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That is, what would surprise you least?

I know this will prompt a long long discussion about stereotypes, how there's no such thing as 'normal', and how you can't generalize, etc. etc., but I'm genuinely interested to find out what people think about this.

And I'm actually wondering more about how you see your friends and acquaintances than your own standards. (e.g. I'm not remotely the moving-in type myself, but that doesn't stop me being slightly amazed when a couple have been together for 6 years and are still living apart, and worried/sceptical when friends move in together after dating for less than a month.)

My advice is always to give it at least a year before moving in together. And I almost always have ignored this very advice to my own detriment. On the other hand, my wife and I waited about two years before moving in together (we obviously weren't married at the time) and we're still together.

18kg!! Jesus christ.

I'm not good when it comes to the metric system. After checking, I now realise this is almost 40 lbs. Man, that's heavy.

Has anyone else seen the new TV advert for bikes at Asda? I ask, because it appears that the fork was installed backwards on the first bike they show.

I tried to find a copy of the advert online, but no luck. That said, I DID find this article from the Guardian, which should be required reading for anyone looking to buy a cheap bike:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/22/asda-cheap-bike

I highly doubt he was being serious, he was saying how motorists tend to view cyclists as a point to show that generalisation is not the right way to go.

Oh yeah, I got that from the post. But I also think that he's right, in so far as cyclists can be accused of all that sort of shit (as far as generalisations go). I guess I mentioned the 'road tax' thing to point out that his post was pretty accurate otherwise.

Jack White may be cool but he isn't that fast.

But he is fat (at times).

If we're going to be doing mass generalisations I'd just like to add that all cyclists are cnuts. They don't pay any fucking road tax and yet think they own the road because they're 'saving the planet' - fuck off and choke on some mung beans. They cruise through red lights putting other decent law abiding drivers at serious risk, because they think they can get away with it - if indeed they think at all and aren't just so busy shuffling through their iPod for phat choonz in a calculated attempt to try and make themselves feel even cooler that they're simply oblivious to traffic lights and other funny aspects of road use like pedestrian-crossings. Because cyclists choose to magically become pedestrians, but with cool wheels, when riding dangerously close around people on a zebra crossing who are simply trying to get from one side of the road to the other and have the decency and responsibility to use an appropriate crossing rather than just launch themselves into the road, but do cyclists care or even give these people some space and just wait a few seconds for them to cross? Do they fuck. Just as the again become 'magical wheel feet pedestrians' when charging along a pavement scattering innocent peds because the cyclist is too 'stweet' to slow down or use the road at all if it's not to his or her liking.

And in summing up, just why are cyclists such cnuts I hear you say? Because they are the very essence of double-standards, worthy, pious, manipulative little shits who'll cry 'foul' when a car or any other vehicle that pays to use the roads dares to get too close to them. But will happily stick their fingers up at the laws of the road whenever it suits them, endangering themselves, other road users and pedestrians in one fell swoop.

I agree, except for the bit about 'road taxes.' I didn't think we had those....

I think I could use the second one.

Pengy-esque clearance on that second bike's rear wheel!

blaming a specific kind of drivers is not the best way to go.

that person is a bad driver, regardless of the vehicle he drive.

+1

If you're in London, you might want to visit the Waltham Forest bicycle recycling scheme on a Saturday. I have a friend that works there sometimes. You can get an inexpensive bike and convert it. Plus, they let you use their tools and workshop to work on your bike if you want to make any changes or whatever. I think they only charge £3 or something for that, and they have all sorts of old parts lying around.

http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/transport/parking-roads/road-safety-home/rd-safety/cycling/cycling-recycle.htm

for the £$ its not a rip off, but the first time you take the wheel to be trued (ie the following day after purchase) you will see where all the corners have been cut, quality is low on their list of priority.. Still amazed they turn a profit though..
For the OTP customers out there what do people recommend and what do people avoid?
i find it hard but i did find myself rating the Fuji to a friends friend cos they were deadly serious about an OTP :( They got it, 3 months in, they want a new paint-job, new wheels, new pedals, new bars... Dont buy off the peg is my reluctant but honest advice to people, buy a frame you can afford and you like the look of, then build up with parts you can choose, the trick is don't rush it,

I bought an OTP (LeMond Fillmore) b/c I wanted a bike I could ride immediately. I didn't have the money to build a bike. I could've bought something like a Bob Jackson frame (for a little less than my bike), but it would've taken me months to build it up. Months not riding. So I've made changes over time to my bike. I'll probably ride this one for a few more years and then get something custome, like a Mercian, Orlwoski, or Bob Jackson.

the unipack geometry is based on another bike with a few tweak I think.

best way to keep the cost down, nick geo from another bike, althought morally wrong of course, did I remember correctly that another company nicked the BMW Gangsta's geo for their own bike? I can't remember which one thought.

