BikeRadar.com Commuting

Halfords website now offering premium cycling brands

Sam Dansie — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:20:00 GMT

Halfords have launched an ambitious strategy to corner the market for cycle clothing, accessories and spares with the arrival of 185 new brands including Adidas, Lezyne and Sportful.

Today, a day after the company reported a 25 percent fall in profits to the March year end on the year before, they outlined a fight-back plan to capitalise on the buoyant cycling market.

An overhauled website selling 15,000 product lines went live earlier this week. The company also said they would increase investment in their stores and spend millions of pounds improving customer service.

The aim is to capture a section of the enthusiasts’ market – characterised by sportive riders and commuters using cycle to work schemes – while maintaining their focus on providing family bikes.

Karen Bellairs, head of cycling at Halfords, told BikeRadar that the company’s network of 460 stores gives them a unique advantage over competitors. Customers will now be able to buy online and pick up the product in store the next day, as well as having items posted to them or ordering in store and getting them delivered, she said.

“We’ve gone live with 15,000 parts accessories and clothing from over 185 brands, so we’re really excited,” she said. “Our key point of difference is using our store network to try and grow this business.” She said more than 90 percent of the UK population live with 25 minutes of a Halfords shop.

Bellairs admitted the company currently have a small share of the parts, accessories and clothing market, and have lost ground to dedicated specialists such as CycleSurgery and Evans Cycles. Halfords' success with brands such as Boardman (a new range is expected in 2014) has already helped entice many enthusiasts to shop with them, she said.

Bellairs also said it was a company goal to improve in-store service and repairs, but that the plan would take time to bring into action. The cycling market is estimated to be worth more than £700m a year and is growing at around five percent.

The revamped, more user-friendly Halfords website is now live.

Learner drivers to be taught cycling awareness

Sam Dansie — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:30:00 GMT

Two of the UK’s biggest motoring schools, the AA and BSM, will give learner drivers dedicated instruction on how to drive safely around cyclists.

AA president Edmund King said today that instructors in both schools would take a module to standardise and improve teaching learner drivers about cyclist safety. Learners will also be taken through a worksheet to help them drive more carefully and considerately near riders.

“I am personally committed to breaking down the ‘two tribes’ attitude displayed between some drivers and cyclists. Often we are the same people,” King said. “This new module means we now have a standardised approach to teaching learners how to drive safely around cyclists from two of the country’s leading driving schools. I am convinced that this initiative will change attitudes and save lives.”

The AA and BSM instructor module covers dos and don’ts for driving around cyclists, and includes guidance for teachers to help get the message across. The pupil worksheet sets out facts about cyclists on the roads, and encourages learners to think about the care, courtesy and consideration they should afford riders.

In September last year, Red Driving School surveyed its instructors and found that 75 percent favoured the introduction of a cyclist awareness module into the driving test.

The news comes in the same week that young driver Emma Way hit a cyclist and later boasted about it on Twitter, saying she had right of way because she paid road tax. She apologised yesterday.

The AA and BSM are part of AA Driving Services.

Partner Promotion: 25% off For Goodness Shakes and NECTAR

BikeRadar UK — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:30:00 GMT

Hands up those of you who are addicted to For Goodness Shakes? These popular milkshakes are sold as recovery drinks but work just as well as a nutritious snack any time of the day. Their combination of carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals is ideal for getting you refuelled and repaired for your next training session.

If you're after a sports drink then NECTAR by For Goodness Shakes is worth checking out. It's a 2:1 mix of glucose and fructose containing five electrolytes to keep your energy and hydration levels up while cycling. It's available as a concentrate that you can mix to your desired strength, as well as energy gels and carbohydrate-free hydration tablets.

This week BikeRadar has partnered with Athlete Store - the official outlet for For Goodness Shakes and NECTAR - to offer our readers 25% off purchases of a great range of their nutritional products. Visit athletestore.co.uk, select your products and enter the voucher code BIKE25 at the checkout to claim your discount.

The offer is applicable worldwide subject to shipping costs, but if you live in the UK you can get free delivery for orders of over £30 after the discount is applied. It's valid until 2 June and doesn't apply to POLAR items, Nectar Concentrate Micro Tank (15 X 50ml), Samples and Starter Kits, except the Deluxe Starter Kit (£20.09).

Fuel cycling with For Goodness Shakes and NECTAR

Trek 7.4 FX Disc – first ride review

Cycling Plus — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Trek’s 7.4 FX Disc is one of their big sellers, and part of the welcome trend for hydraulic brakes to appear on more hybrids. It makes much more sense than superfluous suspension forks.

The Hayes brakes don’t have the absolute stopping power of some, but they easily have enough for urban riding and masses of control. Shimano provide most of the rest of the kit, the 48/36/26 chainrings and 11-32T cassette offering a huge gear range, particularly at the bottom end. Yes, there are largish gaps between gears but their sheer range more than makes up for that.

Handling is sit-up-and-beg steady, not surprising given its lengthy 105cm wheelbase, a theme further emphasised by the relaxed head tube angle. This is great for high visibility head-up urban riding, and comfortable too, aided by the palm-comforting rubberised IsoZone grips. The 32mm tyres offer a good balance of plushness, protection from pothole-induced punctures and rolling resistance.

