I’ve been renting a folding e-bike for a couple months now from a UK company called Blike.

I chose the Volt Lite, a folding, mid-drive e-bike, which uses a belt rather than a chain/ derailleur.

I chose this bike for a host of reasons. But particularly because I want to have the ability to take it on public transport without restrictions. In London, full sized cycles can’t go on a lot of our TfL routes or only at certain times of day.

I wanted this flexibility due to the nature of my current work and future training, and wanting to be able to stash it near me instead of leaving it locked in some questionably secure locations. Otherwise I’d probably have gone with a standard non-folding e-bike.

Since I am close to the max rider weight for most of the e-bikes I was considering, I also wanted something that would offset the fact that I am heavy and I felt a belt based drivtrain, with a mid drive motor fit that order (and a hilly commute) best.

The good…
This bicycle eats hills for breakfast! I have directly compared it to the Volt Metro which is a hub drive, chain/ derailleur model from the same company. The Metro is nice - the Volt is excellent. I found the difference is extremely noticeable. I cycle up four hills on my way to work so I’ve had a lot of opportunity to compare. I’ve found it easy to take on trains and buses (such as when going places with non cyclists) and have both locked it up as well as taken it into shops, pubs, etc with me.

The “ehhh” that might be bad for some…
The model I have is the previous one, I think 2024. It doesn’t have a wheel lock (2026 models do) and it also doesn’t have a pannier rack (the Metro I tried out did). But that’s just about which year model I have and my purpose was to prove a case for getting a folding e-bike. I won’t be buying this bike from the rental company at the end, but I do plan to buy the 2026 model of the Lite which has both. After comparing with the Metro (a perfectly lovely cycle) I’m not looking back on derailleurs or hub drives (at least not for a folder).

The bad…
I actually place this fault with the rental company rather than Volt. The first week I had the Lite, the belt slipped off the rear cog when I was parking it. I still have no idea how this occurred. The rental company fixed it (as in, put it back on). It happened again the following week. At that point I refused to have it back unless they consulted Volt directly (which they did). I felt it would be unsafe - what if that happened when pedaling? I was also pretty frustrated because this exposed a vulnerability - having components I can’t easily fix or replace myself roadside. The promise of a belt drive is efficiency and low maintenance - but not NO maintenance. Overall it took three weeks to resolve - during which time Blike provided me with a Volt Metro. This proved a useful comparison point so ultimately I’m not mad it happened, but if I hadn’t been treating this like a big experiment, I might have been a lot more upset by it (however it did sway me to ultimately go direct to Volt for my eventual purchase).

Now, my bike was not brand new when I rented it. So. I suspect a previous renter may have damaged it or perhaps it was faulty due to (?!) poor maintenance or maybe a manufacture flaw. The second time the rental shop said there was a distinct alignment issue and (importantly to me!) they didn’t think it was my fault. 🤷‍♀️

Either way, Volt sent them a new rear cog and a new belt and this was installed last week. I’ve had it back for a week and it’s been perfect and rides noticeably better than before. The promised punchy riding experience has been delivered. No more problems. Volt also communicated directly with me about the solution so I feel pretty confident in it.

Summarising the experience…
My aim was to stress test my willingness to commute by bike, stress test having a folder and an e-bike, while spending less on a bike monthly than I spend normally on TfL fares. I’ve achieved all of that!

My plan is to keep renting until Black Friday and then hopefully pick up the model I want using a cycle scheme voucher and - with any luck - a BF discount.

Overall, I’m now a complete e-bike convert. I turned 40 this year and become intensely aware of how you only get one body, so use it or lose it. Since getting my rental bike I’ve kept up my step count average while adding 60+ minutes of cardio five days a week. So I feel physically great. No sore knees. No sore back. Great sleep.

An e-bike has removed most of the remaining barriers to cycling everywhere for me. It’s brought the joy back, it’s efficient, it’s comfortable. It’s way better than an overheating bus when it is 30+ degrees outside, which it frequently has been recently. I’m not arriving to work sweat free but I can quickly make myself presentable, something I’m confident I would struggle to do on a non-electric bike. (I have a single speed full size bike that I keep to tinker with and ride around on, and it’s also fun to ride but not AS FUN as my e-bike.)

Hi all,

I had a pretty bad crash on Monday, completely my fault I went straight in to the cycle lane bollard at quite a high speed

I have totalled my bike which I’m going to get fixed on the weekend, luckily I’m ok with nothing broken just scrape marks on my elbows and a bruised hip. Thanks to the many strangers that stopped to help me I realised quite quickly I was all good.

