Cycle Commuter Issue 3

Beat the Winter bulge • 2-minute safety check • Mix up your commute • Winter essentials Issue #3 Winter 2009 £1.95 where sold

Perfect bike get the

• 4 models tested • How to choose • Get the right fit

Stay safe Our top 5 traffic safety tips

64

Featuring

top cycling products

Cycling essentials Your guide to...

Helmets Locks Lights Reflective kit

Due to the nature of the galvanising process

used to coat this frame, it is perfectly normal for there to be visual imperfections in the finish, making each frame unique.

*

* Mixer Galvanised RRP: ÂŁ919.99

contents Issue #3 Winter 2009

Bikes tested

All about...

5 Welcome to Cyclescheme

How Cyclescheme works, who’s eligible to take part, and how you go about getting the bike

6 Cyclescheme FAQs

We answer the most frequently asked questions so you know everything you need to know

Features

14 Choose the

perfect bike

28

18

The simple way to decide on the right option for you

31 Beat the

winter bulge!

How to use the bike to lose weight and stay in shape this winter

44

34 18 S pecialized Globe Vienna 2

28 Dawes Kingpin

34 Trek 7.3

44 Giant Defy 2

A stealthy urban mountain bike that’s quick, agile and very, very tough

Whether you’re commuting or on a longer fitness ride, this versatile hybrid can handle it

This folder handles well out on the streets and packs down small in seconds

The best cycling gear for your commute and beyond

22 Helmets

safety tips

Unmissable advice for staying out of trouble on the streets

It’s fast, it’s comfortable, and this road bike offers a whole lot of value for money

Top products & essential kit 12 Stuff

38 Top 5 traffic

42 Your 2-minute bike check

Give the bike a quick once-over to keep it smooth and safe

Stylish headgear to keep you safe and sound

24 Lights

We’ve got the right option for you whatever your budget

26 Locks

Essential security for protecting the bike

27 Reflectives

Get yourself seen with our selection of safety kit

48 M ix it up

If you’ve got a long commute, you don’t have to ride the whole way…

Produced, designed and published for Cyclescheme

by Farrelly Atkinson www.f-at.co.uk Prices correct at time of going to press. E&OE. All content © Cyclescheme 2009

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 3

Welcome

Cyclescheme is the UK’s number one provider of tax-free bikes for the Government’s Cycle to Work initiative.

We offer big savings on the best bikes and safety equipment. Dealing with Cyclescheme’s network of over 1,400 local bike shops also gives you the best experience, with the expert personal service, convenience and choice that larger multiple retailers just can’t match.

About Cyclescheme...

T

he Cycle to Work Initiative is a salary sacrifice scheme which gives you the chance to save on the cost of a new bike as well as security and safety equipment to go with it. The way salary sacrifice schemes work is that you give up part of your salary and receive an equivalent benefit that is exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance.

What does this mean in practice? Well, technically it’s your employer that buys the bike. You hire the bike and equipment from them, and you pay them back the cost of the bike from your gross salary. You save on Tax and NI payments, saving you money over the hire period. VAT can also be claimed back, and this saving is usually passed on by employers, unless they are not able to – for example in the case of universities and NHS trusts.

Cyclescheme has partnered with over 1,400 independent bike shops throughout the UK giving you access to a massive amount of choice and

The Cycle to Work Initiative is a salary sacrifice scheme which gives you the chance to save on the cost of a new bike as well as security and safety equipment to go with it. expert advice on equipment selection. To locate your local store go to www.cyclescheme.co.uk and use the postcode store locator.

You are not limited to any brand of bike or equipment and so you can choose the best for quality and value for money. This results in the best package of bike and safety equipment for you.

Cyclescheme runs schemes with the Department of Transport, Office of Fair Trading and Department of Health, as well as a scores of police forces, councils, universities and blue chip companies. Hire agreements are written entirely in accordance with government guidelines and this service is free to employers, including promotional literature and roadshows.

Who’s it for?

Want to take part? Great! If you’ve received this mag from your employer then they’re probably already running a scheme, so things should be straightforward. There are some limits to who can take advantage of the tax breaks, though. The most important ones are: The scheme is open to all full, parttime and contract staff whose term of employment is more than the

•

period of the hire (12 months) Y ou need to be a UK taxpayer via the PAYE system You need to be over 18 years of age to comply with Consumer Credit Act legislation You need to be earning more than the National Minimum Wage after your wages have been reduced to comply with UK tax law

• • •

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 5

Winter 2009

FAQ...

Common questions about the scheme answered by our Cyclescheme experts...

Q A

How do I save money through the scheme?

The savings are made because salary sacrifice reduces your gross salary before any tax or NI has been deducted - so the amount of tax and NI paid is less than usual. Employers who are able to offer VAT savings to their employees further contribute to the total savings of up to 50%.

Q A

How often does the bike have to be used for work?

There is no requirement for you to cycle to work for a specified number of days throughout the year and there is no special requirement for you to record your trips. You can also use the bike for leisure at weekends and on holiday, although a bike purchased under Cyclescheme should be ridden for at least 50% of time during trips to work. The Inland Revenue does not expect you or your employer to keep a record of mileage.

Q

What happens at the end of the hire period? Why can’t my employer just give me the bike at the end of the scheme?

It’s your employer’s choice at the end of the hire period whether they opt to sell you the bike. Typically employers will choose to sell the bike back to you for a fair market value: this is the amount that a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller, in this case to transfer the ownership of the bike to the employee. In our experience the market shows values of these types of bikes and equipment to be around 5% of the original retail value after 12 months. Please note that such practices and expectations are merely indications based on historical factors and cannot be guaranteed. This fair market value payment is essential if the you are to legitimately own the bike after receiving tax benefits throughout the hire period.

The fair market value amount cannot be stated before or during the hire period as this could be considered a benefit in kind, which does not warrant any tax-relief.

A

Q A

Can my employer pass on VAT savings?

For employers who are VAT registered it may be possible for savings to be passed on to employees. Organisations such as financial institutions, charities and NHS trusts are usually unable to take advantage of VAT savings.

Q A

Does my employer require a Standard Consumer Credit Licence?

The Government has issued a blanket consumer credit licence to all participating employers buying bike

6

Pedalling facts

29-year-old Canadian cycle courier Matt Magura was astonished to find an envelope containing more than $20,000 in bank deposits on one of his rounds. The honest cyclist promptly returned the cash. His reward from the grateful bank? A $50 pizza voucher...

packages up to £1000 including VAT. When you sign the Hire Agreement, the resulting relationship is defined under the terms and conditions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

If your employer wishes to supply bikes over £1000 then they will need to buy an individual consumer credit licence from the OFT, which takes around six weeks to come through and lasts for five years.

Q A

Who’s responsible for the bike during the hire period? What happens if it gets stolen?

You’re responsible for maintaining the bike while you’re using it; it’s a condition of the hire agreement that you’ll sign. It’s definitely worth investing in a Sold Secure lock and insurance because if the bike gets stolen you’ll have to repay your employer from your net pay, without any tax savings.

Q A

Can I get a sale bike through the scheme?

Bike shops pay a small commission to Cyclescheme when they supply a bike. If a bike shop has marked a bike down in the sale then they may wish to add a small surcharge if they supply it through the scheme. This is only permitted if made clear to the customer before a quotation form is completed.

Worldwide www.2x2worldwide.com

www.2x2worldwide.com sales@2x2worldwide.com Tel +44 (0) 1827 331099

Winter 2009

News

Gear up for the Cycle Show

W

ith many of the world’s best bike brands exhibiting, all the latest kit on display and a commuter bike test track to ride, the Cycle Show will be the UK’s top destination this autumn for anyone with an interest in cycling to work. The show, which takes place in London from 9–11 October, will cover all other areas of cycling too, giving you the opportunity to see some of the sport’s biggest names, watch BMX aerial displays, and even try out a whole range of mountain bikes on the specially built off-road course.

“The Cycle Show will offer the latest bikes, kit and expert advice as well as catering for the growing number of

Look after your bike

Learn how to look after your bike on a home mechanic course approved by Cytech, the training and accreditation scheme recognized by the cycle industry. A two-day course will give you the ability to carry out repairs and servicing, saving you time and money in the long run. Go to www. thecyclingexperts.co.uk for details.

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female cyclists with a brand new ‘Woman’s Hour’ featuring talks on cycling fashion, tips and advice,” said Cycle Show Director Andrew Brabazon.

A huge number of exhibitors are already confirmed including big names

A huge number of exhibitors are already confirmed including big names like Condor, Ridgeback, Scott, Cannondale and Specialized like Condor, Ridgeback, Scott, Cannondale and Specialized. If you’re after new kit, you can check out and buy the latest bike clothing in the show’s Cycle Store. This area will cater for every type of cyclist and leading brands will be showcased on the fashion stage every day.

You’ll also get a first look at London’s Cycle Hire Scheme and Cycle Superhighways – major new cycling projects that will be coming to the capital in summer 2010. And this year’s Cycle Show will cater to the new wave of women cyclists by launching a host

of in-show female-friendly features. For example, there will be a panel of experts offering advice on choosing the right bike, customising your bike with female-specific components and buying the best technical gear as well as women-only maintenance sessions.

If you want to unleash your competitive streak, you can take part in the 500m indoor sprint challenge, or if you’d rather just watch the action, you can sit and watch the UK’s top BMX riders doing their stuff on the indoor street course.

