Search found 284 matches

by firedfromthecircus
6 Jun 2023, 9:34pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Why does nobody believe me?
Replies: 124
Views: 13161

Re: Why does nobody believe me?

pjclinch wrote: 6 Jun 2023, 8:30pm
UpWrong wrote: 6 Jun 2023, 3:28pm Sadly, european recumbent bicycle production consists of HPVelo and AZUB.
I think M5 (meer meters met minder moeite) are still going in NL (website mentions new bikes appearing in June '23), but as far as I know they've never had a UK dealer.

Pete
Laid Back, no?
by firedfromthecircus
31 Oct 2022, 4:50pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Giving up alcohol
Replies: 274
Views: 24569

Re: Giving up alcohol

Lots of mentions of alcohol being a drug, but none so far of a more accurate description.

Alcohol is a poison.

This poison has some effects that you feel pretty quickly like getting tipsy, and some you may not feel at all until your liver fails, and all sorts in between.

At the end of the day if you enjoy poisoning yourself than have at it. But at least be honest about what you are doing.

This country has a serious issue with being honest in that regard!
by firedfromthecircus
26 Oct 2022, 11:04am
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: CUK dropping the ball with MTB advice
Replies: 165
Views: 20738

Re: CUK dropping the ball with MTB advice

Surprised at your take on this.
Is it the lack of nuance that troubles you?

Personally off-road cycling on anything other than the mildest of farm tracks is the one time I would recommend a helmet to anyone. Even the most experienced riders can be caught out off-road by hidden hazards, and these can result in exactly the kind of fall where cycle helmets can be effective in reducing injury. YMMV obviously.
by firedfromthecircus
6 Oct 2022, 8:09pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Handlebar failure likely cause?
Replies: 28
Views: 2871

Re: Handlebar failure likely cause?

Jupestar wrote: 6 Oct 2022, 6:24pm Thanks for the replies. As a couple of posters said I'm going with general fatigue on them.
Look at the areas on the stem where the anodising has worn away to silver. On one side there is a clear area right at the very edge of the stem clamp area. That looks suspect to me! YMMV.
by firedfromthecircus
6 Oct 2022, 5:01pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Handlebar failure likely cause?
Replies: 28
Views: 2871

Re: Handlebar failure likely cause?

Also worth remembering that any sharp or protruding edges where the bar mounts in the stem will act as stress risers and give a potential failure point.
Heavy use and/or poor quality components as mentioned above will only be exacerbated by any stress riser issue.

Worth checking for before you fit a new bar.
by firedfromthecircus
1 Oct 2022, 5:23pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Scotland - do you predict that it will be an independent administrative political entity within 10 years?
Replies: 856
Views: 51842

Re: Scotland - do you predict that it will be an independent administrative political entity within 10 years?

Ben@Forest wrote: 1 Oct 2022, 3:43pm ... with Labour seemingly successfully re-occupying the centre ground ...
You call that centre ground?!! :shock:
by firedfromthecircus
25 Sep 2022, 11:50am
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Wiggle and Evri
Replies: 62
Views: 19561

Re: Wiggle and Evri

I've had the usual 'we tried to deliver' with a Wiggle parcel from EVRI when there had been no attempt at delivery. Also had the 'we've delivered your parcel' with a photo of it sitting at someone else's house.
My current issue is an order I placed last Friday, tracking says EVRI received it on Tuesday, but no attempt has been made to deliver it yet!

Personally I've had enough. I will not order from anyone using EVRI as their delivery agent again. It's just not worth the headache!
by firedfromthecircus
17 Sep 2022, 10:29am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Advice on flat pedals for new bike?
Replies: 22
Views: 1592

Re: Advice on flat pedals for new bike?

All well and good talking about flat pedals but it's also important to consider the type of shoes you plan on using.

Flat pedals with pins like most that have been recommended (and the Giant MTB ones you've mentioned) work best with flat soled shoes like Vans or Converse. The problem with them is unless you buy Vans BMX or MTB shoes the soles are not really stiff enough. Some basketball type shoes can be better, but the best bet is to buy some Five10s or similar. These offer a very grippy flat sole but also a stiff sole that is good for cycling. So good combo, but not cheap!

If you plan to use something more like a hiking boot or walking shoe, then the beartrap style pedal will be better as they grip that kind of sole better than pin type pedals do.

Or if you plan on wearing more regular shoes then a touring style pedal will be more fitting.

