If you can climb the hills now at ALL, it'll be no problem in a couple weeks. Your leg muscles are atrophied, compared to what they will be then. With just 1.7 miles per leg, you could even do the "walk of shame" up a hill here and there and still get to work quickly.

Yep, we have a saying: "Be bold, start cold", knowing that we'll quickly warm up. However, with just a 1.7 mile commute, sometimes the warm-up happens after we've just parked the bike...

Yes, it's a very different experience than driving, right?! We used to say amongst motorcyclists: "Driving a car is like watching a movie, riding a motorcycle is like being IN the movie." It's even moreso on a bicycle, as we add the element of exercise, body heat & sweat, etc. Because of all this, you will find your days at the desk more bearable. You'll arrive fully awake and energized. When you DO drive, you'll miss the ride.

Ha! Silly narrow-minded cagers! :D

With a 1.7 mile commute in a fairly temperate area, you really don't need electric unless there are killer hills or lots of stuff to carry. You would lose most of the exercise aspect. Take it from me, as I commute on electric much of the time on my 2 mile commute. I ride big miles with the bike club, so I don't really need the commuting exercise in the late spring, summer and fall. I'm averaging 105 miles/week recently, commuting just being icing on the cake. We short range commuters often deliberately ADD mileage to the commute, to get a longer ride in. Or do the grocery shopping on the way home, etc.

Brompton are allegedly top quality, the most compact fold, and easiest to bring around with you inside buildings & transit. There are other high end folders, such as and some Terns. Tern are considered a bit higher end than Dahon here in the States; we can buy them locally and get good local service on them, where it's absent with Dahon.


What the heck are druggies doing in the gym? You mean steroids? :wtf:



Believe it or not, you have the ideal build for a cyclist. Short means less frontal area for aerodynamic drag. Skinny means less weight to haul up the hills. You'll build the leg muscles you need along the way. Many of us struggle to get weight down; we have so much chemical-laden, ultra-processed foods here and so little education on it.

Keep at it bro! You're younger than most of us, yet you can already feel the effects of age sneaking up on you. You'll find that once you integrate cycling into your life, you'll feel 10 years younger. You know that what means, right? → That it wasn't really age but sloth. I'm 20 years older than you and I'm so full of energy since I started cycling. (and even moreso now that I'm not drinking) I still play soccer in the park with my daughter and her friends and I'm going to be 50 next year.

Right now, you're thinking in terms of your girlfriend's apartment. But if you stay together long-term, maybe you'll go in together and get a slightly bigger place in the city. Maybe somewhere you feel you don't need a car at ALL? Or maybe get her a folder too, and you'll have a pair of folders to out together on. That'd be romantic!

Don't look now, but YOU'RE DOING IT! You've already done the hardest part, which is making a good start. You'll figure out all the little logistics along the way, maybe with some help from your buddies here at BikeForums. ;)

Also, on a bicycle, you smell more than in a car, probably more than on a motorcycle, though I'm not sure. I love the ability to smell, even though not all of the scents are pleasant.

Maybe a bit more, as on a motorcycle, smells are more fleeting. Certain smells would be missed during the exhale.

Hey Smaug1 , just reading your reply - after getting back to you via PM but will respond here and add some general updates for the thread regarding 'barriers'! I am quite proud of myself for getting up the hills. I've faced, in just three days, 95% of all steep, horrible hills and routes through the commute path. Some are a standing affair, but never walking / pushing the bike so far. I was thinking / hoping that, that it would get 'easy' but then some people on here and in the bike shop remarked 'on a single speed it'll never feel easier' but I believe you more.



The coldness, in fairness, I feel even when I commute by car. Again my commute is around 10-15 minutes because of traffic despite being 3 miles and that's slow, so the engine barely heats up enough for 'satisfying' warmth and the air blown in face is quite cold to begin with. I've felt noticeably warm about 8 minutes in which is positive.



I did miss being out in that perfect morning this morning, as all the time in the car is spent at best, getting a quick glance at the scenery, 95% watching traffic like a hawk, trying to anticipate and respond to people who will cut out, or speed past etc. I think a few days away from driving made my mind much calmer, but other times it has been a major source of stress.



I definitely don't need electric. Although I terms of being able to carry more groceries or things, a big Gazelle commuter with Bosch motor and racks all around would be so cool. I'm just limited to a folder with my gf's apartment for now. We discussed getting a vertical shed for the tiny little cement bit behind that is hers but not a real 'garden', but I got paranoid thinking if people target me for riding a multi-thousand pound bike, even a little shed like that might not be hard to break into. Maybe I'm over thinking that? The idea is worth exploring as to be honest, reading the Brompton site re their electric system, wasn't as blown away as I hoped from a premium quality brand's efforts.



Terns are my absolute dream! The 'Haul' models. Where are they from, Taiwan? Some Dahon's look pretty cool too. I remember from 2016 reading the big debate on the 16" wheels of Brompton vs the 20" wheels they use and which is better. Think bigger is better, except for matters of practicality when folding / carrying it?



