Search found 564 matches

by atoz
20 Mar 2024, 12:17pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Interference on Bluetooth devices
Replies: 8
Views: 441

Re: Interference on Bluetooth devices

Hi all- thanks for all the useful suggestions and explanations.

Interestingly, my home electricity smart meter control display device uses sofware made by....Wahoo.Smart meter control units use Zigbee to communicate with these days. I take care to ensure that the Bolt is not near that device or the master meter panel when I come in from a ride.
by atoz
20 Mar 2024, 12:04pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Interference on Bluetooth devices
Replies: 8
Views: 441

Re: Interference on Bluetooth devices

Nearholmer wrote: 19 Mar 2024, 4:19pm Yes, probably something that produces a big mess across a broad spectrum, inducing currents in analogue links from sensors to “computer”. Possibly micro-arcing within a portable generator at the site of roadworks, because there’s often one chugging away feeding temporary traffic signals.
That makes a lot of sense, thanks for that. We've had a major traffiic roadworks project near where I live for months. If I don't go near those roadworks I rarely get problems with the Bolt and the sensors.
by atoz
20 Mar 2024, 12:00pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Interference on Bluetooth devices
Replies: 8
Views: 441

Re: Interference on Bluetooth devices

ChrisF wrote: 19 Mar 2024, 8:49pm I think there are different issues here.

The data that is sent via Bluetooth will have data-checking built in. In other words, if the signal is strong enough it will receive the data correctly, with no 'false' readings. If the signal isn't strong enough it won't record incorrect data.

So for example in a supermarket the fluorescent lights and other electronic equipment may make the Bluetooth signal too weak (or relatively weak), so it may not receive reliable data - in which case your HRM lrecord zero (or - better - 'not avaliable').
So with the HRM I think the problem is with the sensor itself - it is picking up tiny electrical signals from your skin and amplifying them enough to count your heatbeats. That's where the electronic buzz in the supermarket will be affecting things - nothing to do with Bluetooth.

OTOH I'm baffled why your cadence sensor went beserk in a supermarket - did you take the bike in?
I didn't take the bike in, but of course I took the Bolt in, for obvious reasons. Makes you wonder if all the electronic interference screwed up the Bolt, rather than the sensors, but I'm no-one's idea of an expert, so basically I haven't a clue.

Interesting about the fluorescent lights. Hadn't considered this. Mind you, bluetooth headphones/earbuds seem less vulnerable. Up to recently I worked in an FE college where of course there were those type of lights, and other electrical sources of interference. But my cheapo JLab earbuds worked fine, as long as they weren't too far from the device they were connected to, of course. But those cycling sensors use Bluetooth LE, which is not the same as standard Bluetooth, as far as I understand these things.
by atoz
19 Mar 2024, 3:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Interference on Bluetooth devices
Replies: 8
Views: 441

Re: Interference on Bluetooth devices

Yes, I made those comments originally. I was hoping someone would know more than I do. I live in hopes...
by atoz
19 Mar 2024, 1:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Interference on Bluetooth devices
Replies: 8
Views: 441

Interference on Bluetooth devices

Wonder if others have had issues with interference with Bluetooth sensors eg heart rate monitor, cadence sensor etc? I used Wahoo Tickr as HRM and also their cadence sensor, with the Wahoo Element Bolt (v2) cycle computer.

I've found it's wise to turn off my Wahoo Bolt if calling in at a supermarket, even though the Bolt is on recording workout pause. Interference can sometimes stop or slow down the HRM signal. And as for cadence, I recorded a cadence of 466 rpm when calling into Morrisons not long ago. Entertaining, but useless.

I've had similar issues when negotiating long term roadworks locally. I know that devices compete for bandwidth. When these sources of interference are not present my Wahoo sensors and Bolt computer work well.

Has anyone else had similar issues?

Note: you get WiFi, Bluetooth and RFID devices in operation in supermarkets.
by atoz
19 Mar 2024, 12:42pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: LTN politics
Replies: 54
Views: 3589

Re: LTN politics

Safe to say Welsh Conservatives aren't targeting the cyclist votes..https://road.cc/content/news/cycling-li ... e-comments

Methinks the Labour cycling vote is safe. I mean, when they start calling us lycra clad Labour lobbyists, no sorry I meant "Labour and their lycra clad lobbyists". They really like cyclists don't they?

