Cyclists

[Andy K]

Welcome to the group Poohblah.

Aristotelis, I have gone with my original choice, the Pashley-Moulton TSR27. I won't receive the bike for another 5 or 6 weeks or so as they are hand built to order.

 

[arigram]

That Pashley Moulton looks more like a folding bike than a touring one. The frame looks small and so do the wheel. Plus it doesn't look constructed to take a rack and fenders. Definitely a good departure from the other bike you showed us first. I looked over the "features" and didn't really get it, so Andy, go ahead and sing its praise to us less enlightened ones!

 

[Andy K]

The TSR has the same geometry as a full size bike. It has 20" wheels, which are much stronger than larger wheels. The space frame design gives a stronger and stiffer frame. Many people use them for touring. They can take panniers front and rear, saddle bags, bar bags and even some luggage in between.
Here is a video someone shot of their TSR 30, (same frame and wheels as the TSR27 but different gearing and handlebar setup)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3913jIYM_4Q

Here is a video which explains how Sir Alex Moulton came to design the bike:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8522870086389552343&q=moulton

 

[Andy K]

And here's a video of a TSR being used in Cyclo-cross: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7556187825836513133&hl=en

 

[arigram]

Very impressive Andy. Be sure to give us all the details from your first experience when you get it.

Btw, a quote from a greek bicycle forum:

"I shave my legs,
I wear tight lycra,
I lubricate my crotch,
and then my ass hurts from what I did over the weekend..."

 

[Andy K]

I belong to this forum: http://forum.ctc.org.uk/index.php

 

[Schlapp]

I belong to http://www.veloriders.co.uk forum and also belong to
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk as coach - a bit inactive these days. My club is Yasumitsu-Schlapp Various piles of bikes lurk all over the house - the tandem in the back porch. Eve my partner is former World Masters Pursuit champ in 2006 and has just arrived home after cycling back along the coast home. Yes, we are cyclists.

 

[Andy K]

Aristotelis, here is a pdf which describes the bike better than I can: www.tsr.uk.com/_docs/TSRcatalogue.pdf

 

[Iwagoshi]

Schlapp and the rest of the Schlappers a hearty CONGRATULATIONS!!
Dead Link Removed

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I joined, because I want to hear about AndyK's Moulton. These are really beautiful bikes. I've been riding a Brompton folding bike for the past several years (before that I had an aluminum frame Raleigh Technium set up as a touring bike), and occasionally, before folders became particularly popular in the US, some of the NYC folder riders would get together occasionally for group rides, and sometimes there would be a few Moultons as well, not necessarily folders, but as small-wheeled bikes, they have a certain affinity with folders.

Anyway, I find the Brompton perfect for getting around New York City. It's all pretty flat, so three speeds cover pretty much any situation (though I could get more, if I wanted them). It folds in about 20 seconds, so it's easy to switch between subway and cycle, and it doesn't take up much space in the apartment. I've gotten a few upgrades to what was the basic Brompton when I bought it around 1998--lighter titanium seatpost and Terry TFI Liberator saddle, racing wheels and Primo Comet tires, front V-brakes (the original Brompton brakes weren't so great, but they've been improved on current models), and a few other things from Len Rubin, who is obsessed with perfecting the Brompton.

UK Brompton website-- http://www.brompton.co.uk/

US Brompton website-- Dead Link Removed

Len Rubin's site-- Dead Link Removed

 

[Andy K]

David, I have orderd the fixed frame version, mainly because that beautiful frame looks seriously delicate when separated (I know, I don't have to separate it, but I'm a tinkerer, and its best I don't give myself the choice!). The Moulton, strictly speaking, was not primarily designed as a folding cycle. It can be ordered with a separable frame, but to be honest, compared to a cycle with 26" < wheels, it is already a space saver. There is a video showing a TSR being separated for transportation on a train: http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=moulton&hl=en&emb=0#q=moulton&hl=en&emb=0&start=40. The Brompton knocks it into a cocked hat where folding is concerned.
Having said that, the only reason I didn't plump for a Brompton was the lack of choice when it came to gearing, as they only have a maximum choice of six speeds (three speed cassette on two speed internal hub gear).

 

[arigram]

Speaking of folding bikes, a friend of mine has the Dahon Broadwalk and rides it around Athens.
http://www.dahon.com/intl/boardwalkd7.htm

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Yes, I think it makes sense to have gotten a non-separable Moulton with that complicated frame.

The Brompton isn't so much of a performance folder, like Bike Friday or even some of the better Dahons that are coming out now, but it really folds better than anything else, which makes it ideal for city riding. There are a few custom options for upgrading the gearing out there. Some people have set up derailleur systems on them, and there's the Rohloff 14-speed hub gear (the downside is the weight), and the Swiss Mountain Drive, which is like a front hub gear that fits in the bottom bracket. If we moved to a place that had hills, I'd probably spring for the Mountain Drive.

 

[Andy K]

Ooops, that was the wrong link, here is the 'folding' video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6574319214178774645&ei=piPJSPy8A42siALU-eW2Ag&hl=en

Aristotelis, I looked at, and had a ride on, a Dahon Speed Pro last year. Nice bike, but I didn't like the colour. At the time it was only available in yellow. Also some of the componentry felt a bit cheap, like they had cut corners.

 

[arigram]

Oh, Andy, I wasn't suggesting the Dahon to you, I just felt to mention it in the conversation. You seem to know exactly what you want and have the experience to choose correctly. A folding bike is useful for those who live in cities with a cramped apartment and need to carry it in public transportation. If I had the money I would go for a carbon road bike like the Orbea Orca. Of course that means that I would have to train as a cyclist as otherwise it would be wasted. So, at the moment, rich or poor, I am keeping the one I have until I am experienced and able-bodied enough to upgrade to something better.

 

[Andy K]

I didn't think you were, I was just posting my limited experience of the Dahon.

 

[Garry Madlung]

I haven't joined any groups yet, no real reason not to, but I just had to join this group. I love cycling, used to road race. Now if I can get the proper gear to haul my camera equipment up a mountain....

Glad to have Lance back.

 

[arigram]

Are you a cyclist that also uses Ubuntu Linux?
https://edge.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-cyclists
Freedom on the road, freedom on the desk!

 

[Andy K]

Team GB have picked up a heap more cycling Gold medals at the Paralympics:

http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRMP/ENG/INF/GL/92A/GBR_T.shtml

We are now second in the medals table after China:

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[Andy K]

Thought I'd post this here too: For any UK cyclists reading this, next Thursday's (18th) special offer at Aldi is cycling gear.

 

[Iwagoshi]

Well, after 1500 kilometers I'm finally pushing the big chain-ring. I've been spinning in the 39 up till now. Time to feel the burn.

 

[pandino]

I'm far from a diehard cyclist, but do have slightly more experience than Aristotelis. I'm trying to get back into it by combining it with photography.

The accessory to make it all complete: a Dead Link Removed, the perfect size to carry my 3x4 speed, a meter and a half dozen DDS'.

 

[arigram]

Is your city doing anything for the 22nd of September?

 

[Andy K]

I don't know. What happens on Sept 22nd?

 

[arigram]

The 22nd of September is the Day Without Car.
I think its european only, though.