Cycle 2009 takes place at Earls Court 1, London, and is open to the public from Friday 9 October until Sunday 11 October. There is secure bike parking on site. Tickets are £11.50 in advance or £14.50 on the door. For further details and booking go to: www.cycleshow.co.uk

News

Land’s End to John O’Groats … on a unicycle

Samuel Farmer from West Sussex has become, at the age of 15, the youngest person to unicycle the length of Britain from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

“It took me 89 hours, 37 minutes and 39 seconds to cover 938.64 miles,” said Samuel. “And that’s 535,025 rotations of the wheel.”

Samuel was raising money for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton Hospital and The Peanut Ward at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, and also raising awareness of the importance of wearing a cycle helmet.

“My daily routine has involved early starts to avoid the heat and rush hour traffic, and late afternoon/early evenings for the same reasons. I was aiming to ride 70-75 miles and complete five one-and-a-half hour sessions a day. The average speed on the flat is 12-13 mph but if I really go for it I can reach over 20mph.”

Ride to work on a Land Rover Land Rover. Maybe not a name you'd associate with bikes, but Land Rover do make them, and to prove it here is a shiny new commuting bike from their 2010 range, the 6.9. It's a pre-production model but basically the bike you'll be able to get for £749 in a couple of months' time. We’ve had a few rides on one and it does everything you would expect a good commuting bike to do for this sort of money: it’s a good solid ride for work and fun.

The secret of endurance is…

If you want to boost your endurance you need to drink – wait for it – beetroot juice. That's the finding of a group of researchers at Exeter University who have been studying the effects of organic nitrate compounds in beetroot on oxygen in the blood. In tests they found that the oxygen uptake of cyclists who drank beetroot juice was increased, making exercise less tiring and delaying exhaustion.

The researchers, who published their findings in the Journal of Applied Physiology, reported that beetroot juice enabled cyclists to cycle for longer at moderate to severe intensity. The results would translate into a 2% reduction in time over a set distance. That's pretty significant; over a 40km time trial, for example, it equates to the best part of a minute.

“Our study is the first to show that nitrate-rich food can increase exercise endurance,” said Professor Andy Jones of the University of Exeter’s School of Sport and Health Sciences. “We were amazed by the effects of beetroot juice on oxygen uptake because these effects cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training.

“I am sure professional and amateur athletes will be interested in the results of this research. I am also keen to explore the relevance of the findings to those people who suffer from poor fitness and may be able to use dietary supplements to help them go about their daily lives.”

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 9

Winter 2009

British cities support cycling

S

everal of the UK’s major cities have recently announced big plans to support cycling as part of on-going moves that are set to revolutionise urban transport over the coming years.

Liverpool city centre will get new cycle routes and improved cycling facilities in a bid to encourage more people to travel by bike, thanks to a £640,000 investment from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The Liverpool Cycling Strategy project, led by the city council, aims to overcome barriers preventing people from riding by, for example, the construction of seven new cycle routes to complete the city’s network and the completion of missing links within existing cycle routes.

“This investment will help to promote

15% off at Howies

Howies offer

Save money by doing your shopping with Howies.

The active clothing and accessories company will give you a 15% discount if you quote CYSCH9 when you place your order. Our favourite Howies products lately have been their super-soft merino wool base layers which keep you comfortable whatever the weather.

Check them out at www.howies.co.uk

10

Liverpool city centre will get new cycle routes and improved cycling facilities in a bid to encourage more people to travel by bike thanks to a £640,000 investment cycling as an affordable, convenient and environmentally friendly way of getting around through improving Liverpool’s cycling infrastructure,”said Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency. “It will also make it easier and safer for people to travel by bike and encourage more people to consider cycling as a viable alternative to car use for local journeys.”

Meanwhile, neighbouring Manchester has bid for £29 million of funding to become the country's first 'sustainable travel city' which, if successful, will be good news for local cyclists.

The bid includes proposals for an innovative network of five flagship cycle centres offering bike parking, showers and changing facilities, shortterm bike hire, information and a workshop, plus training facilities. The cycle centres would also function as centres for sustainable travel and smarter driving advice.

Eight other highly congested urban areas across England, including Bristol, Nottingham and Leicester, have also been invited to bid for this Department for Transport project.

With plans for 6,000 bikes to be made available for short-term hire in London from 2010 and numerous cyclepromoting projects in England’s 18 cycling towns and cities, the future for urban cycling is looking brighter than ever.

Instant know-how If you want to take the fast route to becoming a cycling expert, check out the best sources of information www.cyclescheme.co.uk The website of the number one provider of tax-free bikes for the Government's Cycle to Work initiative – that’s us – this is the one-stop shop for both employers and employees interested in taking part.

Instant know-how

The Highway Code

Yes, you probably studied it before you did your driving test but if you ’re a bit rusty on the details – and let’s be honest, you are – check out the Highway Code. The official road safety manual for Great Britain exp lains the rules clearly and the sec tion for cyclists is essential readin g for those new to two-wheele d transport. It’ll set you back just £2.50, or you can take a loo k online: www.direct.gov. uk

www.ctc.org.uk CTC – the Cyclists’Touring Club – has about 60,000 members covering all kinds of cycling, not just touring. Their website covers everything from learning to ride on the road safely to lists of cycle-friendly establishments such as pubs and guest houses, and there’s a section devoted solely to commuting.

www.britishcycling.org.uk Your first port of call if you’re interested in cycling competitively, the website of the governing body of cycle sport in Britain also covers recreational riding and travel too.

There’s some good commuting advice to be gleaned from this site too, including some kit-buying information.

www.road.cc The best website in cyberspace for road cycling information, UK-based road.cc provides constantly-updated news plus reviews of the latest bikes, accessories and cycle clothing. You also get features, blogs and an active forum. There’s always plenty on here for the commuter.

www.lcc.org.uk The London Cycling Campaign aims to promote cycling in the capital and their website contains a lot of useful info, including advice on getting started, cycle route maps and details of rides and events. Lots of the material is relevant outside of London too.

twitter.com You can keep up with loads of professional riders via micro-blogging service Twitter.

Cycling legend Lance Armstong is a prolific tweeter and has nearly 2million followers while Bradley Wiggins, Britain’s fourth-place Tour de France finisher, provides regular updates too.

www.bike-events.com Fancy a challenge? Bike Events organise loads of fund-raising and recreational rides of all levels of difficulty. Something like the 29-mile London to Windsor ride is suitable for families while the Wessex 100 will test the more experienced. Go online to check out their calendar. www.cyclescheme.co.uk 11

Winter 2009

Stuff Bringing you the very best cycling gear for your daily commute and beyond…

Altura Night Vision Evo waterproof jacket £89.99

This soft-touch jacket is specifically designed for commuting, incorporating plenty of reflective trim and even a Night Vision LED rear light (replacements are available for £12.99). It’s fully waterproof and very breathable with adjustable vents adding climate control. Available in both men’s and women’s versions and in several colours including hi-vis options. www.zyro.co.uk

Respro HiViz Urban Survival sticker kit £10.99

Slap ’em on your bike, helmet, bag or whatever else you can think of and these 3M Scotchlite stickers will help you stand out in car headlights at night. They come in a variety of diffrent sizes and the adhesive is very strong so they’ll stay put. Other designs are available too. www.respro.com

Knog Dry Dog 13in £84.10

The smart Dry Dog is a tough bag that keeps rain and road spray out superbly. You get a big main compartment, a soft sleeve for your laptop, and lots of reflective material to get you seen. It’s available either with or without hardware on the back for attaching to a bike rack. www.knog.com.au

Endura Tech-Pant overtrousers £69.99

Cheap waterproof trousers will often leave you feeling clammy but invest in a breathable pair like these and life suddenly becomes a whole lot more pleasant. The Enduras are seam-sealed, have extended ankle zips so they’re easy to get on and off over shoes, and come with stretch panels in the knees and low back for comfortable pedalling. www.endura.co.uk

Tifosi Stelvio glasses £49.99

Even when it’s not sunny, eyewear is important when you’re cycling for keeping wind, rain and stones out and these specs do the job really well. The rubber temples and adjustable nosepiece stop them slipping even when damp and you get three polycarbonate lenses – clear, smoke and red – to suit the conditions. www.tifosioptics.com

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Stuff Specialized Radiant gloves £39.99

Unlike a lot of gloves that claim to be waterproof, these actually are, and the Thinsulate low-bulk insulation means they’ll keep your fingers warm in really cold winter weather too. They extend well above your wrists to keep draughts at bay and the high-grip palm carries on working even when soaking wet. www.specialized.com

Lezyne Micro Drive HP pump £28.99

This is clever. Although tiny, this pump comes with a little foot peg that you flip out, allowing you to rest it on the floor and use your full bodyweight to do the work. It’s beautifully made from aluminium, fits both Presta and Schrader valves, and gives enough pressure for road bike tyres. www.lezyne.com

Altura Speed seatpack from £12.99

The Speed seatpack sits securely underneath your saddle and is the perfect place to store ride essentials like your spare inner tube, multi tool and emergency fiver. It comes with a rubber mount for fitting a rear LED and a load of reflective trim, and it’s available in three different sizes. Choose between red, blue and grey colour options. www.zyro.co.uk

Bontrager Air Pack £29.99

This little pack contains everything you need to fix a flat and get back on the road as quickly as possible. You get two tyre levers, some glueless patches, a CO2 inflator and two threaded CO2 cartridges – you can buy replacements at your local bike store when they run out.

There’s enough space in there for money and keys too. www.bontrager.com

Madison Tempest soft shell £114.99

Lezyne SV10 multi tool £29.99

This classy little thing contains all the tools you’re likely to need to get you out of trouble on a ride, including a chain splitter, and it weighs next to nothing – well, 101g if you really want to know. The build quality is excellent and, in use, it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Lovely! www.lezyne.com

This thick, fleecy jacket is warm, breathable and completely waterproof with fully taped seams to stop the rain sneaking through. The high collar and long sleeves are perfect for keeping you wellcovered during winter commutes and the relaxed cut means the Tempest doesn’t look out of place when you get off the bike. Available in men’s and women’s versions. www.madison.co.uk

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 13

Winter 2009

Choosing the perfect bike There are hundreds of different bikes to choose from – we explain how to decide which type is right for you...