Yes, by druggies I meant steroids. You know, I walk past that gym sometimes. Big chain. 24/7 one. So much rubbish, and the self employed personal trainers all park their usually Audis up on the path right outside blocking the footpath. Some parts of car ownership / owners sicken me, even as one myself.



Funny you mention it, I've been cutting out and aware of ultra processed food a lot since this year. Read a popular book on it, maybe you have too actually? Authors name is van something. Eye opening. Things like nuts, eggs, fresh meat/fish, minimal seasoning. Don't get me wrong still eating crap in between but the way it makes me feel versus whole foods is so much more obvious now. So many things laden in salt. I thought salt and sugar was the enemy but too many carbs appears to be quite bad, AND, all these emulsifiers… chemicals and bonding things, or separation things which scarily… continue to bond or separate as far down as in your body / at a cellular level causing all sorts of issues. Terrifying indeed.



I'll make another post below actually with a more general update on how the week has went.

So first week of commuting to work/college done.

THE HIGHS:

• even this heavy, single speed folder whilst I definitely feel it, having not cycled at all for over a year, isn't impossible. I do need to stand up and walk-cycle from much earlier on than I remember on previous full size, geared bikes but when I do, I zip up steadily and only occasionally have to stop for a rest, which has more to do with how steep the hill is, as opposed to length of the climb overall. Our city is around a river, so my main length on both sides of the water is a beautifully flat, car-free, tree clad or river view cycle path or shared path. Then when I get to the other side, hills, and intensive hills at that.
• wearing normal clothes has also been completely fine. I've found wearing my winter thermal under vest just as a shirt under a hoodie has been more than fine this week. We've had unprecedented blue sky, sunny days and the heat to match which we usually rarely get. I'd rather be slightly too warm than cold. No rain has meant no getting soaked or soiling of clothes from mud. The Apollo Tuck has mud guards but never tested them yet. I have had gloves and a bright yellow cycle windproof / waterproof tucked away in the backpack just in case. I put the windproof coat on yesterday morning to help me heat up faster. Changing into a t-shirt or jumper when I get to my destination (such as college on Wednesday where there is no shower) has worked fine and this is as 'warm' as our weather gets, which is to say quite chilly and shaded in the mornings. I'd like to see how this changes on a rainy day and how my experience of that short lived horribly-cold phase goes. The wind has also been present, sometimes making it noticeably more resistant to cycle even along the flat quay. I wonder IF this will be an issue if it's a little stronger on a dull, rainy day which would be 80% of the year here.
• Locking up the bike has went well. Locking it in the multistory at work to a railing, then actually a few metres down the quay where bike locking is open to anyone. At college they oddly have no cycle parking but I found a gate/fence right beside the door with someone else who locked up on it so decided to do the same which was handy as I normally parked my car at work and did a 5 minute walk down otherwise.
• No traffic, no parking and no driver stress. All week at my girlfriends I've enjoyed not having my car outside. Not worried about people parking in the few public spaces around there. Not worried about the kids playing / damaging the cars which they very much do although probably don't realise (the kids mostly have parents who don't drive and as such, have not yet developed any notion of why damaging a car is an issue). It really annoyed me the other week as kids were kicking balls against the fence right beside where my car was parked and a couple of times it went right into the side. So I started parking down a side street. Until I saw hand prints all over my car that night, checked the dash cam, sure enough, same kids, playing the same kick-the-ball against the fence game RIGHT beside my car in the other spot. Leaning on it, etc. One time two little girls that live below who had chalk, actually had chalk marks on MY TYRES (Beautiful, Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres too)... They sincerely do not have awareness over that being something bad. I wanted to say to the parents, with the footage on hand just so they didn't think I was assuming it was their kid or anything, in a totally polite / 'just wanted to say' manner, but my girlfriend got extremely p*ssed at me at the notion of me saying anything to neighbours. She also tends to side with them on parking issues, but it's a whole other hassle / stress point. MY POINT BEING, sorry for the diversion, I've been FREE of that notion. I do love owning my car, but I hate the sleep I lose over where it sits when I'm not using it. Believe it or not, this was a major factor in me waking up two weeks ago and going and buying the Apollo bike versus contemplating on it like I've done for years on here.
• The commute doesn't actually take much longer than a car. I left at 8.05 yesterday. Got to the bike lock outside the office at 8.28. That was with needing to stop when I needed to breathe. Going slow when I needed to go slow. My legs reaching the 'we've got no more!' feeling before a few minutes later, giving more and feeling good again. Today I left at 8.05, got here at 8.23. So we're talking five minutes difference. That's really nothing. If I did get faster over time, or got a better bike with gears... or electric, I reckon I could match that. And this morning there was light traffic. That could easily inflate by five minutes if there was an event on or roadworks, or I hit red lights etc.
• I haven't been more noticeably tired, at all, by night. This ones a little disappointing, because I did want to be able to fall asleep easier. Takes me about 40 minutes usually unless I've been up dead early and done a LOT of exertion but that happens very little. Maybe over time it will hit me a bit more as like food, these things today tend to be a cumulation of the previous few days or weeks activity.

