Does anyone here commute by bike?
Discussion
...Sure there must be a few.
My current commute is nearly 40 miles round the M25, but in a couple of weeks that's all about to change when I start a new job about 6.5 miles away across the North London suburbs.
I'm quite tempted to commute by bike and wondered how other people found it?
In theory it should be fine, in reality the only significant hills in the whole of North London are stacked between me and the office and while a decent road bike would no doubt zip up them, there aren't any showers or anything at work, so I can't arrive drenched in sweat. The other formality is whether or not I can find anywhere to store the bike (but that's not really open to debate - either there is or there isn't). I suppose the main thing is the traffic. You only have to glance at the P&P to find out that half the world is out to mob anyone on a bike. Will I end up dead or driven insane with road rage?
Finally, how much does it cost to get a half decent commuter bike? Could I get something reasonably light with decent brakes for around £500?
Have to be honest I'm not keen on the idea of London traffic (it's hardly the city centre, but there are enough cars around!) so it probably won't happen, but just pondering it.
My current commute is nearly 40 miles round the M25, but in a couple of weeks that's all about to change when I start a new job about 6.5 miles away across the North London suburbs.
I'm quite tempted to commute by bike and wondered how other people found it?
In theory it should be fine, in reality the only significant hills in the whole of North London are stacked between me and the office and while a decent road bike would no doubt zip up them, there aren't any showers or anything at work, so I can't arrive drenched in sweat. The other formality is whether or not I can find anywhere to store the bike (but that's not really open to debate - either there is or there isn't). I suppose the main thing is the traffic. You only have to glance at the P&P to find out that half the world is out to mob anyone on a bike. Will I end up dead or driven insane with road rage?
Finally, how much does it cost to get a half decent commuter bike? Could I get something reasonably light with decent brakes for around £500?
Have to be honest I'm not keen on the idea of London traffic (it's hardly the city centre, but there are enough cars around!) so it probably won't happen, but just pondering it.
A 13 mile round trip is easily do-able, but I would say if it was me, the main stumbling block from what you've described is the lack of showers. Is there a gym or sports centre nearby who's showers you could use?
The hills are only a problem if you let them be a problem, and the more you do the ride, the easier the uphills will become.
Obviously I can't comment on where you can lock your bike up, but if you buy a few good locks, leave one at home for storing it at home, and leave a couple of good ones at work for locking up outside work, it saves you transporting the locks each day. Just don't forget to take the keys!
£500 would give you a good choice of bikes, you need to decide what type you want for your journey, and whether it will be used for anything else. Do you need a road bike (fast but relatively fragile), a mountain bike, (more sturdy but slower - you may want slick tyres for it) or a hybrid, (a bit tougher and more comfortable than a road bike, faster but not as tough as a mountain bike.)
Depending on your employers, you could persuade them to use the cycle to work scheme, so you'd get the bike effectively tax free, and persuade them to put showers in too!
The hills are only a problem if you let them be a problem, and the more you do the ride, the easier the uphills will become.
Obviously I can't comment on where you can lock your bike up, but if you buy a few good locks, leave one at home for storing it at home, and leave a couple of good ones at work for locking up outside work, it saves you transporting the locks each day. Just don't forget to take the keys!
£500 would give you a good choice of bikes, you need to decide what type you want for your journey, and whether it will be used for anything else. Do you need a road bike (fast but relatively fragile), a mountain bike, (more sturdy but slower - you may want slick tyres for it) or a hybrid, (a bit tougher and more comfortable than a road bike, faster but not as tough as a mountain bike.)
Depending on your employers, you could persuade them to use the cycle to work scheme, so you'd get the bike effectively tax free, and persuade them to put showers in too!
Firstly, road behaviour (in London) is appauling. From all users not just motorists. It all stems from selfishness but this isn't the place to restart a rather tiresome discussion. IMO the most important requirement of commuting by bike is to get you to work safely and on time. It's not a race nor is it training. You will get frustrated at the inattentiveness of other road users but on the plus side at least you can use it to improve your driving skills.
As a cyclist your main safety device is to make yourself seen and visible. I have four lights on the front of my commuter bike. Two flash, one is constant and the fourth is for back up. I have three rear lights. Again Two flash and one is constant. The lights are not there to light my way but to make me seen by others. The side walls of my tyres are reflective too. And my clothes and panniers have reflective strips built into them.
