Search found 23 matches

by JosephCallard
3 Dec 2015, 7:25pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Unwanted stickers
Replies: 2
Views: 515

Unwanted stickers

Hi
I have the frame below but not keen on the red sticker, I don't think it's removable because I can't see an 'edge' to the sticker (I assume clear coated over?)

Any ideas for getting rid of it? So far all I have thought of is getting the same size sticker in a colour I like and putting it over the top, must be a better idea?

Image
Thanks
Joe
by JosephCallard
24 May 2015, 4:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Biologic Reecharge Dynamo Kit
Replies: 1
Views: 568

Biologic Reecharge Dynamo Kit

Has anyone used the Biologic reecharge (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/biologic-reecharge-dynamo-kit-with-micro-usb-cable-prod27225/) without any of the other biologic extras like the battery pack or phone case?

I'm wondering whether I can use it with a cheaper power pack that takes a micro USB to charge up and has a USB outlet to plug things into, something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Loader-PC1005-FreeLoader-Charger-White/dp/B002YNU5GU

Thanks for any help
Joe
by JosephCallard
24 May 2015, 2:57pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Trailers and steep hills - how safe are descents?
Replies: 16
Views: 1706

Re: Trailers and steep hills - how safe are descents?

I've ridden down a few big hills with my kayak and gear on a carry freedom y frame large with the loong arm attachment.

It's not as bad as I expected but your brakes will probably feel a bit different, without my trailer I can stop quickly and in a short space, but with it, braking is slower so I need to anticipate things ahead that will mean I need to slow down, I usually keep the brakes on gently and keep the bike slow.

I would also recommend loading the arm with 10% of the trailer weight, pack it up then hold the arm at the rubber hitch with the trailer flat, it shouldn't lift out of your hand or be heavy to hold.

Pushing up a hill is sometimes worse than having very low gearing and slogging up it, you may want to lower your gearing after trying it out.

Joe
by JosephCallard
11 Mar 2015, 8:39pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: When I flew with my bike this is what happened......
Replies: 95
Views: 48115

Re: When I flew with my bike this is what happened......

Flew Stanstead to Lyon with easyjet last year, used a CTC bike bag and padding, fine on the way there, on the way back my front wheel was buckled a fair amount, although I didn't notice until I was back home :(
Joe
by JosephCallard
10 Mar 2015, 1:55pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Extra braking for trailer towing
Replies: 41
Views: 3118

Re: Extra braking for trailer towing

DaveP wrote:Thinking about the OP once more, there is an obvious question that hasn't been asked: Why have so much weight on the trailer anyway?
An empty kayak isn't all that heavy, and everything else could be carried directly on a bike. Perhaps that bike ought to be a Big Dummy rather than an Ogre?


The boat is about 25kg empty, but I'm not sure I would fit all my kayaking gear as well as the gear I usually have in my panniers on a big dummy. Also once I have been kayaking the gear is all wet so its best kept far away from the stuff I want to sleep in.

Tacascarow wrote:
bobc wrote:Just pointing out a couple of solutions to driving 3 brakes from 2 levers...
brake lever for dual cables with built in balance lever. dunno who makes it.
http://shop.greenpower.co.uk/index.php/ ... gp421.html
.
I've used that one & it's a little soft. Promax do a much more rigid & effective version of the same which I'm using with cantis & very happy with.Image.
Bike polo players use them so they have a free hand to swing their mallet. (Or whatever else bike polo players do with their free hand).


I imagine if you are using it for cantis then it's not going to work for mtb cable brakes (different cable pull?) I know the Pauls Components one has an adjustable pull but that costs about £70.

Joe
by JosephCallard
7 Mar 2015, 2:30pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Extra braking for trailer towing
Replies: 41
Views: 3118

Re: Extra braking for trailer towing

Thanks everyone for your responses, if you're interested in pictures then you can see my set up with my Dawes Galaxy on my blog; https://boatingandbiking.wordpress.com/.

I thought about braking the trailer but on the CF trailer the wheels are so far from the trailer frame that I doubt it would be possible.
The drum brake as a drag is a good idea but I don't think either of my hubs could be replaced by one.

Between disc and rim brakes which would be better at being really hot or which has a bigger heat capacity if it is used as a drag brake?

