Spring/Summer 2012 by Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative Ltd.

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

REVOLUTION PAGE 06

Summer essentials: travelling light | 56

BIKES | CLOTHING | ACCESSORIES

Summer essentials: be prepared | 58 It all started in the pub: one customer’s route to cycling happiness | 60 Bespoke bikes | 62 Pimp your ride: add a little bling to your bike | 66

The theme of the latest Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op Catalogue is Try Something New This Summer. We want to inspire you to try something different on your bike. Plan a big ride. Treat your treads to new terrain. Take your bike on a holiday or a camping weekend. If you only mountain bike, try the occasional commute. You might love it! Conversely, if you’re a roadie, take to the hills and you might discover that mountain biking has more to offer than free power training. If you’re into BMX, cross over to cyclo-cross. You’ll be amazed how bike handling skills can transfer from one cycling discipline to another.

COMMUTER | HYBRID PAGE 18 BIKES | CLOTHING | ACCESSORIES

BICYCLE WEIGHTS

Your responses reminded us how much cyclists love to engage with one another. This inspired us to create a cycling blog that will make it easier for you to touch base with the Bike Co-op community.

We weigh one example of every bicycle in this catalogue omissions being bikes that had not arrived when we went to press (denoted n/a). We weigh the complete bicycle as you would receive it with pedals, reflectors and bell fitted (items that some bike companies remove before they reach for the scales). Like all manufactured goods, weights can fluctuate between 5 and 10%, depending on the bike’s size, so please regard the published weight as a useful but rough guide.

If the high quality of customer contributions to our catalogues is anything to go by, we are confident that you will want to add visits to edinburghbicycle.com/blog to the list of new things you might want to try this summer.

3 WAYS TO SHOP WITH US

One thing we have learned over the Bike Co-op’s 35 year history is that any type of cycling can be wonderful - especially if you enjoy a sympathetic introduction to it. That’s why we invited our customers to share their latest biking experiences. This catalogue is peppered with their stories.

This very catalogue illustrates our commitment to trying something new. It’s slimmer than previous catalogues yet there are more customer contributions. It offers just a snapshot of our range of bicycles and cycle equipment, but we hope it will be enticing enough to encourage you to visit our website whenever you require a full description of everything we do. When you do go online, as well as our own product descriptions you will be able to browse a growing number of customer reviews. If you post your own review, you might win a £50 gift voucher, courtesy of our rolling Monthly Review Prize Draw. That’s the Bike Co-op way. It’s our aim that you will find every visit a rewarding experience, whenever you pop into one of our shops or click onto our website.

ORDER ONLINE

edinburghbicycle.com

FIND A SHOP

edinburghbicycle.com/shops

OVER THE PHONE

0845 257 0808 or 0131 331 5010

WOMEN’S SPECIFIC PAGE 48 BIKES | CLOTHING | ACCESSORIES

ROAD PAGE 32 BIKES | CLOTHING | ACCESSORIES

HOME MAINTENANCE PAGE 64

MOUNTAIN PAGE 38 BIKES | CLOTHING | ACCESSORIES

SERVICING & CLASSES PAGE 67

KIDS’ BIKES PAGE 50

PRICE MATCH We want you to shop with confidence at Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op, hence our Price Match promise. If you are interested in any item from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op which is available from a comparable UK retailer at a lower price, we will match the competitor’s price. For full terms and conditions visit www.edinburghbicycle.com/ pricematch

0% APR TYPICAL INTEREST-FREE CREDIT 6, 10 or 12 months interest-free credit available on any bike over £500 purchased in store or online. 10% minimum deposit required. Example: To pay for a £600 bike over 12 months, we would require a £60 deposit, then 12 monthly direct debit payments of £45, making the total amount payable, £600. Visit www.edinburghbicycle.com/if for full terms and conditions.

KEY TO SYMBOLS Items of exceptional value Really helpful and important stuff

Men’s & Women’s versions available

Women’s specific Male symbol

Female symbol

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

THIS SUMMER’S HOT BRANDS

GREAT BRITISH DESIGN

TECHNOLOGY

When Jon Whyte graduated from engineering Formula 1 Grand Prix-winning car suspension to designing championship-winning full suspension mountain bikes in the 1990s, he was so bemused by how quickly MTB parts wore out in those days, he complained to Shimano. To their credit, Shimano took Jon’s comments so seriously, they sent their people over from Japan to find out how British cyclists managed to waste components so much faster than riders in other countries. Shimano’s research led them to the conclusion that our typically wet, acid soil is probably the most abrasive terrain on earth for mountain biking.

Jon Whyte retired in 2006. He left the company that retains his name in the good hands of his former partner, Ian Alexander, who has taken Whyte’s passion for UK-proof design to the next level. In particular, Whyte has championed ‘new school’ geometry, specifically designed for UK technical terrain (compare with the majority of MTBs, primarily designed for the long, smooth fire roads most U.S. mountain bikers ride). Whyte’s philosophy of slacker head angles and low centre of gravity inspire total confidence on technical descents. Coupled to long top tubes and short stems the steering is intuitive, totally engaging and never sluggish.

FOR THE GREAT BRITISH WEATHER

This inspired Jon Whyte to design bicycles that can survive and thrive in this country. The picture above of Whyte’s Quad 2 suspension demonstrates how he went about it. Note how the rear shock’s snug placement, surrounded by frame tubes, effectively shelters it from wheel spray. Check the precision CNC-machined linkages which prevent play and therefore contribute to shock longevity to such a degree, Whyte (uniquely) offer a lifetime guarantee on every pivot bearing of every full suspension bike they produce.

PERFORMANCE BY DESIGN

Whyte aren’t just about mountain bikes. Back around 2005, they hit upon the idea that if you ‘urbanised’ a Whyte hardtail with rigid forks and slick tyres, its long cockpit, its fast handling, its powerful disc brakes and its UK-proof design made it perfect for city cycling. No wonder Whyte are now our fastest-growing supplier of both mountain bikes and commuter/hybrids.

THE BIG QUESTION - WHAT SETS WHYTE APART? WHYTE BIKE’S CHIEF DESIGNER, IAN ALEXANDER, REPLIED

‘We see ourselves as a riders’ brand. When we give experienced cyclists a Whyte to try out, they almost always ‘get it’ immediately. We have always been confident that Whyte bikes offer the best ride in Britain. However, we were especially gratified when we exhibited at the 2010 Eurobike trade show, European cyclists came to our stand and commented that the design and the geometry of Whyte bikes made them equally perfect for the wilds of Slovenia, Scandinavia, Spain, France.... They understood that bikes built for UK technical terrain will excel anywhere on Earth.’

NEW FOR 2012

THE GERMAN ADVANTAGE When Mike Kluge founded Focus bicycles in 1992, he was one of the world’s best cyclocross and mountain bike riders. His dream was to manufacture premium quality bicycles at great value prices. To this end every Focus bicycle is built in their own Germany factory with Teutonic attention to detail. For instance, Focus build their own wheels to a tolerance of 0.3mm (the industry standard is 1.0mm). Matching this degree of quality control with industry-leading pricing represents outstanding value as demonstrated by the number of best buys bikes in their range. Looking for the best-equipped carbon-frame road bike for your hard-earned? Focus deliver with the Shimano 105-equipped Cayo for £1,399 (P.35) and the Ultegra-equipped Izalco Pro (P.36) for £,1,899. Wondering if it’s time to upgrade to Di2 electronic shifting? Your first option is the £2,799 Cayo Evo (P.37). Looking for a genuinely trail-ready fullsuspension mountain bike for under a grand? Focus deliver with their Shimano SLX/XTequipped Super Bud (P.44). Looking for a lower-maintenance fast city bike? Check out the £929 Focus Planet TR3 (P.23) equipped with Shimano 445 disc brakes and their best 8-speed hub gears (Alfine).

TECHNOLOGY REINFORCING INTEGRATED CABLE TUNNEL Internal cable routing is a nice touch, featured by many manufacturers on their better bikes. Internal routing means farewell to the ‘washing line’ cable under the top tube and welcome to a cleaner smarter look. However, ask any mechanic: replacing an internally routed cable can be a pain. Focus’s Reinforcing Integrated Cable Tunnel featured on their Izalco road and Raven MTB models, offers an elegant solution. This integral cable conduit ensures efficient, easy-to-instal, kink-free cable routing. The result: maximum braking and gear-changing eff``iciency matched with simple cable changes over the whole long life of the bike.

EASY ACCESS BEARING SYSTEM The Easy Access Bearing System allows you to access and adjust all pivot bearings from the more easily accessible left-hand (non chainset) side of every Focus full suspension MTB.

FOCUS IZALCO PRO 3.0 £2,099 Web Ref: 14284

FOCUS MISSION STATEMENT To provide the perfect, highest-performance bicycles for riders of all abilities for competition, recreation and for everyday living.

NEW FOR 2012 Working with cutting-edge bike companies such as Whyte and Focus ensures we never get complacent about our own best-selling Revolution range. In particular Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op is committed to our pledge that if it’s called Revolution, it will have the best spec in its price range whether it’s a bicycle, an accessory or a garment. For 2012, we have taken our core range, improved on it where possible, and added to it. Take our old favourite Revolution Continental road bike. It has been upgraded with a lighter frame with butted tubing. It has come down in price from £459.99 to £449.99. And it is now complemented by an alternative fast road bike called the Revolution Audax (P11). To find out more, the following 6 pages reveal all.

Pages 6-13

REVOLUTION 2012

///THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE MOTORISED

In 1999 Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op adopted a slogan we still stand by, The Revolution Will Not Be Motorised. It’s our proclamation that, for most people in most circumstances, the bicycle is the smartest way to get around. In 2003 when we decided to rename the Edinburgh Bicycle brand in recognition of the expansion of the Bike Co-op with branches north and south (not to mention the world wide web) choosing a new name was a no-brainer. The Revolution range of bicycles, clothing and accessories was born. Our aim from the start was to offer the best value selection of uniquely-styled bicycles, accessories and clothing you could find in Britain. To this day, to qualify for the Revolution logo, every product we develop must pass 2 quality control tests. 1. Would we use it ourselves and/or recommend it to a friend or relative? 2. Is it the best spec you can get for the money?

For 2012, we have taken a ‘back to the drawing board’ approach. First we added value to our established bikes. For instance our Revolution Continental road bike has been upgraded with a butted seat tube and hydroformed top and down tubes to save weight. Then we unified the bike’s look with, for instance, red anodised headset spacers and gear hanger to match the red stripe tyres. Despite these weight-saving looks-enhancing upgrades, we have actually been able to cut the price of the 2012 Continental. Then we have introduced brand new models to our range such as the Revolution Ascent XC Disc - a quality disc brake-equipped hardtail below £300. ///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

Judging from the rave review our bicycles and equipment have received every year since 2003, we are confident the Revolution brand represents exceptional value. We are equally aware that we can’t rest on our laurels because you will only judge us on the specification, the quality and the value of today’s Revolution ranges of bicycles, clothing and accessories.

If you want to see a real eye opener, turn to page 10 and have a peek at our new sub-10 kilo Revolution Belter, which features a Gates belt drive singlespeed transmission that will never need oiled. Revolutionary indeed.

REVOLUTION STREETFINDER WOMEN’S £279.99

Sizes: 17, 19. Colour: Ceramic White. Weight: 15.3kg / 33.8lb. Web Ref: 14587

REVOLUTION STREETFINDER £279.99

Sizes: 19, 21”. Colour: Black Flash. Weight: 15.3kg / 33.8lb. Web Ref: 14586

REVOLUTION STREETFINDER REVOLUTION STREETFINDER WOMEN’S 8 7005 alloy road frame. Rigid fork. 8 Shimano Tourney 3x6 EZ-Fire gears. 8 CST 700x38 tyres. Alloy wheels, V-brakes. Everyday street bikes for women and men. Looking for a smart everyday bicycle? A bike for getting around town, and equally perfect

for escaping it? Both the women’s and the men’s version of the Revolution Streetfinder were made to multi task. The wheels, V-brakes and, of course, the frame are all aluminium alloy for light weight and strength. The 700x38 tyres are faster than 65mm-wide knobblies, more cushioned than 23mm-wide road tyres. Shimano EZ Fire levers click through the 18 gears. Mudguards fend off road splash and help keep clothes clean. A sturdy pannier rack carries loads, so it might save your back.

REVOLUTION PATHFINDER REVOLUTION PATHFINDER WOMEN’S

REVOLUTION TRAILFINDER £249.99

8 7005 alloy comfort frame. Suspension fork. 8 Shimano Tourney 3x6 EZ-Fire gearing. 8 CST 26x1.95” tyres. Alloy wheels & V-brakes.

8 7005 alloy MTB frame. Rigid fork. 8 Shimano Tourney 3x6 EZ-Fire gearing. 8 26x1.95” tyres. Alloy wheels & V-brakes. Low price: high spec do-anything bike. Like the 2 other Finders on this page, the Trailfinder is a commuter/hybrid comfort bike. In contrast with the Streetfinder’s road frame, the Trailfinder is built with alloy MTB (mountain bike) wheels on an MTB frame, making it better equipped for off-road forays. However its semi-smooth tyres, its mudguards and its higher bars make it more suited to the city than any MTB. Although it’s our least expensive bike, Shimano 18-speed EZ Fire gears, Tektro V-brakes, a lifetime-guaranteed unisex alloy frame and a rigid fork ensure the bike’s performance and reliability.

Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22”. Colour: Black Flash. Weight: 14.4kg / 31.7lb. Web Ref: 14577

REVOLUTION PATHFINDER £299.99

Sizes: 18, 20, 22”. Colour: Black Flash. Weight: 15.4kg / 34lb. Web Ref: 14575

REVOLUTION PATHFINDER WOMEN’S £299.99

Pathfinder comfort bike design delivers a magic carpet ride. Although it also rolls on 26x1.95” semi-smooth CST tyres, the Pathfinder is quite different to the Trailfinder. Available in both men’s and women’s versions, the Pathfinder is built on a comfort-geometry aluminium frame. This position the handlebars much higher, as does the bikes’ 63mm-travel suspension forks (with lockout). High bars prevent complaints associated with leaning too far forward on low handlebars, such as neck strain, back pain and aching wrists. High bars can even make your seating more comfortable because you’re no longer leaning forward with you weight on the saddle’s nose. If you want to cycle tall in the saddle, the Pathfinder delivers a magic carpet ride.

Sizes: 16, 18”. Colour: Platinum Silver. Weight: 15.4kg / 34lb. Web Ref: 14576

TYPE THE WEB REF NUMBER INTO THE EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM SEARCH ENGINE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

REVOLUTION 2012

WE’RE PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE We launched our original Revolution Heritage bike 2 years ago. Our customers took to it so quickly, it was sold out by midsummer 2010. In 2011 we ordered twice as many. Again, they sold out by June. This year, we have upped the order again, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed. From its shiny black paint job to its sweet-toned brass bell you can see why the Heritage has been such a hit with our customers. Its inclusive unisex frame makes a Heritage the perfect lend-out bike. High bars make it as comfortable as our Pathfinder (P.7). The full mudguards, chainguard, rack and wicker basket (with quick release handlebar mount) underline the bike’s practicality. We’re so proud of our Heritage, we have introduced a second model this year which is even more deluxe.

REVOLUTION HERITAGE £299.99

REVOLUTION HERITAGE DELUXE £399.99

Sizes: 16, 18”. Colour: Claret. Weight: 17kg / 37.4lb. Web Ref: 14585

Sizes: 16, 18”. Colour: Black Flash. Weight: 16.8kg / 37lb. Web Ref: 14583

REVOLUTION HERITAGE 8 7005 aluminium frame. Steel fork. 8 Shimano 7-speed twistshift gearing 8 700x37 tyres. Alloy wheels, V-brakes. Mixing traditional grace with a 21st century spec, the Heritage is the bicycling equivalent of a thatched cottage with central heating and broadband internet.

REVOLUTION HERITAGE DELUXE 8 7005 aluminium frame. Steel fork. 8 Sturmey Archer hub gears & brakes. 8 CST 700x37 tyres on alloy wheels. Internally-enclosed (so clean!) Sturmey Archer hub brakes and 3-speed hub gears make for a lower maintenance and more deluxe Heritage.

REVOLUTION COURIER HYDRO £549.99

Sizes: 18, 20, 22”. Colour: City Grey. 12.3kg / 27lb. Web Ref: 14578

REVOLUTION COURIER SINGLE £289.99

Sizes: 18, 20, 22”. Colour: Black Magic. Weight: 11.6kg / 25.5lb. Web Ref: 14582

REVOLUTION COURIER RACE £329.99

Sizes: 18, 20, 22”. Colour: Graphite Pearl. Weight: 12.5kg / 27.6lb. Web Ref: 14580

THE REVOLUTION COURIER COMMUTER BIKE COLLECTION Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op pioneered the fast, stealth commuter bike concept with our first Courier bike in 1999. Originally launched as a single model, the Courier has evolved so it’s now available in 5 different versions. Every Courier is built on a strong, lightweight, lifetime-guaranteed 7005 aluminium alloy frame built to take 700c wheels. The price hierarchy honestly reflects the cost of the equipment fitted. To check the specs to discover which Courier will best meet your needs, visit edinburghbicycle.com/courier Whichever Revolution Courier model you opt for, we are confident of one thing. It will be the bestequipped commuter bike you will find in its price range.

REVOLUTION COURIER SINGLE 1 cog + 1 chainring + 0 gears + 700x32 tyres + V-brakes = one minimalist, singlespeed Courier.

REVOLUTION COURIER RACE While singlespeed has its appeal there are roads where you will bless the Courier Race’s Shimano Acera 8-speed Rapidfire gears.

REVOLUTION COURIER RACE DISC Cable-operated disc brakes are all-weather stoppers that require less maintenance than V-brakes.

REVOLUTION COURIER RACE DISC £379.99

Sizes: 18, 20, 22”. Colour: Mercury Grey. 12.7kg / 28lb. Web Ref: 14581

REVOLUTION COURIER PURSUIT Hydraulic disc brakes, suspension forks and 42mm tyres make this the most trail-competent Courier.

REVOLUTION COURIER HYDRO Carbon fork and 32mm tyres make this Courier fly, so you will bless its Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.

REVOLUTION COURIER PURSUIT £449.99

Sizes: 18, 20, 22”. Colour: Urban Spark. 15.5kg / 34lb. Web Ref: 14579

COMMUTER | HYBRID BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM TYPE THE WEB REF NUMBER INTO THE EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM SEARCH ENGINE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

REVOLUTION BELTER £599.99

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Polar White. Weight: 9.9kg/21.8lb. Web Ref: 14569

REVOLUTION TRACK £349.99 8 7005 alloy road frame. Rigid steel fork. Singlespeed of fixed? Select either. With its ‘silver’ bars, stem and cranks, the Revolution Track epitomises the handsome stripped-down appeal of a singlespeed. Genuine track fork ends (dropouts) help ensure optimum chain tension. Its Continental Ultra Race 700x25 tyres are fast rolling and puncture resistant. The cartridge sealed bearing flip-flop hub makes it easy to switch between freewheel and fixed.

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Ascot Green. Weight: 10.6kg/23.4lb. Web Ref: 14574

8 7005 alloy road frame for Gates belt drive 8 Gates Carbondrive belt, cranks and cog. No chain, no oil, no rust, no noise. Singlespeeds are almost always quieter than bikes with gears. We have taken the silent running theme to the next level with the introduction of the Belter. This upgraded version of the Revolution Track features the Gates Carbondrive System. Previously reserved for bikes costing hundreds of

THE REVOLUTION CROSS COLLECTION Fast on grass, fleet on the street. Our Cross bikes are inspired by cyclo-cross: a century-old sport pioneered by roadies who fitted wider, more knobbly tyres (but not as fat as a mountain bike’s) to their road bikes for cross-country racing. Every bike in our Revolution Cross range boasts Maxxis Raze 700x35 cyclo-cross tyres on a lightweight 7005 aluminium alloy road frame with mudguard/ rack eyelets. The result is a fast all-weather bike that can handle off-road excursions.

pounds more, this transmission features a non-stretch carbon belt which meshes perfectly with the dedicated chainwheel and rear cog, and introduces us to a new level of drivetrain efficiency. Gates are the world leader in timing belts for cars, so you can be confident that this system has been precision tested. If you are sceptical about belt drive, we suggest you arrange a test ride of the Revolution Belter at any Bike Co-op shop. You have nothing to lose but your chain (and the need to clean and lube it).

REVOLUTION CROSS With its Shimano 2300 Dual Control 3x8 gear shifters, Sora rear mech, alloy wheels and Tektro cantilever brakes, you can understand why Cycling Plus loved our Revolution Cross.

REVOLUTION CROSS SPORT The Cross Sport is a little lighter and even slicker shifting, thanks to its Shimano Sora 2x9 shifters & mechs and its FSA Verso Cross 36/46 compact chainset.

REVOLUTION CROSS PRO

‘Verdict: the guys at the Bike Co-op have got all the basics right: ideal gear range, decent brakes and good shifting all hung on a good frame. A comfortable convincing ride with oodles of versatility.’ Cycling Plus: Dec. 2011.

The lacquered natural aluminium frame makes this our best looking Cross ever. Its carbon fork and its Shimano Tiagra 2x10 transmission makes it our best equipped. View the full spec of every Revolution Cross at edinburghbicycle.com/cross

REVOLUTION CROSS £449.99

REVOLUTION CROSS SPORT £574.99

REVOLUTION CROSS PRO £849.99

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Brushed. Weight: 10.8kg/23.8lb. Web Ref: 14572

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Black Flash. Weight: 12kg/26.5lb. Web Ref: 14571

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Vintage Blue. Weight: 11.3kg/25lb. Web Ref: 14573

REVOLUTION CONTINENTAL £449.99

REVOLUTION AUDAX £649.99

8 7005 butted aluminium frame. Steel fork. 8 Shimano 2300 2x8 gears. FSA 34/50 chainset. 8 CST 700x25 tyres on double-wall alloy rims.

8 Reynolds 525 CrMo steel frame. Carbon fork. 8 Shimano Sora 2x9 gears. FSA 34/50 chainset. 8 CST 700x25 tyres on double-wall alloy rims.

A road bike for all seasons.

Made for audax/sportive-style fast road rides.

Butted aluminium frame, dual-pivot brakes, shallow-drop bars: the Continental is a sound intro to the world of road bikes. With clearance and eyelets for fitting full mudguards the Conti stands out as a road bike for all seasons.

The all-new Revolution Audax is made for enjoying long days out at a fair clip. The Reynolds frame has a shallower 70˚ head angle (cf. the 72˚ Continental). The carbon fork blades are more shock-damping. The 12-27 cassette and the 34/50 FSA chainset deliver a wider range of gears. This mudguard-compatible bike is perfect for fast road rides such as the type that glory in evocative French names such as sportive, étape, randonneur and, of course, audax.

‘The Revolution Continental’s looks received positive comments even from cyclists riding machines costing three times as much. Just as positive was the riding experience: during fasterpaced group riding on the flat it can easily steam along at over 20mph.’ Cycling Plus. Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Polar White. Weight:11.2kg / 24.6lb. Web Ref: 14570

REVOLUTION COUNTRY TRAVELLER £499.99

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Midnight Blue. Weight:14.5kg / 32lb. Web Ref: 14595

FOR FULL DETAILS OF ANY OF OUR BICYCLES VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Claret. Weight:12.3kg / 27lb. Web Ref: 14568

REVOLUTION COUNTRY EXPLORER £674.99

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Claret. Weight: 14.7kg/32.4lb. Web Ref: 14593

REVOLUTION COUNTRY COLLECTION Britain's best buys in touring bikes. Our Revolution Country touring bike is like a road bike, specially adapted with extra clearance and eyelets to take its mudguards, pannier rack and 700x32 tyres. Its touring geometry makes a Revolution Country feel comfortable and stable - even when fully laden. Ride a Revolution Country sans panniers, you’ll discover that it doubles as a nippy commuter bike. Our current 3-bike range continues a proud tradition, of offering exceptional value Country touring bikes, going back to 1985. When Cycle mag tested our Country Traveller against 1 of the few other £500 tourers on the market, they concluded: ‘It’s rather obvious that the Revolution is a better bike. For a start it’s lighter - a lot lighter. Some say weight doesn’t matter on tour. I disagree, and besides tourers should be versatile.’ Cycle magazine. Dec. 2011/Jan 2012.

