fastest growing category of new British Cycling

members and 44 per cent of them hold a racing

licence... look out boys!

Sustrans has launched a new website,

Bikebelles, aimed specifically at women.

The site addresses the reasons women

currently don't ride bikes and gives lots of

advice on comfort and appearance whilst also

stressing the many benefits of cycling: getting

fit, losing weight, and looking younger. The site has been put

together by women and and all-woman panel of Bike Belles will

feature prominently, giving their views on bikes, clothing, and

everything to do with the cycling experience.

Sustrans commissioned research shows that in spite of high

profile women such as Duffy, Hannah Montana and Madonna

taking to two wheels, less than one in 10 women cycle more

than once a month, and that's something that Sustrans is keen

to change. This research

echoes a similar study

undertaken for Cycling

England last year, which

headlined on 'helmet

hair' and the fact that

many women were

put off cycle

commuting

because they didn't want to get hot and sweaty on

their way to work - see p46 for our tips on arriving at

work as fresh as a daisy.

Overall 17 per cent of women questioned considered

themselves too old to cycle; this compares dramatically to

the Netherlands where women over 65 ride on average

three times the distance of 19 year old British men.

Sustrans will also be organising female-friendly cycle rides

in the summer using traffic-free sections of the National

Cycle Network. www.bikebelles.org.uk

New website aims to get belles on bikes

less than one in 10 women cycle more thanonce a month, and that’s something thatSustrans is keen to change

The Republic of Ireland now offers tax concessions to employers wishing to run a cycle to work scheme similar to that in the UK, and Cyclescheme is expanding to help ROI employers get their employees on two wheels.

The scheme is intended to cut congestion, reduce pollution and boost fitness; with existing levels of cycling peaking at a lowly 2% the Irish government hopes to reach a target of 10% by 2020 and the cycle to work scheme is just one of several measures intended to achieve this goal. The move towards cycling is already an emerging trend, with a 17 per cent rise in cycling trips into Dublin, and the government scheme aims to build on that.

Although the Irish bike to work scheme is based on employee salary reductions for the tax-free amount as it is in the UK, one big difference is that only one application for the scheme is allowed every five years. Employees are limited to a bike package of €1000 to include safety equipment like helmet, reflective clothing, lights and a lock.

Enthusiasm is bubbling in the Irish cycle trade. Paul Masher, who runs the importers for Trek, Dawes and other leading brands, said, “Getting more people on their bikes will help reduce road traffic pollution and promote green business activities as well as improving overall health and fitness. Everyone wins!”

Cyclescheme lands in the emerald isle

Welcome...

7

Pedalling factsGuim Valls Teruel, a 33-year-old Spaniard from

Barcelona, is attempting to cycle across five

continents on an electric bike, starting from the

Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing in May and

concluding three years later in east London in time

for the start of the 2012 Olympics.

FAQ...Q How do I save money through

the scheme?

A The savings are made because salary sacrifice reduces your gross salary -

before any tax or NI has been deducted - so the amount of tax and NI paid is less than usual. Employers who are able to offer VAT savings to their employees further contribute to the total savings.

Q How often does the bike have to be used for work?

A There is no requirement for you to cycle to work for a specified number

of days throughout the year and there is no special requirement for you to record your trips. You can also use the bike for leisure at weekends and on holiday, although a bike purchased under Cyclescheme should be ridden for at least 50% of time during trips to work. The Inland Revenue does not expect you to keep a record of mileage.

Q What happens at the end of the hire period? Why can’t my

employer just give me the bike at the end of the scheme?

A It’s your employers choice at the end of the hire period whether they opt

to sell you the bike. Typically employers will choose to sell the bike back to you for a fair market value: this is the amount that a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller, in this case to transfer the ownership of the bike to the employee. In our experience the market shows values of these types of bikes and equipment to be around 5% of the original retail value after 12 months. Please note that such practices and expectations are merely indications based on historical factors and cannot be guaranteed. This fair market value payment is essential if the you are to legitimately own the bike after receiving tax benefits throughout the hire period. The fair market value amount cannot be stated before or during the hire period as this could be considered a benefit in kind, which does not warrant any tax-relief.

Q Can my employer pass on VAT savings?

A For employers who are VAT registered it may be possible for savings to be

passed on to employees. Organisations such as financial institutions, charities and NHS trusts are usually unable to take advantage of VAT savings.

Q Does my employer require a Standard Consumer

Credit Licence?

A The Government has issued a blanket consumer credit licence to

all participating employers buying bike packages up to £1000 including VAT.

When you sign the Hire Agreement, the resulting relationship is defined under the terms and conditions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

If your employer wishes to supply bikes over £1000 then they will need to buy a consumer credit licence from the OFT, which takes around six weeks to come through and lasts for five years.

Q Who’s responsible for the bike during the hire period? What

happens if it gets stolen?

A You’re responsible for maintaining the bike while you’re using it; it’s a

condition of the hire agreement that you’ll sign. It’s definitely worth investing in a good lock and insurance (see p20), because if the bike gets stolen you’ll have to complete your payments for it through the salary sacrifice scheme from your net pay, without any tax savings.

Q Can I get a sale bike through the scheme?

A Bike shops pay a small commission to Cyclescheme when they supply

a bike. If a bike shop has marked a bike down in the sale then they may wish to add a 10 or 12% surcharge to if they supply it through the scheme. This is only permitted if made explicit to the customer before a quotation form is completed.

Common questions about the scheme answered by our Cyclescheme experts...

Come to The Cycle Show 2009 for a peek into the wonderful world of bikes and all the characters that ride them.WWW.CYCLESHOW.CO.UK

9 -11 October 2009Earls Court 1

WHERE TWO WHEELS MEET©

”May the wind be with you”

Are you guys wearing matching lycra?

Real men don’t shave their legs dude.

dude, Real men aren’t afraid to shave their legs.

Come to The Cycle Show 2009 for a peek into the wonderful world of bikes and all the characters that ride them.WWW.CYCLESHOW.CO.UK

9 -11 October 2009Earls Court 1

WHERE TWO WHEELS MEET©

”May the wind be with you”

Are you guys wearing matching lycra?

Real men don’t shave their legs dude.

dude, Real men aren’t afraid to shave their legs.

CYCLESHOW2009_CYCLECOMMUTER_3APRIL.indd 1 2/4/09 18:25:34

Pedalling factsA pedal-powered airship will take to the skies

above Nottingham later this year. The engineering

students at Nottingham University selected the

helium-filled blimp as their 4th year project after

it was suggested by supervisor Dr Janet Folkes, a

balloonist who holds more than 40 world records.

Aspiring author, York City

Football Club supporter

and cyclist Simon Hood

is preparing to combine

his three passions by following his

team next season on his bike. The

32-year-old supporter of the Blue

Square Premiership team will quit his

job this summer to spend 10 months

attending every single York City

match, home and away, provided

the team isn’t relegated this season.

“I've always been looking to

write a book and this is a hook I can

hang two interests on,” says Simon.

“It just seemed a ludicrous enough

proposition to intrigue people

outside York and their league.”

Despite his admittedly “pessimistic”

attitude towards the club, Simon

says he is reasonably confident they

will stay up this season, meaning he

would start cycling in mid-August

until April or even mid-May if they do

well enough to make the play-offs.

He says the trip will be a test of his

commitment to his team. “I suppose

subconsciously I must love York City,”

he said. “Football’s a fickle mistress.”

Simon has cycled from Lands End

to John O’Groats on a budget of £5

a day, but 10 months on the road

will be a bit different and entirely

dictated by the fixture list. “Torquay

would be the longest trek at the

moment,” he says, “But there's a

good chance they'll go up this

season: fingers crossed. This week

would have been tricky - York on

Saturday, Weymouth on Thursday,

Ebbsfleet on Sunday. Overall it

should be feasible and if it comes

down to it I can always improvise.

Or cheat. It's making me want awful

things for other teams. I really want

Grimsby to get relegated to give me

an easy fortnight.”

Simon’s busy sourcing clothes

and panniers, and finding corporate

sponsors, but wants to hear from

anyone interested in helping him

raise the £5,000 he needs to get

through the 10 months. He will also

be raising money for the York branch

of the Alzheimers Society. For more

information on the challenge, go to

www.bicyclekicks.co.uk

Season in the saddle

“I really want Grimsby toget relegated to give mean easy fortnight.”

A proposed law which would have allowed council contractors to remove without notice bikes chained to railings, whether they were causing an obstruction or not, has been thrown out by a committee of the House of Lords after sustained opposition from the London Cycling Campaign (LCC).

The proposal was part of a package of measures proposed by Transport for London and the London Councils and backed by the Mayor’s office. The LCC pointed out that that it would be a severe disincentive to cycling in London at a time when Transport for London and the Mayor’s office were actively encouraging more people to get on their bikes.

Speaking for the LCC before the Lords’ committee, the organisation’s counsel Ralph Smyth said, “this aspect of the Bill would have a chilling effect on people’s desire to cycle”. Peers were told that local councils already have powers to remove bicycles that are an obstruction or which are abandoned. The rejected law could have been applied to thousands of bikes that were not attached to bike stands.

LCC’s chief executive Koy Thomson said, “we’re delighted that committee members decided to throw out legislation that could have been a serious deterrent to cycling. Cycle stands in London are overflowing with bikes, even in the winter. We need more bike stands, not new laws making parking more difficult.”