Considering the price the 11.7kg (25.8lb) weight is decent. Wheel life should be boosted by the absence of rim brakes, and with rear rack, front and rear mudguard eyes and loads of clearance it’s well specced for year-round versatility, too.

A top ride, good kit and a price your bank manager won’t blanch at – a star Trek and a special FX.

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Emma Way apologises for #bloodycyclists tweet

Sam Dansie — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:04:00 GMT

Emma Way, the trainee accountant who knocked a Norwich sportive rider off his bike and then boasted about it on Twitter, has apologised. “It was a spur of the moment, stupid tweet,” the 21-year-old told ITV. “I didn’t realise it would ever escalate to this.”

On Sunday, after knocking Toby Hockley into a hedge during the Boudicca Sportive, Way tweeted: “Definitely knocked a cyclist off his bike earlier – I have right of way he doesn’t even pay road tax! #bloodycyclists”

Asked what she would say to Hockley if he were in front of her, she said: “If I did cause any damage to him I would obviously apologise but I didn’t feel him even touch my car … If I knew that he was hurt I would never have driven off. If I could take back doing that tweet I would, you know my whole career is at risk now, and any damage caused to the cyclist.”

The firm where she works have suspended her, she said, the contract “now possibly over”.

Hockley, although he laughed off the incident with friends in the immediate aftermath, said he was lucky to be alive after Way’s tweet attracted national attention. Norfolk Police are still investigating the incident.

UVEX helmet and eyewear ranges expanded

James Huang — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:22:00 GMT

UVEX continues to grow its expansive range of eyewear and helmets for the coming season – and if we're to believe reports from its US distributor, Magura USA, the brand is gaining steam stateside as well, boosted by its solid reputation, reasonable pricing, and the fact that much of the collection is still made in Germany.

New eyewear bolstered with photochromic options

The new sunglasses range features three key highlights: the US$199/£119.99 SGL 104 Vario, the US$159/£89.99 SGL 202 Race Vario, and the US$149/£69.99 Active Vario Shield. All three models come with photochromic Variomatic Smoke lenses and impressive broad transmission ranges from 9 to 78 percent depending on tint, meaning users shouldn't need to swap lenses with changing conditions.

The SGL 104 Vario is the most sport-oriented of the three, with a traditional shield-type, single-piece lens. This is secured to a continuous upper frame with a novel retractable pin to lock the interchangeable lens in place and bendable ear- and nosepieces for a customizable fit. Available frame colors include white/black, white/green, and all black.

UVEX SGL 104 Vario

The SGL 202 Race Vario is a slightly modified version of UVEX's ultralight standard SGL 202 Vario, adding bendable, stiffer earpieces to go along with the existing bendable nosepiece for a more secure fit when riding off-road. In contrast to the SGL 104 Vario, the 202 is a frameless design for a wider field of view. Frame color choices include black/white, white/black, and green/white.

UVEX SGL 202 Race Vario

Finally, the Active Vario Shield looks similar to the existing Active Vario model but with a new single shield-type lens and no upper frame to block your view. Magura USA will offer this model in black, white/brown, and orange frame colors.

UVEX Active Vario Shield

New helmet models for both on-road and off

UVEX's road helmet range is topped by the new US$239/£139.99 Race 5 model, which is currently being used by the Ag2r-La Mondiale and Argos-Shimano teams. Features include a competitive 225g claimed weight, 23 vents, antibacterial carbon-infused pads, and double in-molded construction with upper and lower microshells for durability.

UVEX Race 5

The easy-to-use, single-dial retention system is also padded for comfort and height adjustable, the ratcheting buckle makes for quicker on-the-bike adjustments, and the entire strap system can be removed from the helmet for washing. Designed in Germany, made in Asia.

Interestingly, UVEX chose to skip the internal reinforcement skeleton used in the previous Race 3 flagship. While that system allowed for bigger and more deeply channeled vents, the company says it's also responsible for that helmet's so-so 270g claimed weight. Magura says that model is still quite popular, though, so it remains in the range for US$199/€169.95.

Topping the MTB range is the US$149/£99.99, made-in-Germany Ultrasonic CC. Like the Race 5, this model features a double in-molded construction with upper and lower shells as well as the same retention system and ratcheting buckle.

UVEX Ultrasonic CC

The Ultrasonic offers a little more coverage on the rear of your head, however. There's a fixed-position visor included, and vent count dips to 19 although the forward-facing ones are augmented with molded-in bug netting. Claimed weight is 235g.

Other popular models such as the made-in-Germany US$119/£74.99 Supersonic and US$99/£59.99 XP CC carry over with updated colors.

For more information see the UVEX website.

Video: Sir Chris Hoy on his cycling career

BikeRadar — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy, who announced his retirement in April, said daily road rides reminded him cycling could be fun after tortuous track and weight sessions during his stellar career.

Hoy recently visited the BikeRadar offices to take us through his new aluminium bike range, which is being produced in conjunction with Evans Cycles. But we also took the opportunity to sit down with the track star – who holds six gold medals and 11 world titles in sprint, team sprint, keirin and the 1km time trial disciplines – to revisit his cycling career.

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In this, the first of five videos, the 37-year-old Scot talks about life as a pro athlete and how recovery rides helped remind him that cycling could still be enjoyable even after the deep burn in his legs following heavy repetitions of track training and weight sessions.

