Search found 152 matches

by fixer
17 Mar 2024, 8:49am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Dangerous mudguards
Replies: 37
Views: 3544

Re: Dangerous mudguards

If your stays are a loose fit in the secu-clip, you can put in a bit of thin sheet plastic, eg from a bag or wrapper, and that will hold the stay in place.

I've only had stays pop out of the secu-clips once. I had fitted a new front sidepull brake cable and didn't cut the cable to the correct length but coiled the excess into a loop. I think it unravelled and then caught on the tyre.
by fixer
21 Jan 2024, 2:46pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: The Joy of E-Bike
Replies: 40
Views: 2952

Re: The Joy of E-Bike

I've got a cheap Decathlon ebike and it's great to ride on my commuting "rest" day. I treat it as a low powered motorbike with pedals, I can let the motor do all the work by soft pedalling or I can put some effort in by peddling harder.

Most of the "ebikes" I see around me are ridden by food delivery riders and they are not pedalled at all.
by fixer
21 Jan 2024, 2:25pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: The Joy of E-Bike
Replies: 40
Views: 2952

Re: The Joy of E-Bike

Jdsk wrote: 15 Jan 2024, 9:52pm
al_yrpal wrote: 15 Jan 2024, 7:01pm Saw a statistic from London Fire Brigade - 40 E bike fires in 2023. Main culprits said to be E Bike conversion kits.
Is there a source for that, please?

Many of us think it likely that DIY stuff causes many of the fires, but it was very hard to find the evidence for this when we had a good look in this 12 page thread:
viewtopic.php?t=157829

This statement from 15 December 2023:
https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/news/202 ... christmas/
included:
"In 2023, there have now been 150 e-bike fires in London, along with 28 e-scooter fires. This is 53% more than the whole of 2022 and makes e-bikes and e-scooters the capital’s fastest-growing fire trend. Three people have died and around 60 people have been hurt in fires this year."

Jonathan
https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incident ... e-brixton/
The Brigade is predominantly seeing fires where these batteries have been purchased from online which may not meet the correct safety standards. Lithium batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used and there is a significant risk posed by e-bikes and e-scooters which have been converted.
I suspect a lot of conversion are not even "kits" but are bung together with random generic batteries and chargers.

As for the increased number of fires, it doesn't say anything if the number of ebikes is not taken into account.
by fixer
27 Dec 2023, 3:31pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 10 speed v 11 speed - long term parts choice & availability?
Replies: 50
Views: 3282

Re: 10 speed v 11 speed - long term parts choice & availability?

I don't think it matters, don't use the 11, 12, 13, or even 14. Freewheel downhill.
by fixer
23 Dec 2023, 7:10pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Price of anti angle grinder locks are really falling now there is competition
Replies: 34
Views: 2992

Re: Price of anti angle grinder locks are really falling now there is competition

SoldSecure Diamond D locks:

https://www.soldsecure.com/approved-pro ... _types=166

I don't think any of them claim to be grinder resistant except for the Litelok X1 and X3, and the Hiplok D1000.

"Standard" D locks like the Kryptonite NY Fahgettaboudit can be cut with an angle grinder in a few minutes.

https://www.squirelocks.co.uk/shop/stro ... 6-230.html
has nothing on being grinder resistant.
by fixer
22 Dec 2023, 8:30pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Glue residue on frame removal ?
Replies: 27
Views: 2551

Re: Glue residue on frame removal ?

Lighter fluid or paraffin, lighter fluid works a little bit better.

Lighter fluid as in the stuff for Zippo type lights, similar to naptha, Coleman fuel, panel wipe, and probably petrol. Pound shops used to sell lighter fluid in 100ml metal containers but the stuff they sell now as "lighter fluid" is actually paraffin, to be used as charcoal starting fluid.

Paraffin doesn't work in lighters as it's less volatile than lighter fluid.
by fixer
3 Dec 2023, 8:15pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Is there a waterproof head covering
Replies: 20
Views: 2581

Re: Is there a waterproof head covering

I bought a waterproof cap made for outdoors walking from of all places M&S, has a peak and ear flaps. I wear glasses so the peak is essential. I don't own nor wear a helmet.
by fixer
26 Nov 2023, 7:39pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bradson 5b pillar drill
Replies: 19
Views: 1387

Re: Bradson 5b pillar drill

I bought a manual pillar drill a few years ago from Ebay for a few pounds, picked it up by bike. It was in good clean condition, I might have needed to remove some surface but that's all. It's a Keen M.C.Gooding drill.

At first I couldn't make it feed but eventually got it working although I've only used it once on one workpiece.
by fixer
13 Nov 2023, 7:36am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rear mudguard only
Replies: 9
Views: 759

Re: Rear mudguard only

I was looking at mudguards recently and did see one site selling fronts and rears separately, metal guards I think, but I can't remember which site.
by fixer
12 Nov 2023, 10:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rear carrier looks nice but...
Replies: 44
Views: 2858

Re: Rear carrier looks nice but...

I think the op is thinking of this type:
Image

Image
by fixer
12 Nov 2023, 7:34pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Anyone still using this stuff?
Replies: 21
Views: 2774

Re: Anyone still using this stuff?

My bikes are fitted with Super/Nuovo Record parts, including bottom brackets, friction gears, original non aero brake levers and brake blocks, freewheel hubs, seatpins, headsets. The only modern parts are SDP pedals. I use these bikes as my normal daily use commuting bikes. I do have a C Record chainset and derailleurs (bought new around 1987/8) and the Cobalto calipers on a bike in "storage" but I've always preferred the aesthetics of the Super/Nuovo Record stuff.

I've never even used Ergo/Sti, I did try indexed downtube levers on a borrowed bike once but didn't like the noise.

That poster is from the early 70s I think, before the introduction of Super Record. Further clues are the straight QR levers.
by fixer
10 Nov 2023, 8:42pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Mudflaps. What do you use?
Replies: 72
Views: 8652

Re: Mudflaps. What do you use?

I made one using a bit of card (cereal box or similar) covered with duct tape.
by fixer
18 Jun 2023, 5:04pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Wheel pinging/rattling when braking (solved)
Replies: 14
Views: 991

Re: Wheel pinging/rattling when braking (solved)

It was caused by a bent plastic covered wheel guide on the front brake, which got bent inwards. It's why it started off as pinging, and as the brake blocks wore, it became like rattling.
by fixer
18 Jun 2023, 4:56pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike security
Replies: 54
Views: 2690

Re: Bike locks ?

There are now grinder "resistant" locks, takes longer to cut through, but they're expensive.

Better locks also need two cuts to break open the lock.
by fixer
12 May 2023, 10:14pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike light advice from actual users please
Replies: 87
Views: 5921

Re: Bike lights

A StVZO front light also "shapes" the beam on the road surface so that it appears to be of even brightness, the road surface will be the same brightness further away as well as near the rider.