FINALLY.....I got my tourer!!!

[dynamick]

I'm thinking of getting the The Revolutionary Country Traveller '10 myself, I haven't tried disc brakes, but know they wouldn't be for me.

How do you get a discount - is there a voucher you have to use? Do you have to print something off to get the discount in the shop?

The disc brakes didn't suit me, I knew they'd take some getting used to - but what you should do is maybe get a test ride from the shop and make your decision like I did, based on that.

The discount was 15% and I registered my interest for the new Sheffield shop on their website, although they didn't email me the discount voucher - they'd got my details on computer and honoured the voucher without me producing it.

If you go to the EBC website, you can register your interest (or you could) in the new shop and they'll send you a catalogue and a drinks bottle out too! The voucher is only for the SHEFFIELD shop but as people on here pointed out to me, EBC do have regular sales (15%) on their own brands...so keep your eyes peeled if you're not around Sheffield.

Hope that helps.

 

[dynamick]

I'm taking the bicycle in for a 6 week free check up tomorrow as I've got a slight concern about a tapping/cracking noise.

It sounds like it's coming from the bottom bracket - after talking with the mechanic at the shop, he reckons it's likely to be the pedal or the bearings in the bottom bracket (although they're brand new so both should be ok). Like any machinery - things can break or can be faulty.....it's not stopping my enjoyment of the bike that much...it's just annoying and intermittent.....it's not constant and not uphill or downhill...just every now and then when the pedals turn!

Also had a problem with the pannier clips.....two have broken off already....they're good at EBC - taking them back tomorrow for a replacement, might even see if I can swap them for the "one compartment" pannier or the Ortlieb for a few quid more.

Also thinking about some cycling clothing while I'm over there....I just can't help myself when I go into a cycle shop can I?

I'll let you know what the outcome is, good or bad

 

[bauldbairn]

Not good to hear about the bottom bracket problems on your bike Mick. We'll find out how good EBC are by how they deal with your problem.

The EBC own range of clothing is made by Endura - and is pretty good quality.

Their Easter Weekend 15% off sale just finished on Monday night too!

Are you still enjoying your bike?

 

[ACS]

Can recommend these from EBC

3 season gloves.

Hardwearing, very comfortable, washable and durable.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Can recommend these from EBC

3 season gloves.

Hardwearing, very comfortable, washable and durable.

+1

Decent enough for walking in too....so dual purpose!

 

[dynamick]

Well I took my Traveller in to the Sheffield EBC.....and what can I say??? WONDERFUL SERVICE AGAIN GUYS!!!

First up, they remembered me from when I bought it, the lad that sold it me was gutted that I'd had to bring it back, really apologetic - but it's like I said - it's a piece of something inside the bike that had worn/broke/hadn't been manufactured right - it wasn't their fault! LOL

So the mechanic (who's name I can't remember) was there waiting for me, he took it for a quick ride, took my word on the bottom bracket diagnosis as he couldn't hear anything.....stripped down, new bottom bracket put in (a much more expensive one as they didn't have the standard one in!)....now it's running beautiful again.

I also took my pannier bags back as the hooks on the back had cracked and they exchanged them for a set of Altura ones (which were out of stock when I bought these)....much more practical for me, not as many pockets but more space - lovely pannier bags!

Just one question......(and forgive my lack of cycling knowledge and terminology)....where the bottom bracket sits, I think they forgot to put the little silver cover back on where the pedals attach....one side has a silver cover on and the other one doesn't....I think in their haste to sort it out quickly (because I was pressed for time)...they left it off. I know it's a complete sealed unit, I'm not bothered about "how it looks" as it's hidden - am I ok to ride it, not wanting to risk any other problems with it.....the thing is - it's a nightmare for me to get back to the shop (I live miles away!)

Here's a picture of it....hope it's clear enough....


Cheers in advance again guys.
Mick

 

[Muddyfox]

Which Altura panniers did you get Mick ?

Simon

 

[mcshroom]

Sounds like good service.

I lost one of the dust covers on my mtb and have been using it without one. Not noticed any problems yet, I think they're just cosmetic

On the rack mounted light, I've got a Cateye LD500 on my rack (the cheapest one in stock in my LBS at the time) which I'm not sure is bright enough, but I the Blackburn Mars 4.0 is rack mountable and has more power. I'm thinking about upgrading to that one next winter.

 

[dynamick]

Which Altura panniers did you get Mick ?

Simon

Hi Simon

I went for these http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...7&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003154c003119c003126

A bit more expensive but they did me 15% off and they're bigger....HUGE space inside with just a little pouch to stick things in like mobile phone wallet etc.

