Bike-related Holiday in Cambridge and London

=v= It's a bike-related Holiday in Ireland today. Something
about Saint Patrick driving all the snakebite punctures of
of Ireland. <_Jym_

Elisa Francesca Roselli said:

Hello all,

I'm so bored out of my skull sitting at my desk in this
balmy weather that I've decided I need a break in my
favorite holiday destination - Cambridge and London. This
will be from the 3rd to the 12th of April.

Ah, Easter Week. The daffodills will be growing on the
Backs.....I miss it!

Quoted message said:

After months of trying to get used to Behemoth (much hand-
holding and ink spilled in many threads), I'm concluding
that, despite her beauty, I will never be at peace with her
geometry. The pedal crank is simply too high off the ground
to pedal comfortably and still be able to touch-down with a
toe, and as an adult learner I may never get the knack of
that standing scooter start.

You will. You will surprise yourself. It's tough to teach
over usenet....

Quoted message said:

So my mission in the UK is twofold. On the one hand, I will
be looking at, and trying out, models of bike that are
unavailable in France except by special sight-unseen order.
On the other hand, I have discovered that the
Cambridgeshire County Council gives professional private
cycling lessons to adults, as part of a general programme
to encourage Cantabrigensians to Cycle to Work. So I am
arranging a few hours of these to see if the intervention
of a skilled instructor can help me get past some of my
basic blocks - the standing start, signalling and turning,
standing on pedals etc.

That must be a new programme, but it makes sense. I've
noticed a lot more and better-quality cycle racks around the
city centre in Cambridge, the last time I visited
(December). The ones out in front of the Guildhall, facing
the Market Square are all new, f'rinstance.

Quoted message said:

Among the bikes I mean to try:
- The Giant Halfway. A folding bike of extremely elegant
appearance and innovative design, which also claims to be
the lightest and most compact folding bike on the market.
In addition to test-riding, I need to hold one in my arms
to see if I'm convinced. I've checked out one of those
famous Brompton thingeys, and found it so heavy and bulky
that the advantage over my lighter full-size bike
Myrtille was not apparent.

The Brompton is extremely heavy for something of its size,
yes. But its virtue is the speed at which it can be folded
and unfolded, and the dimensions it assumes in its folded
form. I have not yet seen anything that is quite so suitable
for carrying onto a crowded commuter train.

Quoted message said:

- The Giant EZB Revive. A semi-recumbent model which would
enable me to keep my feet on the ground at all times.
With respect to recumbents, I've discovered a dealer in
Dulwich who not only sells but rents these by the hour.
He's convinced that people who ride them around Dulwich
Park for a sunny morning will never go back to
conventional designs. The best part is that he will be
open over the Easter weekend, when I will be there. I was
rather worried about the public holiday with its tedium
of closed commerce. Now just trust the English weather!

I've seen these in my local shops, and they strike me as
pretty heavy. But if it's just fenland pottering about, then
they'd be just the ticket.

Quoted message said:

- A number of up-market Dutch bikes like my Behemoth, to
see if her defects are endemic to the breed, or if it's
just between her and me. There is a shop in Cambridge
called Drakes which has some Sparta models in stock. I'm
especially interested in trying out various sizes.
Behemoth has a 50 cm frame and feels way too large, yet
practically all the size-guides I have seen recommend a
55 cm frame for my 80 cm of inner leg.

The traditional Dutch roadsters use 28" wheels; these are
neat when you've got very tall upright frames to go with
tall, upright riders (last I checked, average height in
the netherlands was 1.8 metres or so!)....you might be
served better by a smaller frame using smaller wheels,
like 26" or so...

Quoted message said:

So I suppose I'm just posting to ask if anyone has any
suggestions - bike shops? good rentals? opinions on the
models to be tested? I have a friend in London who shares
my obsession for traipsing around bike shops, but he may be
away over Easter. Anyone else around?

In Cambridge, there's also Ben Hayward's, next door to Ede &
Ravenscroft's on Trumpington St. (I think). H. Drake is out
by the station and generally good.

But being a student, I was a scrounger at The Bikeman on the
market square.

-Luigi Go CUBC!

