So I went to The Bike Whisperer

Cafewanda

........ even with the TFL map (sheets of it), I got lost, missed cycle signs and spent what seemed like every two roads checking the map. A (by my reckoning) 1.5 hour journey took me just over 2.5 hours. OK, so I woefully underestimated the journey time and I'm crap at map reading. Anybody wanna donate a GPS device to the cause? :oops: :roll:

Anyway.......... Corrine and Scherrit were great about it which reduced my embarrassment somewhat.

My bike was tweaked and how! Adjustments made to saddle height and positioning, handlebars trimmed and brake levers twiddled. It was a 'personal' fit which took note of my current and future requirements, which I really appreciated. I now have to stop and start from a standing position :shock: , which will be interesting as I learnt to ride keeping bum on saddle. I felt it best the lower the saddle to what I was used to so I could ride home safely but I raised it to Scherrit's measurements once I'd arrived home. Somebody warn the neighbourhood as I'll be out practising over the Easter break

I need to go back in a month or so for further tweaking and to get Corrine's input on ideas for my next bike.

Wish I'd known of them before I bought Babygirl, lovely as she is.


Oh and Western Avenue is the longest avenue in the Universe - FACT!!

gaz545

If you could touch the ground with your bum on the saddle, then it is far too low.

Canny Jock

I would love to do this, I might well go for it when I build up my single speed, knowing I can use the measurements and advice when I buy something a bit more serious next year.

This reminds me of the car control course I went on - money better spent than just buying kit...

Cafewanda

gaz545 wrote:

If you could touch the ground with your bum on the saddle, then it is far too low.

So I found out today. Scary new world that's for sure.

lost_in_thought

Oooooh they're about 5 minutes from my London pad! I might go check them out! Is it a shop?

EDIT: I'd recommend uxbridge road over western avenue for any follow-up visits... :shock:

rolf_f

Did the Bike Whisperer also clean your chain?

jpm5555

Great to hear more positive feedback.

I'm booked in for the 26th

Oddjob62

jpm5555 wrote:

Great to hear more positive feedback.

I've yet to hear anything but.

Tempted to pay a visit myself, although apart from needing to MTFU i don't think i have many problems.

Cafewanda

lost_in_thought wrote:

Oooooh they're about 5 minutes from my London pad! I might go check them out! Is it a shop?

EDIT: I'd recommend uxbridge road over western avenue for any follow-up visits... :shock:

Sorry LiT, I didn't make myself clear :oops: , you can cycle adjacent to the Avenue, along shared paths. I have to admit I was :shock: when I saw that on the TFL map until I got there and a local showed me the shared path. Just glad I was on it on a weekday when most are at work/school/whatever.

They operate from their home and are a really nice couple/team. Fettle (their dog) really loves cyclists too. The Capri out front is a good marker if you know your car, I don't, so scanned door numbers til I found them.

Corrine is slightly taller than I am so it was LOVELY to be at, just about, eye level with an adult rather than a young child Her roadbike has 650c wheels which look like the right fit for me and they educated me on why swopping the wheels on Babygirl to 650cs would not be a good idea. This will make my next bike a tad harder to find I suspect but I'll worry about it after I've had my next tweak session.

alien

lost_in_thought wrote:

Oooooh they're about 5 minutes from my London pad! I might go check them out! Is it a shop?

EDIT: I'd recommend uxbridge road over western avenue for any follow-up visits... :shock:

It's not a walk in shop - you'll be surprised when you go inside though

Book your visit as they are a tad busy..

Excellent service.

Cafewanda

Rolf F wrote:

Did the Bike Whisperer also clean your chain?

Unfortunately not so the wine will make an appearance along with the cleaning equipment later today

Cafewanda

alien wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Oooooh they're about 5 minutes from my London pad! I might go check them out! Is it a shop?

EDIT: I'd recommend uxbridge road over western avenue for any follow-up visits... :shock:

It's not a walk in shop - you'll be surprised when you go inside though

Book your visit as they are a tad busy..

Excellent service.

I understand they are booked throught most of April into May, but it's still worth giving them a call.

jpm5555

Cafewanda wrote:

alien wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Oooooh they're about 5 minutes from my London pad! I might go check them out! Is it a shop?

EDIT: I'd recommend uxbridge road over western avenue for any follow-up visits... :shock:

It's not a walk in shop - you'll be surprised when you go inside though

Book your visit as they are a tad busy..

Excellent service.

I understand they are booked throught most of April into May, but it's still worth giving them a call.

Yep, that sounds right. I called at the end of March and have to wait until the end of April

suzyb

Cafewanda wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Oooooh they're about 5 minutes from my London pad! I might go check them out! Is it a shop?

EDIT: I'd recommend uxbridge road over western avenue for any follow-up visits... :shock:

Sorry LiT, I didn't make myself clear :oops: , you can cycle adjacent to the Avenue, along shared paths. I have to admit I was :shock: when I saw that on the TFL map until I got there and a local showed me the shared path. Just glad I was on it on a weekday when most are at work/school/whatever.

They operate from their home and are a really nice couple/team. Fettle (their dog) really loves cyclists too. The Capri out front is a good marker if you know your car, I don't, so scanned door numbers til I found them.