“We did a fair amount of road mileage too,” he said. “I always did road recovery rides every day, for at least one hour, and that kind of allowed me to associate cycling with pleasure and not just with pain. You can actually enjoy riding your bike even through the tough times when you’re really struggling.”

When his career stretched ahead of him, Hoy remembered training up to 20 hours a week on the road. In homage to time spent on Majorcan roads, one of his new bikes is named the Sa Colobra – a famous, snaking climb on the Spanish Balearic island.

“It’s a really tough climb – it’s beautiful but it’s a pretty grim place to be for the last couple of kilometres when you’re struggling, especially when you’re a big sprinter like myself,” Hoy explained.

Reviewing a career that stretches back to his first world championship medal – a bronze in the team sprint in 1999 – Hoy said natural disappointments along the way spurred him to greater effort and training.

“When I look back at my career I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “There were times that were very disappointing and frustrating – you have crashes, you have losses of form, you have races you feel you could have done better in, but they all kind of serve to inspire you to work harder.”

Driver jailed for 10 years for killing Bristol tandem couple

BikeRadar — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:34:00 GMT

A hit and run driver who killed a couple riding a tandem in Bristol in January has been jailed for more than 10 years and handed a lifetime driving ban.

Nicholas Lovell, 38, of West Street, Oldland Common, admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving at Bristol Crown Court last month after killing Ross Simon, 34, and his wife Clare, 30 in Hanham, Bristol. He fled the scene and will now serve a prison sentence of 10 years and six months.

Lovell’s partner, Louise Cox, 35, also of Oldham Common, was sentenced to a year in prison after admitting to perverting the course of justice by providing police with false details about who was driving the Citroen Picasso at the time of the crash.

Video: 3D titanium printing of bicycle components

Oli Woodman — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:22:00 GMT

3D printing is often in the headlines, in fact the technology looks set to start an industrial revolution of its own. Yet the use of 3D printing is still limited within the bike industry, so when Charge bikes released a video showing the world's first 3D printed titanium frame component we knew it'd get people talking.

After collaborating with corporate research centre of EADS innovation works (The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) Charge used a process developed for the aerospace industry to produced a batch of intricate dropouts for use in the frameset of the Freezer Ti custom cross bike.

Watch below as Charge’s Nick Larsen talks to Andy Hawkins from EADS about the process of 3D printing and its benefits over traditional fabrication methods.

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Man rides off waterfall, plus other best bits from BikeRadar videos

BikeRadar — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:36:00 GMT

The BikeRadar video team have been hard at it for two years, and today they’re celebrating the upload of their 500th YouTube vid with a collection of snippets from the annals.

Watch the video below if you want to have a snoop around the Cervélos in the Garmin-Sharp mechanics’ area, drool over some super-cool bike tech and see someone ride a mountain bike off a waterfall…

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The gear testing, rider interviewing, trail blazing, product explaining videos – uploaded to the dedicated BikeRadar YouTube channel (almost) every day – have attracted more than 10m views and nearly 40,000 subscribers.

So to be kept up to date with the best bike product news, analysis and star interviews with the likes of Chris Hoy, Chris Boardman and athletes of the Tour de France, subscribe now.

BikeRadar Deals of the Week – Road Bikes

BikeRadar — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

BikeRadar's weekly round-up of great online deals from our recommended retailers could save you both time and money.

If you just want to get to the bargains, skip to the end of the article to see the deals listed as Quick Links.

Otherwise, read on for more details including pictures, BikeRadar reviews and your opinions wherever possible – so you can make sure you're fully in the picture before parting with your hard-earned cash.

Some of these offers won't last forever though, so be quick if you want to bag yourself a bargain.

1. Raleigh Avanti Carbon Comp Bike (2010) – Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for £999.99 and save 44 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"The Raleigh Avanti Carbon Comp is a popluar bike riders who relish the challenge of road riding and testing their fitness. Get the advantages in performance from the Avanti custom designed carbon frame without the expense of a top-level groupset. Coupled with the carbon frame are the Avanti custom designed direct response carbon forks ensuring a balanced ride. Quality is maintained throughout with the inclusion of Shimano CN-500 chainset, Shimano FC-5600 cranks, Xero CXR-330 wheelset and Continental Ultra Race tyres."

2. Pinarello FP2 105 (2011) – Buy Now from Wiggle for £1,299.35 and save 35 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"The full-carbon frame is powerful, the down tube is massive and the bottom bracket, heart and fulcrum of this triangle, is unyielding to the power you'll unleash when you stand on the pedals. The distinctive features are all there: the Onda fork will guide you safely through the most demanding curves. 24HM carbon with 12K finish. The frame is available in six colours and seven sizes. Components include a Shimano 105 groupset, Shimano WH500 wheelset and MOST Ewiva tyres."

3. Ghost EBS Lector Race (2011) – Buy Now from Chain Reaction for £1,235.00 and save 35 percent

"Comfort and quality of ride underpin the Ghost Race Lector. Built on the Race HM carbon frame and matched with CG carbon front forks results in a cycle that offers a lightweight and smooth ride. Gearing is provided by Shimano Ultegra chainset that utilises a Shimano Ultegra compact crankset set. The bike rolls on an Easton Aero wheelset wrapped up in Schwalbe Ultremo tyres. Brakes are Tektro R 741. A bike perfectly suited for beginner to intermediate cyclists."

