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The main problem with modern bikes i.e. bikes post 1980 is that their components seem to wear out so quickly. I had a Puch 5 speed racer back in 1977 that lasted me six years with nothing more than a few punctures, tyre changes and brake pad and brake cable changes. I didn't ride as much back then as I do now but I never needed to change the change and none of the wheel bearings, bottom bracket bearings of headset bearings wore out. I only ditched the bike after an accident in which I bent the front forks. Otherwise it would have probably given a few more years more service.

By the way I thinking of getting one of these. Because I am getting sick of bikes as they have so many problems. It is always one puncture after another and one thing going wrong after another. The best ever bikes in my opinion were early sturdily built ones of the late 19th centuries, which were built to last a lifetime. Todays bikes are so flimsy they don't last.

I went past there yesterday and saw the road cordoned off. From the look of it he was knocked down in the middle lane so was probably overtaking when the accident happened and failed to look behind.

At one time no one wanted to steal fixed gear bikes hence their popularity with cycle couriers who wanted a bike that was resistant to theft. It is shame that you have to keep getting a worse and worse bike in order to be able to hang onto it. I think the old humble shopper bike is still pretty theft resistant.

I might come along. By the way I used to live there! Does anyone remember the Kew Bridge eco village two years ago? This is how it was:

This is the bike I have got, a red Viva Belissimmo. Incidently I had to remove the mudguards because they were far too close to the tyres and had to change the brake pads for softer ones because they were scratching the rims.

My bike currently has a rear sprocket of 18 teeth and a front chain wheel with 48 teeth and 700C wheels so I think that makes the gear around 70 inches. I find it a bit too low for my liking but it gets me up hills. I think I would prefer about an 85 inch gear and walk up hills.

Amerityre or Greentyre are the best tyres you can get because they are truly puncture proof. They are contrary to popular belief not solid tyres, they are made from long lasting hard wearing polyurethane foam. Over the years these tyres have become better and better coming very close to the performance of hollow peunmatic tyres. Many people dismiss them but if you think about it what is the worst thing that you hate about cycling? Punctures so the trade off in slightly less performance is well worth it in my opinion.

I am 45 and based in London. I have got a red Belisimmo single speed bike I bought from Evans on special offer for 300 pounds reduced from 400. Frankly I have had nothing but trouble with it. It had mudguards but they were so close to the tyres I had to remove them. Metal swarf from the wheel rims kept coming off so I had to fit softer break pads. The back wheel keeps coming loose because the bearings in it are worn already after just a few months.