Search found 714 matches

by boblo
15 Mar 2024, 9:36am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Midshaft Clavicle non union
Replies: 6
Views: 317

Re: Midshaft Clavicle non union

I broke my left one mountain biking (or rather body surfing whilst trying to mountain bike) and went through the standard UK triangular bandage/hurry up and wait repair process. All seemed fine until almost exactly a year later I had a very minor lie down, again whilst mountain biking, and broke it - again.

I elected for surgery and went via BUPA. I'd planned a 4-5 month tour 4 weeks later and didn't want to miss out. I was under the knife within 24hrs and back on the bike within a week. I elected for dissolvable stitches to avoid being pulled around again and donated bone for the organic 'putty/filler' they pack around the repair to accelerate union (usually your own blood and bone fragments apparently). They 'harvest' the bone from elsewhere on your body which, apparently, can be as painful as the original injury. After this discussion, I elected for donated bone, AKA 'dead man's bones...'.

Apart from a slight hiccough with a DVT immediately post op, it repaired and recovered as expected and I took my trip as planned. I was suppose to pop into local hospitals en route to check the post DVT Warfarin dosage but that wasn't really practical where I was travelling. No other issues.

The surgery site took about 3+ years to recover full sensation as the nerves are cut during surgery. I haven't had the plate removed as it causes zero issues during my activities.

On a side note, I watched a round of MotoGP whilst on that trip. One of the Japanese contenders fell, broke his, had it plated and won 7 days later... So cycling shouldn't be an issue - probably.
by boblo
8 Feb 2024, 10:52am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Ruta De La Plata
Replies: 11
Views: 1633

Re: Ruta De La Plata

Ryanair (🀒) fly into Seville and out of Asturias.
by boblo
9 Jan 2024, 10:09am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Stanforth Skylander Rohloff
Replies: 77
Views: 4773

Re: Stanforth Skylander Rohloff

I'd not worry too much about eccentric BB's. I've been using them on tandems since the mid 90's and really can't tell the difference when in use. Maybe I'm just not a sensitive soul or mebbies the effects are a bit exaggerated. Who knows?
by boblo
7 Jan 2024, 9:34am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Stanforth Skylander Rohloff
Replies: 77
Views: 4773

Re: Stanforth Skylander Rohloff

Good choice πŸ˜‰

Image
by boblo
24 Aug 2023, 11:24am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: The ultimate reusable sealed bearing Square Tapered Bottom Bracket
Replies: 51
Views: 7476

Re: The ultimate reusable sealed bearing Square Tapered Bottom Bracket

PH wrote: ↑24 Aug 2023, 11:21am
rogerzilla wrote: ↑24 Aug 2023, 7:41am There are loads like that
I have an IRD like that, came with a 10 year warranty, which thankfully I haven't had to call on. Apparently though, if you make a warranty claim, they send a set of bearings and the instructions how to replace, not quite what I was expecting when I bought it.
Could be worse I suppose. Name and address of your nearest bearing shop :D
by boblo
31 May 2023, 4:34pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: TRP Spyre Disc brake calipers
Replies: 8
Views: 657

Re: TRP Spyre Disc brake calipers

I've used Spyres and BB7's. I find the braking decent with both - nothing really in it.

The Spyres are a bit lighter and the BB7's a bit more agricultural. However, you have to keep Spyres clean/fettled especially when there's salt around and (apparently) there's a risk of melting your big plastic knob with the BB7's if things get out of hand...

I've gravitated towards Spyres (on 4 of my bikes) mainly as they're lighter and I keep my stuff fettled anyway so maintenance is a non issue for me.
by boblo
12 May 2023, 9:23am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Inner tube sealant for Presta valves?
Replies: 13
Views: 851

Re: Inner tube sealant for Presta valves?

I use the same jizz you buy for tubeless and squirt about 30ml into the tube through a Presta valved inner tube with the core removed.

I usually use a small syringe with a short length of tube attached which fits into the Presta valve. Go steady or it'll blow back and make a mess...

Full tubeless is obviously betterer but sometimes the wheel or tyre doesn't support it so needs must.
by boblo
20 Apr 2023, 11:28am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Nordkapp - Norway
Replies: 4
Views: 760

Re: Nordkapp - Norway

We flew in a few years ago. IIRC, we flew into Hammerfest and cycled the rest into Nordkapp over 2 days. We then turned south and cycled to Greece.
by boblo
13 Feb 2023, 1:34pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Kinesis Titanium Owners - Take Note!
Replies: 109
Views: 9780

Re: Kinesis Titanium Owners - Take Note!

Ah, we have "framebuilding myths from the 90's" resurrected!
OK... I can only speak of my own experience. My Ti and steel bikes ride similarly in feel. Both zingy though the steel one is a bit heavier as it's a full on tourer vs the Ti Audax/day bike (as, we used to call them...).

The aluminium bikes are a bit lighter but neither are harsh. They're both CX/gravel so a bit more relaxed and have fatter tyres.

My carbon road bikes are both very light (one sub 7kg) but quite harsh. They both run carbon wheels and 23mm tyres so they would be wouldn't they.

The frame material in and of itself won't always dictate the way a frame rides but can be at least one indication depending on the design and the rest of the build. IME.
by boblo
11 Feb 2023, 1:29pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Kinesis Titanium Owners - Take Note!
Replies: 109
Views: 9780

Re: Kinesis Titanium Owners - Take Note!

It's not just about weight, it's how it rides. Ti can be nice and springy a bit like steel but often a bit lighter and the ongoing maintenance is a quick scrub with a Scotchbrite...

Aloominum <sigh> is lighter but can be a bit harsh and carbon lighter again but often even harsher.

I ride steel, aluminium, Ti and carbon. They're all good but not neccesary directly comparable or interchangeable though of course you can try to ride anything on anything - there's no rules.
by boblo
11 Feb 2023, 9:02am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Kinesis Titanium Owners - Take Note!
Replies: 109
Views: 9780

Re: Kinesis Titanium Owners - Take Note!

If the frame has broken at such low time/mileage, why would you buy another the same? It makes no sense. And as for other frames with 'lifetime' warranties, that's generally just marketing guff as they mean the lifetime of the frame not the user which is often wholly subjective. Unless 'they' say 'lifetime' and actually mean it (in writing), don't fall for it.

A few years ago Karrimor brought out their version of Cordura - KS100e. Lifetime guarantee which started out as that. Then the claims started rolling in. Later they went bust and Mike Ashley got his sticky paws on the brand. Ask him for lifetime warranty work and see how you do...
by boblo
7 Feb 2023, 10:49am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Kinesis Titanium Owners - Take Note!
Replies: 109
Views: 9780

Re: Kinesis Titanium Owners - Take Note!

Another 'bike for life' shot down in flames... Not an uncommon occurrence sadly... :cry:
by boblo
24 Jan 2023, 9:19am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Derailleur Hanger Extender vs New derailleur
Replies: 3
Views: 365

Re: Derailleur Hanger Extender vs New derailleur

An eBay copy link was very cheap last time I bought one - a couple of pounds if memory serves. So a new cassette then a link as a cheap experiment if needed. You might also need more chain links or a new chain.
by boblo
23 Jan 2023, 9:23am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Repair Ortlieb panniers
Replies: 14
Views: 1213

Re: Repair Ortlieb panniers

Have you spoken to Ortlieb?