G'day Legends!

I'm landing in london for my first bike packing trip in May and have a few questions

• Thinking of starting in Inverness, it that better then edinburgh to have easy access Scotland? Or is it worth starting in Edinburgh? Will I miss much inbettween Edinburgh and Inverness? O
• Want to loop finishing back in London touching parts of Ireland too if possable. whats the best cheap port to arrive on the mainland from Ireland?
• Does anyone have any reccomendations on how to get to Inverness the cheapest and quickest way that dosn't involve boxing my bike again (i.e plane)

Cheers Mates

Hi all, sorry if this is the 100th question for this, I am just looking for some help before my brain explodes.

Signed up for Cycle 2 Work scheme back in April 2024, I sacrifice £9.49 out of my weekly paycheck for £493.50 I borrowed for my bicycle. I've just received an email asking for me to pay £85 to keep my bike on top. I don't understand how this scheme can save me money if I have paid £493.48 (£9.49*52) + £85 to keep the bike on top, meaning a total of £578.50. Unless I'm seriously missing something?

Edit: this was the info I got from c2w

Option 1 : You can arrange (at your own expense) to return the hired equipment to us in good condition, this will then terminate your agreement without any further payments.

Option 2 : Elect to keep the hired equipment and pay the Fair Market Value (FMV) cost, which is £86.67. The agreement will then be terminated.

Option 3 : You can choose to extend your usage between one and six years at no further monthly cost, to which a member of our team can confirm the different yearly amounts for you. For example, a 3 year extension would require you to pay a £14.45 deposit (which is refundable should you choose to return the items at the end of the extension). Please see below the fair market value table to showcase the percentages depending on how long you wish to extend for:

My specialised singlecross has finally died... there are loads of skinny tyre fixed/singlespeed bikes available but how about one that'll take >32mm tyres with space and mountings for mudguards and a rack, for less than about 600 quid.. Any ideas?

Hi folks, I'm looking for a bike that will see me through the somewhat hilly terrain in Derbyshire. I tried a dutch hybrid type bike and got on with it surprisingly well but let's be real it's a bad idea with the hills. I'm 5'8 and much prefer a more upright cycling position due to neck strain.

My one condition is that I'd need a pannier rack or ability to attach one.

I have been eyeing some of the Raleigh Pioneer bikes which I quite like but the issue is that I'm not sure what frame size I'd need (the one I think I should get is never in stock, if it even exist) I'd love advice on that or general suggestions. Cheaper is better but I'd be ok in the £300 to £500 range, roughly.

(There are no suitable used bikes in my area and I'd prefer to buy new as I'm not an expert on telling if a bike is in good condition or not)

Thank you all :)

If so how many chains and how often do you change them?

Thanks.

Hey there,

My girlfriend and I are cycling from Harwich to Manchester in July. We're only beginners now but practicing until then.

She has a neat touring bike, but I’ll be on a road bike, so I’m looking for a fully paved, or as much paved as possible, route—Google Maps isn’t much help, and I struggled with Sustrans (maybe I’m already tech-illiterate at 30, only half-joking).

Would anyone have tips on planning the route and estimating the travel time? We’re on a deadline—we're seeing Oasis in Manchester, and I'll have to let my boss know how long I'll be gone.

Thanks a lot in advance!

Me again who posted about multiple punctures this month. Finally got around to fixing the latest this morning and there are multiple tiny holes in the tyre. Doesn't seem perished but I'll get a replacement set to avoid the grief of constantly fixing punctures

I'd been recommended the Schwalbe marathons but my existing tyres say 700x45 on them and I haven't managed to find many places stocking the marathon pluses in that size

Can anyone recommend tough 700x45s for a town bike? Or can I get 700x38s on?

Appreciate the advice from you guys previously. I'm pretty wet behind the ears with bike stuff thanks to a flatmate and a work mate who are both experienced but I'm making an effort to learn and do things myself

My contents insurance is due for renewal in the next couple of weeks. Currently I use a standard insurer, and add details of the bikes, but do others use a dedicated cycling specialist insurer? Or insure their bikes separately?