Lords throw out ‘lock it and lose it’ law

Summer 2009

10


Pedalling factsA Cannondale Super Six bike ridden by top pro Ivan

Basso in his comeback race has been auctioned

for charity on a Japanese website for 850,000 yen

– that’s about £5,700. The custom-painted bike

features a Japanese warrior theme and was raced

by Basso to a third-place finish.

Cyclists (and their bikes) are particularly vulnerable to the dangers posed by potholed roads which is why for the last few years cyclists's organisation the CTC has been running the Fill That Hole campaign asking cyclists to notify councils about potholes they spot while out riding – particularly those that could be dangerous.

The thaw after this year's hard winter revealed a new crop of holes in our roads which has lead the CTC to repeat that call for cyclists to report as many as they find. So if you spot a hole while out on your bike cut along to www.fillthathole.org.uk and report it.

Councils are responsible for dealing with potholes on A and B roads, but they can't deal with them if they don't know they are there. Once notified though they have a statutory responsibility to fill them in, if they don't and an accident occurs – they will be liable.

Fill that

hole!

Bspoke is a range of clothing

for style-conscious cycle

commuters who want clothing

designed for cycling that can

just as easily be worn when not cycling,

and which isn't going to cost an arm and

a leg either. It launched in London this

Spring.

Muted colours, black, sand and taupes

are the order of the day in the first bspoke

collection which definitely goes for the

understated look. On offer are a men's

and women's range comprising trousers,

jerseys, base layers and jackets. The base

layer is 10 guage merino wool costing

£49.99, while the Richmond and Holland

cotton trousers are both £60; the men's

Edgware mid-layer is £89.99 as is the

women's equivalent the Kensington.

The two jackets in the range – the men's

Holborn and the women's Angel – come

in a choice of black or 'stucco' which is a

sort of beige to the rest of us. The Angel in

particular doesn't look like a conventional

cycling jacket as it features a hood and

a belted waist. Cycling specific touches,

including thumbloops on zips and

discrete reflective piping, feature

on the garments.

The range first got an airing

at last year's Cycle Show and

public reaction was so positive

that bspoke knew they were

on to something. The team

behind bspoke really did their

homework when it came to

designing the clothes, using

focus groups made up of

non-cyclists, new cyclists and

regular cyclists to hone their

designs. All that research will

now be put to the test as

bspoke hits the shops; initially

it will sell in London and other

major cities before moving to

cycle stores nationwide.

The team behind bspokereally did their homework, using focus groups made upof non cyclists, new cyclistsand regular cyclists to honetheir designs

bspoke clothing hits the shopson test...

11

StuffBringing you the very best cycling gear for your daily commute and beyond…

Niterider CherryBomb £17.99 Niterider’s bright LED rear light is visible from up to a mile away on a straight road. Yet it also shines light to the sides, making you visible at junctions. Two AAA batteries power it for 20 hours steady or 40 hours flashing. It will fit to your seatpost or clip to seatpack or rucksack. www.niterider.com

50 Quirky Bike Rides £9.99 Cycle through the longest ford in the country, up or down our steepest hill, onto Europe’s tiniest ferry – or try 47 other unusual cycling experiences. This book underscores the fact that exploring by bike is fun. Most rides aren’t too challenging either. www.eye-books.com

Shimano M324 pedals £54.99 Clipless pedals improve your pedalling efficiency, but require bike shoes with matching cleats. These have an SPD pedal on one side and a normal flat pedal on the other. It’s a perfect compromise for a bike that you want to ride in bike shoes and street shoes. www.shimano.com

Bontrager Sport Wind Vest £39.14A vest or gilet is an ideal extra layer for changeable UK weather. It protects you from windchill and light showers yet will pack into a jersey pocket when not required. This one is well cut for cycling and has reflective trim. Sizes XS-XXL. There’s a women’s version too. www.bontrager.com

Blackburn AirStik SL £22.99Weighing just 59g and as short as a Biro, this mini pump is as mini as they come. It will fit in any pocket or seatpack. The small volume pumped per stroke means it’s best for skinny road bike tyres, which it can inflate to over 100psi. Connects to Presta valves only. www.blackburndesign.com

Tortec Reflector Mudguards £24.99Spray from wet roads soon soaks shoes and clothes. Full-length mudguards like Tortec’s are your best defence. The front has a breakaway safety fitting to prevent it jamming, the rear has a reflector, and both have reflective edges for side-on visibility. www.zyro.co.uk

Summer 2009

12


Buff £13.00 It’s a tube of stretch polyester fabric usually worn like a bandana to keep the sun or cold off your head, either on its own or under a helmet. It can also be worn as a scarf, headband, balaclava or hair band. www.buffwear.co.uk

Bloc Leopard glasses £50.00 For cycling, glasses keep not just sun but also wind, grit and insects out of your eyes. Bloc’s lightweight Leopard glasses offer wraparound wind protection and good peripheral vision. There are three interchangeable lenses so you can swap them to suit the season. www.bloceyewear.com

Giro Rift helmet £49.99Mountain bike helmets are better than road bike helmets for commuting, because they come with a peak that will keep sun and rain out of your eyes. The Rift has good ventilation so you won’t overheat, and a fine-tuned fitting system so it sits snugly on your head. www.giro.com

Gore Balance Bike Short £40.00 Don’t want skin tight Lycra for summer commuting or weekend riding? These thigh-length baggies look like normal shorts but have a removable padded inner short for cycling comfort, as well as two front pockets and a zipped rear one. www.gorebikewear.com

Clif bars £15.60 for 12 Organic energy bars that taste like what they are – food – Clif bars are a world away from the wood-shavings-and-glue consistency of some cycling snacks. Stick a couple in your pocket and they’ll keep you riding for hours. www.clifbar.com

Stuff

13

Summer is peeking over the

horizon so now’s the ideal

time to take advantage of the

better weather and get fit for

the holiday season. The good news is that

cycling to work is an excellent way to get

in shape, and you’ll be saving travel costs

and gym fees into the bargain. You’ll also

turn frustrating commuting time into

efficient exercise time. Perfect!

Cycling will tone up your muscles,

improve your cardio-vascular system and

get rid of excess fat. It’ll make you look

younger and it’s a fantastic stress-buster

too. There really isn’t a down side.

Here’s how to make sure you you get

the maximum fitness for your efforts…

Get fit for Sum mer!How to use your commute to look and feel 10 years younger

1 Keep it consistentRiding regularly is the key to getting in shape and staying healthy. Gaining fitness is a step-by-step process; if you ride for a few days then miss a fortnight, you’ll lose the improvements you’ve made and have to start again. But if you ride consistently, you’re continually building on the fitness you’re already got. So if you really want to say goodbye to the spare tyre around your middle, you need to bring cycling into your lifestyle. Make riding to and from work part of your daily habit so you don’t even think about it and you’ll be on the road to long-term fitness.

2 Go the long way homeThe weather’s good, the evenings are long,

you’re on your bike anyway… why not take a

detour on the way home from work and do some

exploring? Ride for just an extra 15mins and

you’ll use up 100-250 calories. Do that regularly

and you’ll soon start to shift the pounds and

notice real gains in your fitness.

Summer 2009

14


The weather’s good, the evenings are long, you’re on your bike anyway… whynot take a detour on the way homefrom work and do some exploring?

Get fit for Sum mer!3 Mix it up

You might have heard about your ‘fat burning

zone’. It’s based on the idea that you’ll burn off

more body fat if you exercise at a low intensity.

Trouble is, it’s nonsense.

It is true that a higher proportion of your fuel

comes from your body fat when you take it steady

on the bike, but you also use up far fewer calories

overall. Plus, if you ride harder, your metabolism

will stay higher for longer afterwards, so you’ll

carry on burning more fat while you’re at your

desk talking to Maggie from accounts.

We’re not saying you need to go nuts every

time you get on your bike, but when you do feel

like giving it the full Chris Hoy treatment, go for it!

5 Listen to your bodyCycling is a non-weight bearing activity so it’s easier on your joints than, say, running, but you still

need to be aware of any aches and pains that do come along, especially around your knees. Chances

are, getting your riding position checked by your local bike shop and incorporating a few simple

stretching exercises into your life will cure any little niggles. Don’t ignore a problem or you could end

up with a lengthy lay-off from cycling, and that’ll put a big dent in your fitness.

4 Control your appetiteSome people have a tendency to start raiding the fridge at every opportunity when they up their level of exercise. Resist that urge. Essentially, if you want to lose weight, you need to use up more energy than you take on board through food and drink, so that your body will dip into its fat reserves. Riding a bike increases your energy expenditure but you won’t lose weight if you increase your energy intake at the same time. So stick to a balanced, healthy diet, drink plenty of water to replace the fluid you’re losing during exercise and watch your weight fall.

5 great fitness tips

15

A triple chainset gives a great range of gears for commutes and longer excursions

Ridgeback Flight 03 £699 With a road-oriented Shimano 18-speed transmission and sure-footed stopping courtesy of front and rear disc brakes, the Flight 03 is well set up for everything from short hops to longer weekend excursions. www.ridgebackbikes.co.uk

Trek 7.5FX £575Trek’s stylish FX range goes from the sub-£300 7.0FX to the £1650 top-end 7.9. The mid-range 7.5 has a Carbon fork to cut down on the road buzz, and the Trek’s new clip-in mudguard system makes fitting ‘guards a breeze www.trekbikes.com

in detail...