Quick Links:

Raleigh Avanti Carbon Comp Bike (2010) – Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for £999.99 and save 44 percent
Pinarello FP2 105 (2011) – Buy Now from Wiggle for £1,299.35 and save 35 percent
Ghost EBS Lector Race (2011) – Buy Now from Chain Reaction for £1235.00 and save 35 percent

Offers courtesy of: Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles and Winstanleys Bikes

Subscription Offer:

Cycling Plus – Buy Now from myfavouritemagazines.co.uk for as little as £45.99 (£3.54/issue) and save 21 percent

Cycling Plus is for anyone who appreciates the all-out effort of racing, the freedom of touring or the cut-and-thrust of commuting. Read more & subscribe.

BikeRadar Deals of the Week – Mountain Bikes

BikeRadar — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

BikeRadar's weekly round-up of great online deals from our recommended retailers could save you both time and money.

If you just want to get to the bargains, skip to the end of the article to see the deals listed as Quick Links.

1. Sunn Shamann S1 (2011) – Buy Now from Chain Reaction for £1,572 and save 45 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"The Shamann S1 is the full suspension bike of the XC lineup. The Shamann Alpha frame geometry has been designed to give an efficient balance of traction, acceleration and long distance comfort to make the perfect marathon bike. The RockShox Monarch RT3 shock absorber provides a highly progressive 100mm of rear travel. The front-end is comprised of RockShox SID RLT forks also with 100mm travel. SRAM 2x10 transmissions allow for a lighter and more efficient shifting system. Add to this SRAM X9 pedals, UN Premium 600-0 SL wheels and Hutchinson Python tyres for a bike that mixes performance with riding pleasure."

2. Saracen Zen 1 Bike (2010) – Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for £449.99 and save 47 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"The Zens are 100% UK specific aggressive trail screamers, ready to take on whatever you throw at them. The lightweight frame uses a triple butted 6061 alloy tubeset designed specifically for longer travel forks and the mud clearance on the rear of the frame is class-leading. Also featuring RockShox Tora 289 U-Turn forks with 85-130 mm travel, Shimano HG50 9-speed cassette, Quad Sting Pro hydraulic disc brakes and Continental Mountain King tyres, these long-travel hardcore trail bikes were designed to take UK trail riding to the next level."

3. GT Zaskar Carbon Expert (2011) – Buy Now from Wiggle for £ 1429.99 and save 35 percent

What the manufacturer says:

"Classy carbon hardtail that won't let you down. The Zaskar Carbon Expert is full of top class components that compliment the Foc-Ultra Carbon frame well. Proven RockShox Recon Solo Air forks are fitted to soak up punishing ground along with SRAM S1400 chainset ensuring a solid drive over varied terrain. Formula RX brakes with 160mm rotor both front and rear provide plenty of stopping power. Crankbros Cobalt 2 flat handlebars and seat stem as well as DT Swiss wheelset and Maxxis Aspen tyres round off a bike that can handle any terrain."

Quick Links:

Sunn Shamann S1 (2011) – Buy Now from Chain Reaction for £1,572 and save 45 percent
Saracen Zen 1 Bike (2010) – Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for £449.99 and save 47 percent
GT Zaskar Carbon Expert (2011) – Buy Now from Wiggle for £ 1429.99 and save 35 percent

Offers courtesy of: Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles and Winstanleys Bikes

Subscription offer:

What Mountain Bike – Buy Now from myfavouritemagazines.co.uk for as little as £41.99 (£3.23/issue) and save 23 percent

The essential magazine to consult before you spend your cash on any mountain biking equipment. Read more & subscribe.

Raleigh Revenio 1 – first ride review

Cycling Plus — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Raleigh have raised their game in the last few years, with their carbon race bikes performing well in the Cycling Plus Bike of the Year tests and a pro team once more bearing the company name. But bikes like this are Raleigh’s bread and butter. It’s a crowded market, though, and they’ll be tussling with Trek, Specialized and Giant among others.

The Revenio is designed for long-distance comfort, with a taller head tube and a shortened top tube, but our 56cm was far from short and we were still slightly stretched. You might want to consider going down a size.

Its weight is spot on for the price and the ride itself is reassuringly neutral – pretty much ideal for days racking up long miles. The carbon fork – good on a £550 machine – and the flattened and curved seatstays also do a very good job of smoothing out road buzz even with an oversize seatpost. Hit a big bump and, as with any aluminium frame, you’re going to feel it, but for a budget road bike comfort is excellent, aided by a quality seat.

The Ponza saddle is quite narrow but has well placed and not overly deep padding, and its black-and-white stripes perfectly echo the top tube. Very neat. Raleigh have put thought into the cabling too, rubber protectors – with Raleigh logos – protecting the head tube. And as with ever more budget bikes, there’s internal brake routing through the top tube.

Unfortunately, this level of attention isn’t evident throughout the Revenio, which is suffering a minor identity crisis in places. It’s not serious, but why have eyelets at the rear and then not enough mudguard clearance even with 23mm tyres, and a fork with ample clearance but no eyelets? There are rack mounts, so Raleigh seem to think this is aimed at the all-round recreational rider, and it really would make a good commuter machine.

The welds are practical rather than pretty…

Brakes are typically average and we had a few issues with the wheels. The rear was okay, but the front spokes weren’t tight enough and the wheel was unevenly tensioned too, which would cause spokes to work loose as you ride. Our workshop manager addressed it – as your own bike shop should before selling it – but it’ll be worth checking.

