Search found 91 matches

by Velorum
16 May 2014, 7:22pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Pictures of your bike(s)
Replies: 1924
Views: 583812

Re: Pictures of your bike(s)

19 years later its time to buy another Brompton!

In 1995 my wife and I bought two shiny new Bromptons from SJS Cycles. My wifes a red L3 and mine a black T5. Well the L3, fitted with a ladies sprung Brooks has been used sparingly and still looks next to new - my wife would never sell it. My T5 on the other hand led a hard life but soldiered on for 5 years until an argument with a speeding white van killed it. Nearly killed me in fact! RIP trusty T5! Not long after I didnt need to take a bike on the train for my daily commute so returned to big wheel bikes. Faced with the prospect of having to commute by a combination of train and bike this month I decided to return to the 'fold'

As a result I bought a 2 year old M3 and instantly fell in love with the Brompton experience again. Fitted with a Carradice pannier (from eBay - I love the look), a cape roll and Brooks Swift it feels and looks just right. Here it is next to my wifes 1995 model:

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This morning I popped out to do some shopping - it was nice not to have to worry about carrying a heavy lock and faffing about securing things when I got there. I simply slung the pannier over my shoulder, folded the bike up and took it into Waitrose with me. No one gave it a second glance.
:D
by Velorum
7 May 2014, 7:11pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Spokeless folding bike
Replies: 8
Views: 4415

Re: Spokeless folding bike

Interesting but I cant see that there will be thousands of cheap Bromptons on eBay as a result anytime soon
by Velorum
18 Apr 2010, 6:20pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Lack of aircraft overhead
Replies: 46
Views: 1846

Re: Lack of aircraft overhead

I live under the Heathrow flight path - about 40 miles out though so they arent low - you cant usualy hear them in doors but can whilst in the garden. The silence and lack of large jets & vapour trails is oddly eerie but I woudnt mind getting used to it.

Little chance of that though - it will all be back to normal soon I suppose.
by Velorum
17 Apr 2010, 8:02am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Suggestion to replace cycle-to-work-scheme
Replies: 32
Views: 3269

Re: Suggestion to replace cycle-to-work-scheme

hubgearfreak wrote:
Velorum wrote:Heavy and old fashioned = bad?


i think that's the gist. your old junky dutch thing's for the chop :wink:


Oh dear, looks like I will be on a steep learning curve.

Is it possible to touch up carbon fibre with Hammerite?
Will my Brooks B66 fit on an alloy micro adjustable seat pin?
Is it possible to part exchange my tweed jacket for a skin tight lycra one piece suit?

And thats just for starters...........
by Velorum
17 Apr 2010, 12:22am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Suggestion to replace cycle-to-work-scheme
Replies: 32
Views: 3269

Re: Suggestion to replace cycle-to-work-scheme

HoWB Dave wrote:(BSO's are notoriously heavy)


Light & modern = good
Heavy and old fashioned = bad?
by Velorum
14 Apr 2010, 7:28pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: What kick stand to use for fully loaded??
Replies: 34
Views: 19876

Re: What kick stand to use for fully loaded??

I use one of these - albeit on a heavy dutch roadster:

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Despite the buky appearance its suprisingly light due to the resin construction and very stable. As the Sparta has a brazed on mount there are no worries re chainstay damage. Much better than the basic prop stand it replaced.

I bought it from SJS who have a pretty good range

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-Propstands-323.htm
by Velorum
8 Apr 2010, 7:49pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Obsolete tyre size?
Replies: 17
Views: 2173

Re: Obsolete tyre size?

As a matter of fact I can stand metric figures - its just that I cant figure our how to type fractions on the laptop
27" x 11/4" doesnt look right to me............
by Velorum
8 Apr 2010, 7:35pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Obsolete tyre size?
Replies: 17
Views: 2173

Re: Obsolete tyre size?

I bought some 27"x1.25" Schwalbe's last year for the Dawes Galaxy and they were ace.
by Velorum
5 Apr 2010, 11:04pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Faster in the rain?
Replies: 21
Views: 1290

Re: Faster in the rain?

I think that it gives a greater sense of speed especialy when its coming down hard and the streams of rain drops seem to race towards you - in short its something of an illusion.

A quite nice one too - at least theres a minor compensation for getting soaked I suppose...........
by Velorum
4 Apr 2010, 9:40am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Schrader to Presta Issues ?
Replies: 16
Views: 2207

Re: Schrader to Presta Issues ?

Ive had tubes tear at the valve seat running Presta fittings in rims designed for Schrader valves when at high pressure.

I now run Schraders at high pressure - which is not a problem. I have a good quality foot pump with accurate guage for use at home - the only downside is getting hold of a pump to carry on the bike that will reach the required pressure in the event of a puncture- this is where Presta is superior IMO.
by Velorum
29 Mar 2010, 10:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Truly maintenance free??
Replies: 36
Views: 2629

Re: Truly maintenance free??

Single speed dutch bike with coaster brake. 'Nuff said.
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by Velorum
24 Mar 2010, 8:34pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Pictures of your bike(s)
Replies: 1924
Views: 583812

Sparta update!

Having nearly finished modifying the mighty Sparta to my taste I thought that I would post an update for those interested in things more traditional.

As mentioned in another tread I have ditched the dyanmo system and gone all LED/battery. The new front lamp is a Bobbin's retro special - I think that it looks great and I am particularly pleased by the bright beam. It operates on constant or flashing. Link to Bobbin: http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/Retro-Front-Light

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A good match for the mudguard mounted rear LED via forum member 'workhard' viewtopic.php?f=32&t=34971

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Ive had my eye on one of those Busch & Muller stubby rear view mirrors for a while - I took the plunge and ordered one from DOT bikes: http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP3041.as ... aign%3dDPL Im really pleased with this - very good quality and a good rear view whilst being very small and unobtrusive

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The original prop stand was fine when the bike was unloaded - but with the panniers full it just wasnt up to the job. This Hebie bipod propstand was expensive but well worth it. Great quality and pretty light. Think a sturdy prop stand is an unecessary addition? Try one if you regularly load up your rear panniers and you will think again! Link to SJS: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/category-Propstands-323.htm

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And thats pretty much as I want it. The only thing that I now hanker after is one of those new Sturmey Archer 2 speed auto coaster hubs - hopefuly later in the year!

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Cheers
Ian
by Velorum
23 Mar 2010, 8:16pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Panniers
Replies: 4
Views: 663

Re: Panniers

My first three touring bikes had only one eye on the rear dropout (and these were expensive ones!) the mudguard stays and rear rack were fitted to these eyes using a good quality stainless steel bolt with nyloc nut. The bolts needed to be long enough to accomodate the stays and carrier mounts. Despite some very heavy loads I never suffered any problems with this set up.

Good luck with the trip!
:)
by Velorum
19 Mar 2010, 8:24pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: symbols on cars
Replies: 43
Views: 2255

Re: symbols on cars

I have this in the rear window of my car

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by Velorum
14 Mar 2010, 11:37pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bottle dynamo noise
Replies: 18
Views: 2648

Re: Bottle dynamo noise

Or on the other hand....

http://www.bobbinbicycles.co.uk/Retro-Front-Light

I am giving this serious consideration

(With emergnecy LED's in the pannier this might be a good option)

if i go for this option then the B&M front lamp and AXA dynamo will be availale.......

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