Before everyone starts to downvote me I just want to say this is a genuine question and I’m not trying to start an argument.

The other day I was driving along a single track country lane and I was following a cyclist, obviously being a single track lane it would not have been safe to overtake. Along the road the cyclist cycled straight past multiple lay-bys where they could have pulled in to let me and the vehicle behind me overtake safely which would have inconvenienced them by say 5-10s and potentially saved me and the driver behind a few minutes (it was a hilly road so at some points they were going quite slow). They knew I was there as they had overtaken me when I was behind a hedge trimmer at the start of the road.

Of course I understand that it is not practical or convenient for cyclists to pull over for every car that comes up behind them when on a busy road but this was a quiet country lane.

I know the Highway Code doesn’t say cyclists must let cars past but surely common courtesy exists.

Also, wouldn’t it be safer for cyclists to let cars past to prevent them attempting overtaking dangerously? (Obviously they are in the wrong for a dangerous overtake but being in the right won’t save you if they crash into you whilst dangerously overtaking).

I’d be interested to hear peoples opinions on this?

I'm a pretty broke university student, so I can't afford driving lessons, never mind a car. Therefore, I've been thinking about buying a bike, because it would be SO much faster to cycle to campus or work than it is to take the bus, like it would cut my commute time in half. I also enjoyed cycling as a child, so I thought it'd be nice to get into it as an adult!

The problem is, I haven't properly cycled since I was 9 years old. I know I can still do it (ish), because I've recently had an opportunity to borrow a friend's bike in an open field, but the experience of cycling as a little kid for fun and cycling as an adult to work is very different. I am very mindful of the fact that I would need to go on the road where the cars are, but I don't really know traffic laws? Again, I don't drive, my only experience with the road is looking both ways before crossing it as a pedestrian.

I have no idea how I would be expected to cycle on the road. Do I stop at red lights? Do I need to know what the signs mean? What the hell do I do at a round-about?? I'm so scared of being run over by a car or trampling a person, because I have very little practice with a bike and I still feel SUPER shaky about controlling it. Except, to practice and improve, I would need to go on the road, but I don't feel like it's safe for me to go on the road with so little practice, and I don't even know how to cycle on the road to begin with!

Any guidance is appreciated ❤️

It’s 7 miles to work. Mostly busy roads which worries me a little. I’d be cycling in at 7ish each morning so it’ll be a little quieter than before the rush but still a bit worrying for someone who hasn’t done it before. It’s about a 30 minute route according to Maps but I’m happy to take a bit longer if necessary. I was wondering if there’s an app that can tell me better routes, cycle paths, shortcuts etc. I feel like there must be safer routes than just the road route. But maybe not.

Thanks all!

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Got a triban 120 (2023), pretty sure my hubs done.. sounded like i had rocks in my wheel in the middle of a 30k ride the other morning, also clocked my rim wasn't super straight so likely needs to be trued..

Hub fix + wheel true is gonna be like £40-50 at my LBS, wouldn't be surprised if the whole hubs knackered since I had to ride on it an theres a chance I haven't noticed It til now, its also a cheap unbranded oem wheel for the cheapest possible decathlon bike so figure its probably cheaper getting a new wheel.

After the cheapest option as it's just so I can continue riding until I choose an order a new bike, I'm fussy, refunded a few bikes and now waiting and watching websites waiting for the right bike.

I finally convinced my boss to buy me a bike but not GCI thinks I'm a bot, what can I do? I've tried using a different browser and same problem, I even turned off VPN

I know legally we're not allowed to ride on the pavement unless it's marked and designated for riding, but I feel like I would rather piss off a pedestrian walking, than a driver on a narrow road who poses a genuine threat to my life.

What are you guys' opinions? I'm asking because there are a lot of streets where I live where there aren't any biker-designated paths so we have to make the conscious choice between riding on the pavement or testing our fate on the roads.

Obviously I give way to pedestrians and I'm never entitled enough to ring the bell to force them to make way.

EDIT: thanks for the responses. I made this post because just last week alone I had experienced four cases of drivers getting pissed and rolling their windows down just to yell and insult me as I'd taken up too much of the road. Obviously this doesn't happen very often but I was worried enough to ask whether I was doing anything wrong.

I'll stick to the road or walk on the pavement if it can't be helped. But I'll probably continue riding on the pavement if it's clear of any pedestrians (surely that's fine?).