All in all, Raleigh have delivered a good bike with a fine ride and decent kit, and nearly a very good bike, but you do need to get the sizing right to make the most of its taller head tube.

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Petrol prices and eBay threaten village cycle jumbles

Sam Dansie — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT

A thread of UK cycling subculture – the cycle jumble – is being unpicked by online auctions, escalating travel costs and declining numbers of bargain hunters, claims a regular seller.

Despite the popularity of reconditioning vintage bikes, cycle jumbles – the bike equivalent of the table-top sale, where a dedicated kit hunter can pick up rare equipment at bargain prices and follow it up with a slice of cake made by the local WI – appear to be declining.

“People who are interested in them are dying off,” said Mike Clark, who attends between 20 and 30 each year to buy and sell merchandise. “It’s just one of those things that the people interested in having the old and interesting stuff tend to be the older generation.”

Some of the biggest cycle jumbles in the country is held in Ripley, Surrey, which hosts three events a year. But even attendance at that stronghold – once an essential rendezvous for the London courier crowd, with upwards of 400 buyers per jumble – is showing signs of decline, said Clark, who lives in Kent.

“It’s not as rampant as it was five years ago. Anywhere between five and eight years ago it might have been attended by 50 or 60 couriers, and now you might be lucky to find half a dozen,” he said.

Online sales

It’s not just couriers – generally, buyer numbers are down. Clark blames auctioning sites such as eBay, as well as spiralling petrol prices: “People are thinking, ‘It might cost me £50 [in fuel] to get to this jumble and I might not get what I want, therefore I’ll source it on eBay.’ Ebay, even if it’s going to cost more than you hope to pay, at least you know you’re going to get it.”

Clark, who said he hates computers and refused to follow the trend online, said he believes the volume of business in vintage parts is as big as ever but has moved out of village halls and onto the internet.

Nigel Scott, who runs a website in Dorset selling vintage Campagnolo equipment and organises an annual calendar of jumble events, said his experience of a popular jumble in Kidderminster, the West Midlands, was similar. A decade ago, a queue used to wind around the corner to get in, he explained. Fast forward a few years and a friend told him he had been first in line when the doors opened.

Pockets of success

Calling the demise of cycle jumbles might be premature, however. Clark said he has no intention of packing his boxes of merchandise into the attic and turning his back on the culture: “It’s a social event as much as a business opportunity.”

And Scott, through his network of contacts, has heard reports that certain jumbles are doing a rip-roaring trade – one, in Muswell Hill, London, is doing good business from well-heeled locals doing up vintage bikes, he said.

“Another organiser – at an event in Chalfont St Peter [Buckinghamshire] – said he had an exceptional attendance and people had told him it was better than Ripley,” Scott added.

It means the jumbles, usually as famous for the WI cakes as the rare gems waiting to be uncovered, should soldier on for some time yet at least.

Bike safety and security – beat the bicycle thieves

Sam Dansie — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

More than 100,000 stolen bikes were reported in the UK in 2012, and police have warned cyclists that expensive bikes are targets because they represent a lucrative market for criminals. BikeRadar spoke to policeman Tom Llewellyn and John Moss, founder of Stolen-Bikes blog, about what you can do to keep your bike safe and secure.

“It’s a case of being as savvy as you can and being aware that expensive bikes are a big target,” said PC Llewellyn, who is investigating a stolen goods conspiracy involving high value bikes. “They’re the easiest thing for people to take.”

1. Create a logbook

When you buy your bike, note down serial numbers for your bike and take photos. As it gets used, log paint chips, scratches and new components as they replace old ones.

“Put a folder together of all the information that makes your bike personal,” said Llewellyn. “We do recover a lot of bikes, but a lot of the time they don’t get identified because the information we get from people who report crimes is often not good enough to identify them.”

He said many police authorities offer free postcode marking services such as SmartWater. In the event of the stolen bike being recovered, these forensic tools can help reunite it with the owner.

2. Store the bike behind a locked door

The majority of bike thefts are opportunistic raids on sheds, so deter criminals by making sure your bicycle is kept behind a lockable door, in a garage or the house. A padlocked, wooden garden shed won’t do, said Llewellyn: “A padlock can be bolt-cropped in five seconds.”

If your shed is up to the job, securing the bike a second time behind the locked door is worthwhile. Fixings sunk into concrete floors are a good option, as is installing CCTV cameras and security lighting in the garden.

“Thieves will look for the easiest opportunity for theft,” said Llewellyn. “They won’t go, ‘I want to get into that address.’ They might try five or six addresses before they get one that’s easy access or it’s got something inside that they want. If you have something really precious and you haven’t got those security measures, I would put my bike in the house until I’ve got them in place.”

John Moss suggested using an alarmed padlock in addition to standard bike locks: “In addition to your usual bike locks it can be a useful tool when stopping bike thieves from plucking bikes out of your shed or garage. When it goes off it’s unlikely thieves will hang around to see if anyone has heard it.”

3. Be savvy with ride sharing

Some police forces have linked ride sharing platforms such as Strava, MapMyRide and Endomondo to bike thefts. Moss said: “If you use Strava or other ride logging applications, set up exclusion zones around areas you regularly store your bike. They don’t typically affect your ride statistics, but turn off the mapping features when you’re within the boundaries of one.”