A

s every handyman knows, you’ve got to choose the right tool for the job. You might be able to wire a plug with a chisel, but it’s going to work out a whole lot better all round if you pick a screwdriver out of the toolbox.

It’s the same when it comes to choosing a bike: you’ve got to choose the right tool for the job. That way you get the features you need and don’t waste money on things that aren’t important. So how do you know what’s right for you? Well, you can start by answering a few very simple questions…

Do you want to ride exclusively on the road?

Yes

No

Do you need to pack your bike down small in a hurry?

No

Do you need to carry a lot of weight on your bike?

Yes

Yes

Folder Folders come into their own when you’re travelling partway by some other mode of transport. They pack down in seconds without any tools and fit into the boot of your car or onto public transport far more easily than a standard bike. And if there’s no cycle storage space at work, no problem – you can tuck a folder away under your desk. These days there are a whole load of different folding options available so you can pick one that fits your needs exactly.

For example Dahon Curve D3 £459.99 www.dahon.co.uk 14

START

Tourer Tourers come in lots of different guises, some flat-handlebarred and some drop-handlebarred, but the one thing they all have in common is the ability to carry loads; that’s what they’re built for. Fit a rack or even two, sling your panniers on board and you’re away. And they’re equally at home whether you’re taking your laptop and a change of clothes to work or spending a week exploring France. Unlike a lot of road and mountain bikes, tourers will take mudguards without any trouble, making them a practical all-weather option.

For example Dawes Horizon £749.99 www.dawescycles.com

Choosing the perfect bike

Mountain bike

Urban MTB

Mountain bikes are designed to be ridden off-road so they’re built superstrong. You get a wide range of gears to get you up and down the hills, powerful brakes to keep you safe, and chunky tyres to provide grip in the mud. These days most come with suspension at the front and you might get rear suspension too. Commuting on the road aboard a mountain bike will be a whole lot easier if you fit lighter wheels and tyres For example Trek 6300 Disc £674.99 www.trek.com

An urban mountain bike gives you all the strength of an offroad set-up but with road-friendly features thrown into the mix, making it an ideal commuting option. You don’t need suspension on the road so the forks are usually rigid, saving a lot of weight up front, and the slick, narrow tyres are much quicker on the streets than off-road knobblies. Without the need to get you up steep, rock-strewn trails, the gears tend to be a little higher than you’ll find on a standard mountain bike too. For example Cannondale Bad Boy Disc £639.99 www.cannondale.com

Yes Do you want to ride rocky/ stony off-road trails?

Yes No

Do you need a bike that can handle more than average amount of abuse?

No

No

Road bike Road bikes are all about speed. They’re race-inspired machines designed to eat up the road miles as quickly as possible so you get narrow tyres and drop handlebars and the weight is kept low. Although some road bikes have higher front ends than others, you’ll generally be in a fairly low and stretched out riding position in order to keep out of the wind. If you’ve got a long commute and not much to carry, a road bike is the quickest option.

For example Specialized Allez Sport £599.99 www.specialized.com

Hybrid A hybrid is a jack-of-all-trades that splits the difference between a road bike and a mountain bike. A flat handlebar puts you into a fairly upright, traffic-friendly ride position while a wide range of gears means you’ll be fine whether you’re commuting through town or heading for the hills. The 700C wheels and mid-width tyres are lightweight enough to zip along all day on tarmac but they can cope with the towpath as well and, along with the mountain bike brakes, they’ll even handle a bit of light trail use too if you fancy it. For example Ridgeback Flight 03 £699.99 www.ridgeback.co.uk www.cyclescheme.co.uk 15

Winter 2009

Get the right fit

to be Buying the right sized bike and setting it up correctly is vital if you’re going comfortable, cycle efficiently and avoid injury. Here’s how to make your choice

1 Stem length Stems come in various different lengths and this can have a big effect on the way you feel on your bike. Changing you stem is usually a 5-minute job.

A very rough guide to setting your reach on a road bike is to put your elbow on the nose of your saddle with your forearm horizontal: the tip of your middle finger should be 2-3cm from your handlebar.

Some people prefer a less-stretched, more upright position, particularly on a flathandlebarred bike.

2 Brake lever reach Many brake levers come with a reach adjustment screw to bring them closer into the handlebars for smaller hands. Setting it is an easy job with an Allen key.

16

Get the right fit

3 Saddle height A good rule of thumb is to adjust the saddle height so that your knee is straight when you your heel is on the pedal and the crank is in the 6 o’clock position. That way, when you cycle normally with the ball of your foot on the pedal there will be a slight bend in your knee. If you’re riding a mountain bike on off-road trails, you’ll probably want to reduce your saddle height a little – about 1cm.

5 Handlebar height This is a tricky one that varies hugely between different people. A low handlebar height gives a flatter, more aerodynamic body position for sports riders, but higher handlebars put less strain on your back, provide easier control and give you a better view of the road ahead. In the end, it comes down to comfort and personal preference.

The easiest ways to adjust your handlebar position are by swapping your stem for one with a different rise (measured in degrees), or by altering the height of your headset spacers.

7 Toeclip overlap

4 Saddle setback When your crank is in the 3 o’clock position, the front of your kneecap should be directly above the end of the crank arm. Loosen the seatpost bolts and shift the saddle backwards or forwards on its rails to achieve this.

6 Frame size Like shoe sizes, bike sizes vary greatly between manufacturers – plus there’s the complication that some are given in inches, some in centimetres, and some are described as small, medium, large and so on. The best advice is to check out each manufacturer’s website – they’ll usually give their own sizing guidance.

When choosing your frame size, first make sure you can get the saddle height you need, and the reach that you’re after. Then make sure there’s clearance between your crotch and the top tube when you stand astride the bike with your feet flat on the ground. Ideally, you want 5cm of clearance or more to give you a bit of leeway if you have to get your feet down in a hurry.

On some bikes, especially smaller ones with large wheels, it’s possible for your toe to hit the front wheel or mudguard when you turn. You have to be turning pretty sharply, though, and that only happens when you’re going very slowly and it’s rarely dangerous. If it bothers you, though, check for it before you buy or remove the toeclips. You’re less likely to get toeclip overlap on a bike with smaller wheels. www.cyclescheme.co.uk 17

Winter 2009

in detail...

Bike test

Low rider mounts mean you can fit front panniers too for big loads

You can brand up your globe how you like, just slot in your badge!

Other rated rides...

Claud Butler Urban 300 £369.99

The mudguard-capable Urban 300 gets easy-action Rapidfire Plus shifting on its 24-speed Shimano Alivio drivetrain and a suspension seat post to take the edge off rough road conditions.

The 40mm wide tyres provide more comfort. www.falconcycles.co.uk

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Ridgeback Tempest £399.99

Built around a gussetreinforced alloy frame, the Tempest is strong and lightweight and excellent stopping power comes courtesy of Shimano’s hydraulic disc brakes. The 24-speed transmission gives quick and accurate shifting. www.ridgeback.co.uk

On test...

Specialized Globe Vienna 2 £349.99 Simple, reliable and very economical, the Vienna could be exactly what you need for trouble-free commuting all year round…

P

ractical – that’s the word that best sums up the Vienna. No racer-wannabe looks, no flashy gadgets, no nonsense whatsoever, this is a reliable workhorse that gets on with the job of getting you from A to B with the minimum of fuss… and does it very well.

Globe is a stand-alone brand from Specialized, one of the most respected bike companies out there. But whereas most Specialized bikes have a sporty bias, at least to some degree, with Globe it’s all about being functional. With that in mind, the Vienna is built around a strong aluminium frame that comes with mudguard and rack braze-ons

Specialized are known for making comfort a big priority and the Vienna has clearly been built with this in mind and even an integrated mount for fitting a kickstand. The curved, sharply sloping top tube means there’s no danger of whacking your undercarriage on the frame when you stop in a hurry – which is reassuring – and features like puncture resistant tyres add to the rider-friendly appeal. There’s a skirt friendly step through version of the bike and most women will easily be able to ride the diamond-framed version too, it’s available in four sizes.

Specialized are known for making comfort a big priority and the Vienna has clearly been built with this in mind. The relaxed frame geometry and riser handlebar give you a good view of the road ahead and avoid any strain on your back, while the Body Geometry saddle has been specifically

Scott SUB 30 £499.99

The entry-level model in Scott’s SUB range features an elaborately-sculpted aluminium frame and a straight alloy fork. Shimano’s 24-speed drivetrain provides ultra-dependable shifting, and the Tektro V-brakes offer decent stopping power and they’re easy to maintain. scottusa.com

engineered to take pressure off your most sensitive areas. You also get chunky Body Geometry grips Price: £349.99 to spread the load as widely as Weight: 27.4lb / 12.4kg Frame: Globe A1 possible and prevent tingly fingers Premium Aluminium as you lean forward, and the big Fork: Globe straightair chamber of the 35mm wide blade steel fork Drivetrain: Shimano tyres helps take the edge off rough 24-speed, Acera rear mech road surfaces or even bumpy bike Wheels: Forged alloy tracks if you fancy exploring at the double-sealed hubs, Specialized Nimbus weekends.

