Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
What about the poor boy's street cred
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Bike for cycling in Edinburgh
- Thread starter Anonymous1502
- Start date
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steveindenmark
Legendary Member
If you saw it you wouldnt want to steal it. If you knew anything about bikes you would think it was so smart what he has done. He even stripped the frame and had it painted faux pas rust. I saw a motorbike like this. It looked total junk and sounded perfect .What about the poor boy's street cred
Do uni studets have street cred? Dont you need to earn it 😁
flake99please
We all scream for ice cream
- Location
- Edinburgh
By all means get the Allez for your more substantial rides. Pick up a second hand hack bike for your uni run.
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BalkanExpress
Legendary Member
- Location
- Brussels
I am with @flake99please and the two bike solution.
However, if you do go down the good bike only route, in addition to a couple of very good locks and insurance cover, you would be advised to dress it down during the week. Wrap some old inner tubes around the main frame tubes, this will protect the paint and make the bike look less attractive to thieves, slap a plastic bag over the saddle when you lock it up and make sure you have grubby old bar-tape.
However, if you do go down the good bike only route, in addition to a couple of very good locks and insurance cover, you would be advised to dress it down during the week. Wrap some old inner tubes around the main frame tubes, this will protect the paint and make the bike look less attractive to thieves, slap a plastic bag over the saddle when you lock it up and make sure you have grubby old bar-tape.
SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
Absolutely not, loads and loads of these get stolen. In a lot of situations, the kind of bike you would like to own and the kind of bike you can be reasonably sure will still be where you left it when you come back to it, are NOT the same thing. Get some ratty old hack, and give it a really shite paint job with a rattle can, so it looks as unattractive as possible. Then you've got a good chance of not getting it nicked.
avecReynolds531
Veteran
- Location
- Small Island
Welcome and hope you enjoy time in Edinburgh. +1 that a rat bike is the way to go for cycling to & from University, shopping etc. A road bike would be best kept inside your accommodation and only brought out for the long rides.
Sadly, I don't think the Allez would last long if left out in the streets, and I reckon you can get better value: the University has a useful web page on bike options here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/transport/cycling/getting-a-bike/second-hand-bikes
If you are used to cycling in London, then potholes, broken glass, pollution and bad driving will all be familiar. Differences to consider (as other people have said already):
1. It rains a hell of a lot more in Edinburgh than in London - you'll get soaked regularly. Mudguards make a big difference in keeping a rider and bike in good condition.
2. Cobbled streets are still plentiful. They are uncomfortable - will rattle you to the point of headache - and are pitiless in the wet. Like black ice, you can be on the ground before you know anything about it.
3. Edinburgh is hillier than London. That's good for fitness, but may be an initial shock if you've been cycling in London (outside of Hampstead & Crystal Palace).
4. The tram lines & safety.
5. There are some dedicated cycle paths but of varying quality - when I was there, they were plagued with broken glass and I've been stoned by local yobs. Road.cc reported last week that there are still problems: https://road.cc/content/news/dundee-cyclists-arm-broken-after-teen-jumps-out-him-274545
Don't let any of this put you off - there's a lot of good cycling not too far out of the city. Definitely take the Innerleithen road over the Moorfoot hills, and out through Gifford into the Lammermuir hills.
The Water of Leith Walkway is good too: but offroad & it can get muddy (did we say it rains a lot?).
One of the best circuits is around Salisbury Crags/ Arthur's Seat, which is handily round the corner from the main University campus.
All the best!
Sadly, I don't think the Allez would last long if left out in the streets, and I reckon you can get better value: the University has a useful web page on bike options here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/transport/cycling/getting-a-bike/second-hand-bikes
If you are used to cycling in London, then potholes, broken glass, pollution and bad driving will all be familiar. Differences to consider (as other people have said already):
1. It rains a hell of a lot more in Edinburgh than in London - you'll get soaked regularly. Mudguards make a big difference in keeping a rider and bike in good condition.
2. Cobbled streets are still plentiful. They are uncomfortable - will rattle you to the point of headache - and are pitiless in the wet. Like black ice, you can be on the ground before you know anything about it.
3. Edinburgh is hillier than London. That's good for fitness, but may be an initial shock if you've been cycling in London (outside of Hampstead & Crystal Palace).
4. The tram lines & safety.
5. There are some dedicated cycle paths but of varying quality - when I was there, they were plagued with broken glass and I've been stoned by local yobs. Road.cc reported last week that there are still problems: https://road.cc/content/news/dundee-cyclists-arm-broken-after-teen-jumps-out-him-274545
Don't let any of this put you off - there's a lot of good cycling not too far out of the city. Definitely take the Innerleithen road over the Moorfoot hills, and out through Gifford into the Lammermuir hills.
The Water of Leith Walkway is good too: but offroad & it can get muddy (did we say it rains a lot?).
One of the best circuits is around Salisbury Crags/ Arthur's Seat, which is handily round the corner from the main University campus.
All the best!
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Your best bet is to wait until you get to uni and visit this shop..https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/info/shop/bruntsfield-edinburgh/. it’s extremely well known with very experienced people who will advise you.When at Edinburgh uni ,my son bought two bikes there (one Second hand and one he built up from various different parts bought ther) and still uses the one he built ,despite having graduated 7 years go.He prefers drops and road style but many many people use urban , hybrid styles which they use to commute during the week and use on tours at the weekend .
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
i think he’s bought it already and is using it, an Allez if I remember correctly.
Anonymous1502
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the advice however I already purchased a bike, I just couldn't wait anylonger. I will keep your advice in mind in case I consider getting a 2nd bike. I bought a road bike
BigMeatball
Senior Member
OP, let us know when (more than if) your bike gets stolen.
Edinburgh is the absolute worst for bike theft.
Edinburgh is the absolute worst for bike theft.
Anonymous1502
Well-Known Member
I hope my bike won't be stolen I am considering keeping my bike in my room overnight instead of the bike shed.
BalkanExpress
Legendary Member
- Location
- Brussels
If you do decide to keep it in your room something like this may come in handy for making sure you don’t get muck everywhere, a big plastic sheet is cheaper but for everyday use soon becomes a pain .
https://www.bike24.com/p228908.html
BigMeatball
Senior Member
Wise choice
I keep my bike in my flat as in my building a few bikes have been stolen while locked in the communal stairwell.
SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
Keeping a bike in a flat is a bit different to keeping a bike in a room. I predict anyone with just a room is soon going to tire of tripping over a bike and trying to keep the road muck out of the room. Just run a rat bike and let it live outside like the majority do in such towns.