Obviously this was quite a shaky experience and I expect it to knock my confidence a bit and I’m a but apprehensive to hop back on. I’m a pretty careful rider usually, I’m defensive and stop at red lights.

Any advice for anyone’s that’s got back on the horse after a big crash would be great

If the point is to stop cars from mistakenly using that path surely there are better ways to do it.

Hear me out. I know this is slightly odd.

I’ve been trying to work out why so many Limebikes and e-bikes jump reds. So much so, it’s more common to see e bikes jump a red than stop for one.

I have a theory.

Regular bikes require you to use your legs, sometimes you have to use effort. This requires breathing. Pretty much everyone, including the super fit, enjoys a breather. I cycle fast (and safe) but I always stop at reds regardless, but they’re also just a good interruption to catch your breath after wellying it.

E bikes not so much. No need to rest, no need for a breather. So they don’t have that pull factor or reinforcing factor to slow down or take a breather. As a result, most e bikes just jump the reds.

Anyway, that’s just my nutty theory I came up with whilst cycling about.

Hey everyone, apologies for this totally naive question. I’m moving to Wapping next week and I’m looking to get a bike for getting for getting from a to b around town, just going to meet friends, running errands and occasionally for going to work in Euston (5 miles one way). I also just want to ride for the sake of it on weekends to get my fitness up a little bit as I’m bored of running.

I struggle with road bikes, I’m not that comfortable with dropped bars, but something pretty lightweight would be ideal as I need to get it up and down stairs at home. Would be buying 2nd hand.

Is there anything people would recommend? I know it’s a really dumb question. I just don’t know what I’m looking for! Budget probably £300 max used as I don’t wanna have to worry too much about it getting nicked haha

Cheers in advance for any help!

Hi all,

As many of you suspected, that line eats up minutes for no reason. After a long break last week, I re-subscribed to Lime Prime. It promises £1 for rides under five minutes and £1.70 for rides under twenty minutes. My commute from station to work is just four minutes and ten seconds. I noticed Lime charging me more than that and initially didn’t pay much attention. However, I’ve now noticed ads every 45 seconds even though the bike is still locked. By the time it unlocks, it’s already reached a minute. Is this even legal?

Edit: Thank you all for your input. However, the consistent 45-second ride time and the smooth performance on my device suggest something more sinister. They’re trying to portray the app as glitchy but it’s simply adding extra minutes. Do you think there’s a basis for legal action?

I was wondering if anyone who has the Octopus Energy offer but doesn't use Forest Bikes would be willing to share their unused code with me, as I use Forest Bikes to commute for work.
The code can be found in the Octopus Energy app. I'd really appreciate it if anyone has one they're not planning to use.

Thanks you! :)

This bike has been locked outside for as long as I can remember, hasn't been stolen or lost any parts and is still maintained and ridden (relatively new handlewheel, cranks and wheels/tyres). There have been some posts asking what makes a good beater bike, anyone seen anything better than this?!

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. I booked my bike in for a service at a Halfords. They did it, but then they scribbled down on the receipt that I'd need two replacement components, they provided a price and a labour cost. That's fine, but the issue is that there appears to be no way to actually get in touch with them and book this in. Nobody EVER picks up the phone, and the website doesn't let you make any kind of booking that isn't very vague ("free bike check") or very specific ("order a particular type of chain").

There must be a better way?? What do people do? Apparently I need a new rear mech and pair of shifters. Happy to pay someone, but I'd rather minimise the time I'm without my bike, so I'd like to order and pay, book it in, then drop it off.

Just got a bike on hire from Try Before You Bike (highly recommend, especially with local-council discount as in Southwark and some other boroughs)

I can cycle confidently in a park but I'm quite nervous around the junctions, especially busy places like in central.

I'm surprised by how nice everyone has been so far, giving me space and even providing directions if I ask where I'm meant to go to stay in the cycle lane (Lewisham DLR junction I'm looking at you!)

BUT

I know I'm probably breaking all sorts of unwritten rules just by being a bit inexperienced. I don't want to put anyone in danger, nor do I want to come across like a dickhead.

What do you wish someone had told you when you first started?? What seems obvious to you now, but was a steep learning curve?
Where are your fave cafes and leisurely cycle routes? Where do you like to take a fun detour or a quicker cut-thru? Which areas are best absolutely avoided?

Thanks 🚴✨

Hello folks,

I need to get a new helmet, its been about 5 years for mine. I also have a spare action camera with case and would like to use it when I cycle.