700x35c tyres The 24 Shimano gears cover a Other: Alloy linear pull broad enough range to get you up brakes pretty much anything and provide plenty of straight-line speed on the flat, and the fingertip controls couldn’t be easier to operate. The chainguard is a welcome touch too, ensuring that your everyday trousers don’t get mangled up as you pedal – it’s the little things that make all the difference. Linear pull brakes provide progressive stopping power and they’re strong enough to haul you to a halt in double-quick time if someone pulls out unexpectedly or you misjudge the lights.

Taken as a whole, the Vienna is a dependable bike that provides everything you need for an enjoyable urban commute and nothing that you don’t. Like we said, it’s practical, Braze-ons These are small fittings and it has the added that are attached to your bike’s advantage of being frame and/or forks. Threaded brazehighly affordable, ons allow you to attach accessories which has to be a like mudguards, racks, cages for winning combination. bottles and so on.

Tech Specs

Jargon Buster

www.specialized.com

your water

Cannondale Bad Boy 8 £999

Cannondale have a whole range of urban Bad Boys so there’s a model to suit every budget. This one has a Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub gear for maximum reliability and minimal maintenance and Avid Juicy hydraulic disc brakes. gb.cannondale.com

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 19

Winter 2009

Example

Package

Add safety equipment for the full bike-to-work experience!

£34 9.9 9

Sp Vie ecialize nna d G lobe 2

+

99 rk 3000 £Kr7yp9ton.itepNtoenwiteYloock.com

+

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£29 .99

Spec www ialized C .spec ham ialize onix d.com

9 ghtset k 4tL.u9narr2o5utldi oor.co.u 5 £Smar w.fishe

.kry www

Total retail price

£514.96

ww

Example† Cyclescheme savings for basic and higher rate tax payers

Price† after savings for basic rate tax payer

£311.68

Price† after savings for higher rate tax payer

£266.51

Example savings This is an example† of how savings are made for basic and higher rate tax payers on a this bike package hired over a 12 month period. †

At the end of the hire period, under a separate agreement, the ownership may be transferred to the hirer for a fair market value payment.

Savings will be affected by your personal level of taxation. Not all employers can pass on VAT savings. Some employers use finance to purchase the bikes, which will affect savings.

20

Basic rate

Higher rate

20% Tax, 11% NI, 15% VAT

40% Tax, 1% NI, 15% VAT

Bike package retail price

£514.96

Bike package retail price

£514.96

Income tax, VAT & NI saved

£203.28

Income tax, VAT & NI saved

£248.45

Gross monthly repayments

£42.91

Gross monthly repayments

£42.91

Net monthly payments

£25.97

Net monthly payments

£22.21

Total cost of bike package

£311.68

Total cost of bike package

£266.51

WHERE TWO WHEELS MEET© ”May the wind be with you”

Real men don’t shave their legs dude.

dude, Real men aren’t afraid to shave their legs.

Are you guys wearing matching lycra?

Come to The Cycle Show 2009 for a peek into the wonderful world of bikes and all the characters that ride them.

WWW.CYCLESHOW.CO.UK

9 -11 October 2009 Earls Court 1

essentials Winter 2009

It’s not all about the bike: choosing the right kit will make all the difference to your ride. Here’s the lowdown on a few things you’ll wonder how you lived without

Essential kit:

Helmets A

ll the bike helmets available out there have reached the relevant safety standards so make your choice based on fit – that’s crucial if it’s going to be effective.

Ask to try on a few different brands, models and sizes in the shop. Once you find one that you think is right, grab it and twist it left and right. The skin on your forehead will move if the helmet fits. Some will just sit better on your head than others. Go for the one that feels most comfortable when it’s securely in place.

Giro Stylus £49.99

The Stylus sits really comfortably thanks to Giro’s super-secure RocLoc 3 fit system, an easily adjusted plastic device that reaches down to cradle the back of your head snugly. You get plenty of air conditioning via the 26 vents while Coolmax internal pads wick sweat away effectively and it’s simple to take them out for washing. The overall build quality is excellent – this is a helmet that’ll last you an age. www.giro.com

Bell Metropolis with accessories £49.99

The Metropolis provides an interesting alternative for those who aren’t after the racer look. It’s an understated, low-profile helmet and fine-tuning the fit couldn’t be easier thanks to a simple dial at the back. The peak features a tiny gutter to prevent rain dripping down into your eyes, and this version comes with a breathable raincover, a rear-view mirror, and a Blackburn Mars 3.0 rear light that attaches on the back. The helmet alone will set you back £39.99. www.bellbikehelmets.com

Other helmets...

Met Diamante £54.99

This mid-price women’s lid from one of the most well-respected helmet manufacturers comes with an easy-to-use Safe-T Lite fitting device – you just slide the double adjusters into place and you’re ready to go.

It boasts great ventilation and it’s lightweight too, hitting the scales at just 240g, so you barely feel like you’re wearing it. www.met-helmets.com

22

Bell Array £74.99

It might be pretty expensive but the Array does pack in a high level of performance. The fit is superbly adjustable and, once set, Bell’s little Cam-Lock levers hold the straps firmly in place.

The excellent ventilation is really welcome if you head out of town and hit the hills during longer rides at the weekend. www.bellbikehelmets.com

Essential kit

Jargon Buster

Retention system The straps and adjustable cradle that hold the helmet securely and comfortably on your head. Different manufacturers use different designs – choose one that works well with your head shape.

Specialized Air Force 3 (women’s) £25

Specialized’s Air Force designs have won countless fans over the years thanks to their combination of comfort and value. The Form Fit retention system features a band that reaches right around your head so there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t get on well with this model. The strap adjusters are light and simple to use and you get a clip-on peak as part of the package which comes in handy for dealing with both rain and sunshine. www.specialized.com

Limar 575 £39.99

The 575 comes with some huge vents at both the front and the rear so you get plenty of air flowing through to stop things getting sweaty in there, while a layer of mesh prevents any creepy crawlies coming in at the same time. The fit is micro-adjustable by means of a simple dial at the back – it really couldn’t be easier – while the pads are super-soft and the snap-on peak is a useful addition. www.limar.com

Specialized Chamonix £29.99

If you’re after great value, the Chamonix is hard to beat. It’s light, it’s well-ventilated, it’s strong and it fits securely on a variety of head shapes. You really can’t go wrong here, which is why this helmet has proved so massively popular over recent years. A clip-on peak is included. www.specialized.com

LAS Kripton helmet £68.99 This high-class helmet is low profile and very well vented so it’ll appeal to sporty riders who like to get the miles in. It extends further down the back of your head than most but still manages to be lightweight, and it comes with both an anti-insect net and soft fabric over the chin strap to keep things comfy. www.lashelmets.com

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 23

Winter 2009

Essential kit:

Lights

I

f you’ve not owned a set of bike lights since you were a kid, you’re in for a shock.

These days, they’re small, lightweight and incredibly bright. Plus, batteries now last for ages and many just need recharging from the mains every few days like a mobile phone.

The law says you must use a white light up front and a red light at the rear when you’re riding at night; treat that as the minimum. An extra couple of flashing LEDs will really get you noticed in traffic and they cost just a few pounds each.

Knog Gekko £17.99 (front), £15.99 (rear)

These diddy lights each contain three bright LEDs and the mounting is stretchy silicon rubber so you can attach them to pretty much any bike frame or seat post without tools. They run constantly for 30 hours or much longer in flashing mode. Available in various different colours. www.knog.com.au

NiteRider MiNewt Mini USB £99.99

A penny shy of 100 quid might be a lot to pay for a bike light but this is a fabulous little option that weighs just 175g. The battery unit is barely noticeable underneath your stem and the light itself is held in place securely by a simple-to-use O-ring. It belts out impressive road-illuminating power for three hours and when the battery level indicator tells you it’s time for a top up, you just plug it into your computer. www.niterider.com

Other lights...

Cateye EL600RC £79.99

This new light from Cateye sports a 1 Watt LED bulb and contains a rechargeable NiMH battery pack: no more rooting around in your desk for new batteries, just plug it in and you’ll get five hours of light. There’s a battery level indicator and side visibility is good thanks to cutaway lens sections at either side. There’s high and low beam settings, and a flashing mode too. www.cateye.com

24

Light and Motion Vega 120 £79.99

This compact LED lights the way surprisingly brightly and it runs for two hours. The battery is contained within the lamp unit itself so there are no cables to contend with, and mounting it to your handlebars takes seconds. You will need to run the Vega 120 alongside a cheap, road-legal LED though, because it lacks side windows. www.lightandmotion.com

Essential Kit

Smart Lunar 25 front and rear light set £54.99

This super-bright set-up is easily enough to light your way in the country as well as get you noticed around town, and you can remove and reattach both lights in seconds. The front unit lasts about 7hrs on constant mode and the rear one 30hrs on flashing. Batteries are included in the package. www.smart-bike.com

Jargon Buster

LED A light-emitting diode uses far less energy than a traditional bike light meaning that runtimes can be vast. These days, many LEDs are bright enough to light the road ahead rather than simply get you seen.

Cateye HL-EL120 Sport Opticube £16.99

The budget OptiCube is well-focused so you get a decent amount of light from a single LED. You wouldn’t want to use it to see the way on unlit roads but for urban use or as a backup option it’s ideal. You get a massive 80 hours of constant light, and that increases to 320 hours if you use it in flashing mode, and all from two AA batteries. The mounting bracket is neat too, allowing you to fit or remove the light in just a few seconds. www.cateye.com

Electron Backupz

Blackburn Flea

These are neat. They’re tiny LEDs that you can keep in your pocket or bag just in case your main lights run out of juice.

Strap them on your bars or seat post and they give out enough light to get you home safely.