I recently bought an e-bike which according to the labelling on the motor, has a wattage of 302.4Wh, I'm assuming this is the continuous rated power but it doesn't say that it is. I understand that in the UK, the wattage or continuous power of the motor should be a maximum of 250, otherwise you need a driving licence to ride it.

The motor itself is pedal assist only and does not run continuously without me pedalling. And it doesn't go above 15km/hr speed. Within the bike's manual it states that the wattage/power is 250, which is different to what's on the motor itself.

So am I safe not having a driving licence or is this actually required because of the wattage on the motor label?

I found that wearing a visible camera on my helmet changes the behaviour of drivers to drive more safely, with fewer dangerous overtakes and reduced bad behaviour. I don't want the camera on the bike, for this reason. With the camera I also found it makes it easier for me to shrug it off in the moment, because I know that I can submit dangerous driving footage to the police and they will handle it.

#Past cameras

##Ghost Drift XL I had a Ghost Drift XL camera which was OK but had a charging problem after a month and no support from Ghost. It broke after being dropped and I couldn't find the spare part (a tiny SMD button) to fix it.

• Decent resolution
• 3000mAh non-replaceable battery was over 2h of filming
• Currently £72 on aliexpress
• No image stabilisation, although this didn't stop police using the footage I submitted
• Mic barely picks up the other person in a conversation
• Loud onboard speaker beeps when turning on and off (same tone, so you have to remember if it's currently on or off)
• Nonstandard mount, hard to fit to a cycle helmet (I stuck it to a smooth BMX helmet)
• Extremely secure 3M adhesive tape mount resisted being ripped off by an aggressor

##Akaso EK7000

I then got an Akaso EK7000 £35 second hand.

• Low cost
• Shit battery - about 1 hour from the 900mAh swappable batteries provided when recording at 1080p 30fps
• Waterproof case holds the camera
• Standard gopro mount. Pretty sure this would snap if someone tried to rip it off
• Onboard speaker is too quiet, completely inaudible while waiting at traffic lights with cars
• Only way to check if it's recording or run out of battery is take helmet off, activate the screen and check
• Footage is a bit more stable than the Drift XL
• Me plus the camera is tall enough to hit on doorframes indoors, I'd prefer a slightly lower profile.

#What I'm looking for

I can see that the technology has improved since that camera was released, I've had great experiences with chinese tech so I'm looking on aliexpress.

My killer features:

• Long battery life - I would really hope to get at least 3 hours. I don't mind if the camera is a bit bigger
• Loud onboard speaker with different tones for switch on, switch off, start recording , pause recording
• Ideally a rugged mount (I will 3D design my own if I'm unsatisfied)
• Under £50

*(I'm not spending £300 for a GoPro but I don't want to risk £100 on something that turns out to be as disappointing as the Drift. I think the trick with chinese tech is that there are some insane bargains available, but there are also dud brands amongst them)

• I don't need a screen to replay video or viewfind, just one to adjust settings in case the bluetooth app ever disappears
• Mic that can pick up the other side of a conversation

##F9 bullet camera

This "F9" one looks decent: Cheap Amazon Bike Camera Review (Elikliv Action Camera) Mini F9 Dvr (and Various Other Names) . It's £22 inc VAT, but I think I might be able to do better still, as it seems to have been available on Amazon since 2021.

##Ordro EP6

is a bit more pricey (£90 inc VAT on aliexpress) but seems to work well enough. I'm actually worried it would be too subtle for drivers. Also, I think it is too focused on miniaturisation and better features could be had in something newer, which didn't focus on that. 2 hour recording time. Image stabilisation is electronic only. Review by Techmoan

##This nameless Ordro clone

Has some sales on aliexpress at £60 but no reviews with screenshots. Or £84 with no reviews on Amazon: Andoer 4K 30FPS Head Mounted Camera . Claims 2200mAh battery, which I suspect is just a lie. No reviews with footage.

##AT-MT101

This one is my strongest contender because it has physical image stabilisation and fits the gopro mount already on my helmet, but I'm annoyed that it has such a small battery.

