Search found 137 matches

by NEvans
15 Jun 2020, 5:01pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Anyone doing / done the Conqueror Virtual LEJOG
Replies: 0
Views: 541

Anyone doing / done the Conqueror Virtual LEJOG

Been getting a lot of advertising on facebook and youtube for Conqueror Virtual rides for LEJOG. Distances from any rides can automatically be added by Strava or similar, or manually put in from a range of other exercises. Conqueror website has a range of routes around the world including one for LEJOG. Shows you on a map where you are, route travelled there, distance done, still to go etc, etc. Looks very good, anyone got any experience of it?
by NEvans
10 Apr 2020, 1:19pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Connecting ANT+ Cycle and home computers
Replies: 8
Views: 428

Re: Connecting ANT+ Cycle and home computers

Mick F wrote:
NEvans wrote:Following what we're being told about not to be going out on the road ...........

Not true.
You are allowed to take one exercise a day, and cycling is allowed.
No limit on how long this exercise should take within reason.
I'll be out cycling for about three hours later this morning.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... nd-cant-do


While we would all love to be out on our bikes, at the moment I am looking at how I can improve my time on my turbo. For this I'm asking people with experience the best way to do that.

In Cornwall you might have quiet roads, here I'm quite surprised how busy they still are. This is not a topic about the legalities and morals of cycling outside, although if you were to start a new topic. I will be very happy to add my opinion.
by NEvans
9 Apr 2020, 8:19pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Connecting ANT+ Cycle and home computers
Replies: 8
Views: 428

Re: Connecting ANT+ Cycle and home computers

TrevA wrote:I’m assuming you have a speed sensor and a cadence sensor. You should be able to connect/pair the sensors to your Lezyne via Bluetooth. Not sure exactly how to do it on a Lezyne, as I have a Garmin, but it should be in the settings menus somewhere. You can use the Ant+ dongle to pick up the signal from your sensors and use that for Zwift.


Got it in one. The combined speed and cadence sensor uses Ant+ to connect/pair with the computer cycle (I think its Ant+ rather than Bluetooth). Initially connected/paired in the setup menu. Although not set up the Lezyne can also display things such as HR and Watts.

TrevA wrote:I had to buy an extension cable to get the Ant+ dongle close enough to the sensors to pick up the signal. You can try It with the Ant+ dongle just plugged in to the USB port of the laptop, it may work.


As you can imagine at the moment everywhere is sold out of dongles and extension cables, which is why I've dug out this old timex usb dongle although not sure what it was originally for.

Can this be used direct with the pc to display basic data in the way that the cycle computer would. Eg. Speed, Cadence, Time, Average maybe. Or is this where you need an app such as Zwift to process and display the information? I would like to test it out rather than sign up to it purely see if anything is happening. Maybe compare it with what my cycle computers telling me is happening.
by NEvans
8 Apr 2020, 10:25pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Connecting ANT+ Cycle and home computers
Replies: 8
Views: 428

Connecting ANT+ Cycle and home computers

Following what we're being told about not to be going out on the road, I would like to connect up my bike with my desktop pc. And try one of these virtual web sites such as Zwift (best known although I don't know if best). I have an old basic Tacx Satori trainer. Type you put your bike on, turn the music on and get bored half hour later.

I wish to try and connect a Lezyne Enhanced Super GPS computer on the bike, which displays normal things such as speed, cad and hr. It states it is ANT+, which I believe is how the display unit speaks to the speed and cad sensors. I then have a Timex USB dongle. So 1. Will they and how do I get them to see and talk to each other and 2. How would I bring the information up on my computer in a useful manner.

Cheers for any help.
by NEvans
10 Mar 2020, 5:56pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Why wear black?
Replies: 784
Views: 33772

Re: Why wear black?

I work at the entrance of a very busy station, probably seeing about 100 cycling commuters daily. The Proviz Reflect360 comes in a wide range of colours, its reflective outer mesh makes each of them as good as each other. I would definitively be wearing one over black any day or night.
by NEvans
10 Aug 2019, 11:16pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cycling on the Isle of Wight on E-Bikes
Replies: 0
Views: 435

Cycling on the Isle of Wight on E-Bikes

Looking at spending four nights, so three full days on the Isle of Wight. Spending a couple of days hiring electric bikes. It will be the first time either of us has used ebikes so bit of a learning experience.

