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Character = bikes being nicked = good tales to tell back in Tx about lundun and bikes being nicked :- Priceless.

Mind you, you did ask.. we offered an opinion...

Do you know where to post in the Stolen Bikes thread.?

Ha, I think I can find it.

How familiar are you with London? I've lived everywhere apart from South, and much prefer over Ladbroke Grove in the West where I am now to the rest. I like over Hackney way, enjoyed living there, but there's more than just East to consider - although it is handier for Goldsmiths. Consider all your options and have a good look around, see where feels most comfortable. Good luck with it all.

I'm fairly familiar, but I'm kinda stuck at least along the Eastern Line so I can get to and from school.

Howsabout not living in East London. It's bike theft and ironic 'taches wall to wall.

Go elsewhere - bike safe(er)(ish).

I like East London, it's got character err.. something like that. Agreed, no 'taches though.

They know.

Bastards

I before E except after C

ha, i'm careless on the web

Despite the risks, you shouldn't let the fear of theft stand in your way of owning a good bike. If we all tried to avoid risks all the time, we'd never leave the house. You may well be walking and get mugged, let alone bike crime. It's your right to have a quality bike of your own choosing. I think it's sensible to use this only for decent rides, when you'll either be on it or have it in your sight at all times, and have a basic bike for dicking around on, going to the shops, pub etc. If you ride your good bike in this way, less often, you'll look forward to it more too.

positive advice .. Thank you

Don't leave it outside, two locks will slow the thieves down - but only by a couple of minutes or so.

East London + Nice Bike = No Nice Bike.

This is sad, but I realize it's probably true. What about Vintage goodies, the theives might not know about?

Bring your gun, Texas...

Ha, that's what your cops need. Theives don't respect them.

For my bike I have two kyrpto faghs and am slowly having every bolt/nut exchanged for a non standard security bolt/nut and i still worry when i leave it for more than an hour! It would be comical if it wasn't so sad/annoying. If you are living here for a while look into getting house insurance.

As for space, it really depends on the flat/room. There are many different storage methods which you could look into if you are tight on space.

What and where are you studying?

Yeah I have an M18 Kryp. lock but I broke it. After reading the lock thread, I think two faghd locks and maybe an alarm will do for a couple hours if in a good spot?

Not sure on my space yet. I'm going to Goldsmiths for grad. school but I'm not staying there. I hope to get a flat somewhere on the Eastern line in Hackney or thereabouts. Roommate anyone?

Seth, if your worried about bike theft, then best not to spend too much cash on a bike for everyday duties. Maybe a nice wheelset, but keep the bob jackson or mercian frame only and ride it when/if, you go back to austin.
London has a bad reputation, but if you lock up using the locks suggested in ga2g's locks that work thread, being in east london and all won't make it any easier for you.
Personally get a bike that rides well, but you (know this is a bit of an oxymoron) haven't invested too much in, that you can ride and not worry about it. Nothing worse than wanting to ride somewhere to do whatever then being scared to lock the bike up because your worried about it going missing...

hope this helps

Thanks for the insight. Sucks you can't even ride a nice bike out of fear. I lived in London a couple summers ago and some kids stole my Brompton from the inside a church foyer in Islington. The cops were half ass and didn't give a shit. They seemed afraid of the kids actually. They need GUNS!

Anyway, how do vintage bikes sit in the mix. Say an old holdworth or carlton? What are some other tips or attractions to avoid? Nice paintwork, etc..

Nice to be positive.

On one are doing an amazing bike for £400 and the get a beater that you won't be upset about leaving.

Yeah, I was kinda thinking of getting a couple different setups. Which begs another question? How much space on average do you have in your flat for bikes?

Locking your bike might prevent it from being stolen.

Thanks for the links

Don't live or go to East London, don't lock it outside you'll be fine.

I gotta live in East London for school and work. I wasn't planning on locking it outside overnight or anything, but maybe if I go to the pub or something?

Thanks

I'm about to move to London from Austin, and I wanted to ask opinions/theories/techniques for not getting a nice bike stolen in London. I'm thinking of getting a Bob Jackson or Mercian and a nice wheelset, but is it really worth it, with the risk of getting it stolen?

It'd be nice to hear some advice from people with nice/expensive setups. Two locks? Don't leave outside? Etc.. What's your opinions?

how's that work then? can you explain this theory.

It's just my personal opinion and feel of the material from riding them. To me, 531 feels stiff, springy, strong. CrMo feels strong but lacks the same give and take "springy" feel I get from 531.

I realize that's very vague and inarticulate, those are just the feelings that come to mind for me.