THE LOWS:

• It felt really weird not having my car that first evening. Although when out, during the day, having it right at the work car park gave me a sense of security. That if anything happened, if anyone needed me, I'd be there and able to use it, as well as putting the bike inside or leaving it locked up in the car park instead. If that was not the case, I think I'd feel much more isolated and limited by the bike. It's not just that I can't get somewhere but even if I could, my ability to carry people and things is quite limited. Yesterday, I'll give you an example. Not a major one, but enough to remember. I usually get a two hour gap on a Thursday. Yesterday I zipped along the quay, took my time (tried Frank's Red Hot Mayo at McDonald's - it's good!) and then proceeded over the water to get back to my gf's. I had a voucher for a coffee I usually use each week, I didn't get it in town. In the car I'd usually get that from the cafe beside my gf's house. I had the time to cycle on past and get it, but if I did, my option was limited to enjoy it there. There was no real way of getting it home, no cupholder as such. Now I know that's a pathetic excuse, but the limitation on that was a change to what I could / couldn't do. It made me realise the order of things needs rethinking if I were to be bike only.
• Now, whilst I don't have any obligation or expectation to do things like this for my gf, yesterday I WFH from hers and she had to walk to her kids school to collect her in the sun. Due to work I couldn't come with but time to time in the past, with the car I'd drive her and in about 10 minutes be back to work like nothing ever happened. It wasn't a big deal that I couldn't do it yesterday, but again it registered in my head 'wow, I can't even if I wanted to', We did touch on it. I said if she had a bike, she could have benefitted. I told her why not take my bike, she said, her kid didn't have one so fair point. Quite a lot of this I suppose would be solved if she got one for her and her kid, but I can't expect everyone to be as open minded over cycling for life as I have been for years. She doesn't drive although if she really wanted to, nothing would stop her btw. I've remarked that perhaps if she got her license she could pretty much use my car but still no steps taken. In fairness, as much as I love the car I've ranted on here enough about all the unavoidable bad sides so I don't ever try to over convince her to do that either. Perhaps I've put her off!
• The Apollo is definitely noticeable on the legs. My legs actually feel good whereas even a week ago, knees felt sort of achy from inactivity. I've just checked now, and both feel like well put together, well oiled new brass hinges! hahaha I have been thinking about investing in a better bike much sooner, I said if I keep it up mostly from now until the end of the year I'd justify a multi thousand investment but actually cycling is making me want to spend more money sooner. That could be bad! haha
• Finally, the biggest low. Last night I went on a cycle and ended up coming and getting my car. I sort of missed it. No, not in a lazy 'it saves me needing to cycle to work', or a 'I don't want to get up earlier to cycle' - because I don't! But just, knowing I have it there. It's also got an issue with creaking when braking and all week I've sort of wanted to take it to my uncles garage and get my hands dirty to see what's wrong with it. It'll probably be covered under warranty but last time I got it looked at of course the issue wasn't there... booked it in next week, but I want to go armed with my own knowledge of what the issue is in case they fail to see it again. So this morning I drove to work again and traffic was calm, things fine but at work, no Apple Watch activity rings closed. I read Smaug1 s encouraging post and as I did I sort of kicked myself for NOT cycling today. My big issue is an all or nothing approach / mentality. It's why every time since 2015 I posted on here, I was all for bike NOT car, and when that faded, car NOT bike. Having anything more than an Apollo Tuck / £175 bike sitting around not getting use is a shame. I don't like owning things I don't care about or don't use, I tend to sell or donate them. If I bought a multi-thousand pound Bosch powered beauty of a bike, I'd want it being used how I used my car and I'd sure find a use for the money saved / spent elsewhere. But there are some big implications I suppose. Once the car is gone, it's gone. Sure I can buy another, but not without substantial cost and hassle, and more cost than if I stuck with my current one. If the car were as easy to stow-away as this bike, my issues would be solved. I actually Googled and put a bit of thought last night into how I might keep fit for life if I didn't cycle commute. Obviously nothing ticks every box like cycling, not anywhere near the cost of even my Apollo Tuck. I bought a Concept2 RowERG in 2023 as I thought it'd be the ideal full body workout between office work, even through winter right at home. But even as I began rowing on it, I'd still get muscles feeling achy for not being used or stretched so I lost heart in it and sold it. Last night I was looking up the BikeERG version and even a cross trainer as some solution. But then there's no benefits like cycling in terms of the planet, money saved not having a car, getting outside, fresh air, getting around. Nothing compares with a bike really. But if I don't cycle commute, cycling becomes like the gym, like having to pencil out time in the calendar to 'exercise', with as much getting changed / going away from what I'm doing. The commuting aspect and biking together make everything so idea.