I use a single speed On-One Inbred with 700c sized wheels, it has mudguards and a pannier rack and it swallows my 16-mile commute with ease.
I get changed and wash in the buildings Accessible Toilet - it's not ideal but functional.
Regardless of how 'secure' bike storage may seem you'll still need a good lock(s). Leave them at work and you won't need to lug them around - you'd be amazed how many people carry their locks with them and they only leave their bikes at home or at the office.
Carrying stuff. There are people who like to throw all their kit into a rucksack and sling it onto their back. I am not one of those people. Carrying loads like that whilst cycling can cause injuries. I use panniers and sling the weight on the bike. I use two panniers to evenly spread the load over rear of the bike. A single, heavy pannier on one side of a rack will quickly ruin a rear wheel.
As for bikes there's plenty to choose from. Be realistic in what you do and don't need. My commute is over several hills and my gearing enables me to do this. Previously, I had a 24-speed commuter but I only ever used 3 of the gears. Edinburgh Cooperative has a very nice range in their Revolution Bikes. The Carrera Subway always gets a mention (from Halfords). If you can buy a bike specifically for the commute, rather than buying a bike that you can also commute on, you'll end up with something you're happy to commute on.
As a cyclist your main safety device is to make yourself seen and visible. I have four lights on the front of my commuter bike. Two flash, one is constant and the fourth is for back up. I have three rear lights. Again Two flash and one is constant. The lights are not there to light my way but to make me seen by others. The side walls of my tyres are reflective too. And my clothes and panniers have reflective strips built into them.
I use a single speed On-One Inbred with 700c sized wheels, it has mudguards and a pannier rack and it swallows my 16-mile commute with ease.
I get changed and wash in the buildings Accessible Toilet - it's not ideal but functional.
Regardless of how 'secure' bike storage may seem you'll still need a good lock(s). Leave them at work and you won't need to lug them around - you'd be amazed how many people carry their locks with them and they only leave their bikes at home or at the office.
Carrying stuff. There are people who like to throw all their kit into a rucksack and sling it onto their back. I am not one of those people. Carrying loads like that whilst cycling can cause injuries. I use panniers and sling the weight on the bike. I use two panniers to evenly spread the load over rear of the bike. A single, heavy pannier on one side of a rack will quickly ruin a rear wheel.
As for bikes there's plenty to choose from. Be realistic in what you do and don't need. My commute is over several hills and my gearing enables me to do this. Previously, I had a 24-speed commuter but I only ever used 3 of the gears. Edinburgh Cooperative has a very nice range in their Revolution Bikes. The Carrera Subway always gets a mention (from Halfords). If you can buy a bike specifically for the commute, rather than buying a bike that you can also commute on, you'll end up with something you're happy to commute on.
Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 18th September 11:09
I commuted earlier this year for 6 weeks, I had no choice for various reasons.
I wasn't doing it on the ideal bike, but I did end up with some skinny wheels to lower the drag!
This is going to seem strange, but I found it actually lowered my stress levels hugely. I started to realise that the traffic and the muppets you encounter in a car daily used to wind me up a treat. I would get to work worn out, but refreshed & a lot more on the ball. It wasn't much fun in the wind & rain, but its only a bit of water at the end of the day.
It improved my base fitness massively. I didn't realise at the time how much it was doing for me, but a couple of months after I started I went out with some friends & we were all of reasonable fitness to ride some trail centres, and I was blasting off up the hills, leaving everyone for dead.
I've slacked off this summer, lost it all again (not easy when you have a company car to find the motivation sometimes!) but I am planning on getting back into it shortly. I was doing 10 miles each way & when our house is renovated I will be doing about 8.5 door to door. Kinda looking forward to it actually.
My advice, is ride defensively - bit further out from the kerb, make sure you have some good, bright lights, so they can see you coming when its dark, and preferably a light jacket to help visability. I didn't really have an incidents in 6 weeks, and that was crossing the M27 in rush hour on one of the major junctions. Just be very aware!
£500 is more than enough for a bike. I have literally just picked up a Cotic Roadrat for work duties - its a steel hybrid frame, that you can build up single speed/geared etc & is nicely versitile for that sort of thing. I'm going to run singlespeed & rear brake only, and see how I get on.
100% recommendation from me
I wasn't doing it on the ideal bike, but I did end up with some skinny wheels to lower the drag!
