Search found 12 matches

by knapster
31 Aug 2011, 12:47am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Can anyone recommend a good sleeping bag?
Replies: 12
Views: 1429

Re: Can anyone recommend a good sleeping bag?

What season are we talking? - obviously the warmer the bag needs to be the heavier it becomes.

Generally down sleeping bags pack down well.

I have a Mountain Equipment Xero 350 - zero rated with -15 extreme rating (you'd need to be clothed!) only 730g - packs down and takes up one side of the bottom of my pannier. Amazingly well made, but around the £200 mark. You need to use the neck baffle properly for the bag to work. Still, I highly recommend it. Fabulous.

Cheap(er) bags can be had from Alpkit.
by knapster
27 Aug 2011, 2:33am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Disturbing thoughts
Replies: 12
Views: 1201

Re: Disturbing thoughts

If stolen, it's odd they both had bikes like that (where's the opportunity to steal two? someone's house?). If you wanted easy money, you could just flog the hub alone - these bikes obviously stand out and to own them is asking for trouble. Likewise, if they don't know their worth, perhaps they wont own them for long.

They might have been korean and likewise had no idea what you were talking about - to be polite some people pretend to follow what you're saying but have little language to back it up.
by knapster
22 Aug 2011, 10:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Are Gatwick no longer handling unboxed bikes
Replies: 2
Views: 524

Re: Are Gatwick no longer handling unboxed bikes

Thanks, I've picked this up at the other thread.

Thanks a lot for that heads-up.
by knapster
22 Aug 2011, 9:56pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Beware Gatwick / Norwegian airline & unpacked bikes
Replies: 39
Views: 25554

Re: Beware Gatwick / Norwegian airline & unpacked bikes

Thanks Hoogerbooger, I booked in February I think. Flew 25th July.

I'll post information I get from Gatwick also - I sent them quite an extensive email - aside from the Bike issue, the idea of people moving great distances between terminals with lots of stuff has got to be bad for the running of the airport. It just reeks of a lack of integration and organisation. Not good.

Thanks for the info Hufty - I think there is some petty officialdom in Norway, although in some senses it's also quite informal, almost home-made. There can be very set ways of doing things, however, the fact you can pay for your bike at the check in desk (in Bergen) without having to leave the queue has got to be something they could also do at Gatwick.

Personally I think money has something to do with this - perhaps they had excessive insurance claims? I thought maybe Norwegian's new planes meant they didn't have a dedicated area for them. I was told the box would just go on top of other luggage.

On the way back I arrived at Bergen with a box - they immediately said 'oh a bike' and pulled out the credit card machine. Nothing was said about 'not needing a box' at their end. Actually last year I didn't get charged for a bike and they didn't even check. Perhaps they've just tightened everything up and prevented bikes sneaking through?

On a happier note, here's some pictures from the tour https://picasaweb.google.com/peterknappuk/NorwayCyclingTrip2011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJyw2-jnl6SVtgE&feat=directlink
by knapster
22 Aug 2011, 3:34pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: First Aid Kits
Replies: 24
Views: 2804

Re: First Aid Kits

A small hand scrubbing brush is essential to keep clean.

I have various dressings and a sling in case of a broken arm. A knee compression strap - could also be lashed to something to help make a splint. Diarrhoea tablets. Paracetamol, Aspirin, Ibruprofen gel (muscle aches), antihistamines, plasters, surgical tape, iodine dropper (v.useful actually) or a spray for disinfecting wounds, Salt replacement sachets, charcoal tablets (in case of poisoning - also for wind!), vitamin tablets, blister plasters. Something for insect bites (after bite one and one for bringing down the swelling/iching), 100% deet spray. Scissors and tweezers.

Ask your GP for the strongest multi-use antibiotic he/she can give you as a private prescription - this will cost. However, they saved me several times in India as I was able to treat myself straight away. I guess you'll need malaria drugs - these can be bought online I think.

Dental floss is super useful - also makes a good repair thread. I keep a needle inside my pack so I could use it to sew a wound (if it was really bad!).

I keep my pack in a semi-waterproof draw string bag, like those from Alpkit. Saves a lot of space and you can separate the liquids from the pills and dressings.
by knapster
22 Aug 2011, 3:04pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Beware Gatwick / Norwegian airline & unpacked bikes
Replies: 39
Views: 25554

Re: Beware Gatwick / Norwegian airline & unpacked bikes

I wish I had seen this thread before I flew.

I had exactly the same issue. Last year I flew without even a bag. This year I was told I needed a box at the Terminal!

It was a complete nightmare as the bike and flight bag were over 40kg together and the boxes were kept at the North Terminal. I then had to take a train with this lot, buy a box, take my bike apart (all the wheels off). I forgot to take the tyres down and worried they'd explode for half the flight. It really was truly awful.

