Search found 3474 matches

by TrevA
26 Mar 2024, 9:37pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Whether to split the thread 'Cycling using trains (in UK and EU)'
Replies: 10
Views: 429

Re: Whether to split the thread 'Cycling using trains (in UK and EU)'

Why is it UK and EU, and not UK and Europe. What if you want to catch a train in Norway or Switzerland, are you expected to start a separate thread?
by TrevA
26 Mar 2024, 1:04pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: GCN+ closes What are the alternatives?
Replies: 96
Views: 24682

Re: GCN+ closes What are the alternatives?

Yes, there’s still a big archive of past events. Just had a look and you can still get the whole of the 23/24 cyclocross season, and the Tour Down Under is still on there.

Can’t help with the Firestick, as I watch on iPad and Apple TV.
by TrevA
24 Mar 2024, 6:56pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Anyone ordered anything from Decathlon lately?
Replies: 13
Views: 787

Re: Anyone ordered anything from Decathlon lately?

Not recently, but I ordered a new wheel from Decathlon and it took about 3 weeks to come. I presumed it must have been sent from France.
by TrevA
23 Mar 2024, 6:50pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: GPX devices...Garmin alternative
Replies: 26
Views: 934

Re: GPX devices...Garmin alternative

Do you have a tablet or smartphone? The more modern Garmins have file transfer over Bluetooth which is far easier than having to drop files into a folder. If you are determined not have a Garmin, then a refurbed V1 Wahoo Bolt can be bought for around £100.

https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail/?id ... 1VEALw_wcB

Or you can get 2nd hand ones from EBay slightly cheaper. But you’ll still probably need a tablet or smartphone to connect to it.

Bryton GPS units are quite cheap, but I’ve no experience of using one.
by TrevA
22 Mar 2024, 8:45pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Brompton case / luggage storage at Schiphol
Replies: 5
Views: 262

Re: Brompton case / luggage storage at Schiphol

It’s certainly possible to use the Airport luggage storage facility, but it’s not cheap. I would imagine it would count as hold luggage, so it’s 9 euros a day.

https://www.schiphol.nl/en/at-schiphol/ ... e-storage/

We used it to store our suitcase at the airport (non-cycling trip), whilst we spent the day in Amsterdam centre before catching our flight home in the evening.
by TrevA
21 Mar 2024, 8:01am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New Bike New Rubber...?
Replies: 14
Views: 782

Re: New Bike New Rubber...?

PaulK wrote: 20 Mar 2024, 11:57pm Hi All

No the stock wheels i will be using are tubed and are therefore run at a higher (Less comfortable + potentially more puncture prone) pressure..

I found a link to TREKs original specs
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bike ... c/p/32560/

The wheels say Tubeless Ready so that must make them compatible.
But I am still super sketchy on which tyres are compatible for these rims.

Can anyone advise the tech language around tyres ... (Why isn't it just simple)
IE Hooked \ Hook-less \ Clincher etc etc and how do i tell what will work for my wheels. Sorry if I'm being super stupid..

The below would be my ideal choice if suitable.
The Continental GP5000 STR are tubeless ready however im totally unclear if they are suitable for my wheels..
https://www.merlincycles.com/continenta ... 40542.html

Cheers
P
My son in law has the same bike. He runs GP5000s on it, but I think he’s upgraded the wheels to Hunt wheels.

To answer your questions, most rims are hooked - this means they have a small lip on the outer edge of the rim and the bead of the tyre sits under the hook, which stops the tyre blowing off the rim. Some manufacturers make hookless rims, e.g Zipp, Giant, these rims don’t have this lip and the tyre is held on by pressure against the side of the rim. These can’t be run at very high pressures ( no more that 70psi).

A clincher is an open tyre with a bead around each edge, which “clinches” the rim. Most bike tyres are like this, but some tyres are tubular with no opening and the inner tube sealed/sewn into the tyre (sometimes called Sew ups). These need special rims and the tyres need to be glued or stuck onto the rims using double sided tape.

Most road tyres from the major manufacturers will be compatible with your wheels, providing you get the right size - 700c and the width that’s compatible with your bike, probably up to 35mm but maybe more.

Folding/rigid refers to the bead. Folding tyres have a Kevlar bead which enables the tyre to be folded. Some tyres have a rigid steel bead which can’t be folded. This doesn’t really affect the tyres in day to day operation.
by TrevA
18 Mar 2024, 8:36pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New Bike New Rubber...?
Replies: 14
Views: 782

Re: New Bike New Rubber...?

Treks usually come with Bontrager tyres. Whilst not the best, they are far from being the worst tyres. I ran Bontragers R1’s on my Domane until they wore out, my wife is still running an R1 on her winter bike as nothing much else will fit due to tight clearances.