REVOLUTION COUNTRY PREMIER £799.99

Sizes: 52, 55, 58cm. Colour: Windsor Green. Weight: 16.8kg/37lb. Web Ref: 14594

REVOLUTION COUNTRY TRAVELLER 7005 aluminium alloy frame with low centre of gravity for stability. Shimano 2300/Sora 3x8 gearing. CST 700x32 Kevlar-reinforced tyres. Shimano hubs. Tektro cantilever brakes. You won’t find a better touring bike at this price.

REVOLUTION COUNTRY EXPLORER The Country Explorer matches the best of tradition (a frame built with Reynolds 525 custom-gauge CrMo steel seamless tubing, proven since the 1930s) with the 21st century’s most celebrated mechanical disc brakes - Avid BBs. The Dual Control gearing is upgraded to Shimano 3x9 Sora level. The 700x32 tyres are Continental Contacts.

REVOLUTION COUNTRY PREMIER ‘Butterfly’ ergo bars, Shimano Deore LX 3x9 gearing, Avid BB5 disc brakes - all on a light-sprung Reynolds 525 frame - the brand new Premier brings a new level of comfort and performance to our Country touring range.

TYPE THE WEB REF NUMBER INTO THE EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM SEARCH ENGINE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

REVOLUTION 2012 REVOLUTION MOUNTAIN BIKE COLLECTION

REVOLUTION SPUR XC

For 2012 we have streamlined the Revolution mountain bike range to offer what we believe to be the UK’s bestvalue collection of entry-level hardtails. Our range comprises 3 Ascent MTBs (mountain bikes) and 2 Spur women’sspecific XC MTBs. We believe in hardtails (MTBs with rigid frames and suspension forks) because experience has shown us that, until you approach a 4-figure price tag, hardtails are lighter weight, easier to manoeuvre, more reliable and nicer to ride than similarly priced full-suspension MTBs. That’s why we limit our Revolution MTB offer to the hardtails featured on these 2 pages, each one built on a 7005 aluminium alloy frame, tried and tested on Revolution bikes for over a decade.

8 7005 series aluminium alloy frame. 8 63mm-travel SunTour fork w/lockout. 8 Shimano 3x7 gears. Tektro V-brakes. 8 CST 26x2.1” tyres on alloy wheels. With a 63mm-travel suspension fork (with lockout), 21-speed Shimano EZ Fire gears and Tektro V-brakes fitted to a compact women’s-specific 7005 aluminium frame, the Spur XC is a fine intro to the delights of mountain biking.

REVOLUTION SPUR XC DISC This is the Spur XC upgraded with disc brakes. Thanks to their harder-wearing pads, disc brakes maintain good-as-new performance and require less maintenance than V-brakes.

REVOLUTION SPUR XC £274.99

Sizes: 16, 18”. Colour: Indigo Blue. Weight: 14.9kg/32.8lb. Web Ref: 14591

REVOLUTION SPUR XC DISC £299.99

Sizes: 16, 18”. Colour: Platinum Silver. Weight: 15.2kg/33.5lb. Web Ref: 14592

REVOLUTION BURN SHORT SLEEVE JERSEY £29.99

REVOLUTION DART 6 PANEL SHORTS £19.99

REVOLUTION ARROW 6 PANEL LADIES’ SHORTS £19.99

The very act of slipping on this formfitting peachskin-soft cycling jersey gets you in the mood for cycling. The long (30cm) zip offers on-themove air conditioning. Three rear pockets keep essentials safe and accessible. A reflective REVOLUTION logo beneath the back pockets plus chevrons down both side panels get you seen. Sizes. S-XXL. Colour: Red/Black. Web Ref: 13779

Lycra shorts have a unique ability to support, stretch and recover in tandem with every thigh muscle contraction. They never bunch or constrict. Their stitched-in chamois reduces friction whilst cushioning hard pressed buns. Boasting a CoolMax antibacterial chamois, the new Revolution Dart is an exceptional short whether worn solo or as an undershort.

18% matt Lycra / 82% nylon fabric for unrestricted freedom of movement; flat-lock stitched for comfort and longevity; women’sspecific CoolMax antibacterial chamois; silicon leg grippers to prevent the shorts riding up: the Revolution Arrow Women’s Shorts offer all the fine features of our Dart Men’s Shorts in a female-friendly fashion.

Sizes. S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 13770

Sizes. 8-16. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 13769

REVOLUTION ASCENT XC DISC £299.99

Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22”. Colour: Polar White. Weight: 15.2kg/33.5lb. Web Ref: 14590

REVOLUTION ASCENT XC £274.99

Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22”. Colour: Cobalt Blue. Weight: 14.9kg/32.8lb. Web Ref: 14589

REVOLUTION ASCENT XC DISC

REVOLUTION ASCENT XC 8 7005 series aluminium alloy frame. 8 63mm-travel SunTour fork w/lockout. 8 Shimano 3x7 gears. Tektro V-brakes. 8 CST 26x2.1” tyres on alloy wheels. 7005 is one of the strongest alloys used in bicycle frame construction, hence our lifetime frame warranty. You will find SunTour forks, Tektro brakes and, of course, Shimano gears on bikes costing 2 to 3 times more. CST manufacture tyres for top names such as Maxxis. Specifying our entry level MTB with such care ensures it will outperform anything else at this price.

This is our Revolution Ascent XC upgraded with Clarks mechanical disc brakes. Disc brakes require less maintenance because their harder pads don’t wear nearly as fast as V-brake pads. Easily our best buy in disc brake-equipped MTBs, we have a hunch that our new Ascent XC Disc will be our 2012 Revolution Bike of the Year.

REVOLUTION ASCENT PRO To create a more trail-worthy MTB, the Ascent Pro boasts a SunTour fork with 120mm-travel and lockout, Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano Acera 3x8 gearing and Continental 26x2.2 tyres.

REVOLUTION ASCENT PRO £449.99

Sizes: 18, 20”. Colour: Black Flash. Weight: 14.1kg/31lb. Web Ref: 14588

REVOLUTION SWIFT LADIES’ SHORT SLEEVE JERSEY £29.99

REVOLUTION LURAN LONG SLEEVE MTB JERSEY £34.99

REVOLUTION TEAM EBC SHORT SLEEVE JERSEY £39.99

REVOLUTION TEAM EBC BIBSHORTS £59.99

The Revolution Swift is a classic cycling jersey with a high collar and long back to ensure maximum coverage. The AirBase fabric is fast wicking and feels great against the skin. 3 rear pockets keep essentials accessible and safe. Talking of safety, reflective piping to the right and left of the 3-part pocket help ensure you’re seen.

The Luran’s casual looks disguise the fact that this top’s technical fabric will help you stay cooler and drier on long MTB climbs. The loose cut means you can wear it over body armour. The lightweight mesh polyester fabric sucks moisture off the skin. Reflective graffiti logos and graphics on the front, back and sleeve keep you seen and safe on the ride home.

The CoolDry fabric does what it says on the label. The silicone waist gripper prevents the hem riding up. The 3 regular open rear pockets are augmented by a fourth zipped one to keep valuables extra secure. The perfect marriage of function and style, we’re so proud of our new Team Jersey, we had to put our name on it, front and back.

Bibshorts offer all the comfort of regular Lycra shorts with the added advantage of extra coverage so your lower back and tummy remain fully covered, even if your top rides up, while the straps ensure bibshorts never ride down. Our new Team Bibshorts are made in a deluxe 20% Lycra fabric The rear yoke is a lighter mesh fabric to prevent overheating.

Sizes. 8-16. Colour: Black/Purple. Web Ref: 13781

Sizes. M-XXL. Colour: Black/Red. Web Ref: 13777

Sizes. S-XXL. Colour: Team. Web Ref: 13782

Sizes. S-XXL. Colour: Team. Web Ref: 13753

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REVOLUTION 2012 ACCESSORIES REVOLUTION REFINE ADJUSTABLE BOTTLE CAGE £5.99

REVOLUTIONARY VALUE Looking for fine-quality, innovative cycling equipment at outstanding prices? You will be pleased to learn that the Revolution cycle accessory range shares the same aspiration as the Revolution bicycles described on the previous pages - to be the best buys in Britain. As much time and attention to detail went into the design of our £5.99 Adjustable Bottle Cage as we devoted to the creation of our £599.99 Revolution Belter bicycle (page 10). Our £9.99 Air Mini Pump comfortably matches the features, benefits and build quality of bigbrand equivalents costing double. Our new Tune Up Hex 9 Set even brings innovation to the world of Allen keys. Why? Because if it says Revolution on the box, we stake our reputation on it. Guaranteed.

TO SEE THE FULL RANGE OF REVOLUTION ACCESSORIES, VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/REVACCESSORIES

This is indeed a more refined bottle cage. It doesn’t just take conventional bicycle bottles. It will also take a bottle of highland spring water or a bottle of coke and perhaps even a bottle of beer. If the bottle is anywhere between 60 and 85mm diameter, this cage can be adjusted to secure it, simply by turning the red knurled wheel which moves the cage’s alloy front section in or out. This cage can be a ride saver. If you forget or lose your bottle and you begin to thirst, stop at a shop for your beverage of choice, and you can be pretty confident that our cage will take it.

Colour: Grey/Black. Web Ref: 14532

The current number of Revolution accessories REVOLUTION VELOCITY 20 WIRELESS COMPUTER £14.99 (was £19.99) Wireless computers are a good choice because they do away with the clutter of running a cable from the fork sensor to the handlebar-mounted head unit. The 20-function Revolution Velocity is our best buy in wireless computers. Like most cycle computers it record speed, distance and time. It also offers useful features such as a temperature gauge. It even estimates how much fat you burn every ride.

Web Ref: 12932

REVOLUTION TUNE UP 9 HEX SET £11.99

REVOLUTION TUNE UP PRO 16 PIECE SOCKET & BIT SET £19.99

This Allen key set boasts the 9 most popular sizes for your bike - 1.5, 2, 2.5. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10mm. Each Allen key is colour coded. You intuitively learn to grab the red one when you need the 5mm key. Each wrench is hardened S2 steel with a chamfered hex head on one side, ball-end on the other. The ball end allows you to access Allen bolts from an angle.

The socket spanner is a favourite with pro mechanics because the one-way ratchet action (where the handle can be reversed back without loosening or tightening the nut or bolt) makes it much faster to use. With its 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8mm Allen key bits; its 8, 9, 10, 13 & 15mm ring sockets; its Phillips & flat screwdriver bits; and its T-25 Torx, our socket set was made for cyclists.

Web Ref: 14502

Web Ref: 14450

REVOLUTION BLADES £14.99 (were £19.99) Our Revolution Blade sunglasses set comes supplied with 3 pairs of UV-blocking lenses: smoke for bright light, hi-res yellow for low light and clear for no light. This set comes supplied with a carry pouch for safe storage of the glasses and spare lenses. You can understand why Cycling Plus magazine rated Revolution Blades ‘9/10 - the best set of cycling glasses tested, offering change from a £20 note.’

Lenses: Citrus, Clear, Smoke. Web Ref: 3342

REVOLUTION AIR MINI PUMP £9.99 The Air Mini Pump’s Clever Valve automatically senses whether your tube’s valve is Presta or Schrader and works regardless. The swivable T-handle offers a comfortable grip as does the pump handle’s 16cm/ 6.5” long ‘hand hold’ section. That’s twice as long as some mini pumps’, making it twice as ‘grippable’.

Web Ref: 6968

REVOLUTION ADVENTURE WELDED PANNIERS 2 x 20L £64.99 Welded construction eliminates stitch holes. The roll-top closure augmented with a click-fix buckle -down hood ensures Revolution Adventure Welded Panniers truly are waterproof. Click-fast rack clips make for fuss-free fitting. Yet they are only half the price of similar quality pannier sets. Welcome to the world of Revolution cycling luggage.

Web Ref: 8994

REVOLUTION TUNE UP ADVANCED TOOLKIT £59.99 Enhanced features make this toolbox more advanced than our original cycle-specific toolkit (Web Ref 6721). For a start it comes supplied with cable cutters. You also get a useful wee bowl with a magnetic base for organising small parts. Tools that once required a separate spanner - the bottom bracket tool, the cassette lockring tool and the chain whip - each have their own handle, making them more wieldy. Owning such an advanced toolkit will equip you to taking on more jobs with greater confidence.

REVOLUTION TUNE UP WORKSTAND £89.99

Web Ref: 14031

Our stand makes it much easier to work on your bike. Its 3 QR (quick release) levers make it easy to erect this stand in seconds. The stand’s main aluminium tube can be slid up and down so you can clamp the bike at the most comfortable height - no more getting on your knees to clean/lube/adjust/ repair your bike. Bike prep accomplished, the stand folds down equally fast for neat storage. This workstand is such a pleasure to use, mere ownership of one encourages you to keep on top of maintenance.

Web Ref: 5379

REVOLUTION SECURE D-LOCK £24.99 The picture to the right illustrates the 16mm shackle’s hardened steel ends. Being symmetrical, you never have to figure out which end goes in which way. You are guaranteed to get it right every time. Double locking also makes it less rattly in transit. The twist-action red dust cover on the barrel keeps the keyway clean. The 3 keys supplied have red Revolution fobs so they’re easy to identify on a crowded keyring

Size: 28x10.5cm ‘inside the shackle’. Web Ref: 14489

///THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE MOTORISED TYPE THE WEB REF NUMBER INTO THE EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM SEARCH ENGINE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

FOUR EDINBURGH BICYCLE CO-OP CUSTOMERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES OF HOW THE BIKE TO WORK SCHEME HAS WORKED FOR THEM.

IAN DODSON

CLIVE NUTTON

BIKE C0-0P CUSTOMER: NEWCASTLE BRANCH Before I joined the Bike to Work Scheme I hadn’t ridden a bike since early childhood. A nice summer and the chance to buy a good bike for a very good price was too good to pass up. With petrol prices always on the increase I took up the bike to work challenge, not just for a better lifestyle and fitness, but to get to work and back every day for less money (even including the monthly cost of the bike) than the equivalent petrol cost - a challenge easily passed every month!

BIKE C0-0P CUSTOMER: LEEDS BRANCH As part of a desire to become less car dependent I decided to get a cargobike in Summer 2011. Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op were really helpful in sourcing a Yuba Mundo. A model they don’t ordinarily stock. It’s not an ordinary bike! The enthusiasm of the staff at the Leeds branch was infectious and they seemed as excited about the arrival of this unusual bike as I was. Since taking delivery of the Mundo it has been my main canal towpath commuter as well as the bike I use for shopping, taking rubbish to recycle, collecting unusual loads (barbecues, patio furniture, ash tree poles) and even leading guided rides as part of my work. I’m looking forward to fitting a child seat to the bike as our new baby gets a little older. The Mundo has been brilliantly reliable, is stable and comfortable and great fun to ride. It has made a real change to my mobility, replacing the car for so many journeys.

A most enjoyable pastime ANDY DALY-SMITH

The bike itself is awesome (Specialized Crosstrail Sports Disc, page 24), more than what is required for a beginner and it will last a good while yet. I recently upgraded it with SPD pedals making the ride even more enjoyable. The direct route to work took exactly the same time as sitting in those slow tedious traffic jams in the car, but I enjoy the ride so much I’ve added in a few alternative paths to elongate the ride when my legs are able to take it.

BIKE C0-0P CUSTOMER: LEEDS BRANCH The Bike to Work Scheme at Edinburgh Bicycle is excellent. It enabled me to upgrade to a higher spec than I could have afforded without the scheme. When I had issues with my first bike the customer service was excellent with the staff offering to swap my bike for a newer model without me even needing to ask. I will now always use Edinburgh Cycles for my cycling gear. Cycling to work definitely improves my day as I now have a clearer mind and find that I am much more productive throughout the whole day.

A most enjoyable pastime, and I highly recommend the scheme and the Edinburgh Bike Co-op to everyone!

NO CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME AT YOUR WORKPLACE? WHAT TO DO NEXT.

EXAMPLE OF SAVINGS YOU CAN ENJOY STANDARD RATE INCOME TAX | BIKE LEASED OVER 12 MONTHS | COST OF BIKE & ACCESSORIES

£300

BIKE TO WORK TAX SAVINGS

£96

YOU PAY

£204 £17 PER MONTH

HIGHER RATE INCOME TAX | BIKE LEASED OVER 12 MONTHS | COST OF BIKE & ACCESSORIES

£300

BIKE TO WORK TAX SAVINGS

£126

YOU PAY

£174 £14.50 PER MONTH

Examples valid for tax year 2012/13. (Savings correct at time of going to press February 2012.)

Make your employers aware of a unique staff benefit that will save them money. Encourage them to visit our website edinburghbicycle.com/biketowork where they can find out all they will need to know about setting up a Bike to Work Scheme. Alternatively you can go on the website yourself and request Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op’s handsome Bike to Work Scheme brochure which you can then forward to your employer.

If you have any specific queries please email our dedicated Bike to Work team at biketowork@edinburghbicycle.com

5 GREAT REASONS FOR CYCLING TO WORK 1. SAVE MONEY While the Bike to Work Scheme offers a low-cost incentive to take up cycling, the real savings become apparent when you discover how many hundreds (or thousands) of pounds you can save on fuel and fares when you switch to cycling.

2. SAVE YOUR BODY ‘Healthy employees are more efficient, more productive and take less time off work.’ TravelSmart, Australia.

RICHARD HOBSON

BIKE C0-0P CUSTOMER: LEEDS BRANCH

3. SAVE YOUR BRAIN

As a hospital consultant in the NHS I have to travel to and from work and also between hospital sites in Leeds. Most days I have to either take my children to school or pick them up afterwards. To keep fit and save money I split my daily commute into two parts, one half by car and the other half by bike. For years I have used a Brompton for this. I fold it up and put it in the back of my car with whatever else I need to take to school (kit bags, guitars, double basses, children etc.). Then, when I have dropped everything off, I park the car, unfold the Brompton and cycle the rest of the way to work. I park on the edge of town, so I miss out the traffic queues and don’t have to pay for a parking permit. There’s a staff shuttle for travel between sites during the day, but unless the weather is terrible I prefer to cycle, and it saves time overall as my movements aren’t governed by the bus timetable. My last Brompton was getting rather old, with increasingly creaky bearings and a rusty frame, and not many years of use left in it without a serious (and expensive) overhaul, so I used the Bike to Work Scheme to treat myself to a new one. The new one is a beautiful matt black, everything works, and it’s a joy to ride. Hopefully there will still be a Bike to Work Scheme 10 years from now, when I next need a new one.

Healthy body, healthy mind. The very act of cycling to work ‘switches on’ the brain, making you more alert for the day ahead.

4. SAVE TIME Even in the most congested cities, the cyclist gets from A to B within a predictable time frame. To put it in a nutshell, pedalling makes people more punctual.

5. SAVE YOUR PLANET Burn calories, not petrol. You know it makes sense. Offering a Bike to Work Scheme helps your organisation qualify for Cycle to Work Guarantee status, which gets you listed as an environmentally-friendly employer by the Department for Transport.

The photo (above) shows my folded Brompton packed into the back of my car alongside a double bass and some school bags.

LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION? Not sure if commuting to work is for you, or maybe you just need a little inspiration for those not so energetic mornings. Then visit our community zone:

WE ALSO TAKE CYCLESCHEME CERTIFICATES We are confident that Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative’s Bike to Work Scheme is the best in the UK in terms of our streamlined process (you get the bike quicker) and the service we offer. However, we appreciate that some employers operate their Cycle to Work Scheme via an agency called Cyclescheme. If that’s the case at your workplace, we are delighted to report that you can redeem Cyclescheme Certificates at any branch of Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op. If there is no Bike Co-op branch near you (yet) you can still order your Cyclescheme bike from us if you phone our online team on 0845 257 0808 or 0131 331 5010.

[ BE INSPIRED ]

EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/COMMUNITY and take a look at our Committed to Commuting feature. Perhaps you would like to inspire others with your own stories or share your top tips with fellow cyclists. There are a number of ways you can do this including: Pop your story onto our local Facebook pages. Or email us at: promotions@edinburghbicycle.com

FOR FULL DETAILS OF OUR BIKE TO WORK SCHEME (AND EVEN MORE TESTIMONIALS) VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/BIKETOWORK

COMMUTER | HYBRID BIKES COMFORT

MET CAMALEONTE EXECUTIVE £49.99

Sizes: M-L. Black or Bright Yellow. Web Ref: 12747

he commuter/hybrid bike is, for many riders, a best-of-all-worlds bicycle. Commuter/hybrid bicycles borrow features from mountain bikes and road bikes to varying degrees, so they come in various styles. The comfort/hybrids on this double-page spread are defined by their wide smooth tyres, which combine cushioning with a turn of speed, and for their upright riding position, courtesy of their long head tubes, tall stems and their flat or swept-back handlebars. The very action of riding a high-bar bike encourages you to chill out and toddle along at a slower pace. Comfort/hybrids are a statement that cycling is a pleasure available to anyone.

No training required. Pashley bicycles, featured on the page opposite, have epitomised the sit-up-and-smile bike philosophy for the best part of a century. This page features 3 bicycles that bring the comfort bike concept bang up to date. All 3 models are available in distinct men’s and women’s versions. All 3 bicycles are built with lighter weight aluminium frames and wider gear ratios, which make them easier to ride on hilly terrain. As is the way with this catalogue, this 2-page-spread is a mere snapshop of our range. To see the whole picture, visit edinburghbicycle.com.

*SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

SPECIALIZED EXPEDITION SPORT £299.99* (RRP £369.99)

MARIN STINSON £399

RIDGEBACK VELOCITY £399.99

More comfortable by design.

Ride upright in cushioned comfort.

Combines comfort with a dash of speed.

Specialized’s design brief for the Expedition was to create a more upright, more stable and more comfortable bicycle. When Specialized equip it with their own clinically-proven Body Geometry grips and Super Comfort Plus sprung saddle, you are sure to enjoy this bike from the outset.

Like the Specialized Expedition Sport, the Marin Stinson combines a laid-back ride with Californian panache, courtesy of its semi-smooth 26x1.95” balloon tyres, its suspension fork and its high-rise handlebars.

Compared with the 2 Californian bikes to the left, this UK Ridgeback rolls faster, thanks to its Continental 700x37 tyres, its double butted 6061 aluminium road frame, its rigid fork and its Shimano Acera 3x8 gears.

w Sizes: 17, 19, 20.5”. Colour: White. Weight: 14kg/31b. Web Ref: 14493 v Sizes: 15, 17, 19”. Colour: White. Weight: 14kg/31b. Web Ref: 14494

w Sizes: 15, 17, 19, 21, 23”. Colour: Matt Black. Weight: 12.6kg/27.7lb. Web Ref: 14310 v Sizes: 15, 17, 19, 21”. Colour: Ruby. Weight: 12.6kg/27.7lb. Web Ref: 14311

w Sizes: S-XL. Web Ref: 14104 v Sizes: S-L. Web Ref: 14105 w & v Colour: Black. Weight: 15kg/33lb.