Other rated rides...

The brake cable runs inside the frame for a clean look

Bike testSummer 2009

16


Hybrid is a term that’s used to cover a

huge range of machines from cheap-

as-chips shoppers to £2k carbon

superbikes, but recently the big growth

has been in mid-range city bikes like the Merida

Speeder, and they’re very popular as commuting

machines. One of the main reasons is versatility. If

you’re going to have just one bike the Speeder makes

a great case for being it. The Speeder is great as is, but

the option of adding mudguards or a rack means that

you can spec the bike exactly as you need it. And if

you include the extra bits in your Cyclescheme quote,

you’ll save money on them too!

The Speeder’s Aluminium frame and carbon-blade

fork are nicely constructed and finished, and hanging

off them are some good quality components for the

money, including a chainset that runs on external

bearings for extra stiffness, and a high-end Shimano

Ultegra rear mech. The gear cables run under the

bottom bracket, and the rear brake cable runs inside

the top tube, giving an uncluttered look.

The Speeder handles well

too. The steering is precise but

not especially quick, making

it a very stable ride that won’t

spring any unwelcome

surprises. It’s also a very

comfortable bike to pilot and

this is down to the upright

position, the reasonably soft

saddle and the big Kenda

32mm tyres which will handle unsurfaced paths or

cobbles as well as city tarmac. The bike’s happy to

spin along at a fair lick and in fact it’s a nice place to

sit on even fairly lengthy rides, which is good news if

you decide to take a fitness-boosting detour home

(see p14). The triple chainset and nine speed cassette

give you all the gears you’re ever likely to need, even

over the hilliest terrain, and the Avid brakes will stop

you without any fuss on the downhill bits.

Overall the Speeder is a very likeable bike that’ll be

a good off-the-shelf solution for many people. The

option of adding

a rack and ‘guards

on the scheme

just adds to the

Speeder’s appeal.

www.merida-bikes.com

Merida Speeder T3 £629Looking for a bike that’ll handle a daily commute but also the odd longer fitness ride? Then the Speeder should be right up your street

Tech SpecsPrice: £629Weight: 22.5lb / 10.2kgFrame: Hydroformed AluminiumFork: CarbonDrivetrain: FSA Gossamer triple chainset, Shimano Ultegra/DeoreWheels: Shimano Tiagra/Mavic CXP22 rimsOther: Kenda 32mm tyres

Specialized Sirrus Sport £399The little brother of Cyclescheme’s top selling bike, the Sirrus Comp, the sport model doesn’t get a Carbon fork or seatstays but it’s still an excellent package for the money, with a 24-speed Shimano transmission.www.specialized.com

Marin San Anselmo £879Marin’s San Anselmo uses Shimano’s Alfine hub gear for a low-maintenance, fuss free commute. You also get a suspension seatpost to take the sting out the potholes and speed bumps. www.marin.co.uk

Jargon BusterTriple chainset The Speeder’s triple

chainset gives you a choice of three

cogs (52, 42 and 30 teeth), giving

you a wider range of gears than you’d

find on many bikes.

The bike’s happy to spin along at afair lick and in fact it’s a nice place tosit on even fairly lengthy rides, whichis good news if you decide to take afitness-boosting detour home

On test...

17

Example Package

++ +

£629Merida Speeder

T3 bikeAdd safety equipment for the full bike-to-work experience!

£124.99Abus City X-Plus

chain www.abus.b

e

£59.99

Giro Rift helmet

www.giro.com

£27.99Tor Tec reflector guards www.zyro.co.uk

Example savings

Example† Cyclescheme savings for basic and higher rate tax payers

Total retail price

£841.97

This is an example† of how savings are made for basic and higher rate tax payers on a this bike package hired over a 12 month period.

Basic rate 20% Tax, 11% NI, 15% VAT

Bike package retail price £841.97

Income tax, VAT & NI saved £343.82

Gross monthly repayments £70.16

Net monthly payments £41.51

Total cost of bike package £498.15

Higher rate 40% Tax, 1% NI, 15% VAT






†At the end of the hire period, under a separate agreement, the ownership may be transferred to the hirer for a fair market value payment. Savings will be affected by your personal level of taxation. Not all employers can pass on VAT savings. Some employers use finance to purchase the bikes, which will affect savings.

Price† after savings for basic rate tax payer

£498.15Price† after savings for

higher rate tax payer

£426.38

Summer 2009

18

Bikes get stolen all

the time, sadly.

Currently a bicycle

is stolen every 71

seconds, that’s nearly 440,000

a year. Most of these thefts –

about 90%, in fact – take place

in public places, the places

you park your bike when

you’re in town or popping into

the shops. We don’t want to

scaremonger here, just point

out that theft is an issue with

owning a bike. Luckily, there’s

plenty you can do to make

sure you’re not the next victim.

The main thing you need

to do is lock the bike: properly,

with a good lock, in the

right place. Not all thieves

will be walking around with

three-foot bolt croppers like

our friend on the right; most

will be opportunists, making

off with bikes that are badly

locked. Or not locked at all.

Turn the page for some

advice on what to do, and

what not to do...

Keep your steed safehow to

Thieves want a shiny new bike as much as you do. Don’t let them walk off with it...

Summer 2009

20


There’s plenty you can do to make sure you’re not the nextvictim, and the main thing you need to do is lock thebike: properly, with a goodlock, in the right place

Keep your steed safeBike security

21

A well-locked bike

If you can take your front wheel off, then do so and use it to fill the shackle of your lock. The more there is in there, the harder it is to attack.

One of the more vulnerable parts of a lock is the barrel, so make it difficult to get at if you can

Lock the bike in plain view somewhere it won’t be an obstruction. Sometimes thieves pretend to be removing ‘problem’ bikes for the council.

Use the best quality lock you can afford. Look for a Sold Secure rating (Gold is best). Solid shackle locks tend to be the most secure.

Lock the bike to something that’s as sturdy as the lock, otherwise the thief could cut that instead!

Don’t do this...

This bike is locked to a pole that a thief can reasonably reach the top of, with a lock long enough to fit over the sign

A quick lift is all it takes to free the bike...

...and because the lock isn’t through the wheel the thief can just wheel or ride it away.

Summer 2009

22


Don’t do this either...This bike is locked with a cable lock and cheap padlock – the lock is the weakest link

It takes about 10 seconds to snip the lock...

...and our light-fingered friend makes off with the wheels.

Abus Granit CityChain X-Plus £124.99 It’s an expensive bit of kit but the CityChain is a very, very sturdy security device. We’ve been at it with the bolt croppers, the persuader and the cold chisel and barely marked the thing. You’d need to be a thief packing some serious tools to get through this thing. www.abus.de

Kryptonite New York M18 £89.99 We’ve said it before (in issue 1) and we’ll say it again: Kryptonite’s New York locks have built up an enviable reputation over the years for being among the safest out there and the M18, with its 18mm hardened steel shackle and armoured barrel, is about as indesructible as they come.www.kryptonite.com

Abus Cobra cable 1.4m £9.99 Not a good way to keep your bike secure but a good option if you want to attach things – wheels, saddle, helmet – to your main lock. www.abus.de

Top locks Extra coverAs we’ve explained the best way to protect a bike is to lock it properly with a good lock, but is it worth having a second line of defence – some insurance in case the worst should happen?

If you get a bike through Cyclescheme the answer is definitely yes. That’s because while you are paying for the bike through the scheme it is effectively on hire, so if you lose it you will have to pay off the remaining balance from your net pay (ie at full retail value with no tax savings), and that would be no fun at all.

So what are the insurance options?For most people there are two choices: invest in a standalone cycle insurance policy or add the cover to your home contents insurance. Recent research by Moneysupermarket.com found that you can add a bike to your home contents insurance policy for as little as £14 per year, but also found that it paid to shop around with the amount and cost of cover varying quite widely. If you do have a bike stolen,

insist on replacing it via your local shop and not via an insurer’s ‘preferred’ supplier.

Standalone cycle cover is offered by companies like Cycleguard. Depending on where you live expect to pay between £40 and £60 per year for a bike costing £500, or £80 - £120 for a £1,000 machine. Many cycling organisations also offer cover, the CTC’s Cyclecover (www.cyclecover.org.uk) scheme allows you to insure up to five bikes with a combined value of up to £12,500 on one policy. For most people, bikes to a total value of £1,000 would cost between £80 and £100 to insure, again it depends where you live. The London Cycling Campaign (www.lcc.org.uk) offers a discounted insurance package to its members.

Whoever you insure the bike with, it’s also worth checking the small print for what insurers will and will not pay out for. Some won’t pay out if you leave your bike in the garden overnight and if your bike is stolen away from your home most will require that you have taken the precaution of locking it, in many cases this means to an imovable object as described in our locking guide.