Quoted message said:

Cheers all Elisa Francesca Roselli Ile de France

Elisa Francesca Roselli <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hello all,

I'm so bored out of my skull sitting at my desk in this
balmy weather that I've decided I need a break in my
favorite holiday destination - Cambridge and London. This
will be from the 3rd to the 12th of April.

After months of trying to get used to Behemoth (much hand-
holding and ink spilled in many threads), I'm concluding
that, despite her beauty, I will never be at peace with
her geometry. The pedal crank is simply too high off the
ground to pedal comfortably and still be able to touch-
down with a toe, and as an adult learner I may never get
the knack of that standing scooter start.

That "Behemoth" may fit you technically, but it does not
seem to be your kind of bike. Maybe it is too heavy? You
seem happier with your "Myrtille".

Quoted message said:

So my mission in the UK is twofold. On the one hand, I
will be looking at, and trying out, models of bike that
are unavailable in France except by special sight-unseen
order. On the other hand, I have discovered that the
Cambridgeshire County Council gives professional private
cycling lessons to adults, as part of a general programme
to encourage Cantabrigensians to Cycle to Work. So I am
arranging a few hours of these to see if the intervention
of a skilled instructor can help me get past some of my
basic blocks - the standing start, signalling and turning,
standing on pedals etc.

You are going to get professional assistance, and get to use
a variety of bikes? That's brilliant! Consider testing
something with 26 inch wheels, and an aluminum frame - the
goal being a combination of stability and light handling.

With your go ahead attitude and some hands on expert
guidance, you can hardly fail in your mission. Wishing you a
fine spring vacation.

Very best regards, Bernie

"Elisa Francesca Roselli" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Among the bikes I mean to try: - The Giant Halfway. A
folding bike of extremely elegant appearance and
innovative design, which also claims to be the lightest
and most compact folding bike on the market.

I don't think it's objectively either. Maybe there was
another clause - the lightest, most compact, cantilever-
axled folding bike on the market ...

I've seen these around Paris rebadged, though I'm jiggered
if I can remember the name. I think the rue Froment
Bicloune has one.

Quoted message said:

In addition to test-riding, I need to hold one in my arms
to see if I'm convinced. I've checked out one of those
famous Brompton thingeys, and found it so heavy and bulky
that the advantage over my lighter full-size bike Myrtille
was not apparent.

If you find the Brompton bulky, you're likely to be
dissatisfied with the bulk of most other folders. The Brom
is about the most compact of the popular folders - anything
smaller means a smaller wheel size, and tyre compromises.

A Brompton isn't light, but if you hefted a folded version
you may be letting its density sway you. It _is_ a lump to
haul by one arm, but its lighter competitors are bulkier
when folded, more expensive, or both.

The advantage over Myrtille is that you can carry it as
luggage on buses, bateaux-mouches, and the Eurostar.

Quoted message said:

So I suppose I'm just posting to ask if anyone has any
suggestions - bike shops? good rentals? opinions on the
models to be tested? I have a friend in London who shares
my obsession for traipsing around bike shops, but he may
be away over Easter. Anyone else around?

If your news server carries it, you'll find a far larger
slice of the UK cycling population over on uk.rec.cycling.
For my part, I'd suggest a day trip to Bath. Avon Valley
Cycles behind Bath Spa station has one of the best range of
folding and separable bikes in the UK. They have the
Halfway, plus Birdies, Bromptons, Moutons, Airnimals ...

bikeshop.uk.combikeshop.uk.comOpen ↗

The southwest is beautiful in the spring - you could ride
the towpath of the Kennet and Avon canal from Bath to Bradford-on-
Avon (the home of Alex Moulton cycles) or even try to hook
up with the Folding Society's Bristol Dock ride:

foldsoc.co.ukevents.htmlOpen ↗

James Thomson

James Thomson said:

If you find the Brompton bulky, you're likely to be
dissatisfied with the bulk of most other folders. The Brom
is about the most compact of the popular folders -
anything smaller means a smaller wheel size, and tyre
compromises.

The Halfway has 20" wheels, but I will only know how compact
it really is or isn't when I've looked at one in the buff.
The one they have at Bicloune isn't a bit like the one in
the 2004 catalogue.