PASHLEY POPPY £450 The original comfort hybrid retains its timeless appeal. Founded in 1926, Pashley is England’s oldest-established bike builder. One glance at a Pashley and it’s obvious that they were producing elegant, upright bicycles long before the comfort/hybrid term was coined. Unlike, say, today’s Specialized, Marin or Ridgeback comfort hybrids with their welded aluminium frames and multiple gears, Pashley frames are hand-brazed the old way with curvy steel tubes, joined together at the lugs. In tune with this timeless spec the Pashley Poppy is equipped with Sturmey Archer hub brakes, 3-speed hub gears and a Brooks B67 honey brown sprung leather saddle.

BROOKS SADDLE MAINTENANCE KIT £9.99 Keep your Pashley’s leather saddle tensioned and proofed.

Web Ref: 5322

Sizes: 17.5, 20, 22.5”. Colour: Pastel Blue. Weight: 16.4kg/36lb. Web Ref: 13713

SPECIALIZED BG SPORT MITTS £16.99 Sizes: S-XXL. Black/White Web Ref: 14604

KNOG PARTY FRANK LOCK £16.99

DARE2B GLOWWORM T £14.99

Colour: Green, Magenta, Orange or Red. Web Ref: 14638

Sizes: 8-16. Colour: Dark Purple. Web Ref: 14687

DARE2B BOARDBREAK T £9.99

Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Iron Grey. Web Ref: 14685

DARE2B SPEDFAST JACKET £24.99

w Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Pluto Blue. Web Ref: 14665 v Sizes: 8-16. Colour: Pink. Web Ref: 14664

M:PART STANDARD WICKER BASKET £19.99

Web Ref: 9665

PASHLEY BRITANNIA £625 This Britannia rules. Like the Pashley Poppy, the Britannia is built on an upright-geometry lugged steel frame. Britannia’s swept-back bars with leather grips reinforce the relax and enjoy the ride vibe. Then it’s upgraded with dynohub front lighting, Sturmey Archer 5-speed hub gears, a wicker basket, a kickstand and a ding-dong bell.

Sizes: 17, 20, 22”. Colour: Royale Red. Weight: 18.2kg/40lb. Web Ref: 12499

PASHLEY PRINCESS SOVEREIGN from £645 PASHLEY ROADSTER SOVEREIGN from £645

PASHLEY GUV’NOR 3 SPEED from £845

The classic Pashley with modern upgrades.

Originally (and still available as) a singlespeed, with its Reynolds 531 frame and its north road bars, the Guv’nor is Pashley’s perfect replica of a 1930’s path racer bike - a cross between a track and a road bike. This new version boasts Sturmey Archer hub brakes, 3-speed hub gears and a titanium-rail Brooks B17 leather saddle.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, a rear LED light and an alloy kickstand earn their place on the Pashley Sovereign’s otherwise 1930s spec.

w Sizes: 20.5, 22.5, 24.5”. Weight: 22.5kg/49.5lb. Colour: Buckingham Black. Web Ref: 9787 v Sizes: 17.5, 20, 22.5”. Weight: 22.5kg/49.5lb. Colour: Buckingham Black. Web Ref: 9786

New 3 speed version of the Guv’nor.

Sizes: 20.5, 22.5, 24.5”. Weight: 14kg/30.8lb. Colour: Buckingham Black. Web Ref: 14542

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COMMUTER | HYBRID BIKES SPEED FOCUS ARRIBA 3.0 £569 Premium quality bike: great value price. Check the smooth welds, the ultra tough powder-coat paint job and the hand-built wheels. The Arriba commuter bike has many of the qualities that encouraged us to introduce Focus to our range at the end of last year (see P.4 for the full Focus story). With its Shimano Acera 3x8 Rapidfire shifters, mechs and chainset, and its Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, the Arriba lives up to Focus’s reputation for offering premium quality bikes at great value prices.

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: White. Weight: 11.7kg/25.8lb. Web Ref: 14300

Fast is safe. That’s the mantra of many city riders and there’s a lot to be said for it. You integrate better with the rest of the traffic and you gain the right to ride more assertively if you can keep up to speed. Watching a skilled rider on the road - looking behind, making eye contact and signalling when required - is instructive. Riding assertively makes city cycling a civilised negotiation, rather than the battlefront frequently portrayed by the media. With practice you learn when to yield and when to go for it, fast but safe. City cycling is engaging and fun and it’s almost always the fastest way to get round town.

This 4-page section of the catalogue is dedicated to commuter/hybrid bikes that are built for speed. All the bikes on these pages have the following features in common: The type of light, thinwall, butted frame once reserved for a road racing bike. Flat handlebars with matching MTB-style gear shifters and brake levers. 700c road wheels with fast all-conditions tyres between 25 and 35mm wide. They are all a blast to ride and not just in an urban setting. A fast commuter/hybrid can double for day trips, holidays, sportives, entry-level triathlon....

MORE COMMUTER | HYBRID BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM AT

EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

SPECIALIZED VITA | VITA STEP THROUGH £369.99 Speedy women’s commuter w/frame options. The diamond-frame Vita has been one of our best-selling women’ hybrids since 2007. For 2012, Specialized has made the Vita’s fast engaging ride more accessible by introducing a new step-through frame version. This more traditional bike retains the original’s quicksteering lively ride qualities, and it comes with identical V-brake levers and Shimano 3x8 Rapidfire gear shifters on its flat handlebars.

Colour: White. Weight: 12.3kg/27lb. Sizes: XS-L. Web Ref: 14136 (diamond frame) Sizes: S-L. Web Ref: 14143 (step through)

{ diamond frame}

{ step through frame}

SPECIALIZED SIRRUS £369.99 Specialized’s original speed commuter bike. The Sirrus offers the same road bike-like ride qualities and mountain bike-like flat bar controls as the Specialized Vita - this time, with a unisex frame for men (and for those women who prefer a bike that is more stretched-out). Being a Specialized, the Sirrus comes fitted with that company’s tried and tested Body Geometry saddle and Flak Jacket puncture-resistant 700x32 tyres.

Sizes: XS-XL. Colour: Graphite. Weight: 12.5kg/27.5lb. Web Ref: 14131

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS

ENDURA SHARK SUNGLASSES SET £29.99

3 lenses supplied: Smoke, Clear and Yellow. Web Ref: 11370

GIANT DASH 4 £525 One dashing AluxX SL Fluid Formed frame. The Dash 4 is built with the same AluxX SL Fluid Formed tubing previously proven on Giant’s best aluminium road racing bikes. It belts along on Kenda Criterium 700x25 tyres. A Shimano 2300 roadie rear mech derails the chain deftly. The forged aluminium Tektro Dual Pivot brakes are also road bike derived. And why not? The Giant Dash 4 is a true road bike for women who like to go fast but who prefer flat bars over racing bike drops.

ALTURA GRAVITY BAGGY SHORT £34.99

Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 12294

Sizes: XS-M. Colour: Silver/Blue. Weight: 10.6kg/23.4lb. Web Ref: 14367

GIANT RAPID 4 £525 As rapid as the Giant Defy road bike. Like the women’s Giant Dash 4, the Rapid 4 has the same quality AluxX SL frame as a £1,000 Giant road bike. Continuing the authentic road bike feel, Giant have nailed the geometry of this bikes with such accuracy, when you hold onto the Rapid 4’s handlebar grips you’ll be in the same riding position as you would be if your hands were on a Giant Defy’s (P. 33) bar tops. Shifting your weight forward onto the Rapid 4’s (or Dash’s) bar ends mirrors your position when you ride with your hands on a road bike’s hoods.

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Charcoal/Silver. Weight: 10.6kg/23.4lb. Web Ref: 14368

ALTURA NIGHT VISION TOP £39.99

w Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Yellow. Web Ref: 13446 v Sizes: 8-14. Colour: Pink. Web Ref: 13447

ALTURA ARRAN SINGLE 16L PANNIER £29.99 Colour: Black. Web Ref: 8112

ABUS CATENA CHAIN LOCK £29.99

SPECIALIZED ALIGN HELMET £29.99

SPECIALIZED SIERRA WOMEN’S HELMET £29.99

Sizes: Unisize. Colour: Race Red, Race Blue, Black, Silver or White. Web Ref: 14628

Sizes: Unisize. Colour: Blue, Blue /Silver or Silver. Web Ref: 13403

Length: 75cm. Colour: Coral. Web Ref: 12503

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COMMUTER | HYBRID BIKES SPEED

SPECIALIZED SIRRUS ELITE | VITA ELITE £599.99 Your intro to E5 - Specialized’s lightest weight aluminium frame. This version of the Sirrus, and the women’s-equivalent Vita, proves that Specialized don’t use the word, Elite, lightly. Both bikes are built on E5 frames. E5 is Specialized’s most advanced, lightest weight aluminium alloy frame material. It wasn’t that long ago that Specialized-sponsored riders rode E5 frames in the Tour de France. The Sirrus/Vita Elite’s fork is similarly upgraded from the standard models’ steel to FACT (Functionally Advanced Composite Technology) level. With its shock-damping Zertz implants, this carbon fork is similar to the £1,600 Specialized Roubaix’s (P. 36) FACT fork.

w Sizes: XS-XL. Colour: Silver. Weight: 11.8kg/26lb. Web Ref: 14133 v Sizes: XS-L. Colour: White. Weight: 11.8kg/26lb. Web Ref: 14140

WHYTE PORTOBELLO | VICTORIA £699 A favourite with mountain bikers looking for a characterful city bike. The Portobello and its handsome female partner, Victoria, employ some of the best elements of Whyte’s unique UK trail-optimised MTB hardtails to create a nippy, agile city bike. The lightweight custombutted 6061 alloy frame’s long wheelbase and relaxed 70˚ head angle deliver high speed stability. The short stem facilitates slow speed manoeuvrability. Shimano Sora/Tiagra 2x9 gear shifting gets you up to speed. Hydraulic disc brakes offer superlative control.

w Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Granite Black. Weight: 11.3kg. Web Ref: 13798 v Sizes: S-L. Colour: Granite Black/Aqua. Wt: 11.3kg. Web Ref: 14666

Commuting by bike ticks all the boxes (healthier, greener, cheaper, even faster) but what do you do with your brain? After eight years just daydreaming to work and back on my bike, last summer I started reciting poetry to myself. What a blast! I try and learn a poem every weekend mooching round the forest with my dog, printout in hand. Then I say it over and over again as I ride, in my head or out loud. Do I sound like a madman? Do I care?

CANNONDALE BAD BOY FATTY RIGID 6 £699.99

FOCUS PLANET TR 3.0 £929

The legendary Bad Boy comes of age.

Best buy Shimano Alfine 8 hub-geared ride.

Celebrated for its ‘under the radar’ stealth looks, the Bad Boy has been a deserved best seller since 2000. With its Shimano 3x8 gear shifting, Tektro mechanical disc brakes and its Schwalbe Kojak 700x28 Race Guard tyres, this 2012 version brings it bang up to date.

Looking for a bike that combines a fast bright ride with minimal maintenance? Start off with a light alloy frame and fork. Fit Schwalbe Kojak 700x35 tyres onto hand-built wheels. Equip it with Shimano’s best 8-speed hub gears (Alfine) and disc brakes. The Planet is sorted.

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Weight: 12kg/26.4lb. Web Ref: 14296

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Weight: 12kg/26.4lb. Web Ref: 14305

WHYTE STIRLING £999 Disc brake-equipped commuter bike as light as a £1,000 road bike. The Stirling is built with the same rear rack-compatible hydroformed frame as the Whyte Portobello on the page opposite. The Stirling makes even more of this classy chassis by matching it with a carbon fork. Displaying typical Whyte attention to detail, this is one of the few composite forks that will take a low rider rack should you ever need to expand your pannier carrying capacity. SRAM shifters delivers a wider 2x10 gear range. Avid Elixir takes the Stirling’s hydraulic disc braking power to a whole new level. In Whyte’s hands, even the metallic orange wheel skewers and grip lock-on clamps are classy, rather than brassy. Whyte have clearly gone the extra mile with the Stirling to create a best possible commuter bike at a Bike to Work-friendly price.

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Granite Black. Weight: 9.9kg/21.9lb. Web Ref: 13799

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS ENDURA BAA BAA MERINO S/S BASE LAYER £35.99

KRYPTONITE EVOLUTION MINI 7 LOCK & KRYPTOLOK CABLE £44.99 Web Ref: 14491

Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Red. Web Ref: 10650

SPECIALIZED BG SPORT TOURING SHOES w SPECIALIZED BG SPIRITA TOURING SHOES v £69.99

w Sizes: 41-47. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14519 v Sizes: 38-41. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14520

GIRO RIFT HELMET £49.99 Size: Unisize. Colour: Red/ Black or White/Titanium. Web Ref: 11603

ALTURA NIGHT VISION PANNIER 20L £49.99 Colour: Orange or Grey. Web Ref: 12731

GORE PATH II JACKET £149.99

Colour: Black. Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Neon: Sizes: S-XXL. Web Ref: 14043

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COMMUTER | HYBRID BIKES RUGGED W

ith their suspension forks, and their wide, grippy 700c tyres, every bike on this double-page spread is capable of entry-level mountain biking, hence the ‘rugged’ handle. Ranging between 32 and 45mm wide, their tyres are faster than any mountain bike’s so they’re good for commuting too. If you want one bicycle that is capable of near any type of riding, a rugged hybrid comes highly recommended, as illustrated by Diane Hunter - an Edinburgh customer who kindly sent us her feedback. I started off cycling to work on my mountain bike but it has a heavy frame and brakes which squeal like a stuck pig when they get wet. So I checked out the Bike to Work Scheme and invested in a Specialized Ariel Sport Disc ladies bike with a step-through frame; no more swinging my leg over the saddle therefore no more aching hip joints - at 50+, pain free cycling and comfort are paramount. The front forks make for a very smooth ride and when I brake in wet weather now, my disc brakes don’t alarm the neighbourhood.

VAUDE NEWPORT £74.99 This stylish 11 litre courier bag has hidden pannier hardware, so you can save your back and let the bike carry your cargo on your commute. Colour: Orange. Web Ref: 14669

LOOKING FOR A HELMET? WE HAVE OVER 73 TO CHOOSE FROM. TAKE A PEEK AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

SPECIALIZED CROSSTRAIL £399.99

SPECIALIZED ARIEL £399.99

SARACEN URBAN CROSS 2 £459.99

More proof that Specialized bikes are special.

The Ariel is a Crosstrail with a traditionalstyle women’s step-through frame.

Purposeful-looking urban machine.

The frame is Specialized’s proven A1 alloy. The 75mm travel fork and the Specialized Borough 700x45 tyres offer cushioned control. Shimano Altus 3x8 shifters deliver a wide range of gears. The Hardrock saddle is more comfortable than it sounds, thanks to its clinically-proven Specialized Body Geometry shape and padding.

Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: White/Black. Weight:14.5kg/32lb. Web Ref: 14112

With elements of both a road bike and an MTB, the Ariel is for the female rider looking to zip through the weekday commute and head out for weekend adventure. The A1 Premium frame, the BG Women’s Riva saddle and the 75mmtravel fork guarantee a plush ride.

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Black/White/Pink. Weight:14.5kg/32lb. Web Ref: 14108

700x32 puncture-resistant Kenda tyres on doublestrength wheels on a 6061 aluminium frame inform you that the Saracen Urban X2 is going to be fast and tough. The SunTour fork’s 75mm travel rides over rough stuff, and can be locked out when not required. Urban smart, the wheels are nutted so they’re more pilfer-proof than ubiquitous QR (quick-release) wheels.

Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20”. Colour: Black/Grey. Weight:15.3kg/33.7lb. Web Ref: 14312

SPECIALIZED CROSSTRAIL SPORT DISC £499.99

SPECIALIZED ARIEL SPORT DISC £499.99

WHYTE MALVERN | MALVERN WOMEN’S £665

The Specialized Crosstrail massively upgraded.

Hydraulic disc brakes and lock-out forks.

The Malvern is sprinkled with Whyte stardust.

The standard Specialized Crosstrail’s V-brakes make way for Tektro Draco hydraulic disc brakes for fingertip control and virtual zero maintenance. The SunTour fork’s 75mm travel can be locked out for bob-free efficiency on the uphills. The gearing is upgraded too, from Shimano Altus EZ Fire 3x8 to slicker-shifting Rapidfire Acera 3x9 level.

Imagine having brakes on your bike that you can pretty much take for granted in between annual services. Hydraulic disc brakes are the single biggest upgrade you can offer a rugged allweather commuter bike like the Specialized Ariel. Further significant upgrades such as the fork’s lock-out dial and Shimano Acera 3x9 Rapidfire gearing take this bike to the next level.

Similar to the other bikes in this section, the Malvern boasts 700x35 tyres and a SunTour fork with lock out. Then the Malvern is sprinkled with Whyte’s magic touches such as the frame’s custom dropout that positions the mechanical disc brake calliper inside the rear triangle so it doesn’t preclude fitting a rack.

Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Charcoal/Black. Weight:14.66kg/32.3lb. Web Ref: 13923

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Black/White/Blue. Weight:14.9kg/32.8lb. Web Ref: 14110

w Sizes: S-L. Colour: Jet Black. Web Ref: 13795 v Sizes: S-L. Colour: Jet Black. Web Ref: 13796 Weight (both models):14.1kg/31lb.

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS SPORTFUL WING JERSEY £34.99

Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Blue. Web Ref: 14674

ENDURA MIGHTY MITT £14.99

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 9361

CAT EYE COMMUTER LIGHT SET £37.99 Web Ref: 12475

SPORTFUL VUELTA SHORTS £39.99 Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14670

GIRO REVERB HELMET £49.99

Size: M-L. Colour: Black/Red Retro. Web Ref: 14622

WHYTE CONISTON £1,049 The summit of Whyte’s All Terrain Range. The Coniston is at the top of Whyte’s All Terrain Range (which starts at a very respectable level with the Malvern, above). ‘All Terrain’ refers to Whyte’s aim to create a ‘do-anything’ bike that will perform on road and delight off road, thanks to its custom gauge 6061 hydroformed tubing and its WTB 700x35 FlatGuard tyres. With its upgraded drivetrain, featuring Shimano Deore 3x9 shifters and front mech, an XT rear mech and a Shimano STX HollowTech chainset (over the Malvern’s Shimano Acera/Alivio 3x9 transmisson) plus Avid Elixir hydraulic disc brakes and its lighter SunTour fork with alloy uppers and mag lowers, the Coniston is guaranteed to perform and delight.

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Granite. Weight:14kg/30.8lb. Web Ref: 13794

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COMMUTER | HYBRID BIKES CROSS CROSS BIKE (OR CROSS DRESS?)

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER /CYCLOCROSS

ross bikes are inspired by cyclo-cross - a century-old sport pioneered by road riders who fitted wider, more knobbly tyres (but not as wide as a mountain bike’s) to their road bikes so they could race crosscountry in winter. Built with sufficient clearance to fit full mudguards and a rack, a cross bike can be the perfect year-round bicycle if you’re looking for a fast, engaging drop-bar road bike that will happily cope with off-road excursions. The cross bike’s all-round versatility was remarked upon when Cycling Plus magazine reviewed our own £449.99 Revolution Cross (P.10) bike in December 2011.

super-competitively priced cyclocrossinspired bike. Out of the box this purposeful looking machine looks like it could be a great day tripper, whether you’re tootling on the tarmac or off-roading through fields. It’s also easily cheap enough to qualify for the Cycle to Work scheme. ‘Its kit choice - typical of a Revolution bike - is excellent for the money. The 28/38/48 triple chainset is a great choice for a bike that you could use for touring, shopping, pootling up hills or tackling some rough stuff. Not only that, but the 11-32 cassette means you don’t run out of gears whether you are on a seriously steep incline or cranking it downhill. Brakes and tyres are also top notch.... Verdict 8/10.’

‘...Split the difference twixt Edinburgh Bicycle’s road bike and tourer and you have this

ANDREW BARLEY

BIKE C0-0P CUSTOMER FROM MANCHESTER I tried something new this year - cyclocross! This is me at the end of my second cyclocross event in a bumpy field at Heptonstall Christmas Eve Fancy Dress cyclocross race. Great fun racing amongst ‘The Smurfs’, ‘Jimmy Saville’, several ‘Father Christmas’ and a ‘tank crew’ complete with a tandem tank. The event raised £403 for multiple sclerosis.

SPECIALIZED TRICROSS

SPECIALIZED TRICROSS £749.99

Defined by its fast but forgiving butted A1 alloy frame and fork and its Specialized Borough 700x32 tyres with smooth treads for roads and side knobs for dirt, the Tricross has been a deserved best seller since its introduction on 2005. Rack and mudguard eyelets and clearance underline the Specialized Tricross’s versatility. The Shimano 2300 Dual Control gear/brake levers are complemented with a pair of auxiliary brake levers so you can operate the cantilever brakes from the bar tops.

Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: Black/Charcoal. Weight: 11.3kg/24.9lb. Web Ref: 14089

SPECIALIZED TRICROSS SPORT DISC

SPECIALIZED TRICROSS SPORT DISC £899.99

Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: Blue. Weight: 11.3kg/24.9lb. Web Ref: 14092

This is like the standard Tricross upgraded with Shimano Sora 2x9 gearing (over Shimano 2300 3x8 shifting) and industry-leading Avid BB-5 disc brakes over cantilevers. If any bike benefits from an upgrade to disc brakes, it’s an all-weather all-terrain bicycle like the Tricross. Because their harder pads don’t wear down nearly as fast, disc brakes require far less frequent adjustment. Less time spent maintaining the bike means you’ll have more time to go out and enjoy it.

WHYTE KINGS CROSS £799 Fit for cyclo-cross or London’s Kings Cross. The clue’s in the name. Built with Whyte’s trademark care and originality this disc brakeequipped cross bike doubles as a perfect city bike. The hydroformed alloy frame’s vital statistics (69 degree head angle and 73/74 degree seat angle) mirror Whyte’s proven MTB trail bike geometry. This makes the Whyte Kings Cross easy to manoeuvre in tight off road situations - or when you have to quickly steer round city potholes.

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS

Sizes: 53, 55, 57, 59cm. Weight: 10.9kg/23.9lb. Colour: Granite/White. Web Ref: 13789

SPECIALIZED NEW SURVIVAL KIT £26.99 Web Ref: 13385

CANNONDALE CAADX 1O5 £1,099.99 ‘An outstanding blend of versatility and fun.’

‘Features like the guides on the head tube to stop cable rub, hydroformed top tube – using fluid to form the shape – and stays tapering down to smooth dropouts all underline the classy feel of the chassis, and both the frame and fork are light at 1,543g and 620g respectively. Verdict: Outstanding blend of efﬁciency, versatility and fun at a great value price. 9/10. Cycling Plus.

SHIMANO PD-M324 SPD PEDALS £37.99 (were £54.99) Web Ref: 701

Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: Brushed Aluminium. Weight. 10.5kg/ 23.1lb. Web Ref: 14267

THE NORTH FACE MUDDY TRACKS HALF ZIP TOP £39.99

GENESIS DAY 01 ALFINE £1,099.99 Day 01 might just be the perfect cross bike.

Sizes: M-XL. Colour: Sublime Green. Web Ref: 14679

The thinwall steel frame boasts the inherent spring that has made Reynolds tubing legendary throughout cyclo-cross history. The Alfine 8-speed hub spins on needle bearings and it’s better sealed than Shimano’s previous-best Nexus 8-speed hub. Otherwise, Shimano Alfine retains the low-maintenance simplicity that makes hub gears such a great idea. Add Avid BB5 disc brakes to the mix and you get the ultimate all-weather spec made for cross purposes.

