Cycle to Work Scheme

[Binky]

Originally Posted by Furry Ginger One

...so if you had a mountain bike with two sets of tyres the bike is much more versatile.

Valid point. But altogether depends on the use of the bike.

Would you use the bike only on the road or is there a chance you'd take it off road Lily?

I don't know, there is always a chance I may, but plans at the moment are not to go off road.

The only thing that worries me is the thickness of road tyre or should i say the lack off!

[Binky]

Originally Posted by lily

I don't know, there is always a chance I may, but plans at the moment are not to go off road.

The only thing that worries me is the thickness of road tyre or should i say the lack off!

What worries you about it?

Slow speed in traffic is no problem and it makes faster speeds more easilly attainable. Losing balance is easilly cured by putting a foot down...

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by lily

I don't know, there is always a chance I may, but plans at the moment are not to go off road.

then go for a hybrid like the ones I linked to above. Yes you could get an MTB and put slicks on it, but I have never ever seen the point in doing that. Be different if you had an MTB already and wanted to make the commute easier, but if you are buying a new bike from the outset then buy the right tool for the job IMHO.

Originally Posted by lily

The only thing that worries me is the thickness of road tyre or should i say the lack off!

Dont worry about it, this is the benefit of the hybrid it has wider tyres than a pure road bike like I ride does. So the wider contact patch offers more grip.

It'll be fine I commuted on 23mm wide race tyres through last winter, never had any trouble.

It's my stupidness that they are to thin, a bit like a tyre on a 125.

But I know that they work, and that they are the best option.

[Drew Carey]

As per what the others said. IMO, no point having an off road bike as we have only been off roading once - when we were on hols in the lakes!!!!

My thoughts;

Hybrid bike.
Some shoes (non clip ons)
Waterproofs.
Lights.
Base layers (as like fizz said they are made for the job).
Puncture repair kit
Lid
I can't think of nowt else.

As for motivation, I've already said to Lily.......do it providing she is 100% committed. I will not be swinging by Lily's work if its raining!!!! lol

I did evetually join have to pick the bike up next week;

I went for a MTB, but I want to use it off road and its very light.

Other bits;

Lid
Jackect
Shorts
Lights (Cat eye)
Pump, i'll find a link to it later
Inner Tubes, though I can run the bike without them.

I'll get a base layer as well, the one I tried on was too small. Im gonna look at some others so I an use them for other things.

Why is push bike gear so expernisve?

I have gone through EVANS who have been good, they still have some sale bikes. Also if you get £1000 you will get on top an extra 10% of stuff free. SO £100 so I Thought that was good.

I did this it's a great scheme, tho I don't really us it. I go an ace mountain bike very light to giant xtc4.5. Agreed not as light as a road bikebut I can lift it on a couple of fingers no prob.

If you cab travel lilly check out the link, it's a shop basic in kings Heath so about 10 miles max from you. Where I went, worth a look.
http://www.bikeproracing.net/

[Sir Trev]

You may want to invest in a rack and a couple of bungees - much easier than a carrier bag on the 'bars. I have a slim panier which clips on to my Raleigh's rack and my wife has a sort of topbox that clips on to her Dawes' rack which are options in this area. Also both bikes (mine is road, hers is hybrid) are fine for all but the roughest tracks on the odd foray we've made off made up roads or tracks.

Shame my company does not believe in encouraging anything other than car use. We've been told not to use a bike or bicycle for company use and cannot claim business miles if we do. Still, as I live 20 miles from the office (will be 25 when my building closes next year) cycling in is not an option anyway...

[timwilky]

shame that government does not recognise that many live some distant from work and only seem to have inititives that are usable for a few. Outside of the big cities, we do not have public transport that operates for shift workers etc. Transport policies and initiatives seem aimed at people who live and work in the same city.


That aside. Before any cycling etc. I would say :-

Ensure your company provides facilities where you can shower, change, leave change of clothing, dry clothing etc before cycling etc. You do not want to be changing in a dirty toilet cubicle, stinking out your place of work with stale sweat or clothing etc.