Backupz are waterproof and the batteries go on for ages. www.madison.co.uk

Four super-bright LEDS shine out from each of these mini lights, the front one lasting three hours in constant mode and the rear one six hours. When the batteries ar e drained, you recharge them via a standard AA battery. There’s also a USB charger available, and a solar one on the way www.blackburndesign.com

£14.99 (Pair)

£44.99

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 25

Winter 2009

Essential kit:

Locks

I

nvest in a good lock. Seriously, cheap locks are rubbish and often won’t hold up a thief for more than a few seconds.

We’re sorry to bring you the bad news, but figured you’d prefer to know now rather than wait until you find that pricey new bike has been half-inched. You really do get what you pay for.

When you’re buying a lock, look for a Sold Secure rating. Sold Secure is an independent test house for security products and it gives Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of approval. The higher the grading, the higher the security you’re getting.

Kryptonite New York 3000 £79.99

This beefy U-lock comes with a Sold Secure Gold rating so you can be sure your bike is well-guarded. The extra thick 16mm case-hardened steel shackle is super-tough and there’s a hardened steel sleeve around the double crossbar. The New York 3000 won’t be picked easily either – any thief who comes up against this lock is soon likely to give up. It’s simple to carry on your bike frame with the bracket provided. www.kryptonitelock.com

Squire Urban Paramount £54.99

Onguard Pitbull Std £36.99

With a 13mm hardened steel shackle and sturdy crossbar, the Pitbull Std will stand its ground against any would-be thief who fancies his chances. The quality locking mechanism is highly resistant to picking, pulling and drilling, and a Silver Sold Secure rating is an excellent endorsement for a lock of this price. Five laser-cut keys will please the absent-minded and the multi-position mounting bracket is a useful extra feature. www.onguardlock.com

Abus Steel-O-Flex 1000/100 £69.99

We’d usually opt for a U-lock over a cable lock but, at 100cm long, the Steel-O-Flex offers you extra flexibility when securing your bike because it’ll reach around wider anchor points. You get a 15mm cable protected by an armoured sleeve of cylindrical steel links, and a high-level locking unit that stands up to attack well enough to win a Sold Secure Gold rating. The lock's finished with a vinyl sleeve and a plastic housing to keep your bike scuff-free. www.abus.de

26

This is another lock with a Sold Secure Gold rating thanks to a 13mm thick hardened boron alloy/steel shackle and a hardened steel crossbar. Any thief who wants to try a more subtle approach and pick the lock had better be ready to take on a six-pin tumbler mechanism – and we’ve got a shrewd idea they won’t get far.

This version has a 230mm shackle; the 290mm version will set you back a fiver extra. www.squirelocks.co.uk

Essential kit

Essential kit:

Reflectives C ycling safely on the roads at night is all about being seen, and a few well-chosen reflectives will really boost your visibility. There are loads of different options out there – take our advice and use as many as possible.

When it comes to reflectives, more is better. There’s no such thing as being too conspicuous.

Indicator Cliplet £2.99

Cheap, simple and effective, the Cliplet is made up of a couple of high-powered magnets within a length of plastic. One side has a 3M Scotchlite reflective surface, the other side is fluorescent orange and you clip it to your clothes or bag for a little extra eye-catching visibility. www.theglowcompany.co.uk

Respro Hump rucksack cover From £17.99

A Hump fits over the top of your backpack or pannier to make you really standout on the road whether you’re riding in the day or at night. It takes just seconds to clip into place and the elasticated edges hold it there securely. Humps come in different colours and sizes, some with pockets and some without, but they all feature plenty of reflective material to make them shine out in car headlights, and they’re waterproof too.

Pictured is the P15 which features electroluminescent strips for even better visibilty. www.respro.com

Cinelli Lumen Reflective handlebar tape £16.99

This bar tape looks pretty normal in the daylight but the clever bit is that it glows in the dark. It comes with light reflecting end plugs too for extra visibility. Every little bit helps. www.cinelli.it

Respro Hi-Viz Super Waistcoat £29.99

Using fluorescent fabric and loads of 3M Scotchlite reflective trim, this lightweight vest is bound to get you noticed on the road whether it’s day or night. You get mesh pockets for storing essentials and two loops on the back for attaching LEDs. www.respro.com

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 27

Winter 2009

in detail...

Bike test

The main folding hinge is nice and positive with a lever lock for extra safety

The rear rack will take a small pannier and has an integral luggage strap

Other rated rides...

Raleigh Boardwalk Lite £379.99

Built around a reasonably lightweight aluminium frame, this Raleigh comes with a 7-speed drivetrain, strong V-brakes, mudguards and a rack, so it’s ready for all-weather commuting right from the off. It folds down in no time at all and, thanks to 20in wheels, takes up very little space. www.raleigh.co.uk

28

Brompton M3L £595.00

The most popular option in the British brand’s range comes with 16in wheels so it can be folded down super-small for hassle-free travelling on the bus, train or tube. The upright ride position and Sturmey Archer’s ever-reliable 3-speed hub will suit those who are after a traditional feel. www.brompton.co.uk

On test...

Dawes Kingpin £449.99

The Kingpin packs down small enough to take on public transport and stash behind your desk at work, yet gives larger wheeled rivals a run for their money out on the streets…

A

folding bike opens up a whole host of commuting possibilities and the Dawes Kingpin proves that you don’t have to compromise on ride quality in order to enjoy that convenience.

The Kingpin is the second-top option in Dawes’ four bike folding line-up which ranges from the basic Diamond (£279.99) to the lightweight and light-equipped Ace (£699.99). At the heart of this bike you get a 7005 aluminium alloy frame with a strong, firmly-locking hinge at the centre; there’s a secondary lever lock to keep everything firm.

Spinning on 20in wheels, the Kingpin is stable and surefooted enough for mediumlength commutes and it’s pretty nippy with it It comes in just one size, although you get stacks of height adjustment to both the saddle and handlebars. We had riders from 5ft to 6ft 3in on board comfortably enough.

Even smaller riders will find the ride position pretty upright, which makes a lot of sense. You want a good view of the road on a folder, not head-down aerodynamics.

Spinning on 20in wheels, the Kingpin is stable and sure-footed enough for medium-length commutes and it’s pretty nippy with it. Gears come courtesy of Dahon’s short Neos 7-speed derailleur which is specifically designed to give extra ground clearance when used with small wheels and to take up as little room as possible when the bike is folded. Changing gear couldn’t be easier thanks to SRAM’s MRX twist shifter.

Dahon Cadenza £743.83

With 26in wheels, an 18-speed Shimano drivetrain and a hinged alloy frame, the Cadenza rides like a comfortable urban mountain bike, but you can fold it down to a portable size in a matter of seconds. A singlespeed version is available for £538.30. www.dahon.co.uk

The Pro-Max V-brakes provide impressive stopping too. If you consider that V-brakes were Price: £449.99 Weight: 27.8lb / 12.6kg standard kit for downhill mountain Frame: Dawes 7005 biking just a few years ago, you’ll alloy folding realise that they’re plenty strong Fork: Hi-tensile steel Drivetrain: Dahon Neos enough to keep you safe on the 7-speed, SRAM MRX road. Mudguards and a rack add Comp twist shifter to the practical appeal and there’s Wheels: 20in, Dahon Roulez tyres even a pump hidden away inside Other: ProMax the seatpost. aluminium V-brakes Of course, the way a folder packs and levers down is vital and the Dawes could hardly be more user-friendly in this respect. The handlebars are telescopic, with the upper section slotting into the lower. At the turn of a quick-release clamp, the super-long seat post drops down through the frame in the same way and the frame itself pivots in the middle. The pedals turn up too, the whole process taking, ooh, all of 20 seconds, and it’s very, very simple. Unfolding the Kingpin is a breeze too, with the two main pivots snapping shut with a reassuring clunk.

The folded down bike is small enough to fit into the boot of almost any car, and you shouldn’t have any problems on public transport either.

Hitting the scales at 12.6kg, it’s a manageable Twist shifter Most bike gears weight for carrying short are operated by pushing or distances. Sling it into a pulling a lever or trigger but a shoulder bag to make twist shifter is incorporated in your life easier and keep the handlebar grip; you rotate the train conductor happy it to select a different gear. as well.

Tech Specs

Jargon Buster

Airnimal Joey Commute £975

The Joey handles like a conventional bike out on the road and the weather-beating 8-speed Shimano hub gear keeps maintenance to a minimum. It folds down small enough to fit into its own shoulder bag in a couple of minutes and will go even smaller if you have a few more minutes to spare. www.airnimal.eu

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 29

Winter 2009

Example

Package

Add safety equipment for the full bike-to-work experience!

£44 9.9 9

Daw es K ingp in

+

99 nnier £D2awe4s u.niveescrsyaclleps.acom .daw www

Total retail price

£534.96

+

£19 .99

£39 .99

Alt Ves ura Ni t w ght ww Vis .zyr ion o.co .uk

Bell www Citi helm .bellh et elme ts.co.u k

think this on another exmaple package too?!

Example† Cyclescheme savings for basic and higher rate tax payers

+

Price† after savings for basic rate tax payer

£324.72

Price† after savings for higher rate tax payer

£277.67

Example savings This is an example† of how savings are made for basic and higher rate tax payers on a this bike package hired over a 12 month period. †

At the end of the hire period, under a separate agreement, the ownership may be transferred to the hirer for a fair market value payment.

Savings will be affected by your personal level of taxation. Not all employers can pass on VAT savings. Some employers use finance to purchase the bikes, which will affect savings.