Sizes: 52, 54, 56, 58, 60cm. Colour: Orange. Weight: 12.7kg/27.9lb. Web Ref: 14106

TO SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

ENDURA SINGLETRACK II SHORTS £47.99

Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Black/Ultramarine. Web Ref: 14680

GIRO XAR HELMET £114.99 OAKLEY JAWBONE SUNGLASSES £190

Sizes: M-L. Colour: Matt Black/Grey Bars. Web Ref:13510

Frame: Atomic Orange. Lens: Fire Iridium Vented Array. Web Ref: 12824

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COMMUTER | HYBRID BIKES ELECTRIC ZERO EMISSION NO SWEAT

MILES OF SMILES

HILL BUSTER

lectric bikes (AKA eBikes) are similar to conventional bicycles but with one crucial difference. A battery-powered electric motor kicks in when assistance is welcome such as when riding uphill or into a head wind. An electric bike can therefore deliver all the fun and the freedom we associate with bike riding, without the effort and the sweat. We especially recommend you try out an eBike if you (or your partner) have considered biking but ruled it out, thinking it’s too much like hard work. Electric bikes have been around since the 1990s but it is only in the past few years that they have really taken off. Working in partnership with battery manufacturers such as Panasonic, companies such as Giant have created a new generation of eBikes which boast longer run times and a host of userfriendly features. For instance, unlike first-generation

electric bikes which obliged you to depress a button to activate the motor, today’s eBikes automatically deliver power assistance as required. For all these advances, an eBike remains a bicycle, by law, with all the benefits and freedom that goes with it. No tests, no licence, no VED, virtually no parking restrictions.... It’s little wonder that when you visit China or mainland Europe today, there’s a good chance you’ll will see folk effortlessly eBiking wherever you go.

STILL NEED CONVINCING? CALL 0845 257 0808 AND ARRANGE AN E-BIKE TEST RIDE

GIANT TWIST EXPRESS £999 Run Distance: 30-130km. Charge time: 4 hours. Now this is interesting: an e-bike built by one of the world’s most respected bike companies and available at a Ride to Work Scheme-compliant price. Its AluxX alloy frame and fork, Shimano 7-speed gears, alloy V-brakes and alloy wheels ensure the Twist Express rides just fine when power assist is not required.

w Sizes: M-L. Weight: 21.5kg/47.3lb. Colour: Metallic Grey/Blue. Web Ref: 14445 v Sizes: M-L. Weight: 22.5kg/49.5lb. Colour: Metallic Grey/Blue. Web Ref: 14446

FOR MORE INFO ON ELECTRIC BIKES VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/BLOG/ELECTRIC-BIKES

GIANT TWIST ESPRIT POWER £1,699 Run Distance: 30-130km.

FOLDING BIKES

Charge time: 4 hours. With its 36V Panasonic battery (over the Giant Twist Express’s 26V battery) this Giant Hybrid Technology bike has power to spare, hence its integrated LED rear light and 2W LED front light. Shimano Nexus 7-speed hub gears make for a cleaner transmission (check the full chainguard). The suspension front fork reveals this bike’s rugged ambition.

w Sizes: M-XL. Weight: n/a. Colour: White/Black. Web Ref: 14732 v Sizes: M-L. Weight: n/a. Colour: White/Black. Web Ref: 14733

WISPER 705SE £1,499 | WISPER 905SE £1,599 Run Distance: up to 120km Charge time: 4 hours. Prefer to buy British? With advanced features including hydroformed alloy frames, Lithium polymer 37V no-leak batteries, suspension forks with lockout,Tektro front disc brakes and integral LED lights (15W front!), Wisper, who are based in Hampshire, have built a sound reputation as an electric bike specialist with bicycles such as the 905SE and the identical (bar the step-through frame) 705SE.

705SE: Unisize 18” step-thru frame. Weight: 26kg/57.2lb. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14566 905SE: Unisize 19” diamond frame. Weight: 26kg/57.2lb. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14567

REVOLUTION COMPACT £299.99 Looking for an inexpensive but reliable folder? As far as we know, this is the least expensive aluminium-framed folding bike on the market. The Revolution Compact is built for us by Dahon the world’s largest folding bike manufacturer - so you know it will work. Its hinged folding mechanism is simple to use, but secure. It comes equipped with Shimano EZ Fire 6-speed gears, V-brakes, mudguards, a kickstand and a rack. The 20” tyres are reflective. The seatpin and handlebar stem are hugely height adjustable. It comes supplied with its own transit bag. What more could you ask for at this price?

One size: 77cm x 70cm x 34cm folded. Colour: Gloss Black. Weight: 13.2kg/29lb. Web Ref: 12778

STORCK MULTITASK RADDAR SE £2,499 Run Distance: up to 100km. Charge time: 4 hours. Built in collaborated with British F1 experts, Cosworth, this German ebike is the finest we have tested. ‘The advantage of the Multitask is that it’s actually based around a damn good bike. The Multitask handles brilliantly, it rolls like a lightweight 29er and the low rise bar gives predictable but nimble handling. The drivetrain is from Shimano’s Deore group including disc brakes.’ Cycling Plus.

Sizes: 17, 19,21”. Colour: White. Weight: 19.5kg/42.9lb. Web Ref: 14565

TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER AND B-SPOKE A BROMPTON Ask instore for details or tel: 0845 257 0808

BROMPTON M3L £810 British-made Bromptons are all the rage ... because they build bicycles that ride well and that fold faster and neater than any other. Even folded, a Brompton is easier to manoeuvre, thanks to the clever wee roller behind the seat tube. The 3-speed M3L is Brompton’s most popular model. Because they’re not production -line bikes, Brompton don’t restrict you to off-the-peg choices. Let us know how you would like your Brompton equipped and we can advise you on the wide range of options available via Brompton’s B-Spoke service.

One Size: 58cm high x 54cm long x 27cm folded. Colour: Hot Pink, Black, White or Turkish Green. Weight: 11.5kg/25.3lb. Web Ref: 13979

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///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

A BIKING HOLIDAY Biking holidays are brilliant because a bicycle is the perfect vehicle for exploring the world at an agreeable pace. On a bicycle, you can cover 4 to 5 times the distance you could on foot, yet it’s slow enough to allow you to enjoy every scent and sensual detail.

‘It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and can coast down them.... Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motorcar only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.’ Ernest Hemingway. Cycling holidays come in assorted flavours. It can be a month-long bike trip abroad, exploring that far-off land you have always dreamed of: the fabled holiday of a lifetime. It could simply be a long weekend starting from your own front door: a perfect example of the concept, less is more. Whichever type of cycling break you choose, you will discover that a bike ride can intensify the simplest pleasures. The smell of gorse as you swoop past it on a sunny afternoon will make you swoon. Any food tastes amazing after a few hours in the saddle. Water tastes like nectar. And when you lay your head down in your choice of bike-friendly accommodation, be it a hostel a wigwam or a swanky hotel, a sound sleep will be your reward for getting there by bike.

WHICH BIKE? The classic drop-bar touring bike, such as the Ridgeback Voyage on page 31, is purpose built to comfortably carry loads (including the rider). If you don’t have a touring bike, don’t let that put you off touring. Check the pictures of our customers Rod McLeod on this page and Howard Aldridge on the next. You won’t see a single drop handlebar. Rod toured the Highlands & Hebrides on a Revolution mountain bike, his daughter on a Specialized Rockhopper Comp, with racks and panniers fitted. Howard and his partner, Lesley, rode the Algarve’s Ecovia cycle route on Ridgeback Velocity hybrids (P.18) with cargo trailers towing all their gear - a glowing endorsement of their car-free lifestyle. At the other end of the touring spectrum, you might opt for ‘credit card touring’ where you carry the bare minimum so you can maximise your enjoyment of riding a lightweight road bike, unencumbered. Minimalist tourists love to share their weight-saving tips. A recent contributor to Cycle (the CTC magazine) suggested riding in Crocs, after he discovered that the soles of these super-light waterproof sandals mated perfectly with his magnesium ‘flatty’ pedals. What’s more, wearing Crocs meant he didn’t have to think about packing a spare pair of walking shoes. We quote this off-beat footwear tip because it perfectly illustrates how roaming the countryside on a bicycle can inspire a simpler, more strippeddown and ultimately more satisfying approach, not just to cycling, but to life in general.

Edinburgh Bicycle customer Rod McLeod rode the Scottish Highlands & Islands last year. Hi EBC, I enclose a log of last years holiday of a lifetime when my daughter and I cycled from Inverness to Mull to get the ferry to Oban, to get a ferry to Barra, where we wild camped through the Outer Hebrides until arriving at Stornaway. After a couple of days we got the ferry back to Ullapool, where we cycled offroad through to Bonar Bridge. An unforgettable place and wonderful people. If the log does NOT inspire people to get on their bicycles I don’t know what will. Yours Rod McLeod.

READ ROD’S LOG AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/BLOG

FOR MORE INFO ON BIKING HOLIDAYS VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/BLOG/BIKING-HOLIDAY

RECOMMENDED KIT

GORE PATH BAGGY SHORTS £54.99 Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 12301

M:PART RIDGE REAR PANNIER RACK £32.99

Colour: Black or Silver. Fits bikes with disc or rim brakes. Web Ref: 11616

ENDURA VENTURI II JACKET £159.99 Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 11354

ALTURA ORKNEY PANNIERS 56L £119.99 Web Ref: 13381 34L £99.99 Web Ref: 13382

ENDURA SNAPPER LIGHT REACTIVE SUNGLASSES £39.99

Colour: Red.

Frame: Deep Shine Black. Lens: 22-33% transmission light reactive. Web Ref: 13507

REVOLUTION SMARTPHONE HOLDER £14.99 BRYTON RIDER 20 GPS £99.99

Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14028

Web Ref: 14611

RIDGEBACK VOYAGE £849.99 Bon voyage. The Ridgeback Voyage is built on a Reynolds butted CrMo steel touring frame - the standard for touring bikes for the past 80 years. Its touring geometry makes the bike stable, even when laden with panniers. Ride the bike unladen and you will appreciated its lively feel, courtesy of the frame’s inherent spring. Shimano 2300 Dual Control levers make it easy to shift through the 3x8 gears whether your hands are on the drops or the hoods. Equally conveniently, bartop auxiliary levers complement the standard Shimano drop levers so you can pull the Tektro cantilever brakes when you’re cruising along with your hands at rest on the bar tops.

Sizes: 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60cm. Colour: Gloss Black. Weight: 13.8kg/30.5lb. Web Ref: 14209

HOWARD ALDRIDGE

BIKE C0-0P ONLINE CUSTOMER SHARES HIS FAVOURITE LOCAL CYCLE ROUTE IN THE ALGARVE

FOR ALL YOUR TOURING NEEDS VISIT US AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

Last July we went touring for the first time. We packed our Revolution Cargo Trailers with all our camping equipment and plenty of food as I am diabetic and need to eat regularly. We set off for Cabo Sao Vicente - known locally as ‘the end of the world’ (the most westerly point of the Algarve) following the Ecovia, a cycle route which starts here and runs the length of the Algarve to Spain in the east, 220k in total: http://www.bikemap. net/route/501838. (We live at the mid point of the Ecovia, so we had to cycle to the beginning before we could start.) We were amazed at just how far you can travel, even taking it as easy as we did! The traffic was light, the hills were rolling and the campsites had plenty of space. We enjoyed it so much we’re planning to go a bit further - east this year - from post 93k to post 220k at the Spanish border.

SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF TOURING BIKES AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/TOURING

ROAD BIKES ENTRY LEVEL T

he road bike is defined by its skinny tyres, its lightweight frame, and its drop handlebars. A design classic, proven for over a century, the road bike remains valid to this day. After spending the previous winter months on heavier weight more utilitarian bikes, I (Ged from the Bike Co-op) recently liberated my Specialized Roubaix (P.36) from the shed. Setting off on a bike that’s 5kg lighter than what I had become used to was a revelation. When a bike is truly lightweight - 10.5kg or less - it seems to neutralise gravity. Hills what hills? It’s so much easier to pick up speed when the bike feels more like an extension of the legs and less like an anchor. You get from A to B 25% faster. The ride is 100% more enjoyable. It struck me that it was a pity that the road bike is often seen as the preserve of the lean, the young and the fit. Because it’s those of us who are not so lean or young or fit who might benefit most from a lightweight bike that’s intrinsically less effort and hence more fun to ride.

PRICE MATCH MORE ROAD BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

As well as offering a fantastic range of cycling equipment, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op is equally committed to offering great value. We want you to shop with confidence, hence our simple price promise. If you find it cheaper, let us know and we will match any UK competitor’s price.

SPECIALIZED ALLEZ 16 £499.99* (RRP £574.99) ‘As good as it gets at this price.’ Cycling Plus. ‘The Allez is a machine with racing ambitions coursing through its veins, designed to be ridden fast. Specialized have managed to spec their FACT carbon fork, which is great to see on a bike costing less than £600. It might be a few grand removed from the Specialized Tarmac SL3 bikes ridden by the professionals, but the Allez frame has the same tapered head tube design and the same torsional stiffness. The handling is taut, faultless and feels every inch a racing bike when you put your foot down and start cranking on the pedals. If you want a bike for speed, with sharp, race bike handling, this is about as good as it gets at this price.’ Cycling Plus. Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: Black/Charcoal or Red/White. Weight: 10.2kg/22.5lb. Web Ref: 14016

*SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

GIANT DEFY 4 £599 A true road bike, but less of a stretch. Like the Specialized Allez on the opposite page, the Giant Defy 4 is a beautifully-made 22.5lb road bike, courtesy of its elegant hydroformed butted aluminium frame, its carbon composite fork and its Shimano 2300 2x8 compact drivetrain. So how do you choose between them? Opt for the Allez if you crave ‘head down / ass up’ racing geometry. Go for the Defy if you’re looking for a more relaxed ride with a longer wheelbase, taller head tube and clearance to fit mudguards.

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS ALTURA GRAVITY TRACK MITTS £9.99 Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 12349

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: White/Red. Weight: 10.2kg/22.5lb. Web Ref: 14356

DARE2B OUTCOME TOP £24.99

*SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

SPECIALIZED SECTEUR TRIPLE £549.99* (RRP £649.99) Roubaix-like design on an alloy frame. The Secteur takes key elements of the legendary Specialized Roubaix (page 36) such as its Endurance Road geometry and its carbon fork with Zertz. Judiciously speccing an alloy frame rather than carbon, and Shimano 2300 3x8 gearing rather than Tiagra 2x10, Specialized have achieved Roubaix-like ride qualities (speed matched with comfort) on a bike costing around a grand less.

Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: White/ Red. Weight: 10.4kg/22.9lb. Web Ref: 14079

Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Pluto Blue/Iron Grey. Web Ref: 14686

DARE2B AFTERGLOW TOP £24.99

Sizes: 8-14. Colour: Pink. Web Ref: 14684

FOCUS VARIADO 3.0 £799 New Shimano Tiagra 3x10 bikes start here.

‘The mid-range Shimano Tiagra gruppo gets a massive facelift, gaining the newer STI lever shape, matching everything from 105 upwards. A light-action shifter feel is maintained. External tension adjusters allow on-the-fly adjustment. The new-shape levers move Super SLR brake callipers, bringing improved braking power to Tiagra level.’ Cycling Weekly. Sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm. Colour: White/Red. Weight: 10.4kg/22.9lb. Web Ref: 14294

CANNONDALE SYNAPSE ALLOY SORA £749 Cannondale’s endurance road bike. The Shimano Sora 3x9-equipped Synapse is Cannondale’s equivalent to the Specialized Secteur and the Giant Defy. The Synapse is as capable of race day performance as any similarly-priced road bike but the frame has been tweaked to offer day-long riding comfort. The head tube is 2cm taller. Cannondale’s new shaped SAVE PLUS stays offer a 13% improvement in vertical compliance over the original design. Mudguard and rack eyelets (and clearance) underline this bike’s versatility.

DARE2B KICKIN’ ASS SHORTS £25 DARE2B KICKIN’ ASS SHORTS WOMEN’S £25

w Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 13514 v Sizes: 8-14. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 13518

CAT EYE VELO WIRELESS COMPUTER £34.99

Web Ref: 12516

SPECIALIZED PROPERO II HELMET £69.99 Sizes: M-L. Colour: Red. Web Ref: 14631

Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: White. Weight: 10.3kg/22.7lb. Web Ref: 14269

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ROAD BIKES MID | ENTRY CARBON TAKE THE SMOOTH WITH THE ROUGH

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER / SPORTIVE NICK BARRETT

BIKE C0-0P CUSTOMER FROM HEXHAM, NORTHUMBERLAND Several years of mountain biking off road, and the odd MTB long distance route on the black stuff, had left me completely satisfied with my sport and wanting nothing but a forest trail and some air in my tyres. That was until my riding buddy entered a local sportive and began training by extending our ‘road’ routes, him on his Specialized Crosstrail. Not really seeing the point and feeling that a road route was really a ‘forest trail spoiled’, I plodded on - generally behind as a consequence of the MTB setup. After a while, and as the training distances crept up, I really couldn’t find an excuse not to enter the sportive - on one condition, I had to gain bike advantage!

I really couldn’t find an excuse not to enter the sportive - on one condition, I had to gain bike advantage! When I was 10 my cousin had a ‘Sun’ racing bike, something I’d always admired but never could justify having. Well here was the chance and last year I entered the Northern Rock Cyclone on my Specialised Allez Elite and with a huge smile on my face! With 3 months to go to the event, and the

regular road training extending towards the 50 mile mark, I was starting to enjoy ‘the road’ - particularly with at least a kilo bike advantage over my buddy and great gearing, despite my buddy switching to slicks I always had great flat speed although he had ‘longer’ legs. Hurtling along at ‘moped’ speed caught my excitement and our experimentation with drafting and clips - leading in the early stages to the inevitable ‘clip incidents’ - was a hoot! We completed the 107 mile Cyclone together with feelings of great satisfaction and money raised for charity.

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So what next? He’s on to the Fred Whitton challenge, I’m not. We still enjoy the MTBs but have kept up the road miles this winter when it’s been dry, needing a 40 miler just to keep fresh. What’s next for me? Well, winter road miles on bald tyres and a wet behind weren’t my kind of fun - so I’ve just got a cyclocross! Just maybe after the winter I’ll take off the mudguards and try it on the grass .........

42 PAIRS OF SUNGLASSES TO CHOOSE FROM AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

*SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

FOCUS VARIADO 2.0 £899

SPECIALIZED ALLEZ ELITE £799.99* (RRP £899.99)

CANNONDALE SYNAPSE ALLOY TIAGRA £949.99

Best buy in Shimano 105-equipped bikes.

Allez with 2x10 Tiagra shifting and DT wheels.

BB30 and Tiagra 2x10-enhanced Synapse.

Shimano gave their 105 group a serious makeover in 2011 - more ergonomic levers, better brake pad compound.... Such upgrades came at a price. You rarely see 105-equipped bikes for under £1,000 these days. The Variado 2.0 was yet another reason to introduce Focus to our company.

‘The Allez Elite is still one of the very best sub-£1,000 race bikes around. Although it’s aggressive in poise, it’s also remarkably well mannered as a day-to-day ride. Across broken surfaces and coarse roads it’s free of jolts, bangs and vibration.’ Cycling Plus.

As well as elevating the gearing to Shimano 2x10 level, the Synapse Tiagra is built on an even more impressive frame with a BB30 bottom bracket. The resulting improvement in torsional stiffness rewards you with an immediate and noticeable power response whenever you apply pressure on the pedals.

Sizes: 50-62cm in 2cm steps. Colour: White/ Orange. Weight: 10kg/22lb. Web Ref: 14293

Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: Black/Red. Weight: 9.5kg/20.9lb. Web Ref: 14019

Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: Black. Weight: 10kg/22lb. Web Ref: 14270

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS ALTURA CADENCE SHORTS £24.99

Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 10617

ALTURA CYCLONE WOMEN’S SHORTS £24.99 Sizes: 8-16. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 13475

ENDURA FS260 PRO JERSEY £47.99 Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Blue. Web Ref: 14725

ENDURA FS260 FIELDSENSOR BIB SHORTS £54.99 Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 6981

ALTURA CLASSIC WOMEN’S TOP £34.99 Sizes: 8-14. Colour: Plum. Web Ref: 14689

ALTURA CLASSIC RACE VERTICAL £34.99 Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14688

SHIMANO R064 ROAD SHOE £59.99

Sizes: 41-47. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14451

The least expensive Giant carbonframe road bike in our summer 2011 catalogue cost £1,649. This year, the price of admission to the elite carbon club has dropped by a full £400. Being able to significantly drop their composite technology entry price is remarkable in this age of rising raw material prices. Being Taiwan’s (and the rest of the world’s) biggest bicycle manufacturer, with 2 decades’ carbon fabrication experience, gives Giant advantages they can pass on to us. Back in Europe, Germany’s Focus Bikes enjoy comparable economies of scale

and they too have taken great strides to make carbon bikes more affordable. That’s significant because there is a growing consensus that, in the right hands, carbon is the best frame material. More than any metal, carbon can be laid-up and moulded into shapes and thicknesses to optimise the frame’s strength, stiffness and comfort. That’s why almost every pro cyclist, who makes a living riding longer distances faster than any of us could imagine, insists on carbon. If you aspire to a more comfortable, lighter weight ride, you should consider carbon too.

GIANT DEFY COMPOSITE 3 £1,249 Accessible carbon - the fruit of 20 years’ composite frame construction. Giant construct every one of their composite frames with Japanese Toray filament - proven in F1 car chassis construction. Giant build each carbon frame from scratch, hand-weaving the filament to create the 500+ swatches that go into the creation of each monocoque masterpiece. Building each carbon frame is a 13-day process. You will agree that 13 might be your lucky number whenever you go out on a Defy Composite 3 and experience such a smooth, fast ride.

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black/White. Weight: 9.4kg/20.6lb. Web Ref: 14360

FOCUS CAYO 3.0 CP £1,399 Shimano 105 gearing + DT wheels on carbon frame = unbeatable value. Arguably an even more astonishing deal than the Giant Defy Composite, the Focus Cayo 3 also boasts a bang up-to-the-minute carbon frame with tapered head tube and a BB30 bottom bracket. Then it’s even more impressively equipped with DT Swiss R1850 sealed-bearing wheels and Shimano 105 mechs and 2x10 shifters (over the Giant Defy’s Tiagra gearing).

Sizes: 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62. Colour: Carbon/Blue. Weight: 9.1kg/20lb. Web Ref: 14273

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ROAD BIKES HIGH END 6, 10 or 12 months interestfree credit available on any bike over £500 purchased in store or online. Example: To pay for a £600 bike over 12 months, we would require a £60 deposit, then 12 monthly direct debit payments of £45, making the total amount payable, £600.

SPECIALIZED ROUBAIX £1,599.99

FOCUS IZALCO PRO 4.0 CP £1,899

Smoother = faster. Proven since 2004.

Shimano Ultegra-equipped pro-quality frame.

Specialized’s unique Zertz-impregnated carbon frame and fork help create a uniquely smooth ride which helps you go faster in greater comfort and control. Hence Specialized’s slogan for this Paris-Roubaix-winning design: smoother = faster.

Focus don’t use the word ‘pro’ lightly. The Izalco Pro’s Team carbon frame and 3T Rigida Team T4 carbon forks are indeed UCI-approved and Tour proven. Yet it comes Shimano Ultegra equipped (shifters, mechs and brakes) at a price where Shimano 105 and Tiagra prevail.

Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: White/Black/Red. Weight: 9.5kg/21lb. Web Ref: 14066

Sizes: 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm. Colour: White/Black. Weight: 8.58kg/18.92lb. Web Ref: 14286

SPECIALIZED VENGE EXPERT £3,299.99 Built for, and in consultation with, Mark Cavendish. Once upon a time, you had to choose between aerodynamics, stiffness and light weight. Skinny frame tubes were light but lacked stiffness. Fat tubes were stiff but not aero. Aerodynamic tubes often carried a weight penalty. The Venge manages to square this circle by fusing elements of Specialized’s Tarmac road bike with their Shiv time trial bike to create a stiff, aerodynamic, lightweight, nocompromise speed machine, fit for the world’s fastest rider.

Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm. Colour: Red/Grey. Weight: 8kg/17.5lb. Web Ref: 14093

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS SPORTFUL BODYFIT PRO TEAM JERSEY £64.99 Sizes: M-XL. Colour: White. Web Ref: 14676

hen the yellow, green and polka dot Tour de France 2011 jerseys were all won by riders on Shimano Dura-Ace Di2-equipped bikes, it became clear that electronic gear shifting had become the new standard for pro-level road racing bikes. Replacing traditional gear wires with an electric cable eliminates poor shifting caused by corrosion and stretching, and guarantees effortless gear shifts - just as good hydraulic (cable-free) brakes have revolutionised mountain bike braking performance. For 2012, electronic shifting has trickled down to the more affordable Ultegra level for us ‘privateer’ riders without sponsorship.

As with Dura-Ace, changing gear with fingertipactuated Ultegra electronic shift buttons is easier, faster and more accurate than you ever experienced before with ‘acoustic shifters’. As Shimano eloquently put it, ‘just a light touch, as soft as a mouse click, is sufficient for the front or rear derailleur to instantaneously select the correct gear’. With additional benefits such as simple adjustment at the press of a button, automatic ‘trim’ to prevent front derailleur rub and a new lightweight Li-Ion battery offering 1,000+ kilometre run time per fast charge, Shimano Ultegra Di2 could be the future of road cycling.

SPORTFUL BODYFIT PRO BIBSHORT £84.99 Sizes: M-XL. Colour: Black/Red. Web Ref: 14693

SHIMANO Di2 GROUPSET £1,600

SIDI GENIUS 5 PRO £189.99

Web Ref: 14500

FOCUS CAYO EVO 2.0 CP £2,799 A truly electrifying riding experience. The Evo is like the long-established Tour de France and Giro d’Italia-tested Focus Cayo (P.35) further evolved and refined with a PF30 bottom bracket and easy-access internal cable routing. Equipped with a full Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, including brakes and chainset, the Evo 2.0 is a truly electrifying riding experience.

Sizes: 43-46. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14690

CASTELLI AERO RACE GLOVES £36 Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Black/Red. Web Ref: 13496

Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 57, 61cm. Colour: Black/White. Weight: 9.1kg/20lb. Web Ref: 14276

GIANT DEFY ADVANCED 0 £3,499 Advanced? This bike is close to perfection. Giant’s Advanced frame employs T700 carbon filament, making it even stronger, hence lighter, than their Composite T600 frame (P.35). Then there’s the Ultegra Di2 shifting. ‘I really like how the front mech automatically adjusts itself as you shift through the cassette and how the rear mech over-runs slightly when you shift before moving back inline with the sprocket to allow faster shifting.’ Christian Franklin, Bike Co-op member, Aberdeen shop.

CASTELLI PROLOGO JERSEY £70

Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14719

CASTELLI ERGO TRE BIBSHORT £75 Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref:13490

Sizes: S-XL, Colour: Silver/Red. Weight: 7.95kg/17.5lb. Web Ref: 14357

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MOUNTAIN BIKES HARDTAIL ENTRY LEVEL G

reen, blue, red or black, mountain biking is where it’s at. Made for exploring hill and glen, the MTB is equally fit for honing skills two minutes from your front door. An MTB can be your commuter bike or it can be your escape from the humdrum. It can be your work out or help you chill out. The phenomenal success of trail centres such as 7Stanes is being replicated with urban mountain bike parks being planned throughout the land. From the Parkwood Springs downhill track project in Sheffield to the proposed pump track at South Queensferry, Edinburgh, mountain biking is booming. Graded trails make mountain biking accessible to almost anyone, whatever your age or ability. All you need is a mountain bike. Our selection of authentic MTBs begins on these pages. Don’t let the ‘entry-level’ handle put you off. With their lightweight frames, powerful (usually disc) brakes and suspension forks, every MTB on these pages is guaranteed trail-worthy.

SPECIALIZED HARDROCK SE £299.99* (RRP £339.99) *SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

Specialized’s butted alloy frame - the best you’ll get for the money. At only 1,600g and boasting disc brake mounts, the Hardrock’s fully butted A1 Aluminium alloy frame is good enough to upgrade - even to, say, Shimano XT standard - when the bike’s original V-brakes and Shimano Tourney 21-speed gears wear out, years down the line. The Specialized Hardrock has been a legend for the past 25 years because it has probably turned more people on to the joys of mountain biking than any other single MTB model. If you like this bike but you’re less sure about its graphics, the punk decals are removable.

Sizes: 13, 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23”. Colour: Black/Punk/Red or Charcoal/White/Black. Weight: 13.9kg/30.6lb. Web Ref: 14174

SPECIALIZED HARDROCK SPORT DISC £449.99* (RRP £499.99) *SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

A Hardrock with hydraulic disc brakes is a hard act to beat. This is the Specialized Hardrock upgraded with better gears and better brakes to make it even more off-roadworthy. Shimano Acera 3x9 Rapidfire shifters deliver a wider range of smoother-shifting gears that help you ride up hills you might have previously walked up. Tektro Draco hydraulic disc brakes introduce a new level of single fingertip control and reliability that will do wonders for your confidence on every downhill.

Sizes: 13, 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23”. Colour: White/Black/Red or Charcoal/Black/White. Weight: 14.1kg/31lb. Web Ref: 14175

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS FOX LAUNCH SPORT KNEE GUARDS £21.99 One Size. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 13637

FOX BLACKOUT JERSEY £31.99 Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14706

DARE2B BACKLASH SHORTS £39.99

SIXSIXONE RECON STEALTH HELMET £69.99

Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Urban Khaki. Web Ref: 14692

Sizes: S/M, L/XL. Colour: Matt White. Web Ref: 14694

VAUDE BIKE ALPIN 25L+5L RUCSAC £79.99

Colour: Red. Web Ref: 14696

BLACKBURN MOUNTAIN AIR ANYVALVE PUMP £16.99 Web Ref: 13865

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER Padded Endura cycling shorts after a lifetime of pelvic bone torture. The world is a better place.

MORE MOUNTAIN BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

David Innes: Bike Co-op Aberdeen shop customer.

SARACEN TUFFTRAX COMP DISC £399.99

SARACEN MANTRA £449.99

CANNONDALE TRAIL SL 5 £499.99

Hydraulic disc-equipped MTBs start here.

More trailworthy yet lighter weight Saracen.

The experts in aluminium keep up to speed.

One of our first mountain bike suppliers, Saracen have come back on the Bike Co-op’s radar with a new, more mature range for 2012, which the Tufftrax Comp Disc exemplifies. Its British-designed, Taiwan-made Quad disc brakes make the low-maintenance high-power advantages of hydraulic brakes available at a highly competitive price.

More of a trail bike than the Tufftrax XC, the Mantra has a longer travel SunTour fork (120 over 80mm). The 44mm diameter head tube reinforces the front end. The head angle has slackened from 69.5 to 68˚. The size-specific stem is a centimetre shorter. The gearing has been upgraded from Shimano 3x8 Tourney/ Altus to Shimano 3x9 Acera.

Way back in the mid-1980s, Cannondale were the first company to supply us with aluminiumframed MTBs. Fast forward to 2012. From its fat 1.5” head tube to its skinny seat and chain stays, and from its internal butting to its external double-pass smooth welds, the Trail SL 5 illustrates why Cannondale remain ahead of the alloy frame-building game.

Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20”. Colour: Blue/White. Weight: 15.2kg/33.4lb. Web Ref: 14348

Sizes: 15, 17, 19, 21”. Colour: Black/Grey. Weight: 14.2kg/31.3lb. Web Ref: 14346

Sizes: S-J. Colour: Jet Black. Weight: 13.9kg/30.6lb. Web Ref: 14318

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MOUNTAIN BIKES HARDTAIL MID RANGE GENESIS CORE 26.1 £549.99 Core blimey, guv! An MTB bred in London. Genesis are based in outer London. If you are looking for a classy cross-country hardtail mountain bike, the Genesis Core 26.1 stands out as an exceptionally clean Shimano-rich design. Its Shimano BR-M446 hydraulic disc brakes ensure absolutely dependable all-weather stopping power. The full Shimano Acera 3x9 Rapidfire transmission means the gearing is equally reliable. Continental tyres on Alex Ace rims on Shimano hubs make for a sound set of wheels.

Sizes: 14, 16, 17,5, 19, 20.5”. Colour: Matt Silver. Weight: 13.7kg/30.3lb. Web Ref: 14495

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER SIGN UP FOR A FUN MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE

NEIL HALLIDAY

BIKE CO-OP CUSTOMER FROM THE KINGDOM OF FIFE I took part in Ten Under The Ben for the first time and as part of training for it rode more than ever. Riding on crisp, clear mornings was amazing and the best wake up before work I could ask for. The event itself was the coldest and wettest I have probably ever experienced, with about 9 and a half hours of rain - but in a perverse sort of way it was great fun! I look forward to doing it again this year and all the “training” rides that go with it!

GIANT REVEL LTD 1 £579 It’s easy to see why Giant are Number One. The Revel Ltd 1 is built on a Giant AluxX frame. Every step of the manufacturing process, from smelting the aluminium ore to extruding the tubes to heat treating the frame is executed at Giant’s own frame building plants. Building every AluxX frame themselves ensure Giant can maintain the quality control that helped establish them as the world’s Number One bicycle manufacturer. Appropriately, the Revel Ltd 1 is equipped with the 2012 version of the world’s original dedicated MTB transmission - Shimano Deore - whose 11-34 cassette will see you up and over anything rideable.

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Gloss White. Weight: 14.2kg/31.3lb. Web Ref: 14375

SPECIALIZED ROCKHOPPER £599.99 Even lighter than the Specialized Hardrock. The Rockhopper’s M4 magnesium/vanadium/ silicon/copper-reinforced aluminium frame is almost double the tensile strength of 6061 alloy tubing so it can be safely built into a thinner walled, lighter weight and more comfortable frame. Set it up with a 100mm SunTour fork with lockout and Tektro hydraulic discs: this MTB is ready to rock.

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS SIXSIXONE RAJI GLOVES £24.99

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14697

Sizes: 13, 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23”. Colour: Black/Orange/White or Black/White. Weight: 13.5kg/30lb. Web Ref: 14188

WHYTE 801 £699

SIXSIXONE RIOT SHIN £34.99

The delight of a lower priced Whyte. The new-for-2012 Whyte 801 boasts the same custom-gauge hydroformed 6061 aluminium frame that graces the £1,499 Whyte 829. Expressly designed for UK trails, the 801’s slim curvy seat stays help absorb shock and maximise tyre and mud clearance. Talking of mud, Whyte’s forward-facing seat-binder slot, its fully-enclosed cables and its crud catcher down-tube mounts all help to keep the gloopy stuff at bay.

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Jet Black. Weight: 13.5kg/30lb. Web Ref: 13804

CANNONDALE TRAIL SL 3 £749.99 True XC race geometry ride. As an alternative to the trend towards ‘new school’ slack-angled geometry trail bikes such as the Whyte 801, a Cannondale Trail SL boasts the classic 73˚ seat / 70˚ head angles that has dominated XC racing for the past 25 years. No wonder these bikes are especially appreciated by roadies dipping their toes into XC racing. Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano Alivio/Deore 3x9 gearing and a 100mm-travel RST fork help you get the most from this fine frame.

Sizes: M-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14700

FOX RANGER SHORT £54.99

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14731

SPECIALIZED BG COMP MTB SHOES £99.99 Sizes: 42-47. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14516

Sizes: S-J. Colour: Jet Black. Weight: 13.2kg/29lb. Web Ref: 14316

VAUDE OFF ROAD BAG 10L+2L £74.99

Colour: Black. Web Ref: 12544

We welcome customer reviews of any of the bicycles, clothing and equipment on sale at edinburghbicycle.com. To post a review simply lookup the item, click the review button and share your experience. Letting us know what you think helps us maintain high standards and helps your fellow cyclist make an informed choice. Posting a review also gives you an opportunity to win the £50 gift voucher we are giving away each month in our Customer Review Prize Draw.

26 MOUNTAIN BIKE TYRES TO CHOOSE FROM AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

CAT EYE ADVENTURE ALTIMETER 14 FUNCTION COMPUTER £79.99 Web Ref: 12520

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MOUNTAIN BIKES HARDTAIL HIGH END W

The world’s highest mountain bike race

FREE FITTING FREE SERVICE

When you order a bike from us, we guarantee that it will be assembled and carefully checked over in our own workshop by an Edinburgh Bicycle mechanic. If you want anything fitted to your new bike - mudguards, pedals, GPS, tyres, a bit of bling - just ask when you order it and we will waive our normal fitting charge. Six weeks after you receive your new bike, you will be invited to pop it back into the shop for a FREE service. That way, we can ensure that all’s well with the bike after you’ve given it a good shake-down on the trails.

GENESIS CORE 26.3 £849.99 This Genesis is going to be good to the core. The Genesis Core is a 26”-wheel cross-country mountain bike. Its shiny 6061 butted aluminium frame is one classy chassis. Its 120mm-travel fork is the lighter-weight Gold version of the RockShox Recon. The all-Shimano transmission comprises Acera 3x9 shifters, front mech and chainset upgraded with an SLX rear mech and SPD pedals. The hydraulic disc brakes are also Shimano (BR-M446). The wheels spin on Shimano RM66 hubs and roll on Continental Mountain King tyres. With a spec this sound, you know this Genesis is going to be good to the core.

Sizes: 16, 17.5, 19, 20.5”. Colour: Chrome Platinum. Weight: 13.3kg/29.4lb. Web Ref: 14496

hen the entry and mid-level mountain bikes described on the previous 4 pages are so sound, why spend more? The more you spend the less you get - at least, weight wise. Upgrade from base metal to carbon, the bike appears to defy gravity. Simultaneously, component quality rises with the price. When you upgrade from SRAM X.4 through to X.9 or Shimano Tourney/Altus to Acera/Alivio to Deore/SLX, all the way up to XT, every component is built to closer tolerances, so gear changes are slicker, braking is sharper and less maintenance is required to sustain optimal performance. Same goes for the forks. Upgrade from decent SunTour or RST forks to superior RockShox or Fox and you are rewarded with suspension which is less likely to bottom out and whose improved rebound damping prevents ‘pogoing’. Similarly, upgrading to Avid or Shimano disc brakes gives you the confidence to ride harder, in the knowledge that smooth, modulated braking power is ever-available at your fingertips.

IN-STORE SERVICE CENTRE IN EVERY BRANCH TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/SERVICE

FOCUS BLACK FOREST 4.0 £949 Well named, this hardtail is built to exacting German standards to perform impeccably on forest trails. You want a mountain bike that works as well as can be on a sub-£1,000 Ride to Workcompliant budget. With its Shimano XT chainset and rear gear and its Shimano SLX shifters and front gear, the Black Forest 4.0 could be exactly what you are looking for. Especially when Focus add the sure control of RockShox XC30 TK forks, Tektro Auriga Pro hydraulic disc brakes and Continental X-King 26x2.2” tyres to the mix.

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS FOX DIGIT GLOVES £25.99

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14712

Sizes: XS-XL. Colour: White/Silver. Weight: 13.4kg/29.6lb. Web Ref: 14325

FOX COVERT £44.99

Sizes: M-XL. Colour: White/Orange. Web Ref: 14707

WHYTE 901 £1,149 Trail-tuned Whyte with 120mm fork. Although it shares the Whyte 801’s (P.41) custom-drawn hydroformed loveliness and its UK-proof design, the Whyte 901’s slightly shallower 67.5/72.5˚ frame geometry and its 120-travel RockShox Recon fork will cope that bit better on technical descents, while its SRAM 2x10 gearing (26/39 rings, 12-36 rear cogs) will have you wondering ‘Who needs a triple chainset for climbs?’

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Granite Matt Black/Lime. Weight: 12.4kg/27.32lb. Web Ref: 13809

ENDURA MT500 HYBRID BAGGY SHORT £64.99 Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 11601

5TEN DANNY MACASKILL SHOE £85 Sizes: 7-12 Colour: Black/Blue. Web Ref: 14708

GIANT XTC COMPOSITE 3 £1,299 A Giant leap to making carbon competitive. The least expensive carbon-framed hardtail in our 2011 catalogue sold for £1,999. Giant’s expertise in composites technology suddenly makes the weight-saving, shock-absorbing benefits of a sharp-handling carbon bike far more viable. Equipped with RockShox Recon Gold forks with PopLoc remote lockout, Shimano SLX Shadow rear mech & shifters and genuine Avid Elixir brakes, Giant have cut no corners to create such a comparative bargain.

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Chrome/Black. Weight: 11.8kg/26lb. Web Ref: 14383

GARMIN EDGE 800 TRAIL BUNDLE £399.99

Web Ref: 13237

FOCUS LIMITED CARBON £1,699 Best buy in XT/Fox-equipped carbon MTBs. When he founded Focus Bicycles in 1992, Mike Kluge was one of the world’s most successful mountain bike and cyclo-cross racers. This limited-edition hardtail proves that he remains ahead of the game. If there is a better buy carbon hardtail featuring Fox forks, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and SLX/XT gearing, we haven’t seen it.

FOX FLUX £69.99

w Sizes: XS/S, S/M, L/XL. Colour: Matt Black. Web Ref: 14710 v Sizes: XS/S, S/M. Colour: Pink. Web Ref: 14711

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Weight: 11.8kg/26lb. Web Ref: 14332

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MOUNTAIN BIKES FULL SUSPENSION

850

The weight of Britain’s largest ice lolly - Fab

Picture of bike co-op member John Walter taken by his Edinburgh shop colleague, Alex Amato

*SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

FOCUS SUPER BUD 5.0 £949

GIANT ANTHEM X4 £1,449

SPECIALIZED CAMBER COMP £1,299.99* (RRP £1,499.99)

Sub-£1,000 SLX/XT-equipped full suspension.

Lightest full suspension bike at this price?

Keeps you on course when you ride off camber.

The Focus Super Bud 5.0 is a 100mm-travel full suspension performer that employs Focus’s proven suspension system. Its Easy Access Bearing System allows you to access and adjust all pivot bearings from the more easily accessible left-hand (non chainset) side of the hydroformed alloy frame for easy maintenance. Amazingly, the Super Bud’s Shimano 3x10 SLX/XT gearing wouldn’t be out of place on a full sus bike costing double.

Every Giant full suspension MTB employs their Maestro floating-pivot design, universally praised for its performance, build quality and efficiency since its launch in 2005. Giant’s shortest (100mm) travel, lightest weight Maestro full suspension bikes are called, Anthem. The Anthem X4’s refined spec (RockShox shock & Recon fork, Avid Elixir brakes and Shimano Alivio/ Deore shifting) ensures this bike delivers Maestro’s full potential.

With its 120mm-travel in-line rear suspension the Camber is the most evolved line in Specialized’s renowned FSR platform. Placing the shock and seat stays perfectly in-line is a beautifully simple and efficient route to enhancing small bump sensitivity. The M4 alloy frame is hydroformed so the suspension pivot points are an integrated part of the frame (rather than welded-on components) to guarantee the Camber’s integrity and strength.

Sizes: XS-XL. Colour: Grey/White. Weight: 13.4kg/29.5lb. Web Ref: 14341

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Silver/Black/Blue. Weight: 13kg/28.5lb. Web Ref: 14372

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black/White/Red. Weight: 14.2kg/31.2lb. Web Ref: 14155

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS SIDI DOMINATOR 5 SHOE £199.99

Sizes: 43-46 Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14715

SIXSIXONE COMP SHIFTED HELMET £64.99

ENDURA ZYME SHORT £47.99

Sizes: S-XL Colour: Black/White. Web Ref: 14695

Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Charcoal. Web Ref: 14682

SIXSIXONE RAMPAGE KNEE/SHIN GUARDS £64.99

GOPRO HD HERO 2 CAMERA OUTDOOR EDITION £299.99

Sizes: M-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14701

FULL SUSPENSION

SIXSIXONE EVO GLOVES £34.99

Web Ref: 14644

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14698

irst-time MTB buyers often remark, ‘I don’t need full suspension, that’s for the experts.’ It’s certainly true that expert riders who take 10-foot drop-offs in their stride will get the most from a bike with 150mm suspension front and rear. It’s also true that starting off on a hardtail (MTB without rear suspension) is a great way to learn how to handle the bike - just as learning to play football in your bare feet with a tennis ball in the back streets of Rio will help you develop scintillating soccer skills - if you stick at it. And that’s the trouble.

We don’t all have the time and tenacity required to master a hardtail. This means that if you take a beginner round the blue route of your local trail centre on a hardtail: he or she might feel beaten up after the first bumpy downhill. Take the same person out on a proper full suspension bike that absorbs the bumps and keeps the tyres on the ground rather than bouncing out of control, and he or she will have a far better chance of discovering that mountain biking truly is one of the best afternoons out anyone can enjoy.

GIANT TRANCE X2 £1,999 Giant’s sub-30lb 125mm-travel trail bike will entrance. Giant call their 125mm-travel full suspension bikes Trance. Presumably this is a reference to the blissful ride you will enjoy on this trailtaming rig. This smooth performance is aided and abetted no end by specifying a Fox Float shock with Pro Pedal adjustment to firm up the suspension on climbs, while the matching Fox 32 F125RL Evolution fork is beefed up with a tapered steerer and a 15QR thru axle.

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Silver/Red. Weight: 13.2kg/29lb. Web Ref: 14377

WHYTE 146S £2,999 Whyte prove that a 3 grand bike can be a bit of a bargain. This 146mm-travel beauty is built on the very best dual suspension frame that Whyte (hence arguably anyone) has ever built. It’s the same carbon monocoque main frame and swingarm you would get if you laid down £4,999 for the Whyte 146X. Thanks to its intrinsic light weight and its amazingly efficient Quad Link 2 suspension system, it climbs with the agility of a pure cross country MTB, yet it can tackle sketchy descents like a DH rig.

Sizes: S-L. Colour: White/Jet Black. Weight: 12.5kg/27.5lb Web Ref: 13812

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MOUNTAIN BIKES 29ers ///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER/29ers

THE BIG WHEELS HAVE ROLLED INTO TOWN The mountain biking boom originated in California in the 1970s when local cyclists hit on the idea that you could have a lot of fun riding down mountain fire roads on modified Schwinn beach cruiser bikes. Beach cruisers had 26” ballooner tyres so the standard was set. MTBs have 26” tyres. Over the past 10 years, this standard has been challenged. With the development of 29” tyres, and the frames to make the most of them, many riders are discovering that bigger can be better Bigger wheels cover the ground faster once they get up to speed - this is especially noticeable on climbs. Momentum gained via the wheels’ greater rotational mass can get you through tough sections that might slow down smaller wheels. Bigger-volume tyres offer more cushioning and better traction.

A 29er’s bottom bracket can be higher to make it easier to clear obstacles, while simultaneously being lower in relation to the wheel hubs, which allows you to really lean into corners Because the larger wheel makes contact with obstacles at a shallower angle, 29” wheels roll over terrain you might have once stuttered through. While the majority of 29ers are hardtails, many progressive bike companies are now integrating 29” wheels with full suspension. In fact, they have done so with such success, converts will tell you that their 100mm-travel XC 29er can handle a rocky descent as well as a 26”-tyre 150mm-travel trail bike, thanks to the bigger-volume tyres’ inherent suspension and their ability to roll over gaps, speed bars and so on.

