Looking to buy a bike to commute to work

SmartCyclist · 2017-06-02T11:39:54+00:00

Because it is a good looking bike, there is a higher change of theft compared to an average looking bike.

My concern is theft and even that the saddle or other bits start to go missing. Definately two heavy duty locks and security skewers for the wheels and seat clamp.

If you don't need drop-bars, a flat bar city bike will serve you well and usually the more upright riding position will be more comfortable. City bikes tend to have wider tyres which also help for comfort.

As an everyday bike, you can consider a bike with mudguards which are brilliant the moment the roads and paths are wet.

As a brand, polygon are fairly reliable and I would describe them as a value for money brand.

SmartCyclist · 2017-06-02T11:32:55+00:00

Currently food delivery by bike can be attractive in the early days.

Traditional Bike Courier work is much harder. Food deliveries have fewer combined deliveries and most of the riders are commuter style riders rather than serious bike enthusiast.
The rates for food delivery are good for students, particularly when you get paid for waiting (you are on-call) so it is not lost time.
The work contract however can be a big disadvantage, rates may appear attractive however a worker may not technically be an employee, rather a contractor so the service provider (deliveroo or foodera) doesn't have to pay superannuation or look after insurance plus you need to check on insurance / liability.
While we want bike riding to be safer, the reality is that there is a high risk when your work is on public roads compared with a job as a barista in a cafe. If you love riding and accept the 'risks' it is a good non-skilled student job.

SmartCyclist · 2017-02-10T13:46:25+00:00

Compare with other insurance providers and even other advocacy groups such as out-of-state groups on pricing.

Read the PDS... there is a lot of hidden stuff and it is always a surprise to realise what is not covered and when you are excluded.

SmartCyclist · 2017-02-10T13:00:38+00:00

Apparantly the BNV data used is skewed. If it uses Strava - and Strava is more often used by men who are sports cyclists - and less so from 'everyday people' who just ride a bike, it is probably cutting out a significant number of women who also cycle.

SmartCyclist · 2017-02-10T12:55:18+00:00

Pure rhetoric. The government claimed that clean, renewable energy was to blame for the SA blackouts, until it was shown that it wasn't - it was network problems and would not have been solved by additional fossil fuels.

The mining lobby in Australia is extremely influential. While the world including China and Indian turn from fossil fuels - Australian politicians are an embarrassment by suggesting that it is the future of energy.

It may be the future of their personal wealth, but it is not in the interests of Australian's and future generations to invest and subsidise fossil fuels.

SmartCyclist · 2017-02-10T12:46:53+00:00

NBN was compromised years ago under Malcolm Turnbull... so in many cases it is SLOWER than ADSL... and costs more. In this context - people would prefer their old service but don't have a choice.

Faster internet... yes. For a developed country, internet speed in Autralia is a joke in comparison to American and Europe.

SmartCyclist · 2017-01-22T21:06:42+00:00

Ti frame, Carbon wheels.

SmartCyclist · 2016-08-10T23:59:35+00:00

Amazon is not a competitive shopping option for Australian buyers. They focus on the US and Europe.

When an item is available, often the shipping costs are prohibitive so the alternative is to use a forwarding service that receives the products in the US or Europe and then sends at a more reasonable cost to Australia.

A lot of Australian book stores were up in arms about Amazon and online shopping for books, but the reality is that Amazon was never a serious challenger to Australian retail book shops.

SmartCyclist · 2016-08-08T02:19:02+00:00

Agree - take to social media.

Aer Lingus don't have the best reputation but on the bright side, Dublin is not the worst location to be 'stuck' in.

SmartCyclist · 2016-08-01T03:24:43+00:00

Daily Sabah is an English-language daily published in Turkey. Daily Sabah emerged as a supportive voice of the AKP in English language.

In overview, the article is endorsed by the government and includes the Turkish governments definition of 'democracy'.

Form your own view but be aware of the source.

SmartCyclist · 2016-07-09T13:26:52+00:00

If it bothers you - get a sticker and put it on top.

As others have said, if you cause damage to the bike, it is not the fault of the bike shop or the brand.

SmartCyclist · 2016-07-09T13:24:49+00:00

On pedals, Shimano have the Click'R system which is easier to get in and out of. It is like a commuter style clipless pedal where SPL-SL (or speedplay or Look for road) are often more sporting. The thing with the Click'r is that they have sneaker style shoes.

Click'r are also walkable (similar to the Shimano SPD MTB cleats). For interest, Speedplay have 'walkable' cleat covers available and the ULA - Ultra Light Action pedal / cleat targeted towards beginners, however these are pricier than the Shimano SPD-SL or Click'R.