You pays your money.....
by firedfromthecircus
12 Sep 2022, 12:46pm
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Crash and helmet
Replies: 329
Views: 22889

Re: Crash and helmet

tim-b wrote: 12 Sep 2022, 6:00am
Millions of years of evolution.
That isn't evidence. Millions of years of evolution would tell cyclists that an icy bend is dangerous, but they ignored it that day in Lelystad
Humans haven't been cycling for millions of years, so have not fully evolved to cope with that risk.

Humans have had heads for millions of years and have been falling over, and out of trees etc for millions of years. We have evolved to protect our heads as far a possible in a fall. You don't even have to think about it. It is hard-wired as a natural reaction.
In some circumstances helmets can interfere with this ability to protect the head from impact. In some other instances that drawback is compensated for by an increased level of protection when the head hitting is inevitable.
by firedfromthecircus
11 Sep 2022, 10:49pm
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Crash and helmet
Replies: 329
Views: 22889

Re: Crash and helmet

tim-b wrote: 11 Sep 2022, 7:12am
In practice most people will try to move their head away from impacting during the falling process
Your source for this?
Millions of years of evolution.
by firedfromthecircus
9 Sep 2022, 8:13pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Question about priority at junction
Replies: 11
Views: 885

Re: Question about priority at junction

You have to give way to whatever is happening on the road you are joining.
If that is a car turning right then that is what you have to give way to.
by firedfromthecircus
7 Sep 2022, 1:54pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: or have any advice for totally clueless, unskilled new cyclist?
Replies: 57
Views: 2417

Re: or have any advice for totally clueless, unskilled new cyclist?

LancsGirl wrote: 7 Sep 2022, 1:11pm 3. Design routes that you feel safe on. Others here may disagree, but I feel right turns off a main road onto a side road are the most hazardous. I design routes to avoid them.

Indeed. All the confidence and assertiveness in the world can't protect you from the blind and inattentive if you have to stop and wait for oncoming vehicles to pass on a r/h turn.
I too try to avoid them.
by firedfromthecircus
7 Sep 2022, 12:06pm
Forum: Non-standard, Human Powered Vehicles
Topic: Pictures of your recumbent
Replies: 689
Views: 351785

Re: Pictures of your recumbent

Cowsham wrote: 7 Sep 2022, 11:01am Would a recumbent be OK to use on trails and paths etc ? ie does the frame accommodate say 2" tyres ? Just that I've only seen pictures of recumbents that have skinny tyres.
You can get all sorts of recumbents!

Image
by firedfromthecircus
7 Sep 2022, 11:59am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: or have any advice for totally clueless, unskilled new cyclist?
Replies: 57
Views: 2417

Re: or have any advice for totally clueless, unskilled new cyclist?

Cugel wrote: 7 Sep 2022, 11:48am
firedfromthecircus wrote: 7 Sep 2022, 11:34am
A cyclist can take a lane the same as a driver at a roundabout, but they can also stay in the left hand lane regardless of exit being taken. Remember lane direction markings are advisory only.
You'd be mad to turn right from a roundabout going via the left hand lane. It's almost a certainty that any vehicle coming from behind and going faster than you're going will side-swipe you as you cross over the straight-ahead exit (the exit before the one you're aiming for yourself).
Drivers have a duty to not pass a cyclist before turning left and not sideswipe them while turning left. This duty remains the same on a roundabout. A cyclist is entirely within their rights to remain in the left hand lane approaching a roundabout and to remain on the left until their turning. The reason for this is because it can be very difficult to change lanes on approach to a roundabout. Sure, it can be done, and it helps if you are confident, fast, aggressive enough to dominate your space, etc, etc. But you shouldn't have to have these attributes to be able to cycle on the road, and the rules covering cyclist at roundabouts make allowance for this.
by firedfromthecircus
7 Sep 2022, 11:34am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: or have any advice for totally clueless, unskilled new cyclist?
Replies: 57
Views: 2417

Re: or have any advice for totally clueless, unskilled new cyclist?

Gee wrote: 6 Sep 2022, 7:50pm I just take the view I’ve as much right to be on road as any car, lorry.
You actually have more. You can cycle by right, but only drive by licence!
nosmarbaj wrote: 6 Sep 2022, 11:22pm You say you're an experienced driver. Mostly, when negotiating roundabouts, right turns etc, you do the same things when cycling as when in a car, especially regarding being in the correct lane.
This is not necessarily the case.
A cyclist can take a lane the same as a driver at a roundabout, but they can also stay in the left hand lane regardless of exit being taken. Remember lane direction markings are advisory only.