To find out if bigger is better for you, call 0845 257 0808 and organise a 2-day test ride.

MARIN BOLINAS RIDGE 29er £549

FOCUS BLACK FOREST 29r 3.0 £729

SPECIALIZED CARVE COMP 29 £999.99

Designed to elevate your ride.

RockShox and Shimano Deore 3x9 equipped.

Carve XC courses quicker.

If you’re a taller rider who needs a larger frame, you will appreciate a 29er. Especially if you agree that 26” wheels on a large frame are plain wrong because they make you look like you’re riding a small-wheeler. Check the image of the Bolinas. The wheel-to-frame proportions look just right - plus you get the safety benefits of a sloping top tube rarely seen on large 26ers.

Focus compensate for the longer fork that larger wheels require by speccing a shorter head tube on their 29ers. That way, the bars are no higher than they would be on an equivalent 26” wheeler, so you can carve it round corners. Meanwhile, its RockShox forks, Shimano Deore 3x9 drivetrain and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes combine to work their predictable magic.

When Specialized’s pro team riders tested the new Carve against identically-equipped Specialized Stumpjumper 26”-wheel hardtails the result was an average 2 minutes faster time over an XC course that would typically take an hour. It’s little wonder that Specialized 29er hardtails are now outselling 26ers in the States.

Sizes: 17, 19, 20.5, 22”. Colour: White. Weight: 15kg/33lb. Web Ref: 14422

Sizes: S-L. Colour: White/Black. Weight: 13.6kg/31lb. Web Ref: 14323

Sizes: 15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23”. Colour: Black/Grey/Red. Weight: 13.6kg/31lb. Web Ref: 14161

GIANT XTC COMPOSITE 29er 1 £1,699 Carbon frame + 29” wheel = ecstatic XTC. Match Giant’s carbon composite fabrication expertise with 29er geometry and get ready for a blast of a ride. This bike’s ride quality is enhanced no end by its super-plush Fox Float fork with QR15 front axle, its Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29 x 2.1 folding tyres and its smooth SRAM X.7 shifting, whose 26/39 chain rings and 12-36 cassette yield every gear you will probably ever require in a simplified double chainset format.

A FEW FAVOURITE ESSENTIALS ALTURA SEMI-DRY BAGGY SHORT £49.99 Sizes: M-XL Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14717

Sizes: S-XL. Colour: Composite/Silver. Weight: 12.1kg/26.6lb. Web Ref: 14381

GIANT ANTHEM X 29er 2 £1,799 Lighter than most 29” wheel hardtails. Intelligently matching a Reba fork with a Monarch shock - both from RockShox - and equipping the Anthem with elite equipment such as Avid Elixir brakes, SRAM X5/X7 3x10 gearing and Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29x2.25” EVO folding tyres, Giant have achieved what we previously considered unfeasible - an uncompromising 29”-wheel 100mm-travel full suspension performance bike that costs well under £2K and weighs less than 13kg.

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Black/Silver. Weight: 12.9kg/28.5lb. Web Ref: 14370

GORE OZON WS JERSEY £69.99 Sizes: M-XXL Colour: Black/Red. Web Ref: 12344

ENDURA CONVERT II £74.99 Sizes: S-XXL Colour: Black. Web Ref: 11351

SPECIALIZED CAMBER 29 £1,899.99 Inline shock + 29er geometry = one blast of a ride. This Camber combines the latest MTB suspension technology (Specialized FSR with inline shock) with 29er frame geometry. Equip it with RockShox Recon Gold forks/Ario shock, Shimano Alivio/SLX 3x9 gearing and Avid Elixir 3 brakes and you have a 100mmtravel bike that tackles technical downhills with the confidence of a 140mm-travel rig.

Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Red/White/Black. Weight: 14.5kg/32lb. Web Ref: 14154

SPECIALIZED AIRTOOL MTB FRAME PUMP £19.99 Web Ref: 11680

GIRO PHASE HELMET £69.99

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Matt Black or Red/Black. Web Ref: 14255

SPECIALIZED BG TAHOE £64.99

w Sizes: 41-48. Colour: Matte Black. Web Ref: 14517 v Sizes: 38-42. Colour: Black/Pink. Web Ref: 14518

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WOMEN’S SPECIFIC I

SHORTER TOP TUBE & SMALLER FRAME

f women are from Venus, we might not be too comfortable riding bicycles built for Martians.

Women are, on average, 6” shorter than the average Joe so we usually require a bike with a smaller frame size. Even more important, our upper body is proportionally shorter. Sit on a guy’s bike - even in a small size - and you’re often obliged to overstretch to reach the handlebars.

WOMEN’S-SPECIFIC SADDLE

A shorter top tube means you don’t have to stretch like Superman to reach the handlebars.

A wider back offers sit bone support. A hole in the middle and a flat nose reduce pressure.

At Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op, we believe that overstretching is a form of torture that should have been abolished in Medieval times (we’re still sore about Braveheart up here) hence the diverse range of women’s-specific bikes you can lookup at edinburghbicycle.com/women. The key feature of each of our women’s bikes is the frame’s shorter top tube, which helps guarantee you won’t have to stretch too far forward. The happy result of this design is that there will be less weight on the wrists, less pressure from the saddle and you no longer have to strain your neck to look up and enjoy the view.

NARROWER HANDLEBARS & SHORTER STEM A short stem complements a short frame. Handlebars should be no wider (endto-end) than shoulder width unless you enjoy riding with your arms spread-eagled.

SMALLER GRIPS Shorter-length handlebar grips position the hands closer to MTB brake levers and gear shifters. Narrower grips offer a more comfortable and secure hand hold.

Your contact points with the bike - the saddle, handlebars and grips - also have a huge influence as explained on the blue bike graphic to the right.

AS WITH ALL GENERALISATIONS, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE THAT WOMEN PREFER A SHORTER-REACH BIKE. AROUND 1 IN 5 WOMEN ARE MORE COMFORTABLE ON LONGER UNISEX OR MEN’S BIKES. AS ALWAYS, LISTEN TO YOUR INSTINCTS. A BIKE IS ONLY RIGHT IF IT FEELS RIGHT.

*SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

TO SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF WOMEN’S BIKES, CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

SPECIALIZED MYKA SPORT DISC £449.99* (RRP £499.99)

CANNONDALE TRAIL SL 5 WOMEN’S £549.99

Made to fit more women more comfortably.

Genuine female-friendly Cannondale MTB.

Being one of the world’s biggest bicycle companies gives Specialized the clout to offer women’s bike in the widest range of sizes. Take the Shimano Acera 3x9 gearing and hydraulic disc brakeequipped Myka Sport MTB. The 13” size will fit you if you’re under 5 feet tall. The 19” would be just dandy if you’re over 6 feet.

Like the Specialized Myka, the Cannondale Trail SL comes with a female-friendly lighter-sprung suspension fork, and its lightweight 1.6kg alloy frame comes in 4 sizes, from petite to tall. The frame’s skinny SAVE rear stays help absorb shock. Shimano Altus/Acera 3x8 gearing and Promax disc brakes see to the mechanicals.

Sizes: 13, 15, 17, 19”. Colour: Black/White/Red. Weight: 14kg/31lb. Web Ref: 14183

Sizes: P, S, M, T. Colour: Charcoal Grey. Weight: 14.3kg/31.6lb. Web Ref: 14320

ENDURA HUMMVEE LITE WOMEN’S SHORTS £52.99

Sizes: XS-L. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14681

DARE2B AFTERGLOW TOP £24.99 Sizes: 8-14. Colour: Pink. Web Ref: 14684

CASTELLI PERLA SHORTS £60

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14720

Cycle clothing can maximise your comfort in the saddle - even more than your choice of bike seat. That’s why Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op carry a fine selection of women’s clothing, ranging from Castelli’s road race-inspired classic cuts to the looser and more leisurely look of, for instance, the Endura shorts and the Dare2B top illustrated on the left.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CUT

Women’s-specific cycling garments are cut to follow your contours. This helps guarantee full coverage when you cycle. That’s why cycling shorts are high waisted and cycling jerseys are long at the back. That’s why seat panels are padded and seamless. And that’s why friction and constriction-eliminating fabrics such as Lycra are brilliant for biking.

WOMEN’S-SPECIFIC CHAMOIS CASTELLI PERLA FZ TOP £70

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14718

Most cycling shorts and longs are padded with a synthetic, antibacterial chamois. A women’sspecific chamois is narrower than one made for men. The padding is thicker where required under the sit bones and thinner where not required to prevent bunching.

SHOES: IT’S A GIRL THING

A woman’s cycling shoe is narrower at the heel and lower profile at the front to mirror the shape of the female foot. Cycling shoes are stiffer soled. This improves pedaling power and reduces pressure on the soles of your feet.

GLOVES & TRACK MITTS

SPECIALIZED BG LITHIA GEL WOMEN’S SADDLE £39.99 Width: 143mm or 155mm. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 12493

SPECIALIZED S3 WOMEN’S HELMET £109.99

Women’s cycling gloves are also slimmer than men’s for obvious reasons. Palm padding helps relieve pressure points. Gloves or fingerless track mitts can makes a big difference, especially on longer rides.

Sizes: S, M. Colour: White/Gold Web Ref: 14633

GIANT AVAIL 5 £569

SPECIALIZED DOLCE 24 £649.99

WHYTE VICTORIA £699

A beautiful balance of fit, form and function.

The Dolce truly is a totally integrated design.

Victoria - the queen of fast urban bikes.

Like every Giant women’s bike, the Avail 5 conforms to their 3F formula which balance the 3 critical factors in bike design: fit, form & function. The women’s frame geometry, the shorter brake lever reach and the narrower bars ensure the Avail will fit most women better than the equivalent gents’ Giant Defy (P.33).

The Dolce’s women’s compact frame (available in five sizes) ensures the shallow drop bars are within easy reach. A secondary pair of levers let you operate the brakes from the bar tops. Zertz inserts make the Dolce’s carbon fork especially shock absorbing. This totally integrated road bike design is a blast to ride.

The Victoria is the first women’s bike in Whyte’s R7 Fast Urban commuter bike series (cf. Whyte Portobello & Stirling P.22 & P.23). This bike fuses the light, bright ride of a good road bike with familiar MTB-like elements such as flat bars fitted with ProMax hydraulic disc brake levers and Shimano Tiagra 2x9 gear shifters.

Sizes: XS-M. Colour: Silver/Bondi Blue. Weight: 10.45kg/23lb. Web Ref: 14353

Sizes: 44, 48, 51, 54, 57cm. Colour: Black/Blue/ White. Weight: 10.35kg/22.8lb. Web Ref: 14060

Sizes: S-L. Colour: Granite Black/Aqua. Weight: 11.36kg/25lb. Web Ref: 14666

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///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

A TWO WHEELED DAY OUT WITH THE KIDS

6 CYCLING PARENTS - 6 QUESTIONS

KIDS LOVE CYCLING IT’S FAST, FUN AND LIBERATING You can understand why children love cycling. When they ride, kids are no longer passengers. They’re in the driving seat. Talk about rite of passage. It starts off at the local park, perhaps on a balance bike. Then there’s that proud day when they set off on 2 wheels without assistance for the first time and you hear the cry, ‘I can do it, I can do it’. An amble along the local Sustrans path is the trip of a lifetime the first time a youngster rides it on their own bike. An introduction to the local trail centre brings more ‘wow’ moments when even the ‘green’ family route tests nascent bike handling skills to the limit. When they see the big guys catching bigger air, children grin and dream of what heights they will rise to in years to come. A few months later the grins are for their own feats, whether at the trail centre or the local park. Upwards and onwards.

TOP TIPS FOR BRILLIANT BIKE RIDES WITH BAIRNS Take a friend. It’s more of an adventure if your child has a chum riding along too. Lets face it, most kids would rather be out with their mates. Your role is to buy the ice cream and oversee from a discreet distance. Don’t go too far. If the kids have a good time on a short ride, they’ll look forward to the next time. If it’s a slog, they won’t. Check the route beforehand. Getting your kids lost doesn’t inspire confidence. Factor in bail-out shortcuts and loo breaks. Avoid very hilly routes, busy roads and difficult junctions. Let the slowest rider set the pace. This is usually the youngest rider. In a few years time, you’ll be begging them to be gentle with you. Short people = short attention span. Make the day interesting. Plan refreshment breaks around exciting places such as the local troll bridge. If there are no obvious cafe stops en route, bring your own scran. Kids love picnics, camp fires and barbecues. Check the bikes the day before. Whatever state your steed is in, make sure the wee one’s bike is sound.

TRY IT FOR SIZE. DID YOU KNOW THAT SUPERVISED KIDS CAN TEST RIDE OUR BIKES AT ANY OF OUR SHOPS?

FOR MORE ABOUT TAKING THE KIDS OUT VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/BLOG/KIDS

YVONNE

ANDREW

JACK

BIKE CO-OP CUSTOMER ABERDEEN

SHOP MANAGER EDINBURGH

SALES LEEDS

WHAT AGE ARE YOUR CHILDREN?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO CYCLE WITH THEM?

WHAT BIKES DO THEY RIDE?

2 1/2 and nearly 6.

9, 12 and 15.

Haddow Park & Aberdeen beach promenade. Early Rider Lite & Revolution Cairn 20.

7 and 12.

Glentress, Innocent Railway Path.

Rockhopper Disc, Hardrock Disc & Myka HT Sport Disc (see page 48 for Myka details).

TOP TIP FOR KEEPING THEM HAPPY WHEN CYCLING

Make sure you have a definite destination for them to head for like the duck pond, or the sweetie shop. It helps if you can offer a reward at either end of the trip e.g. a play park on the way out and an ice cream at the end of the return journey.

TOP TIP FOR KEEPING THEM HAPPY WHEN CYCLING

Start with small distances with reward at end i.e. ride to ice cream shop.

WHAT ESSENTIALS DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Specialized Hotrock 24 & Ridgeback MX20.

TOP TIP FOR KEEPING THEM HAPPY WHEN CYCLING Keep warm, dry, hydrated, fed. Not to strenuous. Emphasise fun.

WHAT ESSENTIALS DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Toolkit, water, money, cereal bars.

Buffs, gloves, water, mars bar.

WHAT ESSENTIALS DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Roundhay Park and Eccup Reservoir.

RIDGEBACK MX14, MX16, MX20, MX24 FROM £129.99 - £239.99

SPECIALIZED MYKA SPORT DISC £449.99* (RRP £499.99)

I always take food, drink and a box of plasters.

Web Ref: RBMX2012

Web Ref: 14183

ABUS SMILEY HELMET £24.99 Web Ref: 14621

*SPECIALIZED OFFER ENDS 29/4/12

KIDS’ BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM AT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/KIDSBIKES NATHAN

SIMON

ALAN

BIKE CO-OP CUSTOMER MANCHESTER

SHOP MANAGER NEWCASTLE

SALES SHEFFIELD

WHAT AGE ARE YOUR CHILDREN?

WHAT AGE ARE YOUR GRANDCHILDREN?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO CYCLE WITH THEM?

4 and 5.

Almost 2, 8 and 9.

Everywhere!

4 and 6.

Easy woodland trail, Seafront + Northumberland coast (God’s Country).

WHAT BIKES DO THEY RIDE?

Very small ones with stabilisers.

WHAT BIKES DO THEY RIDE?

Revolution Skye 20 and a Ridgeback Destiny 24.

TOP TIP FOR KEEPING THEM HAPPY WHEN CYCLING

Memorise stories to tell, sing songs and talk about what you can see. Snack bribes help too.

WHAT ESSENTIALS DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Riding in a busy city inspired us to deck out the kiddie carriage with AntiCamou – a variety of coloured hi-vis vests on the rain cover and twinkling fairy lights wrapped around every inch of the frame. The rack-mounted child seat has been customised with half a dozen 5” reflective smiley faces.

HAMAX SIESTA CHILD SEAT£94.99

TOP TIP FOR KEEPING THEM HAPPY WHEN CYCLING

Bribery - chocolate, drinks, regular stops, singing and good crack.

WHAT ESSENTIALS DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Inner tubes, Superflate, food/drink and a rain jacket for the smallest offspring. The other two don’t feel the cold ‘cause they come from Whitley Bay – the home of minimalist clothing.

Rother Valley Country Park.

WHAT BIKES DO THEY RIDE?

Specialized Hotrock 20 and Ridgeback Honey.

TOP TIP FOR KEEPING THEM HAPPY WHEN CYCLING

Cycle at their pace and keep talking to them.

WHAT ESSENTIALS DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

First aid kit, phone, sweets, some cash, water, helmets and gloves and bread to feed the ducks.

SPECIALIZED HOTROCK 12, 16, 20, 24 FROM £149.99 - £299.99

Web Ref: SHO2012

REVOLUTION SKYE 20, 24 FROM £184.99 - £199.99

Web Ref: RevSkye11

Web Ref: 13860

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///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

o matter what type of riding you prefer, you owe it to yourself to try at least one Big Ride. A Big Ride needn’t necessarily be Lands End to John o’ Groats (which apparently should be referred to as LEJOG when speaking to veterans of the ride). If you’re a mountain biker a Big Ride could be Ten Under the Ben. If you’re 6 years old a Big Ride could be 3 miles along the canal. A Big Ride can change your life. One customer told us that completing the 68-mile LEPRA Edinburgh-St Andrews (his first adult ride) inspired him to become a daily bike commuter, then a ride organiser himself. A Big Bike Ride needn’t be organised. At the end of a brilliant biking holiday on the Isle of Mull, I (the Bike Co-op’s Ged) suggested we forgo the train back from Oban and instead cycle the 140 miles back to Edinburgh from Tobermory. Although it was twice as far as we’d ever pedalled in one day it was a brilliant experience. The fact that I still fondly recollect a ride I did 30 years ago illustrates the fact that you’ll remember your Big Rides for the rest of your days. We asked our email news readers to share their stories about what they did last summer. We thought these 3 contributions might inspire you to try something new this summer.

PREPARING FOR A BIG RIDE CHECK YOUR BIKE If you mostly use the bike for short trips you can get away with a cavalier approach to bike maintenance. If the bike breaks down just a mile or two from home it’s an inconvenience. If you’re on a long ride and you’re 50 miles from civilisation it can be a nightmare.

The Bike Co-op’s Vicky, Matt & Malc agree that getting up at 5.00am to ride the 2011 Great North Bike Ride was well worth it. Honest.

WHAT TO TAKE

WE RECOMMEND TAKING PLENTY OF LIQUIDS PLENTY OF GRUB

We therefore recommend that you use your Big Ride as an incentive to give the bike a really good clean and checkover at least a week before you set off (not the night before). Is every bearing turning freely? Is the chain properly lubed? Are the cables and brake pads sound? If you’re not sure where to start, enrol onto one of our Bike Maintenance day classes.

SPARE INNER TUBES

If you don’t have the time or tools or inclination to check it over yourself, book your bike into our Service Centre (we have one at every branch) for a checkover and tune up.

MOBILE PHONE

PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT PUMP MULTITOOL WATERPROOFS

CASH FOR CAKE

When you visit the shop, remember that many of our staff enjoy first-hand experience of epic rides so feel free to ask for advice when you bring the bike in.

EDINBURGH BICYCLE COOPERATIVE SUPPORTED RIDES Anxious about doing a big ride on your own? Then why not start off with an organised ride. We offer mechanical support on a number of annual rides, including the Edinburgh to St Andrews LEPRA Ride (16/6/12), Chain Events C2C (14-15/7/12), the Great North Bike Ride from Seahouses to Tynemouth (26/8/12) and the Lancashire Loop Sportive (30/9/12). To hear about rides and events in your area, visit edinburghbicycle.com/events or sign up for our free email newsletter at:

EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

FOR MORE INFO ON BIG RIDES VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/BLOG/BIG-RIDE

PAUL SHACKELTON

EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM ONLINE CUSTOMER FROM LEEDS We had chatted for a while about a charity bike ride and decided on a coast to coast. Two of us were novices including me. One of us had been cycling for 40 years and 2 were ironman competitors. We trained hard and turned up at the starting post. The seasoned pros’ lightweight carbon bikes glistened in the early morning sunlight. I opened the boot and carefully removed my trusted 10 year old green steel tubed mountain bike. I can only surmise that it was a look of envy that appeared on the faces of the seasoned iron men but the ‘green goddess’ had been unleashed. Lets just say that coast to coast was harsh but for a good cause and there’s talk of another this year but maybe on something not as green or goddess like.

and offered him £300, to my surprise he agreed and I became the owner of a Triad 2.0. Over the next few months I fell in love with the bike and was out riding it every day. Being ex military I wanted to do something for Help for Heroes and took up one of their Challenges, the Big Battlefield Bike ride, some 350 to 400 miles over 5 days in Northern France. Well what was I to do but get the training in. The Triad had slimmer tyres fitted and off we went to sunny France with 249 other cyclists.

ANDY SAWYER

EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM ONLINE CUSTOMER FROM CANNOCK CHASE After going 10 years without cycling, just over a year ago I decided it was time to get back into it as I had moved right next door to Cannock Chase. After a few rides it became apparent that the old Trek 8000SL wasn’t up to the job any more so a new steed was required. Unfortunately being a full time father at the time funds were very low so a modern cheap bike was looked for. Ebay seemed to be the place and soon a bike caught my attention. I had never heard of the Revolution Triad 2.0 but the bike looked good and had everything on it that was needed and after checking all the reviews I was determined to get it. The asking price was £450 and after a couple of days watching it I contacted the owner

From the word go I had comments that I must be mad to do the ride on a mountain bike and very soon I too thought the same, but The Triad did me proud and carried me without problem for the full 5 days. On the 3rd day when we turned a sharp corner to climb a steep hill, we found that the road had just been re-covered with loose gravel, all the road bikers suffered due to this and guess who hit the summit first? Yes, me and the Triad (web ref: 13093).

MARKUS STITZ

BIKE CO-OP CUSTOMER FROM EDINBURGH I tried to cycle Land’s End to John o’Groats before my 32nd birthday last summer, and did it. On a singlespeed, without planning and in six days. The guy I met in the last bike shop before Scotland thought I was doing rather well, and I agreed when I reached the final destination on the last day before turning 32. I had a great time and cycled all hills in between; the toughest climb at 13% was quite a challenge though. But the final destination was also the beginning of an even greater adventure. As I had shipped my rack, panniers and tent to the hostel in John o’Groats I didn’t even bother taking a day off and set off to Orkney the day afterwards to tour those wonderful islands. Hoy was my absolute favourite, and I even saw the Old Man for 2 minutes when the cloud suddenly broke up, which compensated for being attacked constantly by Skuas. Back on the mainland the next destination was Ullapool, before taking the ferry to cross the Outer Hebrides Lewis, Harris and North Uist, then the Isle of Skye and finally arriving in Fort William. Well, I could have done more than that, but I had to work. 2,400k was enough.

We rode down into Paris and completed the ride. Was I mad to do it on a mountain bike? Maybe but it was fun and a damn good experience.