This is going to seem strange, but I found it actually lowered my stress levels hugely. I started to realise that the traffic and the muppets you encounter in a car daily used to wind me up a treat. I would get to work worn out, but refreshed & a lot more on the ball. It wasn't much fun in the wind & rain, but its only a bit of water at the end of the day.
It improved my base fitness massively. I didn't realise at the time how much it was doing for me, but a couple of months after I started I went out with some friends & we were all of reasonable fitness to ride some trail centres, and I was blasting off up the hills, leaving everyone for dead.
I've slacked off this summer, lost it all again (not easy when you have a company car to find the motivation sometimes!) but I am planning on getting back into it shortly. I was doing 10 miles each way & when our house is renovated I will be doing about 8.5 door to door. Kinda looking forward to it actually.
My advice, is ride defensively - bit further out from the kerb, make sure you have some good, bright lights, so they can see you coming when its dark, and preferably a light jacket to help visability. I didn't really have an incidents in 6 weeks, and that was crossing the M27 in rush hour on one of the major junctions. Just be very aware!
£500 is more than enough for a bike. I have literally just picked up a Cotic Roadrat for work duties - its a steel hybrid frame, that you can build up single speed/geared etc & is nicely versitile for that sort of thing. I'm going to run singlespeed & rear brake only, and see how I get on.
100% recommendation from me
Can't comment on London traffic but even here in Bristol where I commute by bike pretty much every day, I find myself taking routes specifically to avoid interaction with vehicles as much as possible.
I have a shower at work and relatively secure bike storage (doesn't stop the odd bike going walkies even so).
Personally I prefer to use a rucksack as opposed to panniers, partly through choice (I don't like the "dead" feeling of a laden bike; it's easier to hop kerbs etc with the bike as light as possible) and partly through necessity (3 days a week I need to take my youngest to nursery in the morning and she goes in a rack-mounted seat that precludes the user of panniers).
I cover myself in flashing lights in all conditions but you'd be surprised (or maybe not) at how many other road users still seem not to notice you.
My commuting steed is an old hardtail MTB basically converted by swapping the fork for a rigid one and fitting slick tyres with reflective sidewalls.
I have a shower at work and relatively secure bike storage (doesn't stop the odd bike going walkies even so).
Personally I prefer to use a rucksack as opposed to panniers, partly through choice (I don't like the "dead" feeling of a laden bike; it's easier to hop kerbs etc with the bike as light as possible) and partly through necessity (3 days a week I need to take my youngest to nursery in the morning and she goes in a rack-mounted seat that precludes the user of panniers).
I cover myself in flashing lights in all conditions but you'd be surprised (or maybe not) at how many other road users still seem not to notice you.
My commuting steed is an old hardtail MTB basically converted by swapping the fork for a rigid one and fitting slick tyres with reflective sidewalls.
-C- said:
Hell no!
I will be far enough 'out there' with a SS & rear brake thanks!
Otherwise i'll have to grown a beard & set my homepage to sheldonbrown.com
I can't think of a more terrible set-up for a bike - 25% of the braking ability. But, hey, whatever floats your boat.I will be far enough 'out there' with a SS & rear brake thanks!
Otherwise i'll have to grown a beard & set my homepage to sheldonbrown.com
For the OP - my commuter:
mk1fan said:
-C- said:
I'm going to run singlespeed & rear brake only
Do you mean 'fixed' and front brake only?ETA - Beaten to it
Edited by mchammer89 on Thursday 18th September 11:49
I did a similar commute by bike for quite a while. It's great fun, ended up fitter than ever, lost a couple of stone and didn't need several coffees in the morning just to wake up. I really miss it, and it's a compelling reason for me to jack in my current job and go back to in-house IT so I get get a regular commute.
Don't spend £500 on a bike (you'll be forever worrying about it) but having that available will get you some decent kit to keep you warm and dry through anything.
I didn't have access to a shower either and fortunately didn't need to be too smart in the office. My method:
- cycle shorts under work trousers, merino* base layer under wind/waterproof (or by itself if warm), either trainers or proper cycle shoes depending on the bike.
- get into work, cool down while checking email then nip off to the disabled loos for a quick wash and change. Work shoes kept under the desk to change to. Reverse process at the end of the day.
As for the bike:
- I used a shonky old singlespeed I put together but as mk1fan says, there's plenty of good options now. Don't get suckered into buying something unsuitable!
