Primary use for the weekly shop, secondary, for when the SHTF of course
Bicycles
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DeltaSierra
Re: Bicycles
Just got myself a new bike last weekend, a Raleigh Oakland, 18 speed with pannier rack and mud guards already fitted. Come the new year I'll be looking to add on some bags to it.
Primary use for the weekly shop, secondary, for when the SHTF of course
Primary use for the weekly shop, secondary, for when the SHTF of course
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DeltaSierra
Re: Bicycles
Yup thinking of that too mate Though I still got the issue of living with a couple very non-prpper type folk. so me wanting to bolster supplies etc is seen as 'silly, mad actions'. Bah, their insecurity really.
Though I still got the issue of living with a couple very non-prpper type folk. so me wanting to bolster supplies etc is seen as 'silly, mad actions'. Bah, their insecurity really.-
Bladerunner
Re: Bicycles
As well as panniers and trailers you could take a rucksack with you. If you are fairly big like me, a 100 litre bergen should be manageable and would hold about hmmmmm...... 100 litres of shopping. OK maybe a bit less because of the shape of things, but you get the idea.
I have been doing a bit of bartering and have been offered a couple of bikes for some of my gear. Can anyone give me an opinion on full suspension mountain bikes and just front suspension ones. I have read a couple of reviews that have said steer clear of full suspension ones so I could do with a bit of help before I commit.
I have been offered a Land Rover Discovery Santiago Bike (front suspension), a Barracuda and an XCR enrage monocoque (full suspension). Any idea which of these is the best one?
Be lucky (and mobile)
I have been doing a bit of bartering and have been offered a couple of bikes for some of my gear. Can anyone give me an opinion on full suspension mountain bikes and just front suspension ones. I have read a couple of reviews that have said steer clear of full suspension ones so I could do with a bit of help before I commit.
I have been offered a Land Rover Discovery Santiago Bike (front suspension), a Barracuda and an XCR enrage monocoque (full suspension). Any idea which of these is the best one?
Be lucky (and mobile)
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counsellor
Re: Bicycles
It depends on what you want your bike to do
But basic rule are if you want to do more than about 5 miles
The heavier it is the stronger you have to be
Any flex in the bike uses energy and you know who is going to have to produce that extra power (you)
Suspension improves your ride (and only on some surfaces your performance ie really rough ground )
Cheap bikes (whether they cost a lot or not ) don’t last
Common faults are
Cracking frames (cheap alloy frames suffer from stress cracking and the frame will very suddenly break in half)
Cheap alloy frames absorb energy, you will feel like you are riding thou tar
Poor gear mechs need regular attention due to twist and wear
The rear pivots wear very quickly on fully sus bikes, which then leads to chain alignment and wear issues and poor gear changing
Apart from that they are fine cos on the other hand a good bike will get nicked as soon as you turn your back
and They cost more for replacement parts ie a rear mech on a cheap bike will cost about £10 and a better one will set you back £40 plus
A chain £10 or £35 etc etc
And finally to set up a good bike always takes a lot less time than a cheapy because the every thing runs much better
So looking at your options I would go for the landrover only because it is probably made by a half decent manufacturer and forget the barracud
But basic rule are if you want to do more than about 5 miles
The heavier it is the stronger you have to be
Any flex in the bike uses energy and you know who is going to have to produce that extra power (you)
Suspension improves your ride (and only on some surfaces your performance ie really rough ground )
Cheap bikes (whether they cost a lot or not ) don’t last
Common faults are
Cracking frames (cheap alloy frames suffer from stress cracking and the frame will very suddenly break in half)
Cheap alloy frames absorb energy, you will feel like you are riding thou tar
Poor gear mechs need regular attention due to twist and wear
The rear pivots wear very quickly on fully sus bikes, which then leads to chain alignment and wear issues and poor gear changing
Apart from that they are fine cos on the other hand a good bike will get nicked as soon as you turn your back
and They cost more for replacement parts ie a rear mech on a cheap bike will cost about £10 and a better one will set you back £40 plus
A chain £10 or £35 etc etc
And finally to set up a good bike always takes a lot less time than a cheapy because the every thing runs much better
So looking at your options I would go for the landrover only because it is probably made by a half decent manufacturer and forget the barracud
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Bladerunner
Re: Bicycles
Hi Counsellor,
Thanks for the counselling. Some great advice there. The Barracuda has been dropped from my options.
The only worry I have with the Land Rover one is, I read a review and one person slagged it off quite considerably but he might just of had a rogue one, everyone does them.
I will more than likely just be using it on roads 95% of the time. I haven't ridden a bike for donkeys years so I know virtually nothing about the newer ones. I might have even forgotten how to ride one although I have heard it is........like riding a bike!
Another slight problem I have come across is the item I am bartering for the bike, is wanted by 2 other people and one has offered me a Crossbow and one has offered my a big thick chunky flying jacket so I am a bit torn now.
Bikes are easier to come by than the other two and I am skint so do I take one of the other offers and pick up a bike elsewhere or do I go for the bike?
I am confusing myself now so I'll shut up.
Be lucky (and heterogeneous)
Thanks for the counselling. Some great advice there. The Barracuda has been dropped from my options.
The only worry I have with the Land Rover one is, I read a review and one person slagged it off quite considerably but he might just of had a rogue one, everyone does them.
I will more than likely just be using it on roads 95% of the time. I haven't ridden a bike for donkeys years so I know virtually nothing about the newer ones. I might have even forgotten how to ride one although I have heard it is........like riding a bike!
Another slight problem I have come across is the item I am bartering for the bike, is wanted by 2 other people and one has offered me a Crossbow and one has offered my a big thick chunky flying jacket so I am a bit torn now.
Bikes are easier to come by than the other two and I am skint so do I take one of the other offers and pick up a bike elsewhere or do I go for the bike?
I am confusing myself now so I'll shut up.
Be lucky (and heterogeneous)
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woodpecker
Re: Bicycles
I recommend the 'BOB yak' trailer.strong,light and more than capable of handling rough terrain if needs must,but at around £270 it's not cheap
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DeltaSierra
Re: Bicycles
Pricey perhaps so, but worth that money? I would probably say yes and would invest in such in the future given the opportunity.
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Grunter
Re: Bicycles
I love my bikes! I currently have a tandem (to take kids out on, one at a time), a dutch cargo bike complete with box on front,hub gears,roller brakes,enclosed chaincase (bombproof and virtually maintenance free,just one blob of grease in front brake after 2000 miles) and a 'racer'.
The BOB yak is an excellent trailer but expensive and built with expeditions in mind.
I had a two wheeled fabric trailer which at times had two kids,dog and some shopping in it,never had any issues on road and unmade canal towpath and are a lot cheaper than a BOB and if you don't already have kids it will save you upgrading if/when you do
If I was made to choose one bike I'd get a dutch style bike as they require minimal maintenance, I find oiling the chain problamatic at times
The BOB yak is an excellent trailer but expensive and built with expeditions in mind.
I had a two wheeled fabric trailer which at times had two kids,dog and some shopping in it,never had any issues on road and unmade canal towpath and are a lot cheaper than a BOB and if you don't already have kids it will save you upgrading if/when you do
If I was made to choose one bike I'd get a dutch style bike as they require minimal maintenance, I find oiling the chain problamatic at times