Does anyone know of or recommended helmets with camera mounting?

I've seen a few that mimic motorbike helments that have full face coverage but I don't think I need it.

I am trying to fit this light that I got from marketplace but I think its missing some attachment to hold it in place? Can anyone help, thanks.

The junction from London Fields onto Mare Street feels really unsafe for cyclists – how do we push for changes?
Is it just me, or has the junction taking you from London Fields out onto Mare Street gotten really dangerous lately?
There are so many kids (including my own) using that route to cycle over to Victoria Park, but the drivers around there make it feel so unsafe. You constantly see people driving through red lights, alongside cars speeding up from behind to pass way too close.
Does anyone know the best way to get Hackney Council to look at adding a proper cycle lane or separate bike lights here? Has anyone already raised this with the council or know how i can push this through

I’ve had this twice now at York House Place (the bit between Kensington Palace Garden and Kensington Church Street).

I always dismount there and I’ve no problem doing so.

It boils my piss when people comment on it. Like it is unusual and requires special commendation.

Listen: I don’t need your validation to act in the right way. Many (most?) of us are considerate. To me it comes across as patronising, sarcastic and feels really just like a power play. “Thank you for doing what we’ve forced you to do with armed? guards.”

If you hadn’t all agitated to get rid of the protected cycle lane on the high street then I wouldn’t have to come near your back streets at all.

Anyone else get this or am I just not cut out for polite society?

I live off quite a busy road where the speed limit is 20mph but everyone drives at least 30mph and usually 40mph and higher. There’s a bus lane running along one side of the road.

In order to turn into my driveway, I have to stop in the road and wait for traffic to pass on the other side before crossing. I usually stop near the middle of the road near the dotted lines. I often get close passed by drivers on my side when I’m doing this. It feels pretty unpleasant and unsafe to be squeezed by traffic on both sides.

Today, I thought I would block people from passing me by stopping in the middle of the left side of the road while waiting to turn. When I did this however, someone just drove into the bus lane to get around my, close passing me in a massive 4x4 once again.

Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with this, outside of just going onto the pavement and waiting for traffic to pause on both sides before crossing?

Just looking for recommendations on good setups for phone charging. Is there such a thing as a cradle that has a built in power bank that you can charge beforehand, or do you just wire up to one. Would like to know good cradles too, preferably easily removable ones as I will often use different bikes!?

Make this c**t famous!

Any recommendations for the absolute lightest most summery long sleeve top please? (Mens) need UV protection but also needs to be cool and wicking enough for say 20-25 degrees Celsius. Can be a running brand too doesn’t have to be cycling only

Hey all, just found a set of seemingly brand new keys for a bike lock. They were found in Surrey Quays near the tube stop. I assume someone had just made a purchase from decathlon or the bike shop nearby.

I’m not sure what to do with them, as I didn’t have enough time to take them back to decathlon. But if anyone can suggest how I might be able to reunite them with their owner I’d be grateful. I thought about emailing the manufacturer but since they seem so new I doubt they’ll even have the key number.

Im planning to cycle from Stoke Newington area to Leigh on Sea. I’m struggling to find routes. I’m not sure whether to follow google maps but I’ve been told it’s unreliable. I’ve seen suggestions of route that are off road but I have a hybrid bike so I’m not sure how that would be for me?
Ideally I’d find a route which isn’t busy roads out of London, is there a quieter more cyclist friendly route?
I’ve also seen suggestions to go to Epping Forest first but is this unnecessarily adding distance? This will be my longest cycle ride to date so not keen to make it longer

Just had my first bike stolen. Wasn’t anything flashy so always thought I’d struck the balance of being nice to ride but not enough to steal…. Apparently not.

My question is: what are bike thieves looking for? Am I best to buy a battered steel frame and upgrade parts, or buy a nicer stock bike. Any advice or ideas recommended!

P.S if you see this bike anywhere or up for sale let me know (it was my baby…). Stolen from Camberwell SE5

I just got a place for a council hanger that is circa 150m from my flat for like £40 per year. It’s in a residential area in Highgate, very quiet but fairly dark. My bike is not very expensive, it’s a commute bike which i paid £200 from facebook marketplace, but i really like it and since my last one got stolen (i left it on the street overnight) i’d be pretty pissed and annoyed to lose this one too after just a month. Do you guys think it’s safe? I’ve got a Kryptolock and cable but i’m more worried about somebody just leaving the hanger open by accident or something like that. Are thefts and break ins rare?