Search found 1832 matches

by Malaconotus
27 Jan 2017, 10:41pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Three Fatal Crashes - Still Driving
Replies: 13
Views: 1774

Re: Three Fatal Crashes - Still Driving

Came here to post this, but it's been done. I have no words for this. Beyond angry. I just cried.
by Malaconotus
6 Jun 2016, 7:41pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Road caliper brake pad recommendations?
Replies: 11
Views: 1362

Re: Road caliper brake pad recommendations?

http://www.swissstop.com/tech/compounds/bxp/ are the best I've found. Night and day difference from the OEM pads.
by Malaconotus
6 Jun 2016, 7:31pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Carbon or Alloy Seat Post?
Replies: 39
Views: 3376

Re: Carbon or Alloy Seat Post?

Finally, I actually lean on the saddle with my elbow and show potential customers the post bending as a selling point.
by Malaconotus
6 Jun 2016, 7:28pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Carbon or Alloy Seat Post?
Replies: 39
Views: 3376

Re: Carbon or Alloy Seat Post?

We sell a lot of Giant Defys. These have a D shaped post with the back side flattened to increase the deflection. This video shows the high end integrated setamast but the same effect is very visible on the more normally clamped version... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qylOHWklGX8

We also sell the Cannonball Synapse. This just uses a 25.4mm post so it bends more. Again, you can see it bend.
by Malaconotus
6 Jun 2016, 7:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Carbon or Alloy Seat Post?
Replies: 39
Views: 3376

Re: Carbon or Alloy Seat Post?

Carbon seatposts in compact frames visibly bend when people sit on them. I witness this every day when I set saddle heights for customers.
by Malaconotus
7 May 2016, 11:29pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: frame-mounted side-stand stronger than a Hebie 611
Replies: 5
Views: 637

Re: frame-mounted side-stand stronger than a Hebie 611

There is a Pletscher Comp zoom which uses the two-hole frame mount and seems to work fine for a couple of PCSOs with chunky bikes, but I'm not sure even with rack bags full they are quite 25Kg. It looks more substantial than the Hebie 611, though.
by Malaconotus
7 Mar 2016, 8:58am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tyres - General questions I have
Replies: 23
Views: 1628

Re: Tyres - General questions I have

I've had a Specialized glue on patch fail. It had been on an infrequently used bike on which the tyres had gone completely flat a couple of times, which might have been a reason.
by Malaconotus
23 Feb 2016, 7:58am
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Where have all the end to enders gone?
Replies: 72
Views: 6380

Re: Where have all the end to enders gone?

I suspect it's part of the much more widespread slowdown in the cycle industry. Ask your LBS whether trade is up or down. Sportives are not booming either. We reached peak mamil in 2014 and it's been in sharp decline for almost a year now.
by Malaconotus
30 Dec 2015, 12:55pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Leeds Bus Drivers view of Cyclists
Replies: 28
Views: 3050

Re: Leeds Bus Drivers view of Cyclists

Paulatic wrote:Do you want it to go viral?
I can help that if that's what you want


Well, yes, I would like to see it become news. I think First Bus should be shamed into action. They have consistently refused to acknowledge they have a problem and it can only be a matter of time before their drivers kill a cyclist with these attitudes.
by Malaconotus
30 Dec 2015, 12:29pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Leeds Bus Drivers view of Cyclists
Replies: 28
Views: 3050

Re: Leeds Bus Drivers view of Cyclists

The comments are from yesterday. The drivers are Leeds First bus drivers. It hasn't gone viral yet and maybe won't as it isn't locally all that shocking. I and a couple of others have tweeted and Facebooked without much traction so far. Leeds Cycling Campaign are complaining formally about it, and I'm expecting a reply from the Councillor responsible for transport that I've emailed it too. First Bus should be aware from their twitter feed.
by Malaconotus
29 Dec 2015, 7:51pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Leeds Bus Drivers view of Cyclists
Replies: 28
Views: 3050

Leeds Bus Drivers view of Cyclists

This kind of discussion of how cyclists are 'fair game' and 'want knocking off' is all too common. What makes this one special and terrifying is that the discussion is between Leeds bus drivers, including an instructor.
by Malaconotus
9 Nov 2015, 6:20pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Got told off for 'half wheeling'
Replies: 36
Views: 4145

Re: Got told off for 'half wheeling'

Very sensible and safe convention. Bump shoulders and you probably both stay upright, touch wheels and you probably both fall.
by Malaconotus
28 Sep 2015, 9:38pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Gear changes at the end of hill climbs.
Replies: 15
Views: 2031

Re: Gear changes at the end of hill climbs.

The 6 week service is because a new bike always has cables bed in. Reluctance to shift to a larger ring at the front is the most obvious symptom usually. Get it back to them to get the service done - 6 weeks should be a rough guide and they should do it earlier or later depending on use.
by Malaconotus
3 Jul 2015, 2:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Is My Local Bike Shop Ripping Me Off?
Replies: 62
Views: 8208

Re: Is My Local Bike Shop Ripping Me Off?

Your LBS has charged the suggested retail price for all those items, on which they'd expect to make a gross margin of around 45%, which these days translates to a nett margin of +/- 0%.

The big online retailers commonly sell direct to the public for less than the wholesale price through the authorised distributor.

Yes, you've paid more than you would have if you bought online and fitted it all yourself. Which is exactly what happens every time you use a joiner, or plumber, or painter and decorator. Except that the hourly rate for a bike mechanic is about half that of any similarly skilled trade.