# Bicycle Thread
**URL:** https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191
**Category:** General
**Created:** [March 18, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191 "2024-03-18T13:14:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 6
### Author:  [@MaxFacePalmer](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/MaxFacePalmer)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/101 "2024-08-19T15:35:32Z")
I would have answered sooner but had no connection. Long answer follows…
Tern are good quality but…
They know it so the prices are pretty steep. Where they really catch you is with all the extras, and little facilitators like the active brake light or the handle bar switch to release the locking kickstand (both unnecessary). Shit quickly adds up.
Also whichever brand you go for check with your retailer that they have spare parts available or can get them in. Tern had no stock for quite a while at one point…
Bike43 cost us just under 5000eur + accessories. Tern equivalent was closer to 7000eur + accesories.
Regarding accessories, the main thing you might think you need on a long tail is the rain cover tent. Honestly you don’t. Just get good waterproof jackets and trousers. Those tents act like sails in strong winds so not ideal.
Worthwhile accessories are a good (bipod) kickstand if you’re carrying more than one child or a big child a a front rack with basket/bag.
Mandatory add-one are a solid lock, a front wheel lock and a small rechargeable alarm. I think Kovix(?) do a nifty model much easier for bike use than the clunky motorbike ones.
Add to that a solid insurance.
Tech specs: Bosch motors are good quality and reliable. 500kwh batteries are the standard although some bikes have capacity to load two which won’t make the bike go faster but will get a longer distance.
Average distance for a fully charged 500kwh battery on long tail is approx 35-40km This can go as far as 75km depending on what level of assistance you use Eco fine for flat roads, Tour for a bit more consistency, sport and turbo for the hills.
Average speed 20-25kmh. Not sure what the road rules are where you are but by law in Belgium e-bikes are limited to 25kmh. After that you can still go faster but the motor won’t keep accelerating.
Last thing, front load bikes like the urban arrow are proper family bikes with the best protection from accidents and weather.
However, they weigh 50kgs by themselves so when they fall you’re not going to stop the fall. I also found a smaller wheel at the front made for very squirrelly maneuverability which isn’t great. Note how the Bike43 has a slightly larger front wheel. This brings a lot more stability and control to your ride. I see a lot of tricycle models, two wheels in front one in the back, but you need to be careful not to ding a wheel on a curb and obviously you won’t be able to snake through traffic as easily.
A lot of bike have Kevlar chains now which are pretty indestructible but they cost a fair bit to replace. A regular chain works fine, cheaper and easier to replace.
Regarding gear changer, you’ll want a variable hub because it helps getting going from a stop - on a hill. (disagreeing with @jamjar). Assistance buttons help too but a variable changer is smoother whereas you can’t skip a derailleur on the stop.
Bike shops should let you have test rides on different models. If you’re on a budget, check second hands because kids grow up so family bikes can quickly become redundant for some people.
That’s all I have for you now.
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### Author:  [@Mark](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/Mark)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/102 "2024-08-19T18:41:55Z")
Great intel especially re raincover, cheers @MaxFacePalmer
No hills here, just a pretty long 7-8km run to school next year. Just considering whether it’s worth it rather than take a car, especially during sunny months
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### Author:  [@MaxFacePalmer](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/MaxFacePalmer)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/103 "2024-08-19T19:33:22Z")
I’d go for it.
We ditched the car after having two and driving everywhere in Malta. We live in town and get everywhere by bike, public transport or car sharing service.
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### Author:  [@nav](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/nav)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/104 "2024-08-20T01:54:58Z")
In Melbourne at least, you can do longterm hire of an ebike for a reasonable amount, compared to the full price of it.
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### Author:  [@TerryTibbs](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/TerryTibbs)
#### Post date: [September 5, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/105 "2024-09-05T13:14:09Z")
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6P8CeNtkKU)
Love this guys channel. So interesting to see the amount of work that goes into making a set of pedals!
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### Author:  [@doowyrag](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/doowyrag)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2024, 10:33am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/106 "2024-09-08T10:33:24Z")
The Tour Of Britain gang are in Suffolk today - Lowestoft to Felixstowe.
It’s live on ITV4 now and as they’re coming through my village I’ll pop down and give you a wave.
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### Author:  [@voodoo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/voodoo)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2024, 10:49am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/107 "2024-09-08T10:49:46Z")
Yeah it was in town here the other day…
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### Author:  [@doowyrag](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/doowyrag)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2024, 11:58am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/108 "2024-09-08T11:58:49Z")
I’m more interested seeing places I know on the telly than the cycling TBH.
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### Author:  [@voodoo](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/voodoo)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2024, 12:37pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/109 "2024-09-08T12:37:15Z")
Yeah, haha. Darlington to Redcar is often still my weekly summer route (Redcar is the beach I usually end up at even though Saltburn is just as close and much nicer).
I guess I have those daily R-Kade skate park days at Redcar still stuck in me.
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### Author:  [@ciaran](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/ciaran)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/110 "2024-09-08T21:36:44Z")
If it pisses of that complete omnishambles at GB News, then it must be good -
> **[New AI tech to give cyclists “smoother uninterrupted journey” through traffic...](https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-live-blog-3-september-2024-310145#live-blog-item-60681)**
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### Author:  [@Scurbrampwoody](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/Scurbrampwoody)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2024, 4:45pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/111 "2024-09-23T16:45:43Z")
I know there are a few closet BMX fans on here. This video is super good. All filmed in London. The riding, filming, spots, soundtrack and editing is all on point. Absolute belter.
