Does anyone have an Edinburgh Courier of any kind?

tardington

Could do with a new bike, and I was in the shop trying thing out - the Edin Courier (specifically the Race one, with the larger wheels) seemed the biz, but I'm a bit worried about the Only 8 Gears thing - is that enough? I go up hill most of the way to work...

Cheers!

Ashley_R

My mate has an Edinburgh Courier, well I say has, more like had

He bought it about a year ago, for about £200 in a sale, great bike, until he was knocked off by a car last week! :x

He swears by it (the bike that is, not being knocked off!), he commutes daily from St Pancraes to Canary Wharf, reckons he has enough gears with only 8

graeme_s-2

I loved mine until I moved onto a road bike. 8 gears is plenty, never ever wished I had more when I was riding it. I had the Race version.

Random Vince

my road bike was a 5 speed, however only 3 of the gears were usable, it was fine

it's now an 8 speed (when i bolt it back together) and i'm not sure if this is few enough gears

you'll be fine

rdaviesb

My other half has a Courier Nexus, which has been fantastic. Great value, and upgradeable as the various bits wear out.

niblue

8 gears is fine for most commuting. All 3 versions look good value however I'd be inclined towards the Nexus as the lowest maintenance option.

Random Vince

we all know gears are over rated

el_presidente

I'd quite like to have an Edinburgh Courier as long as she rode her fixie in one of those lttle tartan skirts

woodford2barbican

I have one and 8 is plenty. My other commuting bike is 7 gears and that is more than enough.

woodford2barbican

And don't bother with the disc braked version......

tardington

I did hear it wasn't that great...

Should I get a wee tartan skirt then?? :shock:

windbreaker

Yes its great! I took the train this morning to Livingston from edinburgh, and cycle back (23 miles) The courier is pretty bomproof, and cos It's cheap I don't worry when its locked outside for an evening meeting in Edinburgh on the way home. I've had mine for three years, but it's only done 2 1/2 thousand miles 'cos I usually commute here and back with my road racer in the spring and summer.

I love my courier. the 8 gears are fine but I am fit. I have a steep hill on the way home, and I enjoy the "honk". Not had too many problems - the bottom bracket disintegrated at 1700 miles, and the spokes on the rear wheel worked loose. It does vibrate and rattle a lot - a kryptonite new york lock ratled itself into bits, but Madison relaced that under warranty. I use the frame mount for the kryptonite locks much less now.

Would I buy another? Yes absolutely! The new mdoels have rack mounts instead of the P clips I have to use, and I'd go for disc brakes but maybe not the hub gear. Mine has only half mudgaurds and its stood up to lots of crud. the gears change fine - but I do clean the chain once a week or so.

I bought it as cheap hack bike, and love it.

niblue

windbreaker wrote:

I have a steep hill on the way home, and I enjoy the "honk".

Is that the one climbing into Balerno after crossing the railway?

tardington

I hope not! That isn't steep at all!

Steep is the Braid Road, parallel to Comiston Road, but damn, I always have to go to my wee front ring... Though that is at the end of my commute, when I am knackered.

Though a steep hill is great normally, for putting in the effort - except in the morning, minimum effort please!

Windbreaker, that all sounds great; also what's you route out to livingston?

My parents live in Balerno, and I wouldn't mind a wee round trip in that direction some time!

niblue

tardie wrote:

I hope not! That isn't steep at all!

Seems steep to me at the end of a long day (I live in Balerno and used to work in Livingston) - especially on the road bike with a 30:26 bottom gear! On the rare occasions I see other cyclists on it they're usually off and pushing - other than myself I think I've only actually seen one other person ride up it. On the mountain bike it's no problem and doesn't even need the granny ring though.

My parents live in Balerno, and I wouldn't mind a wee round trip in that direction some time!

When I started cycling from Balerno to Livingston I used to use the national cycle route which goes down that hill, follows the Long Dalmahoy road to Kirknewton then across the A71 towards East Calder. A little way after the A71 there is a dirt road that leads down to the main road in East Calder which is crossed to enter the Almondvale country park where a fairly smooth dirt track is followed into Livingston. Quite pleasant (especially the part alongside the river) however not great on a road bike and not that fast. Eventually I started just using the roads and using backroads out of Balerno to join the A70 before heading from there into Kirknewton.

windbreaker

My route to work with the courier is usually from Portie to Waverley then from Livingston North downhill to the town Centre. My route home is usually past the football club, along the road to Mid Calder then East Calder up to Kirknewton, down the hill then past the quarry onto what I think is called the “back road” then up what is a steep hill to Balerno, along to the turn off to Colinton, and through Colinton Village, down Colinton road, the grange, onto Innocent path or through Holyrood park to Joppa. About 1’20” with the courier. Train out cycle back is 30 miles.

My cycle out in the summer, and that starts next week I think is the reverse but on my road racer for speed – 1’30” there usually (best 1’18”) and the return isn’t usually much faster than with the courier 'cos the traffic and potholes slow me. The round trip is 45 miles.

Tonight was different. Train out then after the “celebration lunch” at work I was given two helium balloons for my daughters. So one stuffed one pannier, and the other was tied on and I took the canal path home. Football club then NCN to East Calder through the Almondell Park then onto the canal path. Nae “radges” at this time of year in Wester Hailes. I’ve had panniers torn off and damaged although I did get them back with a feeble apology. I don’t like taking the canal path generally, and find the other cyclists whoa re predominantly leaving Edinburgh a pain. Most of them don’t sound horn or bell at Bridges, have poor bike control, and don’t go to the path edge.