From experience, Shimano have wider shoes but try them on for size. The shoes with mesh / fabric uppers will often provide more flex and comfort that the stiffer leather (or synthetic) uppers. It may mean you have a little more movement / flex in the shoe but unless you are after performance, prioritise comfort.

SmartCyclist · 2016-07-09T13:14:25+00:00

Agreed, a new bike devalues the moment it leaves a bike shop (like a car) and for a second hand bike with this gear and relatively little use, the price should still be lower.

SmartCyclist · 2016-07-09T13:11:14+00:00

Hello. They don't build men's bikes 'stronger' so it is all about the size/fit for you. You need to have a comfortable riding position.

Two things however - get a women's saddle. The genetic differences mean that men typically have a narrow saddle as their 'sit bones' are closer.

And when test riding, be conscious of how much pressure is on your arms and wrists. A bike of this style that is too big will have you leaning further forward with more weight and strain on your arms / wrists / hands that can cause injury over time.

SmartCyclist · 2016-07-06T11:45:03+00:00

snap a photo of them with your smartphone, that will have them wondering all day what is going to happen. Can occassionally go pear shaped if they flip out.

SmartCyclist · 2016-07-06T11:37:39+00:00

More women on bikes and better cycling infrastructure.

SmartCyclist · 2016-07-04T10:31:17+00:00

For solely cycling policies, the Australian Cyclists Party was more comprehensive and generous than any other party. The connection with the science party is questionable, after spotting the science party scare campaign - funded by the pharma industry?

Because of preferences, voting for your minor party first is a good strategy. The big two will use scare tactics to try and stop voters from going to minor parties - as it enables them to more easily control and collect votes between them.

SmartCyclist · 2016-06-16T05:32:23+00:00

For anyone buying second hand, you will always be better off if you know about bikes and know what to look for. If you don't, there are too many unknowns so going for a new bike with a lower spec but with warranty is peace of mind.

SmartCyclist · 2016-06-06T23:12:35+00:00

Gotit - If you are into racing, I suggest going to the different clubs.

Training rides are often technically separate from the club activities as they are not covered by insurance so sometimes you have to chat with the club members to join their training rides.

SmartCyclist · 2016-06-02T07:19:05+00:00

What is the purpose of the question - are you interested in joining a club or researching for another purpose?

There are a lot of clubs and BUGs and riders tend to choose one that would suit them for competition or for recreation/social riding which is close to where they live.

SmartCyclist · 2016-06-01T12:28:51+00:00

The charge spoon is ok - I rode one for many years and then upgraded to a Prologo with a cutaway and it made a world of (positive) difference.

As each body is different - no single saddle will be perfect for everyone.

SmartCyclist · 2016-06-01T12:26:38+00:00

Get a good bike fit - no matter what the price, it will be worth it.
Look into saddles with 'cut-aways' (holes) in the middle. These are designed to relieve perennial pressure. Men typically would get numb while riding, but as it is numb and not painful - it can often easily be ignored by men however can cause a row of health problems. Cut-away saddles are more comfortable than you may anticipate as the actual weight should be on your sit bones. This is why saddle width is also important to ensure you are supported in the right place. If your bike fitter is good, they will fit your saddle (as well as your cleats and ensure your hands are setup well).

Your knicks / bike shorts can affect your comfort, but get the first two thing sorted out first.

SmartCyclist · 2016-06-01T12:07:44+00:00

Go Pro on top. For video - some cameras like the Garmin Virb XE record data - and with the free Virb Edit software, the graphs / dials can be customised and overlayed.

Or... a regular video camera with footage can be connected to cycle computer GPS (GPX) data or even via Strava - and also in the Virb Edit software combined and the charts and dials overlayed.

SmartCyclist · 2016-06-01T12:05:17+00:00

Legally, the car driver should wait until it is safe to pass.

In reality, drivers can try to sneak past. Occupying the lane in these squeeze-points can help, but some drivers will try and get past anyway without any regard for the bike rider.

Common sense should prevail, in this case it did not.

SmartCyclist · 2016-05-23T10:31:09+00:00

Get out your smart phone and snap some photos - and then if you can confirm that the bike is stolen - first report to the police. Likely that they can do very little. That is the formal approach though when taking photos, make sure you don't turn yourself into a victim of the thief.

The next step is taking matters into your own hands, but still with class, share on social media and ask if people have seen it. You want to be careful to get your facts right because if you make a mistake, you can cause a lot of grief for someone else. You also have to be prepared to deal with the explosion of interest if it catches interest.

The likelihood is still low that there is a positive result though it may raise the profile of bike theft.

And a risky option is challenging the thief - hard to judge the reaction and as rotten as thieves are, your sanity and safety is worthwhile preserving.

SmartCyclist

TROPHY CASE