30

Basic rate

Higher rate

20% Tax, 11% NI, 15% VAT

40% Tax, 1% NI, 15% VAT

Bike package retail price

£534.96

Bike package retail price

£534.96

Income tax, VAT & NI saved

£210.24

Income tax, VAT & NI saved

£257.29

Gross monthly repayments

£44.54

Gross monthly repayments

£44.54

Net monthly payments

£27.06

Net monthly payments

£23.14

Total cost of bike package

£324.72

Total cost of bike package

£277.67

Beat the Winter bulge!

Beat the

Winter bulge!

Winter is a calorie-laden time of evenings in, comfort eating and, above all, Christmas. Here’s our take on how to use the bike to lose weight and stay in shape this winter

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 31

Winter 2009

R

iding your bike is the perfect way to lose weight, look younger and feel fitter. Although your body’s metabolism is complex, the bottom line is that you need to use up more calories than you take in if you want to drop your bodyweight – and cycling is a fun way of adjusting that equation.

The rate at which you burn off calories on the bike varies from person to person but an average-weight man (12st 6lb/79kg) will use about 50 calories a mile at 14mph; a typical woman (10st 3lb/65kg) will use about 42 at the same speed.

You can use that information to help you get most out of your time in the saddle…

Ride the weight off If you want to lose weight, start by reducing your daily diet by 500 calories, doing an extra 500 calories’ worth of exercise a day or, best of all, adjusting each by 250 calories.

Cutting 250 calories from your diet really isn’t difficult.

Swap a blueberry muffin (380 calories) for a banana (85 calories) and you’re there comfortably. And just 5-6 miles extra on your bike a day will give you the additional exercise you’re looking for.

Keep it consistent It can be difficult to keep up your riding when the weather’s 32

Every gram of carbohydrate or protein you eat contains 4 calories.

A gram of fat gives you more than double that - 9 calories

not so good, but missing out on your daily commute by bike is bad news for your health and fitness…

Say you usually cycle five miles to and from work five days a week and your bodyweight is stable. Missing the odd day when it’s chucking it down won’t make too much difference, but miss seven days of riding and, all other things being equal, you’ll gain about a pound on the scales.

If you want to stay slim, keep the number of missed days to an absolute minimum and, if possible, substitute in some other exercise instead. Or, if you can’t avoid a few days off the bike, adjust your diet, cutting the relevant number of calories for the miles you miss.

Watch the fat You need a certain amount of natural fat in your diet – it’s essential to the smooth functioning of your body. One of the problems, though, is that fats are so dense in calories.

Every gram of carbohydrate or protein you eat contains 4 calories. A gram of fat gives you more than double that – 9 calories. So if you eat a diet that’s high in fat, it’s easy to take on board more calories than you need, resulting in weight gain.

A Snickers bar and a chicken salad sandwich weigh roughly the same, but whereas you’ll use up the calories from the sandwich by riding less than 2 miles, you’ll need to cycle three times as far to burn off the calories from the Snickers bar because of all the extra fat.

Burn it up occasionally Getting time in the saddle regularly is the most important part of gaining fitness, but cycling harder for a given amount of time will burn calories at a faster rate than cycling slowly. Plus, if you exercise intensely you’ll raise your metabolism for longer after you’ve finished riding too.

You don’t need to turn your

Bailey’s Irish Cream (50ml) Calories

164

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

3.3

Quality Street (5) Calories

200

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

4

Beat the Winter bulge! commute into a race, but if you’ve got a limited amount of time, upping the pace a couple of notches is an effective way to boost your fitness.

Eat, drink and be merry… in moderation Most of us like to eat, drink and be merry around Christmas time – it’s all part of relaxing and no-one’s going to suggest you live like a puritan over the holiday season. But all those extra calories add up, often without us really noticing.

Go to a party and have a glass or two of mulled wine, a couple of mince pies and a few chocolates and suddenly

you’re looking at around 1,000 calories.

If you’re an average-weight man riding at a typical speed, you’ll need to cycle about 20 miles – taking nearly an hour and a half – to burn that lot off.

Think of it like that and you might be a little less tempted to reach for another vol au vent.

Mulled Wine (120ml) Calories

227

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

4.5

Lager (1 pint) Mince Pie Calories

250

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

5

Calories

165

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

3.3

Christmas pudding (100g) Calories

330

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

6.6

Wine (120ml)

Vol au vent Calories

94

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

1.9

Calories

85

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

1.7

Double Cream (1 tbsp) Calories

135

Cycling needed to burn it off (miles)

2.7

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 33

Winter 2009

Bike test

in detail...

Shimano’s integrated gear and brake levers make for simple control

The triple chainset will see you up even the steepest of hills

Other rated rides...

Specialized Sirrus Elite £537.99

The Sirrus Elite comes with carbon seatstays and fork legs, each containing supple Zertz inserts to eat up road vibration and provide a super-smooth ride. This is an excellent value package with a 24-speed Shimano transmission. www.specialized.com

34

Bianchi Camaleonte 3 £639.99

This sporty hybrid from legendary road-bike brand Bianchi comes with a 27-speed Shimano LX transmission that will carry on performing in the face of all kinds of abuse. Other decent components from the likes of FSA and Vittoria add on more value. www.bianchi.com

On test...

Trek 7.3 FX £425

If you’re looking for a versatile bike that can handle long rides at the weekend as well as the daily commute, this Trek might be exactly what you’re after

Q

uick and comfortable, the Trek 7.3 FX is an impressive hybrid that’s a real jack-of-all-trades.

It’ll eagerly handle your regular commute through town and it’s equally suitable for jaunts along the towpath with the family, or fitness rides around the local lanes at the weekend.

The 7.3 is built around a lightweight aluminium frame and fork package that comes equipped with eyelets for mudguards and a rack. We’d definitely fit them for yearround trips to and from work, just to make life that bit easier.

The ride position is fairly upright, similar to a mountain

The 24-gears provided by the triple chainset and 8-speed cassette will get you up the steepest climbs without too much hassle bike’s, giving you plenty of control and a good view of the road ahead as well as taking the strain off your back.

Bontrager’s Nebula saddle is yielding enough to dampen out road vibration and the Satellite Plus grips are excellent too. Rather than simply being round, they bulge outwards to sit within your palms, spreading the pressure to prevent achy hands. These little touches really add to your comfort, especially when you start racking up the miles.

The 24-gears provided by the triple chainset and 8-speed cassette will get you up the steepest climbs without too much hassle while also offering plenty of pace when you want to wind it up on the flat sections. Changing between them is effortless thanks to the fingertip control of Shimano’s trigger shifters and the accurate and reliable

Claud Butler Urban 600 £669.99

Claud Butler offer something different by fitting their Urban 600 with hydraulic disc brakes for improved stoppability, especially in wet conditions. You also get a carbon fork, a suspension seatpost and a 27-speed SRAM transmission along with enough clearance for fitting mudguards. www.falconcycles.co.uk

derailleurs. You’ll rarely need to adjust them, and even if you’re a complete novice, you’ll get the Price: £425 Weight: 26.1lb / 11.8kg hang of the system in no time at all.

Frame: FX Alpha Black The road bike wheels are nippy Aluminum too and, built with 32 spokes Fork: FX alloy Drivetrain: Shimano each, they should prove durable.

24 speed Bontrager’s 32mm tyres have Wheels: Shimano/ enough volume to cope with unnamed hubs, Bontrager Nebula 27in unpaved surfaces without dulling rims, Bontrager Race Lite your acceleration on the Tarmac, Hardcase and they offer excellent puncture Other: Avid SD-3 brakes, Shimano EF60 levers resistance too – always a huge plus.

In terms of handling, the 7.3 behaves well without throwing anything too unexpected into the mix. The steering is precise without much sideways flex in the fork even when you’re flying through downhill bends, and the overall ride feel is one of stability. Shimano levers and Avid SD-3 callipers provide confident, progressive braking that, when combined with the well-balanced ride position, give you a welcome feeling of control at all times.

Overall, the 7.3 is an appealing do-it-all bike that offers excellent value for money, and it’s available in a women’s specific Triple chainset The Trek gives geometry too. If you’re you the choice of three different after a practical machine chainwheels – the cogs that sit up with plenty of comfort front by the pedals – so you get a thrown in, it’s definitely wider range of gears than you’ll find well-worth considering. on many other bikes. www.trekbikes.com

Tech Specs

Jargon Buster

Ridgeback Flight 04 £899.00

The Flight 04 comes with a Shimano Alfine 8-speed hub gear meaning that the moving parts are held internally for minimal maintenance. The impressive spec also includes incredibly powerful Shimano SLX disc brakes which make it extra safe in urban traffic. www.madison.co.uk

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 35

Winter 2009

Example

Package

Add safety equipment for the full bike-to-work experience!

£42 5 FX

Trek 7.3

+

99 ount £Sq5uir4e U.rba.snqPuiraeralomcks.co.uk

+

ww lock w

Total retail price

£569.97

£39 .99

Bell www Citi helm .mad et ison.c o.uk

.99 £24 Giro Transfer Helmet

+

£64 .99

Pola ww ris Vo w.po rtex laris II Ja -app cke arel. t co.u k

www.giro.com

Example† Cyclescheme savings for basic and higher rate tax payers

Price† after savings for basic rate tax payer

£344.23

Price† after savings for higher rate tax payer

£293.63

Example savings This is an example† of how savings are made for basic and higher rate tax payers on a this bike package hired over a 12 month period. †

At the end of the hire period, under a separate agreement, the ownership may be transferred to the hirer for a fair market value payment.

Savings will be affected by your personal level of taxation. Not all employers can pass on VAT savings. Some employers use finance to purchase the bikes, which will affect savings.