So there has been progress. I'm not giving up, but I chose the familiar path last night of getting my car. The benefits have been everything I hoped and more to the bike. Nothing went wrong. I was quite prepared. I was more capable than I thought much sooner. I wasn't floored physically with the sudden surge in exercise. It all has been remarkably good. A better bike wouldn't hurt, well, it would financially, but it could only make the cycle commute experience even better. Nothing went bad or pushed me away from this idea from trying it. I'll need my car this weekend - I'll drive it and reflect on everything. And see how I feel. Nothing went wrong and yet, I'm feeling slightly more attached to my car than I should? It is odd to me within myself. I must sound crazy to anyone still reading.

STATS:
Monday: 1.03 miles
Tuesday: 7.04 miles
Wednesday: 7.81 miles
Thursday: 10.06 miles

3h50m cycling this week
6.7mph average pace

Apple Watch trends / averages
Stand time up to 12 hours a day
Move ring up to 328kcal a day
Exercise ring up 33min a day
Distance up 3.5 miles per day
Cardiovascular Fitness up 45vo2Max (no idea what that means but up is good)

This is all very good. It's good you've accomplished these things under favorable conditions because the good weather pushes some of the challenges out of the way. When the weather turns cold, we have plenty of tips. (I have one or two already.) There is also the winter cycling forum here. Don't read it now because it will make you depressed.

Hills:

I used to have an 8- or 10-mile commute. (8 to work, 10 to school). There was a big-ish hill in the middle. Well, I thought it was a big hill, but looking back, I chuckle how it's one I now consider easy. Anyway, it was about one mile or a mile and a half, and I would huff and puff up, wondering if I'm going to feel OK at the top. All I could think about was the effort. After a couple of weeks, I noticed I climbed it without thinking about it. The struggle was absolutely gone. There's something about the hill that we do regularly that's unlike the hills we don't. Our bodies learn the contours of the hill and where to put in the extra effort and where to save trouble.

Bike:

If cycling regularly becomes an important part of your life (or if you want it to), it becomes worthwhile to get a bike that suits the purpose rather than dealing with whatever you have on hand. The money spent is not at all frivolous. It's an investment in your health and happiness. A bike that is unpleasant to ride is one you won't ride, especially if the weather and other things conspire against you.

An analogy is your Apple Watch which has given you good insight into the good you are doing for yourself. It was expensive (I assume) but it's giving you a return on the investment. A bike gives you much more than an Apple Watch.

Nutrition:

Yeah! I learned about myself that I can't change my habits drastically, so I improve my diet gradually. A couple of years ago, I realized I hardly ever eat crappy food or even eat at restaurants anymore. I like to cook now. Not only that, I have good shopping habits so that I can open my fridge with no idea of what I'll make, and I can make a good meal that I will enjoy. Yesterday I made a chicken and veggie stew in the pressure cooker, and it was for me alone. My spouse is away for a day.

You might be surprised at how much you can eat if you cycle regularly. Here it might even be more important to eat well, though I'm not sure. My biggest cycling year was in 2017. My commute was 13 miles each way, and I rode that two or three days a week. I took the NYC subway on the other days. I decided to do a big ride at the end of the summer called Hillier Than Thou which required training. I ate huge amounts of food that summer, and HIGH CALORIE foods. If I was hungry between meals, I would have a good sandwich or something else resembling a meal. No cookies or pretzels or crap. I lost weight!

It'll be easier, but not as appreciably as if you had gears. On my little folder today, I found myself pulling up some hills in 4th gear. I've gotten pretty strong from my bike club rides over the past couple years.

What?! You can't compare coldness on a bike to a car that hasn't warmed up yet. I don't think you'll get a feel for this until this winter hits in earnest. No rush for that!

Electric cargo bike is where it's at. You can carry kids AND groceries.

You are overthinking things, but that's a sign that you're really into it, so that's good.

In the USA Brompton Renewed store, the electric ones are constantly available, the purely mechanical ones are a lot more spotty. Brompton's design doesn't lend itself to electric as well, and if I were buying an electric folder, it wouldn't be a Brompton. Partly because they're limited to UK/EU 15.5 mph speeds, but partly because it's just kind of a tacked-on design. Powering the front wheel is sub-optimal. Tern Vektron is a nice one...


Yep.

Yep.


Oddly enough, salt is not as much of a concern, if you'll be sweating more. (one needs to replace the salt from sweat too; not just the water!) But the other stuff, yeah, it's garbage at best and poison at worst.

If you can handle a hill on a single speed, that's a testament to your light weight and maybe the hill isn't too bad, either.

It's been fun watching your journey. Congratulations on your first week of bike commuting. You're doing great!

Next week, maybe Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with no car back-up? :innocent:

Not if it has to carried up stairs and/or there is no place to secure it on ground level.
Overthinking things is at the least just a sign of overthinking things, and is not necessarily helpful for making decisions.