Simple maintenance

23

It came from the land. Oneday it will return to the land.howies.co.uk

15% off for all Cycle Scheme members. Just quote offer code: CSHW92

Natural merino baselayers for riding and living.


essentialsIt’s not all about the bike: choosing the right kit will make all the difference to your ride. Here’s the lowdown on a few things you’ll wonder how you lived without

Essential kit:

BagsF

or cycling around

town, a rucksack

or courier bag is a

convenient way to

carry your things. You don’t

need to ride a bicycle with

a carrier rack and you don’t

need to detach anything at

your destination: you can

just get off your bike and go.

When time is tight or you’re

making more than one

stop, you’ll appreciate this

quick and easy transition.

The key to comfortable

cycling with any backpack

is not to overload it. Extra

weight on your shoulders

means more weight on

your saddle. Pick a small or

medium bag like these and

only fill it when you need to.

Banjo Brothers waterproof rucksack £79.95Underneath the tough nylon exterior of this 24.5-litre rucksack, there’s a fully waterproof inner layer. It’s ideal for carrying things that need protection from the rain, like a laptop. The wide padded shoulder straps are supplemented with chest and waist straps to keep the bag stable, so it won’t sway about when you’re pedalling hard. Large reflective strips provide night-time visibility, and there’s even a side pocket for a small U-lock.www.banjobrothers.com

Ogio Pastrana Signature backpack £34.99An organised backpack saves you time and keeps separate those items that shouldn’t mix – like peanut butter sandwiches and business papers, or a dribbly water bottle and an iPod.This 21-litre Ogio pack has plenty of places to put things. There are two main pockets, an internal organiser panel, and two mesh outer pockets. There’s even a fleecy MP3-player pocket, complete with earphone port, for when you’re off the bike. It’s made from heavy duty nylon.www.ogio.com

Timbuk2 Classic messenger bag (medium) £58.71As a testimony to its appeal, Timbuk2’s Classic courier bag has been in production for 18 years. Available in four sizes, it’s made from ballistic nylon with a waterproof liner. There’s a cross-strap to stabilise the bag, and inside there are pockets for your phone, business cards, and more. The strap tails are reflective and there’s a tab for an LED light.www.timbuk2.com

Jargon BusterLitres Luggage volume is

measured in litres. Picture a stack

of one-litre orange juice cartons.

(Although you’ll only get 20 in a

20-litre bag by emptying them in!)

25

Jargon BusterHeel clearance To prevent your

heels clipping your pannier(s)

as you pedal, larger ones are

contoured for clearance. Smaller

ones can be a squarer shape.

Essential kit:

PanniersT

he further you’re

riding and the

more weight

you’re carrying,

the more sense it makes

to carry some or all of the

load on your bike instead

of your back. There will

be less weight on your

shoulders and backside, so

fewer aches, and you’re less

likely to get your work shirt

sweaty.

Panniers offer the biggest

capacity. To fit a pair – or you

can use just one – you will

need a rear carrier rack fixed

to your bike’s frame. Your

bike shop can fit this for you,

if your bike is suitable. Most

are, although sportier road

and mountain bikes aren’t. Agu Ventura 130 £45.99You don’t need huge touring panniers when you’re riding to work: a 12-litre bag like this one should carry all your essentials. And if not, use two! The modest size means that heel clearance isn’t a problem. Quick release hooks fit onto almost any carrier rack, and when you detach the bag there’s a carry handle. A front pocket provides separate storage, as do the two mesh pockets. Reflective strips and a tab for an LED light are handy at night.www.agu.com

Carradice Bike Bureau £64.95 It’s a satchel with pannier fittings on the back so it can fix to a carrier rack – at an angle, to provide heel clearance. A flap covers the back of the bag to keep you and it looking businesslike off the bike.The Bike Bureau is made in Britain from a tough, rainproof waxed cotton fabric called Cotton Duck, while the straps are leather. Inside there’s a padded, removable laptop pouch and pockets for a mobile phone and other accessories. A pocket in the lid lets you stash cycling gear separately from office stuff. www.carradice.co.uk

Other luggage...

Basil Basimply basket £26.99Where would a shopping bike be without a basket? This one fits to bracket that attaches to the bike’s stem (included in the price) and it clips on in seconds. When you’re getting on and off the bike and carrying only a few items, it’s very convenient. It measures 25 × 20 × 20 centimetres.www.basil.nl

Carradice Super C saddlebag £54.95No carrier rack on your bike? No problem. This 23-litre Cotton Duck saddlebag will accommodate any commuting load. It attaches to loops or rails under your saddle, although Carradice’s quick-release SQR seatpost bracket – an extra £25.95 – is a better fixture. Smaller bags are also available.www.carradice.co.uk

Summer 2009

26


Essential Kit

Bikebins £29.50 eachMost panniers are bags. Bikebins are robust boxes made from 2.5mm thick polyethylene. This keeps the contents not just dry but safe, because the lid has a lock. The Bikebin itself can also be locked to the carrier rack. When you want to carry it around, there’s a handle and a detachable shoulder strap. Each Bikebin holds 17 litres. If you need more capacity, there are eyelets for strapping additional items to the top. A range of colours is available.www.bikebins.com

Basil Blossom Farm double pannier bag £35.99Panniers can be pretty as well as practical. This Dutch double pannier set comes with a flowery design on its water-repellent fabric. Reflective strips front and rear provide night-time security, and the capacity of 35-litres will swallow not just commuting loads but a decent amount of groceries. The pannier set fastens to the carrier with straps, so it will fit any type of rear rack. www.basil.nl

Lezyne L-Caddy seatpack £17.99A seatpack keeps all get-you-home essentials in one place: under your saddle. The L-Caddy easily holds two spare innertubes, a puncture kit, cash, and a multitool. There’s a separate pocket for a mobile phone. The zips are water resistant and there’s a reflective tab for an LED.www.lezyne.com

Topeak Tourguide compact bar bag £29.99A favourite of touring cyclists, a handlebar bag keeps important items like your camera, phone and wallet in reach. The main compartment is padded and there are two zipped side pockets. A raincover will shrug off showers, and it converts to a bum-bag off the bike. Capacity is two litres.www.topeak.com

27

Spares & repairs

Essential kit:

PumpsT

ry to keep your

bike’s tyres

inflated to the

pressure rating

that’s stamped on the side

of them. This vastly reduces

the risk of punctures and at

the same time makes the

bike much more efficient –

and therefore easier to ride.

The narrower and higher

pressure your bike’s tyres

are, the more often you’ll

need to top them up with

air. Once a fortnight should

do for fatter tyres (35mm-

plus); once a week for

skinnier ones. To make this

task as painless as possible,

use a floor pump (also

called a ‘track pump’) with

an in-built pressure gauge.

Floor pumps are great.

What they’re not is easily

portable. So you’ll want a

second, smaller pump to

carry with you on the bike

for emergencies. While

you’ll seldom need to use

this, one day it will be vital.

Blackburn frame pump £29.99The traditional, long-barrel frame-fit pump is bigger but easier to use than a mini pump. Blackburn’s is capable of 160psi, so is ideal for road bikes with high-pressure tyres. Its pump head locks in place with a thumb lever, and can be converted for Schrader or Presta use. The shaft is spring-loaded, so the pump wedges in place under the top tube or between pegs on a seatstay. Four lengths (XS-L) are available to fit different frame sizes.www.blackburndesign.com

Truflo Evolution £19.99With its fold-out foot stand, flexible hose and folding T-shaped handle, the Evolution is like a floor pump in miniature. Since it’s braced on the floor rather than by your other hand, it’s less strenuous to use than similar-sized pumps. It will inflate road bike tyres up to 140psi too – a figure only bodybuilders will reach with many hand pumps. The pump head internals can be reversed to fit Schrader or Presta valves, and the aluminium pump barrel provides durability. It comes with a bracket to fix it to your bike frame. www.madison.co.uk

Kenda Kwik Seal innertube £6.50These innertubes are self-sealing, thanks to a layer of liquid latex on the inside. Small holes caused by thorns or glass are plugged as the liquid hardens. Some air will escape before it does so, so you’ll want a pump – but not a repair kit! The tubes come in most road and mountain bike tyre sizes.www.kendauk.com

Pinhead locking skewer set £60.00Thieves are just as happy to steal bits of your bike as the whole thing. Quick release levers make that easy. This security skewer set makes it very difficult. Without the proper key, your wheels, seatpost and fork aren’t going anywhere, giving peace of mind if you lock up your bike in town.www.pinheadcomponents.com

Jargon BusterTyre pressure Pump gauges show

either psi (pounds per square inch)

or bar (multiples of atmospheric

pressure). If you need to convert

between them, 1bar = 14.5psi.