- full length mudguards make a massive difference. You won't get rained on much, but often roads are wet over winter making them a godsend.
- worth fitting a rack - I never went down the pannier route as I wasn't carrying that much, but it's handy if you do have to carry something bulkier.
- Lights and reflective stuff are good. Two rear lights, one flashing, one steady. You can buy sheets of reflective material, stick it all over your frame. A good bright headlight is good too, especially if you filter past traffic.
I never really found traffic a problem, as with a car you need to get in the defensive mindset and also assert your position on the road - don't get squeezed out just to save someone behind 10 seconds off their journey.
As it's inside the M25, pick up the the TFL cycling maps, they show the cycle lanes (not that many are worth using) but also the residential streets that make good cut-throughs. You may be able to string together a good commute on pleasant routes that keep you away from the busy traffic.
Don't spend £500 on a bike (you'll be forever worrying about it) but having that available will get you some decent kit to keep you warm and dry through anything.
I didn't have access to a shower either and fortunately didn't need to be too smart in the office. My method:
- cycle shorts under work trousers, merino* base layer under wind/waterproof (or by itself if warm), either trainers or proper cycle shoes depending on the bike.
- it doesn't smell, no matter how much you wear it. You'll end up with a perimeter around your desk if you wear a synthetic one more than once!
- get into work, cool down while checking email then nip off to the disabled loos for a quick wash and change. Work shoes kept under the desk to change to. Reverse process at the end of the day.
As for the bike:
- I used a shonky old singlespeed I put together but as mk1fan says, there's plenty of good options now. Don't get suckered into buying something unsuitable!
- full length mudguards make a massive difference. You won't get rained on much, but often roads are wet over winter making them a godsend.
- worth fitting a rack - I never went down the pannier route as I wasn't carrying that much, but it's handy if you do have to carry something bulkier.
- Lights and reflective stuff are good. Two rear lights, one flashing, one steady. You can buy sheets of reflective material, stick it all over your frame. A good bright headlight is good too, especially if you filter past traffic.
I never really found traffic a problem, as with a car you need to get in the defensive mindset and also assert your position on the road - don't get squeezed out just to save someone behind 10 seconds off their journey.
As it's inside the M25, pick up the the TFL cycling maps, they show the cycle lanes (not that many are worth using) but also the residential streets that make good cut-throughs. You may be able to string together a good commute on pleasant routes that keep you away from the busy traffic.
Cheers gents.
I think the main thing is storeage - if there's somewhere I'm happy leaving the bike then I will at least give it a go.
My only bike currently is a freeride-lite full susser, so I'd definitely have to get something else. I've got a vague idea what's out there. I would seek to make it as easy as possible (no singlespeeds thanks!), something reasonably stable (maybe capable of hopping onto the occasional curb) and decent brakes - if I have to contend with traffic on steep-ish hills in all weathers I think I'd want hydraulic discs. I know V-brakes can be made to work well, but I don't want to be wishing I'd spent ages fettling them at the point an X5 pulls out in front of me.
I'm going to be working in a very small office - don't think it's the sort of place that has disabled toilets, let alone showers. On the upside I think they're very casual, so I don't need to worry about changing into a suit or anything. I could get some mud guards for damp weather. However if it's torrential rain or if I need to be particularly smart for some reason I can still take the car. Likewise I'm going to be travelling quite a bit so I'd have to revert to 'drive to the airport' every so often too.
It's not a difficult drive, just rather a dull one. If I could save a few quid in fuel bills, de-stress myself through the excercise and get back in shape by riding my bike in three or fours days a week I'd be tempted though.
I've got a set of lumicycle halogens for my mountain bike, but these might be overkill for lit streets. I think a series of LED lights at various points (front and back) plus some reflective strips would do without the need to spend hours charging them each evening.
Very much just flirting with the idea at the moment. In theory it sounds good - I can revert to the car under exceptional circumstances and I badly need to get fit in the remainder. In practice it all depends on having somewhere to store the bike at work. They certainly won't have a bike shed and it's on about the third floor above a bank, but I'm hoping I can lug the bike up the stairs and stick it in the corner somewhere. Hmmm.
If they can offer a spot then I think the first thing would be to try it during the daylight on my mountain bike. If I can do it on that in a reasonable time without being killed, subject to road rage, or absolute exhaustion then I could give some thought to a commuter bike.