Yeah, the weather is perhaps why things have all went smoothly. This week is still set to be outstandingly nice... is it bad I'd hope for a bit of rough weather now while my motivation is unusually high?! I will check out those bits of the forum. I remember over the years reading something on here like staying warm and dry is just down to what you wear. Then the wisdom that I can wear nice, professional clothes and be covered over with waterproofs / over shoes etc. Though wearing a thermal vest under a hoodie (or bigger coat or waterproof coat) for now has proven alright, and changing into a fresh folded one in my backpack.

I remember a road here (one I need to commute on now, the very last part which is the hardest) felt a steep, endless hill. Back in 2016 with my gf at the time, we were wrecked getting up it by a quarter the way... some little girl wearing a uniform flew past us on her bike and went the whole damn way, steady good pace, and disappeared by the time we got from one lamp-post to the next. Even now, that road doesn't feel so long, and it's not that steep, though it is quite a sustained climb. The mentality of it, such as ours back then, definitely can make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Regarding the bike, I am contemplating investing in quite the solution much sooner... maybe in the next few weeks. But it's scary to spend some £1,000-£2,000. If there were no limits, I'd love a Tern ultimate utility commuter, with the performance line motor and the capacity and endless capacity to carry loads, people and all! But even with my budget, the electric models all seem to come in at mid 2k, or 3k and above with electric power. I think electric is the way to go - some here I know will say I'm 29, too young and I'm 52kg (aiming to get to 60kg) and too light to 'need' electric and they're not wrong. I'm coping surprisingly okay with the single speed folder so far (headwinds might change that, or even moderate wind). BUT.... days where I didn't sleep well, or eat as well, or wind, powering up the hills fully loaded with say 4 panniers of groceries, maybe a bulky box of an appliance (and on a Tern like machine, maybe even the gf on the back!). That sort of weight / load and carrying capacity feels to me like the ultimate car replacement. I'd much rather that than some high end light as a feather road bike personally. However... I'm torn as right now, the folding bike works. It fits into the boot of my car enabling a very good, 30 minute or so turnaround if I want to go from being car to bike. So if something happens, or comes up, I can make my way to the work car park in 25 mins or so, and stick the bike in the car and go. Now... I could in theory lock up the bike in this office car park (it's shared with apartments so a few levels up are only residents and I believe shutters come down over night). The bike might be fine there? But if it does get spotted I fear it would get stolen to order.. That would allow a full size bike to be considered. At my girlfriend's, she has this tiny little triangle shaped area behind (the downstairs flat occupies the opposite 'triangle'. Just enough space for a washing line, a boiler house and some bins. There MIGHT be space for a small closet like shed / garden building. A plastic or metal framed one. We discussed maybe getting one of those and storing the bike upright in it... if it would fit. Although it would be tall, and leaning against the neighbours window I think... not sure if they'd like that. I also fear as it's not the roughest, but a slightly rough area, that it might also get stolen to order if I'm seen with it. I'm not sure how bad bike theft is here or not. I'm also not the toughest, most well equipped guy if I were to be held at mug point and have it stolen. Then again... plenty of people here do have e-bikes, I see them on the quay. The cycle to work scheme has enabled a lot of people to indulge in some nice e-bikes even if they never really stick them. So that all might not be as big a risk as I said.

I like the idea of a Brompton... folds, can be taken away on a plane easily, no doubt would fit in my tiny Lexus CT boot too. However, 'a gold standard' folder might ride like, a fairly average normal bike 'at best'? I'm not sure. But I know if I buy one and get stuck with it, it could take ages to sell and at a loss. If I also spent that £1,300 that's not a nothing-amount. And I might regret not spending a little more for a full size, equipped commuter bike with a Bosch electric system and the works too.

Having done the commute quite a few times back and forth in a day even this past week, and tried many routes, it's got me thinking if I did have power to burn with an electric bike, perhaps the odd trip out to my mums (past that 1.7 mile stretch I've posted so much about) during daytime, during non rush hour, I might be able to blast on through, holding and maintaining a steady speed (not breathless physically on top of the mental fear of the passing traffic) - maybe it'd be easier to achieve. Even if in Winter to go out there I planned it for a lunch hour of daylight, or took half days off, or made the commitment each weekend on where I want to work from.

I mention all of these things as if I go and spend £2,000 on the right bike... what should it be. The starter path of a folder versus full size is so different. Having seriously researched the Brompton and some other folding electric options this week, even the Brompton didn't impress me. Saw a small Bosch powered folder up around £3,000+. A couple of calls to a local bike shop who had an approx. £1,000 folder in stock reduced to £850 told me on the phone "to be honest we sell these to caravan owners seeking to run to the shop and back, you won't be doing many miles on these. The system is really fit for that and not much more". It's a shame as in my head, something like an £800-£1,000 e-bike folder, I was thinking of grabbing two, one for me and my girlfriend as for her, electric would probably be the difference between her wanting to go all in and give it a shot versus at best, just coming out when I go out and seeing it as a leisure day / activity.

