The bicycle

Above: The bicycle, with my old bike, a 1991 Kona mountain bike, behind.

You may remember that a month or so ago I talked about Buying a bicycle, and then a week or two ago said that I had ordered it. Well, it has now arrived. The bike I went for was the Claud Butler Classic, which cost me £190 and is widely available in the UK for £200 or less. I did take into account the excellent advice given to me, but decided to go for this bike rather than a more expensive one for the following reasons:

• You get a lot for £200 these days. We’re probably talking about the same as a £400-500 bike of a few years ago. Alloy frame, aloy wheels, shimano gears, quick release wheels, suspension seatpost.
• I need something comforable rather than fast because I am getting old.
• The bike will be locked up in public at various points and therefore I don’t want anything that looks too valuable.
• I don’t think you get a better frame by spending twice as much (in the same range at least). You just get more expensive components which I don’t need.
• I quite like the idea of getting a basic bicycle as then I can persuade other people to do the same in a way that I might not have been able to do if I had a more expensive bike.

Anyway, must dash. Another trip to the dentist coming up…