Advantages: fun form of exercises, suitable for all abilities
Disadvantages: can have a sore bum afterwards!

...You may have seen 'Spinning' advertised on your timetable at the gym and wondered what it was - this review is meant to explain the mysteries of Spinning to you. **What is it?** Well it's not as it sounds - standing in the middle of a field and spinning around, but is infact a cycling class on static bikes. By static bikes I mean bikes similar to a standard exercise bike, but slightly heavier and more solid so that you can stand up and cycle on them. Spinning bikes also have a small dial on the crossbar which you can turn up or down to change the resistance against which you are pedalling. For example you can turn the dial up to a high resistance and have to pedal very hard and slowly against it, as if you are cycling up a steep hill, or you could have a lower resistance and cycle quickly as if you were cycling along a long, flat... Read review

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Advantages: A fun way to get fit, usually with fab music
Disadvantages: The saddle-eating bums you sometimes have to look at

...My first introduction to Spinning was through the film "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion". That was about 1998, back when Spinning was a new activity mainly found in the gyms of La-la land where it was primarily the concern of ladies who lunched, perhaps to burn off all those lunches. Since then it has spread quickly and can be found in gyms throughout the world - I've never done a Spin class in the UK, but I have done them in Australia, the USA and now, in Mexico, it's one of my favourite gym activities. It is however SO much more than just sitting on a bike and pedalling, so... WHAT IS IT? Spinning is the common name given to group cycling classes. Sometimes it's called Indoor Cycling, sometimes it's called RPM (the brand name of the Les Miles classes, the same guy who introduced Body Pump, Body Combat etc). Spinning... Read review

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Advantages: great customer service, great quality
Disadvantages: Matching accessories not available

...On Tuesday 27 March, my son turned three making him officially a "big boy" as he reminds us on at least an hourly basis. His dad and I thought it only appropriate to celebrate this graduation into "big-boyhood" by buying him his first "big boy" bike. Kyle is an extremely active and strong boy and the level of destruction he can cause is extraordinary to say the least so it was vital that we found a bike that could withstand the endurance test that is hurricane Kyle and unfortunately, it was doubtful that the Spiderman bike from Argos he had his eye on was going to do the trick. With this in mind I started to do some research online into different options. One brand in particular kept popping up in reviews and newspaper/magazine articles. That brand was Isla Bikes. Now, I am not particularly knowledgeable when it comes... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, does the job
Disadvantages: Extra features are unreliable

...I bought this bike for around £20 (brand new) from a popular catalogue store's clearance warehouse. My initial advice regarding this product is this: If you see it at a clearance warehouse retailing at around £20, and you really want an exercise bike and don't have the free cash to get anything more flash: get it. If, however, you see this bike retailing at it's RRP (that's somewhere around the £80 mark), then walk on by, because it's really not worth it. This is one of those products that is a bargain in the right circumstances. I'll tell you why, in a little while. First, the good bits. It's a cheap exercise bike. It comes 'flat-packed' in three main parts- the main body, the seat and seat support, and the handlebar support. The handlebar, pedals and stand are all included, and have to be attached once the main sections are put... Read review

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Advantages: Great Friendly Serrvice, Good Aftersales Service
Disadvantages: Expensive For 2nd Hand Bikes

...I bought a 2nd hand Peugeot Speedfight 2 Silver Sport from here about 2 months ago. Jonahthan (the tall guy with long hair) is always very helpful and does his best to find the most suitable bike for you and your wallet. Paid £1000 for 50cc 2stroke the bike which was the same price that i could have got a 100cc 4 stroke honda for, at webbs, which is just a few doors away but it sold just before i went to buy it. Anyway, they have a selection of bikes from 50cc to 1000cc and from £1000 to £10000+ The one stop shop will sort out your Gloves, Helmet, Jacket, Bike, Insurance & anything else you need to get on the road. If you are looking for a first or second bike or need a small bike (50 - 125cc) for town running then this really is the ultimate shop to go to. The shop is more like a showroom and less like a garage... Read review