If you want speed, Continental GP5000’s are a proven fast tyre with reasonable puncture protection. I’m currently running them on my summer bike. If you want a bit more puncture protection then Conti GP4Seasons, Gatorskins or Grand Prix GT. Vitoria tyres are cheaper and I’ve used Rubino Pro’s in the past with good results. Pirelli are newer to the cycle market but I’ve no experience of them.
by TrevA
12 Mar 2024, 3:26pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Filthy bridleway
Replies: 61
Views: 2739

Re: Filthy bridleway

A work colleague of mine got fined for cycling on the pavement on the Nottingham Ring Road, ironically, on the only part of it that is not a shared use pathway - near St Leodigarius Church in Basford, where there is a bridge over the railway. The cycle path ends just before, and throws you back into the main traffic flow of the Ring Road at one of its busiest and most dangerous junctions.
by TrevA
11 Mar 2024, 4:03pm
Forum: Racing, Olympics, TdF, Competitive cycling
Topic: Death of a Pirate
Replies: 4
Views: 4006

Re: Death of a Pirate

I recently went to see The Accidental Death of a Cyclist, a film about the life and death of Pantani, at the Nottingham Broadway Cinema. There was a Q&A afterwards with Matt Randell. I think it has been available on Netflix, but isn’t currently. It’s well worth a watch if you can get to see it somewhere.
by TrevA
11 Mar 2024, 3:51pm
Forum: Racing, Olympics, TdF, Competitive cycling
Topic: Saint Piran
Replies: 3
Views: 351

Re: Saint Piran

carlislemike wrote: 19 Feb 2024, 1:04pm Okay, I’m new to this part of the website so pardon what may be an ignorant question. Why are Saint Piran so dominant as a road team here in the UK. Better sponsorship and team development, lack of competition! Any suggestions may help Mr Confused aka myself.
A combination of the above. They’ve been around a few years and gradually got better over time, with more sponsorship and the opportunity to race abroad. There’s only one other British Mens UCI Continental team, Trinity, and they seem to be more of a development squad. St Piran aren’t having it all their own way though as they didn’t win either the Soens or the Jock Wadley over the weekend.
by TrevA
8 Mar 2024, 1:05pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycle Show 2024 Cancelled. Alternatives
Replies: 18
Views: 1501

Re: Cycle Show 2024 Cancelled. Alternatives

I agree regarding the speakers. I watched a Q&A with Kirsten Wild and even got to ask her a couple of questions.
by TrevA
7 Mar 2024, 8:51am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Belts and chains
Replies: 23
Views: 1311

Re: Belts and chains

I’ve found that fitting SKS Longboard mudguards means much less muck and salt get thrown up onto the chain and bottom bracket area. When cleaning our bikes, mine has no dirt in the BB area, my wife’s bike with normal mudguards has a coating of muck around the BB shell.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 10:11pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Routing online or via "knowledge" ?
Replies: 30
Views: 1977

Re: Routing online or via "knowledge" ?

Years ago when we were doing JOGLE and in Lancashire, so unable to use local knowledge, we were following the Lancashire Cycleway. We noticed that it followed minor roads, that inevitably meant more climbing, while the main road followed the valley floor. Eventually, we had enough of the incessant hills and joined the main road and followed it for the rest of the day. Hills and minor roads are nice to ride on, but sometimes you just need to make progress.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 9:45pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Crossing the River Trent near Bingham
Replies: 1
Views: 251

Re: Crossing the River Trent near Bingham

I live in Bingham and regularly ride this route. There’s a cycle path alongside part of the A6097 from Gunthorpe to Lowdham. There are a couple of ways to get to Gunthorpe Bridge (over the Rivet Trent) without having to ride on the main A6097 road, which does get very busy, as it’s the only Trent crossing for 10 miles each way.

1) Either leave Bingham via Chapel Lane, then turn right at Margidunum Island. Go past the Garden Centre, then take the next left, over the bridge over the A46 and into East Bridgford. At the crossroads by the Church, go straight on down Trent Lane, this will bring you to Gunthorpe Bridge.
2) Leave Bingham on Nottingham Road, cross over the Old Fosse Road and follow the cyclepath over the bridge over the A46. After the bridge, turn right and follow the bridle path to Newton. On the Newton Road continue NE, then turn left into Newton village. Continue on, then take the right turn to East Bridgford. Cross over the A6097 at the traffic lights and continue into East Bridgford. At the crossroads by the church, turn left down Trent Lane which will take you to Gunthorpe bridge.

You can ride on the footpath over the bridge to avoid having ride on the road. Not strictly legal, but everyone does it. Or you could walk over as it’s only about 50 yards.

Once you are over Gunthorpe bridge, turn immediately right into Gunthorpe village, then left and carry on through the village. As you come back to the main road, you’ll see the cycle path (converted and shared pavement) on your right. Join the cyclepath and follow it to Lowdham, where you can then access minor roads on your onward journey.

If you need any further route advice, let me know, as I’m local to the area and know the roads well.
by TrevA
5 Mar 2024, 7:02pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why are bike tyres so expensive?
Replies: 56
Views: 2980

Re: Why are bike tyres so expensive?

rareposter wrote: 5 Mar 2024, 5:54pm
axel_knutt wrote: 2 Mar 2024, 12:22pm I've had 14,000-15,000 miles out of Marathon HS368s, I've also had little more than a few hundred miles out of cheapies.
I had some really rather expensive tyres once that had "road race use only" written on the side and they were only good for a few hundred miles or so - maybe up to 1000 on smoother tarmac.
They were however very very fast and ridiculously grippy - could lean them at really quite extreme angles and they'd hold on perfectly. Which was also why they wore out quickly - very soft compound.
Back when people used to race on tubs, the absolute ultimate in speed were silk Clement Seta Extras, which were actually meant for track racing. They would be worn out after one 25 Mile TT.