Crikey next they'll be saying I need more than 21 gears

Can't believe this c0ck is still writing reviews on ride 559.com.

What about the STW massive starting an on-line petition that we could send to sponsors of the site.

Just an idea. Is it worth it?

It's not a fad. Marin, Kona and Orange all featured Ti bikes in their range 10-15 years ago (Kona Hei Hei anyone?). The recent resurgence is more to do with cheaper manufacturing costs in China IMHO. (Lynskys apart)

FWIW I have a Moots Hardtail. I cannot honestly say that it rides any better than the steel(Tange) frame it replaced though.

You don't want to know. Lets just say I have to hear it on a regular basis

Arrghh why did I open that link? Can't get that **** song out of my head now.

That Wet Wet Wet song – Love is all around me. Makes me want to punch the radio/tv

The top brands will expect you sell a certain number of bikes per year, even down to model. Some like Marin, won't be wanting you to discount them in case you cheapen the brand. You'll need to pay them on time, whether the bikes are sold or not. The better you treat these suppliers the more 'favours' you can expect. E.g. Being first in the queue when new models come out or being allowed to discount old models.

You best bet is to meet up with a few sales reps from various distributors. The Cyclists Source book is a good start for contact numbers etc. I have an old copy somewhere that you can have but a lot of it will be out of date. It is a start though.

I've banked several bike shops in my time. Some have been 'proper' businesses and others little more than a hobby Invariably the ones that do well have territorial exclusivity of top brands. Specialized, Marin, Cannondale etc and cater for ALL types of cyclist, kids, roadies and families. Find out first which brands are available in your area. IIRC some brands such as Marin are much more fussy about how many shops they supply than others such as Giant.

Stock control is key. Stock will take up most of your cash and you need to be able to turn it around quickly – so as much as you would like to stock top end full bouncers be careful. These are expensive lumps of metal that won't do you any good as a showpiece for kids to gawp at after school. Premises are important – you'll need parking etc and research the competition.

Forget about providing niche stuff – the internet has won that battle

no one likes a fat bird!!

They're a bit like Skodas. OK for a ride but you don't want your mates to see you in one.

EDIT – Hmmm, actually that joke doesn't really work with Skodas any more does it.

I have absolutely zero practical use for this car and I have no idea why I really, really want one!

I used to work for a Bank that ran out of….erm…money, the consequences of which meant economic disaster for the UK.

Gosh that was like, sooooooo embarrassing.

Vauxhall Chevette
Astra Merit
Escort 1.3L
Escort 1.6i Ghia
Escort 1.3L
Fiesta XR2
Fiesta 1.3L
Astra Sport
Mazda 323
Mazda Xedos
Peugeot 1.9Gti
Golf GTI
Golf Tdi
Mazda RX8
Subaru Forester
Jeep Cherokee

Chuck's in trouble now though.

Damn those dastardly fulcrum agents!

Viva Buymoria!

And one of the reasons why I don't take arguing politics too seriously aracer. Because I am fully aware that most people, like me, have already decided before the argument even starts.

There's no arguing with that!

B – A – Y.

B – A – Y.

B – A – Y – C – I – T – Y.

R – O – DOUBLE L – E – R – S.

BAY CITY ROLLERS ARE THE BEST.

My sister liked them and she played their stuff all the time

Love it – in fact I was going to post a similar thread a few weeks ago…but was too embarrassed to admit it!

Sons of Anarchy anyone?? 😳

Wouldn't 2nd be a fantastic come back anyway

Yes it would. Be even better if Wiggins was there though

I just googled it too. I don't know if it was racist or not.

But it was sh1t

Definitely buy one but spend time getting one that fits. I noticed with my first road bike that I'd lost some handling skills when I went back on my MTB.

Ended up swapping for something with a slightly longer wheelbase and all is good now. Great for keeping up fitness levels in the winter when the trails are unrideable. Winter miles = summer smiles.

Focus Cayo 105 looks good value

Not a film but if I may… the immortal Capt. Zapp. Branigan.

If we can hit the bull's-eye, the rest of those dominos will fall like a house of cards……checkmate

From the Life of Brian

Crowd – We're all individuals here

Voice at the back – I'm not!

If it really is just a few burgers and sausages then just get something cheap from B&Q.

If you want to be more versatile and use it more often then get a good Weber kettle BBQ.

Beer Can Chicken Mmmmmmm

😀 😀 😀

We have beautiful Beaches ranging from surfing beaches to pebbly ones to secluded little coves

Pah! Jersey beaches are rubbish. Every Channel Islander knows that for the best beaches IN THE WORLD you have to go to Guernsey 😉

I submit the following evidence (which may not stand up in court)

I might also be a bit drunk

Funny on so many levels. Top work

Here you go. Consider the cycling world 'rocked'
clicky

Is it confirmation of this

Come on Lanesra who's is going to bother suing you?

Great bits of kit. Trekked around India with one a few years ago, best thing in my rucksack

Apart from the weed

I asked the same question about a Moots hardtail a few weeks ago. About £1000 seemed to be the general consensus

A poor showing at only three

1. Alloy, winter hack road bike.
2. Marin Point Reyes – commuter/rigid MTB
3. Moots Ti Hardtail – From my racing days but plenty good enough for long days off road.

As you will have all spotted I clearly need a carbon, blinged up, road machine

Yeah,Guernsey is great

Went to Sark a few months ago – saw the Milky Way in all it's glory for the first time ever.

No light pollution you see

Come to Guernsey and I'll take you out for a bike ride!

You can do a day trip to Herm and Sark while you are here, so you can have a proper Channel Island weekend.

And anyway it was a horse

Barden Moor is a grand day out, you can tag Hebden Gill onto and fit in a visit to the New Inn at Appletreewick.

Nidderdale route is also good but I remember the climb up to Middlesmoor being quite tough

I am not a complete philistine I appreciate what we have now by remembering how crap bikes were in the past.

Such as?

I can see you, your bronze skin shining in the sun. You got hair pulled back and those wayfayers on baby

The Eels – Beautiful Day

22.75lbs

The only one I have of me on a computer. We all rode our bikes to the pub that day. Honest

Ahh Morcheeba.

Manys a shag I have enjoyed to Moog Island

Tanita Tikaram

Ahead of her time

Does fishing count?

I am a crack clay pigeon shot – even if I do say so myself