Cycle Superstore in Tallaght

QueensGael

I don't rate the wire baskets at all (having destroyed a few already), and my strong preference is for wicker baskets (indestructible, yet so pretty)... but in the interests of suggesting something slightly less girly, have a look at this one

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/rixen-kaul-reisenthel-handlebar-bike-basket/

you'll also need the clamp to attach it to your bike
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/rixen-kaul-klickfix-security-clamp/

FAQs on delivery etc here
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/h/option/deliveries

from_atozinc

stetyrrell wrote: »

Messenger bags are da bestest for on the bike I've found.

What are messenger bags exactly ?

Like do they attach to the bike or wha

endacl

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messenger_bag

from_atozinc

QueensGael wrote: »

I don't rate the wire baskets at all (having destroyed a few already), and my strong preference is for wicker baskets (indestructible, yet so pretty)... but in the interests of suggesting something slightly less girly, have a look at this one

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/rixen-kaul-reisenthel-handlebar-bike-basket/



you'll also need the clamp to attach it to your bike
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/rixen-kaul-klickfix-security-clamp/

FAQs on delivery etc here
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/h/option/deliveries

Thanks for that. They look rather big. I'm looking for something smallish.

from_atozinc

ror_74 wrote: »

You mean a saddle bag ? Most people use one, but I'm sure theres a rule against them.

Edit: If you're on a Hybrid I think you're exempt from the rules.

Edit Edit: Oh, it is a basket. OP, you must be a lady returning from the bakery with some fresh baguettes ?

It's a hybrid.

I'm just in touch with my feminine side ; ))

endacl

from_atozinc wrote: »

It's a hybrid.

I'm just in touch with my feminine side ; ))

Won't be long now till somebody tells you that you'll soon want to 'upgrade' to a road bike. Prepare yourself...

from_atozinc

another day, another question : )

I was out in the bike again last night and it was about 9pm, some cars had their full lights on etc
I only went to the shop which is about 1km away.

bearing in mind, that I would no be straying too far from the house on the bike at night, maybe 4k at most and at hat very rare and that it would all be in the city i.e with street lights etc

What kind of lights would I need for my bike

> An always on light on the front and back, or a a flashing light on front and back.
> A light Just on the front
> A light just on the back
> Just a reflector
> or just a high vis/reflective jacket

quozl

IMO you need a front light (flashing or otherwise - I prefer flashing) and a red flashing back light.

That plus IMO a rear reflector and preferably reflectors on your pedals (or relfective bits on your bike shoes).

A decent value rear light like the superflash ones doesn't cost that much but makes you much more visible from dusk onwards.
A rear reflector is useful in case your light's battery die or water gets in and it turns off. You can't tell if your back light is on or not when cycling.

Pedal reflectors - according to the Cyclecraft author at least - are very good for letting drivers know that you're a cyclist, how far away you are and how fast you're moving. That's because of the distinctive motion of them and the ability to see cadence as well as judge distance by diameter of circle the pedal makes.

I have pedal reflectors on my city bike but not on my road bike as it's hard (impossible?) to get double-sided clipless pedals with pedal reflectors.

[edit]
Here's a reasonable front/rear set for city use. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/smart-lunar-10-lux-lightset/rp-prod56539
I have that on my city bike and this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/smart-lunar-25-lux-light-set/rp-prod70354
on my road bike.
Cheap and visible. Not going to light the road for you though![/edit]

from_atozinc

quozl wrote: »

IMO you need a front light (flashing or otherwise - I prefer flashing) and a red flashing back light.

That plus IMO a rear reflector and preferably reflectors on your pedals (or relfective bits on your bike shoes).

A decent value rear light like the superflash ones doesn't cost that much but makes you much more visible from dusk onwards.
A rear reflector is useful in case your light's battery die or water gets in and it turns off. You can't tell if your back light is on or not when cycling.

Pedal reflectors - according to the Cyclecraft author at least - are very good for letting drivers know that you're a cyclist, how far away you are and how fast you're moving. That's because of the distinctive motion of them and the ability to see cadence as well as judge distance by diameter of circle the pedal makes.

I have pedal reflectors on my city bike but not on my road bike as it's hard (impossible?) to get double-sided clipless pedals with pedal reflectors.