Makes sense... it is a pretty generic-looking bike. And to be fair, the Unipack's don't really look bad at all.

let us unite

Sad thing is, that Unipack probably (or definitely) has a higher BB than my Fillmore.

Well, I'm not crazy about the red decals or the gold hub. And I'd prefer a different (maybe slightly longer) stem and different bars. But I don't take issue with the frame.

How about flames?

I'd have to actually try one out in person, for sure. I like the look of the bike. It looks sturdy and sporty at the same time.

of all the bike I've ridden, I'd love nothing more than to own the BMW Gangsta, it's a fantastic bike to ride.

that once I get over those "oh but the frame is not a classic lugged one" nonsense.

That and the fact that it's called a fucking 'Gangsta.'

I actually like the bikes okay, but they don't appear to come in my size.

That bike is a re-branded Fuji track. After paying for shipping and import duty, it will probably cost you more than buying an actual Fuji track over here:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/track-2009-track-bike-ec018091

Wow, you really ARE hostile, aren't you?

From one newbie to another, I purchased an SE Lager a few months ago and was pretty underwhelmed with the quality, mostly of the cheaply made Chinese manufactured parts, but as a basic ride, it was pretty fun, and I guess, reliable (not to mention, pretty ugly). It was pretty quick and the flip-flop hub was a nice surprise, but, after a month I got my act together and realised I could sell the thing off, and build one up for half the price, and claim my smug-riddled spot among these wankers, (who, by the way, couldn't help mentioning - everytime - that SE makes BMX bikes, not, usually, single speeds). But it appears you've gone with that Halford's beast, stay away from East London, or you'll forever be second guessing your purchase. But with that said, welcome to your new obession.

So... you bought a bike and then sold shortly afterward it so you could build a different bike? All so you would look 'cooler' and more 'acceptable' to the types of people who post on this forum or live/cycle in East London?

KHS flite 100 are being stocked later this year.
anyone have any experience of them? vs a fuji track?

My only experience with the KHS Flite 100 was riding on a Mercier Kilo TT (which is a re-branded Flite). Decent 4130 Chromoly frame (I believe the TT was 'Reynolds 520') and the geometry is track-like. If I had to choose the Flite vs the Fuji, I'd go with the Flite, but only because of the larger frame size. I think the Flite comes with maybe slightly higher-spec parts OTP, but it probably costs a bit more.

I'm from Jacksonville, FL, which is the home of BikesDirect.com. They're the guys that sell fake Mercier, Motobecane, Dawes, and Windsor bikes (so you see a lot of those bikes around town). I had a friend who owned a Windsor 'The Hour' which is just a rebadged Fuji track, and I couldn't see a lot of difference between 'The Hour' and the 'Kilo TT' in the long run.

and how is it? review it

Well, it's basically your bog-standard bag. It's fairly roomy (the main pocket is about the same size as a Chrome Metropolis... maybe a little smaller). It has a couple of other small, velcro pockets. Of course, they can add extra pockets or whatever if you ask. It's not made of cordura, but some other (similar) material that is used to make sails. The lining of mine is former billboard material, which seems almost as 'robust' as truck tarp.

The clips/clasps or whatever you call them are disappointing. They feel rather flimsy and have reflectors on them. The stitching on mine is a bit 'rudimentary,' although I think they've been getting a lot better at making bags since they made mine. I was back in Jacksonville in May, but didn't get the chance to make it to their shop. I've heard good things, though, and the pics I've seen of newer bags have looked promising.

The buckle on the strap is massive. It is used to adjust the strap, but cannot be 'unbuckled.' Like I said, it's really big and a bit heavy. It tends to dig into my chest under heavier loads, not unlike the Chrome buckle. One other thing I'm not crazy about is how the strap is attached to the bag itself. It is sewn onto the back of the bag (not like a Chrome bag, where the strap is attached at a seam on the side). This has not been so much of an issue, but it makes me worry that it would rip free eventually, if I carried lots of stuff in it regularly. Plus, it has the effect of making the bag not fit as snugly to your bag, so it sticks out a bit further then my Chrome bag does. And the stabilising strap is a bit simple.

Overall, it's an okay bag, but I think they've got some work to do. They're definitely on the right track, and I like their business model. They are also really nice guys, and they worked with me to have it shipped over to London.

I go back home every year, so I'll probably look at some of their bags next year. If I get one, I'll post pics.

more...

Burro messenger bags

pics

I have a Burro bag!

You should contact a bicycle courier.

Would it make me less of a dick if I had got it from fixedgeargallery ?

How much of a dick you are is up to whomever you are, I suppose. I was commenting more on your appearance. That said, you'd appear to be less of a dick if you had gotten it from fixedgeargallery, yeah.