I also like those Gazelle bikes. The HeavyDutyNL. The only country I've ever visited outside of the UK was the Netherlands, we hired bikes there and man, were they comfortable. They felt bulky but sturdy. Low step through frame. But they weren't electric, and somehow we managed to get a couple of miles into Amsterdam on them. Made me want one of my own.

On food, yes, I want to eat more, but I want to eat more GOOD stuff. I still am guilty of some of the crap. But my long term struggle to gain weight has never had me feeling like I had a 'free pass'. Mostly as too much things like fries or fried food just makes me feel god awful. That's made it easy to go to whole foods as they never let me down. They tend to digest well, taste well, don't give me nasty burps to put it bluntly, don't give me a light burn feeling of over-salty trash or the feeling that somethings processing in the middle and lower parts. Funny that isn't it? it's as if I've evolved to eat said whole foods / unprocessed things! haha

I briefly bought a cheap one from another retailer here, £130 at the time with around 7 gears. I remember it being so bad, on my flat quay cycle path, it felt a struggle to move let alone with wind or on hills. I returned it for a refund then just saying it was awful to ride. I was scared the Apollo would be the same but it's actually much better. While it's cheap and heavy it's not made from the nastiest materials or parts. I think the money saved on the lack of gears might contribute to that. Cool to hear yours has helped you get stronger but!

True... the bad weather is maybe the true test. Lashing down rain and wind and miserably gray sky and wet messy paths and roads. Although I've wanted to tell myself I'll rise to that challenge, become so prepared and capable and able to rise above it. And some notion that it'll make me less sensitive and comfort seeking overall. Or at least, more appreciative of things like bed or relaxation time. It might just be a pipe dream. Or it might just take practice and some slowly acquired high end gear that performs. I tell myself (and perhaps I read something like this on hear years ago) that people climb Everest, bearing the ice and the cold, the altitude and I'd say a large part of that is the gear they were, right? If they can do that, surely I can do this. Even if just for the sense of accomplishment it would give me.

I am quite light for now. Rack is coming tomorrow according to Amazon, might get some cheap pannier bags then. I was quite limited this week by what would fit in my backpack and sometimes I need to carry two laptops back with me, along with my cycling clothes so now I'll have two extra bags to fill with things. I think one for clothes. One for supplies / like a boot / trunk for groceries so will start empty each ride and if I buy stuff, it goes there. Then the back pack because I'd like to still carry things between the bike and office since the pannier bags can maybe stay where they are. Eventually I might get Strava set up again, honestly the Apple Watch tracking has replaced what back in he day, Strava used to give to me - stats and the like. I suppose you guys could give me some good insight to my routes / gradients / and pace etc or help me understand it more. For now, I love seeing it all so well added to those three days I cycled. Honestly Friday and Saturday, whilst maybe not bad that I had some rest / recovery days, I wish I had have had those exercise rings etc and stats to reflect on.


For years I over thought it, but also had other challenges and places to be. Now things are falling into line. I am very grateful to be able to try and experiment with this now like never before

Just thinking... if I can get it securely locked up behind my girlfriends flat in the small utility area inside of a garden shed or something small but solely for that purpose... I found the Gazelle Esprit C7 with electric system. 50nm of torque / up to 75 miles on eco (30 miles on high assist). Only thing is... it's a Shimano drivetrain. If my knowledge of cars is anything to go by, Japanese is often reliable if nothing else. For cars frankly, I feel the 'German engineering' reputation is actually a little OTT and over engineered and often leads to expense and hassle, whereas your average Japanese car is maybe not as exciting but as reliable as anything with moving, machined parts can come. I wonder if bikes are the same? Shimano sure make good normal bike kit. Anyone got any experience on whether this is worth it? The price is £2,200 I think.

Slightly over budget yet entry-level for a Gazelle. A brand I've admired / window shopped for years now. Something like this might get me through headwinds, up hills and able to get on the bike when winter comes with one less excuse of making effort handled.

Seem any good?

https://www.gazellebikes.com/en-gb/ebikes/esprit-c7/

Hi!

I haven't read this entire thread.

Sorry.

I'd avoid large A-roads anywhere that close to a city, if it was me.

Is it technically legal to ride the A3 (south coast England) near where I am and I would never dream on it.

I'd get over to the B48 and head north, you have some beautiful options, so why waste it on an A-road.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/54...oASAFQAw%3D%3D

I would look at bikes from LIDL/ALDI. I don't know exactly what is available in NI.

I would likely head to the south (RoI, not sure what to appropriately call it when speaking with someone from NI as it's in the EU and will have a much better selection) and pick one of these up from LIDL ...

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lidl-l....982817.0.html

I'd like a suspension on those roads (I'd ride the small roads and not the A roads) and 100 Nm is a ton of power.