A lot of the other cyclists pissed me off tonight – let alone the fervent anti cyclist brigade. I have an Air Zound and a bell on the courier. The Zound is really for cars, and I use the bell and slow for pedestrians. Occasionally other cyclists pass me, but my speed on the straight is faster so they have to fly round the bridges to stay ahead and piss off other path users. I noted that path is now tarmacced at Edinburgh, and the cycling speed of many others is too high for visibility and unpredictable hazards. So tomorrow without two balloons I’ll be back on the road, much more fun.

I am turning into a right moaning old git aren’t I? However I did get called an “asshole” yesterday for looking at the driver of a car that cut me up at Napier University. Coward only said it as he drove away. Generally I don’t have many problems with cars at all on the route even in rush hour. Out to Balerno in the morning I sit well into the primary position, and don’t get hassle from cars or buses.

I think I’m lucky to work far enough from home to get a decent work out. If you see me say hello. At the moment I have a flashing helmet light front and back as well as bike lights, on the stealth courier. Summer I’m on the old CAD2 Cannondale in SAECO colours.

tardington

The canal path is like that pretty much. I only go on it if I'm not in a hurry these days.

And the hill into Balerno isn't that steep is it? The hills <i>in</i> balerno are extremely steep though! Hang on, if you mean the one up from Kirknewton, that is pretty steep I guess!

Um, what is the stealth Courier? I am thinking of the bigger wheeled one mostly at the moment.

windbreaker

I referred to it as a stealth courier cos its totally black. Actually the seat post is steel cos its 400mm, and the black extra long I had was pretty crap, and I'm not going to double the value of the bike with a carbon one.

Yes the hill up from Kirknewton is pretty steep. last night I managed it in second from bottom, although I was slighlty anxious about breaking the chain. I broke the chain on my cannondale on this hill last summer, and I wasn't as strong then as I am now.

No I'm not superman, but doing the hill two or three times per week does amazing things for the thighs. The hill immediately out of Kriknewton is also reasonably steep and fairly short - so effectively a short power interval.

I toy with the idea of doing a few reps of the Steep Hill once the summer comes, and I wear fewer clothes. :x

Last night I came on a serious commuter with Rohloff, front dyno hub etc ahead of me from Colinton. I caught him up fairly easily. He thought he could burn me off. The Courier is a hard ride so I usually ride fairly slowly on rough surfaces. I was taking a detour into the Meadows so on the Uphill at Polwarth Crescent took pleasure in winding it up to 23mph steady up the hill :twisted: , then slowing down for the downhill to Viewforth. Pathetic really I suppose :roll:

tardington

Heh! You should really smoke a pipe while doing that sort of thing?

belgiangoth

I used a Rev Courier Race for a couple years (2-3k miles). The only issue I had was brakes getting muddy from canal towpaths and my freewheel needing replacing.

8 speeds is plenty, I now ride fixed and don't miss the gears (well, not normally). If anything I would rather the Courier was steel (don't like the oversized tube) and had drops - wouldn't really think of needing extra gears though.

cee

put the helium balloons back on.....itll be easier to recognise you then!

jon208

I've got a Race - best commuter you can get in my opinion. Get some locking skewers for it and away you go. Fast city proof bike. Love it.

turkeytickler

jon208 wrote:

I've got a Race - best commuter you can get in my opinion. Get some locking skewers for it and away you go. Fast city proof bike. Love it.

love mine too - 8 gears fine - esp for norwich - i would prefer a tighter set of ratios but thats because norwich isnt very hilly...

anyone had problems with the chain unshipping? i have :?

jon208

Yes mine has come off a couple of times but that's always been when I've been in high gear (i.e. lots of "slack" chain) and I've hit a speed hump at speed going downhill, now I just shift down a couple of gears and spin the pedals while negotiating the speed humps (and overtaking the cars )

turkeytickler

jon208 wrote:

Yes mine has come off a couple of times but that's always been when I've been in high gear (i.e. lots of "slack" chain) and I've hit a speed hump at speed going downhill, now I just shift down a couple of gears and spin the pedals while negotiating the speed humps (and overtaking the cars )

Yes its normally when going over a bump at speed isnt it - i was wondering whether a higher spec rear mech with stronger springs may help....

John B

I had a Rev.Courier Race which was excellent for a 22 mile daily round-trip into London. Sad to say it got pinched from inside my house a few months ago and doubtless proved its versatility as a getaway bike for burglars as well. The chain did slip rather too frequently for my liking even on slight bumps which was the only problem I had with it.
I'd get another one, probably the ordinary Courier with the 26inch wheel but in the meantime have settled on a Carrera Subway which is a bit heavier but a decent ride for my purposes.

svens

I have been working in Livingstone since December last year. Hence, I have had the pleasure to cycle in from Haymarket in the morning and back in the evening. I usually leave ED on the A70 and turn right after Balerno towards Kirknewton and then via East Calder into Livingstone. If only the road surface in Juniper Green was a bit better (I am riding a track bike and my skinny tires don't really like potholes).

Has anyone ever cycled on the A71? With the days getting longer (visibility) I was thinking about using the A71 but it always seems very busy.

sven

BernieG

I commute every day on my Courier Race. Bit in the heavy side but very solid and reliable. No problem with the gearing. I live in Leeds which is quite hilly and I've had no problems up the hills. The 32 rear cog does the job for me.

niblue

svens wrote:

Has anyone ever cycled on the A71? With the days getting longer (visibility) I was thinking about using the A71 but it always seems very busy.

I've cycled on it a few times but it's too busy at rush hours for me to consider using it regularily.

There is an alternative to the A70 to Kirknewton by turning off the Lanark Road in Currie, past Curriehill station then following the Long Dalmahoy road into Kirknewton - or cutting down onto the A71 for a short section to the first junction into East Calder.