Summer 2009

28


Bontrager Air Support Road £17.99It takes persistence and hundreds of strokes to inflate a high pressure tyre with most mini pumps. The Air Support is faster, reaching 110psi with fewer strokes because the pump is dual-action: it also pumps on the back stroke. A fold-out handle gives a more comfortable grip for your hand whilst you’re at it. The lockable pump head can be converted between Presta and Schrader use. It can be fitted to your bike frame by the bottle cage.www.bontrager.com

Topeak Joe Blow Sport £32.99 It’s a sturdy and affordable floor pump, which will quickly inflate the fattest tyres or put up to 160psi into narrow race tyres. The handle has elastomer pads to improve comfort when you’re pumping to high pressures, while the base and barrel are steel and should last forever. The long hose has a dual Presta/Schrader pump head that locks securely onto the innertube valve. Clips keep the hose tidy when the pump isn’t in use, and when it is an easy-to-read pressure gauge takes the guesswork out of tyre inflation.www.topeak.com

SKS Airgun CO2 pump £18.99Instant inflation without the effort, thanks to a tiny cylinder of compressed CO2 gas, the Airgun will put up to 115psi into a road bike tyre or 44psi into a fat mountain bike tyre. A control valve lets you regulate the gas to inflate fully or just top up a tyre. The Airgun is a racer’s favourite and handy for anyone who travels light: it’s just 100g, including the cartridge, and 125mm long. A pack of five replacement CO2 cartridges costs £11.99.www.sks-germany.com

Lezyne Metal Kit £5.49A puncture kit for minimalists, Lezyne’s is a 75 × 35mm sleek metal case with a rubber plug at one end to keep its contents dry. Inside are six pre-glued patches, an innertube roughener (to make the patches stick better) and a tyre boot, which can temporarily fix a slashed tyre. Just add tyre levers and pump or CO2 inflator.www.lezyne.com

Pragmasis Shed Shackle £42Bolting this bracket to the inside of a wooden shed gives you a secure locking point for your bike, whether you use a U-lock or a big chain. It attaches with shear nuts that can’t simply be undone with a spanner, so burglars can’t take your bike without taking half of your shed with them.www.torc-anchors.com

Jargon BusterPresta A valve used on many

bicycle innertubes. Unlike Schrader

valves (aka car tyre valves), the

pump won’t just press on. Ask your

bike shop for a demonstration.

on test...

29

The Olympics in China last year

highlighted the issues surrounding

air pollution, with some members of

the US team arriving at Beijing airport

wearing face masks. If you stand by any busy London

street on a weekday morning it won’t be long until

you see a cyclist who’s donned the mask for the

daily commute: Mask wearing is on the increase,

with Respro, makers of the poplular techno mask,

reporting a sharp rise in sales. But do you need one?

If you walk through any major city you’ll inhale

small quantities of pollen, dust, particles from

diesel exhausts and various nasty sounding and

carcinogenic chemicals. London’s far from the worst

offender – Cairo topped a 2004 survey with 169

pollutant micrograms per cubic metre of air, whereas

London’s level was a more respectable 21 – and the

air in other UK cities is fresher still, but there’s some

fairly weighty names getting behind the masks.

Keith Prowse, chairman of the British Lung

Foundation, has been quoted as saying that he

wouldn’t cycle in London without a mask. “Your nose

filters out larger particles in the air but it’s the smaller

ones that are most damaging. They get stuck in your

lungs and need extra mucus to clear them, which

can start you coughing, and the particles can inflame

the lung tissue or air tubes, increasing the risk of

infection”. Masks can also help hay fever sufferers,

stopping the pollen from reaching your nose.

If you routinely cycle in areas of particularly heavy

traffic, you suffer from hayfever or you find that

you’re very sensitive to pollutants then a mask can

be a useful addition to your cycling armoury. You

may get a few funny looks – after all, it’s not the most

appealing look – and wearing one takes a bit of

getting used to, but like a pair of gloves or a decent

helmet it’s protection if you need it. For more info on masks contact Respro (UK) Ltd on 020 7721 7300 or visit www.respro.com

Masking Pollution When you’re thinking about protection, don’t forget your lungs!

Air, water and heat expelled through one-way exhalation valve

3

Nose clip

Air cleaned through carbon filter

2

Polluted air in1

How a mask works...

Summer 2009

30

Get a FREE information pack to discover great places to cycle near you.

SMS messages will be charged at standard network rates. Please read our privacy policy at www.sustrans.org.uk to see how we use your personal information.

This offer is promoted by Sustrans Ltd - registered charity no: England & Wales 326550, Scotland SCO39263.

How to apply

Visit www.freeyourbike.org.uk

Text PACK to 07903 100 100

Wide open spaces don’t justexist in your boss’s head.

Sustrans Road CC ad.indd 1 6/4/2009 10:39:27

The front hub dynamo powers both lights, meaning you’ll never be caught out after dark

Giant CRS2.0 City W £450This good value step-through-framed commuter from Giant isn’t as fully featured as the Specialized but you still get 24 gears, a rack and mudguards for the wet days. And you’ll have change for some lights...www.giant-bicycles.com

Cannondale Vintage Basic Feminine £999If you want to max out your Cyclescheme voucher then how about this beauty from Cannondale? As well as lights, ‘guards and rack you get a classic Brooks leather saddle and plenty of retro charm.www.cannondale.com

in detail...


The Carbon seatpost with a shock absorbing insert smooths the ride


32


I f you only ride in to work every now and then you’ll still be doing your bit to get fit and happy and ease congestion, but if you’re thinking of ditching the car for good then you’ll need a steed that’ll cope with all-

weather, four season riding. The Specialized Globe City 3 is just such a bike: a comtfortable, well-equipped city machine that comes equipped with everything you’ll need to cope with commuting in all conditions.

The heart of the bike is a sturdy Aluminium step-through frame that’s mated with a Carbon fork. The fork features

Specialized’s Zertz inserts which help to smooth out the ride; there’s also one in the Carbon seatpost. The chunky 38mm tyres add to the comfort, making the City a very pleasant bike to ride around town. It’s not bothered by the occasional pothole and even lends itself pretty well to unsurfaced paths and cobbles, if your ride in is a bit more adventurous.

The transmission is mostly built from Shimano’s mid-range Deore mountain biking groupset, but you don’t have to venture off-road to take advantage of the wide range of gears and high build quality that Deore offers. The 27 speeds include some very low gears, so the City is a great choice for a hilly commute, or if you’re planning to stop for a week’s worth of shopping on the way home! Specialized have sensibly fitted a full-length guard over the top of the

chain which means that you can cycle in your work clothes without fear of snagging them or covering them with greasy stains.

Where this bike really scores is its out-of-the-box versatility. You get a full set of mudguards to keep the road spray off your togs when it rains, and a pannier rack is included in the price too. Pannier bags are many a commuter’s favourite choice of cycling luggage because the weight is carried by the bike, not your back, which means you arrive fresher at the office. See p46 for more tips on no-sweat cycling.

When the nights draw in you’ll need to both see and be seen, and the Globe City 3 has a complete lighting system that’s powered by a dynamo in the front hub. There’s no need to remember to fit lights or charge batteries: the lights are there and ready for when you need them, so you’ll never get caught out by a late finish in the office, or a post-work trip to the nearest watering hole!

The City isn’t a cheap commuting option at £749, but if your’e planning to use the bike instead of the car then you’ll be making massive savings on petrol and parking and you’ll be getting fitter too, so it’s a good value investment in the long term, and this is a bike that’s designed and constructed for years of trouble-free commuting in all weather.www.specialized.com

Specialized Globe City 3 £749Want a bike that’ll handle the streets no matter what the seasons throw at you? This well-equipped commuter could be the answer...

Tech SpecsPrice: £749Weight: 29.3lb / 13.3kgFrame: Aluminium step throughFork: Carbon with Zertz insertsDrivetrain: Shimano Deore 27 speedWheels: Deore/Alex 700cOther: Rack, mudguards, lights, flat pedals

Trek Navigator 3.0 WSD £420Trek’s Navigator range of bikes are well equipped to handle the daily grind. This step-through model has a front suspension fork and a suspension seatpost to make your journeys as comfy as possiblewww.trekbikes.com

Marin Redwood £439Marin’s Redwood also scores a suspension fork and seatpost but the look is a bit more stripped down for fair weather riding. The mountain bike 26” wheels should take knocks around town in their stride.www.marin.co.uk

Jargon BusterStep through frames are the

traditional ladies’ design although

some unisex bikes use them too. The

lowered top tube makes getting on

easier, and you can ride in a skirt.

When the nights draw in you’ll need to both see and be seen, and theGlobe City 3 has a complete lightingsystem that’s powered by adynamo in the front hub

On test...

33


Example savings

Example



Income tax & NI saved £370.49




Higher rate 20% Tax, 9.4% NI, 15% VAT


Income tax & NI saved £446.54




Package

++ +Total retail price


basic rate tax payer



£451.94

£749Specialized Globe City 3

Add safety equipment for the full bike-to-work experience!

£29.50Bikebin pannier www.bikebins.com

£89.99Kryptonite New York Lock

www.kryptonite.com

£29.99Specialized Chamonix

www.spec

ialized.com

This is an example† of how savings are made for basic and higher rate tax payers on a this bike package hired over a 12 month period.†At the end of the hire period, under a separate agreement, the ownership may be transferred to the hirer for a fair market value payment. Savings will be affected by your personal level of taxation. Not all employers can pass on VAT savings. Some employers use finance to purchase the bikes, which will affect savings.

Summer 2009

34


Bikes are made up

of pretty simple

components in

the main, and

the essential design hasn’t

changed much in the last

hundred years. This makes

them reliable and generally

easy to maintain, but it’s good

to have a bit of a heads up on

what to do if things go wrong...

and that’s where we come in!

If the bike has a few

gremlins your first thought

might well be to take it back to

the shop and get the experts

to give it some TLC. Many

shops will offer your new

bike a check-up after a few

weeks as part of their service.

