Bicycles

[Graafen]

no need for fuel (besides food in my belly...

That's the great thing about bikes. Human power!

[DeltaSierra]

I've been using my bicycle now for some time, everyday come rain or shine for my commute to work, and I definitely want to start upgrading it here and there. Panniers plus bags, handlebar bag, probably new lights front and rear.

I do my love my Bicygnals (front and rear light units with a wireless indicator system) BUT the amount of times I'm having to remove the batteries to then re-sync the buggers is becoming a nuisance, plus the front lights don't kick out that much light when in dark areas....

[metatron]

I've been using my bicycle now for some time, everyday come rain or shine for my commute to work, and I definitely want to start upgrading it here and there. Panniers plus bags, handlebar bag, probably new lights front and rear.

I do my love my Bicygnals (front and rear light units with a wireless indicator system) BUT the amount of times I'm having to remove the batteries to then re-sync the buggers is becoming a nuisance, plus the front lights don't kick out that much light when in dark areas....

When it comes to bike lights the brighter the better. I use a Smart halogen bike light up fount which is a 10 Watt system (2 hours of the battery), cars can see you from miles away, lol. the back is just a cheap red blinky LED one from Smart.

[jansman]

I've been using my bicycle now for some time, everyday come rain or shine for my commute to work, and I definitely want to start upgrading it here and there. Panniers plus bags, handlebar bag, probably new lights front and rear.

I do my love my Bicygnals (front and rear light units with a wireless indicator system) BUT the amount of times I'm having to remove the batteries to then re-sync the buggers is becoming a nuisance, plus the front lights don't kick out that much light when in dark areas....

Use good positive and visible HAND signals.Drivers DO NOT expect to see indicators on a bicycle!Learn to assert yourself on the road.

[DeltaSierra]

Jans: I've thus far never had any issue with the indicators in concern to drivers, even had a few say they were pretty cool and where I got them from. Plus, on my roads I'd rather keep both hands on my bars at all times to handle any issues.

Namely trucks barrelling past me with scant inches to spare...

[ticklemonkey]

Don't forget bike security. It can be a nightmare, blink and they can be gone. I have commuted for 4.5 years now on mine BUT the first 6 months it was pinched.

If they go now they will be a real target post-THSTHF!

I NOW have a strong D-Lock (40GBP), a chain link lock attached to an Amsterdam lock (which attaches to the rear wheel and locks the rear wheel even if the chain link gets cut, it is still un-rideable), they take 10 secs to undo with the key, so it is not inconvenient.

Also have put a high visibility tape over it, unique to me so it's identifiable and taken a picture of it and registered it on http://www.immobilise.com and put a immobise security tag in it and of course have the receipt and frame number.
Also try to park it under cctv (if its working?).

All easy stuff and it is the worst feeling to get back to where you parked it and its gone (this was when I had a single lock on, pre-security update)!

It's been safe so far with the upgrades, touch wood, fingers crossed, etc, etc!!!

[counsellor]

If anyone needs to know about repairs or setting up a bike, then I could probably help
As I teach a programme called “make a bike” to kids
In which we start with a pile of bits and at the end is a ready to go bike
Including building the wheels (normally just bearings) but sometimes string and tru hubs to rims
Top and bottom brackets,
Then all the rest
Including setting up gears and brakes correctly
Bobs yours uncle and away to go. All in 5 hours with loads of other talk and messing around added in
Also I thought that a great use for old brake and gear inner cables, would be for making snares, just unwind them (most are now stainless) and you end up with about 20 x a meter of very thin very strong wire

[janso]

If anyone needs to know about repairs or setting up a bike, then I could probably help
As I teach a programme called “make a bike” to kids
In which we start with a pile of bits and at the end is a ready to go bike
Including building the wheels (normally just bearings) but sometimes string and tru hubs to rims
Top and bottom brackets,
Then all the rest
Including setting up gears and brakes correctly
Bobs yours uncle and away to go. All in 5 hours with loads of other talk and messing around added in
Also I thought that a great use for old brake and gear inner cables, would be for making snares, just unwind them (most are now stainless) and you end up with about 20 x a meter of very thin very strong wire

Top tip on the snare wire mate.. good effort!

[hobo]

If anyone needs to know about repairs or setting up a bike, then I could probably help
As I teach a programme called “make a bike” to kids

When we finally have an RV, I vote we have a workshop on this!

Hobo

[JohnRio]

Ok, I ride a bicycle to work, a nice free method of transport that only I am accountable for if I am late etc; Also gains me exercise which is nice. It's a simple rigid frame with added lighting units, mud guards etc. Nothing fancy I'll add, enough for the daily commute.

Does anyone else use their bicycle for the commute or for any other activities? How useful do people see them both before and after any event that might occur? What mods do we know of that we can do to them to make it a better system in the long run use?

Bicycles for the win!

Mods: baskets and panniers, e.g. for trucking firewood (used it for that when I was living on the boat)
Lightweight trailers, e.g. for trucking water (at least two other boaters I know do this regularly).