Do Marin still do those really pimp hybrids?
I think the main thing is storeage - if there's somewhere I'm happy leaving the bike then I will at least give it a go.
My only bike currently is a freeride-lite full susser, so I'd definitely have to get something else. I've got a vague idea what's out there. I would seek to make it as easy as possible (no singlespeeds thanks!), something reasonably stable (maybe capable of hopping onto the occasional curb) and decent brakes - if I have to contend with traffic on steep-ish hills in all weathers I think I'd want hydraulic discs. I know V-brakes can be made to work well, but I don't want to be wishing I'd spent ages fettling them at the point an X5 pulls out in front of me.
I'm going to be working in a very small office - don't think it's the sort of place that has disabled toilets, let alone showers. On the upside I think they're very casual, so I don't need to worry about changing into a suit or anything. I could get some mud guards for damp weather. However if it's torrential rain or if I need to be particularly smart for some reason I can still take the car. Likewise I'm going to be travelling quite a bit so I'd have to revert to 'drive to the airport' every so often too.
It's not a difficult drive, just rather a dull one. If I could save a few quid in fuel bills, de-stress myself through the excercise and get back in shape by riding my bike in three or fours days a week I'd be tempted though.
I've got a set of lumicycle halogens for my mountain bike, but these might be overkill for lit streets. I think a series of LED lights at various points (front and back) plus some reflective strips would do without the need to spend hours charging them each evening.
Very much just flirting with the idea at the moment. In theory it sounds good - I can revert to the car under exceptional circumstances and I badly need to get fit in the remainder. In practice it all depends on having somewhere to store the bike at work. They certainly won't have a bike shed and it's on about the third floor above a bank, but I'm hoping I can lug the bike up the stairs and stick it in the corner somewhere. Hmmm.
If they can offer a spot then I think the first thing would be to try it during the daylight on my mountain bike. If I can do it on that in a reasonable time without being killed, subject to road rage, or absolute exhaustion then I could give some thought to a commuter bike.
Do Marin still do those really pimp hybrids?
Chris71 said:
...Sure there must be a few.
My current commute is nearly 40 miles round the M25, but in a couple of weeks that's all about to change when I start a new job about 6.5 miles away across the North London suburbs.
I'm quite tempted to commute by bike and wondered how other people found it?
In theory it should be fine, in reality the only significant hills in the whole of North London are stacked between me and the office and while a decent road bike would no doubt zip up them, there aren't any showers or anything at work, so I can't arrive drenched in sweat. The other formality is whether or not I can find anywhere to store the bike (but that's not really open to debate - either there is or there isn't). I suppose the main thing is the traffic. You only have to glance at the P&P to find out that half the world is out to mob anyone on a bike. Will I end up dead or driven insane with road rage?
Finally, how much does it cost to get a half decent commuter bike? Could I get something reasonably light with decent brakes for around £500?
Have to be honest I'm not keen on the idea of London traffic (it's hardly the city centre, but there are enough cars around!) so it probably won't happen, but just pondering it.
I do 20 miles a day by bike and love it. I bought a £60 stolen/recovered bike from auction which often overtakes road bikes worth ten times as much! My current commute is nearly 40 miles round the M25, but in a couple of weeks that's all about to change when I start a new job about 6.5 miles away across the North London suburbs.
I'm quite tempted to commute by bike and wondered how other people found it?
In theory it should be fine, in reality the only significant hills in the whole of North London are stacked between me and the office and while a decent road bike would no doubt zip up them, there aren't any showers or anything at work, so I can't arrive drenched in sweat. The other formality is whether or not I can find anywhere to store the bike (but that's not really open to debate - either there is or there isn't). I suppose the main thing is the traffic. You only have to glance at the P&P to find out that half the world is out to mob anyone on a bike. Will I end up dead or driven insane with road rage?
Finally, how much does it cost to get a half decent commuter bike? Could I get something reasonably light with decent brakes for around £500?
Have to be honest I'm not keen on the idea of London traffic (it's hardly the city centre, but there are enough cars around!) so it probably won't happen, but just pondering it.
WRT to the traffic, today has been a very bad day for London cycling commuters, with two cyclists killed this morning in seperate incidents. But generally the danger is low as long as you are aware of what is around you, ride defensively where necessary and never undertake a large vehicle whilst near a junction the chances of having an incident are relatively low.