Quoted message said:

A Brompton isn't light, but if you hefted a folded version
you may be letting its density sway you. It _is_ a lump to
haul by one arm, but its lighter competitors are bulkier
when folded, more expensive, or both.

I haven't excluded the possibility of a Brompton if I
eventually decide I want a folder, but I can test these out
locally as they are available in Paris.

When I was at the Fromont Bicloune, the guy there mentioned
that one of his Brompton customers had changed some little
wheels at the folding point of the Brompton with some
larger, rollerblade wheels. This made it possible to drag
the Brompton, like those wheeled, trolley-like suitcases, so
you didn't have to carry it (except up stairs). I wondered
if that customer was Yousself, since you are so visibly the
Bromptonite whose LBS is Bicloune..

My goal is to find something that would combine the
advantages of Myrtille - ankle-high stepthrough, 26" wheels,
27cm high pedal crank, stability and maneouvreability, with
those of Behemoth - 7 speed or more hub shifter, roller or
disc brakes, full guards and baggage transport devices,
quality components throughout. There are just too few bikes
in this category available for testing in Paris.

Last week, following a lead from this ng, I was at the one
dealer in France who can deliver on Utopia bikes, on the rue
Abbe Gregoire. If I were convinced that Utopia could solve
my problems, I'd extend to the 2000 Euros the model I want
(Rohloff) would cost. But he only had one model, in one
size, available for trying. It's a sumptuous bike, much less
wobbly than Behemoth, but the wheels were still 700 mm and
the crank 30cm from the ground, and at that price I ain't
compromising. Still, I'll run some more tests on it when I
get back from the UK. There's no urgency. I may be the
Princess on the Pea when it comes to bikes, but I do already
have two of them in my garage.

Quoted message said:

If your news server carries it, you'll find a far larger
slice of the UK cycling population over on uk.rec.cycling.

Good idea - thanks for reminding me.

Quoted message said:

For my part, I'd suggest a day trip to Bath. Avon Valley
Cycles behind Bath Spa station has one of the best range
of folding and separable bikes in the UK. They have the
Halfway, plus Birdies, Bromptons, Moutons, Airnimals ...

bikeshop.uk.combikeshop.uk.comOpen ↗

It's a nice thought, and I'll keep it in mind for future
reference, but I'm only in the UK for a week and don't like
to go off to strange places on my own when my friends are in
Cambridge and London. The day may come when I get up the
courage to try bikes in Germany, the Netherlands and
Belgium. I've wanted to get to Koeln now for years - not
just bikes but the Graeco-Roman Museum - and the Thalys
takes that way. But the thought of going alone is bleak and
so far I haven't managed to interest any of my chums.

EFR Wishing the weather were better in Ile de France because
Virgil at the Abbe Gregoire shop got me interested in trying
out the Coulee Verte one of these weekends.

Luigi de Guzman said:

Ah, Easter Week. The daffodills will be growing on the
Backs.....I miss it!

I was kind of hoping you might be around, as I was sorry to
have missed meeting you last August. Alas, not so. But I'll
send you daffodil vibes when I see them.

Quoted message said:

That must be a new programme, but it makes sense.

I picked up a brochure for this in Halford's when I was
there last August, and have been meaning to plan it in ever
since. I'll let you know how the lessons go.

Quoted message said:

The Brompton is extremely heavy for something of its size,
yes. But its virtue is the speed at which it can be folded
and unfolded, and the dimensions it assumes in its folded
form. I have not yet seen anything that is quite so
suitable for carrying onto a crowded commuter train.

Agreed, if crowded commuter trains become a regular feature
of life (which could happen). So far, however, I have only
the RER to contend with, and it allows full-size bikes. My
other concern, not very high priority, is to have a bike for
my rare and occasional holidays abroad, for example, in the
UK and Geneva this year. It would be easier to get a folding
bike onto a plane, although in the current climate I suppose
it could be mistaken for an automatic weapon. But then I can
always rent locally.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

- The Giant EZB Revive.

I've seen these in my local shops, and they strike me as
pretty heavy.

No kidding! The SRAM DualDrive model in the Giant catalogue
clocks in at nearly 30 kg!! So the advantages better be
pretty advantageous.