Corrine is slightly taller than I am so it was LOVELY to be at, just about, eye level with an adult rather than a young child Her roadbike has 650c wheels which look like the right fit for me and they educated me on why swopping the wheels on Babygirl to 650cs would not be a good idea. This will make my next bike a tad harder to find I suspect but I'll worry about it after I've had my next tweak session.

My bike has 650cc wheels. I believe the Giant came with 650cc wheels below a certain frame size (xs or xxs).

weapons

Thanks for the heads up. Have a fit on 27th and also coming from Balham so will plan my route well. that or chuck my bike on the district line to ealing.

Cafewanda

weapons wrote:

Thanks for the heads up. Have a fit on 27th and also coming from Balham so will plan my route well. that or chuck my bike on the district line to ealing.

You can do that? :shock: :shock:

I have to say, with the benefit of the day after, I'll ride back there again. I'll just allow 2.5 hours and bring a book, just in case

Suzyb, I've made a note. XS or XXS for me.

jpm5555

@Cafewanda

Is there parking available in the vicinity? I'll be driving from Reading.

Thanks

mroli

Yeah -we've parked outside when we've been.

weapons

Cafewanda wrote:

weapons wrote:

Thanks for the heads up. Have a fit on 27th and also coming from Balham so will plan my route well. that or chuck my bike on the district line to ealing.

You can do that? :shock: :shock:

I have to say, with the benefit of the day after, I'll ride back there again. I'll just allow 2.5 hours and bring a book, just in case

Suzyb, I've made a note. XS or XXS for me.

Yep, think you can get on the district line with a bike at off peak times, so if it's pouring will cycle to Fulham/Putney and then tube to Ealing Bdy otherwise will cycle there too.

Specialized Needs

Cafewanda wrote:

You can do that? :shock: :shock:

PDF map of underground bike access.

spursn17

weapons wrote:

Yep, think you can get on the district line with a bike at off peak times, so if it's pouring will cycle to Fulham/Putney and then tube to Ealing Bdy otherwise will cycle there too.

And the Piccadilly and Central lines off peak, in the outside (non-tunnel) sections only.

Notsolittlemisssunshine

Does anyone know of a similar service in the North Wales/North West area?

suzyb

And Scotland?

Cafewanda

Specialized Needs wrote:

Cafewanda wrote:

You can do that? :shock: :shock:

PDF map of underground bike access.

Filed for future reference. Cheers!

supersonic

There are many adjustments you can make yourself to get going. Worth finding a guide and having a go at first, making small changes. If you can't get a set up you like, then think about a fitter.

Just simple stuff to start like saddle heigh, position and angle, bar height, controls etc.

FeynmanC

Notsolittlemisssunshine wrote:

Does anyone know of a similar service in the North Wales/North West area?

Or one in the Bristol area? I developed a knee problem at the end of last year and I want to minimise the risk of it flaring up again when I start riding properly soon as I have a 25mile each way commute.

Cafewanda

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14698725

This link might be of use to folks outside London. Obviously you'd have to DYOR to see if companies listed are still around.

lardboy

suzyb wrote:

My bike has 650cc wheels. I believe the Giant came with 650cc wheels below a certain frame size (xs or xxs).

I don't think the new range of Giant has 650c wheels any more. The Trek 43cm does, (I think it's the only major manufacturer that still does 650c) but they are up there with rocking horse do-do in availability. I think they predominantly ship the 47cm model as the smallest one in Europe. However, one of the ladies in Brixton Cycles has one, so she might be able to point you in the right direction. Maybe even BC could get one in for you?

I've spent about a year trying to get a 650c road bike for my girlfriend, and we ended up getting this from eBay:

For context, she's 5'1", with a 27" inside leg, and a normal face that I wouldn't dare put on the internet without her permission for fear of recriminations in the shape of a mighty strop:

She can just touch the floor on one side with her tiptoes with the saddle at it's lowest, and has about 1/2" of standover height, which is a tad dangerous for a beginner.

What I've learnt from this is that 650c spares are much more limited than their 700c brethren. I wanted to rebuild the wheels, but can't find those red rims (which she loves) anywhere in the UK, so we'll have to make do with what's on there for the time being.

suzyb

Yeah it's actually a few year old bike I have. But I'm sure I read about a newer model of something that still came with 650cc wheels when I was looking for a road bike :?

Why is the 1/2" standover height dangerous though. I have a similar standover height with my bike.

lardboy

suzyb wrote:

Yeah it's actually a few year old bike I have. But I'm sure I read about a newer model of something that still came with 650cc wheels when I was looking for a road bike :?

Why is the 1/2" standover height dangerous though. I have a similar standover height with my bike.

It's fine for a seasoned veteran, but she's never ridden on London roads, so would fancy a little more leeway in case of an emergency. In time it'll be no issue.

redvee

FeynmanC wrote:

Or one in the Bristol area? I developed a knee problem at the end of last year and I want to minimise the risk of it flaring up again when I start riding properly soon as I have a 25mile each way commute.

I'd suggest Argos in St Annes, the frame builders. Not 100% sure wether or not they can help but worth a try.