Letter to Cycling Weekly.

Yeh, bikes must look cool. Especially when slung on the back of a car. :-(

You final point about putting people off is similar to one I've made before about getting motorists
to try public transport. If the first experience is poor, it will be ten times harder to get them to
try a second time. And because humans resist change, the first experience is likely to feel poor
just 'cos they don't know what to expect.

The only answer I've got to this is to give good 'word-of-mouth' advice to prospective cyclists (and
bus users). But maybe someone else can come up with something better? Bill

Two wheels are cool but four's a bore.

Quoted message said:

Five years ago I decided to take up cycling again at the age of 40.

Because

Quoted message said:

I didn't know any better I bought a bike from Makro. Now before anyone laughs, it was a
perfectly good MTB which cost around 250 pounds and after adding slick tyres made a very
serviceable machine. In fact, I did several century rides and a double century on it. Shortly
after, I bought a

Raleigh

Quoted message said:

hybrid which I still use for commuting clocking up over 5000 miles a year, so clearly the bug
has bitten.

I happened to visit Makro again yesterday and in the last 5 years the fashion has totally changed.
There are no MTBs to be seen, only these ghastly Y framed contraptions with cheap front and rear
suspension. I happened to pick one up and it weighed a ton, due no doubt to the cheap steel used
tying to emulate the more expensive large diameter aluminium frames.

Watching grown men trying to use these to commute whilst wearing full weatherproof gear is
hilarious. OK, not so long ago I was as in the dark

as

Quoted message said:

they were, but at least my MTB was comfortable and easy to ride. These things look so dreadful to
ride that I can't help thinking how many thousands of potential mature cyclists like myself have
given up trying to make the switch from their cars due solely to the current fashion for

these

Quoted message said:

bikes.

If you win the Blackburn pump , can I buy it off you?

I reckon that if you'd mentioned Tony Bell somewhere in this letter, you'd have a greater chance of
being published as opinions about him seem to dominate their letters page.

"Drinky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

If you win the Blackburn pump , can I buy it off you?

You can have it for a tenner if I win it.

Quoted message said:

I reckon that if you'd mentioned Tony Bell somewhere in this letter, you'd have a greater chance
of being published as opinions about him seem to dominate their letters page.

I notice that there is a Paul Smith knocking about in some cycling magazine, I don't know if it's
wise to mention him though! Simon

Drinky <[email hidden]> wrote:

: I reckon that if you'd mentioned Tony Bell somewhere in this letter, you'd have a greater chance
: of being published as opinions about him seem to dominate their letters page.

That's just a running joke at the mo. Like dropped small change in the Guardian letters page.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Simon Mason
Here is a copy of a letter I have sent to Cycling Weekly.

Five years ago I decided to take up cycling again at the age of 40. Because I didn't know any better
I bought a bike from Makro. Now before anyone laughs, it was a perfectly good MTB which cost around
250 pounds and after adding slick tyres made a very serviceable machine. In fact, I did several
century rides and a double century on it. Shortly after, I bought a Raleigh hybrid which I still use
for commuting clocking up over 5000 miles a year, so clearly the bug has bitten.

I happened to visit Makro again yesterday and in the last 5 years the fashion has totally changed.
There are no MTBs to be seen, only these ghastly Y framed contraptions with cheap front and rear
suspension. I happened to pick one up and it weighed a ton, due no doubt to the cheap steel used
tying to emulate the more expensive large diameter aluminium frames.

Watching grown men trying to use these to commute whilst wearing full weatherproof gear is
hilarious. OK, not so long ago I was as in the dark as they were, but at least my MTB was
comfortable and easy to ride. These things look so dreadful to ride that I can't help thinking how
many thousands of potential mature cyclists like myself have given up trying to make the switch from
their cars due solely to the current fashion for these bikes.

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Was that really worth a letter to cycling weekly? You could look at the other side, the fact you have seen people riding these bikes must mean that they enjoy riding them. The suspention, while it works, adds comfort. The weight adds durability and presents no problems when riding on the flat or down hill; no doubt the bikes have the gears required to ride up most hills.