Finally, the "AT-MT101" which is £41 inc VAT on aliexpress. 1 decent review with a screenshot of footage. £60 on amazon called "Goshyda Motorcycle" but no reviews there. 1000mAh replaceable battery.

#Has anyone tried any of these cameras?

I've tried to write up all my research and thoughts here, hopefully it helps someone else shopping in the future. Whatever I get, I plan to do a decent review of so that others have more information.

I'm interested to know if anyone has tried any of these or has any thoughts. Especially that MT101 and what the battery life would be like.

This is a Tern Link C8, brilliant little bike, very sturdy and rides lovely. Heading back from work on the Paddington-bound train, this seems to be the only section of the luggage rack it fits into. Seems to me that the GWR trains don’t allow for much luggage space.

I could take the smaller 2-carriage commuter trains but it defeats the point of a folding bike.

I've seen written, in a number of places, that every now and then it's good to run an e-bike battery completely down and then do a full recharge.

This goes against what (I thought) I believed about chargeable batteries, that running them completely down is no good for them and general other advice I've seen suggests keeping them between 20% and 90%, though that was for mobile phones.

So what is the truth for bike batteries and their wily charging ways?

...what do I do? Pop the front wheel off when using the rack? Yes, clearly, right? But are there alternatives? I don't want to do the roof thing — it'll mess with the sun roof and my bike is rubbish and weighs a ton.

I've been cycling for over a year puncture free and have had three punctures in a month now

Each time it's been the back wheel and I've patched it and checked the tyre for glass inside

I've noticed there are small holes in the tyre surface but they're pretty tiny

This feels like a crazy amount of punctures in a short time.

Do I replace the tyre? Do I switch the front and back so there's less weight on the tyre I reckon has a weak spot?

It's a decathlon city bike, an Elops 540. Tyres report being puncture resistant but at the end of the day it's still a budget bike

Hi, I'm considering getting the Elops 520 (decathlon) as a daily commuter bike. Does anyone have any reviews, how has your experience been? I'm worried it's so heavy. But I also tried the Elops 120 and liked it, it's fair to assume that 520 is better 😁

I currently have an Apollo Excelle hybrid which I really dislike and find very uncomfortable. I like the upright sitting position better.

I can't extend my budget to get the Elops 540/920.

I've looked at second hand bikes, but there seems to be a general shortage of upright bikes! Curious to hear your thoughts on the 520.

As a follow-on from this post, I've still not heard back from the company about how they want me to ship the bike sent in error back to them in Spain... I figure I have three options going forward:

1. I find a company that can ship the massive box (190x126x30 cm) to Spain and hope they give me a refund for the shipping fee in addition to the refund I've already asked for for the bike they never sent and the EU VAT they erroneously charged me...
2. I ask to forego the refund and keep the bike and try to sell it. I suspect they might agree due to the sheer amount of faff shipping it back would be, and I think it is worth a bit more than the urban bike they never sent.
3. I do a chargeback on the credit card I used to buy the bikes. I'm not sure if you can request a partial chargeback (as 2 of the 3 bikes arrived just fine and I'm very happy with them), but theoretically a chargeback might at least wake up the company and get this sorted...

I've gone ahead and bought a different urban bike for my wife from Decathlon, since in the last communication I have from the company they said they'd do a refund for that one. I paid £300 for the Decathlon bike, and the wrong bike they sent (a BH Spike 2.0) is theoretically worth £500+. If they let me keep it and I even get £300 for it I'd break even and be happy, but I'm not sure whether they'll agree to that...

I'd love some opinions from experienced bikers - if they tell me to keep the bike should I call it even? How difficult would it be to sell it? Should I keep looking for a company to ship it (a DHL lorry dropped it off so maybe I just need to call and not do it online)? Or should I just start a chargeback request and hope it all gets sorted in the background...

I love cycling, but shopping for helmets is figuratively and quite literally a pain for my large head. Most helmets seem to be designed for oval shaped heads whereas my head is more round. The result is that I buy an XL helmet for my 62-63cm head and the helmet is too narrow.