Cheers

cough Still available cough

Yes, I would love this, let me save my dollars or I guess pounds.

I meant the opposite really. I have an old steel frame with quill stem and I like it however if I were to buy a modern frame I would look for superior tubing (ie better than 531) and Ahead, whis IS better than quill.
I'm not having a go at your project, I just believe you shouldn't dismiss modern technology.

Yeah, I may go with 631 tubing instead. A-Head is "better" marginally, but Standard Quill looks so clean and nice, I can't compromise on that one.

My yates is 853

So 322 somethings better than 531

Fork rake: If you're really into designing a 'porteur' (beware these will probably be very uncool in London Fields any day now) I would look carefully at getting the trail right, since what you're talkin about is I assume a bike made to carry loads up front.

Velo Orange have quite a bit of stuff, I think, on their blog about getting the right trail for heavy loads. It's either them or someone doing very similar frames over in the US. You might consider to design a frame that would work with two forks: one raked for heavy loads (and the relevent eyes and brazeons) and raked for without. Or something.

I would imagine that you'll end up making these from Tange or 525.

Ha, yeah 322 sounds good. I'm more into the functionality of the Path Racer, the Porteur reference is mainly out of frame of reference for style and design. Although, I'm moving to London next week, the frames will intially be sold State Side (Austin, Texas!)

So, will I be judged next week if I show up with a Porteur at Cat and Mutton (or does that still exist)?

Mate, go for 631 instead.

Bob Jackson's Vigorelli is regarded as a path racer due to it's grass track geo, enough room for even 32c without mudguard (28c with).

Skully's Yates I think was aimed at a road-path geo too, and it's modern (with ahead stem etc.).

The Vigorelli and Mercian's are definately a guiding point or inspiration. I love either! They're hard to come by/expensive in the States. Basically, I'm hoping for this frameset to be a more affordable/accessible option of those.

Good idea, but... if I wanted outdated tubing, a quill stem and - to a lesser extent - lugs, I'll stick to my 50s bike. I do like the vintage look but I wouldn't buy something build in 2010 that is technically obsolete. Since you can't build charm and patina you might as well slightly compromise the look and get something that works better.

Vintage is great, I ride vintage (see my site), but it isn't accessible for everyone and the steel isn't as "springy". Right now I live in the States (where these will intially be sold) and Path Racer esqe frames are nearly impossible to come by (I know I've been looking). Not alot of options over here in terms of style, quality, character, etc..

As far as the "technically obsolete" comment goes I think you'd have an argument on your hands in many respects. It depends what you want to do. I'll take my 531 vintage frames anyday over the generic CrMo fixie/single speed frames for most daily riding. It's more comfortable, has more give, and at the same time more support. But, if you're talking about race bikes or the like, then yes you're going to win on a carbon blah blah frame. I think the technically obsolete argument is kind of a blanket statement without direction. "They don't make them like they used to."

Mate, go for 631 instead.

Bob Jackson's Vigorelli is regarded as a path racer due to it's grass track geo, enough room for even 32c without mudguard (28c with).

Skully's Yates I think was aimed at a road-path geo too, and it's modern (with ahead stem etc.).

Yeah, all options are on the table at this point. I haven't ridden a 631 to compare.

Ow, no need to make it personal, I chose that colour. :)

ha, sorry. I'm a boring silver, grey, black sort of guy. Classic looks all the way.

Do reynolds still produce 531 on a large scale?
I thought they'd replaced it with 525.

I know they "replaced" it with 631 (the hardened version), but apparently they still produce it, maybe casually. I know www.cooperbikes.com uses 531 on a few of their models. I want to use 531, but it will depend on the costs.

Which country is it being built in?

Like virtually every other bike these days, the far east (Taiwan).

why not purchase a vintage frame. i'm riding a '58 holdsworth zephyr and one if the not the best riding bike i've owned.

personally, if you will be riding it fixed a lot, maybe consider raising BB a fraction, to eliminate pedal strike. also, you may need to make a bit more room for full guards especially if running 32 tyres, look pretty tight.

Thanks for your input. I guess I wasn't clear on my original post. This is not a one off frame for myself, I'm going to be selling these (eventually).

I love Vintage as you can see from my site, but it can be difficult to get hold of what you want and there can scratches, dents, dings, etc.. Nothing like a fresh steel New frame!

I had the same thoughts about the BB drop, I'm considering raising it to 65mm or 60mm. Anyone, know what sort of difference that's going to make in ride quality?

Yeah 32 tires with guards do look pretty tight, I've been telling the builder I probably need more room, but there English isn't always up to snuff.

Cheers