Also how many people have been attracted by 'COOL' bikes?

I have seen the ranges offered by Mackro, JJB and Halfords; rather than your negative view, I thought they were great and could only help to support cycling in the UK.

Finaly, if someone is new to cycling they won't be able to judge if it is good or not as they have nothing to compare it too. No doubt, they will be very happy with their purchase as you were with yours.

As for me I have eleven bikes from BMX to Road Bike to MTB to Track Bike. Perhaps your next letter to cycling weekly should be more positive, perhaps singing the praises of congestion charges for cyclists in london. Rather than complaining about the bikes that people obviously want and enjoy or laughing at the people who ride them.

Why are some cyclists so negative? It does the rest of us no favours. I won't even bother to ask what you think about cycle paths or British Cycling, I am sure I can guess your response!!!!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Simon Mason
Here is a copy of a letter I have sent to Cycling Weekly.

Five years ago I decided to take up cycling again at the age of 40. Because I didn't know any better
I bought a bike from Makro. Now before anyone laughs, it was a perfectly good MTB which cost around
250 pounds and after adding slick tyres made a very serviceable machine. In fact, I did several
century rides and a double century on it. Shortly after, I bought a Raleigh hybrid which I still use
for commuting clocking up over 5000 miles a year, so clearly the bug has bitten.

I happened to visit Makro again yesterday and in the last 5 years the fashion has totally changed.
There are no MTBs to be seen, only these ghastly Y framed contraptions with cheap front and rear
suspension. I happened to pick one up and it weighed a ton, due no doubt to the cheap steel used
tying to emulate the more expensive large diameter aluminium frames.

Watching grown men trying to use these to commute whilst wearing full weatherproof gear is
hilarious. OK, not so long ago I was as in the dark as they were, but at least my MTB was
comfortable and easy to ride. These things look so dreadful to ride that I can't help thinking how
many thousands of potential mature cyclists like myself have given up trying to make the switch from
their cars due solely to the current fashion for these bikes.

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Yeah you gotta pity the poor sods but usually it's not just the bike that's giving them a hard time. It's the fact that they've got the saddle at about knee height and are having to grind hard just to avoid going backwards!

Someone should stop them and point out how much easier it is if you just raise the saddle a few inches...

Simon Mason said:

I happened to visit Makro again yesterday and in the last 5 years the fashion has totally changed.
There are no MTBs to be seen, only these ghastly Y framed contraptions with cheap front and rear
suspension. I happened to pick one up and it weighed a ton, due no doubt to the cheap steel used
tying to emulate the more expensive large diameter aluminium frames.

Hi Simon

By Y-framed, d'you mean those things that are sold for £99.99 from adverts in the evil Daily Mail,
and also from both Halfords and Argos shops. I'm sure there are decent Y-framed cycles, too.

James

--
"Sorry mate, I didn't see you" is not a satisfactory excuse.

On Fri, 21 Nov 2003 13:56:00 +0100 someone who may be bikingbill<[email hidden]>
wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

The only answer I've got to this is to give good 'word-of-mouth' advice to prospective cyclists
(and bus users). But maybe someone else can come up with something better?

I'm not sure there is anything better.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

Simon Mason posted ...

Quoted message said:

Watching grown men trying to use these to commute whilst wearing full weatherproof gear is
hilarious. OK, not so long ago I was as in the dark as they were, but at least my MTB was
comfortable and easy to ride. These things look so dreadful to ride that I can't help thinking how
many thousands of potential mature cyclists like myself have given up trying to make the switch
from their cars due solely to the current fashion for these bikes.

You sad, patronising, git.

At least these 'grown men' you so easily ridicule are at least cycling or starting to cycle.

Does it _really_ matter what _anyone_ rides, so long as they _do_ ride.

--
Digweed .... 😉

Simon Mason wrote:

<some stuff>

Hey. At least they're not riding Raleigh 'bananas' with dangerously bent forks!