I ended up complaining to their customer services (do this in writing) and got remunerated fro the box. Aside from the box, the bike reservation is atrocious. If you have to pay, why pay for a 'bike' - isn't it now better to just put the bike in the hold as luggage and pay an excess?

I found I could put extra items in the box and carry my panniers on board (if I had wanted to).

I've just written to Gatwick as well, as Norwegian gave the same answer about local rules. My point is, if it's not specially hand carried, the bike fee is not warranted - it's no more than hold luggage.
by knapster
22 Aug 2011, 1:29pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Are Gatwick no longer handling unboxed bikes
Replies: 2
Views: 524

Are Gatwick no longer handling unboxed bikes

Hello

Last month I went to Gatwick Airport to catch a flight to Norway with my mountain bike and do a short tour (was lovely by the way).

Last year bike just needed the handlebars turned in, tyres let down a bit and the pedals taken off.

This year Norwegian, the flight operator said 'It must be in a box' which lead to a lot of faffing at 10am going to the North Terminal with 40kg of baggage and buying a bike box!

Norwegian say this was a decision of the luggage handling company at Gatwick. Therefore, is it now the case ALL bikes flying out of Gatwick must be in a box? Can anyone confirm?

Likewise - is it worth paying extra (over checking it in as stowed luggage) i.e. pay the bike fee, if it's no longer hand carried and just sits on top of other items in the hold?

Best,

Pete
by knapster
28 Sep 2010, 9:11am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why do bicycle warranties differ so much? (e.g Cube and CRC)
Replies: 6
Views: 2692

Re: Why do bicycle warranties differ so much? (e.g Cube and CRC)

It's all pretty annoying. CRC is claiming the whole thing is a warranty issue, and costs of repair are discretionary while the sale of goods act is implicit in any transaction a retailer makes in the UK.

I have to say I'm really disappointed in Chain Reaction Cycles - I've spent literally hundreds in their shop up to now.

My only option is small claims court and writing to my MP.
by knapster
27 Sep 2010, 11:35am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why do bicycle warranties differ so much? (e.g Cube and CRC)
Replies: 6
Views: 2692

Re: Why do bicycle warranties differ so much? (e.g Cube and CRC)

Getting legal advice on my problem, the sale of goods act states that the bike must be of 'satisfactory quality' and if a fault develops within the first 6 months, I am entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.

Discretionary policies or limited warranties are not applicable in this case, as far as I can see.

I'll see what they come back with...
by knapster
25 Sep 2010, 2:16pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why do bicycle warranties differ so much? (e.g Cube and CRC)
Replies: 6
Views: 2692

Re: Why do bicycle warranties differ so much? (e.g Cube and CRC)

Thanks a lot for the replies. I'll certainly dig deeper.

I purchased the bike in April/May and the bike failed in July/August (crack in the frame around the seat post). It's taken a month to get this far and as they didn't explain the bike wouldn't be completely fixed, so I didn't make any sort of insurance claim (if that was applicable).

Right now I'm a jobseeker, so the £100 or so to fix the bike is a lot of money, plus spending that at purchase would have given me the next model up. For me, it's a bit of a mess because I depend upon the bike for my transport and my pleasure...
by knapster
24 Sep 2010, 5:47pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why do bicycle warranties differ so much? (e.g Cube and CRC)
Replies: 6
Views: 2692

Why do bicycle warranties differ so much? (e.g Cube and CRC)

This might be a naive question, but hopefully people with better knowledge than I can answer it.

I recently had a frame crack issue with my Cube Hardtail MTB that is just a few months old.

CRC (who is the retailer) handled my warranty claim and said it would be replaced. However, what they meant was just the 'frame' would be replaced. All the labour required to actually 'fix' the bike isn't included.

My question is, why are warranties for bicycles particular in this way, as opposed to say cars or washing machines? If the brakes failed on a new car, it would not fix the problem to merely send a new brake assembly in the post. Likewise a broken computer would not be fixed by sending you a new motherboard. This goes for pretty much any other product that goes wrong within a 12 month period. From what I've read, some companies component swap and some don't - why the disparity?

Since a frame is the heart of the bike where all other components are fixed and require tools most riders wouldn't own or know how to use, how can it be abstracted as a mere part? Surely when we talk of buying a bicycle we mean the totality of all the pieces that come together to make it work? Just giving me a frame isn't going to do that, no more than pouring water, carbon, phosphorus and other elements into a pot will give me a living and breathing kitten :wink:.

If something else is meant by this, why aren't they merely referred to as 'bike kits'?