Zones - Endless Mag - Full Video.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/NEZpph2fLeE?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque
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### Author:  [@buildafire](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/buildafire)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/112 "2024-09-23T17:53:29Z")
Absolutely outstanding. Beautifully made and put together, and the music was all great. Weird hearing Gabriel in a video again, but it totally works here. Love this whole thing.
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### Author:  [@jamjar](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/jamjar)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/113 "2024-09-24T13:47:13Z")
That was amazing. Loved the tricks at the crusty pebble-dash banks at the Barbican. First guy riding at the same spot in in Perry Vale as Tom Knox.
Crank arm grinds look so good. There’s something about pegs that annoys me on a philosophical level as they’ve been added to the bike specifically for the purpose of grinding whereas cranks are a functionally integral party of the bicycle.
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### Author:  [@PolarJames](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/PolarJames)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2024, 12:20pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/114 "2024-10-03T12:20:24Z")
BMXing is rad. Been thinking of getting one for a while.
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### Author:  [@Schrodingers\_tits](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/Schrodingers_tits)
#### Post date: [October 3, 2024, 12:31pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/115 "2024-10-03T12:31:49Z")
I forgot to reply…
I watched that vid in bed slightly baked last fri night. So good.
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### Author:  [@ciaran](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/ciaran)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/116 "2024-11-20T23:33:13Z")
A friend passed on a recently forgotten-about bike to me, which I’ll be updating and converting slightly for my son, so it’s more of a project than a getting something from the local shop.
It’s an XS women’s road bike (Cube Axial from a few years ago), perfect size for him. I need to get a few front wheel and tyre and will remove the drops and racing brakes/gear combo in exchange for more ergonomic, upright bars & gears and make it more of an urban style bike, rather than TdF.
Haven’t got a clue about tyres - anything to watch out for with keeping the narrow 700x28 tyres on there for a 12 YO everyday bike? He cycles everywhere, but touring, lycra, drop bars, etc. aren’t his thing. He could end up not liking it at all and going with a totally different bike in a few months.
Any pointers to watch out for?
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### Author:  [@nedertron](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/nedertron)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2024, 11:38pm UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/117 "2024-11-20T23:38:42Z")
Fuck, forgot to buy a bike. Is this ok, I’ll get a medium, I’m 5ft 7 I think.
[https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/city-bike-single-speed-500-white/\_/R-p-306292?mc=8749510&c=graphite+grey&utm\_term=8549624-2756895&gclsrc=aw.ds&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_source=google&utm\_campaign=gb\_t-brand\_ct-shopp\_n-brand-protection\_ts-ret\_f-cv\_o-reve\_spd-msp\_spu-msp\_sp-msp\_pt-all\_pnl-com\_l-en\_pp-gads\_bm-roa\_pr-cpc\_&utm\_term=\_n-brand-protection\_ts-ret\_spd-msp\_spu-msp\_sp-msp\_pt-all\_l-en\_brand-protection&keyword=&network=g&placement=&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiArva5BhBiEiwA-oTnXXQlxeanrgV6ZAflXcYzsaCQMEF3wNwz-OQPxsXGTUKQgcj7Sr8YQRoCEzcQAvD\_BwE](https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/city-bike-single-speed-500-white/_/R-p-306292?mc=8749510&c=graphite+grey&utm_term=8549624-2756895&gclsrc=aw.ds&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=gb_t-brand_ct-shopp_n-brand-protection_ts-ret_f-cv_o-reve_spd-msp_spu-msp_sp-msp_pt-all_pnl-com_l-en_pp-gads_bm-roa_pr-cpc_&utm_term=_n-brand-protection_ts-ret_spd-msp_spu-msp_sp-msp_pt-all_l-en_brand-protection&keyword=&network=g&placement=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiArva5BhBiEiwA-oTnXXQlxeanrgV6ZAflXcYzsaCQMEF3wNwz-OQPxsXGTUKQgcj7Sr8YQRoCEzcQAvD_BwE)
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### Author:  [@buildafire](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/buildafire)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2024, 8:44am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/118 "2024-11-21T08:44:58Z")
> [@ciaran](#):
>
> Haven’t got a clue about tyres
If you can run tubeless tyres on that, do so. Life-changing.
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### Author:  [@deegwaad](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/deegwaad)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2024, 8:53am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/119 "2024-11-21T08:53:27Z")
Don’t see the point of running tubeless on a road bike. Anything off road, yes, where running lower pressures on a high volume tyre comes into its own. Also can be very messy and fiddly to seat and you have to replace the fluid every few months as it congeals. Modern road tyres are very puncture resistant. I’ve had 1 in the last 3 years.
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### Author:  [@buildafire](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/u/buildafire)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2024, 8:56am UTC](https://ukskateforum.co.uk/t/bicycle-thread/4191/120 "2024-11-21T08:56:13Z")
> [@deegwaad](#):
>
> Don’t see the point of running tubeless on a road bike.
Depends how many potholes and how much broken glass you encounter on an average trip, and the fluid (in mine) definitely doesn’t congeal after a few months.
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