36

Basic rate

Higher rate

20% Tax, 11% NI, 15% VAT

40% Tax, 1% NI, 15% VAT

Bike package retail price

£569.97

Bike package retail price

£569.97

Income tax, VAT & NI saved

£225.74

Income tax, VAT & NI saved

£276.34

Gross monthly repayments

£47.50

Gross monthly repayments

£47.50

Net monthly payments

£28.69

Net monthly payments

£24.47

Total cost of bike package

£344.23

Total cost of bike package

£293.63

Winter 2009

Top five

Traffic safety tips R Top 5

Follow our essential advice and stay out of trouble on the streets… iding on busy urban roads can be daunting to begin with but, like anything else, the more you do it, the more confident you’ll become. Even if you’ve never ridden in traffic before, you’ll soon develop ‘bike sense’ – the experience you need to read the traffic conditions, anticipate what other road users are likely to do next, and react accordingly.

To give you a flying start, here are our tips for staying safe while riding in traffic.

1 Take the lane In order to be safe on the roads, you need to be assertive, and that often means riding in the centre of your lane. You might think that riding on the extreme left of the road is the polite thing to do, but it makes you less visible and reduces your own vision, acts as an invitation for motorists to pull alongside you when it’s not safe to do so, and means you’re more likely to have to ride over debris and drain covers.

‘Assertive’ doesn’t mean ‘aggressive’.

And it doesn’t mean needlessly getting in the way of other traffic either – by all means pull closer to the left edge of the road when it’s safe to do so. But don’t feel that you have to ride in the gutter.

38

Traffic safety tips

2 Anticipate traffic turning left across you

Quick tips...

Every urban cyclist has experienced this one. You’re riding in traffic and, rather than overtaking you, another vehicle pulls alongside. Then, forgetting that you’re there, the driver turns left across your path. It can happen at junctions and roundabouts too when you are going straight ahead and another vehicle is turning left.

What can you do? First, taking the lane (see tip 1) makes this less likely to happen in the first place. Second, if someone does just nose ahead, drop behind and position yourself where it’s less likely to happen. Finally, if someone does start to turn across you, don’t panic. Just make the left turn too.

3 Don’t nip up the inside of a lorry or bus Long vehicles need plenty of room to go around corners and often move over to the right before turning left. It can be tempting to nip through the gap that leaves, particularly in stationary or slow-moving traffic. Resist that urge! Chances are that the driver won’t be checking for anyone in that space and may not be able to see you anyway. The gap can shrink very fast as the rear wheels close in, leaving you with nowhere to go. It’s really not worth the risk.

●

G ive parked cars a wide berth.

Drivers are supposed to check the road is clear before opening a door. Sometimes they don’t.

●

M ake eye-contact with other road users at junctions and roundabouts, when you’re changing lane and so on. That way, you know they’ve clocked you. Plus, they’ll be more likely to treat you as a human being.

●

C hange into a lower gear if there’s any possibility that you might have to slow or stop – it’ll be quicker and easier to accelerate away.

●

Assume the driver in front of you is an idiot. You might be right!

●

Y ou have to use lights at night – it’s the law. Extra lights and plenty of reflectives will increase your chances of being noticed.

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 39

Winter 2009

4 Know your right-turn procedure

Cycle training Where to go to improve your skills

Right turns are more complicated than left turns, but follow the right procedure and they’re simple enough.

First, check the traffic on your own side of the road by looking over your shoulder.

When it’s safe, put out your right arm to signal your intention and move to the centre of the road. If there’s a gap in the oncoming traffic, you can go straight on round.

If not, wait in the centre of the road until there is a lull.

Some people prefer to wait on the left until there is a safe gap in both directions, or to dismount and push across.

CTC CTC (Cyclists’Touring Club) provides a list of instructors for the government’s National Standard for Cycle Training which is aimed at both adults and children. Instructors will be able to help with everything from basic handling skills to coping with difficult traffic conditions and road layouts. Go to www.ctc.org.uk

5 Avoid metalwork and white lines when they’re wet Drains and manhole covers can be incredibly slippery when they’re wet, and the same goes for many road markings. If possible, look ahead and, as long as it’s safe, steer around things like this. If you do have to ride over them, you want your bike to be as straight and upright as possible so that your wheels are less likely to slide out from underneath you. Train lines and cattle grids are even worse – it’s often better to get off and walk in wet conditions.

If there’s anything really dangerous on your local roads, let your local council know.

40

Cyclecraft by John Franklin This book explains how to cycle safely and confidently in all traffic conditions and is relevant to total beginners and more experienced riders looking to extend their skills. It also contains valuable advice on teaching your children how to cycle. Available at £12.50 from www.cyclecraft.co.uk

City Cycling by Richard Ballantine Richard’s Bicycle Book sold gazillions of copies after being first published in the 1970s. This offering from the same writer provides a wealth of information on all aspects of urban riding from choosing a bike and looking after it to riding safely and with confidence in traffic. Available at £9.99

15% off

for all Cyclescheme UK members Quote the offer code CYSCH9 to claim your discount. This offer can not be used on sale items.

New catalogue out now.

Winter 2009

Your 2-minute bike check Give your bike a regular once-over to keep it running smoothly and make sure that everything is safe. Here’s how…

Y

ou need to look after a bike to keep it working smoothly and efficiently – and it’s really not that difficult. Get into the habit of quickly checking over the key parts before each ride, just to make sure everything is as it should be; catch small problems before they turn into big problems and you’ll save yourself a whole lot of time and money in the long run.

If you don’t know how to change the parts or make the necessary adjustments we suggest, your local bike shop will be able to sort things out for you.

1 Brakes Pull the brake levers to make sure the blocks bite early enough to give you the stopping power you need. If not, fine-tune the cable adjuster on the brake calliper or lever to bring the blocks in closer to the wheel. Check that they hit the wheel rim in the middle of the braking surface and that the cables aren’t frayed.

3 Tyres Remove any glass or stones that are embedded in the tyre tread to avoid punctures. Check the tread for excessive wear and the sidewalls for bulges – if you find any, it’s time for a new tyre. Make sure there’s enough air in the inner tubes and, if necessary, top them up.

5 Handlebar and stem Check that the stem bolts haven’t loosened off. Hold the bike steady and try to twist the handlebar forward in the stem clamp. Then hold the front wheel between your knees and try to twist the handlebar sideways, as if you were turning.

If there’s any movement, tighten the Allen bolts.

42

2 Wheels Spin the wheels to check they’re both round and true – any more than a couple of millimetres of side-toside wobble and the spoke tension needs adjusting.

Check the hubs spin smoothly too – if not, they need adjusting – and that the quick releases are tight.

4 Headset Pull the front brake on hard and rock the bike back and forth, checking for any movement in the headset bearings. If there is any, undo the bolts on the side of stem, tighten the bolt on the fork’s top cap slightly, and retighten the stem bolts. Also. pick the front end of the bike off the floor and check that the handlebar turns smoothly.

Your 2-minute bike check 6 Frame and forks

7 Saddle and seat post

It’s very unlikely, but just check the frame and forks over for any cracks, especially if you’ve hit any big potholes. The danger areas are at the front of the bike (just behind the head tube) and around the bottom bracket.

9 Bottom bracket If there’s any ticking or creaking as you pedal, it could be that your bottom bracket has worn. Drop your chain off the smallest chainring and turn the cranks by hand. If it doesn’t feel smooth, the bearings have worn and need replacing.

Check your pedals spin freely on their axles too. If not, they need adjusting.

Grab the saddle and try to twist it sideways and move it up and down. If there’s any movement, check the bolts that hold the seat post in the frame and the saddle on top of the seat post. It’s just a question of tightening them up.

8 Gears Check the shifting between gears. If the chain doesn’t move up to a larger sprocket easily, you need to tighten the cable slightly by screwing the barrel adjuster on the rear mech anti-clockwise. If the chain doesn’t move to a smaller sprocket easily, loosen the cable by turning the adjuster clockwise.

10 Chain & Relubing Clean the chain regularly with degreaser, a stiff brush and plenty of water, and then re-lube it. Run the chain backwards as you apply the lube, making sure that every individual link gets its fair share, and wipe off any excess with a rag.

Following a wet ride or after you’ve cleaned your bike, make sure that the moving parts are well lubricated. Lube the pivot points on the brakes and the derailleurs, and the cables where they meet the cable stops. Obviously, keep the lube well away from the braking surfaces.

Got the fettling bug?

If you find that you're enjoying keeping your bike running like clockwork then you can take your skills to the next level with a Cytech Home Mechanic course. The two-day course is designed to give a good level of mechanical ability covering all the basic maintenance areas. All the tools you need are supplied, and you'll end up with an industry recognised qualification. Currently the courses run in Manchester and Milton Keynes; for more information, visit: www.thecyclingexperts.co.uk/cytech.

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 43

Winter 2009

Bike test

in detail...

Mudguards aren’t fitted as standard but there’s just enough room for a pair

The Aluminium frame is well built and finished

Other rated rides...

Specialized Allez Double £499.99

The entry-level model in Specialized’s Allez range is built around a manipulated aluminium frame and carbon-legged fork for lightweight efficiency and plenty of comfort. Shimano’s Sora and Tiagra drivetrain components deliver slick, reliable shifting through the 18 gears. www.specialized.com

44

Trek 1.2 Compact £599.99

The 1.2 is built to the same geometry as much more expensive bikes in Trek’s range but the straight-gauge Alpha White aluminium frame keeps the price temptingly low. The Bontrager Approved carbon fork smooths bumpy road surfaces and Shimano’s Sora and Tiagra kit performs as dependably as ever. www.trekbikes.com

On test...