Love em - and they have a reassuring "click" when they snap on!

PS - The bike just feels soooooo much smoother with the new bottom bracket thing on...maybe I'm just imagining it - but now the clicking has gone....I'm loving it even more!

 

[dav1d]

Hi All!

After many months of waiting and many indecisions on my part, after almost buying a bicycle (Specialised Tricross) that I didn't really want.......I held firm and took some good advice from some friendly CycleChat forum members and waited for the Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative to open their shop in Sheffield....which they did yesterday and I was there with my 15% off!

Firstly.....the customer service was amazing, the manager was a top bloke - helping the new staff where he needed to and the guy who dealt with me (Dan) was an absolute star. After giving them some ID, I took two tourers out for a good old test ride round and about the shop (big industrial estate and not much traffic!)

The first bike (The Revolutionary Country Traveller '10) £499 was the first drop bar bike I've ever ridden (current bike a Giant Boulder). Quite scary at first getting used to the gear shift and brake position, let alone the ride position...almost fell off in the car park! LOL Well it was a cracking ride, lovely and smooth and nippy up the little hills I managed to find, good gear changing, breaks nice and responsive and just felt really well put together.

The second bike (The Revolutionary Country Explorer '10) £649 similar to the Traveller but steel frame, posher saddle, disc brakes and sora shifters and a different gear setup...was the bike I really wanted. I took that for a ride out, the disc brakes scared me to death, really didn't get on with them that well and made a bit of a whooshing sound (which apparently would wear off after a good ride) but it just didn't do it for me the same way as the Traveller. The gears felt a bit clunky and I didn't feel at home on it.

The lad in the shop knew exactly which one I was going to go for....he said the smile wasn't quite as wide on my return to the shop after the second test ride.

Anyway.....The Country Traveller, set of decent panniers, cycling shorts, underseat bag/tool box, water carrier, gloves, lights etc...all to be delivered this Friday direct from EBC in Edinburgh....all in £530 after my 15% discount

Sounds like you got a bargain. I ordered the same bike last week from the manchester store, collected it yersterday and paid approx £691 for the bike, a set of Revolution bike lights, the magnetic dynamo lights, two water bottle cages, a water bottle (the bike comes with one free waterbottle but no cages strangely!), a different seat, and a set of the Revolution waterproof panniers.

 

[dav1d]

The disc brakes didn't suit me, I knew they'd take some getting used to - but what you should do is maybe get a test ride from the shop and make your decision like I did, based on that.

The discount was 15% and I registered my interest for the new Sheffield shop on their website, although they didn't email me the discount voucher - they'd got my details on computer and honoured the voucher without me producing it.

If you go to the EBC website, you can register your interest (or you could) in the new shop and they'll send you a catalogue and a drinks bottle out too! The voucher is only for the SHEFFIELD shop but as people on here pointed out to me, EBC do have regular sales (15%) on their own brands...so keep your eyes peeled if you're not around Sheffield.

Hope that helps.

Thanks. Sadly I didn't get any discounts, even got a mate who was with me to be cheeky and ask, but to no avail, so everything was full price. I went with the Country Traveller, it was cheaper and I have no idea about disc brakes and decided to stick with what I know. I did have trouble at first with the gears though - couldn't work out how to change them - only discovered how to by accident using the brakes!

 

[dynamick]

Sounds like you got a bargain. I ordered the same bike last week from the manchester store, collected it yersterday and paid approx £691 for the bike, a set of Revolution bike lights, the magnetic dynamo lights, two water bottle cages, a water bottle (the bike comes with one free waterbottle but no cages strangely!), a different seat, and a set of the Revolution waterproof panniers.

Well it's been a while since I posted but I just saw you'd replied David so I thought I'd give you all an update.

Since I had the bottom bracket sorted, it's been great - no more clicking on it and after looking online for advice on adjusting the gears - I've now got it set perfectly as it was slipping a little bit in the lower gears.

I can honestly say it's a beautiful bike - I could have spent more (I had a bigger budget if needed) but it does EXACTLY what I want. I do two journeys a week to Morrisons for my shopping (up one hill unloaded and back down it fully loaded!), I've been out and about doing a few long runs on it on Sundays and hope to have a ride out to the coast in a few weeks when it warms up just a tad!

I've treated myself to a set of bib shorts and racing jersey (not sure of the quality because they were cheap but got good reviews) and I'm planning a few longer rides in the summer.

Just to re-enforce what others have said about what terrain you can take these on. The roads around here are not the best and there's one or two tow paths I use too - all of which are no worse than when I had my old hybrid bike.