After that you’ll be paying

for running repairs, but with

a little knowledge and a few

basic tools there’s plenty you

can do yourself to keep your

steed in tip top condition...

You can pay for running repairs, but with a little knowledge and a few basic tools there’s plenty you can do yourself

Tooled up!A few simple tools and skills to help your commute

PumP: Keeping your tyres pumped up nice and hard is one of the easiest things you can do to make your ride to work a smooth one. See p28 for more information on pumps.

Allen KeyS, SPAnnerS & ScrewdriverS: most modern bikes use hexagonal allen bolts for most fittings, but for some (eg wheel nuts) you may need a spanner. A good cycling multi-tool will have all of the allen key sizes you need, plus other handy tools.

tyre leverS: these help you to remove the tyres. you can use spoons in an emergency!

oilS & lubricAntS: to keep your bike running smoothly you’ll need to keep some bits oiled. don’t oil the brakes if they squeak though!

Puncture rePAir Kit: A puncture is the thing most likely to stop you in your tracks, and the first think you should learn to fix!

essential tools

Simple maintenance

35

1 remove the wheel 2 remove the tube

4 Patch it up3 check for the hole

6 Put it all back5 Final checks

top tip...

If your bike has V-brakes, release them by squeezing them together and removing the end of the curved ‘noodle’ from its cradle. Flip the quick release or undo the nuts with a spanner, depending on how your wheel is fitted, and take it out. If it’s the rear wheel, shift down to the smallest cog at the back first, the wheel will come out more easily that way.

Push the tyre away from the rim all the way round the wheel, then hook a tyre lever underneath the tyre and pull it over and out of the wheel. Hook the first lever round a spoke then use a second to work round the tyre. once one side of the tyre is out you’ll be able to pull the inner tube out; don’t forget to check the valve stem to see if there’s a nut that needs undoing!

Use the sandpaper in the puncture kit to roughen up the area around the hole, then apply a thin coating of rubber solution: it really does only need to be thin. When it’s dry to the touch, remove the foil from the patch and apply it to the tube, pressing hard to make sure there are no air bubbles. That should be your hole fixed!

Pump the tube right up – don’t worry, it won’t pop! – and listen for the hiss. If you can’t hear it, running the tube past your lips can help as they’re very sensitive and you can often feel the air escaping. You can use a tub of water and look for the bubbles, but make sure you dry the tube thoroughly after because the patch won’t stick otherwise.

If you’re plagued with punctures then it might be worth investing in some sealant filled inner tubes. These tubes are filled with a rubber solution that contains tiny fibres and when the tube is punctured the mixture escapes and seals the hole. They’re a bit more expensive and add a bit of weight, but definitely a boon if you’re always hearing that dreaded hiss...

Remove nearly all of the air from the tube so that it’s flat but retains its shape, then fit it back inside the tyre. Fit the tyre back into the rim; use your thumbs if you can, if you need to use a tyre lever then be very careful not to pinch the tube. Part inflate the tyre, check it’s seated in the rim correctly and no tube is showing, then pump it up hard and re-fit the wheel.

Remove the thin plastic sheet from the patch, grate some chalk and spread it around to stop the tube sticking. Pump up the tube again to make sure there are no more holes. Run your fingers around the inside of the tyre to see if you can find what made the hole. If you do, work it through the tyre, from the outside to the inside, with a small screwdriver.

Fixing a punctureIf you learn just one bike-fixing skill, this is the one to go for...

Bikes get punctures.

Short of fitting

solid tyres (and

believe us, you

don’t want to do that!) there’s

no way to completely stop it

happening, though tyres with

thorn protection strips and

inner tubes filled with sealant

to block holes (see below) can

dramatically cut the number

of times you’ll have to get the

puncture repair kit out. But

when you do hear that hiss,

don’t get deflated: it’s easier

than you think to find and

plug the hole.

Summer 2009

36


1 tyre pressure 2 chain

4 Saddle height3 brake blocks

6 rubbing brakes5 cables

If you’ve got a pump with a gauge then you can easily inflate your tyres to the recommended pressure; it’ll be written on the sidewall of the tyre. If not, then you’ll just have to use your judgement but the rule of thumb for beginners is that the pressure you need is a lot higher than the pressure you think you need, and you’re very unlikely to overinflate them!

Your chain takes a lot of abuse but it’s a hardy beast and doesn’t take much looking after day to day. Basically, keep it oiled and make sure it doesn’t get rusty, which happens surprisingly quickly on salty Winter roads. When you oil the chain, apply the oil to the rollers in the middle, not the plates on the inside and outside, and wipe any excess off with a rag.

Having your saddle too low (a common mistake) will rob you of cycling efficiency and make your commute harder. The rule of thumb is that your knee should be slightly bent at the lowest pedal point. A good check is to place your heel on the pedal; your leg should be straight when the pedal’s at the bottom of the stroke.

Brake blocks wear down: that’s how they stop you. As they wear you can use the adjuster on your brake lever (or on the brake calliper itself) to bring them closer to the rim: turn it anticlockwise. Sooner or leater they’ll need to be replaced. Some blocks have a wear indicator; if not replace them when the blocks have worn down to the top of the water grooves.

Brakes rubbing on the rim? If its only at certain points of the wheel then the wheel is not true, so book it in at your local Cyclescheme partner store for a tinker. If the brakes rub all the time then the brakes aren’t centered. Most V-brakes have adjustment screws: turn the screw clockwise to make that block move away from the rim.

Your brake and gear cables are vital for control, so keep them in good condition and check they’re not frayed. Your gears should change easily and your brakes return to position quickly; if they don’t you need to get some lubricant between the inner cable and the outer. A squirt of GT85 or similar into the end of the cable outer will normally do the trick.

Basic bike checklistSimple checks to make sure things are running as they should

You may not want

to fix your bike,

and be happy for

someone else to

get their hands dirty!

Even so it’s a good idea to

run through these simple

checks every week or so

just to make sure there are

no problems. It’ll give you

peace of mind, and help you

to understand how your

bike works. It’s important to

remember that while cycling

is cheap, it’s not free: Bike

parts wear out, and timely

replacement can save you

money and stress in the long

run... Here’s our top six checks.

Simple maintenance

37

The Nexus three speed hub is neat and tidy and gives a good range of gears for town riding

Pashley Princess £465With its step-through frame, wicker basket, full chainguard and Sturmey Archer three-speed hub, the Princess harks back to the halcyon days of British cycling in the 50s and 60s. Don’t be fooled by the retro appearance though, it’s still a hugely capable town bike.www.pashley.co.uk

Kona UTE £650Kona’s long wheelbase workhorse is perfect for the car-free lifestyle. Those massive panniers will take a mountain of shopping and the wooden platform will take an extra person or anything the bags won’t hold. You’ll wonder how you did without one...www.konaworld.com

in detail...


The basket folds away when empty and springs out when you need it


38


Built to cope with unmade African roads the Africabike is a more than capable commuting machine for British roads. The brainchild of Kona’s Bike Town project (www.konabiketown.com),

the all-steel Africabike was primarily designed to be used to help health care workers deliver antiretroviral drugs to HIV sufferers in Africa. Since the project started in 2005 some 3,000 bikes have been shipped out across the continent; for every two that Kona sell, one is given to the scheme.

Obviously conditions are tougher over there, with health workers facing long distances over unpaved roads with very limited access to tools for maintenance. The bike has been designed to be strong, easy and cheap to maintain and simple to ride, and those qualities also make it a fantastic short distance commuter that comes already set up for all weather riding.

There’s currently two incarnations of the Africabike: the single speed Africabike One and this machine which uses a

Shimano Nexus three-speed hub comtrolled by a twist grip shifter on the bars. This gives you a range of gears that’s fine for town cruising, though don’t expect to get up the hills too quickly, as the bike’s 42lb weight makes it a sedate climber!

The Africabike’s main strength is, well, its strength. This is a machine designed to take some serious abuse and it’s really sturdy. The Cromoly steel frame and fork are finished in a tough black powder coat. The wheels are nice and strong

too, and shod with excellent Continental TownRide 26x1.75 tyres that are good for paved and unpaved surfaces alike. The riding position is very laid back, with the wide swept back bars and comfy saddle giving the Africabike a well balanced and leisurely feel. Stopping is taken care of by a standard brake on the front and a coaster brake on the rear – you step back on the pedals to brake. That takes a bit of getting used to at first, but you will master it in no time.

Mudguards and a chainguard are included as standard, so this is a bike you can easily ride in all weathers in your normal clothes. There’s a kickstand for parking and a nurse’s lock for when you’re dashing in to a shop. Luggage carrying is another big strong point: the rear rack is part of the frame and as such can take huge loads. There’s four bolt holes to attach a crate or a flat seat to the rack if you want to ferry around your groceries, or your mates. If you already have pannier bags, however, you might find they don’t fit due to the size of the tubes. Also included is a natty fold-out basket that hangs from the bars and can be secured in place with a metal plate.

