Search found 54 matches

by pyruse
9 Dec 2019, 3:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rear wheel problem
Replies: 18
Views: 1221

Re: Rear wheel problem

Just for reference. Recently had a problem with my bike (a 15 year old Dawes) where the pedals would go round but the back wheel didn't. Sometimes fixable by back pedalling. Evidently a knackered freewheel - showed up when the weather got colder and the grease presumably thicker. Anyway, took into local bike shop for repair and a service, and when they looked at it they pointed out that chain + gears + derailleur were all knackered. Not a big surprise to me as the bike has done a lot of miles and the gear change has been getting more and more iffy recently.
So replaced all of that, plus new brake blocks. 150 pounds, which I don't think is bad at all, and certainly cheaper than a new bike (equivalent bike is about 400 pounds). Replaced saddle earlier this year and pedals last year, back wheel about 5 years ago.
I think that now means pretty much everything apart from the frame has been replaced on this bike!
by pyruse
20 Aug 2019, 12:26pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: A noob asks... what is the point of toe clips for a commute?
Replies: 52
Views: 4579

Re: A noob asks... what is the point of toe clips for a commute?

I have alloy pedals with little nubs that stick up; unlike my previous plastic/rubber pedals, my feet never slip on the alloy ones. The nubs grip the soles of your shoes beautifully. I had toe clips for years but realised at some point that they are more effort then just using grippy pedals.
by pyruse
20 Aug 2019, 12:21pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Tampering with locks: wet rag on it?
Replies: 42
Views: 4059

Re: Tampering with locks: wet rag on it?

I'm always puzzled by people who leave their locks on stands at work. Do they never cycle anywhere else on their bike?
A lock isn't much use unless you can use it when you stop to pick up shopping, visit a friend etc. Or do some people only use their bike to ride to work?
by pyruse
9 May 2019, 10:50am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: No stopping power on my disc brakes
Replies: 40
Views: 3639

Re: No stopping power on my disc brakes

The more I read about disc brakes the more I wonder what is wrong with rim brakes! They always seem to work fine and are easy to fix.
by pyruse
7 May 2019, 3:37pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Aldi Bike Gear on Sale Thurs 9th May 2019
Replies: 27
Views: 3128

Re: Aldi Bike Gear on Sale Thurs 9th May 2019

rotavator wrote:Any views on the folding electric bike for £499.99?

Lights the blue touch paper and stands well back!


There is a review here:
https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes ... ke-review/
by pyruse
3 May 2019, 2:52pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Just "bumps and bruises" - so that's OK then
Replies: 11
Views: 1644

Re: Just "bumps and bruises" - so that's OK then

It may not have been the bus driver's fault:
A spokeswoman for Stagecoach said: “CCTV footage shows that the teenage cyclist left the cycle path and pulled out on to the road without looking, in front of the bus."

I've seen teenage cyclists nearly coming to grief many times on the busway and also on normal roads because they pull across the road without looking; in fact a couple of weeks back in Cambridge I nearly hit a young cyclist who swerved across the road in front of me without warning and without looking. He did at least apologise.

There is plenty of bad driving (and I've been the victim of close passes and left hooks when cycling myself), but there is also plenty of bad cycling. I see examples of both every day in Cambridge.
by pyruse
1 May 2019, 2:24pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How to calculate metres travelled per crank revolution?
Replies: 22
Views: 4877

Re: How to calculate metres travelled per crank revolution?

Surely by far the simplest way to calculate it is:
1. Find an empty car park
2. Put a chalk mark beside ground contact point of rear tyre
3. Pedal forward one revolution of the cranks.
4. Put another chalk mark where the bike is now
5. Measure the distance between the marks.
6. Repeat for different gears.

Much simpler than trying to calculate it, and probably more accurate.
I also find this is the best way to calibrate a cycle computer. Just make marks and roll the wheel one complete revolution forward.
by pyruse
1 May 2019, 11:47am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Aldi Bike Gear on Sale Thurs 9th May 2019
Replies: 27
Views: 3128

Re: Aldi Bike Gear on Sale Thurs 9th May 2019

Their cycling jackets and gloves are excellent. Been using one of their jackets for years now.
by pyruse
1 May 2019, 11:44am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: What distinguishes between a mens saddle & womens saddle ?
Replies: 26
Views: 2075

Re: What distinguishes between a mens saddle & womens saddle ?

My bike has a step-through frame, because it is a lot easier to get on and off.
It came with a wide-ish saddle, but I've always found it perfectly comfortable.
Also, as I discovered years ago, if you have a briefcase on a rear rack, you will have an accident when mounting or dismounting on a mans bike, so I always prefer a step-through frame; just seems a lot more practical to me, like having a basket on the front to put your shopping in.
by pyruse
12 Feb 2018, 3:59pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Alsatian dog attack
Replies: 72
Views: 6536

Re: Alsatian dog attack

Years ago, when I lived in the south of France, I was walking home one day from the supermarket to the flat where I lived, and two large alsatians ran out from a house barking and growling. No way I could outrun them, so instead I turned towards them, went into a crouch, and advanced toward them while making a roaring noise. They both turned tail immediately; I've no doubt that had I run I would have been bitten.
It's not always possible to do this if the dog takes you by surprise, and it probably wouldn't work with trained guard dogs, but these were just dogs that someone had bought to protect their house (and then left the gate open).
You certainly won't be any worse off if you are aggressive rather than passive toward the dog(s).
by pyruse
7 Nov 2017, 5:38pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: It's green, so off we go - or do we?
Replies: 47
Views: 3501

Re: It's green, so off we go - or do we?

Commute in normal clothes and shoes - problem solved!
You also save lots of time getting changed at the other end; just don;t ride too fast and you won't get sweaty.
by pyruse
1 Sep 2017, 4:40pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Securing shopping to racks
Replies: 32
Views: 3103

Re: Securing shopping to racks

A basket is the best place for shopping :D
by pyruse
27 Mar 2017, 12:10pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Unwanted Ingestion of Flies
Replies: 52
Views: 4638

Re: Unwanted Ingestion of Flies

Insects in the eye are much more annoying than insects in the mouth.
They seem to get there even when I'm wearing wrap-around glasses.
by pyruse
14 Nov 2016, 2:22pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: I want one of these! Ubco 2x2
Replies: 13
Views: 3309

Re: I want one of these! Ubco 2x2

That e-motorbike will be a lot quieter than a vintage Vespa.
The worst thing about some motorbikes is how hideously noisy they are (I realise the noise is part of the attraction for some).
by pyruse
1 Nov 2016, 3:10pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Aldi Bike Offers now
Replies: 45
Views: 7291

Re: Aldi Bike Offers now

Update on the 'Aluminium' lights.
Nice lights, quite well made, and last a longish time (and they are rechargeable).
They are good 'be seen' lights as they are bright and cast light out in a very wide angle.
Conversely no good for seeing as they have no beam, but that's OK, I've already got a nice bright beam on the front.

I have a two year old pair of Aldi cycling gloves and a 4(ish) year old winter cycling jacket.
Both are excellent, particularly the jacket, which is warm, conformtable, and has reflective bits on as well as being bright red.