Have you got a bike on board?

Nostrodamus

Nostrodamus

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www.cygnus3.com
Ok, I know what you’re thinking but this is a serious question.
Every time the Dutch come to the UK they seem to have several bikes on board.
Have you ever had one and did you use it?
Foldy things seem to cost a fortune and I was thinking it may be wiser to try and pick a cheap one up abroad and sell it when we move on.
Any thoughts?
 
Bikes

We have 2 folding bikes on board - 20 inch wheels and 6 speed gears with carriers. We have purpose built bags to put the bikes in when folded up and if we are sailing on our own bung them on the berth in the stern cabin, otherwise known as the bike shed.
We use them all the time to explore further inland than just walking and have been known to cover 35km. Also very useful for shopping since supermarkets are never close to moorings or marinas. Carriers also a must since you can put heavy loads on then like gas bottles and fuel cans which is much easier than carrying them. Wouldn't be without bikes.
 
Make sure you've got a decent pump onboard too ... nothing worse than cycling an already compromised bike with soft tyres ...

We've got 2 "cheap" bikes - 6 speed - they're nothing special - but got us around ...
They live under the front bunk where we've got plenty of room - but are a PITA to get out.
 
PIKANT said:
We have 2 folding bikes on board - 20 inch wheels and 6 speed gears with carriers. We have purpose built bags to put the bikes in when folded up and if we are sailing on our own bung them on the berth in the stern cabin, otherwise known as the bike shed.
We use them all the time to explore further inland than just walking and have been known to cover 35km. Also very useful for shopping since supermarkets are never close to moorings or marinas. Carriers also a must since you can put heavy loads on then like gas bottles and fuel cans which is much easier than carrying them. Wouldn't be without bikes.
Click to expand...

What make do you recommend?
 
As you're in Brighton, have a wander up to Sydney Street Cycles (no connection) I got my full size folding Mountain bike there a few years ago. It's a Dahon, lightweight, 18 gears and folds in half. If you've got stowage room aboard they are excellent bikes. Been all over coastal Spain and Greece on mine. Plastic basket for the stores shopping..:D

006-2.jpg
 
A few boats ago, we had full size bikes that we stored on the bathing platform. They were handy but they soon rusted (2-3 seasons) and we had to remove pedals etc to get them in so needed a bit of reassembly to use.

More recently I bought x2 folding bikes (about £500 each). Used them twice in a year and both times my wife was very unhappy riding a bike with small wheels. So now my brother has two nice new folding bikes for his caravan.

My advice from personal experience? Don't spend too much money in case the bikes turn out to be unused.

As for me, I'm working on a moped solution. Just can't find one that will be light enough to get on board, and powerful ebnough to go uphill with me and the wife on it, and cheap enough if it falls in the drink when unloading etc. Not discussed it with the wife yet but thought that she'd prefer it to a bicycle.

Cheers

Garold
 
On the boat in Greece we have two cheapo folding bikes, the better one with 20in wheels and a more substantial frame, the other with 16in wheels. Compared to a proper bike the riding experience is nasty, but it's so much better than walking we wouldn't be without them.
Given lots of spare budget I'd go for a more expensive option that was nicer to ride, but it a long way from the top of the wish list at the moment.
 
Just a thought...Whenever I called in for stores/fuel etc; in many of the marinas there always seemed to be a selection of abandoned bikes in need of an overhaul, often at the end of the pontoons. If you're not in a great hurry to buy it may be worth waiting and asking around when you reach the sunny places, you may find you can buy a couple of bikes off homeward bounders, and save yourself a few quid.
 
Over the years we have carried consecutively: two mountain bikes in bags in the quarter berth, two cheap folders and now two Bromptons.
The mountain bikes were good to ride but not so handy for carrying stuff.
The cheap folders had small wheels and were not great to ride, carrying shopping not too bad.
Bromptons are in a class of their own. As good to ride as a full size bike, we have done several 20 mile + trips on them. They have a large carrying basket on the front and a rack on the back. They fold smaller than any other. But, they cost a considerable sum. If you really want the best and can justify the cost with plenty of use, Bromptons are the one to go for.
Otherwise, cheap folders are plentiful but don't expect them to ride like a full size bike.
 
There are some very helpful replies on here thank you.
There are four of us aboard and although I dont enisage us all cycling together on of the problems is storage. I am sure of the abandoned bikes out there a few would benifit from being used and thnput back.
I suppose it would be a good idea for marinas to have several they could hire out.
 
Nostrodamus said:
Ok, I know what you’re thinking but this is a serious question.
Every time the Dutch come to the UK they seem to have several bikes on board.
Have you ever had one and did you use it?
Foldy things seem to cost a fortune and I was thinking it may be wiser to try and pick a cheap one up abroad and sell it when we move on.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

We have an ancient folding aluminium Bickerton on board which although described as "Hell on wheels" by our local bike repair shop has proved invaluable over the years when cruising for those hunt the gas bottle outings or when in search of spares etc.
Absolutely horrible to ride though:eek:
 
Nostrodamus said:
Ok, I know what you’re thinking but this is a serious question.
Every time the Dutch come to the UK they seem to have several bikes on board.
Have you ever had one and did you use it?
Foldy things seem to cost a fortune and I was thinking it may be wiser to try and pick a cheap one up abroad and sell it when we move on.
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I read somewhere of somebody who used normal bikes. To stow them he took of the wheels and had canvas bags made for them which he stowed on deck at the shrouds. I cant remember if all the bike went in the bag or only the frame with the wheels being stowed elsewhere.
 
vyv_cox said:
Over the years we have carried consecutively: two mountain bikes in bags in the quarter berth, two cheap folders and now two Bromptons.
The mountain bikes were good to ride but not so handy for carrying stuff.
The cheap folders had small wheels and were not great to ride, carrying shopping not too bad.
Bromptons are in a class of their own. As good to ride as a full size bike, we have done several 20 mile + trips on them. They have a large carrying basket on the front and a rack on the back. They fold smaller than any other. But, they cost a considerable sum. If you really want the best and can justify the cost with plenty of use, Bromptons are the one to go for.
Otherwise, cheap folders are plentiful but don't expect them to ride like a full size bike.
Click to expand...

I agree that cheap folders are not worth it, but I have to disagree about Bromptons. I tried them and really didn't find them good to ride. I bought Dahons instead.

You can pay well in excess of £1000 for a top folding bike.
My advice is to have a day out in Bath as we did. Visit these guys. You can try all the models as they have excellent stock. Having made a decision prior to going there I quickly changed my mind once I had ridden all the bikes.
 
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