If your commute is short and you want a low maintenance bike that has utility at its core, then this could be the one you’ve been waiting for...www.konaworld.com

Kona Africabike 3 £359Here’s a bike that combines practicality with style, and that will not only do you good: it will do someone else good too

Tech SpecsPrice: £359Weight: 42lb / 19.1kgFrame: Cromoly SteelFork: P2Drivetrain: Shimano Nexus 3spdWheels: Formula/Shimano/RigidaOther: Integrated rear rack, mudguards, chain guard, folding basket

Surly Big Dummy £ 765 (frame & fork)Another long-wheelbase machine and this one’s even longer! the Big Dummy conforms to the Xtracycle standard meaning you can get accessories to carry everything from kids to surfboards.www.www.surlybikes.com

Jargon BusterA Nurse’s lock is a built in locking

system that shoots a rod through the

spokes of the rear wheel, stopping

it from turning. Not too secure, but

great for nipping into a shop.

Mudguards and a chainguard areincluded as standard, so this is abike you can easily ride in yournormal clothes

Velorbis Scrap Deluxe £850The ultimate in urban chic? Certainly the Danish-designed, German-built Scrap Deluxe is a head turner around town. You get a choice of three, five or eight gears and big balloon tyres for a super-comfy ride on uneven tarmac.www.velorbis.co.uk

On test...

39

Example savings

Example
















Package



basic rate tax payer



£231.34

£359Kona Africabike

Three


£54.99

Lazer Urbanize helmet

www.lazer.be

£19.99Altura Night Vision Vest www.zyro.co.uk

£17.61Specialized BG Comp Mitts

www.specialized.com

Summer 2009

40

www.provisionclothing.co.ukUnit 3, Newtown Square, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 5QL | Telephone: 01782 333 736

Sales Enquiries for Corporate Clothing to: [email protected]

Doing a corporate event? Wearing the right branded technical clothing will make it far more fun as well as more comfortable and safe. You will also get the right message across to the media and public during your ride, triathlon, walk or run. We can also

supply a huge range of casual gear to allow you to relax after the event.

Alternatively, if you are looking for smart and functional clothing for exhibitions, indoor or out, then also let us know as our range is vast and prices the best in the UK.

Need a custom design? We can do this for you! Just let us know your requirements and we will quote you

Show your true colours

provisionad_240x165.indd 1 27/5/09 15:02:26

Whether you cycle across France onesummer or set off from home for aSunday afternoon spin, all you needis the bike you’ve already got, a littleluggage, and some free time

Get away by bikeFrom the office to the outside world: if you’re thinking abouttaking your bike on holiday, here’s our simple guide to the essentials...

Summer 2009

42


Get away by bike Cycling isn’t only the

best way to get

to work, it’s also a

great way to see the

countryside. On a bike you’re

in the scene, feeling the breeze

and smelling the flowers.

You travel fast enough to get

somewhere but not so quickly

that you’ll miss anything en

route. Whether you cycle

across France one summer or

set off from home for a Sunday

afternoon spin, all you need is

the bike you’ve already got, a

little luggage, and some free

time.

Different ways to rideThe easiest way to get away

by bike is to ride in a loop

and come back to where you

started. That way you only

carry what you’ll need for a few

hours. Your start point could

be anywhere: your home, a

car park in a forest, or the villa

you’ve booked for your

foreign holiday.

On a moving on trip you

keep going, extending your

day’s ride to the next day or

the next week. Apart from

having to book a bed ahead,

it’s not any more demanding.

You just have to take an

overnight bag with you. See

pages 26-27 for ideas on how

to carry luggage.

Where to rideGet a map for wherever you

plan to ride. Signposts and

satnavs guide you down the

most direct routes - usually

the biggest, busiest roads. You

want the opposite.

Invest in an Ordnance

Survey Landranger map

for your local area (www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk).

At 1:50,000 scale, each map

covers a 40km x 40km area

and the detail is excellent. Plot

your route on minor roads,

coloured white or yellow,

only using B roads (orange) or

A roads (pink) where there’s

no alternative route. You’ll

meander a bit, but that’s fine:

you’re exploring.

Sustrans have a searchable

database of cycle routes on

their website (www.sustrans.org.uk), many of which

are traffic free courtesy of

dedicated cyclepaths. Cyclists

can ride alongside canals on

towpaths too, though surfaces

vary. Visit www.waterscape.com for recommended

cycling routes in your area.

Cyclists can also ride on

bridleways – marked with a

dashed line on your Ordnance

Survey map – and on many

forest tracks. Surfaces range

from hardpacked earth that

any bike can handle to rocky

singletrack that requires a

mountain bike. You can quiz

the staff at your local bike

shop to find out about local

bridleways, while

www.forestry.gov.uk/cycling lets you search for

suitable Forestry Commission

routes near you.

If you’re going abroad and

taking your bike, get a good

Get away by bike

43

better. The most comfortable

shorts are Lycra ones with a

padded insert - worn without

underwear. But Lycra isn’t for

everyone. As an alternative,

wear Lycra shorts under

tracksuit bottoms or try baggy

mountain biking shorts with a

padded insert.

Have bike, will travelUnless you’re cycling to your

start point or you’re beginning

at your back door, you’ll need

to transport your bike.

Even small cars will carry

up to two bikes. The cheapest

option – apart from removing

one or both wheels and

storing the bike inside the

car – is to use a boot-mounted

rack that fixes temporarily

to the car with tensioned

luggage straps. Such racks are

best for one or two bikes only.

If you’ve got three or four

bikes to carry, or simply want

a safer, more stable means of

carrying your bikes, then it’s

worth paying extra to get a

bolt-on roof rack or tow-bar

mounted rack. The latter

offers better fuel efficiency

but requires a tow bar. Good

brands to look for in any type

of rack include Thule (www.thule.co.uk) and Pendle

(www.pendle-bike.co.uk).

You can also take bikes on

trains, ’planes and ferries, if

you book in advance. On UK

trains, there’s a limit on the

number of bikes per train –

often as little as two – but

booking is usually free. For

more information, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk and click

on the ‘Passenger Services’

and ‘Cyclists’ links. You can take

bikes on Eurostar too.

On ’planes, bikes usually need

to be stored in a large bike bag

map before you go. Try www.stanfords.co.uk.

Riding gearIt doesn’t matter what bike

you’ve got so long as it’s

comfortable. It needs gears

that go low enough to get you

up any hill you’ll encounter

and some means of carrying

luggage. That might be a

carrier rack, a saddlebag,

or just a handlebar basket,

depending on what you’ve

got to carry. Take your bike

to your local bike shop and

explain what you plan to do

with it. If it needs different

tyres, more luggage options,

or just servicing, the shop staff

can sort it out.

Specialist clothing is nice

but not required. Avoid

wearing trousers or shorts

with thick seams, such as

jeans. Tracksuit bottoms are

Lycra isn’t for everyone -as an alternative, wearLycra shorts under tracksuit bottoms or try baggy mountain biking shorts

The Camel Trail runs from Bodmin Moor to the sea along disused railway tracks

Summer 2009

44


or case, which you can get from

your bike shop. The bike may

be accepted as a (large) part of

your luggage allowance, or it

may incur a separate surcharge.

Policies vary widely, so check

with your airline.

On ferries, bikes are typically

cheap or free to book, and you

usually simply cycle on ahead

of the car traffic. But check

with your ferry company:

some services don’t allow

cyclists at all.

Holiday ideasLots of holiday companies

specialise in cycling trips. They

are either guided or ‘self led’ –

where everything is booked

and planned for you but you

follow a map. Either type may

include a luggage transfer

Don’t leave home without itDay ride:● Jacket that’s windproof and

showerproof● Sunblock (in summer or abroad)● Water bottle● Snacks such as cereal bars, or

energy drinks● Mobile phone● Map● Pump, spare innertube, tyre levers● Cash and credit/debit card

For an overnight or longer trip, add:● Clothing: Long-sleeved jersey or

fleece. Spare socks & underwear. Possibly spare T-shirt and shorts/trousers, depending on riding gear.

● Toiletries: Toothbrush, deodorant, etc. Also take wet wipes, plasters, Vaseline or Sudocrem, lip balm, possibly insect repellent.

from hotel to hotel, which

means you won’t have to carry

it on your bike.

For your first DIY trips, keep

mileage modest. Around 20-40

miles per day is plenty. Flatter

areas are obviously easier, and

lightly trafficked or traffic-free

routes are much more relaxing

for children, parents, and less

confident cyclists.

For weekend trips, three

great destinations in the

UK are: the Mawddach Trail

between Dolgellau and

Barmouth in Wales; Hartington

in the Peak District, which

gives access to the High Peak

Trail, the Tissington Trail and

the Manifold Way; and the

Camel Trail from Padstow in

Cornwall. All these are scenic,

traffic-free routes that are

For your first DIY trips, keepmileage modest. Around 20-40miles per day is plenty

A basic day kit will fit in a small rucsack or pannier

justifiably popular. For nearly

400 more throughout the UK,

get a copy of Traffic-Free Cycle

Trails by Nick Cotton (£12.99).

Some places are so well

set up for cycling that they

need no guidebook. Sark in

the Channel Islands is car free

(www.sark.info), while the

Netherlands has a cycling

network and culture that

beggars belief. Visit holland.cyclingaroundtheworld.nl for information.

Maybe later you’ll want to

explore the Loire Valley, cycle

over the hills of Tuscany, or

spend three weeks touring

from Land’s End to John

O’Groats. If so, www.ctc.org.uk should be your first stop.

For now, just pick a nice route

nearby and get riding!