Having said all of that, any riding is good riding :D

She's light and fit! You're already light, but not as fit yet. When you DO get fitter, you may find you can do the climb like her, but will be a sweaty mess afterwards, and adult sweat smells pretty bad later compared to kid sweat. ;)

I hear you're thinking about spending big for an electric Tern; don't know if it's a folder? At any rate, you need to make SURE it would fit before spending that money. You're going to kick yourself otherwise. Get the bike measurements and go outside to make measurements. Where will you lock it up if it doesn't fit? Will you bring it inside and upset your girl? This can be dangerous.

Keep an eye out for a local used one in good shape. You could re-sell at about the same price later if it doesn't pan out. Otherwise, as you say, it's too risky.

Just remember that speed will be 25 kph at most. There are no other safer routes? Maybe try it once on your current folder with a good set of lights and bright clothing. To me, when I don't feel safe on a road, the speed between bike and eBike isn't what makes the difference; it's how much room I have on the shoulder, whether the shoulder is clean, how courteous the drivers are locally. I think in NI, you don't have shoulders reliably...

Find the folding eBike you REALLY want, and save up for it, using your current one and car as needed in the meantime. Don't limit yourself to £2k only to find that it's not REALLY what you want, and having to sell it at a loss and spend more again.

It doesn't sound like full size, non-folding bikes are a realistic option for you right now. Please also remember that having electric largely offsets the penalties of a folder: smaller wheels don't roll as easily, but you have some power to burn, so that doesn't matter any more.
Full size non-folding bikes are faster with a given power input, but you're limited electrically to 25 kph anyway, so who cares?

Look for the electric folder you REALLY want, but remember that they're a lot bigger and heavier than a non-electric folder. Don't assume it'll fit in your Lexus, or that you'll be willing or able to lift it in. Same for carrying it up flights of stairs. It's a different ballgame. They fold more for compact storage than for carrying around. The main thing is that they tend to be a lot WIDER than an unpowered folder.

Get that Tern Vektron. You know that is The One; it checks all your boxes except having the funds for it right now. (do they have good financing options over there?) It even stores vertically when folded; you can bring it indoors easily.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...78556f475c.jpg



It doesn't sound like diet will be an issue for you; don't give it more thought. When you DO gain wait, it'll hopefully be in your legs. Any other weight gained will only slow you down on a bike.


Buy once, cry once. Buy cheap, buy twice! ;-)


You don't even know if you have a place to store it. Forget this or confirm you have a secure place to put it first.

They're universally considered good bikes and eBikes. Maybe the gold standard for commuting bikes. But it sounds like you need to stick with folders for now. (for better or worse)

Big development...
 

acidfast7_2 Thanks for your reply. I'm in NI, and there are some conventionally nice roads to cycle on but those back roads are narrow, twisty and people absolutely fly down them sadly. I'll check out Lidl but never seen bikes in there, always some accessories though!

Smaug1 That electric Tern is ideal! Truly meets every need. In terms of buying, that takes me to my next point to update you all on...

Big Development
So I just ordered a bike for my girlfriend and her daughter. We collect them this Friday. The kids bike is a 20", mostly went by size and stabilisers for now. She's 7 so the age to learn how to ride a bike properly, and without stabilisers soon. And for my girlfriend, I ordered around a £1,000 ish Halfords branded folder that has electric power. Also, helmets, a basket, two pannier bags, and a basic set of lights, pump, lock, and the essentials to get them started.

This whole thing will work way better if I can get them onboard - for fun days out and I'm hoping, when I'm not there or driving, they can both go on rides too. With the electric boost she can't complain about the effort or sweat (as much). I can also get some use out of it for working as she works so close to home there'd be no point cycling, around half a mile - if even. When we can get a babysitter too, the two of us can go out on our bikes and she'll just have to wait for me on the heavy folder. The two bikes will just about fit in the CT's boot. She's been looking for a way to get fit and we discussed all our options on how to do it together, for me it's more about a lifetime fitness plan. The options were this, getting a nice cross trainer or bike machine for indoors, or a gym membership. The gym membership needs motivation and a babysitter which don't come easy and exclude her daughter too. E.g. , won't be spending a Saturday doing that. The rowing machine though it was bloody huge and got in the way in the small apartment also took motivation to do, and 30 mins or so of isolation / going away from doing other things. So the other exercise kit might not fare much better in practice. This solution involves us all, and combinations of us all and can be fused into things we otherwise need to do.

I know these aren't Bosch driven or Tern quality experiences. But they are proof of concepts for now. If we use them for a few months and then not very often, the total amount spent is still fine / not a total waste and arguably still a fairly decent return. But if they work well, and these things get two good years of regular use, then we can all justify some serious bikes.

I will report back.. I drove the car today as I had to take it to the dealership to get creaky brakes looked at. Of course... it didn't make the noise and it was a total waste of time. Driving it tomorrow but my bike is locked up in the multi-storey at work, might go for a lunch cycle tomorrow - it's something. Friday evening we're going to go on a cycle date assuming Halfords have the bikes ready like they say...

Exciting times!

Sorry, I'm late to the show as usual.

I'd recommend a used ISLABIKES from eBay.