[edit]
Here's a reasonable front/rear set for city use. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/smart-lunar-10-lux-lightset/rp-prod56539
I have that on my city bike and this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/smart-lunar-25-lux-light-set/rp-prod70354
on my road bike.
Cheap and visible. Not going to light the road for you though![/edit]

Thanks for that reply. So presume the front light usually attaches to the handlesbars and the back light to the saddle ?

Prices are saucy enough. Ill try ebay for a cheaper set

quozl

Yep, front light attaches to the handlebar and the back light to the seat-post below the saddle. Sometimes the rear light goes on a chain-stay instead of seat-post.

from_atozinc

fook it, im stingy : ) just bought this.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/LED-Bike-Bicycle-Head-White-Front-Light-Rear-Back-Red-Flashlight-Set-7-Modes-/281037215620?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item416f1f9784


Should be fine, a light is a light after all and will only use it an odd time .

liamofT

QueensGael wrote: »

I don't rate the wire baskets at all (having destroyed a few already),

My gf has gone through quite a few they dont last.
Another option might be one of those seat post mounted carriers on the front there was a discussion on another thread about this recently.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056912575&page=2

I have the lidl "luggage carrier" mentioned on mine on the front instead of a basket, I use it with a small bag. It unclips when i dont need it

from_atozinc

liamofT wrote: »

My gf has gone through quite a few they dont last.
Another option might be one of those seat post mounted carriers on the front there was a discussion on another thread about this recently.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056912575&page=2

I have the lidl "luggage carrier" mentioned on mine on the front instead of a basket, I use it with a small bag. It unclips when i dont need it

Thanks for the reply

With that lidl thing, are you getting the whole unit, ie. the but that attaches to the seat post and the strap thing ?

How do you find it ?

liamofT

from_atozinc wrote: »

Thanks for the reply

With that lidl thing, are you getting the whole unit, ie. the but that attaches to the seat post and the strap thing ?

How do you find it ?

Yes it came with attachment leg and strap. In the picture its mounted horizontally but you can also mount it vertically as i have done on mine
I also have panniers on my bike btw for shopping but i find it very handy for phone ,keys, glasses, gloves etc
Its only rated 5kg I think but there are other better quality versions from mainstream cycling shops.
When I use it I generally just unclip it bag and all and carry it with me.Its aluminium so its light.
It works for me as I dont like baskets

Ole Rodrigo

Why dont you just use a backpack ? I've a samsonite that I use for bi weekly shopping. Two trips gets me enough for 2 for the week. You can walk into the supermarket, do your shopping, fill it at the checkout ( or at the counter beyond it ), unlock your bike and off you go. No faffin about with panniers and all the rest. Its ideal if the journey is short. If it is long then panniers might be a better bet.

More dignified than a basket anyway.

from_atozinc

ror_74 wrote: »

Why dont you just use a backpack ? I've a samsonite that I use for bi weekly shopping. Two trips gets me enough for 2 for the week. You can walk into the supermarket, do your shopping, fill it at the checkout ( or at the counter beyond it ), unlock your bike and off you go. No faffin about with panniers and all the rest. Its ideal if the journey is short. If it is long then panniers might be a better bet.

More dignified than a basket anyway.

as someone else suggested, backpacks can be a pain

gerrowadat

Depending on how hard you're going, panniers can be easier on you - a backpack or messenger bag can unbalance you slightly, even more than if you're using a pannier on only one side. If you get a decent rack and set of them they can clip on and off in a second, good for having the likes of a pump and tube forgotten in the bottom so you'll always have them.

endacl

gerrowadat wrote: »

Depending on how hard you're going, panniers can be easier on you - a backpack or messenger bag can unbalance you slightly, even more than if you're using a pannier on only one side. If you get a decent rack and set of them they can clip on and off in a second, good for having the likes of a pump and tube forgotten in the bottom so you'll always have them.

And tyre levers! No point in having a cupboard full o' food if you've no tin opener!

Squidgy Black

I've a medium timbuk2 messenger bag, and I've carried a whole weeks worth of shopping a few times. If you get a bag with a decent stabiliser strap and a padded shoulder that doesn't slip, you can't tell it's there most of the time.