Maybe it's controversial in Wales, but in our village in God's Own County, we've had a 20 mph limit for some years now. Can't say I've noticed hordes of petrol heads mounting the barricades at the Town Hall. Maybe I missed all that when watching yet another Top Gear repeat on Dave.
by atoz
14 Jan 2024, 12:41pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Do we really understand what’s happening to the cycle trade?
Replies: 178
Views: 57722

Re: Do we really understand what’s happening to the cycle trade?

Halla wrote: 16 Dec 2023, 8:36am Recent high demand for bikes and related products has probably lead to the sort of arrogance that prevails with perceived success.

"WE ARE THE CYCLE INDUSTRY WE DO WHAT WE WANT"

A house builder said a similar thing to me, "WE ARE HOUSE BUILDERS WE DO WHAT WE WANT"

They all have a lot to learn about customers and hopefully mend their ways before they go out of business.

The cycle industry must have a short memory as it has suffered from very low periods, particularly in Britain, many times.

Cycling nearly died out in Britain before mountain bikes came along.
A previous neighbour of mine once described the cycle trade as the last refuge of neanderthal man. Personally I thought that was unnecessarily harsh on our ancestral near relatives. IMHO they could have done a rather better job.
by atoz
25 Nov 2023, 6:20pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Closure of ticket offices
Replies: 342
Views: 39039

Re: Closure of ticket offices

To add to my last post. I have fathomed the reason for the ticket scam. It's called in the rail industry a "negative easement". I had to dig into the Easements file pdf that is part of the Routing Guide - you can find it online without too much effort, it's a part of this site https://data.atoc.org/routeing-guide

Basically what would be an acceptable alternate route to the direct service is now classed as a "circuitous route" and therefore not a valid route. Whereas a similar alternate route elsewhere just down the line is allowed and classed as a"positive easement". This scam has gone on for some years, judging from the rail forum websites' posts. Guess what makes one different to the other- yes, one route is mainly run by Transpennine Express. Quel surprise- not.

You couldn't make it up. And you would never know the reason for it all without looking at the guide. Nothing printed on the ticket about restrictions etc. Just "any permitted route".

If you voted for/supported privatisation this is the result.
by atoz
23 Nov 2023, 5:44pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Closure of ticket offices
Replies: 342
Views: 39039

Re: Closure of ticket offices

mjr wrote: 20 Nov 2023, 3:14pm
atoz wrote: 20 Nov 2023, 2:55pm
Bmblbzzz wrote: 20 Nov 2023, 1:27pm The ticket machine is obviously the property of the company running the station at which it is located. A ticket issued from it has identical validity to a ticket issued by from an online provider or at the booking office for the identical journey. What can differ is that many machines are set up in a way which makes it difficult to find certain options.
"A ticket issued from it has identical validity to a ticket issued by from an online provider or at the booking office for the identical journey."

Transpennine don't accept that. And I did use the machine carefully to avoid this scenario.
That should be taken to the regulators. It's little different from a fuel station refusing legitimate payment methods without warning, exposing you to various penalties.
I have informed our local combined transport authority. I am also inclined to let our local young Labour MP know. It's good material if you want to campaign for much better public accountability of transport operators. And of course an general election is looming next year. But I'm not holding my breath.
by atoz
20 Nov 2023, 2:55pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Closure of ticket offices
Replies: 342
Views: 39039

Re: Closure of ticket offices

Bmblbzzz wrote: 20 Nov 2023, 1:27pm The ticket machine is obviously the property of the company running the station at which it is located. A ticket issued from it has identical validity to a ticket issued by from an online provider or at the booking office for the identical journey. What can differ is that many machines are set up in a way which makes it difficult to find certain options.
"A ticket issued from it has identical validity to a ticket issued by from an online provider or at the booking office for the identical journey."

Transpennine don't accept that. And I did use the machine carefully to avoid this scenario.
by atoz
19 Nov 2023, 12:22pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Closure of ticket offices
Replies: 342
Views: 39039

Re: Closure of ticket offices

There is a related issue that people should be aware of. Ticket machines are often tied into a specific rail company. What that means is if a journey's route is not just one company, the other company may choose not to accept your ticket even if the ticket has no printed restrictions on it, and even though the ticket says on it "valid by any permitted route". There is a move in the industry to take that phrase off tickets. It is of course a scam designed to relieve you of more of your money, on our dysfunctional privatised rail network. Trying to find what the "permitted route" in any case is a Kafkaesque nightmare. Judging from the attitude of "revenue protection officers" I have experienced, it's whatever the company says it is, especially when it comes to Transpennine.