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Advantages: VFM, Light, good components, nice seating position
Disadvantages: Not a mountain bike

...I already owned an ageing Raleigh racing bike, and I always felt that I would enjoy cycling more if I was not battling against the bike so much. So this year, I bought myself a San Rafael City Bike, by Marin. I am suprised to see that Marin were not already in the ciao headings. I don't know a great deal about bikes, but I know enough to know I like this bike! It has front suspension, and a mountain bike look, but with nice road tyres. It is lovely and light, and has excellent push/pull gear changers - bit like my old grifter! I like the upright seating position. I am using the bike to go to work, and leisure cycling at the weekends. I wont be doing much off roading, but I know I could go off-road if necessary. Not mountain climbing, but honestly - how many people with mountain bikes actually use them for that purpose... Read review

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Advantages: It keeps tradition alive.
Disadvantages: Costly to start.

...It seems a shame in this day and age that old crafts are almost forgotten, and that when they are encouraged, they tend to turn into elitist crafts, when in fact these crafts go back in time to simple people who made their living doing the things that came natural to them, handicrafts that have passed down through the family. The craft that I am particularly interested in is hand spinning of wool. I have been doing this for over 15 years now, and in England, it is sad that fleece are not more available or cheaper to people wishing to try their hand at spinning. HOW TO START What you need in the way of tools are the following : Carding Brushes A spinning Wheel (The Ashford Range are super for beginners). Fleece THE PROCESS The process itself is simple, and you begin by sorting the sheeps fleece into different kinds... Read review

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Advantages: helpful staff
Disadvantages: not a huge selection

...I bought a 2nd hand Peugeot Speedfight 2 Silver Sport from here about 2 months ago. Jonahthan (the tall guy with long hair) is always very helpful and does his best to find the most suitable bike for you and your wallet. Paid £1000 for 50cc 2stroke the bike which was the same price that i could have got a 100cc 4 stroke honda for, at webbs, which is just a few doors away but it sold just before i went to buy it. Anyway, they have a selection of bikes from 50cc to 1000cc and from £1000 to £10000+ The one stop shop will sort out your Gloves, Helmet, Jacket, Bike, Insurance & anything else you need to get on the road. If you are looking for a first or second bike or need a small bike (50 - 125cc) for town running then this really is the ultimate shop to go to. The shop is more like a showroom and less like a garage... Read review

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Advantages: Brightly coloured, eye catching, fun, durable
Disadvantages: Doesn't spin much

...Having 2 children close together creates nothing but a nightmare when special occasions loom on the horizon and the time comes to go birthday shopping. You know the story, the older child already had the toys and they're still in great condition so why buy them again. This is the dilemma I face when choosing a toy for my little girls birthday, she had plenty of things for when she was a bit older, lots of clothes and books but I wanted to get her a toy, all of her own, that her brother hadn't played with before her. We scoured the shops for days searching out a toy suitable for her age, gender and interests, in the end we settled on this spinning top because she picked it out herself, we gave her a choice of several possible toys and this was the one that she got most excited about. Vtech Spin & Teach Top- The Spin & Teach Top... Read review

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Advantages: Very helpful & knowledgable - probably the best in the area
Disadvantages: Not always the cheapest.....

...I have lived within 6 miles of Bromley Bike co for most of my life, it is by far the best bike shop in the area, indeed a friend from Sunderland who's mountain bike nuts even knew where Bromley was just because of the bike shop! They stock Specialized & Marin mainly along with some Orange, the new Prst-1, & Ridgeback as well as being the importer of Yeti frames for the UK. Their accessories side is very good & much better than going mail order - if your not 110% sure what you want! (again the only down side is price..) They do stock all the good kit like Chris King, Race Face etc as well as lots of other bike "jewellery". They run some good sales on end of line stuff, but you have to be quick to catch it! The staff in this shop are good & if you've ever read one of those "how to spot a good shop" guides in MBR or MBUK... Read review

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