Bicycles

[Tone Loki]

Thinking about the question of "The End Of The Petroleum Era" posted elsewhere here, I was wondering what the fellow Loungers thought of bicycling as an elegant way to travel and a nice antidote to the fuss and bustle of modern life.

I highly recommend Abici bicycles from Italy as modern manufacturers of classic, timeless models built for enjoyment, with a conspicuous lack of extras, do-dads and gadgetry.

http://www.abici-italia.it/

[culverwood]

There are some countries where bicycling to work fits in well with the climate and design of the towns and cities. Italy immediately springs to mind and in many of the older towns on the plains you will see men and women of all classes cycling to work and not dressed in lycra. The historic city centres were not designed with the car in mind and are best traversed by foot or cycle.

With the current financial problems and the petrol prices going up year after year if it is possible to cycle to work more and more people are doing so.

A lovely bike like the Abici is fine but a Brompton is probably better for most city centre riding and storing.

[marcelo]

Thinking about the question of "The End Of The Petroleum Era" posted elsewhere here, I was wondering what the fellow Loungers thought of bicycling as an elegant way to travel and a nice antidote to the fuss and bustle of modern life.

I highly recommend Abici bicycles from Italy as modern manufacturers of classic, timeless models built for enjoyment, with a conspicuous lack of extras, do-dads and gadgetry.

http://www.abici-italia.it/

Dear Tone Loki
This is an interesting topic which was once discussed, and could possibly be resumed, in another thread, namely:

It's about the bike: http://thelondonlounge.net/gl/forum/vie ... light=bike

[sartorius]

Bicycling can undoubtedly be a very elegant way to travel, although I wouldn't use it for travelling to the office (cycling in central London requires courage above anything else!).

However, I live on the Thames and close to Richmond Park and we cycle regularly for leisure - you can cycle along the whole length of the river on the south bank and there are some marvellous places to visit which you would never discover in a car. I have never particularly enjoyed driving anyway but a bicycle seems to me to offer numerous advantages, provided you are not travelling far and the elements are kind. You can also hold your head up knowing that you're doing your little bit for the environment.

[shredder]

Pashley's Guv'nor is Abici's English cousin...

The problem I have not been able to circumvent is the fact that biking to work will give a good polish to both my trouser seat and my Brooks saddle, former being the problem, that is. Some have told me that they change trousers for the journey, but this seems too troublesome to my lazy sensibilities.

Never easy, is it?

[Atlantic Sailor]

I am very interested in cycling to work and have looked at it seriously several times, in different locales.

The problems which one can't readily surmount are:
1.) The elegant bikes that will protect your clothes are mostly high-end Dutch city bikes. Unfortunately, they are terrible on hills. The ones that are good in hilly country are mountain bikes and racing bikes, both of which kick up rocks and have exposed oily parts which are terror to one's clothes.
2.) Except in the most mild climates, one arrives to work sweaty and rumpled to at least a minor degree. This necessitates arriving extra early to shower and change, assuming such facilities are available.
3.) The traffic in most major metropolitan areas (at least Stateside) is oblivious to bikes. One literally takes ones life in his hands when one bikes in these areas.
4.) Many businesses do not provide an area to safely stow one's bike while at the office. So one is reduced to either bringing it into the office and stowing it somewhere out of the way or locking it to a lamppost and hoping for the best.

It's unfortunate really. I'd really like to be able to embrace this method of transport.

[fabrics]

Best bicycle when wearing suit/sports jacket

=====> Brompton


Cheers,

[culverwood]

http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/
City people on bikes.

[pvpatty]

I may have posted a link to these before, but the bikes of Swedish company Skeppshult certainly look the part.

http://www.skeppshultbikes.com/

[h. richard]

I have a Pashley Roadster Sovereign (5 speed) and like it very much. It's a bit heavy, though, and it's hard to climb hills.

[Jovan the Un1337]

I don't know if I'd feel comfortable wearing a suit on a bicycle, though Mr. McGregor seems to pull it off.

[culverwood]

This company Schutt Velo Rapide claims to make bespoke cycling jerseys in merino wool.
http://www.shuttvr.com/index.php

[shredder]

Whilst we are on the subject of cycling garments, you might be interested in a collaboration between Rapha and Timothy Everest, a bespoke 3pc suit: http://www.rapha.cc/timothy-everest-and ... cling-suit.

[le.gentleman]

I don't know if I'd feel comfortable wearing a suit on a bicycle, though Mr. McGregor seems to pull it off.

Gary fisher looks quite comfortable in his dashing tweed biking suit :

http://www.grahambrowne.co.uk/index.php ... Itemid=166

[culverwood]

Outlier is another brand of bike clothing you may like to check out.
http://outlier.cc/