If you’re planning on leaving your bike unattended, make sure it’s secured with a good quality lock. We recently reported on thieves tailing riders to a café and stealing an expensive mountain bike off the roof rack. Watch the BikeRadar video guide on how to secure your bike properly.

4. Contact the police and do some DIY tracking

In the event of a theft, Llewellyn said your first move should be to contact the police and pass over the logbook details. However, he said victims should visit websites to find the bike – or parts of it – themselves.

Telltale signs that a for-sale bike might be stolen are short auctions (to move the goods quickly), a bike that deviates wildly from build specifications, or a seller with a short or non-existent history.

“If it was my bike I would trail auction websites such as eBay,” said Llewellyn. “A lot of bike handlers will cut and chop bikes together. People who sell [stolen] high end bikes will go through a second party, and the second party will try to hide the identity of the bike. If you can identify your saddle, handlebars, pedals and so on, and you’ve got documentation, then we can start to make enquiries.”

He warned people not to be put off by item locations: “If people are sending stuff in the post or by courier it makes no difference where it’s coming from.”

Moss added that it can be constructive to trawl sites such as www.findthatbike.co.uk. “It collects bike ads from around the UK and puts them all in an easy-to-search gallery,” he explained. “If you do spot your bike for sale online, it’s really important to keep hassling the police to take action, but be ready to prove that the bike is yours.”

Sign cycle safety petition, urges Jon Snow

BikeRadar — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:03:00 GMT

Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow is urging the public to sign a petition calling for UK politicians to adopt 18 recommendations to make city streets safer for bike riding.

The Get Britain Cycling report, published in April, suggests incorporating cycling infrastructure into road design, allowing for extra funding for bike lanes and bridges, taking action on lorry danger and encouraging strong leadership to ensure cycling remains a government priority.

So far, about 60,000 people have signed the petition, launched on 23 April. Snow, president of the CTC, said: “We need 100,000 signatures to make sure it gets a hearing in parliament. The good news is we’re over halfway there.”

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Paul Component Engineering top cap mounts – first look

Oli Woodman — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:55:00 GMT

Californian manufacturers Paul Component Engineering have launched two new aluminium top cap mounts – a GoPro specific model (US$49) and a more versatile version (US$36) designed primarily for front lights.

GoPro mount

The GoPro version is machined from 6061 aluminium and fits in place of a top cap for 1 1/8in headsets, offering a view of the trail from just above the handlebar. The hardware can be attached directly to the camera's case, for a solid connection, or fitted with an articulated GoPro pivot arm if more adjustability is desired.

Available in a black or silver anodised finish, the part is compatible with HERO3, HERO2, and HD HERO generations of the GoPro. Watch the video below for an example of footage recorded using the mount:

Please install Adobe Flash player to view this content

Video: Paul GoPro mount demo

Front light mount

The second new component from Paul's is known as the Stem Cap Light Mount. Similar to the GoPro model, this component takes place of the top cap on a threadless headset and is also machined from aluminium.

Originally designed to provide a central mount for a handlebar light, the 26mm hoop also makes an ideal attachment for computers, power meters and other gadgets. It's available in black or silver.

Stem Cap Light Mount

For more information see www.paulcomp.com.

Paul Component Engineering bar mounts – first look

Oli Woodman — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:55:00 GMT

Californian manufacturers Paul Component Engineering have launched two new aluminium handlebar mounts – a GoPro specific model (US$49) and a more versatile version (US$36) designed primarily for front lights.

GoPro mount

Please install Adobe Flash player to view this content

Video: Paul GoPro mount demo

Front light mount

Originally designed to provide a central mount for a handlebar light, the 26mm hoop also makes an ideal attachment for computers, power meters and other gadgets. It's available in black or silver.

Stem Cap Light Mount

For more information see www.paulcomp.com.

BikeRadar at the heart of Prudential RideLondon

BikeRadar — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Cycling fever will grip London this summer when more than 20,000 cyclists hit the start line for the London-Surrey 100-mile sportive in August. The mass participation event is part of Prudential RideLondon, which BikeRadar's parent company Future has been confirmed as Official Cycling Media Partner for.

We’ve teamed up the organisers to offer ten lucky readers the chance to join the action-packed party and win a place on the oversubscribed 100 mile ride. To win one of the places, enter the competition here - entries close today so hurry!

The sportive – set to be the biggest mass participation cycling event the UK has ever seen – is just one of a number of Prudential RideLondon events to be held over 3-4 August that will confirm the city as a global capital of cycling.

And with less than 80 days to go, BikeRadar Active is offering a bespoke training plan to help riders train for and maximise their performance on the tough route out into the Surrey Hills before its swings back to the start/finish point at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Other events include the family friendly Freecycle, an eight mile car-free loop that will give up to 50,000 cyclists of all abilities the chance to savour the sights of many the city’s historic landmarks from the saddle.

To help new cyclists get into the sport for the first time and make the most of the activity BikeRadar’s sister magazine, On Your Bike will be distributed to everyone who pre-registers for the Prudential Freecycle.

As well as taking part, spectators will be able to watch some of the world’s best riders speeding through the London streets. The most promising female and junior riders in the country will take part in the Grand Prix criterium races and to cap it all off, the London-Surrey Classic will feature pro riders competing for glory in a race that will echo the action and atmosphere of last year’s dramatic Olympic road race.

