Search found 908 matches

by mill4six
23 Jul 2022, 7:24pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Northern lights velomobile
Replies: 5
Views: 4327

Northern lights velomobile

Does anyone have any thoughts on this machine. It has a linear pedal action, and carbon leaf springs which might make maintenance and repair a bit of a nightmare. I'm particularly looking at the 28mph 620 which can have pedals as an option and be registered as a moped provided you have CBT or a motorcycle license (I do). https://www.northernlightmotors.com/630-red-e-bike
by mill4six
8 Feb 2019, 5:45pm
Forum: Family Cycling
Topic: Tandem needed April.
Replies: 6
Views: 2707

Re: Tandem needed April.

Found a place hiring ebikes near where we are staying. Choices....
by mill4six
8 Feb 2019, 3:56pm
Forum: Family Cycling
Topic: Tandem needed April.
Replies: 6
Views: 2707

Tandem needed April.

We are taking our 14 yr old to France in April where we will be hoping to do some day rides which will be at the extreme of his current ability. We don't want him to be miserable so I'm considering a tandem as a solution. Our local bike shop has one for £250 but won't lend or hire it. Would anyone in the Bath area be prepared to loan us a suitable bike for a consideration or even a donation to your favourite charity? Otherwise I'll have to take another look at buying one second hand. Many thanks..
by mill4six
20 Aug 2018, 6:59pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Best way to get bike to Germany??
Replies: 3
Views: 584

Best way to get bike to Germany??

My daughter has taken up a teaching position in Germany and we're tasked with delivering her bike when we visit. Shocked to be quoted £90 to take bike out and bring empty case home. This could be £45 one way if I blag a disposable cardboard box from a local shop. I've looked at send my bag etc and can't see a better way unless anyone else has a better idea? Yes I'd love to ride it but time is short :D thanks.
by mill4six
15 Aug 2017, 4:32pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: R 7 Surface
Replies: 0
Views: 459

R 7 Surface

For a friend riding Belgium to Amsterdam. Any idea what the surface is like. Suitable for narrow tyres? Thanks in advance.
by mill4six
24 Dec 2016, 1:09pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Economy Build or Buy?
Replies: 14
Views: 1608

Economy Build or Buy?

I've just finished my Kaffenback II CX build from a bare frame I bought from Planet-X.
I see from the costs reproduced below that I could have bought a complete, Planet-X London Road CX bike for the same money.
I used begged, borrowed and second-hand parts wherever possible. The local Julian House bike workshop were very helpful, letting me rifle through their spare parts. I created a double chainset from an old square taper set on a dead bike in my basement which also yielded a decent bottom bracket and rear mech. The chainset had only one chainring but I got some longer bolts and added a granny ring experimenting with different spacers till it would index with the front mech. I now have 32-48 on the front and 12-36 on the back, good for most situations I hope.
Some other bits came from wanted posts on here and my local club members chipped in too. Any other bits not in the list, I already had lying around. I finally found a use for a pair of 2x9 shifters I bought a few years back when I thought I'd broken my commuter but then found was ok. I kept them just in case.
In conclusion I've had fun and I like my new bike but I haven't saved any money!

Frame 147.95
Headset 23.99
Tyres 39.98
Barrel adjusters 3
Chase and Face BB 15
Avid BB7 pair 53.75
Face and fit headset 15
2x160mm Rotors + Bolts 5
Stem 2
Bar tape 0
Shifters 90
Chainrings 5
Spare Chainrings 15
105 Front Mech 5
Rear mech cable and outer 6.9
Saddle 0
Chain 0
Cassette 16.99
Steerer spacers 2.7
Wheelset + rim tape 0


TOTAL 447.26
by mill4six
23 Dec 2016, 10:42am
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Reelights (edited)
Replies: 6
Views: 8350

Re: Magnic lights

My bad !!! Edited. :oops:
by mill4six
19 Dec 2016, 7:46pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Reelights (edited)
Replies: 6
Views: 8350

Reelights (edited)

I bought a set of these on special offer for my son's paper round bike. I wanted him to have good lights but didn't want to have to worry about him replacing batteries or recharging so this was a fit and forget solution. I couldn't stretch to a hub dynamo but I found a Reelight setup for about £50 with a solid front lamp and flashing rear. I passed him in the car this morning and they're good and bright. I saw him in fog from way off and the front is easily enough to light your way on unlit roads at 10mph, although maybe not 20. There are 3 big magnets which clamp onto the spokes in the rear wheel and a generator coil on the chainstay. This is held on with a jubilee clip arrangement which works but isn't pretty. Overall I'm impressed and the bonus is that the system can easily be transplanted onto any bike with other wheel sizes. I have a Son hub on my commuter and I'm not about to swap but I'm pretty pleased with it so far.
by mill4six
5 Dec 2016, 9:44pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Internal frame corrosion protection
Replies: 5
Views: 990

Internal frame corrosion protection

What can/should I do to the bare inside of my new steel frame to keep rust at bay before I build it up?
by mill4six
26 Nov 2016, 3:11pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: MTB Chainset on road??
Replies: 7
Views: 809

Re: MTB Chainset on road??

So are you using a double or triple mech/shifter with it?
by mill4six
26 Nov 2016, 12:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: MTB Chainset on road??
Replies: 7
Views: 809

Re: MTB Chainset on road??

Colin, that's the exact one they were talking about. Thanks.
by mill4six
26 Nov 2016, 11:47am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: MTB Chainset on road??
Replies: 7
Views: 809

MTB Chainset on road??

I'm remembering a pub conversation with some friends, recently departed for a 6 month fully loaded tour of new Zealand. I asked about their bikes and they described a bodge a using 3x square taper MTB chainset with a double road shifter. They are using only the inner 2 rings and it seems the cable pull works out. All this to get lots of low cogs for dragging luggage up mountains. Since this was a pub converation I thought it best to run it past you guys before I start building my Kaffenback 2. Thanks in advance..
by mill4six
11 Mar 2016, 5:33pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Carbon seatpost slippage
Replies: 62
Views: 3996

Re: Carbon seatpost slippage

I use fibre grip it's very effective, I don't have to overtighten the bolt. Without the paste it slips. Just buy some :-)
by mill4six
8 Mar 2016, 11:57am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Son hub dilemma
Replies: 6
Views: 715

Re: Son hub dilemma

Yes it's the state of my rims leading me down the disc route. I'm not good at cleaning my bike or taking the pads off to dig out the little bits of aluminium. It can be hard to tell which of the grooves in my rims are the wear indicators. I will soldier on for the time being particularly as I've just spent some money on the bike's transmission componentry (long overdue) so it should be a more pleasant ride.