Cycle Response Unit bikes- why are they so expensive?

It's a low cost way of getting around, however the cost of the slower transport in terms of person hours would mean that it isn't going to be a viable option.

I've toured on a hardtail with full panniers and it was a fairly enjoyable ride.

You kind of have to have a one size fits all approach because it needs to be deployed to any number of unknown scenarios. It needs to fulfill a remit that the cycle responder can attend quicker than a box ambulance, a car ambulance and a motorcycle first responder. It's about responding in close and complex urban environments with a risk of heavy and stationary traffic with sufficient supplies to be able to preserve life until a better medical function arrives.

Bumping up and down kerbs. Handling potholes, loose flagstones, steps and the occaisional bit of cross country in all weathers. A good carrying capacity for trawling lots of kit without shaking it around more than necessary. A bit of stability on those occaisions when you need to get off and push. Starting from that spec I would make a wide bar, trigger shift, broad geared, chunky road slick hardtail my first choice by a long mark.

If it has a sus fork it needs to be better than heavy, shit + unmaintainable though.

(I'm just bitter because I spent the last two weeks riding similarly shit bikes around vietnam - what I would have given for rigid crabonz front end).

Charlie don't sus.

I would make a wide bar, trigger shift, broad geared, chunky road slick hardtail my first choice by a long mark

Nah - sweet fixeh lowpro or gtfo. Life saving medical equipment in tool roll and hooked onto belt.

Now I just have an image in my head of the cycle responder riding like this guy (except with more Ambulance labelled fluoro...): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sITW5tr7KQg

^ Now with non-pants formatting!

Hi Guys, some interesting points. Not all correct though. All the panniers are under 1k with full medical internal grab bags (no equipment), supply of multiple pouches/ intubation rolls/ paperwork folders, with a map area/ paperwork area, stability frame board (because of the weight), clear security internal grab bags (front), clips/ brackets etc etc. High viz, retro reflective, buckles/ straps with security adaptations, back up light fixtures, external pockets, all anti bacterial, waterproof and ability to change the trunk on to other bikes quickly. All bespoke made in the UK and long lasting. Over 50lbs of weight on the rear. So know a bit about it and yeah it is the heaviest rig you will ever ride but perfectly balanced and agile.

As for the bikes, they are high quality and upgraded with several durable components and are classed as fleet heavy duty vehicles and are serviced as such. The livery is added later. Depending on where they work they may have straight forks.

Been a fan of LFGSS from the start, although some of you should revert to freewheeling, lil joke there. Any members welcome to ask more questions as it is your ambulance service.

Here is a lil film http://www.england.nhs.uk/challengeprizes/winners/cycle-response-unit/

Stay upright, CR

Been a fan of LFGSS from the start, although some of you should revert to freewheeling.

You really haven't been on here long have you?

Was one of the originals. Set up a new username. What is your point?

Quite a fair numbers on here rode bicycle with variable gears (and tyres too I guess).

Then I am in the right place then. Hope humour still allowed?

It is. But actually knowing what you are talking about won't get you very far.

Thanks dude. What should I do now? Thought I was being helpful. Will tone it down a bit. How is this..... Some freewheeling guys should try fixies as the momentum will keep them upright? Love and Peace, always by bicycle. CR

People do know how absolutely stupidly expensive that reflective tape on the frame is, right? It's not the same stuff as the eBay jobs you whack on your bike, it has to go through certain safety tests to make sure it's upto the job for x amount of years, I bet there's £300 worth of decals on the frame when you factor in the labour time to install it. Back in the 90s a family member used to do work for the Police after they had wrapped the cars around various objects and the price of the tape and installation was not far off the price of the car.

I imagine a huge amount of R&D goes into making these bikes work so well the cost is justified. Durability and keeping the cost as low as possible is the key. Yes you could make them faster, handle better but what's the point? The bikes they are using are sold by the bucket load so they know exactly what will break after x amount of miles so they can keep stock of those parts which will be cheap, there's no super new technology, it's all run of the mill durable stuff which is cheap to maintain and if it does wear out or break you just chuck it and replace it.

People who say these aren't £1700 worth of bike are looking at them like they'd go into their local bike shop and purchase one. If you break down the costing of one they're pretty good value for money.