Advertising in Cycle magazine is Seaview hotel (in Seaview) Four nights with them; 2 halfboard, 2 b&b and 2 days ebikes would come to £730. Getting there would be by train and the cat to Ryde, approximately £170. So approximately £900.

Other potentials are Travel Lodge in Ryde or Newport, rates vary between £305 start of Sept. to £250 end of Sept. Premier Inn's are in Newport and Sandown are around £400. Wight cycle hire in Yarmouth hire two bikes for two days for £120. But we would probably end up getting there using car and ferry, ferry about 125. Roughly £430 to £525 before food and fuel for early september.

Any experience or recommendations for staying and renting/using hire of e bikes on the Isle of Wight much appreciated.
by NEvans
7 Aug 2019, 9:32pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Removing Stiff Sidewall Tyres
Replies: 11
Views: 1375

Re: Removing Stiff Sidewall Tyres

Watched the video, excellent. Also thought the trick of using toe straps useful.
by NEvans
5 Aug 2019, 5:14pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Any experience of the TyreKey
Replies: 11
Views: 2010

Re: Any experience of the TyreKey

Ellieb wrote:Not got that one but I do have an X-Tools version which is slightly different. It opens and closes like a set of pliers. It works pretty well.

Looks good but suggests only for fitting of tyres not removing. Is this correct?
by NEvans
5 Aug 2019, 4:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Any experience of the TyreKey
Replies: 11
Views: 2010

Any experience of the TyreKey

Our magazine has been advertising for some months a "simple, no-pinch tyre tool" (their words not mine), called the TyreKey. About £10, anyone got experience of it? Thanks
by NEvans
5 Aug 2019, 4:18pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Removing Stiff Sidewall Tyres
Replies: 11
Views: 1375

Removing Stiff Sidewall Tyres

I brought a new bike fitted with Donnelly Strada 700x28c's, standard road clinchers with stiff sidewaIls and metal beads. I noticed a slow puncher and decided to replace the inner tube, thankfully at home. The tyre does not advertise inner tube ready but it has very stiff sidewalls, and tight bead fittings in what is a relatively deep rims. While you may expect a new tyre to be stiff, this caused problems I have not had before, my standard levers where not fit for the job. I've had it off and remounted twice and still causing as much problems.

Any suggestions please.
by NEvans
25 May 2019, 11:11pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling
Replies: 15
Views: 2290

Re: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling

Brucey wrote:some freewheels in some hubs are crazy-noisy. If you don't like the racket (personally I like them quiet not noisy) then a shot of SFG into the pawl space usually shuts them up without affecting pickup.


SFG; Is this Foam oil? And can you recommend one. Thanks
by NEvans
25 May 2019, 10:08pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling
Replies: 15
Views: 2290

Re: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling

Paulatic wrote:Is this a wind up?
It’s the freewheel or are you saying it’s over and above the freewheel


This is not a wind up (a wind down maybe). It is when I'm moving and stop peddling (ie. freewheeling) there is a noise that only occurs when I am not peddling. It is just louder than I would expect it to be, and wondering if action should be taken to ensure no damage is being done.
by NEvans
25 May 2019, 10:02pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling
Replies: 15
Views: 2290

Re: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling

NUKe wrote:Is it not the noise of the pawls, some free hubs are noisy than others particularly when new.


It is likely to be the freehub mechanism, it is just loader than I would expect for new equipment. Could it be a case of cleaning and lubricating?
by NEvans
25 May 2019, 9:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling
Replies: 15
Views: 2290

Re: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling

Brucey wrote:about one tick per revolution? First (and easiest) check is for loose spokes in the rear wheel.


Good thought but no, a constant clicking when I stop peddling.
by NEvans
25 May 2019, 6:48pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling
Replies: 15
Views: 2290

Clicking noise from rear hub when freewheeling

New bike; Pinnacle Arkose R1. Approximately 200 miles. Constant clicking noise when freewheeling, which I believe is from the rear hub. It is a Novatec 32H 2 sealed bearing 12 x 142mm. Has this been happening from the outset, I really don't know. Should I be concerned and/or need to do anything about it?

Thanks