I have recently tried and returned a Bontrager WaveCel XL (way too narrow) and a Lazer Strada XL(slightly too narrow).

The only helmets that I have found so far that fit me are:

• Giro Syntax MIPS XL (my old helmet that needs replacing)
• Kask Mojito XL (appears to be discontinued)

I have taken a look on helmets.org/ on their articles for round and XL heads but the information seems to be out of date and focused around the US market rather than the UK.

It feels like I only have one option which is the Giro that is only available in Black.

It's time consuming and feels wasteful having to keep buy and returning the small pool of XL helmets that are available

Has anyone here got any similar experiences and perhaps recommendations?

The chain I bought was for 9 gears chain. My bike is a 9 gear boardman hybrid. However the new chain is two link smaller than the older one!!

Is there a problem using the new chain with less two links!

Or should I get a new chain.

Thank you for your help.

Hi! I'm a total bike newbie, as in I haven't even owned a bike since I was 10, so I need a bit of help from people who know more than me (which is everyone!)

I am considering getting a bike for my commute to work through the cycle to work scheme. It's not a long journey but it's pretty hilly, going up then down both ways.

I'm pretty sure I want an electric one but looking online is so overwhelming. Is there anything I should be looking out for? Any brands or models that you'd recommend? I don't have a set budget but don't want to go crazy with it!

Thank you!

Hi, I was really excited to learn we could get a bike under the vivup scheme this week and was eyeing up a road di2 Ribble ebike until I learned there is an employer cap at £2000. Speaking to my local bike shop thtley have to put 10% on any sale prices too so I'm really struggling to get anything other than a heavy Van Rysell from decathlon.

Whilst I back and forth with HR to lift the cap, are there any other options to look out for? Orbea Gain with a Claris groupset is the closest I've seen at £2200 and would really at least like mechanical 105 or Rival

Only after a road bike, no hybrid or others

Thanks

Hi all. I'm looking for a lightweight bike which I can buy on a Cycle to Work scheme (Cyclescheme specifgically) for £500-£600 (flexible upwards for the right bike) but struggling to find a good option. It seems like a lot of shops have just... stopped selling fixies in the past few years? I can find loads of options for bikes from a few years ago - Genesis Flyer, Specialized Langster, and options from Ribble etc., but it's really hard to find a decent quality lightweight bike which I can buy on Cycle to Work.

A single-speed appeals because, all else being equal, it'll be lighter (and easier to maintain) than an equivalent geared bike. I'll have to carry my bike up and down three flights of stairs to store it in my flat, so weight is my top priority. I do live in a fairly hilly city but can generally avoid hills pretty easily for most of the places I'd want to go.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts on the below options, or anything I haven't considered:

• 6KU Fixie: Looks to be about 10kg which would be alright for me, but I've seen mixed reviews and the hi-ten steel is putting me off - surely there should be something lighter in chromoly or aluminium?
• Cinelli Tutto Plus: Seems quite expensive for what it is - 10.2kg for £900? I'm sure it's higher quality than the cheaper bikes, but hesitant to spend that much when I could probably get a lighter road bike for the price.
• BLB La Piovra: Looks like a great bike, and 9kg is a good weight, but it's possibly a bit aggressive/track-oriented for me to use as a city runaround bike, not to mention being a fair bit more expensive than I'd like.
• State Bicycle Co.: I think this would work, and they come slightly more well-reviewed than the 6KU, but unless I'm being totally stupid (possible!) they don't seem to have any bikes available in the UK on their website, and I'm struggling to find a UK stockist...
• Decathlon Elops City Bike 500: The price is appealing, but 11.5kg seems very heavy for lugging up and down stairs all the time.

I'm not totally set on a fixie. Any decent bike around 9kg-10kg would suit me well I think, but I'm struggling to find something suitable in my price range.

Thanks in advance!

