Search found 1571 matches

by freeflow
28 Mar 2024, 3:00pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Calculate avg speed on a flat ride
Replies: 8
Views: 181

Re: Calculate avg speed on a flat ride

The request is to absolve the company of blame if you cannot keep up with the group you are assigned to ( I.e. insurance against macho pig headedness). So just pick a speed that won't bore you, but is a comfortable ride for you and which allows you to have a good look around, which is the whole point of a tour.
by freeflow
28 Mar 2024, 10:19am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Custom Storage
Replies: 15
Views: 633

Re: Custom Storage

Actually much easier to hang by the back wheel. (Idea cribbed from Scotrail bike storage on trains)
Pick up the bike by the frame, both hands share the load, hook the back wheel. Better than having the front wheel waving about trying to hook the wheel without scratching the car, or wiping your trousers over the filthy car.
Actually a great idea, especially for multiple bikes, front wheel, back wheel makes for denser storage and simpler than alternating the height of the hooks
by freeflow
27 Mar 2024, 10:38pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Custom Storage
Replies: 15
Views: 633

Re: Custom Storage

Large plastic coated metal hook screwed into the garage wall available for a fiver or less from your local DIY/Amazon. Hang the bike by the front wheel. Arrangement should be so that bike is side on to bonnet.
by freeflow
18 Mar 2024, 12:27pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: How to Move saddlepack further back
Replies: 5
Views: 409

Re: How to Move saddlepack further back

Job done and working well. First attempt with an aluminium extender didn't work because of the limited space on the seatpost. Rummaging in my bits box turned up a forgotten cheap plastic extender which proved perfect for the job.
by freeflow
17 Mar 2024, 8:57pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: How to Move saddlepack further back
Replies: 5
Views: 409

Re: How to Move saddlepack further back

Ooooh. Guess what I'm doing tomorrow morning.
by freeflow
17 Mar 2024, 5:09pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: How to Move saddlepack further back
Replies: 5
Views: 409

How to Move saddlepack further back

I have a new saddle, a Selle SMP Nymber. Its vey comfy. Unfortunately, the seating area, with respect to the rails, is much further back than my previous saddle(s). Consequently, what used to be an occasion touch of the rear of my thigh by my saddle pack is now a constant rub. I have invested in a top tube bag (fits underneath top tube) which I'm not liking so I now need to investigate ways of moving the Topeak Saddle bag further back.

Suggestions welcome.
by freeflow
12 Mar 2024, 5:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Noisy freehub - quieten with grease?
Replies: 35
Views: 1526

Re: Noisy freehub - quieten with grease?

I was recommended Superlube Synthetic Grease when I was using Royce hubs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Synthetic-Grea ... 71&sr=8-10

You will likely have to top up the grease every month or so as the grease will leak out due to overfilling (getting enough in to quieten the hub). I didn't mind this.
by freeflow
11 Mar 2024, 10:51am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: For Info: Rail lengths of Selle SMP Nymber saddle vs Selle SMP Trk medium saddle
Replies: 2
Views: 220

For Info: Rail lengths of Selle SMP Nymber saddle vs Selle SMP Trk medium saddle

In case it is of interest to anyone.
IMG_20240311_102519903[2].jpg
What is also interesting to note is how much further back the seating area is on the Nymber.

Please also note that the Nymber is a very expensive saddle.
by freeflow
8 Mar 2024, 5:22pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Night p*nct*re scenario comes to pass
Replies: 23
Views: 1046

Re: Night p*nct*re scenario comes to pass

Get a head torch. Makes like a lot easier.
by freeflow
6 Mar 2024, 1:30pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Belts and chains
Replies: 23
Views: 1311

Re: Belts and chains

Try a KMC ep1 coated chain. After 3+years and 20,000 km they still look like new.
by freeflow
6 Mar 2024, 9:55am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying
Replies: 39
Views: 2076

Re: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying

How many tyres do you reckon I would have fitted in 5 years at Spa?
Many more than a home mechanic fits to a family’s bikes in a lifetime would be my guess
I have huge respect for the knowledge and advice that you bring to this forum. Unfortunately I would still report that the new Martahon Plus tyres I fitted (on an occasion about 12 years ago) were almost as flat as a pancake, not U shaped, and that made them a real pain to fit.
by freeflow
5 Mar 2024, 9:09am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying
Replies: 39
Views: 2076

Re: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4
Thirteen years since me and Norman made that video in his garage....time flies!
I watched that video with interest. The observation I'd make is that the Marathon Plus tyre in the video was tyre shaped. The new ones I tried to fit were almost flat such that it was a heck of a job just to get the bead of the first side into the rim. I do remember that when I subsequently removed and refitted tyre for the purpose of replacing a broken spoke, things were rather easier and the tyre stayed tyre shaped , rather like the one in your video.
by freeflow
4 Mar 2024, 2:29pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying
Replies: 39
Views: 2076

Re: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying

I wonder if it's a question of technique as I've used Marathon Plus tyres for years ( on several different rims) and never had any issues getting them on or off.
In every distribution curve there is always one unexplainable outlier :D

My memory of fitting new Marathon Plusses is that is took the combined efforts of about 5 sturdy cable ties and several broken tyre levers before I was able to claim success. I'd not wish the follow up of removing such a tyre and then replacing it on anyone who is a puncture novice.

Likewise, patching tubes with rubber solution and decent weldtite patches requires some prior experience to do it efficiently and well. The Park tools patches are sufficiently good enough for get you home and more and don't really require prior experiece.
by freeflow
4 Mar 2024, 9:43am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying
Replies: 39
Views: 2076

Re: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying

When considering puncture proof tyres you also need to consider the removability of the tyre for that rare occasion when you do get a puncture. For this aspect, marathon plusses are an absolute fail. If you are not removing the wheel you can't replace the inner tube so you need a good method of inner tube repair. Park Tools patches should be considered for this aspect.
by freeflow
10 Oct 2023, 2:43pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Time for a new front wheel bearing
Replies: 11
Views: 749

Re: Time for a new front wheel bearing

I don't think a lube port is necessary. It looks like I've just been unlucky. The bearing on the other side is absolutely pristine, the grease
around the ball bearings being perfectly clear.

@mig Thanks for the observation. I built the wheel myself and have used it (with its rear sibling) as my everyday riding wheels since it first hit the road on 20 Aug 2020 some 16,000 km ago.