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Alex Moulton, who knows a thing or two about bikes, has always maintained that the most efficient layout is a rigid frame, bone-hard tyres and well-designed suspension. I've never had any reason to doubt that he's right. The problem is that no electric bikes are built with the structural...

[I don't see any need for a mirror, they can't be trusted. If I need to look over my shoulder anyway there's little point in having something sticking out to scrape down the side of cars.] I agree, and I don't agree! Mirrors can't be trusted - there's always going to be a blind spot and before...

I've been mulling this over for a day or two, and for me the best tourer would have to be from the Kalkhoff range, with the 18Ah battery. Okay, I admit I've got one myself, but I still reckon it's the best bet. For practical reasons I'd be thinking in terms of B&B rather than camping, as I...

I see that 50 Cycles are clearing 2010 stock of the Pro Connect Alfine at £1500. All frame sizes seem to be available. That's nearly £200 less than the Spring Sale price on their website and only a fiver more than an Agattu. The downside seems to be that they are for collection only, but if...

Hmm... I see that this US vendor of cycling jerseys recommends that you never cycle after dark "it's not worth the risk". That would have ruled out my commute for six months of the year. Are things really that bad in America - they seem to be suggesting certain death for night-time cyclists...

Wharfitude I think you must have had the search set to Address/Postcode, if you want a more flexible search (one that doesn't force you to choose a house) then on the radio buttons choose Town/District/Village. I'm sure the result will be the same, as in the Cycle Planning list to the right it...

I should have read Viscount Orange Biscuit before trying. I thought I'd get a quiet route from the sticks where I live to Norwich. It wouldn't accept just Norwich so I added Castle Meadow (in the centre). It then wanted to know what address in Castle Meadow so I chose one at random. It then...

I'm with Biged on this. I've had a B17 in the past and eventually it got quite comfortable (slightly nose-down, in my case). It's a lot of trouble though, and a modern anatomic saddle can be just as comfortable from new. I suspect they made more sense in the fifties when the alternative was...

It wasn't Herb, but Jan :) And I was thinking of an (extra) carrier on the seatpost like http://www.pletscher.ch/pletscher/media/Produktbilder/normal/Orion.jpeg Sorry about that - yes, the seat post rack wouldn't have the same problem, but would interfere with the fold of course.

Neat job, Herb. I would just say one thing, going back to one of your earlier posts. From experience of touring with an unpowered Brompton I'd advise against putting anything heavy on the rear rack - or if you do, strap the rack to the seatpost. If you're pushing the bike across a slope with...

In a way I think you're maybe looking at the whole thing the wrong way round. If you click the links at the side of this page I think you'll be able to find comprehensive specifications for several ranges of bikes that will answer most if not all of your questions. If you look at cheap electric...

I agree with those who've stood up for rim brakes. They're not perfect but probably as good as anything else. One thing I notice with V brakes is that they're often set up to bite as soon as you operate the lever. This isn't necessary in my view - in fact the old wisdom used to be that with...

Is it just me or am I the only one who doesn't regard punctures as "evry cyclists worse nightmare". I've been fixing punctures by the side of the road for getting on for fifty years, and it's no big deal. Apart from anything else it happens much more rarely now than in the sixties, due to better...

As I'm perfectly capable of forgetting everything, I have all the essentials draped over the bike in the garage - helmet, trouser clips, reflective waistcoat, gloves. Tools, puncture repair outfit, lock and rain jacket are permanently in a locked Bikebox pannier, securely fixed. I keep the water...

Hi Steve I like the fully enclosed chaincase but can't really get enthusiastic about anything else. I can see the attraction of hub motors if you were converting an existing bike, but now you're looking at complete bikes I think crank drives are worth considering too. Don't Kalkhoff have...

Heinzmann are considered to be high quality (and expensive). Looking at their website (heinzmann.de) they seem to have a distributor for Denmark - who is in Norway, just to confuse things. Their batteries are rack-mounted, not the water bottle type. I've got happy memories of cycling in...

I've got a Bikers Dream mini foot pump (just Google this phrase for the details) which I carry everywhere. I no longer use my track pump as it's just as good. You need to be a bit careful to put it on level ground and it might not suit people with very big feet! Not cheap at around £25 upward...