Search found 749 matches

by rfryer
20 Apr 2023, 7:00am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Transcontinental travel and incredible numbers of e-bikes
Replies: 45
Views: 6919

Re: Transcontinental travel and incredible numbers of e-bikes

For a real world number, I did a 20 mile ride on Monday with 1600ft climbing, 25km/h average speed, and averaged somewhere in the region of 157W to 166W (depending on how you choose to calculate it).

I'm 75kg, on a light non-aero road bike with power meter pedals, adopting aero positioning where I can.
by rfryer
25 Feb 2023, 6:48am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tailfin Aeropack
Replies: 43
Views: 3243

Re: Tailfin Aeropack

rivers wrote: 20 Feb 2023, 2:10pm I know there are cheaper options out there for racks. But they are not what I'm after. The last thing I want to be doing is attaching p clips to my carbon bikes. What I was after with this post was feedback from people who have actually used the system as opposed to magazine and influencer reviews
I have the carbon one, with pannier attachments and integrated aeropack. A selling point for me was being able to transfer easiy between bikes.

Main impression is that I really like it, very nicely made and you don't know it's there. I've found myself using it more than I expected; it's now the go-to when carrying anything, whereas I used to use a combination of smaller bags and pockets.

Niggles are that packing the integrated bag is a pain; you either need to do it on the bike, or you need to fit a fully loaded bag/frame onto the bike. Neither is as easy as packing the bag on the floor, and then clipping onto the bike. Also the separate light mount is a bit slidy, and my Varia ends up pointing sideways.
by rfryer
30 Dec 2022, 8:05am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Good containers for alcohol that fit water bottle cage
Replies: 31
Views: 1848

Re: Good containers for alcohol that fit water bottle cage

I'm a big fan of the Fidlok bottle cage system, which includes a mount (see here) that will clamp a range of bottles with a Boa dial. I've used this to transport a bottle of wine before now, though it would work best with a rubber sleeve on the bottle to improve grip.
by rfryer
6 Dec 2022, 10:00am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Front light doubling as powerpack
Replies: 8
Views: 972

Re: Front light doubling as powerpack

gregoryoftours wrote: 5 Dec 2022, 8:38pm
james01 wrote: 24 Nov 2022, 2:28pm Looking for a new rechargeable front light as backup to my dynamo, and thinking of one which doubles as a powerpack for phones etc.
Does anyone have any experience of these lights? There seem to be plenty available on the internet.
Any light that has enough battery capacity to usefully double up as a powebank will be bigger and heavier than you want for a light.
Any light that has enough battery capacity to usefully light my way for a couple of hours will be bigger and heavier than I'd want for a light. In my view, including power-pack functionality on a light which already has enough battery power to be useful is a valuable addition, with few downsides. Admittedly, you might end up having to make a choice about whether to use some of the power for charging, vs using that same power to use the light longer/brighter - but that's a choice that I'd like to have.
by rfryer
26 Nov 2022, 7:32am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Front light doubling as powerpack
Replies: 8
Views: 972

Re: Front light doubling as powerpack

I have the Ravemen PR1600. I've used the charging facility a few times, to keep my Hammerhead Karoo 2 head unit topped up on long rides, or when I've forgotten to charge it. Very happy with the light - good beam, good information about battery life, and happily provides power via USB at the same time as being a light.
by rfryer
28 Sep 2022, 5:11am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Bicycle comfort is it a dream?
Replies: 62
Views: 4481

Re: Bicycle comfort is it a dream?

Another key point on weight distribution is that you measure weight on the wheels while stationary. However, once you start pedaling, the force on your arms will be reduced by the force you're putting through the pedals.

When cycling, the force on your arms is determined by position on the bike, gradient and braking/pedaling effort. I can't see how measuring weight through the wheels while static yields any useful information about arm pressure.
by rfryer
27 Sep 2022, 10:49pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Bicycle comfort is it a dream?
Replies: 62
Views: 4481

Re: Bicycle comfort is it a dream?

jois wrote: 27 Sep 2022, 8:53am
Paulatic wrote: 27 Sep 2022, 8:26am
jois wrote: 26 Sep 2022, 8:03pm

To be far I've seen it jump about a fair bit dependent on who you ask and what type of cycling anywhere from 50/50 to 70/30 .

Mines ,60 % front 40% rear, you measure it with a scale under each wheel or one scale and move it about.

NB you do need to move the other wheel up with book to keep it vaguely level
Surely that’s the weight on each tyre you’re measuring there?
More or less.though that is determined by how much weight is on my bum and how much is on my arms
Influenced rather than determined. If you sit back on your saddle and wave your arms in the air, your front wheel will still not be weightless.
by rfryer
5 Aug 2022, 2:12pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Fixed gear and knees
Replies: 22
Views: 2259

Re: Fixed gear and knees

I got into riding fixed in my thirties, and phased it out on my forties, partly due to knee pain (which never became acute to the point of needing medical treatment).

I was trying to be quite purist, avoiding use of brakes if there was any possibility of slowing by use of back pressure on the pedals.

With hindsight, I'd advise my younger self to make more liberal use of the brake lever, both when stopping, and when descending steep hills. Unfortunately, my younger self would probably have ignored me, because that approach detracts (for me, at least) from the appeal of riding fixed.

Maybe, the approach should be to enjoy it while you can, mitigate risks of knee pain of it doesn't affect your enjoyment, and be ready to give up promptly if you spot the early signs of problems.

