Search found 1121 matches

by hercule
10 Mar 2024, 1:18pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Knee protection please
Replies: 39
Views: 1726

Re: Knee protection please

Kris Holm knee/shin guards are popular amongst unicyclists, where falling off (or UnPlanned Dismounts) is standard fare no matter how experienced you are. Obtainable from unicycle.com. I was seriously thinking of getting a pair when I had a UPDuni 3 months ago, but as I’ve still got a swollen and painful knee, it might be that I part with the unicycle instead ☹️.

FWIW!
by hercule
1 Feb 2024, 8:09pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Unbending, or Not.
Replies: 31
Views: 1853

Re: Unbending, or Not.

I’m a bit shocked to realise I’ve been riding bents for 18 years. Uprights are limited to riding to the shops and back. If I try to go further my neck seizes after 30 mins. This is sad because I’ve a much loved 35 year old Moulton that’s only been out twice in the last year (no way am I locking it up anywhere). Stuff that’s not suitable for recumbents is addressed by my kickbikes which are about as fast off road as I am on a MTB but they’re not bicycles.
by hercule
14 Jan 2024, 12:10pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Wildlife
Replies: 15
Views: 1515

Re: Wildlife

They were checking you out to see if they could eat you!

I had a weird experience running up a deserted dirt road in Canada many years ago… noticed there was first one vulture circling above me and a mile or so further up the hill there was a few more. I’m certain that they thought I was going to expire, or else fall victim to whoever had been peppering the road signs with bullets… 😳
by hercule
2 Jan 2024, 7:02pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Crank length thoughts.
Replies: 12
Views: 719

Re: Crank length thoughts.

I have a variety… two set up as 152mm, one 140mm. Thorn do cranks with a variety of lengths. At first it feels like your feet are moving in tiny circles but then you forget. Pluses for me are that they play to my strength as a spinner rather than a grinder, better ground clearance for my ginormous feet (relative to leg length), better aerodynamics by getting the front of my fairing lower. Negatives? None really though you will probably need to reduce your chainrings by the same factor as you reduce the cranks, but probably allow a bit more at the top end.

The 170mm cranks I have still got on my Kettwiesel seem ludicrously long in comparison (for various reasons it would be much pricier to swap them so I haven’t bothered)

I don’t think you’d really notice a 5mm difference though. You probably will need to be a bit more adventurous!
by hercule
25 Dec 2023, 11:44am
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Berghaus Repairhaus
Replies: 13
Views: 2049

Re: Berghaus Repairhaus

He’s 89. And he is the Chris Bonington

https://www.berghaus.com/athletes-and-a ... ngton.list
by hercule
18 Dec 2023, 7:46pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Recumbent trikes for winter riding
Replies: 30
Views: 3773

Re: Recumbent trikes for winter riding

My Kett in the snow. On this ride the brake cables kept freezing up which was *intersting* as I had a steep 800ft descent to negotiate before getting home. With fat tyres (Big Apples at low pressures) and a differential, it gripped without any difficulties though older ones (like mine) have the rear mech dangling beneath the rear axle. A Rohloff or their own “linear” 11 speed transmission would be much better. It also helps that your weight is almost directly above the drive wheels, unlike a tadpole trike.

[attachment=0]CIMG1144.jpeg[/attachment
by hercule
18 Dec 2023, 7:29pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: First ride in four months
Replies: 130
Views: 18858

Re: First ride in four months

I inherited an ebike from my late Dad, it’s a Kalkoff with all the bells and whistles… Shimano Alfine 8 speed hub, Magura hydraulic brakes, Gates belt transmission. And the dreaded Kalkoff mid drive motor, though so far (touch wood) it has been fine. In terms of use, I use it more for utility than pleasure riding though I’m happy taking the long way round for the scenery with two panniers stuffed with shopping which I suspect wouldn’t be the case if I was riding a non ebike. It’s therefore getting used instead of a car rather than instead of a bike. If it gave up the ghost I would be very tempted to get a replacement if I couldn’t get it fixed (it must be over 12 years old now, though the battery still seems to last for ages).