RECOMMENDED KIT

REVOLUTION COOLMAX SOCKS 3 PACK £9.99

Sizes: S (3.5-6.5), M (6.5-9.5), L (9.5-12.5). Colour: Black. Web Ref: 13774

CAT EYE ADVENTURE ALTIMETER 14 FUNCTION COMPUTER £79.99

ENDURA TRIGGER TRAIL LIGHT REACTIVE SUNGLASSES £39.99

Web Ref: 12520

Lens: Light Reactive. Frame Black. Web Ref: 12317

ENDURA HUMMVEE LITE £52.99

Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14683

CAMELBAK OCTANE 18X £89.99

Size: 18L. Colour: Skydiver Blue. Web Ref: 14650

SHIMANO MT33 MOUNTAIN TRAIL SHOE £59.99 Sizes: 41-48. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 13295

LEZYNE PRESSURE DRIVE MINI PUMP WITH HOSE £27.99 Web Ref: 11162

We love the fact that cycling is so inclusive, you can ride wearing almost anything (or nothing - Google naked bicycle ride). It’s equally true that cycling in the right clobber does wonders for your enjoyment of a bicycle ride - sure as it’s better to ski in a skiing suit than a dinner suit. The right clothing will help you cope with the worst of a bad day. Better still, it will help you make the most of a good day. For full details on getting dressed in the best, visit edinburghbicycle.com/clothing

The image above depicts a typical cycling jacket. At first glance it looks like a normal casual jacket you might wear to the pub. That’s fine by us, as long as the jacket has features that make it good for cycling, starting with the fabric. Wind resistant is good; windproof is better; wind and waterproof is best, plus it must be breathable so you don’t overcook on your first climb. A lightweight windbreaker such as the DARE2B Windmaker Smock (£29.99. Web Ref: 13155) can be rolled up small enough to carry in a pocket. This makes it perfect for a sunny day when you want to be prepared for a change of weather. Fully waterproof breathable jackets start at around £50 at edinburghbicycle.com. Spending more buys you more breathability and less weight until you reach the giddy heights of Gore’s most breathable waterproof ever - the Fusion Gore-Tex Active Shell (£219.99. Web Ref:14044) which tips the scales at a mere 280g. We stress the weight because you really don’t want to be riding a nice lightweight bike wearing a regular kilo-plus outdoor jacket. Then there is the cut. A high, close-fitting collar makes a big difference when you are cycling into the wind. Longer sleeves and tail keep your wrists and back covered when you reach for the handlebars. To find out which biking jacket might be best for you, this checklist covers features to look out for.

TOPS

CHOOSE CYCLE SPECIFIC CLOTH NG

JACKETS

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

Cycling jerseys are constructed in ‘wicking’ fabrics that magic moisture off the skin, so you stay drier on the uphill and won’t chill on the downhill. A cycling jersey fits you where it grips you, and it doesn’t get in a flap. A cycling jersey looks the part. A cycling jersey is longer at the back (sometimes with a silicone gripper band to keep it in place) for full lumbar cover when you reach for the bars. A cycling jersey’s high neck line can be zipped up when it’s cold (or when you’re first across the finish line in a race). You can choose between short zip and full zip. The latter is a boon at the end of a long hot ride when you barely have the energy to pull the jersey over your head, and you want to simply unzip, and step into the shower. Most cycling jerseys have pockets on the back. This seems weird to the layperson - till he or she gets on a bike and discovers that a back pocket is the perfect place to stow essentials that you might want to access on the move such as an energy bar, camera phone, wallet, keys and handkerchief. The back pockets’ ability to keep your stuff ever accessible yet out of the way is a genius idea. Especially when you consider how cumbersome the alternative can be - riding with your everyday jacket or trouser pockets stuffed with keys, wallet and whatnot.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL Drop tail Light loop Rear pockets Close-fitting neck Breathable fabric Vents Earphone cable port

Rear pockets Silicone gripper waist band Neck zip or full-length zip?

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL

Today’s contoured chamois - cushioned where required, thin and unobtrusive where padding is not required.

Extra pockets Reinforced panels Side vents Leg width adjusters Removable inner/chamoix

MITTS

Another factor that makes savvy cyclists reach for Lycra legwear is the synthetic chamois, which reduces friction whilst cushioning your hard-pressed sit bones Once you have experienced the comfort of riding in Lycra legwear, you will understand why it has been the only choice for pro road riders for the past 30 years. And you will also appreciate why a new generation is learning that bechamoised Lycra shorts remain your best guarantee of comfort in the saddle.

There are times when even the most passionate advocate of Lycra would rather bike in baggies. Baggies and mountain biking go together. A baggy short’s more rugged fabric is more likely to withstand a spill whilst simultaneously offering you more protection should you end up sliding on your ass. Back in town, the fact that baggies look like regular casual shorts means they won’t raise an eyebrow when you get off the bike. Baggies are fine for almost any informal situation. You can wear them when you go shopping, when you stop for a coffee, when you spend the weekend at a festival. If you work for somebody groovy such as Apple Mac or the Bike Co-op, you could even wear them at your work station. Although they might look just like High Street casual shorts, cycling baggies sport a number of crucial differences. The fabric is usually a ripstop or cordura ballistic nylon, which is more abrasion resistant, weather resistant and faster drying than cotton. A saddle-friendly seat panel makes the centre seam totally or virtually disappear. This seat panel might have an integral chamois. Alternatively, the short might be supplied with a separate pair of padded liner shorts. This arrangement means you can wear your baggies over another pair of (perhaps Lycra) shorts when the originals are in the wash.

SHOES

BUILT-IN CHAMOIX

BAGGIES

LYCRA Something interesting happened in our shops in 2011. Lycra shorts reclaimed their top-selling status after a number of years of comparative decline against the rising popularity of more casual loose-fitting cycling shorts. If you are sceptical about the benefits of Lycra, consider the analogy of wearing goggles at the pool. You think they’re just for serious swimmers - until you try them for yourself and realise that eye protection helps anyone swim faster and in greater comfort. Similarly,when you wear Lycra shorts or 3/4s or longs you immediately feel the benefit of a fabric that never bunches or constricts, but stretches and recovers in tandem with every muscle contraction.

Cycling shoes rank high in that list of items that are not essential, but once you try them you’ll wonder how you got on without them. Cycling shoes are stiff at the pedal contact zone to boost pedalling power. This stiffness also reduces pedal-induced pressure on the balls of the foot. To prevent the risk of laces getting caught in the chain, cycle shoes usually have either a lace guard or come lace-less. Cycling shoes are as varied in style as the bikes you can ride with them. Road Shoes are 100% dedicated to facilitate riding as hard as you can, hence their no-compromise, inflexible, smooth, thin soles. MTB/Leisure Shoes can be used 50/50 on and off the bike. Only the sole’s pedal contact zone is stiffened, then the sole gets more flexible under the toes. They look like standard trainers so, rather like baggy shorts, they double as everyday off-bike wear. MTB Expert Shoes are 90% riding/ 10% hiking shoes. The soles are much stiffer than more leisurely MTB shoes, yet they retain a little flex. The soles are lugged to offer traction for short hikes. Cleats bind shoes and pedals together when you cycle. Cleats maximise pedalling efficiency when you ride, whilst allowing instant pedal disengagement with a 20˚ twist of the foot. A road cleat is secured to the outsole of a road shoe to maximise engagement. The smaller MTB cleat is secured to a recessed pocket in the MTB shoe’s sole. That way, an MTB cleat won’t compromise your ability to walk in either type of MTB shoe.

MTB CLEAT

Fingerless cycling gloves are called track mitts. They take their name from indoor track racing - a sport where you don’t need hand warmers but you might require hand protection. Track mitts cushion the hands and improve grip, yet they are so cool, you can wear them all summer long. Their washable synthetic leather palms can break a fall and save your palms getting skinned should you slide on them. Because they’re fingerless, track mitts don’t compromise your digital dexterity. You won’t even need to remove them to fix a puncture (and wearing track mitts will help keep your hands cleaner while your doing so). When it gets too cold to ride with fingerless gloves alone, you can still enjoy their hand-cushioning benefits by wearing fleece or woollen gloves over your track mitts.

TO VIEW OUR EXTENSIVE CLOTHING RANGE VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/ CLOTHING

ROAD CLEAT

///TRY SOMETHING NEW - TRAVEL LIGHT

TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC

ou have invested in the lightest weight bike you can afford so you are understandably reluctant to weigh it down.

Keeping clutter to a minimum helps you maximise your riding enjoyment. A cordless computer such as the Cat Eye Strada Wireless is a much neater way to clock your speed and distance travelled, compared with a traditional computer with a cable running between handlebar and fork. Our new Revolution Vario Bottle Cage stands out, and not just for its sub-1 ounce weight. Its multimounting option makes it one of the few cages that can take a large water bottle inside a compact bicycle frame. You want to be prepared for mishaps? Our box of 12 Glueless Patches slips into the slimmest pocket and weighs just 20g. If you want to carry a little more, the Specialized Wedgie seat pack will take a tube, tyre levers and either a CO2 inflator or a tiny hand pump such as the 16cm cigar tube-like Blackburn AirStik SL (Web Ref: 11015). Alternatively, if you want to travel as light as possible, never forget the options that cycle clothing opens up for you. Owning a cycling top with 3 back pockets means you won’t necessarily need a bag to carry a spare tube, pump and energy bar.

16cm

CAT EYE STRADA WIRELESS COMPUTER £49.99 18g. Web Ref: 8176

BLACKBURN AIRSTIK SL £19.99 58g. Web Ref: 11015

REVOLUTION VARIO ALLOY BOTTLE CAGE £6.99 As well as being more elegant and lightweight than a regular bottle cage, the Vario is functionally superior too. Its open design swallows the bottle with greater ease than a conventional cage. The 2 wide arcs cut away at the back of the cage offer multiple mounting options that enable you to orientate the cage, so it can be set up to access the bottle from the left or right hand side as alternatives to the conventional dead centre position. Side access is especially useful for compact bike frames where there is limited space to lift a bottle before it hits the underside of the top tube. 24g.

Web Ref: 14025

REVOLUTION TUNE UP GLUELESS PATCHES £1.99 12 pack. 20g. Web Ref: 14513

SPORTFUL ULTRA LIGHT WS JACKET £99.99

GIRO SAROS HELMET £89.99

This jacket truly is ultra lightweight. At 125g, it weighs less than most short-sleeve cycling jerseys, yet it offers far more weather protection. The front panels are the lightest Windstopper waterproof membrane fabric Gore have ever produced. Gore’s trademark breathability is complemented by the airy stretch poly-mesh back panels. It comes with the 3 regulation back pockets. You can wear this top as a regular cycling jersey over a base layer. Alternatively, it rolls up small enough to stuff into a back pocket or back pack, ever ready for a change in the weather. Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Black. 125g. Web Ref: 14721

‘The super fit and overall performance make it an excellent comfort investment for high-mileage riders.’ Triathlon Plus magazine. Sizes: M (55-59cm), L (59-63cm). Colour: Matt Black/Red Explosion or White/Silver. 280g. Web Ref: 13509

OAKLEY RADAR PITCH £175 Lens: Tungsten Iridium 15% transmission. Frame: True Carbon Fibre. 28g. Web Ref: 12831

GORE CONTEST SHORT SLEEVE JERSEY £44.99

ALTURA PROGEL BIB SHORTS £49.99 Although there is more to them than conventional Lycra shorts, bib shorts allow you to get away with wearing less because the mesh bib part can take the place of a base layer under your cycling top. Progel refers to this bib short’s deluxe anti-bacterial multi-density stretch chamois with gel pad cushioning. Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. 200g. Web Ref: 12224

Beautifully simple, this jersey comes in a single colour without contrast panels. Gore’s polyester fabric is especially airy. The 3 rear pockets are open for easy access. The XL zip helps you keep cooler on long summer uphills. This zip will never open inadvertently, all the way, as can be the case with full-zip jerseys. Gore prove once again that when it comes to cycle clothing, less is more. Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Azure. 140g. Web Ref: 12343

ALTURA CROCHET TRACK MITTS £14.99 SPECIALIZED WEDGIE BAG £14.99

Colour: Black or White/Black. Web Ref: 14609

Crochet string-back mitts offer a traditional airy alternative to today’s Lycra or polyester-back mitts. Sizes: M-XL. Colour: Black. 58g. Web Ref: 13598

SPECIALIZED ELITE BG ROAD SHOE £89.99 This is a truly elite pair of BG (Body Geometry) shoes. Specialized’s BG sole and orthotic insole combine to position the foot perfectly in line with the knee when you pedal. As well as saving your knees, the BG insole reduces pressure on the modern athlete’s most fragile foot bone the metatarsal. The shoe’s thin sole is fibreglass reinforced to further isolate the foot from pressure and to maximise pedalling power and efficiency. The M-lock buckle enables on-the-fly micro-adjustable secure closure. Sizes: 41-49. Colour: Black/Red. 620g. Web Ref: 10840

TYPE THE WEB REF NUMBER INTO THE EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM SEARCH ENGINE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

///BE SELF SUFFICIENT THIS SUMMER LEARN HOW TO DO YOUR OWN ROAD OR TRAIL-SIDE REPAIRS ON A 1-DAY CYCLE MAINTENANCE COURSE. TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/CLASS

ycling and self-sufficiency go together. Getting around powered by your own lung and leg power is the epitome of self sufficiency. The very act of riding a bike encourages you to take control of your destiny. Go out prepared for mechanical mishaps or a change in the weather or gaps without food stops, you will ride with confidence. Go ill prepared, you’re potentially toast. A small tool kit including a pump, spare tube and fold-up Allen key set will get you out of most jams. For longer trips, a chain-fixing tool can save a ride. On summer days it’s liberating to go out wearing as little as you can get away with. You can do so with greater confidence if you carry a lightweight weather-cheating jacket or gilet. Talking of keeping out the weather, our waterproof rucsac cover will keep a backpack or pannier and its contents clean and dry - even if the weather turns filthy. A CamelBak with 2 or 3 litres of water spiked with energy powder augmented with a couple of gel sachets or energy bars will keep you going for hours between snack or meal breaks. Clothing also has a huge bearing on surviving a long day out in fine fettle. You can’t help but ride with confidence when you know your shades will protect your eyes from UV, wind and glare, and that your shoes, shorts and gloves will help ensure benign contact between you and the pedals, saddle and bars.

ENDURA PAKAJAK JACKET £39.99 As you will have guessed from the name, the Pakajak is a lightweight windbreaker that you can stow in its own carry-pack. The fabric is a lightweight showerproof ripstop. A deep storm flap over the front zip keeps the elements at bay. Underarm mesh vents help prevent overheating. Reflective detailing keeps you safe. w Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black or Yellow. Web Ref: 14734 v Sizes: XS-L. Colour: Pink. Web Ref: 14735

SPECIALIZED INNER TUBE FROM £3.99

Sizes: 12-29”. Valve: Schrader and Presta. Web Ref: 2125 & 2259

SPECIALIZED EMT MTB MULTI TOOL £22.99 This EMT (EMergency Tool) adds Torx (to tighten disc brake rotors) and chain tools to the normal 3-8mm Allen key/Phillips screwdriver roster so it’s more likely to get you out of a jam than a more minimal multi tool.

Web Ref: 13425

REVOLUTION TORRIDON WATERPROOF RUCSAC COVER £19.99 Web Ref: 14512

GIRO ATHLON HELMET £99.99

OAKLEY SCALPEL SUNGLASSES £125

Sizes: M (55-59cm), L (59-63cm). Colour: Metallic Orange/Black. Web Ref: 14040

Lens: Black Iridium. Frame: Matt White. Web Ref: 12834

ENDURA WINDCHILL GILET £49.99 CAMELBAK HAWG £119.99 With its 3 litre reservoir, its 16 litre dry goods capacity, its sussed out organiser pockets and its comfortable stability-enhancing Dynamic Suspension Harness CamelBak’s good ol’ H.A.W.G. (Holds A lot of Water and Gear) is famed as the backpack for selfsufficient forays. Colour: Chilli Pepper Red. Web Ref: 14610

This cyclists’ body warmer is wonderfully lightweight, yet its front panels are windproof, waterproof and breathable. The thermal roubaix side and back panels keep you cosy when it’s cool and dissipate heat when it’s warm. The chest pocket incorporates a glass wipe for cleaning and protecting your specs or shades. Four rear pockets (one of them zipped) keep essentials at arm’s length. Sizes: M-XXL. Colour: Red. Web Ref: 13226

ICE TOOLZ FOLDABLE CHAIN HOOK £4.99 Web Ref: 10927

ENDURA SINGLETRACK II GLOVES £25.99 Sizes: L-XL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14756

PARK FOLDING TOOL AWSC10 £9.99 Web Ref: 6794

ENDURA HUMMVEE SHORTS £45.99 Endura Hummvee are the benchmark in braw British baggies. The durable nylon fabric is very soft to the touch so they’re nice to wear on a long day out. The (supplied) padded liner short makes Hummvee shorts even more comfortable. Sizes: S-XXL. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 9297

REVOLUTION TUNE UP PRO CHAIN TOOL £14.99 Web Ref: 14029

HIGH FIVE ENERGYGEL £0.99 Web Ref: 10318

5TEN IMPACT LOW SHOE £95 LEZYNE ALLOY DRIVE MINI PUMP WITH HOSE £29.99 Colour: Gold. Web Ref: 14645

Sizes: 6-12. Colour: Black. Web Ref: 12460

TYPE THE WEB REF NUMBER INTO THE EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM SEARCH ENGINE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

CRAIG WRIGHT’S ROUTE TO CYCLING HAPPINESS

HERE IS MY TALE OF WHAT TAKING UP CYCLING DID FOR ME. My story starts back in April 2009... In the midst of a usual Saturday night with one or two beers consumed, conversation moved onto the recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in the daughter of one of my friends. Drunkenly agreeing that between the five of us we should undertake some form of fund-raising exercise, with great enthusiasm we came up with the idea of completing a sponsored bike ride. By the time we arrived at this conclusion it was into the small hours and it would be fair to say that our enthusiasm had perhaps got the better of us slightly; we were to cycle from Rome to Monaco the following April, the route chosen on the basis that we had a suitably inebriated benefactor on holiday from Monaco with us and our elementary geography suggesting Rome was far enough away to make it a challenge. Well planned this escapade was not.

WHO IS CRAIG WRIGHT When EBC customer Craig Wright responded to this summers competition. We were so impressed with his response that we decided to give him a feature all of his own .

Waking up in a slight fog later that same day the memories started to formulate of the previous night. With this clarity came the realisation that, through the wonder of 3G phones and the modern day information age, we had also booked flights for five people out to Rome and back from Monaco (Nice) along with the first night’s accommodation in Rome. We had very bravely told most of the inhabitants of the pub of our plans also. However, the most worrying realisation of all was that I did not own a bike and nor had I ridden one for over 10 years. There was also the slight issue that I was over 120kgs and fitness it would be fair to say was limited. Realising that we were committed, and that not only was this a great opportunity to raise money for a very worthwhile cause but also get myself in shape no matter how terrified I was of what lay ahead, the following week I ordered my bike and by May I had my shiny new stead. The phrase ‘all the gear, no idea’ came to mind; 2009 Tricross Sport, SKS mudguards, rack and panniers, wireless computer, lights, gloves, helmet. With some degree of trepidation I set out on my first ‘training’ ride. Managing a route of a little over 5 miles I came back thoroughly proud of myself but also considerably worse for wear – bicycle saddles were far harder than I remembered as a child when days seemed to be spent almost in their entirety on a bicycle heading towards somewhere or other. Times had changed and I was faced with a prospect of covering 60-80 miles in a day for a number of days consecutively! My employer at the time provided excellent facilities to accommodate people cycling into the office, with showers, changing and on-site storage facilities available to cyclists and runners along with secure bicycle storage. I decreed that I would drive into work on a Monday, taking with me clean clothes for the following 4 days and the required toiletries and towel to leave in my locker and would cycle in the remaining four days. The journey to work amounted to no more than five miles each way. I very soon

“Our enthusiasm had perhaps got the better of us slightly; we were to cycle from Rome to Monaco the following April”

came to realise that commuting by bicycle in rush hour was, despite my utter lack of fitness, much quicker than it was by car. As my confidence grew I decided to enter the Great North Bike Ride in August, cycling from Seahouses, Northumberland to Tynemouth, just north of Newcastle, a journey of some 62 miles. This was to be my first ride of any greater distance and would be the acid test of how far I had come since May with nothing other than cycling to and from work. When the GNBR came about I was pleased to see that far from the Tour de France image I had in my mind there were all manner of people present to participate in the ride, on all manner of bikes. The ride passed without event and I completed the distance in a not altogether unreasonable time. Whilst physically tired from the ride, emotionally I was buoyant; through no more training than cycling to and from work I had in the space of three months been able to increase my range from the first, arduous, five miles to 62. Not only had I achieved this without the need to find any time in my schedule since I was now commuting by bicycle rather than car, but I soon realised that whenever I got in the car there always seemed to be a full tank of petrol and that trips to the petrol station were increasingly infrequent. The benefits of cycling however are not simply limited to money saved on petrol and an increased life expectancy, great as these are! Through cycling I found I was part of a whole new group of friends and acquaintances. My experiences of fellow cyclists has shown them to be a friendly, sociable bunch - always willing to help, chat or let you know where there is good cake to be found whilst out on two wheels. This was however not sufficient to completely distract my mind from the whole reason I had purchased a bike – Rome to Monaco. As the summer (if it can be called such in Edinburgh) drew to a close and the cold and wet weather closed in it soon became apparent that cycling in shorts and a gilet, in October, in Scotland, isn’t always the best plan. This however allowed me to indulge what was becoming an ever stronger passion though – a trip to the bicycle shop to look at new, shiny things. After a (relatively) brief trip to the shops, I was now suitably bedecked with longs, a waterproof soft-shell and full finger gloves with a couple of merino base layers for good measure.

CRAIG’S RECOMMENDED KIT ENDURA AEROGEL MITTS £25.99

Web Ref: 10640 The importance of a good pair of mitts cannot be underestimated. With the exception of the bike itself my original pair of Endura Aerogel Mitts have covered more miles than any other piece of equipment I own and they are still in good shape after almost three years. They provide comfort and prevent numbness no matter how much time I spend in the saddle and still look as good as new after a quick trip through the wash.

This now opened up a whole new chapter; as winter’s icy grip had approached my dedication to two wheeled transport had been coming under attack however, now armed with my new gear I soon realised that cold and wet on the outside didn’t need to translate to cold and wet on the inside! There is no bad weather for cycling, only bad equipment. I was now going to work with the smug grin on my face of a man who knows he shouldn’t be warm and dry and comfortable but ultimately was. I maintained my cycling throughout the whole winter (even to the extent of changing tyres when the snow came to allow me to keep cycling but this may say more about my unbalanced mental state than anything else). Before I knew it, the bluster of Christmas and the New Year had taken me through into February; it was now under four weeks until our departure for Rome. I upped my mileage in the next two weeks but decreed that in the final week before flying out I would not be in the saddle. Our steeds were sent off to Rome in a transit van on the Thursday evening, with ourselves due to follow by aeroplane on the Sunday morning. I think it would be fair to say that as Sunday approached I was becoming ever more terrified of what lay ahead. As we boarded our plane we received notification that our driver was safely in Rome and would be waiting to collect us at the airport. There wasn’t much conversation between us on the flight, nervous tension being the order of the day. Upon arriving in Rome and meeting our driver we headed into the city, the Vatican City being the ordained starting point for the trip. We were due to stay in Rome on the Sunday night and start on the Monday but as a group we decided that an early start was due as by early afternoon Sunday we were displaying all of the calm normally present in a five-year-old child on Christmas Eve.