Ole Rodrigo

gerrowadat wrote: »

Depending on how hard you're going, panniers can be easier on you - a backpack or messenger bag can unbalance you slightly, even more than if you're using a pannier on only one side. If you get a decent rack and set of them they can clip on and off in a second, good for having the likes of a pump and tube forgotten in the bottom so you'll always have them.

if you wear a messenger bag properly it doesn't make any difference to your balance. A backpack is better for more items and weight, I find, but can be a slog in an upright position over a long distance. Still doesn't make much difference unless you were wobbly to begin with, and its good for fitness. Panniers are inconvenient to carry around a supermarket unless you take extra bags and then pack the panniers at your bike, which is a PITA compared to a backpack.

You learn quickly to adjust to changes in your balance, in any case.

from_atozinc

In regard to bike Handlebars, see attached pic and the circled bit


Is there a name on these type handlebars or the sticky up bit ?

What do people think of these sticky up bits ? Do they make riding easier , less strain on wrists etc.

Can these sticky up bits be bought and just attached to standard handlebars ?
in sayin this you would need to change the grips too I presume to allow the sticky up bit to slot in

lots of questions again and crude terminiology - sticky up bits, sorry

endacl

They're just called 'bar ends'. A good idea. They'll give you another riding position. I wouldn't do without them on mine.

from_atozinc

endacl wrote: »

They're just called 'bar ends'. A good idea. They'll give you another riding position. I wouldn't do without them on mine.

OH ok so "bar ends" is what they are called
Me going in to a shop and asking for sticky up things would not sound right : )

Do they normally fit on to an existing handle bar

Presume the process would be

1. Get rid of old grips ( as mine dont have a hole )
2. install new grips with a hole in them
3. Slot the bar ends through the hole in new grips, dunno if they need to be allen keyed to something

Job done

endacl

from_atozinc wrote: »

OH ok so "bar ends" is what they are called
Me going in to a shop and asking for sticky up things would not sound right : )

Do they normally fit on to an existing handle bar

Presume the process would be

1. Get rid of old grips ( as mine dont have a hole )
2. install new grips with a hole in them
3. Slot the bar ends through the hole in new grips, dunno if they need to be allen keyed to something

Job done

Almost. The bar ends just clamp on, secured with an allen bolt. Just slide the new grips in, leaving enough handlebar clear to attach the ends to.

Trust me, once you get the ends, you'll see exactly how they attach.

from_atozinc

endacl wrote: »

Almost. The bar ends just clamp on, secured with an allen bolt. Just slide the new grips in, leaving enough handlebar clear to attach the ends to.

Trust me, once you get the ends, you'll see exactly how they attach.

sound

So essentially, I have to buy new grips and then the bar ends.

or is there suck a thing where the bar end and grip is all the one unit

endacl

from_atozinc wrote: »

sound

So essentially, I have to buy new grips and then the bar ends.

or is there suck a thing where the bar end and grip is all the one unit

I've never seen them as a single unit, but that doesn't mean such a thing doesn't exist. Wouldn't be standard though.

Do you really need new grips though? Couldn't you just cut the ends off the ones you have?

from_atozinc

endacl wrote: »

I've never seen them as a single unit, but that doesn't mean such a thing doesn't exist. Wouldn't be standard though.

Do you really need new grips though? Couldn't you just cut the ends off the ones you have?

im not sure.

Do these bar ends normally slot through the holes in the handlebar

OR

actually attach to the handlebar ?

I have big hands so dont want to lose hand space. I would lose hand space if the bar ends only attached handlebar, if you know what I mean

endacl

from_atozinc wrote: »

im not sure.

Do these bar ends normally slot through the holes in the handlebar

OR

actually attach to the handlebar ?

I have big hands so dont want to lose hand space. I would lose hand space if the bar ends only attached handlebar, if you know what I mean

You'll only lose about a centimetre off each end!

Yeah, the clamp goes on to the bare end of the handlebar.

Here:

endacl

Actually, that hairspray tip is a good one. Never would have thought of that...

from_atozinc

endacl wrote: »

Actually, that hairspray tip is a good one. Never would have thought of that...

Thanks yet again endacl.
So essentially I wouldn't be losing any grip length as I could just shift the gear and brake levers in a bit.

And I could just put make a hole in my existing grip and push it in.
at the moment I have this type of grip

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/ergon-gs1-lightweight/rp-prod63927