Thu 18 Dec 2008
With a bit of modification, the Heinzmann Lithium batteries fit very neatly into the frame of even a small MTB…
Sat 6 Dec 2008
Ha, I knew the VAT rate change would cause problems 
When changing the rate on Monday, somehow the system got switched to adding tax on instead of assuming it was included in the price - I’ve fixed it now, so sorry about that. It should also calculate VAT (or the lack of it) for people from outside the EU.
Sat 6 Dec 2008
I’ve just realised - this week is the 10th anniversary of Kinetics 
10 years ago on Monday, I opened the doors of a wee shop just around the corner from here - it was looking a bit sparse as the demo bikes were really my old hacked-about StreetMachine and a few other things, and I couldn’t afford any proper shop fittings or decoration so a few friends came over to help with the painting and building counters and benches out of scrap wood.
10 years on, and quite a bit has changed - for one thing, in that first week where I took £43, I wasn’t sure that the business would survive 6 months, let alone still be going 10 years later. Then, about a dozen Bromptons a year were being sold in Glasgow, and it took a whole year before I sold my first recumbent - back then, I survived on repairing cheap bikes and selling parts and accessories.
It’s still a lot of hard work, and in a lot of ways I still miss the security of having a proper job (though, perhaps, not in the current climate) - I left a well-paid job at IBM to do this, which at the time seemed very reckless, but I’ve never regretted it. The money isn’t as good, the stress is at least as high, and the responsibility is much greater, but instead of sitting in a suit in a big office all day, I get to play with bikes
Thu 13 Nov 2008
Just finished fitting S&S torque couplings to this frame…
Wed 5 Nov 2008
With a Sturmey Archer 8-speed hub in the back and a Mountain Drive in the front, it’s got an enormous gear range…
Fri 10 Oct 2008
Saw these at Cycle - should be able to get hold of them in a couple of months.
Fri 10 Oct 2008
I went to Cycle 2008 yesterday - the BHPC got a free stand because another exhibitor pulled out. There was a beautiful Velokraft carbon lowracer on their stand…
Wed 1 Oct 2008
An email I received recently: “I would seriously consider a change to your web site. It is disorganised and confusing and really off putting. It would not encourage me to shop with you. As a member of the media I’m trying to be kind about it and do you a favour.”
Tue 2 Sep 2008
Someone pinched my Brompton demonstrator on Friday - it was a P6R (butterfly bars, 6-speed, with rear rack) with a raw lacquer frame, and titanium forks, rear triangle and seatpost. Could you please give me a call if you spot it?
Thanks
Meanwhile, I don’t have a Brompton demonstrator, but I’ve got one arriving by the end of this week I think…
Tue 2 Sep 2008
Okay, I think I can make this public now - for a few months, I’ve been working with Nick from CarryFreedom (the trailer people) on Nick’s design of what a tough, simple bike should look like, and this is the result.
The idea is to make something that’s tough (very rigid steel frame), reliable (enclosed chain drive and cables), cheap to manufacture (minimum number of tubes, as little welding as possible), and customisable (side panels that can be decorated, painted, made out of different materials, or wallpapered).
Nick’s taking it to Eurobike at the moment, and it’ll probably be at Cycle in London next month…