BikeRadar, together with sister site Cyclingnews.com and magazines Cycling Plus and Procycling will bring you all the Prudential RideLondon action.

Partner promotion: 40% off subscriptions to Future’s sports magazines

BikeRadar UK — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:30:00 GMT

As part of BikeRadar we are able to give you amazing offers on the UK’s best biking magazines. For a limited time only you can subscribe to any of our magazines with a special BikeRadar discount of 40%. It’s a money saver that you do not want to miss!

Cycling Plus is the manual for the modern road cyclist. Whether you're cycling weekly, an occasional new rider or a Tour de France fan you’ll find everything you need. Each issue is packed with buying advice and tests of essential cycling gear - everything from bikes to bags!

Procycling is the monthly magazine that takes readers inside the world’s toughest sport – professional road racing. From the mud and rain of the spring Classics through to annual summer spectacular of the Tour de France, the magazine combines thoughtful, probing sports journalism and insightful interviews with incredible sports photography.

Mountain Biking UK celebrates everything that is great about mountain biking, enabling people of all abilities and ages to have a better time on their bike. Within the pages of MBUK you’ll find everything you love about riding a mountain bike.

What Mountain Bike is the magazine for all cross-country and trail riders. Written by the most respected team in the business, What Mountain Bike shows readers what to ride, where to ride and how to ride.

Triathlon Plus is the magazine for people who love the energy and excitement of a multi-disciplinary sport. If you’re passionate about taking part and want to improve your personal best then it’s definitely the magazine for you. Created by Triathletes for Triathletes.

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“Crossrail for bikes” under funding threat

Sam Dansie — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:38:00 GMT

London’s 15-mile East-West Cycle Superhighway – a pillar of city mayor Boris Johnson’s Vision for Cycling – could be under threat as the government prepare to cut spending.

According to reports in the Evening Standard, part of the £913m the mayor planned to spend to double the number of journeys made by bike and make cycling safer is considered a “vulnerable” project at the Treasury for the next comprehensive spending review, scheduled for 26 June.

Chancellor George Osborne has final approval of more than £600m of the budget the mayor has allocated to cycling, the paper reported.

Johnson unveiled his Vision for Cycling in March, outlining a “Crossrail for bikes”, a network of routes through quiet streets, a grid of partially segregated routes across the city centre and action on lorry danger and measures to improve lethal junctions.

Spa Cycles Nidd saddle review

Cycling Plus — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Yorkshire touring specialists Spa Cycles have branched out from bikes, and their kit range now includes a trio of leather saddles aimed at touring and long-distance cyclists. Though they make no mention of it, these are clearly aimed at the long-established leader in the leather saddle world – Brooks.

The Nidd is named after a Yorkshire river – yep, we had to look it up – and is Spa’s answer to Brooks’ venerable B17. They have a similar shape, rivets in the same place, saddle bag loops and three holes on the top. The frame and rails are chrome plated chromoly.

There’s no getting away from the fact that this is a firm saddle, and it is going to take a while to wear in, but if you look after it – proofing it occasionally – it should take forever to wear out.

The Australian cowhide is thicker than the leather Brooks uses, which makes it firmer still and slightly heavier. Ours weighed 601g, compared with around 540g for the Brooks. The 170mm width and 280mm length are also very Brooks like.

The construction doesn’t have Brooks’ artisan imperfections, and is uniform and first-rate. And, given the quirky language of the instructions, it has all the hallmarks of coming from the Far East not the English Midlands.

And while it is firm, we’d actually got in a few rides and a fair few miles before remembering we were actually testing it, which is a compliment for any saddle. You can adjust its tension using an Allen key (more convenient than Brooks’s spanner) and the side tension using laces; we didn’t need to. The chromoly rails also allow for an impressive amount of fore and aft adjustment.

If you want to strap a saddle bag to the Nidd’s metal loops, Spa just happen to have the nifty little Derwent bag in its range. And – surprise! – it’s half the price of Brooks’s Challenge tool bag.

Spa have delivered a product that genuinely challenges Brooks’ range. It might require a long breaking-in period and it’s certainly better with padded shorts rather than unpadded non-cycling wear, but this is a high quality, bargain priced product that – with some care – could outlast you. As with any leather saddle, try not to let it get wet (and if you do so, let it dry naturally), proof it periodically and ride, ride and ride some more.

Carbon has its place in cycling, but when it comes to saddles, steel and good old-fashioned leather have their place too. Who says trad’s dead?

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Tougher sentence demanded for driver who killed two cyclists

Sam Dansie — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:15:00 GMT

The families of two cyclists killed by the same motorist have launched a formal appeal to have the “scandalous” sentence for the driver’s latest offence overturned today.

In early May, Gary McCourt was sentenced to 300 hours of community service and given a five-year driving ban for killing Audrey Fyfe in Edinburgh in 2011. A 22-year-old cyclist, George Dalgity, was also killed by McCourt in 1985 – he was given a 10-year ban but only held a provisional licence at the time.

Fyfe’s husband, Ian, and Dalgity’s daughter, Ann, handed a letter to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Edinburgh this morning, registering a formal request to have McCourt re-sentenced.