What I do despair of is much younger folk riding MTBs or road bikes with those giveaway super fat down tubes… for leisure. Assisted gravel bikes seem to be particularly in vogue round here, with zero nod to practicality.

(PS I’ve also just acquired a NiMH Toyota hybrid, partly down to your comments over the years)
by hercule
13 Dec 2023, 8:18pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Car rack for a Toyota Yaris
Replies: 11
Views: 1002

Re: Car rack for a Toyota Yaris

If you have a Yaris hybrid then tow bars are not advised - even if it’s for mounting a bike rack on. I’ve just acquired one and found out this limitation. There might issues with roadworthyness and insurance if that’s what the manufacturers are saying.
by hercule
8 Dec 2023, 11:44am
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Winter Trike Training (Wahoo Hub)
Replies: 10
Views: 1485

Re: Winter Trike Training (Wahoo Hub)

mark aldridge wrote: 7 Dec 2023, 10:05pm I do my winter training using a Sportcraft Trike Trainer.
Not cheap but I have had one for years and it is a well built bombproof bit of kit that will see me out.
Two gear ratios by swapping it around. Just a couple of blocks for the front wheels (I use a couple of bricks with deep frogs).
I bought mine from Draft Wheelchairs. Their site is well worth a visit even if you are just a regular recumbent rider just to see the wonders of racing trikes and wheelchairs.
How do you find tyre wear on the Sportcraft? I have a wheel-on Tacx smart trainer but it eats rear tyres and I any case I can only use it with my ICE VTX and not my QNT.
by hercule
6 Dec 2023, 4:51pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Tyre choice for intermittent black ice?
Replies: 46
Views: 8547

Re: Tyre choice for intermittent black ice?

I avoid such conditions… same issues of falling, dangerous drivers more so, and the fact that such conditions are usually coincident with low sun and motorists with poorly cleared windscreens.
by hercule
18 Oct 2023, 9:52am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does a Brompton fit in a Toyota Yaris?
Replies: 15
Views: 4611

Re: Does a Brompton fit in a Toyota Yaris?

Thanks, but it was a toss up between whether it was a mechanical issue or body corrosion that would get it first. I’ve spent a bit keeping it on the road (mostly for sentimental reasons!) but even I can see I’ve come to the limit of economic sense!
by hercule
17 Oct 2023, 8:43pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: switching to tadpole 26" or 20"?
Replies: 51
Views: 8615

Re: switching to tadpole 26" or 20"?

If you’ve managed to ride your Kett off road without bending your rear mech then the dangle factor on a 20” ICE trike shouldn’t bother you at all… though the bottom jockey wheel is a trifle closer to the ground in low gear.

I find my Kett is superior off road to my ICE trikes, a delta just has so much more traction going up even modest gradients if the surface is loose. That said I think my 20” QNT is a nicer machine, and with full suspension (front being a later addition) means that it can go at a good pace over the rougher stuff without being shaken to bits. My VTX is faster, but not quite as comfortable. I think the speed benefit is more about position and weight than the bigger rear wheel, though that undoubtably helps make it a bit more comfortable.
by hercule
17 Oct 2023, 4:23pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does a Brompton fit in a Toyota Yaris?
Replies: 15
Views: 4611

Re: Does a Brompton fit in a Toyota Yaris?

No, I’m looking a bit lower down the market! We did think of leasing (hire rather than purchase) but the figures didn’t add up even if electricity was free.
by hercule
17 Oct 2023, 1:47pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does a Brompton fit in a Toyota Yaris?
Replies: 15
Views: 4611

Re: Does a Brompton fit in a Toyota Yaris?

I can answer my own question, maybe useful for future reference.

Yes, with bags of room to spare. Only horizontally though, the A class could fit it horizontally or vertically.
by hercule
17 Oct 2023, 10:29am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does a Brompton fit in a Toyota Yaris?
Replies: 15
Views: 4611

Re: Does a Brompton fit in a Toyota Yaris?

I usually have the Brompton in the car for work related trips when I get to my base for the day. Minimises driving impact and helps clear my head! Of course I also ride it for fun too!