● Food and drink: more snacks. ● Tools: Puncture kit, second spare

innertube, and multi-tool.● Lock: a lightweight immobiliser

is fine if you’ll be able to store your

bike safely overnight. If not, a big U-lock.

● Luxuries: paperback book, deck of cards, MP3 player, handheld computer – anything small.

Get away by bike

45

Follow these guidelines and you’ll arrive at the office neither hot nor bothered!

No sweat cycling

Summer 2009

For many people the worry when embarking on a new adventure in commuting is not traffic or fitness: it's turning up at work all puffed out and sweaty. The office is a

place for crisply ironed shirts and sharp suits. The walk to the photocopier should be a head-turning exercise demonstrating style and elegance…not a walk of shame accessorised with helmet hair, streaky foundation face and a skunk-like trail of eau-de-armpit!

All flippancy aside, looking

good on your bike and arriving

at your destination still fresh

and relatively unruffled is a

serious issue, especially for

women. Sustainable transport

charity Sustrans says that

although 44 per cent of

women have access to a bike,

three quarters never use one.

The reasons, they say, are a

combination of concerns

about safety and what to wear.

Sustrans is attempting

to tackle the issue with a

nationwide campaign and

new website:

www.bikebelles.org.uk.

Luckily there is a way to ride

to work while staying smart

and sweat-free at the same

time: the no-sweat cycling

method. That’s right, with

this approach you don’t

have to sweat at all!

For men and women

who want to get back on a

bike no-sweat cycling means

you can wear regular clothes,

pedal to work and arrive at the

office looking smart and fresh.

You don't even have to be fit,

although you will get fitter.

Anyone capable of a leisurely

walk can use the no-sweat

cycling method...

Saving Energy No-sweat cyclists scorn speed

and aim to keep body heat

production to a minimum.

A speedy approach may

save journey time but add

to recovery and image-

repair time at the other

46


Treat each pedal stroke likea step on a flight of stairsand aim for thelong game. Your legsshould neitherbe straining norspinning toofast

No sweat cycling

end, defeating the object

entirely. Find a speed you

can maintain without unduly

raising your pulse rate and

avoid all temptations to race

other cyclists (or buses!)

which overtake you. Choose

a route which allows you to

keep your momentum, and

resist the temptation to burn

rubber when restarting from

a stop. Slow down as you near

journey’s end to slow your

pulse rate, otherwise, without

the benefit of a cooling wind,

you’ll heat up on arrival.

Another tactic is to dismount

a few minutes walk from the

office to give yourself a bit

more time to cool off and get

yourself in the mindset for

“lookin’ good”.

Hills Hill climbing is the quickest

way to get sweaty on a bike

but with some clever gear-

switching you can hit hills at

a snail’s pace and reach the

top without any need for

unsightly wheezing. Here’s the

technique:

Approach at normal

cruising speed, coast to the

start of the gradient, select

a low gear, and don't start

pedalling until the bike has

slowed to a comfortable

climbing speed you can

sustain.

If your heart starts racing

and beads of sweat start to

form, slow down and recover.

Treat each pedal stroke

like a step on a flight of stairs

and aim for the long-game.

Your legs should neither be

straining nor spinning too fast.

When you get to the top,

the only way is down. Sit

back and enjoy the free ride

(no-sweat cyclists take every

opportunity to coast). The

cooling breeze will correct any

misjudgements you may have

made on the way up and now

you have time to recover.

ClothingNormal everyday clothing is

the uniform of the no-sweat

cyclist, with a few subtle

changes. Men may wish to

undo collars to allow heat to

escape - so leave your tie in a

pocket, and if you have to wear

a jacket at work, leave it in the

office. Avoid synthetic fibres

unless specially designed to

wick away perspiration and

wear several thin layers so

you can stop and strip off en

route if you feel like you’re

getting a bit hot. Remember,

heat production continues

after you’ve stopped riding so

remove a further layer (unless

it’s your last one) on arrival.

Have a cool drink and fling

open the window.

The RouteThe most direct route may

not be the best for no-sweat

cycling. Leaving early and

pedalling through parks and

shady tree-lined avenues

may be better than simply

following the route you used

to take by car.

LuggageYou may need to carry things

to and from work, a backpack

will do the job but the best no-

sweat option is a set of panniers

that prevents the common

cycling complaint known as

‘sweaty back’. Never hang

luggage from the handlebars,

even if it's just a carrier bag of

shopping on the way home.

Fitness Although the no-sweat way

is not intended to get you

fit, you will inevitably find

that fitness levels do slowly

increase. It is possible that

once you start, you will want

to do some more strenuous

training rides at the weekends

when you can get as hot and

sweaty as you like. Good luck!

47

The rear derailleur is designed to be tucked away so it doesn’t get in the way when folding

Brompton S2L £630Brompton’s racier S2L is a lightweight option (10.7kg) with a racier position than the standard models. You only get two gears but the super-compact fold and involving ride will appeal to riders looking for a tube/train or bus-hopperwww.brompton.co.uk

Pashley Moulton TSR9 £995Not a folder but a small-wheeled road bike, the TSR9 features Moulton’s excellent front and rear suspension which gives a super smooth ride even with small wheels. Easier to get into a car than a full size road bike, so good for a mixed commute. www.pashley.co.uk

in detail...


Both the main hinges feature locking levers for extra peace of mind


48


Folding bikes can be an excellent commuting solution if you’re looking for some real versatility, and the Mu P8 is a bike that’s as happy to roll along on a short to medium commute as it is

to sit stashed behind your desk once you get to work. The watchword for the Mu is performance: in the folding bike world, thanks in part to its 20in wheels, this is a fast, light machine that’s good for longer journeys than you’d normally contemplate on a smaller-wheeled bike.

Riding a folding bike gives you plenty of options on your commute. If you live a long way from the office, you can sling it in the boot of your car and ride in from the edge of town, saving on parking and getting yourself fit in the process. You can take it on the train or the bus too, and it takes up much less space if you have limited parking options at either end of your journey.

The P8’s frame comes in just one size but will accommodate riders from less than five feet tall to well over

six feet, the handlebars and seat easily adjusting for height. Folding it is very straightforward: collapse the handlebars, fold the frame and drop the saddle and you’re ready to go. It only takes about 20 seconds and there’s a handy magnetic clasp to keep the folded bike neat and tidy. The pedals fold too to keep the footprint to a minimum, although the larger wheel size means that the folded package a bit bigger than

smaller wheeled alternatives. The 25.3lb (11.47kg) weight is on a par with some comparably priced town bikes so it’s pretty light for a folder; your arms will thank you if you regularly have to carry it onto a train or up the stairs.

The ride is as stable and assured as many full size road bikes, though the position is more upright, making the ride feel a bit more leisurely. The fairly light weight and small wheels mean it gets up to speed quickly, though, so it’s good for nipping away from the lights around town. The eight speed derailleur gears give you a good enough range for nearly everything you’ll encounter on your commute, and Dahon have designed the rear mech specifically to work with the folding system. The V brakes will stop you with a minimum of drama and the 20” wheels certainly give a good ride over rough surfaces.

Attention to detail is excellent. Both the main hinges have positive locking mechanisms so you’re never in any doubt whether you’ve done it right. There’s a pump hidden in the long seatpost so you can’t forget to carry one, and there’s a big range of safety equipment (see the example package on the next page) to tailor the bike exactly to your needs. If you think a folder might be the answer to your commuting needs, the Mu P8 is one for the shortlist.www.dahon.com

Dahon Mu P8 £587.23This bigger-wheeled folder is good for short hops or longer trips making it a great folding all-rounder

Tech SpecsPrice: £587.23Weight: 25.3lb / 11.47kgFrame: Aluminium foldingFork: AluminiumDrivetrain: 8 speed twist gripWheels: 20”Other: Folding pedals, adjustable height bars, seatpost in pump

Airnimal Joey Sport £799The Airnimal range of folders features larger 24” wheels for a ride experience that’s more like a standard bike. The Sport won’t fold down as small as other folders but it’s a good option if you only need to fold from time to time.www.airnimal.com

Dawes Ace £699Fully specced out with mudguards, rack, dynamo hub and lights the Dawes is ready for day in, day out commuting in all weathers. At 12.9kg not quite as light as the Dahon but you’re getting a lot of extra kit as standard. www.dawescycles.com

Jargon BusterDerailleur gears are the kind you’ll

see on most road bikes: a mech at

the rear wheel pushes the chain onto

differently sized cogs to give a wide

range of gears for flats and hills

If you live a long way from the office,you can sling it in the boot of yourcar and ride in from the edge oftown, saving on parking and gettingyourself fit in the process

On test...

49

Example savings

Example


Package


£692.20

£587.23Dahon Mu P8

folding bike


£29.99Dahon ArcLite rear rack www.dahon.com

£49.99Basil Forest pannier www.basil.nl

£25.99SKS mini 20 mudguards

www.sks-germa

ny.com















Price† after savings for basic rate tax payer



£346.11

Summer 2009

50

people.The online club for

High road. Low road. Your road. My road. Long road. Narrow road. Steep road. Twisty road. Wide road. Different road. All roads lead to...

Bikes Gear News Reviews Chat Riding

Globe Apples_Bananas 240x165.ai 5/11/08 14:06:24

cycle commuter magazine issue 2

Documents