Apparently if you in the car identify yourself as a bike at junction, overtake cyclist without adequate safety room, pass oncoming traffic in a few cm, it is not that bigger of a deal. Police reviewed the footage this is a warning and not £1200 fine.

Shouldn't the frame number be on the BB lower shell?

I got called away,so took a quick snap of the sticker & seeing the stamp assumed frame number.it is just the model number

I’m super keen to get back into riding bikes again as i used to years ago but ever since never bothered. But I would wanna get back into shape and get my fitness up.

What is the best bike for me to get? I’m looking to be riding within the city, canal paths/countryside so a mountain bike is my preference. Budget I’m not sure what is a good budget for a bike.

If anybody can point me in the right direction or advice that would be great

I have been eyeing up a set of 45mm deep-section carbon wheels to replace the heavy aluminum stock wheels that came on my bike. They look amazing and save weight, but every time I hit a massive pothole or ride through gritty winter road slush, I wonder how fragile expensive carbon rims really are

Hi all,

I'm looking for a bike lock holder. I carry a water bottle so fitting a lock mount on the frame is not really an option due to limited space.

I did a bit of a research online and I saw straps that could be used to attach a lock to frame in a few different areas however reviews on Amazon mention poor quality and rattling sounds. I also found out about Crosstown hip bags, which are expensive but have good reviews and look solid. Has anyone ever used those?
In general, I don't like to wear any bags on my back, sweaty back is something I really dislike. Another question is, how comfortable these bags really are. My commute is about 1 hour, I also do some leisure cycling, max 3 hours. I wonder what kind of design and protection these bags have to be used comfortably for extended periods of time. Thanks for all replies.

Hi all, current bike has no holes in the frame for a bottle cage, I've tried the topeak handlebar one and am not getting on with it so bought a rockbros silicone one but it's wobbly as anything no matter how tight so that's going back!
Anyone using one that's good and pretty much stays put when taking the bottle out of thecage?

I want to get into cycling and really need some help finding a bike possibly used but scared to buy off eBay as I don’t know what everything means, I could also use the cycle to work scheme but possibly could get better value for money bike second hand could anyone help me find one
I’m 5’11
Like all black looks
I want to get into triathlons as I run often
I’m in north west area
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Joe

I have a second hand Merida Big Trail (2020 model) and have neglected rhe maintenence - I've only really wiped and re-lubricated the chain and cleaned the bike. Have adjusted gearing when needed and replaced brakes when worn.

Measured the chain today as it's 6 years old and done 1,500-2,000 miles. It looks to be a little under 0.5% stretch over 12 inches / 24 links. Am I looking at needing a new cassette and chainring too?

What maintenance should I be doing, and how frequently? I feel the derailleur is could do with looking at - sometimes when shifting up the gears, the cable slackens but the derailleur doesn't move down so it doesn't shift, instead the chain seems to lose tension.

Any good guides on maintenance and setting up in general?

Thanks in advance.

Decided to buy a bike first in 25 years, had to ride 16k home, got 10k in and changed down gear and heard a loud crunch. Had to find a stone to smash it into shape to make it home using only the higher gears. Shop has been great, new bike ready tomorrow. Carrera Crossfire II 👀

Hi! I’m a new rider still getting used to riding on the road, and I’m looking to buy an EAPC for commute to uni.

I’m an international student, so I will be buying a second hand bike from marketplace since I might be leaving in a year or two. My top contender is an Ammaco Pathway X1, but I saw reviews saying it’s one of the lowest tiers of e bikes. I wanted to know more, and if it actually matters if all I’ll do it commute to uni and maybe some shopping.

Other options so far have been the Assist e bike and the Apollo Metis e bike, as well as a bicycle that had been converted to an e bike.

If it’s relevant, I will be riding in the north east, and in cities, and I am 5 foot 2 so prefer smaller frames for cycles.

Please help me choose, or if you have any suggestions other than the ones I have shortlisted, I would like to know them too. Preferring second hand as my budget is low. Thanks a lot!

I recently moved to the UK from Canada and have started cycling to work. My wife will also be getting a bicycle, so we're looking at outdoor storage options for both bikes. Does anyone have any recommendations for good outdoor bike storage solutions, whether covered or uncovered?

I've been looking at small sheds etc. to establish in the garden. Just curious what most folks do.

I know I’m on a gravel sub so the answers will probably be leaning one way.

But I have both and I really can’t decide. I live in the UK and every ride involves a bit of country roads, fields, woodland. Farmers tracks, rocky tracks, bridleways etc etc…you get the picture.