So don't be thinking these companies give a **** about customer service. They don't.

In BR days the phrase on the ticket was "valid by any reasonable route". Useful if there was an issue on your normal route eg cancellation or significant delay. Those days are gone. But of course it was a public service then not a private monopoly scam.

I know people will say the companies will honour your ticket in the event of an issue. Don't depend on this.

And people wonder why most of us prefer to drive ..
by atoz
1 Nov 2023, 4:33pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: What Next for Boris: Game show host?
Replies: 28
Views: 4336

Re: What Next for Boris: Game show host?

Judging from the YouTube footage of the COVID inquiry, Boris might be a little out of his depth as game show host...after all, he really couldn't run a **** up in a brewery- we all know the evidence. And whatever anyone might say about Cummings, he has the measure of the man, Mind you, at least he isn't virulently anti-cyclist, unlike his Tory colleagues.

With the best will in the world, I think the British electorate may have got it rather wrong back in 2019..
by atoz
20 Oct 2023, 6:28pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Bye bye election swings - how relevant?
Replies: 36
Views: 6315

Re: Bye bye election swings - how relevant?

Tangled Metal wrote: 20 Oct 2023, 4:57pm It matters not if you hoover up more votes in constituencies you're a dead cert in anyway. You need more votes to win seats you don't hold already. Total number of votes spread significantly over fewer urban constituencies won't win a GE. It's about them being spread into constituencies you have to win off other parties. That's what metric that matters in a FPTP electoral system as I'm sure you all know. So metric of importance is always number of MPs each party has and 2019 was poor for the Corbyn experiment.

Which is why I'm curious about labour swings more than the tories. It's undoubtedly a huge drop in tory voter share but if you ignore the Corbyn years and look at swing to labour from before Corbyn gained prominence. If you projected it across to ge. Labour were stronger in 2005 and 2010 than 2019. Perhaps ignoring the Corbyn collapse in number of elected MPs, you might get the margin appearing less bad by a margin. I don't know for sure but I think there was a degree of anomaly caused by Corbyn. I'd be curious ti see. If course it'll still be a big swing but looking at it like Corbyn period had never happened I wonder if the swing would be high enough to indicate a '97 level landslide like the change from Corbyn results to this would.
The attitude of the currently Labour leadership is to deny that 2017 happened, and it's now back to business as usual ie same old "New Labour". They might just get away with that as the current government is so unpopular. That's why I suspect a small general election win only. If Starmer and co don't want to face up to why Corbyn did so well then compared to eg Miliband in 2015 they will have major issues sooner or later. Blair did 3 terms. Starmer IMHO will be lucky to get 1.
by atoz
20 Oct 2023, 2:43pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Bye bye election swings - how relevant?
Replies: 36
Views: 6315

Re: Bye bye election swings - how relevant?

A lot of Conservative voters apparently stayed away according to reports in the media. Worth remembering also just what a disaster the previous incumbents were. I would be cautious about these results, even though they made political history.

As for 2019, the demographics favoured the Conservatives. A lot of voters over 50 favoured Boris, esp in Red Wall seats. How many in this age group stayed away this time? I'm guessing the analysis may show this but I could be proved wrong.

My money is still on a small Labour general election win despite this.
by atoz
13 Oct 2023, 11:36am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Base layer advice please
Replies: 49
Views: 6370

Re: Base layer advice please

gcogger wrote: 13 Oct 2023, 9:09am Different things work for different people - merino doesn't work well if you sweat a lot in my experience. I can 'overload' a merino base layer quickly, so it ends up very wet, and it dries much more slowly than a decent synthetic base layer. I'd love to use merino more often but, for me, it's not practical when cycling. Of course I know it works well for many people.
Yes I agree. For me it's not as practical, that being said I do have a merino Helly Hansen LS that I dig out when it's really really cold. Where I live it can get cold esp cold and damp. It's a problem with bib tights, many of which are not warm enough round here in winter- unless you pay the money for the good stuff. Fortunately Lusso do excellent winter kit without paying Castelli prices. In fact they do a LS roll neck base layer where the neck can function as a buff.