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Dublin Bikes - any good?

  • 29-10-2012 3:07pm
    #1
    MrScootch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 98 ✭✭


    Just wondering if the Dublin Bikes thing is worth signing up for?

    I've tried using the Boris Bike thingy in London but it was not a pleasant experience thanks to the obnoxious thieving company that run it (they also run a few prisons - says it all). Spent far longer on the phone to call centres getting hefty incorrect charges refunded than cycling, and then the key thing stopped working but they wouldn't accept there was a problem. I gave up in the end... :mad:


Comments

  • #2
    luapenak
    Registered Users Posts: 311 ✭✭luapenak


    I think they're great. Signed up when they first came out and never had any such admin problems with them.


  • #3
    Profiler
    Registered Users Posts: 1,327 ✭✭✭Profiler


    Same 100% positive experience here. Never had a problem with them.

    Great in the Summer for getting about town.

    I paid the €10 a year fee in Sept 2010 and have spent in total €0.50 on bike rental since.

    (ps - however buy your own helmet and bring with you at all times)


  • #4
    hardCopy
    Registered Users Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    Very pleasant experience here. Not always reliable if you commute though. I used to leave enough time to walk and if I got a bike it was a bonus since I worked flexi time. Most days I'd get it no bother.


  • #5
    Ole Rodrigo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,013 ✭✭✭Ole Rodrigo


    +1 . Ive been using them regularly since the start and have never had any problems.On the number of occasions I had to call them the issue was resolved quickly with no fuss. There are problems with bikes and spaces available at certain times, but its something you can work around. Beats walking around the city center imo


  • #6
    MrScootch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 98 ✭✭MrScootch


    Good to hear.
    Better get myself signed up then.
    :)


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  • #7
    du Maurier
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭du Maurier


    It is quite handy overall, but the cynic in me feels the emptying the bays is done only sporadically, leaving the user without a space to park up, thus having them lock it up til their first morning break and so incurring fines. It probably isn't the case but somewhat credible; also there isn't enough bays/spots to accommodate the amount of users imo, plus they could do with a few extra a little further out in suburbs with a huge catchment area of commuters.


  • #8
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users Posts: 24,949 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    Use them occasionally and never had any problems.


  • #9
    Dermot Illogical
    Registered Users Posts: 3,131 ✭✭✭Dermot Illogical


    I used them for a year and it only cost me a tenner. Other than some stations being empty from time to time I never had a problem with them. Great for getting around town in a hurry.

    226292.jpg


  • #10
    shed head
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 196 ✭✭shed head


    they are bloody brilliant, best thing to hit Dublin since italia 90!


  • #11
    Rewind
    Registered Users Posts: 88 ✭✭Rewind


    Such a great set up IMO. Only major downside is trying to leave a bike back and there isn't any free space. Like wise when trying to get a bike and there are none. Over all I love it though. Had to deal with customer servie once and they seemed like a very decent bunch also.


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  • #12
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users Posts: 9,499 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    Brilliant set up, very handy. You pay a small fee after your free half hour, it's a great incentive to get back from the Howth hill or Wicklow mountain run (with the shopping).


  • #13
    padjo5
    Registered Users Posts: 536 ✭✭✭padjo5


    I signed up last night, it didn't specify, but do I get a card that I swipe to take a bike??


  • #14
    padjo5
    Registered Users Posts: 536 ✭✭✭padjo5


    I signed up last night, it didn't specify, but do I get a card that I swipe to take a bike??


  • #15
    DavyD_83
    Registered Users Posts: 1,991 ✭✭✭DavyD_83


    Another fan here. Although I really dopn't use it that often.

    I live and work a good bit out of catchment area; but love when i'm heading into town for something and for whatever reason not cycling the whole way. Always get off Luas at Charlemont (doesn't really matter where i'm headed) n go for a lil spin on one towards my destination.
    There's a handy Android Dublin Bikes App, that can give you up to date info on bikes and empty bays available at each stop (don't know about iPhone). I check it on the way n only head to a stand i know has a bike. Also only try checking in bike where i've confirmed there's empty bays.

    Enjoy!!


  • #16
    Dermot Illogical
    Registered Users Posts: 3,131 ✭✭✭Dermot Illogical


    DavyD_83 wrote: »
    There's a handy Android Dublin Bikes App, that can give you up to date info on bikes and empty bays available at each stop (don't know about iPhone).