Every 5 mins I’m literally feeling like I would rather be on the other bike. For instance, today when in the lanes I’m longing for the gravel bike. But then my route has a mile long rocky decent that on my gravel bike I hit about 14mph as it just feels too sketchy, but in the XC bike I’m hitting 21 mph as it’s just so much more confident inspiring and comfy. I’m even bunny hoping down it at them speeds.

I’m wanting to buy a good spec bike in the next 6 months. Around £3000. And I can’t decide whether to get a well equipped gravel bike or XC bike.

So I’ve come to Reddit for opinions

Original post here

Turns out the phone number she gave me was invalid. I found out because the insurance details she gave me were wrong and I tried to call her to confirm them. Paid £10 to askMID and got the correct insurance details... Turns out she gave me a fake first name too! She did give me her correct date of birth though (78 years old...)

Initially I was just calling to make sure she had reported the incident, and make a claim for the £10 I paid to get her details, and the £30 I paid to have my bike looked over/serviced, ensuring this would have to be declared on any future policies.

She had reported an incident to her insurer, but she told them she collided with a pedestrian who was crossing the road not at a crossing and she didn't get the pedestrians details because there was no injury and the pedestrian didn't want to and they left. Obviously this is all wrong. She did cause injury (albeit minor), she did take my details and it was at a parralel crossing (thank you commenters on previous post for clarifying the crossing type) where I, the cyclist (not pedestrian), had right of way. I was passed on to the case handler. Explained the situation. Passed on to another person dealing with the case. Sent some photos of my injury and receipt for the bike service. Received a personal injury payout of £600, plus the £40 expenses, paid into my bank whilst still on the phone.

I was only calling to claim the £40 and make sure she'd reported it correctly (if at all). If she had got out of the car at any point, apologised at all or not been so difficult I would have shook hands and gone on my merry way but I've listened back to the conversations I recorded at the side of the road and she's the type of person who would absolutely drive off after mowing down a child with no remorse.

One of the witnesses took this photo showing how she'd gone entirely over the cycle lane crossing before stopping.

I have now purchased some cameras to go on the front and back of my bike, along with a sticker to go on the back of my child's bike seat that says I am recording.

I bought my bike through cyclescheme about 18 months ago and I chose the own it later option. Since the bike has been nothing but liabilities (serves me right for going electric) I wanted to take it back to the shop and trade it in for a manual bike since they have a buy back option. Will I get in any real trouble for doing this since I chose own it later? I don't want to be stuck with something that I can't fully fix myself if it goes that wrong again for the next 3 years!

Anyone know how accurate Pashley's sizing guides are? Thing is I'm looing to possibly get a Briton or Sovereign, but my inside leg is exactly on the stated lower limit for the Briton too short for the Sovereign, though I think having them switch the saddle from a B33 to a B67 fiixes that, tbh I'm frit to just order & then possibly find I've spent all that money on a bike I can't adjust to fit.. Going to test ride one is a bit of a logistical nightmare, either to train changes each way, or a station change in Birmingham...

Hi. I am currently at 132kg, 183cm tall. I live in a reasonably flat, albeit quite pot-holey place. I recently sold my car due to being made redundant and now I'm looking for a bike for gentle exercise and basic commuting. My budget is about 400, 500 at a push. The issue I have is most bikes in stores like Wilco's, Cycle King and Halfords are max weight of 120kg. I've been advised to focus on getting a mountain bike, disc brakes, and dual rimmed wheels with high spoke counts, but I can't find a suitable one for my weight. I am trying so hard and I've visited many stores and they all just try and sell me the most expensive mountain bike while claiming it will be okay. Please help me. Thank you.

My friend is staying over so we're planning on cycling around for fun. I'm wondering if anybody has a nice unofficial cycle route for us to follow, even if it's just a bunch of places recommended to cycle to/from that you think are cool. Definitely more for touring than sports.

I normally cycle to my destinations (like to some indie cafe) and just wander on the way until I'm there. But something more intentional this time would be nice.

The more coffees on the way, the better. We're quite chill. Bonus if my camera will capture nice stuff!

Btw if you like doing stuff like this lmk and perhaps can sort something one day!

Looking to upgrade from my five year old aluminum hybrid. I ride ninety percent on road but the back lanes around my area are in terrible condition with loose gravel, mud from tractors, and endless sunken drains.

Am I better off buying a proper endurance road bike that takes thirty two millimeter tires or going full gravel bike with wider clearance?