Walsgrave.

I am 6' 1" and have no problem riding a Brompton (other than usual lack of fitness!)

Tim Wilcock

Robert D France said:

Im starting a new job at Walsgrave hospital in Coventry soon, and am weighing up my commuting
options. I'll be travelling from south birmingham and my shifts start pretty early (7.30). Needless
to say the public transport is pretty unintegrated. If i get the train to Cov, i have 2 minutes to
make the bus connection on to walsgrave. If i get the bus in to Cov i have to get up dead, dead
early. Anyway, ive been considering either getting a cheap old nag of a road bike and leaving it
locked up at the train or bus station in Cov overnight, or getting a fold up and taking it on the
train with me.

Any ideas? Im 6'2" and have never ridden a brompton so i dont know wether it would suit me.

There are local trains to Coventry which you can take a (non-folding) bike on in the special
carriage with the fold-down seats, or in the carriage doorways (there probably won't be many
people on the train at that time in the morning). Look for those operated by Central Trains. If
the train you're getting on is a Virgin one going to London eventually, then you will have to get
a folding cycle.

Quoted message said:

Went to a LBS yesterday and the guy said if i left the bike overnight it'd get battered by drunks.
he did seem pretty jaded by society. im more optimistic. he suggested getting a womans frame as its
less risk???

Less risk of being stolen (what self-respecting youth would be seen on a woman's bike?). If drunks
are drunk enough to beat up a bike, I expect they'd be too drunk to notice (or care) what sort of
frame it had.

Quoted message said:

On nice days, and when ive got a day off the following day, i will most likely ride all the way
home but not on the A45, theres some nice countryside around meriden, berkswell etc. Im not
considering riding all the way to work in the morning, i'll be knackered and i get paranoid over
punctures and being late.

also any suggestions as to where to purchase? ive been on ebay and theres a couple that cought my
eye, but ive got no transport to collect anything too far away. anyone know any good car-boots in
the bham area? someone suggested Harborne cycle surgery. any good?

I've heard so, but have no personal experience. Selly Oak Cycles on the Bristol Road opposite
Sainsbury's *is* good, and would be as near or nearer than Harborne from most places in South
Birmingham.

Pete Barrett

"Robert D France" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Any ideas? Im 6'2" and have never ridden a brompton so i dont know wether it would

suit

Quoted message said:

me.

I've just been overtaken on a 67 mile audax (105 km) by a Brompton with a rider over 6 foot tall..
And he finished in under 5 hours, and he overtook me going up a hill! So I guess for a commute they
are ok. Mike

Robert D France said:

Im starting a new job at Walsgrave hospital in Coventry soon, and am weighing up my commuting
options. I'll be travelling from south birmingham and my shifts start pretty early (7.30).
Needless to say the public transport is pretty unintegrated. If i get the train to Cov, i have 2
minutes to make the bus connection on to walsgrave. If i get the bus in to Cov i have to get up
dead, dead early. Anyway, ive been considering either getting a cheap old nag of a road bike and
leaving it locked up at the train or bus station in Cov overnight, or getting a fold up and taking
it on the train with me.

Any ideas? Im 6'2" and have never ridden a brompton so i dont know wether it would suit me.

The B's the answer and if I can ride one OK at 6'6" you should have no problems. Left locked
overnight at Coventry its very likely that it will get tampered with/damaged frequently and will
become a real pain. Go for a folder.

Tony

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I've just been overtaken on a 67 mile audax (105 km) by a Brompton with a rider over 6 foot tall..
And he finished in under 5 hours, and he overtook me going up a hill! So I guess for a commute
they are ok. Mike

If the brompton seems expensive look at the raleigh phillips (advertised by allens of barnsley eg)
or other Dahon rebadged folders, which are good value although I think people may say you get what
you pay for. I have ridden 30miles in 2hrs on an old model 16in wheel dahon and enjoyed it. the
convenience and security (thus reliability)of a folder often outweighs the fairly small difference
in journey time.You always get on the train and in my experince bus too without argument if you have
a bag. If you were in a real hurry for many miles you might feel frustrated by a cheap folder. I
found the back wheel mount on the brompton a bit scary, but the fit was ok, if you like sitting
upright, with a telescopic post. I am more like 6ft 3.

TerryJ

On Sun, 25 Jan 2004 12:03:29 +0000, Pete Barrett
<[email hidden]> wrote:

🙂On Sat, 24 Jan 2004 09:47:18 -0000, "Robert D France" )<[email hidden]> wrote: )
🙂>also any suggestions as to where to purchase? ive been on ebay and theres a )>couple that cought
:my eye, but ive got no transport to collect anything too )>far away. )>anyone know any good car-
:boots in the bham area? )>someone suggested Harborne cycle surgery. any good? )> )I've heard so,
:but have no personal experience. Selly Oak Cycles on )the Bristol Road opposite Sainsbury's *is*
:good, and would be as near )or nearer than Harborne from most places in South Birmingham. )

I wonder if the police have finished their enquiries into SOC ? !! Other LBSs:
pushbikes.freeserve.co.ukbikeshops.htmOpen ↗
--
Comm again, Mike.

any news on the walsgrave commute? What was the choice of bike and how is it going?

terryJ