We duly set out and, a couple of potential mishaps aside whilst navigating Roman traffic, we found ourselves on the coast, heading north in what was becoming increasingly rural Italian surrounds. Not long into these surrounds we made our first navigational error which resulted in having to climb a 2km 6-7% gradient. It soon became apparent that I was the most prepared of the group physically and I was concerned at what the group morale would be like at the top of a climb which we should never have had to make. Waiting at the top of the climb with one of the others the remainder of the group duly arrived shortly thereafter. Rather than a raft of miserable red faces coming up the hill they were exhilarated. We only covered 35 miles on that first afternoon but the relief and enjoyment were palpable. From what had started out little more than year earlier had suddenly come to fruition and with little more physical effort involved than cycling to and from work, an undertaking which was quicker, cheaper and healthier than what I had been doing previously. In the space of a year I had lost 30 kilos. As I lost weight and my level of fitness improved I found that I was starting to spend more time on the bike but far from feeling like this was some kind of chore or something I needed to push myself to do in order to lose weight this was something I was choosing to do as a leisure pastime. By way of example, my old family home is in coastal north Northumberland and this was a journey I had made by car innumerable times and was a route I thought I knew intimately. The August following our epic across Italy I decided that for the bank holiday instead of driving to see my parents I would cycle. The journey by car is approximately 80 miles

SHIMANO 105 PEDALS £39.99 (was £59.99)

Web Ref: 12782 Despite some reservations about being attached to my bike, I decided to investigate the additional of [the somewhat confusingly named] clipless pedals. After being given the run-through of my options by a member of staff, and tips on how to prepare for the first ride using them, I decided upon some Shimano 105 SPD-SL pedals and Specialized shoes. I was deeply sceptical of the difference this would make to my riding but the gain was truly noticeable. It is now at the point where I feel uncomfortable if I am not clipped in, such is my change of mindset and the stability they offer when riding.

and the route I selected to avoid major routes meant that this was just short of 100 miles by bicycle. The journey down, replete with panniers, took 7 hours and showed me the journey in an entirely different, and far more favourable, light. In the space of 18 months I had gone from overweight and lacking in any variety of exercise to undertaking a 200 mile weekend round-trip for pleasure and was fitter, healthier and happier all through cycling.

Whilst it might be a shade lengthy if my story can persuade even one person to start cycling then I have little doubt that they will have their eyes opened to the possibilities that I have discovered after that one fateful evening in the pub!

SPECIALIZED TRICROSS SPORT £899.99 Web Ref: 14092 My Specialized Tricross manages to cope as a commuter during the week, road racer at the weekend and following some of the more ‘agricultural’ trails of the sustrans network when time allows. That it manages this without being noticeably compromised on any front is remarkable. I currently do not have room to store more than one bike however based upon how I can keep up with the competition on my Tricross, either on the road or the gentler slopes of Glentress, I do not think I will ever need more than one bike!

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER

BIKES A

s you get into cycling you discover what works best for you. Before you know it, you are passionately proclaiming, ‘Everyone knows that Shimano / SRAM / Campagnolo (delete as you see fit) gear shifting is best.’ Perhaps because we are a co-op, we revel in such diversity. That’s why we are delighted to highlight the bespoke offers of 3 brands who do their utmost to ensure their bicycles come as close as possible to matching your dream specification. Here’s how bespoke bikes work. Say you are interested in a Koga Signature Globe Traveller, as made famous by epic riders such as Mark Beaumont. The standard model comes with a Shimano XT groupset. However, Koga offer you a variety of options. If you want to spend less cash, opt for a Shimano Deore or LX group and the price of this Dutch masterpiece falls by hundreds of Euros. If you would prefer a Globe Traveller with low-maintenance hub gears, you can chose between Rohloff 14-speed (with or without Gates belt drive) or Shimano Alfine 8 or 11-speed. Similar choices can be made all over the bike. Rigid fork or suspension? Leather saddle or pre-softened plastic? SPD pedals or flat? The choices are completely up to you. Koga will even inscribe your name on the top tube. That’s the signature part. There are a number of benefits to ordering a bespoke bike from one of these medium-size companies. Because the bike will be specifically handbuilt to your spec in Europe, you won’t have to pay a premium for upgrades. For instance if you order a B-Spoke Brompton, you can upgrade the seat from the standard model’s plastic anatomic saddle to a Brooks B17 Special leather saddle for only £55 extra (rather than Brooks’ £107 RRP). Clearly, the fact that each of these companies build thousands of bikes a year delivers real economies of scale. This makes these bespoke bikes more economical than the traditional alternative - buying a frame and parts and building the bike yourself. Companies such as Brompton are a perfect example of the benefits of intermediate technology. They are large enough to be efficient; small enough to take individual requests in their stride, unlike huge companies such as Giant who produce over 7 million bikes a year in Taiwan. Sure, companies such as Giant’s economies of scale enable them to do a marvellous job of making quality bikes affordable. However, unlike Koga, Giant’s systematic processes might preclude them taking, say, one of their Defy 3 road bikes off the production line to swap its saddle or groupset.

The frame circle on the left illustrate the advantages of what Brompton call their B-Spoke service. In a world where most bicycles come in just 1 or 2 colours, Brompton offer 15. You can even specify the mainframe to be a different colour than the fork, stem and stays. And why not? Looked after properly, your Brompton will last a lifetime so why not choose a colourway you really love rather than put up with a colour that’s just okay? Brompton’s B-Spoke service goes way beyond colour choices. For instance you can choose your Brompton’s gearing - 2, 3, 6 or singlespeed - plus you can select either low, standard or high gear ratios, depending on whether you prefer to spin the cranks or push them. These gearing options illustrate another advantage of going down the B-Spoke route. Brompton know their bikes better than anybody so they won’t offer options that would compromise either the bike’s ride or its

130

The current number of Bike Co-op members

FOR EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO GO ABOUT ORDERING A GENUINELY UNIQUE BESPOKE BIKE, CALL EDINBURGH BICYCLE CO-OP ON 0845 257 0808 OR POP INTO ANY OF OUR SHOPS.

trademark simple fast fold. That’s why Brompton don’t offer options that wouldn’t work such as double/triple chainsets or multi-cog cassettes, or V-brakes or disc brakes. Instead they offer the likes of luggage, tyre and lights options, which will ensure your Brompton perfectly matches your needs. To order your B-Spoke Brompton, download the price list edinburghbicycle.com/brompton and email it to enquiries@edinburgh.com or call 0845 257 0808 or visit any of our shops.

BROMPTON M6R £1,115

Alan Dow who works for the Bike Co-op’s finance department has been a keen and successful road club rider since 2002. Over the years he has ridden some of the best steel, aluminium and carbon frames money can buy. However, Alan’s first choice for every training ride has been a Van Nicholas since he first rode one in 2008. In fact Alan admires them so much, he now owns three Van Nicholas titanium bikes. This Dutch bicycle company enjoys a growing reputation as the experts in titanium. Titanium is the only frame material they employ because Van Nicholas are so passionate about this metal’s unique attributes. Titanium’s high strength, light weight and corrosion resistance (no paint required) matched with its inherent light flex helps create a bicycle that combines performance and comfort like no other. The Van Nicholas range covers road, MTB, cross and touring bikes. You can see every model at vannicholas.com and check the bespoke options.

For instance, look up the Van Nicholas Yukon (‘The best road training bike a club rider can buy.’ Alan Dow). Press the customise button, and you will be able to choose between singlespeed, Campag Chorus, Shimano SLX, XT, 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace transmissions on screen. The website will automatically recalculate the price and the weight of the bike for each option. If you want to limit your customising to simply upgrading, say, the tyres from Vredestein Fortezza to Schwalbe Ultremo you can do so. Once you have made your selection, you can specify which shop you would like to collect the bike from. Choose Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op and we will ensure your custom order proceeds smoothly. To experience titanium’s unique ride qualities for yourself, we have a Van Nicholas Mistral Apex available in every Bike Co-op branch for test ride. At 8.8kg / 19.4lb, it is comfortably the lightest weight £1,500 road bike we have on offer.

VAN NICHOLAS MISTRAL APEX £1,499.99 Sizes: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62cm. Colour: Titanium. Web Ref: 14497

Peter Jakobbson has been our IT support advisor for the past 20 years. He’s also a long-distance touring cyclist. Over the time we have known Peter, he rode a steel Dawes Galaxy into the ground. He replaced it with an aluminium Cannondale tourer that went astray. When Peter visited our Edinburgh shop to order a straight replacement, he saw a shiny aluminium Koga in the showroom and was smitten. We asked Peter to evaluate his Globe Traveller a year after he bought it. ‘It was like a 2-wheel limousine - the most smooth, comfortable and stable bike I have ever ridden’. You can view and test ride Koga’s most popular Globe Traveller model at any of our shops. As is the case with their Dutch neighbours, Van Nicholas, you can customise any Koga to your heart’s content at www.koga-signature.com and arrange for the bike to be hand built in Holland, then shipped to an Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op shop for you to pick up. Alternatively visit any of our stores or phone 0845 257 0808 and our much-travelled staff will be delighted to advise you on configuring your very own custom Koga.

KOGA SIGNATURE GLOBE TRAVELLER £1,769.99 Sizes: 50, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66cm. Colour: Polished.

BESPOKE SERVICE Visit any Edinburgh Bicycle shop and you will discover that our staff represent the whole ‘broad church’ that makes up the cycling community, with mountain bikers, tourers and road cyclists in every store. If you want to discuss your bespoke needs with someone on your wavelength, pop in or call:

0845 257 0808

///TRY A SPOT OF HOME MAINTENANCE

HOME WORKSHOP ESSENTIALS

PARK PCS9 HOME REPAIR STAND £99.99 Web Ref: 8437

ICE TOOLZ CHAIN CHECKER TOOL £7.99 Web Ref: 10396

or many of us, learning to look after bikes when we were kids was our first taste of DIY. We discovered that being able to cope with ‘a mechanical’ made us feel grown up; in control of our destinies; empowered; no grown-up assistance required. Working on bicycles can offer adults equal satisfaction - especially in our ‘black box technology’ era where taking apart and rebuilding, say, an iPad 2 would probably void the warranty. One of the many charms of the bicycle is that you are not only allowed to work on it, doing so delivers instant rewards. Bicycle maintenance is totally in tune with an ecological mindset. Look after stuff and it will work better for much longer. This notion is particularly pertinent at a time of austerity. These pages give you an idea of the array of equipment available at edinburgh bicycle.com designed to make maintenance simple and satisfying.

ZINN & THE ART OF ROAD BIKE MAINTENANCE £17.99

ICE TOOLZ TWIN HEAD WRENCH SET £29.99

Web Ref: 8409

Web Ref: 6599

ZINN & THE ART OF MOUNTAIN BIKE MAINTENANCE £17.99

PARK FR5 SHIMANO CASSETTE LOCKRING TOOL £9.99

Web Ref: 8407

Web Ref: 2254

LOOK AFTER YOUR CHAIN LEZYNE CNC PEDAL ROD £25.99 Web Ref: 14653

ICE TOOLZ PRO SHOP CABLE CUTTER £29.99 Web Ref: 13874

REVOLUTION TUNE UP MAGNETIC TOOL TRAY FOR WORKSTAND £9.99

SKILL: EASY RECOMMENDED TOOLS Chain Cleaner Degreaser Old Rags Fresh Lube Chain Checker Tool Chain Tool

Web Ref: 9811

LEZYNE CNC CHAIN ROD £29.99 Web Ref: 14652

Proven for over a century, the bicycle chain is a highly efficient means of converting your pedalling effort into forward motion. Comprising 100+ rollers with 1.2mm-thin link plates on either side, a bicycle chain is remarkably resilient given its highpressure existence. Clean and relube it regularly and you will be rewarded with a sweet-shifting drivetrain that will outlast an unkempt one by a factor of 3. That’s why acquiring our Revolution Tune Up Chain Cleaner and using it frequently might be the best investment you can make for your bike(s) this year.

FINISH LINE DRY TEFLON PLUS LUBE 2oz £3.99 | 4oz £6.99 | 12oz spray £11.99 Web Ref: 2168

M:PART TORQUE WRENCH £49.99

with M3, M4, M5, M6, M8, M10 & T25 Attachments. Web Ref: 13739

REVOLUTION TUNE UP MULTI 15 MULTITOOL £14.99 Web Ref: 13189

GREEN OIL ECOLOGICAL CHAIN LUBE 100ml £5.50 Web Ref: 9721

REVOLUTION TUNE UP CHAIN CLEANER £9.99

Web Ref: 6720

KEEP IT CLEAN SKILL: VERY EASY RECOMMENDED TOOLS Bucket Hot Water Marigolds Bike Cleaner Brushes and Sponges Old Toothbrush Degreaser Polish Old Rags

Although cleaning a bike is hardly a job many of us look forward to, it can be very rewarding - especially once it’s accomplished and your bicycle looks and rides like the ‘pride and joy’ you purchased however long ago. Aesthetics aside, cleaning a bike makes sense because it’s only when you get close up that you notice potential problems such as shards of metal imbedded in the brake pads, prematurely wearing down your wheel rims. Bike cleaning can involve soapy water, rags and a retired toothbrush. Such old-school methods still work. However, modern, water-soluble cleaning solutions such as Muc-Off really speed up bike cleaning sessions. Simply spray the cleaner on, give the frame/components a quick scrub with a purpose-made brush, then rinse the cleaner off with water. Job done. Now go out and enjoy your gleaming machine. You’ve earned it.

01. KAABOOM DISC BRAKE CLEANER 250ml spray £4.99 Web Ref: 12521 02. KAABOOM BIKE CLEANER 1.1 litre spray £6.99 Web Ref: 12524 03. FENWICK’S SHOWROOM FINISH SPRAY £8.99 Web Ref: 12879 04. MUC-OFF DUO PACK £12.99 Web Ref: 2434

REVOLUTION TUNE UP BRUSH KIT £8.99

Web Ref: 13353

SPECIALIZED AIRLOCK TYRE SEALANT £4.99 Web Ref: 10984

SLIME LITE SELF HEALING TUBE £16.99

29 x 1.95/2.125” Presta Valve or 29 x 1.95/2.125” Schrader Valve. Only 219g. Web Ref: 5482

PARK FOLDING TOOL £19.99

TWS2C Torx Set T7-T40. Web Ref: 8560

PARK SINGLE SPEED 15mm SPANNER £17.99

LOOK AFTER YOUR WHEELS AND TYRES Keeping your tyres up to recommended pressure ranks up there with cleaning and lubing your chain as the most important bike maintenance you can do. Fully inflated tyres roll faster with less effort, they will be less puncture prone, and they will last much longer, as will the wheels they are fitted to. A workshop track pump that swiftly take road tyres up to 140psi and MTB tyres up to 60psi, without making you feel like you’re pumping iron, is a sound investment. Our Air Mini Track Pump is a great choice if you want a single pump that combines floor pump performance with mini pump portability.

Web Ref: 11067

13/14mm, 15/16mm, 17/18mm. Web Ref: 2250

Mtn Black/Gold or Road Red/White. Web Ref: 14654

Web Ref: 14648

REVOLUTION AIR MINI TRACK PUMP £19.99 Web Ref: 10497

SPECIALIZED EMT PRO TYRE LEVERS £9.99

PARK CONE WRENCH £6.99

LEZYNE TECH FLOOR DRIVE TRACK PUMP £44.99

PARK SPOKE WRENCH £10.99

SW7 Multisize 0.127, 0.130, 0.136. Web Ref: 983

FOR ALL YOUR BIKE CARE NEEDS VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM

TYPE THE WEB REF NUMBER INTO THE EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM SEARCH ENGINE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

This box of exotic metalwork would beautify and lighten up almost any bike. You get:

TOKEN BLING BOX RED 11T SHIMANO £44.99 (was £54.99) RED 12T SHIMANO £54.99 (was £64.99) GOLD 12T SHIMANO £54.99 (was £64.99)

Alloy CNC headset top cap & bolt. 5, 10 and 15mm alloy CNC headset spacers. Alloy bottle cage bolts. Alloy CNC valve caps. Alloy down tube cable adjusters. Alloy CNC pulley wheels with Tiramic bearings. Shimano-compatible alloy chainring bolts. Shimano-compatible cassette lockring. This bicycle jewellery box would make a brilliant gift for the cyclist in your life. Note that the cassette lockring supplied in your Bling Box will be suitable for either an 11t or a 12t smallest cog, so choose your Bling Box accordingly.

BROOKS FLYER SELECT SADDLE £109.99 (was £124.99) Colour: Honey. Web Ref: 14407

Web Ref: 14405

///TRY SOMETHING NEW THIS SUMMER LOOK KEO BLADE CARBON PEDALS £139.99 (were £159.99) Colour: Black. Model: Cro-mo axle & 16nm spring. Web Ref: 14406 Feeling blasé about the old bike? An upgrade can restore your love for it. Say your rear derailleur still works but its jockey wheels are worn. Instead of replacing the whole mech, you could invest in the Bling Box (above) and rejuvenate the derailleur with a pair of sealed-bearing pulley wheels, which you can then colour-coordinate with matching caps, bolts and spacers over the whole bike. Want to add an authentic touch to your old iron? Did you know that the Flyer Select sprung leather saddle was first listed in Brooks’ 1927 catalogue? Wearing down your MTB wheels? Shimano SLX hoops match tubeless-compatible performance with straight-spoke (no J-bend) strength.

Looking for a perfectly-shaped great-gripping foot platform? DMR pedals are the real MTB deal. Looking for new road pedals? Look Keo Carbon Blades have propelled riders to Tour de France podiums, as has Prologo’s C.ONE 30 (as in 130 grams) saddle. Similarly, you can understand the appeal of Zipp 303 wheels when you recall that Fabian Cancellara rode them to Paris-Roubaix victory. Although none of these items are exactly cheap, what else do you own that is arguably the best of its kind in the world?

SHIMANO SLX MT65 WHEELSET £249.99 (was £269.98)

Web Ref: 13972

PROLOGO C.ONE 30 £169.99 (was £189.99) Colour: White. Web Ref: 14034

ZIP CARBON BOTTLE CAGE £39.99 (was £44.99)

ZIPP 303 FRONT WHEEL £749.99 (was £849.99) ZIPP 303 REAR WHEEL £949.99 (was £1,050)

Colour: Black. Web Ref: 14386

Web Ref: 14414

DMR V12 MAGNESIUM PEDALS £64.99 (were £69.99) Colour: Pure White or Code Red. Web Ref: 6446

CUSTOM BUILD £85 Dreaming of a custom bike, built with your choice of frame and components? Buy the frame, fork and parts from us and we will spend a whole day building it from scratch to create the bike of your dreams. When we tot up the final bill we will knock 20% off the price of every component fitted to the frame and fork. This discount almost always covers our standard custom-build labour charge of £85.

TYPE THE WEB REF NUMBER INTO THE EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM SEARCH ENGINE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS

0845 257 0808 (lo-call rate) or 0131 331 5010 SERVICE COMMITMENT

FREE SAFETY CHECK

Every Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op shop has its own Service Centre. If you need a repair, service, upgrade or something fitted, simply wheel your bike in (though advance booking is always recommended). No job too big, no job too small. Good, honest, professional service guaranteed.

A trained mechanic will give your bike a free safety inspection, paying particular attention to the brakes, transmission, tyres, wheels and steering. We will then recommend the work required to make the bike good and give you an accurate estimate of the job’s expected cost.

SERVICES BASIC SERVICE £29 Basically, this is a quick checkover, but it might be all a lightly-used bicycle requires. • Check and adjust brakes and gears. • Check and inflate tyres.

STANDARD SERVICE £49

As Standard Service + • Complete strip down and rebuild including headset, bottom bracket and hubs (excludes hydraulic brakes, suspension forks & shocks). • All threads cleaned. • Wheels trued & tensioned.

SUNDRY SERVICES Remember, we will consider any individual job big or small. Here are some of the most popular specific services we can offer.

• Check and adjust hubs, headset and BB. • Replace brake blocks/pads (if required). • Lubricate cables (replace if required). • Lubricate chain and derailleurs. • Check/tighten all nuts and bolts. • Test ride. • 6 month guarantee on all work carried out.

• On-the-spot puncture repair: £5 + the price of the tube. • Drivetrain clean & lube: £15. • Rim brake service: £15. • Disc brake bleeding: £15 per brake (price includes brake fluid). • Chain or cassette fitting: £8. • Hub service: from £15. • Suspension fork fitting: £30. (If the fork costs £200 or more and you purchase it from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op we will fit it for free.) • Wheel truing: from £10. • Wheel build: from £25. • Bike prep: unpacking, assembling & adjusting a boxed bike - for example, post flight: £40.

DELUXE SERVICE £89

PARTS NOT INCLUDED IN QUOTED PRICES

The Standard Service covers every externallyadjustable moving part of the bike, so it is much more thorough than a Basic Service. Plus the bike is test ridden, so we can confidently back up our Standard Service with a 6 month guarantee that covers all the work carried out on your bicycle. As Basic Service +

To make this service truly deluxe, we strip your bike down to the bare frame. Every part is carefully checked over before it is refitted. Serviceable bearings are regreased. New cables, bearings and brake pads are fitted if required. The drivetrain is thoroughly cleaned. If you ride every day, or you’re contemplating a Big Ride or you want your bike to work better than new, we recommend you treat your bike to a Deluxe Service

Please note: prices quoted on this page cover labour charges. An additional charge will be made for any parts fitted at the service, such as brake blocks, cables and bearings, unless otherwise stated (for instance there is no charge for brake fluid when we bleed hydraulic disc brakes).

LEARN TO DO IT YOURSELF HALF-DAY CYCLE MAINTENANCE COURSE FOUNDATION £25 Here you will spend an afternoon learning the very basics - removing the back wheel, mending a puncture and externally adjusting brakes & gears under the supervision of an Edinburgh Bicycle mechanic. Beginners welcome. Maximum class size - 8 people.

FULL-DAY CYCLE MAINTENANCE COURSE INTENSIVE £49 Despite the name, our Intensive Course is a laid-back class in getting to know your bike. Over the day, you will be guided through every task the home mechanic should ever need to know this side of wheel building. We even lay on a light lunch and a printed course handout at no extra cost. Beginners welcome. Women only class available. Call 0845 257 0808 for details. Maximum class size - 8 people.

FULL-DAY WHEEL BUILDING COURSE £49 We will lend you hubs, spokes and rims and introduce you to the magical experience of lacing, building and truing a pair of wheels under the guidance of an Edinburgh Bicycle mechanic. Lunch and printed course handout included in price. Beginners welcome. Maximum class size - 8 people.

WE OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES TOO MANY TO LIST HERE

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES VISIT EDINBURGHBICYCLE.COM/ SERVICE 67

www.edinburghbicycle.com

est. 1977

OWNED BY CYCLISTS FOR CYCLISTS

SUMMER HOURS { 1 APRIL - 30 SEPTEMBER } ABERDEEN Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op 458-464 George Street Aberdeen AB25 3XH Open 7 days a week: 10am till 6pm Late Opening every Thursday: 10am till 7pm

EDINBURGH Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op 8 Alvanley Terrace Whitehouse Loan Edinburgh EH9 1DU Open 7 days a week: 10am till 7pm Monday - Friday 10am till 6pm Saturday & Sunday

LEEDS Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op 140 Woodland Lane Chapel Allerton Leeds LS7 4QG Open 7 days a week: 10am till 6pm Late Opening every Thursday: 10am till 7pm

MANCHESTER Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op 7 Wilmslow Road Rusholme Manchester M14 5FT Open 7 days a week: 10am till 7pm Monday - Friday 10am till 6pm Saturday & Sunday

NEWCASTLE Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op 5-7 Union Road Byker Newcastle NE6 1EH Open 7 days a week: 10am till 6pm Late Opening every Thursday: 10am till 7pm

SHEFFIELD Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op 300 Broadfield Road Sheffield S8 0XQ Open 7 days a week: 10am till 7pm Monday - Friday 10am till 6pm Saturday & Sunday

ONLINE SHOP www.edinburghbicycle.com email: enquiries@edinburghbicycle.com Tel: 0845 257 0808 (lo call) or 0131 331 5010 Open 7 days a week: 10am till 7pm Monday - Friday 10am till 6pm Saturday & Sunday

PRICES All prices quoted were correct at time of going to press and included VAT at 20% where appropriate. We reserve the right to change prices and specifications without notice.

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