    Yep, there's one for fanbois as well.
    :)


  • #17
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users Posts: 9,499 ✭✭✭John_Rambo


    padjo5 wrote: »
    I signed up last night, it didn't specify, but do I get a card that I swipe to take a bike??

    Yeah, and a pin number, you keep the card in your wallet, pass it in front of the scanner and enter in your pin number, press V for validate, choose what bike you want, ie bike 11 tap one one, press validate and you will hear the bike unlock and a beeping noise, stroll over, slide the bike from the lock, adjust the saddle and away you go.


  • #18
    Overthrow
    Registered Users Posts: 153 ✭✭Overthrow


    I love them. Only problem is that there aren't enough of them!

    I got a puncture on one and the feeling of dropping the bike back to a station, grabbing a different bike and the puncture being someone elses problem was great, in a highly appreciative way of course! This also shows what incredible value the service is given the work that goes on behind the scenes as the bikes are nearly always in perfect condition.


  • #19
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,741 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    John_Rambo wrote: »
    Yeah, and a pin number, you keep the card in your wallet, pass it in front of the scanner and enter in your pin number, press V for validate, choose what bike you want, ie bike 11 tap one one, press validate and you will hear the bike unlock and a beeping noise, stroll over, slide the bike from the lock, adjust the saddle and away you go.
    If there are a few bikes, I find it handy to identify one that has a saddle at about the right height for me, check that there are no punctures and then select that bike from the menu.


  • #20
    MadsL
    Registered Users Posts: 20,299 ✭✭✭✭MadsL


    226292.jpg

    footpads? To keep your feet comfy I guess?


  • #21
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,741 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    MadsL wrote: »
    226292.jpg

    footpads? To keep your feet comfy I guess?
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055434174


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  • #22
    DavyD_83
    Registered Users Posts: 1,991 ✭✭✭DavyD_83


    Overthrow wrote: »
    I love them. Only problem is that there aren't enough of them!

    I got a puncture on one and the feeling of dropping the bike back to a station, grabbing a different bike and the puncture being someone elses problem was great, in a highly appreciative way of course! This also shows what incredible value the service is given the work that goes on behind the scenes as the bikes are nearly always in perfect condition.

    Apparently DB Etiquette with punctures etc is to turn the saddle to point backwards on damaged bikes.
    Other people would then see this as an out of order bikle and take a different one, and the mechanic lads will spot it quicker and get it repaired.
    Sounds like a simple and effective system; not sure if it's one of these magical unwritten rules that only a select few know about. One of my mates just mentioned it the other day.


  • #23
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    Considering the bikes are <20c/week they're reasonable. However they're very heavy, have poor brakes, have brakes on the wrong side, gears don't change down under load, Brake levers are poorly placed, grips tend to slip off handlebars in the wet.

    The response of the machines is pretty slow also, and there's two different types, those selling 3day tickets are even slower to operate.


  • #24
    wile1000
    Registered Users Posts: 73 ✭✭wile1000


    +1 on the whole DB experience. Joined before they officially launched, and love it. I tend to go against the general flow of bikes as well (or have learned quickly which stations fill faster than others) so mostly advantageous.
    DavyD_83 wrote: »
    Apparently DB Etiquette with punctures etc is to turn the saddle to point backwards on damaged bikes. Sounds like a simple and effective system; not sure if it's one of these magical unwritten rules that only a select few know about. One of my mates just mentioned it the other day.

    Yep, I've heard about it too. Did it only the other day infact!
    Dermot Illogical wrote: »
    Yep, there's one (app) for fanbois as well.
    :)

    There's one for Windows Phone as well. :D


  • #25
    MrScootch
    Closed Accounts Posts: 98 ✭✭MrScootch


    Carawaystick wrote: »
    Considering the bikes are <20c/week they're reasonable. However they're very heavy, have poor brakes, have brakes on the wrong side, gears don't change down under load, Brake levers are poorly placed, grips tend to slip off handlebars in the wet.

    Well... I don't think anyone is expecting a racing bike. I think we can all understand they're built to be robust and low maintenance. What do you mean though, which way round are the brakes?


  • #26
    Sin_J
    Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭Sin_J


    Are there any more of these unofficial rules apart from the saddle thing on broken bikes?

    A quick google got me nothing and it would be handy to know.


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