Simonb--

Quoted message said:

Simon Mason said:

Here is a copy of a letter I have sent to Cycling Weekly. Five years ago I decided to take
up cycling again at the age of 40. Because I didn't know any better I bought a bike from
Makro. Now

before

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

anyone laughs, it was a perfectly good MTB which cost around 250

pounds

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

and after adding slick tyres made a very serviceable machine. In fact,

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

did several century rides and a double century on it. Shortly after, I bought a Raleigh hybrid
which I still use for commuting clocking up

over

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

5000 miles a year, so clearly the bug has bitten. I happened to visit Makro again yesterday
and in the last 5 years the fashion has totally changed. There are no MTBs to be seen, only
these ghastly Y framed contraptions with cheap front and rear suspension. I happened to pick
one up and it weighed a ton, due no doubt to the cheap steel used tying to emulate the more
expensive large diameter aluminium frames. Watching grown men trying to use these to commute
whilst wearing full weatherproof gear is hilarious. OK, not so long ago I was as in the

dark

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

as they were, but at least my MTB was comfortable and easy to ride. These things look so
dreadful to ride that I can't help thinking how many thousands of potential mature cyclists
like myself have given up trying to make the switch from their cars due solely to the current
fashion for these bikes.
--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net" rel="ugc nofollow noopener">simonmason.karoo.netwww.simonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Was that really worth a letter to cycling weekly? You could look at the other side, the fact you
have seen people riding these bikes must mean that they enjoy riding them. The suspention, while
it works, adds comfort. The weight adds durability and presents no problems when riding on the
flat or down hill; no doubt the bikes have the gears required to ride up most hills.

Also how many people have been attracted by 'COOL' bikes?

I have seen the ranges offered by Mackro, JJB and Halfords; rather than your negative view, I
thought they were great and could only help to support cycling in the UK.

Finaly, if someone is new to cycling they won't be able to judge if it is good or not as they
have nothing to compare it too. No doubt, they will be very happy with their purchase as you were
with yours.

As for me I have eleven bikes from BMX to Road Bike to MTB to Track Bike. Perhaps your next letter
to cycling weekly should be more positive, perhaps singing the praises of congestion charges for
cyclists in london. Rather than complaining about the bikes that people obviously want and enjoy
or laughing at the people who ride them.

Why are some cyclists so negative? It does the rest of us no favours. I won't even bother to ask
what you think about cycle paths or British Cycling, I am sure I can guess your response!!!!

It's a good point. The efficiency of the bicycle comes a far second to the comfort of the bike for
most people. Ridiculous suspension, whilst requiring more effort, must make the the bumps a lot less
bumpy. I often give them jealous glances as I whip past on my tourer. They may require slightly more
effort to pedal but they combine comfort and style (well, street cred anyway). Also, if part of your
reason to cycle is to get fitter and burn off some weight, a lump of scrap draining your pedalling
power into the suspension makes it far more effective than your well maintained road bike (and just
as fast as my tourer - the limiting factor for me is my legs!)

Simon Mason said:

Here is a copy of a letter I have sent to Cycling Weekly.

Your name is Harry P Flynn of Hull & East Riding CTC and I claim my £5

Tony

Quoted message said:

Does it really matter what anyone rides, so long as they do ride.

Yes, if the bike they have been sold by Toys R Sole is so lumpen and heavy as to turn the joyous
activity we know and love into a pogoing tyre-rumbling chore. That, along with saddles adusted so as
to allow the rider to place both knees on the ground when seated, is one of the True Paths to
Cobwebs for a bike.

--
Guy chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.ukOpen ↗ "Sic hoc adfixum in obice legere potes, et liberaliter
educatus et nimis propinquus ades"

Just zis Guy said:

That, along with saddles adusted so as to allow the rider to place both knees on the ground when
seated, is one of the True Paths to Cobwebs for a bike.

So how do you propose we get more people on bikes?

Simonb

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers said:

...as an adult which was an eastern european jobbie with pearly pink paintwork and built of lead
girders.

The mind boggles ;-)

Tony

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers posted ...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Does it really matter what anyone rides, so long as they do ride.