Quoted message said:

But being a student, I was a scrounger at The Bikeman on
the market square.

I'll check him out too. You never know.

Cheers, EFR

"Elisa Francesca Roselli" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The Halfway has 20" wheels, but I will only know how
compact it really is or isn't when I've looked at one in
the buff. The one they have at Bicloune isn't a bit like
the one in the 2004 catalogue.

I see there are now two distinct models - the Halfway
Multispeed with cantilever hubs, and the basic Halfway,
which doesn't seem to have much in common with the more
expensive model. When I was looking at them, there was a
cheaper singlespeed version based on the Multispeed
frame design.

Quoted message said:

I haven't excluded the possibility of a Brompton if I
eventually decide I want a folder, but I can test these
out locally as they are available in Paris.

Having read some of your comments on the handling of Myrtile
and Behemoth, my guess is that you may find the steering
rather light. That tends to be true of small-wheelers in
general, but especially so of the Brompton, particularly
because the short rear end tends to place most of the
rider's weight on the rear wheel.

Quoted message said:

When I was at the Fromont Bicloune, the guy there
mentioned that one of his Brompton customers had changed
some little wheels at the folding point of the Brompton
with some larger, rollerblade wheels. This made it
possible to drag the Brompton, like those wheeled, trolley-
like suitcases, so you didn't have to carry it (except up
stairs).

That's quite a common modification. It works best with the
'T' models, which have one wheel at each corner of the rear
rack. It's also possible to fold the bike leaving the
steerer extended, then push it around a little like an
upright vacuum cleaner.

Quoted message said:

I wondered if that customer was Yousself, since you are so
visibly the Bromptonite whose LBS is Bicloune..

I have made that modification (and a few others), but there
are an awful lot of Bromptonauts who shop at Bicloune. I'm
not sure that Marco has had a close look at my Brom.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For my part, I'd suggest a day trip to Bath.

Quoted message said:

It's a nice thought, and I'll keep it in mind for future
reference, but I'm only in the UK for a week and don't
like to go off to strange places on my own when my friends
are in Cambridge and London.

Maybe your London friends could be persuaded to go take the
waters. Tea at the Pump Rooms is overrated and overpriced,
but the abbey has remarkable fan vaulting. Only 90 minutes
from Paddington.

James Thomson

Elisa Francesca Roselli said:

Quoted message said:

The Brompton is extremely heavy for something of its
size, yes. But its virtue is the speed at which it can be
folded and unfolded, and the dimensions it assumes in its
folded form. I have not yet seen anything that is quite
so suitable for carrying onto a crowded commuter train.

Agreed, if crowded commuter trains become a regular feature
of life (which could happen). So far, however, I have only
the RER to contend with, and it allows full-size bikes. My
other concern, not very high priority, is to have a bike
for my rare and occasional holidays abroad, for example, in
the UK and Geneva this year. It would be easier to get a
folding bike onto a plane, although in the current climate
I suppose it could be mistaken for an automatic weapon. But
then I can always rent locally.

The Brompton's main asset is its rapid deployment. With a
little practice, a Brompton user can fold and unfold his
bicycle in ten seconds--sometimes less!

Other folding bicycles will fold less quickly, but will
perhaps offer better performance on the road. In the UK, the
last word for the latter sort of bicycle is the Airnmal
Chamaeleon; I've never seen this sort, so I can't speak to
its virtues. There's also the Moulton bicycles which can
separate into two halves for transport. No comment on the
separability and transportability, but I've seen a fair
number of Moultons in London as well--including some in use
by messengers!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

- The Giant EZB Revive.

I've seen these in my local shops, and they strike me as
pretty heavy.

No kidding! The SRAM DualDrive model in the Giant catalogue
clocks in at nearly 30 kg!! So the advantages better be
pretty advantageous.

Quoted message said:

But being a student, I was a scrounger at The Bikeman on
the market square.

I'll check him out too. You never know.

Yeah, really. But he's really more of a repair stand with a
few odd old cycles for sale; old Raleighs and Raleigh
Twenties and that sort of thing. Enough to get you from
college to the fac, then to the UL, then to the sports
grounds, and back to college in time for hall--nothing
really fancy.

-Luigi

Quoted message said:

Cheers, EFR