Russell’s Bicycle Shed

Making Active Travel Easier

Bike Hub

Top tips for a Dry Saddle

Bike HubRussell CuttsComment

If you cycle in Britain be prepared, be a boy scout, make sure your wet weather gear is to hand and is dry, make sure your shoes are sturdy and waterproof because as we all know Britain is a wet country.

A wet saddle is a forgone conclusion parking outside in Britain.

If you need to leave your bicycle out in the rain you know you’ll have a wet bum when you get back on your saddle.

Not only the inconvenience and slight humorous embarrassment of having a wet stain in a location that could suggest another type of incident the weather isn't helping your bike either. Water and steel mean rust, the longer your bike is left to get wet and dry the more likely your bike will rust and no matter how well intentioned we are constant oiling and protecting the bike with products isn't happening let’s be honest.

So what to do?

Well you could cover your bike everywhere you park it, carry a bicycle cover with you everywhere on the off chance of rain, and when it does rain we’ll you then have a wet cover to deal with, pack in your bag and take home to dry. The trusty old supermarket plastic bag can be a more convenient saddle cover but the rest of your bicycle will always be exposed.

Or

The more obvious idea is to park your bike indoors, let’s be honest there aren’t many covered cycle racks around so why not park your bike in one of our Cycle Hubs. Yes, they aren’t located everywhere but where they are located it seems silly not take advantage. A dry, indoor, secured space, well lit and with added extras you won’t find at your local on street bike rack like CCTV, bicycle pumps, some even have toilets.

Avoid the embarrassment of the British bicycle wet bum this year and sign up to use Russell's Bicycle Shed located in the City Centre and Meadowhall.

Sheffield City Centre Cycle Hub NOW OPEN

Bike HubRussell Cutts2 Comments

You may have seen the news, heard it on the grape vine, seen it on t’internet or via an email from our fair selves. Well we thought you’d enjoy a short tour if you wanted to know more.

First question, and it’s an obvious one to ask, is where the blooming hell is this marvellous cycle hub? Well that’s an easy one to answer, the map below shows you but if you are an old codger like me you’ll remember Telephone House in Charter Square and below that the nightclubs that existed, like Bar Matrix well its right there, the floors aren’t sticky and covered in spilt drinks and there isn’t a DJ anymore but the space has been skilfully repurposed to keep your bicycles secure.

 

Next on the list of obvious questions is what’s inside then? Well we have spaces for 140 bikes that includes 10 Cargo Bikes or Non-Standard bikes like Tricycles, there are 3 toilet/changing rooms, Cycle pump and soon to be a workshop offering repairs and servicing. In the new year there’ll even be bicycle hire available. Take a look at the photos below to give you an idea of what we have available.

With double sets of automatically opening doors, activated by a phone app, sign up and access takes as little as 5 mins and can be done on the day you want to use it, no need to buy a card or pass to access the hub, no need to book a space and wait for a confirmation, once you are signed up you can come and go as you please without having to extricate a card from your wallet or book in online before you arrive, its convenient and simple.

We’ve got CCTV covering the entrances and hub hub so that you feel secure, the access is controlled by the app and this means that only registered users can enter.

We manage the space so it’ll be kept clean and tidy, the toilets will always smell fresh and clean, when the workshop is open there’ll be a friendly person to talk to and if you find any problems we are here to fix them.

Now the burning question on everyones lips is how much does this fanciness cost? Well you’ll be surprised we are sure that all this costs just £5 per month, and it isn’t only for the City Centre Hub that £5 per month gets you access to our already active and popular Meadowhall Hub, and any other hub we open and manage anywhere in the city or wider afield. Pretty good eh?

It’s taken a little longer than we hoped to get this facility open and a lot of work but we feel we can offer you a facility that is well managed, secure, clean and tidy and ready for you to cycle into town or Meadowhall.

If you think this is something you’d want to make use of and benefit you in making use of your bicycle more, whatever the shape or size, then you can sign up here:

On the eve of the Grand Départ...

Bike Hub, ShopRussell CuttsComment

On the eve of the Grand Départ and coinciding with the opening of phase 1 of the new Cycle Hub at Sheffield Railway Station. Russell has been presented with the keys to his new retail unit. This is in readiness for the fit-out of the shop; when finished, it will complete the final phase of the Hub's development... (click the image to read and see more)

Name one of my fleet of hire bicycles

Bike HubRussell Cutts5 Comments

From day 1 at the Station I will be offering Cycle Hire.

I will have a fleet of 8 black Marin Fairfax hire bicycles available for hire from a few hours to 2 weeks. I plan to name each one individually and I'm now looking for suggestions on a theme: I'd like every bike to carry a women's name being with 'R'. Yes I could go on Google and just get a list of babies names... but where is the fun in that?

Name one of our Hire Bikes

 

Email me or better yet leave a comment below with your top three suggestions. I'll have an 'official' naming ceremony once the Cycle Hub is active and the name you suggested is selected you could be the first to take your bike out for a short adventure on the streets of Sheffield, along with a free Russell's Bicycle Shed Pink Hivis vest.

So get your thinking caps on first five people to suggest names get a Pink Hivis.