I have a 4yo that rides on the street to nursery with me (city of 200K ppl) 2 miles home and back every day. It's very easy to ride. We did miss the window with my daughter and she rides in my bikeseat (HAMAX) on my MTB and we will have to force her to learn.

To anyone reading this in the UK/EU, FROG bikes copied ISLABIKES and a used ISLABIKE CNOC 14/16/20 is stellar from eBay.

this is my son at 3yo on an ISLABIKES croc 14 on the first day he had it

videos about ISLABIKES (his was £60 and it's the fifth child it's been through ... needed a little love but gets 4 mi/day with this weather.)



we just picked up my daughter a CNOC 20 to learn to ride.

Where are you going to store all those bikes?
Where the rowing machine used to be?
Make sure to ask her if you can borrow "her bike", or she'll think you really got it for yourself.
I bet you can fit both folders in the CT, if you fold the seat down.
Great idea getting the 7 year-old involved. I hope she likes riding with you guys.

also, the other thing I would say,

is that I'd take the pedals, crankarms and stabilisers, off the girl's bike and have her use it as a balance bike first for a few weeks and then simply add the crankarms and pedals, when she's comfortable and skip the stabilisers-phase.

that's how we train 2-4 year olds here (bicycle friendly cities on the south coast of England).

if she's never had a balance bike, this will be too much to learn at once, especially for an older child.

there’s a closet like shed / outdoor storage in front of the front door. It’s too small for a full size bike (tried when I had my Giant Escape) but should fit a kids bike. If not, a waterproof cover in the back garden and locking it up will work for the kids bike. The folders can be stowed behind the front door on the inside and the other in the small front shed (if not all three maybe will fit in there if done carefully, I can maybe make shelves for the two folders on one side.

the rowing machine used to be in our room but t was so long it went on one side of the bed and the bedroom door couldn’t be shut unless it was lifted up - whole hassle. It was a concept2 RowERG, full size gold standard in rowing machines.

definitely, she think I’ll buy myself one in the coming weeks - if it happens, it happens but it’ll need to prove itself so me. At least it’s a good taste of what bikes in that price range can do. Since my commute is 3.5 miles one way, and 10 miles max a day, I suppose it might be fine - although bike shops tell me they’re mostly made for people with caravans etc. I think maybe they are advising from their usual customers point of view who does tens of miles on long, leisure or training cycles. That’ll never be me!

We’re all quite excited now for Friday and this weekend!

but wait, why would we remove those? She had a tiny sized kids bike with stabilisers in the past. Though it was so tragic quality wise a flat wheel was how it met its demise the one time it eventually got outdoor use. I can’t remember if it was that the tube was stretched or not able to be got off.. or the tyre or wheel. Or that something couldn’t be tightened or secured properly by a crummy design

watch the videos.

riding with stabilisers promotes a different weight distribution than riding without (riding a tricycle versus a bicycle). if the child has no experience, learning to ride a balance bike (if they've never done that is very useful).


it really depends on what stage your daughter is at.

part of the curriculum at our children's nursery was balance bike training and completion of riding a balance bike as part of the EYFS gross motor skills curriculum.

I think you made some wise decisions. You're investing. I think a proof of concept bike is a good idea, even though one could argue you're paying too much for something you might not keep. Still, it will give you a clear idea of what you'll want in the long term, and it might even be this exact bike.

I agree with acidfast7_2 about teaching the kid to ride a bike, especially since she is older than the age when most kids learn. The new balance bikes for little kids (ages 2 to 4) that have no drivetrain are proof of that concept. Little kids become very agile on those bikes, and it's good for them to do before they gain mass. At age seven, the stabilisers, as you call them (we call them training wheels, an equally silly term), will defer her learning. I've taught many children and adults to ride, and I use the technique acidfast7 describes, except that he says to remove the crankarms. That can be a lot of trouble and isn't necessary. Most students learn in three lessons or faster.

Yeah, we've missed this window for my 6 yo and have to catch up.

Sometimes we take off the chain and front sprockets/crank arms just to prevent dirt transfer and so that it looks like the other balance bikes (you know how children are sometimes).

I think the OP has done well and hopefully has fun with the family.

Oh, and don't forget SB739 that one pedal is reverse threaded if you take them off!

You don’t need an e-bike for that kind of riding. Your fitness will improve very fast from a standing start. I also got into cars in my 20s (and 30s) and didn’t start riding again until I was about 40. I was so unfit to start with, I couldn’t run a half mile.

My commute is now 60km each way, with two significant hills of about 150m climbing over 2km each, peaking at a very unpleasant 20%
I do that by bike at least once a week, at most 3. This is the perfect weather at the moment for commuting, it’s less enjoyable in the heat of summer or cold (and more importantly wet) of winter.

I have to admit, the time taken (2 hours+ each way) is not family friendly but it takes almost as long by car. Such is the joy of working in central London and living somewhere you can swing a cat.

You probably do need to get some distance in though. Your commute is too short to even warm your muscles up properly (takes me 20-30 mins) and really do some work.