Details on the accidents here:
http://www.movingtargetzine.com/
mk1fan said:
I can't think of a more terrible set-up for a bike - 25% of the braking ability. But, hey, whatever floats your boat.
Assuming of course I need to use them, considering the term 'rural' is probably being very generous.I will have more chance of hitting a farmyard animal than a blind X5 driving mother on a school run.
It's almost tempting to go brakeless.
-C- said:
I will have more chance of hitting a farmyard animal than a blind X5 driving mother on a school run.
That's what it was like the last time I did any significant distances on the road. I grew up in Devon and could go out for an hour's blast without seeing a single car. Almost seems like an alien concept now I'm afraid (eek! I'm turning into a laaaaandaner) and I definitely need the brakes now. 
I do ride on the roads to the local woods and I just try to avoid filtering too much. Never past HGVs or buses. Never near a junction. People's stupidity does annoy me, but - touch wood - I've never had any near misses. I'm conscious that a couple of evenings a week on quiet-ish roads (by local standards) is quite different to commuting though.
Chris71 said:
-C- said:
I will have more chance of hitting a farmyard animal than a blind X5 driving mother on a school run.
That's what it was like the last time I did any significant distances on the road. I grew up in Devon and could go out for an hour's blast without seeing a single car. Almost seems like an alien concept now I'm afraid (eek! I'm turning into a laaaaandaner) and I definitely need the brakes now. I do ride on the roads to the local woods and I just try to avoid filtering too much. Never past HGVs or buses. Never near a junction. People's stupidity does annoy me, but - touch wood - I've never had any near misses. I'm conscious that a couple of evenings a week on quiet-ish roads (by local standards) is quite different to commuting though.
Very true. I'd certainly be looking to bypass some of my current route.
Initially it's exactly the sort of road described above - 20mph or so with steady rather than excessive traffic. Unfortunately it briefly goes onto a more major road (I think it may be a dual carriageway, albeit one with a low limit, 40mph or something...) and after that the traffic builds up again.
The more I think about it the more I would really like to ride it. I've put on about two stone since I last rode a lot (when I was Devon with quiet roads and trails both litterally from the doorstep) and I'd love to lose some of that again. Plus I find excercise a great way to de-stress.
It's all about the storeage though. It's a small office on the third floor up some very narrow stairs. Almost tempted to get a cheap bike at auction and chain it up outside. I don't know the area that well (North Finchley), but I suspect although it's quite nice for London the chances of it surviving for any length of time is still pretty minimal.
Initially it's exactly the sort of road described above - 20mph or so with steady rather than excessive traffic. Unfortunately it briefly goes onto a more major road (I think it may be a dual carriageway, albeit one with a low limit, 40mph or something...) and after that the traffic builds up again.
The more I think about it the more I would really like to ride it. I've put on about two stone since I last rode a lot (when I was Devon with quiet roads and trails both litterally from the doorstep) and I'd love to lose some of that again. Plus I find excercise a great way to de-stress.
It's all about the storeage though. It's a small office on the third floor up some very narrow stairs. Almost tempted to get a cheap bike at auction and chain it up outside. I don't know the area that well (North Finchley), but I suspect although it's quite nice for London the chances of it surviving for any length of time is still pretty minimal.
Your best bet might be an 'old' Spesh Hardcock or Cockhopper. Bolted (not quick release) axles and seat post. Slick tyres with puncture protection.
One of my LBS's nearly always has a supply of old mtb's they take in as part exchange. They give them a service and sell them on. Couple of decent cable locks and you'd be pretty secure anywhere.
Alternatively you could try one of the Bike Recycling schemes. Where old bikes are refurbed and auctioned off.
One of my LBS's nearly always has a supply of old mtb's they take in as part exchange. They give them a service and sell them on. Couple of decent cable locks and you'd be pretty secure anywhere.
Alternatively you could try one of the Bike Recycling schemes. Where old bikes are refurbed and auctioned off.
-C- said:
mk1fan said:
I can't think of a more terrible set-up for a bike - 25% of the braking ability. But, hey, whatever floats your boat.
Assuming of course I need to use them, considering the term 'rural' is probably being very generous.I will have more chance of hitting a farmyard animal than a blind X5 driving mother on a school run.
It's almost tempting to go brakeless.
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