Search found 108 matches

by Andy_M
21 Jan 2016, 9:28pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: hardtail or full sus
Replies: 18
Views: 13022

Re: hardtail or full sus

Have a gander at Whyte hardtails, you'll get something top notch for well under your budget. With mountain biking it is much more about the rider then the bike, having said that a full suss will be less punishing physically which might be something you want to take into account.
by Andy_M
27 Oct 2014, 9:39pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: 29 incher - all hype?
Replies: 63
Views: 72555

Re: 29 incher - all hype?

Wesh-Laurence wrote:Virtually all of the new MTBs have 650b ie 27.5" wheels!! This means that the 29er was in fashion for 3 years.

In order to keep selling bikes year after year the manufacturers keep re inventing the wheel.

It's very annoying that manufacturers are producing products that have built in obsolescence of only 3-4 years. It is the same as regards parts, it is now very difficult to buy new suspension forks that don't have tapered steerer tubes which makes a huge number of perfectly good frames obsolete.


Not quite as faddish as you describe, of the 288 2015 mountain bikes that Evans sell 132 are 650b and 123 are 29ers, narrow that down to hardtails and the ratio is 58 vs. 82.
by Andy_M
11 Mar 2014, 8:35pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hi-vis jacket
Replies: 3
Views: 3379

Hi-vis jacket

My Altura NightVision has finally given up the ghost after regular service over about 5 years, so no complaints about that. I've read a few reviews that seem to suggest that the newer ones are lower build quality, just wondering if anyone on here had experience of this?

In looking for an alternative I've come across the Proviz nightrider (http://www.provizsports.com/en_gb/hi-visibility-cycling/hi-vis-jackets-trousers), not a name I was familar with but they seem to get a reasonable write-up. They also offer a lit triangle that attaches to the back of the jacket and comes in a few colours - including blue. Any thoughts on the legality of having a blue flashing triangle on the back of a jacket (along with road legal lighting),

Thanks,

Andy
by Andy_M
15 Dec 2013, 7:43am
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Possible to upgrade to 180 (or203) rotors from 160?
Replies: 5
Views: 63748

Re: Possible to upgrade to 180 (or203) rotors from 160?

As you have worked out, the process of upgrading is very simple - new disc and a new adaptor to fit in between the caliper and frame / fork. However there may be a physical limit on how big a disc will fit, as the frame/fork is often shaped to allow the disc to fit, so you may need to be careful with that.
by Andy_M
19 Nov 2013, 6:25pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Hatred, stupidity or both?
Replies: 190
Views: 16475

Re: Hatred, stupidity or both?

mjr wrote:
squeaker wrote:Which jungle would we like her dropped into? :twisted:

Sadly it's Daybreak... She'd kill too many if allowed to drive into the jungle...


I thought you weren't allowed to profit from crime, so how could she have signed a deal? Hope it will be a nice balanced article, but I doubt it.
by Andy_M
3 Mar 2013, 9:15pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Prendas
Replies: 4
Views: 2069

Re: Prendas

As above, always had very efficient service and the products have been great - although the La Vie Claire jersey I bought might actually be too nice to wear....
by Andy_M
30 Nov 2012, 4:22pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Bike-Packing
Replies: 18
Views: 139020

Re: Bike-Packing

james-o wrote:I use an Alpkit frame bag - recommended. They do custom sized bags at a very resonable price, mine's lasted >1500 miles of use this year so far without any issues (and I do have a reputation for wrecking rucsacs and zips etc)


Hi James,

Wondering what handlebar bag you have? The only ones I have seen are from Revelate in the states, and are pretty expensive,

Andy
by Andy_M
29 Nov 2012, 6:08pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Footpath to Bridleway
Replies: 20
Views: 4000

Footpath to Bridleway

Hi,

There is a farm track local to me which is formally a footpath, however it is regularly used by cyclists without (as far as I am aware) any issues with other users or landowners. The access it allows is important as it serves a major employment area that would otherwise need to be accessed by much longer and busier road routes. Can anyone advise on the process for trying to get the status of the path changed and any experiences people have of trying to do this.

I did try the local campaigning pages on the CTC website, but they seem to be difficult to access,

Thanks,

Andy
by Andy_M
1 Mar 2012, 6:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Fiamma Bike Rack
Replies: 11
Views: 2818

Re: Fiamma Bike Rack

Thanks all, the rack I'm getting fits permanently to the van rather than hangs over the doors, and also costs a bob or two so I appreciate the advice. There's a dealer around 30 miles away so I'm going to inspect before purchase, just wanted some general impressions of their racks before going (although to be honest for the type I want there is a grand total of 1 available...)

Andy
by Andy_M
25 Feb 2012, 10:01pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Fiamma Bike Rack
Replies: 11
Views: 2818

Fiamma Bike Rack

I'm in need of a bike rack for the back of a transit, and it looks like Fiamma are the only option. Does anyone have any experience of them, I've read that fitting multiple bikes can be a bit tricky, but I'm also interested in whether it will fit my fairly bulky (29x2.2) mtb tyres (my current Thule roof rack needs the tyres deflating before I can get the straps around the tyres)

Thanks,

Andy
by Andy_M
14 Apr 2011, 7:15pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Riding SDW at the weekend
Replies: 3
Views: 1197

Riding SDW at the weekend

Hi,

My missus is on a course in London for the weekend in mid-May, so I thought I'd come down with her and bring my bike and ride part of the SDW on the Saturday. Planning to get the train from London to Winchester, ride to Amberley then get the train back to London. My question is, how busy will the trail be with walkers & horse riders?

Thanks,

Andy
by Andy_M
9 Jan 2011, 11:57am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Bike lights at £50, £100.... really?
Replies: 82
Views: 6784

Re: Bike lights at £50, £100.... really?

I use B&M lights, the IQ Cyo on my dynamo equipped bike, and the IQ Ixon on my other bike, both fairly expensive set-ups. I can honestly say that they are good value for money based on the illumination when riding down unlit roads, and more importantly the reaction of other road users. It is quite clear to me that I am much more visible to other road users than I have been in the past, even though I have always bought half decent lights.
by Andy_M
17 Nov 2010, 9:21am
Forum: Stolen, Lost, Found, etc.
Topic: Stolen from Lowton (Wigan)
Replies: 0
Views: 604

Stolen from Lowton (Wigan)

2 bikes stolen last night (16/11):-

Roberts Cumbria (26" wheel tourer), very distinctive as it has a dynamo hub, bar end shifters and my name on the top tube. Midnight blue

Orange P7, pearl White, 17" frame, fox forks

Thanks,

Andy
by Andy_M
9 Nov 2010, 9:22pm
Forum: Off-road Cycling.
Topic: Disk brake upgrade for my Alfine hub?
Replies: 3
Views: 1478

Re: Disk brake upgrade for my Alfine hub?

I'd advise you to avoid avids, a pain to maintain and not great performance. Formula brakes get a good write up, but are expensive, Tektro seem like the best budget option.
by Andy_M
9 Oct 2010, 8:53pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Evans online sales
Replies: 24
Views: 6811

Re: Evans online sales - not at all impressed

I ordered 3 items from Evans about a month ago. After about 2 weeks only one item had turned up, I contacted them to query the delivery date of the other 2 items, and was informed that they had been posted a week ago, and I should check with my local post office. Two days later the items turned up, postmarked the day after I had contacted them. The customer service I received was a world away from Wiggle, EBC, CRC, or Spa cycles whom I have had many dealings with.