I recently bought three bikes from a company called Depor Village in Spain. Two arrived perfectly (my son and I took them on out first proper trail ride today!). Unfortunately the third box, which should have contained a Dutch-style urban bike for my wife, instead contained a large men's mountain bike... I've contacted the company and they want to refund the money for the urban bike and have me ship the mistake MTB back. The problem is, I can't seem to find any services that will ship a box that large... I've tried parcefore, DPD, and DHL (who dropped them off last week!) and they all say the 190x30x126 cm box is too large... Does anyone know what shippers would take it, preferably cheaply (though I will be asking the company to refund the shipping cost too obviously).

My daughter has grown out of her current bike, she is 8. We tested this 24” rock rider in decathlon - perfect size and weight

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-24-9-12-years-mountain-bike-st-900-red/_/R-p-300746?mc=8405170

However, and this is what I’d like some advice, she dosnt ride much - is £350 maybe too much if it’s occasionally used? Are there any other suitable 24” bikes for a lower price?

Thanks in advance for the advice

Hi all,

I’m looking to buy a bike and would love some advice from the experts here! My budget is £700 to £1,000, and I’m planning to use it to ride around the New Forest area. My rides will mostly be on roads, but I’d also like the option to ride on light gravel occasionally.

I’m 6'2", so I’ll likely need an XL frame, but I’ve noticed there don’t seem to be a huge number of these available in stock. Any advice on where to look or specific models would be amazing.

Initially, I’ve been leaning towards a hybrid bike with flat handlebars, as I’d prefer a more upright riding position. However, I’m open to being persuaded otherwise if there are better options (e.g., gravel or even road bikes). I’d really appreciate suggestions for bikes that are versatile enough for this kind of riding.

Here’s a summary of what I’m after:

• Primary use: Road and occasional gravel/off-road.
• Budget: £700–£1,000 - I've got a CycleScheme voucher for £700, hence this valuation
• Position: Prefer upright (flat handlebars), but I’m flexible.

I’ve been looking at bikes like the Trek Dual Sport, Giant Escape, and Specialized Sirrus X, but I’m struggling to figure out what would suit me best. If you have any recommendations or know of any good deals, I’d really appreciate your input! My local bike shop has recommended the Giant Roam Disc 2, but it seems very off road focused for my needs?

TL;DR: Looking for a versatile bike (£700–£1,000) for road rides and light gravel/off-road in the New Forest. I’m 6'2" (XL frame) and prefer hybrids with flat handlebars but am open to other options.

Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations!

Hi all

I've recently changed from a hybrid to road bike. My first ride was..... Interesting, to say the least. I consider myself a confident and competent commuter cyclist, however I was terrified and clinging on for dear life whenever I was riding alongside cars.

Long story short, how long do you think it'll take to get used to the different handlebars? I know I need to get out as much as possible to practice, but was just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and can share any tips?

Many thanks guys

Hi everyone,

I’m an international uni student in Leeds, and I’ll be heading back home soon. I’ve got a £500 voucher for Woodrup Cycles on Kirkstall Road (given to me by my apartment building), but I won’t have the chance to use it before I leave. This may be a long shot, but I’m hoping someone out there is looking to grab a new bike and save some money!

Here’s how it works:

• You pick any bike/accessories/attachments you want from Woodrup Cycles.
• We meet at the shop, and I’ll use the gift card to purchase the bike for you.
• You pay me £400 (saving you £100)

This is a great deal if you’re Leeds-adjacent and thinking about upgrading your ride or getting into cycling. Inbox me if interested!

The kids bikes live outside, sometimes with a cover, sometimes not depending how windy it has been. They are in need of some maintenance, or in the case of ones we have had a little longer they need a refurbishment. Can anyone suggest some good resources for this? They aren't fancy bikes or anything, I just need bog standard how to type thing.

Hi folks, my best mate was in a wee accident last weekend and the front forks of his bike (and the wheel) are absolutely knackered. He's stuck recuperating for a bit and I wanted to surprise him by getting his bike back on the road.

It's a Scaracen Kili Pro 29er hard tail bike, he bought it about 10 years ago and he loves that thing.

Could anyone point me in the direction of forks that will go on it? Or at least tell me what ones I should be looking for? Appreciate any help offered.