Search found 1371 matches

by mark a.
27 Aug 2022, 10:16pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mike Burrows Legacy
Replies: 51
Views: 3212

Re: Mike Burrows Legacy

That's a lovely obituary.
by mark a.
21 Aug 2022, 9:40pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mike Burrows Legacy
Replies: 51
Views: 3212

Re: Mike Burrows Legacy

The frustrating thing for me is that some of his ideas look brilliant, but I, as a mere mortal, would find them very tricky to find places to try them out. If, as Burrows complained, most bike companies refuse to do much beyond cosmetic changes to the diamond frame, there's hardly a wealth of options to try alternatives.

One day, I'd like to try a recumbent, too.
by mark a.
21 Aug 2022, 11:47am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mike Burrows Legacy
Replies: 51
Views: 3212

Mike Burrows Legacy

I'm slowly catching up on Mike Burrows' ideas, following his death; stuff I really should have been aware of already.

What concepts do people think will be his legacy? Which ideas of his will (a lot of them should) eventually make it into more mainstream bikes? Of all his bikes, the one I'd most like is the 2D (or his Gordon, which evolved from it): structural oil-bath chain case, mono fork, compact design. They'd make fantastic city bikes.

There are loads of other concepts as well, of course, things which I don't yet understand. His love of shorter cranks, for example, and of course his recumbents / HPVs. What are you going to miss the most?
by mark a.
14 Sep 2021, 11:07pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does anyone still use a cape
Replies: 104
Views: 6558

Re: Does anyone still use a cape

I got to (finally) use my new People's Poncho in today's rain. It was fantastic. I kept dry (even my feet were mostly OK) and didn't become a sweaty mess despite the humidity. And I didn't have to faff about with waterproof trousers and all that.

My only question is whether the interior straps are best hooked onto the handlebars or onto one's thumbs. I think I prefer the handlebars, but it's a bit disconcerting to be so attached to the bike.
by mark a.
18 Aug 2021, 9:45am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does anyone still use a cape
Replies: 104
Views: 6558

Re: Does anyone still use a cape

mjr wrote: 17 Aug 2021, 10:42am Reviews of Vaude, Cleverhood and People's Poncho...
Nice, thanks for that. I ordered a People's Poncho, which arrived yesterday, so it's nice to see I bought a good one. (Not that you can sensibly buy a Cleverhood in the UK.)

I won't get a chance to try it on the bike for a few days, but the cape looks good so far. It'll be interesting to see how I get on with it.
by mark a.
14 Aug 2021, 10:22am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does anyone still use a cape
Replies: 104
Views: 6558

Re: Does anyone still use a cape

Yes, I probably will get one, for both the bike and for camping. I'll probably get a People's Poncho. but I'm also considering the heavier Carradice Duxback.

No decision yet on plus fours.
by mark a.
11 Aug 2021, 11:18pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does anyone still use a cape
Replies: 104
Views: 6558

Re: Does anyone still use a cape

😆 Not far off!

Image
by mark a.
11 Aug 2021, 10:51pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does anyone still use a cape
Replies: 104
Views: 6558

Re: Does anyone still use a cape

All this talk and all those photos makes me want to buy a poncho to try out. I have technical mountain gear (expensive Gore-Tex jacket and trousers), but they're surprisingly awkward on the bike. Perhaps I'll hate a poncho too, but it might be fun to try on the school run.

I also now want plus fours and long socks. I'm beginning to question my sanity and fashion choices, but I reckon they'd solve a few issues on the bike and on the hills. Or perhaps I just want to look like Tintin.
by mark a.
21 Oct 2020, 2:35pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Grey lever on Deore derailleur
Replies: 7
Views: 2629

Re: Grey lever on Deore derailleur

Well, it's certainly quieter. I'm not sure the clutch has ever been on until now. Thanks everyone.
by mark a.
20 Oct 2020, 9:13pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Grey lever on Deore derailleur
Replies: 7
Views: 2629

Re: Grey lever on Deore derailleur

Thank you. I'll flip it back on. I was struggling to get the wheel back on after fixing a puncture (some lovely person scattered thumb tacks over the cycle path this morning) so perhaps I'd had the clutch on.

The bike is a Tern GSD with a long chain (and a chain guide pulley halfway along the top run) and small wheels, so I imagine the clutch is actively useful with all that chain flapping around.
by mark a.
20 Oct 2020, 3:34pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Grey lever on Deore derailleur
Replies: 7
Views: 2629

Re: Grey lever on Deore derailleur

Ah, so it's a clutch mechanism. Great, I just never knew I had one.

Which is the on position?
by mark a.
20 Oct 2020, 2:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Grey lever on Deore derailleur
Replies: 7
Views: 2629

Grey lever on Deore derailleur

Can anyone tell me what this lever does on the Deore 10-speed derailleur?

Image

It moves up (in the direction of the arrow shown) but it's not obvious that it does anything.

I've only had the bike for over a year :D and I've only just noticed it. Sincere apologies for the mech not being spotlessly clean :)
by mark a.
20 Aug 2020, 10:56pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Noisy rear hubs: functionality or fashion?
Replies: 35
Views: 2955

Re: Noisy rear hubs: functionality or fashion?

I rather enjoy the noisy Hope hub on my mountain bike. It's fun. But then I also enjoy the quiet Shimano hubs on my other bikes. The difference keeps things fresh and fun. IIRC correctly, the Hope hub (Pro 2, I think) is much easier to service.

If I had to choose, I'd go with silent and use a bell for pedestrians, but I'm not going to bin a wheel just yet.
by mark a.
12 Aug 2020, 12:33pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: BBC: War on Two Wheels
Replies: 33
Views: 2548

BBC: War on Two Wheels

A lovely BBC Radio 4 program by Lois Price about cycling (and motorcycling), and how it should be a normal thing. I'm not sure if she's a CyclingUK member, but her message is very familiar. We should be able to call ourselves "people who get around on bikes", and not just identified (often disparagingly) as "cyclists".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000llw4

The blurb:

Lois Pryce argues that bicycles need to be reclaimed as simply a mundane means of transport - and cycling needs to be uncool again.

As a passionate advocate of two-wheeled transport, whether it's powered by an engine or her own legs, Lois is tired of disapproving looks. And she thinks that in the case of bicycles, it's partly because cycling has turned into an identity. She wants to revert to the time it was just a way of getting around.


Well worth a listen, I thought.
by mark a.
8 Aug 2020, 9:56pm
Forum: Proposed Membership Changes - Discussion
Topic: Membership rates
Replies: 241
Views: 58889

Re: Membership rates

To me, that wording is much clearer than previously, and fairer. No undefined "Unwaged" and it filters out wealthy retirees.