The family members were accompanied by the chief executive of the CTC, Gordon Seabright. Audrey Fyfe was a member of the CTC and her family contacted the charity to help campaign for the sentence to be appealed and McCourt given at least a lifetime driving ban.

McCourt, who the court heard had shown signs of depression and post traumatic stress disorder, was not given a prison sentence for killing Fyfe. In the view of Sheriff James Scott, who presided over the case, there were no aggravating factors such as driving under the influence, and he had “momentarily” lost concentration. He said that the fact Fyfe wasn’t wearing a helmet, in his view, contributed to her death.

After McCourt was sentenced on 3 May, Peter Hayman, of CTC Scotland, said: “This 300 hours of community service and only a five-year ban as a sentence is scandalous and goes against the efforts to encourage cycling.”

More than 2,800 emails have already been sent directly to the public prosecutors in Scotland demanding they press for McCourt to be re-sentenced. The Crown Office said this morning they will give “careful consideration as to whether the sentence was unduly lenient”.

Later this week, thousands of cyclists are expected to join the Pedal on Parliament rally to demand that Scottish politicians make roads safer and that laws to protect more vulnerable road users are properly enforced.

View the CTC's letter to the Crown Office here.

Coffee Art Print series gains international distribution

Ben Delaney — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

After years of lugging around burlap coffee sacks, hand-cutting stencils and traveling to art shows, Megan Koopman Morgan launched her commercial Coffee Art Print series this month with Portfolio Graphics. Unlike the artist's original works, which are available starting at US$1,000, reproductions of the Coffee Art Print series are being sold for approximately US$50 through major retailers like Hobby Lobby.

"I have a passion for cycling, coffee, and flowers that I like to share through my original Coffee Art Prints," Koopman Morgan said. "The original images are developed from my travels and experiences over several years.”

The Coffee Art Print series is now available through major retailers

The story starts back in 2000 when Koopman Morgan collected a huge stack of used coffee bags from a small coffee roaster during the time she and her husband Jamie Morgan were living and racing mountain bikes in Telluride. "The local roaster provided them free if Megan would just haul them away," Morgan said. "We kept this huge stack of old coffee bags in our basement through three moves while Megan promised she was going to do a great art project someday - even though I pleaded to throw them away every time I had to move the huge stack."

In 2008, Koopman Morgan began sketching concepts for cycling images for the coffee bags.

After years of lugging around used coffee sacks, Koopman Morgan created a popular series

She then hand-cut stencils, applying monochromatic paint to the used coffee bags, with early pieces including images of cyclists from Ottavio Bottecchia and Bernard Hinault to Ned Overend.

In recent years, Koopman Morgan held art shows in various Colorado cities, and the bestselling images were always hand-painted versions of antique bicycles with flowers or children’s tricycles. After a successful show at Utah's Park City Kimball Arts Festival last August, Portfolio Graphics approached Koopman Morgan to license new works internationally.

The new series recreates the impression of the original loose coffee bag canvas. Portfolio Graphics has licensed five new images for distribution as wrapped canvas, paper prints and wall decal pieces with retailers including Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Home Goods & Winners.

Koopman Morgan is continuing to create new original Coffee Art Print pieces also. You can learn more about her artwork at coffeeartprint.com.

Scottish cyclists urged to join campaign for safer roads

Sam Dansie — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:01:00 GMT

A grassroots campaign group hope to mobilise thousands of passionate cyclists to demand more money and resources be spent on cycling infrastructure and safety in Scotland.

On Sunday 19 May, cyclists from around the country are set to join the second Pedal on Parliament (POP) rally in Edinburgh, to demand politicians give cycling a bigger slice of the transport budget for extra measures to make roads safer. Examples include 20mph speed limits and action on lorry danger.

Greame Obree, a retired pro who held the world hour record, will attend the rally. The group have also secured support from Scotland’s most famous Olympian, Sir Chris Hoy.

Last year, 3,000 people joined Pedal on Parliament’s first ride, campaign organiser Sally Hinchcliffe told BikeRadar: “Last time we were thrown completely because I think we had a Facebook group and 200 people signed up and 3,000 people came. [This year] it feels like there’s a lot of momentum just seeing all the feeder rides that are being planned, but a lot will depend on the weather.”

The organisation have developed an eight point manifesto, which they say will help the country achieve the national aim to have 10 percent of all journeys made by bike by 2020.

Hinchcliffe said there had been “warm words” from politicians but little meaningful action to improve conditions for Scottish cyclists in the year since the first rally. “What we’ve had is really warm words. We had the first minister [Alex Salmond] saying you’re pushing on an open door,” she said.

Pedal on Parliament’s manifesto includes increasing cycling investment to £25 per head a year, incorporating cycle lanes into new road planning, and encouraging better research to help politicians make decisions that favour cyclists.

Hinchcliffe said that the Get Britain Cycling report unveiled at Westminster in April had resonated in Scotland too, but that many of the recommendations wouldn’t apply north of the border because transport is a devolved issue.

She also criticised the Scottish government’s current Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS): “Scotland’s got the Cycling Action Plan, which is nothing like a plan really. Something like the Get Britain Cycling report is much more the sort of thing that would have achieved the 10 percent [of journeys made by bike] that Scotland is supposedly going for.”

The POP ride will meet at the Meadows between 2-3pm before riding down the Royal Mile to the Parliament Buildings. For more information visit pedalonparliament.org.