Low maintenance winter/hack bike

[GrumpyGregry]

The CTW rules say that it has to be a bike, but you can then add certain accessories and clothing. Last year, I got a nifty custom Brompton, but this is because Brompton have a system for ordering a new bike in the spec you want.

Provided Evans deliver you a complete bike, even if they build it up from component parts, it qualifies as a CTW* machine. My Surosa was built to order/custom specification last year in exactly that way. It wasn't an ots bike.

I know of at least one scheme member in another forum who had £1000 worth of bits delivered unassembled in a box to his office for self assembly thus getting a bit more bang for his buck

 

[GrumpyGregry]

very easy, there's a twisty dial for each pad, inboard and outboard, which can be turned by hand no problem, the inboard one being trickier for obvious reasons, especially for the fat fingered like me. They have indexed clicks on them, clockwise to wind the pad in and vice versa, about as simple a mechanical adjustment as I've seen on a bike.

have your red twisty dials not disintegrated yet? Mine have. Turning them by hand when they are dirty and claggy is nigh impossible and I think the plastic age hardens anyway so when you exert a vice like grip it's goodnight from him....

 

[MacB]

have your red twisty dials not disintegrated yet? Mine have. Turning them by hand when they are dirty and claggy is nigh impossible and I think the plastic age hardens anyway so when you exert a vice like grip it's goodnight from him....

No problems so far, but you can use the torque key to turn them instead - I'd guess any plastic bit would go with age, can these be replaced?

 

[gadgetmind]

Thanks, that's worth knowing, but I've probably left it too late this year as all the paperwork needs to be done by the end of the month.

BTW, I see reports that the mixer is supplied with very high gearing (bottom in the high 30s and top about 140"!) and I'd need to fit new chainwheel and sprocket pretty much straight away.

http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=45265&start=60

Is nothing ever easy?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

No problems so far, but you can use the torque key to turn them instead - I'd guess any plastic bit would go with age, can these be replaced?

yeah, bit of a pain to find, you know how LBSs are with small parts, but I got some online.

 

[gadgetmind]

OK, I'm going for the Sub 10, the orange one rather than the slightly gay white and green version with unisex frame!

I'm also going to get their "Urban Kit" with mudguards and sidestand, but will fit a proper rack rather than their mudguard mounted one.

Ian

 

[400bhp]

but the CTW scheme is kicking off again, and the idea of only paying 44p in the £1 for a new bike is just too tempting.

Does your employer provide a large subsidy then?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

OK, I'm going for the Sub 10, the orange one rather than the slightly gay white and green version with unisex frame!

I'm also going to get their "Urban Kit" with mudguards and sidestand, but will fit a proper rack rather than their mudguard mounted one.

Ian

wtf? am I five again, in the playground and hearing 'gay' be used as a word for crap, lame, rubbish, etc? Nope checked calendar it is 2011.

(Now waiting for someone to tell me to lighten up, and no, before you ask, I'm not.)

 

[Moodyman]

Thanks, that's worth knowing, but I've probably left it too late this year as all the paperwork needs to be done by the end of the month.

BTW, I see reports that the mixer is supplied with very high gearing (bottom in the high 30s and top about 140"!) and I'd need to fit new chainwheel and sprocket pretty much straight away.

http://forum.ctc.org...=45265&start=60

Is nothing ever easy?

Get the Mixer 8. Cheaper and unless you really need 140" gear, you'll have 8 usable gears.

Bottom gear is 31" which gets me up all the hills round hilly West Yorkshire. 8th gear gets me up to 34/35 mph before I spin out.

The Mixer isn't just good to look at. It's geometry rewards with great acceleration and handling which encourages you to go flat out.

 

[gadgetmind]

Does your employer provide a large subsidy then?

There is a 10% discount off the bike, no VAT to pay, and what's left is paid from gross pay before 40% tax and 2% NI are creamed off.

 

[gadgetmind]

Get the Mixer 8. Cheaper and unless you really need 140" gear, you'll have 8 usable gears.

Bottom gear is 31" which gets me up all the hills round hilly West Yorkshire. 8th gear gets me up to 34/35 mph before I spin out.

The Mixer isn't just good to look at. It's geometry rewards with great acceleration and handling which encourages you to go flat out.

Ahhhhhrrrghh, my brain hurts, too many choices!

I like the finish on the Mixer 11 but the price gearing of the Mixer 8. I wonder if Evans can get a Mixer 8 in the silver finish?

Good to know about gearing on the Mixer 8. Do you find toe/wheel interference to to a problem?

 

[Moodyman]

Ahhhhhrrrghh, my brain hurts, too many choices!

I like the finish on the Mixer 11 but the price gearing of the Mixer 8. I wonder if Evans can get a Mixer 8 in the silver finish?

Good to know about gearing on the Mixer 8. Do you find toe/wheel interference to to a problem?

Wouldn't say a problem, but toe overlap is an issue initially. Especially as I've SKS guards and the mudguard stays protrude about 3 cms past the guard (2010 Mixer didn't come with mudguards)

You quickly realise not to pedal as you turn sharply. Becomes second nature. I often twist and turn in tight traffic gaps and have had no toe overlap issues for as long as I can remember.

 

[gadgetmind]

Thanks, I'll put a Mixer 8 back onto the list.

I'm also told it's quite heavy, but any bike would be once you've added mudguards, rack, and the 3kg lock required in Leeds.