Giant Defy 2 £775

This is a road bike that combines speed and comfort along with a whole lot of value for money

G

iant is the world’s biggest bike manufacturer, producing a vast number of models from kids’ tricycles to folders to the full-on race machines that Team Rabobank ride in the Tour de France.

The one thing they generally have in common is impressive value for money and that’s certainly the Aluminium Defy 2’s greatest strength.

It’s built around a light and strong compact frame, meaning that the seat tube is shorter than you’ll find on a traditional design and the top tube slopes downward from front to rear. This keeps the frame triangles small and stiff, and also means that the standover height is low which you might prefer for peace of mind when you need to get your feet down in a hurry.

When it’s time to hit the hills, the Defy 2 proves itself a ready, willing and able climber, the Shimano Tiagra compact crankset offering a range of low gears to hoist you skyward The head tube is fairly high so your body position is more upright than on many road bikes, and that’s a real confidence-boost when it comes to keeping tabs on the road ahead. It’s not the most aerodynamic setup but you can spend five minutes moving the stem down if you’re after speed on longer out-of-town blasts.

If you’re planning to use your bike for more than just the daily grind then you’ll really come to appreciate what the Giant has to offer on longer jaunts and weekend rides.

Crank up the power and the frame is taut and light enough to respond immediately with a burst of speed. There’s no sloppiness from the carbon-legged fork or the smooth-

Bianchi Nirone 7 Xenon £739.99

Unlike the vast majority of road bikes at this price, this fast Bianchi comes equipped with components from Campagnolo’s Xenon 10-speed groupset. The alloy frame is double butted to keep the weight down, FSA provide the crankset, and you even get clipless pedals courtesy of Look. www.bianchi.com

rolling wheels either.

When it’s time to hit the hills, the Defy 2 proves itself a ready, willing Price: £775 Weight: 20.7lb / 9.4kg and able climber, the Shimano Frame: ALUXX SL-Grade Tiagra compact crankset offering alumium a range of low gears to hoist you Fork: Composite with alloy steerer skyward. A triple chainset option is Drivetrain: Shimano also available, giving you an even Tiagra/Sora 18 speed wider range of gears if you want an Wheels: Formula sealed cartridge hubs, Mavic extra helping hand.

CXP22 rims, Kenda Some efficient road bikes can Kriterium 700x23c tyres be sketchy on the way back down Other: Tiagra dual pivot brakes, Shimano and harsh on the flat, especially Sora levers over bumpy road surfaces, but the Defy 2’s butted tubes, along with the carbon seatpost, soak up the vibrations effectively to leave you feeling comfortable and in control. It’s a very smooth ride. And when you haul on the anchors there’s barely a hint of unwanted flex, just assured deceleration via Shimano dual pivot callipers.

The Defy 2 isn’t the cheapest or most sensible option for a short urban commute, but you can fit a rack and there’s just enough clearance for mudguards so it’s easy to add a bit of Compact crankset rain protection and Compact cranksets typically use 50 luggage capacity. If and 34 tooth chainrings whereas a you hit the open road more traditional setup might use 53 on your ride to and and 39. This gives you easier gears to from work, or if you’re get up the climbs at the expense of after a bike that can high end gears for coming down. double-up for sports rides at the weekend, it’s a high-value investment. www.giant-bicycles.com

Tech Specs

Jargon Buster

Cannondale Synapse Tiagra Triple £950.98

The Synapse is designed for comfort with a relaxed geometry and excellent vibration-damping features.

This aluminium model comes with a 27-speed Shimano Tiagra transmission and other high-quality components from the likes of Fizik and Vittoria. www.cannondale.com

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 45

Winter 2009

Example

Package

Add safety equipment for the full bike-to-work experience!

£77 5

Gia nt D efy 2

+

£68 .99

LA ww S Kript w.la on shelm ets.c om

+

+

.10 £K8nog4DrynDogo.cgom.au w.k ww

£Le1zy9ne SV.9109multi tool zyne.com www.le

Total retail price

£948.08

Example† Cyclescheme savings for basic and higher rate tax payers

Price† after savings for basic rate tax payer

£575.06

Price† after savings for higher rate tax payer

£491.72

Example savings This is an example† of how savings are made for basic and higher rate tax payers on a this bike package hired over a 12 month period. †

At the end of the hire period, under a separate agreement, the ownership may be transferred to the hirer for a fair market value payment.

Savings will be affected by your personal level of taxation. Not all employers can pass on VAT savings. Some employers use finance to purchase the bikes, which will affect savings.

46

Basic rate

Higher rate

20% Tax, 11% NI, 15% VAT

40% Tax, 1% NI, 15% VAT

Bike package retail price

£948.08

Bike package retail price

£948.08

Income tax, VAT & NI saved

£373.02

Income tax, VAT & NI saved

£456.36

Gross monthly repayments

£79.01

Gross monthly repayments

£79.01

Net monthly payments

£47.92

Net monthly payments

£40.98

Total cost of bike package

£575.06

Total cost of bike package

£491.72

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Riding

Winter 2009

Mix it up

If you’ve got a long commute, the best option could be to split the journey between the bike and some other mode of transport. Here’s how…

Taking the bike in the car Chances are that getting a standard bike into your car is going to mean taking either one or both wheels off…

48

Getting the front wheel off is usually very easy. On most side-pull brakes you rotate the tab on the calliper to move the blocks away from wheel, although some brakes have a button on the lever to do the same job. If you have V-brakes, you just lift the end of the noodle out of its holder. Then you simply undo the wheel’s quick release and drop the wheel out.

It’s a similar process at the back but make sure you change onto the smallest sprocket at the back before you start, to make things as simple as possible.

Mix it up

“I

’ve been cycling partway to work every day for three years now and it has been a revelation,” says Chris Arnold, a retail manager who lives in Wiltshire and works in Bristol. “Dividing the journey between the bike and the train is so much easier than taking the car. It’s less stressful and quicker too.”

Chris is one of a growing number of people who have decided to ditch the car for commuting and travel by bike instead, but riding the whole way isn’t really an option for him.

“The roads were getting more and more crowded, I was spending ages stuck in traffic jams, and fuel and parking were costing me a fortune,” he says. “I live 25 miles from the store where I work and there’s no way I could cycle that twice a day, so I decided to split the

A wet bike can drip gunk so take some rags to wipe it down in case of rain and a sheet to protect the car’s interior.

P utting the wheels back on is the same process in reverse. Hook the chain over the smallest sprocket on the rear wheel before drawing it back into the dropout – it has to be the smallest sprocket to get the wheel lined up properly with the frame.

journey.”

Now Chris cycles the four miles from his home to the station on the Specialized Sirrus he bought through the Cyclescheme, and then gets on the train for half an hour’s crosswording and iPodding to Bristol. At the other end, he gets back on his bike for the final two miles.

“It works perfectly and I get some free exercise into the bargain which saves me going to the gym in the evening,” he says.

Countless other people divide their journeys in similar ways, and not just using the train. Nigel Andrews puts his bike in the back of the car, drives part of the way to work and then cycles the last section.

“I live in the Borders and work in Edinburgh,” he says. “Driving into the city is a nightmare; it’s always congested. So I park about 10

www.cyclescheme.co.uk 49

Winter 2009 miles out and ride the rest of the way. I could park closer, but I figure that if I’m on the bike anyway I might as well go a bit further and work on my fitness.”

Organising things this way has made a big difference to Nigel’s life. Transforming frustrating time spent in traffic jams into useful exercise time has helped him lose nearly a stone in the past year. He also feels more energised after some early-morning exercise.

“Getting on the bike gives you a kick-start and gets rid of that lethargic feeling you can have first thing,” Nigel says. “I vary the place that I park too, just to make things more interesting and keep me motivated. And I’ve always got the option of driving further and shortening the ride if the

Taking your bike on the train Different rail operators have different regulations when it comes to carrying bikes, and the same operator will often have different rules for different services. Sometimes you need to make a reservation, sometimes you just show up, sometimes bikes aren’t permitted at all, and sometimes you have to pay extra. But, on the other hand, it’s often very straightforward. And you’re usually allowed to take a fully packed down folding bike on board without any restrictions, although occasionally it has to be bagged too.

The best thing is to check with your local operator or go to www.atob. org.uk where you’ll find all the information you need.

50

weather’s bad – but it has to be really chucking it down for me to miss out on my ride altogether.”

Multi-modal trips are perfectly possible in London too, although life can be easier if you use a folding bike. You can’t take a non-folding bicycle on the Tube during peak hours, which are 7:30-9:30 in the morning and 4:00-7:00 in the evening on weekdays – and non-folders aren’t permitted at all on many sections (you can get a map showing you which at www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/ downloads/bicycle-tubemap.pdf).

On the flip side, the good news is that you can take a folded bike on the Underground at any time free of charge, on a bus if the

Cycling has transformed frustrating time spent in traffic jams into useful exercise time

driver gives you the thumbs up, and on the Docklands Light Railway as long as you have it enclosed in a cover (go to www.tfl.gov.uk for all the info).

“I take my trusty Brompton on the Tube all the time and it’s incredibly convenient,” says chef Peter Jackson of West London. “I live right out by the M25 and don’t want to ride all the way to work in Camden.

So I cycle to the station, fold up the bike, take the Underground into town and, rather than changing trains, ride from there to minimise hanging around. I was a bit nervous of the traffic to start with but two years down the line and I don’t think anything of it. I take the bike everywhere – I’m a convert.”

URBAN Take control of your commute

for a list of marin dealers visit: www.marin.Co.UK

ride more +

The Most Versatile Bike. Ever.

Ride Longer with Trek FX. Meet FX at trekbikes.com/fx TREKBIKES.COM | © 2009 TREK BICYCLE CORPORATION