Anyway - bottom line (for David and for anyone else who might be thinking of getting one) - JUST DO IT!!!! You seriously won't regret it!

 

[dav1d]

Well it's been a while since I posted but I just saw you'd replied David so I thought I'd give you all an update.

Since I had the bottom bracket sorted, it's been great - no more clicking on it and after looking online for advice on adjusting the gears - I've now got it set perfectly as it was slipping a little bit in the lower gears.

I can honestly say it's a beautiful bike - I could have spent more (I had a bigger budget if needed) but it does EXACTLY what I want. I do two journeys a week to Morrisons for my shopping (up one hill unloaded and back down it fully loaded!), I've been out and about doing a few long runs on it on Sundays and hope to have a ride out to the coast in a few weeks when it warms up just a tad!

I've treated myself to a set of bib shorts and racing jersey (not sure of the quality because they were cheap but got good reviews) and I'm planning a few longer rides in the summer.

Just to re-enforce what others have said about what terrain you can take these on. The roads around here are not the best and there's one or two tow paths I use too - all of which are no worse than when I had my old hybrid bike.

Anyway - bottom line (for David and for anyone else who might be thinking of getting one) - JUST DO IT!!!! You seriously won't regret it!

Some of the roads around here are terrible, my average speed is probably slower due to slowing down to avoid cracks in the road etc, there seem to be plenty near Salford uni. Only just got the bike, so not done any big rides yet (my biggest distance I ever did was actually on a BSO when I decided to take the risk of being stranded, so obviously I need to beat that!). The bike seemed easy enough to use up hills even before I worked out the gears! May need he seat lowering a little though, as I have to stretch a bit to reach the drops if I ride on the drops.

All my family and relations are saying I am mad to spend that much on a bike (most I've ever spent before is just under 90 pound on a BSO!), despite my protests that this is better for my needs and will outlast BSOS...

 

[dynamick]

Some of the roads around here are terrible, my average speed is probably slower due to slowing down to avoid cracks in the road etc, there seem to be plenty near Salford uni. Only just got the bike, so not done any big rides yet (my biggest distance I ever did was actually on a BSO when I decided to take the risk of being stranded, so obviously I need to beat that!). The bike seemed easy enough to use up hills even before I worked out the gears! May need he seat lowering a little though, as I have to stretch a bit to reach the drops if I ride on the drops.

All my family and relations are saying I am mad to spend that much on a bike (most I've ever spent before is just under 90 pound on a BSO!), despite my protests that this is better for my needs and will outlast BSOS...

Takes a bit of adjusting and getting to used to David, took me a good few runs before I was comfortable with the seat, the gears and the brakes (almost flipped into a ditch on my second test run - I've never used drops before and I didn't get the squeeeeze right on the braking!)

My dad said I was crackers buying this one, "bloody fortune...buy a car instead"....but even he admires the bike now and sees why I love it so much.

I'm not tend to ride mainly with my hands on top of the drops and only really go into the drop position when I'm up a big hill or down a big hill - just how I ride I suppose.

However you ride it....you'll find it gets better and better each time - oh and trust me, if you have a problem with it, phone the shop up - if they're anything like the lads at Sheffield (and I'm told they're just as good)....they'll bend over backwards to help.

 

[dav1d]

I could always adjust the seat myself (just being lazy). It's fine for using the hoods, just not the drops.
I've always in the past not been able to use drop handlebars for some reason, always had to be straight bars or use the hoods of drops. Strangely, after buying an old Peugeot carbolite (it was too small for me, but I was always comfortable on it - apart from on bumpy roads, and especially cobbles!!!), I tried the drops, and could actually use them the first time! Funny after thinking that drops weren't for me. I swapped the seat on the Revolution as I'd never been comfortable with that type of seat, but kept it as a spare.
I was paranoid I was going to fall off on my first run - is it me or is this bike fast?
What do you do to brake correctly on it, do you have to squeeze the levers hard?

Takes a bit of adjusting and getting to used to David, took me a good few runs before I was comfortable with the seat, the gears and the brakes (almost flipped into a ditch on my second test run - I've never used drops before and I didn't get the squeeeeze right on the braking!)

My dad said I was crackers buying this one, "bloody fortune...buy a car instead"....but even he admires the bike now and sees why I love it so much.

I'm not tend to ride mainly with my hands on top of the drops and only really go into the drop position when I'm up a big hill or down a big hill - just how I ride I suppose.

However you ride it....you'll find it gets better and better each time - oh and trust me, if you have a problem with it, phone the shop up - if they're anything like the lads at Sheffield (and I'm told they're just as good)....they'll bend over backwards to help.