Yes, if the bike they have been sold by Toys R Sole is so lumpen and heavy as to turn the joyous
activity we know and love into a pogoing tyre-rumbling chore. That, along with saddles adusted so
as to allow the rider to place both knees on the ground when seated, is one of the True Paths to
Cobwebs for a bike.

Guy has a point. I got my first bike as an adult which was an eastern european jobbie with pearly
pink paintwork and built of lead girders. I didn't cycle it often. It wasn't a pleasant
experience. Then, when this was replaced by a much lighter hybrid, my mileages doubled overnight
*literally* and cycling was much more enjoyable - so I did it more. Now I have a Nice Bike [TM] in
the form of my tourer (Bianchi San Remo) I really do find it a pleasure to be out on my bike
everyday, rain or shine. It does make a difference. Honest :-)

And there's the rub ... would you have bought the lighter hybrid as a first bike ? At least with the
'lead girders' you had started cycling, and possibly 'knew' that it had to be better than this, so
did something about
it.

How else do people start ? Spend the same as your second bike was/is worth ?

When you _are_ a cyclist you _know_ that lead girders don't make a good bike, but when you aren't a
cyclist, they can, with the paint jobs and 'techie looking' fancy frames, look mighty enticing ..
maybe ... 😉

--
Digweed .... 😉

Just zis Guy, you know? posted ...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Does it really matter what anyone rides, so long as they do ride.

Yes, if the bike they have been sold by Toys R Sole is so lumpen and heavy as to turn the joyous
activity we know and love into a pogoing tyre-rumbling chore. That, along with saddles adusted so
as to allow the rider to place both knees on the ground when seated, is one of the True Paths to
Cobwebs for a bike.

In my experience, the people who buy from Toys R Us, Makro, et al are not really committed cyclists
yet, they're merely trying it out. Would you try something out by buying cheap, cheerful, and mostly
knowing it to be [censored] but getting a 'flavour', rather than spending a grand or so on a decent bike ?

OT a little, but the sentiment is here .. I race model cars as my main hobby, nowadays to only
National level, but originally I started out with a basic '[censored]' kit bought from a Car Accessory
shop. It didn't matter how badly the car handled, how slow it was, I had no clue, but it did get me
racing, and gave me a feeling I hadn't felt since I stopped motorbike/sidecar racing. Now, instead
of £50 or so, I spend thousands on my main hobby .... which I certainly wouldn't have even started
on if all I could get were 'proper' cars from 'proper' dealers. How often do folk who know about
bikes post on here about the [censored] service they get from lbs's ? As a non-cyclist I guess it would
be as intimidating buying from an lbs as it was from me to buy my first 'real' car from a local
hobby shop ...

I guess it's 'easy' for a non-cyclist to buy such bikes, from such shops, and long may they continue
to be able to do so.

An elitist attitude just doesn't help newcomers start cycling, a bit of old steam tube may
just do so.

--
Digweed .... 😉

Simonb said:

So how do you propose we get more people on bikes?

Larger luggage racks?
--
Sig got lost during a reinstall

Simonb said:

Quoted message said:

That, along with saddles adusted so as to allow the rider to place both knees on the ground when
seated, is one of the True Paths to Cobwebs for a bike.

Quoted message said:

So how do you propose we get more people on bikes?

Bike Buddies, cycling clubs and Proper Bike Shops (TM).

I will be writing a piece on spec to try to get the Reading Chronic to publish in Spring. I will be
suggesting that a good second-hand bike from Loot or whatever is a better bet than a new Lead
Girder Special[1], and promoting the regular Reading Cycle Campaign leisure rides. I will also be
asking the school if I can run a family cycling event before Spring half term (any reading cyclists
with tandems, trailer bikes and the like who want to come along and share the fun, please contact
me offline).

So that's what I propose to do about it. Whether it's enough I don't know.

[1] (c) Helen Simmons

--
Guy chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.ukOpen ↗ "Sic hoc adfixum in obice legere potes, et liberaliter
educatus et nimis propinquus ades"