Joe
by JosephCallard
7 Mar 2015, 2:15am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Extra braking for trailer towing
Replies: 41
Views: 3118

Extra braking for trailer towing

Hi,
I've recently got a carry freedom trailer and carry a kayak with gear on it, so about 40-50kg plus weight of four panniers. Going downhill is scary, the weight makes braking pretty nerve racking.

My bike, (surly ogre) has mounts for both disc and rim brakes at the back, and I thought about adding a v-brake alongside the front and rear disc brakes.

I would probably use a dual cable lever like this http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/twin-pull-v-brake-lever-right-prod21412/ to operate both the front and back brake and the left lever to operate the rear rim brake.

Anyone tried this or think it will work?

Thanks
Joe
by JosephCallard
7 Jan 2015, 12:01pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Larger tyres for Galaxy
Replies: 4
Views: 1235

Re: Larger tyres for Galaxy

I have as 2011 galaxy and have got 38mm tires on there with mudguards, it's a bit tight though and I'll probably find some wider mudguards soon

Joe
by JosephCallard
17 Dec 2014, 4:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Trailer tyres for offroad
Replies: 4
Views: 857

Trailer tyres for offroad

Hi,

Looking for a bit of advice for trailer tyres, I have a carry freedom Y-frame and carry a kayak on it, I hope to be able to pull it off-road (muddy tracks and gravel roads probably the extent).

What tyres will give me the best performance? I want ones that won't be draggy in mud and wont slide sideways on loose gravel.

The load is probably going to be around 40kg.
Thanks for any help!

Joe
by JosephCallard
20 Oct 2014, 1:34pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: What lightweight tool for track nuts
Replies: 9
Views: 1890

Re: What lightweight tool for track nuts

Thanks everyone for your replies, looks like a cheap poundland spanner might be fine,
rmurphy195 wrote:What do you mean by "Track Nuts" - are they the wing nuts, or just 15mm ordinary nuts that you use a spanner on?


Just 15mm ordinary nuts yeah, the wing nuts are a good idea but with the Y Frame trailers mount I don't think I'd be able to tighten them on one side.

Joe
by JosephCallard
18 Oct 2014, 4:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: What lightweight tool for track nuts
Replies: 9
Views: 1890

What lightweight tool for track nuts

Hi,

Recently a trailer on my touring bike and have a solid (not quick release) axle for extra strength.
Basically I don't want to lug around a heavy spanner for when I need to undo the rear wheel.

Any suggestions on light alternatives?

cheers for your help
Joe
by JosephCallard
23 Jun 2014, 11:44pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: First EVER Tour! (and I'm going RTW)
Replies: 69
Views: 30362

Re: First EVER Tour! (and I'm going RTW)

I can vouch for him, he's not lying :) He met up with me and others in the French Alps and has carried on to Italy, best of luck James :)
by JosephCallard
4 Jun 2013, 4:58pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Genesis Fortitude Adventure alternative.
Replies: 5
Views: 956

Re: Genesis Fortitude Adventure alternative.

My brother has the adventure, I'm pretty sure you could get a 3x9 system on there if you used a BB mounted front mech such as this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=83608

Maybe one of these too http://problemsolversbike.com/products/backstop

For the rear mech you could attach one using one of these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=249

Joe
by JosephCallard
11 Jun 2012, 9:17am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Frame-bag / Salsa Anything Cage
Replies: 9
Views: 4775

Re: Frame-bag / Salsa Anything Cage

Hi,
I recently made a framebag myself, in all cost about £25-30, if you have access to a sewing machine then its not too hard, there's a few tutorials on bikepacking.net.

As for anything cages I've heard of a few breaking, definitely for light and bulky items. For water lots of people go with a bottle cage strapped on each fork leg and a camelback or platypus inside the framebag if more capacity is needed.

Joe
by JosephCallard
29 May 2012, 8:06pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Can I tour on this bike?
Replies: 20
Views: 9616

Re: Can I tour on this bike?

Love the bike, I used to have a raleigh banana and I did tour on it, I managed to fix a rack to the back and some panniers, there wasn't too much heel strike either.
I did find the gears weren't quite enough to get up some hills but walking only rests your backside.
BUT
Not long after my short tour when cranking up a hill (unloaded) I heard a ping and there was a fair bit of side to side movement, I wondered what it was for a while until I found the frame had broken just above the bottom bracket. I'm not sure this was a result of touring though, probably more my thrashing around of the bike.

Before that it was a great bike and fun on tour, I say go ahead and tour on it :) just new tires and tubes maybe?
Joe