Have fun!
by rfryer
30 Jun 2022, 10:59pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Earphones - Transparency Mode
Replies: 31
Views: 2118

Re: Earphones - Transparency Mode

Jdsk wrote: 22 Jun 2022, 11:22am
Jdsk wrote: 22 Jun 2022, 11:12am
simonineaston wrote: 22 Jun 2022, 11:08amHowever, to return to the perfectly reasonable question, which is to do with safety, my responce is that with or without 'transparency', my impression is that music does detract from my ability to hear my surroundings. When I first tried them, I was amazed to find out how much I rely on hearing to process the presence of traffic behind me. Any music - or speech, come to that - has a tendancy to mask the detail of the info I might otherwise hear quite readily. I have abandoned, reluctantly, the wearing of any sort of headphone while cycling.
I wouldn't dream of listening to music or wearing any sort of headphones while riding an HPV on public roads.
What do others do?

Thanks

Jonathan
With my ears clear, I frequently fail to hear cars approaching, due to wind noise. I therefore don't worry too much about losing awareness through using earphones, especially when they are able to superimpose alerts from my Varia radar over whatever I'm listening to.
by rfryer
17 May 2022, 1:00pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Worst piece of kit you ever bought
Replies: 79
Views: 5299

Re: Worst piece of kit you ever bought

Cowsham wrote: 17 May 2022, 11:06am
thirdcrank wrote: 17 May 2022, 10:26am Worst bike equipment - competing with a lot of dodgy lamps - must be those short "racing" mudguards. My dear old dad used to insist on mudguards and I bought some of them thinking they would work because they were sold as mudguards. My Only excuse is that I would have been a naïve 14 year old.

In terms of weatherproof togs, by far and away my worst purchase was a Gamex (nylon jersey fabric) jacket. I was mooching about in Ellis Briggs probably thirty years ago and they were in the waterproofs section. I incredulously asked if they were indeed waterproof and the reply was "100%" I subsequently "enjoyed" what was surely the most miserable day's cycling bar none relearning the mudguard lesson.

OTOH, as a devotee of hi-viz, there's nothing to compete with a Gamex jacket for fluorescence so much more use than the mudguards
I tried those short mudguards at about that age ( they were a fad for a few years ) for the same reasons as you and of course having no money but found as you did they were a complete waste of the little money I had.
On the other hand, they're cheap, light, rattle -free, aero(!), and keep the mud off your brake caliper bolts and headset bearings. What's not to like?
by rfryer
22 Dec 2021, 8:40pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cannondale Bad Boy questions
Replies: 1
Views: 286

Re: Cannondale Bad Boy questions

I'd suggest posting a photo of the bike; maybe someone here will recognise it.

Medium might be on the small side for you, but it all depends on the model, and what you find comfortable. If you can get the saddle high enough, and you don't feel that the bars are too close, then maybe it's OK? A photo of yourself on the bike will elicit no end of helpful suggestions!
by rfryer
12 Nov 2021, 12:11am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Any opinions/experience on these front lights?
Replies: 25
Views: 1823

Re: Any opinions/experience on these front lights?

pwa wrote: 10 Nov 2021, 9:05am
rfryer wrote: 10 Nov 2021, 8:50am I've got both the B&M Ixon IQ (AA powered) and the Ravemen light discussed above.

The B&M is a much better shaped beam for road use. Although the Raveman light has a lens to stop dazzle, it's nowhere near as effective as the optics in the B&M.

However, the Ravemen has the ability to act as a handlebar mounted cache battery (great for my power hungry Karoo head unit), clear indication of battery life, and a remotely operated full beam.

In short, I'm happy to have both. If I had to choose one it would be the Ravemen, valuing the bells and whistles over replaceable batteries and superior optics.
For the benefit of the OP, which would you prefer on a track with pot holes to avoid?
If on a track with no oncoming traffic I'd prefer the Ravemen on full beam.
by rfryer
10 Nov 2021, 8:50am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Any opinions/experience on these front lights?
Replies: 25
Views: 1823

Re: Any opinions/experience on these front lights?

I've got both the B&M Ixon IQ (AA powered) and the Ravemen light discussed above.

The B&M is a much better shaped beam for road use. Although the Raveman light has a lens to stop dazzle, it's nowhere near as effective as the optics in the B&M.

However, the Ravemen has the ability to act as a handlebar mounted cache battery (great for my power hungry Karoo head unit), clear indication of battery life, and a remotely operated full beam.

In short, I'm happy to have both. If I had to choose one it would be the Ravemen, valuing the bells and whistles over replaceable batteries and superior optics.
by rfryer
19 Oct 2021, 9:52pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Newbie turbo trainer question
Replies: 7
Views: 567

Re: Newbie turbo trainer question

I've used a Taxz Flow wheel-on trainer, traditional rollers, and an Elite Direto direct drive trainer.

I strongly prefer the latter; it doesn't wear out your tyres, it's the quietest, you can use it with software apps, and you don't have issues with slipping tyres and calibration being affected by tyre pressure.

I also strongly recommend Zwift as a way of keeping it interesting - I've tried various options and Zwift is the one that provides me with most motivation.
by rfryer
14 Sep 2021, 6:27am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Carry Freedom trailers - disc brakes - small or large?
Replies: 9
Views: 680

Re: Carry Freedom trailers - disc brakes - small or large?

The Robert Axle Project (sold in the UK by SJS) sell a range of "Kid Trailer" thru axles onto which you can attach a CF trailer mount.

I bought one, and the quality is good.