Search found 85 matches

by Kenn
21 Feb 2019, 8:44pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: before indexing....
Replies: 20
Views: 2298

Re: before indexing....

I still use downtube friction shifters. After riding the same bike for a long time you really don’t need anything like this - you just shift automatically and don’t need any indexing or indicator.
by Kenn
23 May 2018, 4:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tyre Longevity
Replies: 34
Views: 1448

Re: Moulton

Mick, Thanks for the extended explanation about why you ride Moulton. I have been toying with the idea of getting one for years. Your posts about it being harder work uphill and about suspension bush issues have been very helpful - they have firmly put me off the idea, as I am looking to make riding and maintenance as easy as possible as I get further into my seventies.

Cheers Ken
by Kenn
22 May 2018, 1:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tyre Longevity
Replies: 34
Views: 1448

Re: Tyre Longevity

Mick, Sorry to go a bit off-topic , but I wondered why you have been mostly riding the Moulton instead of the Mercian. I would guess the Mercian is quicker and less work, so the Moulton must have something special.
by Kenn
18 Oct 2017, 8:52pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Mobiles are a menace
Replies: 54
Views: 4601

Re: Mobiles are a menace

Thanks for all the very interesting replies and views on my original post. Maybe I could have been clearer in my wording so a couple of points.

I was not complaining about having to slow or stop. I often stop anywhere in the village just to chat to friends - one of the key benefits of a bike. I was not having a rant about pedestrians - lots of children/dogs/OAPs step out and are anticipated.

My concern is that the use of of mobile phones brings a potential for distraction and random behaviour amongst all road users that simply did not exist before. This, admittedly trivial, incident really brought this home to me, and I wondered what others thought about this. I don’t have an answer, but I do believe that mobiles make road travel more dangerous for everyone.

Cheers, Ken
by Kenn
3 Oct 2017, 2:29pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Mobiles are a menace
Replies: 54
Views: 4601

Re: Mobiles are a menace

Reading through comments I think a bit of clarification would be useful. The road where this happened is downhill and mostly single track due to parked cars on the right. There is not even room for a car and bike to pass on some bits. The road carries light traffic. Most cars/vans do up to maybe 20mph with the occasional one going faster (not a good idea). The pavement is on the left and is part level with the road and part raised up behind railings.

I was moving at less than 10mph. The phone user was walking away from me on an empty pavement. He suddenly took a couple of steps into the road with no glance back or any warning at all when I was very close indeed. I was continually braking to reduce speed on the downslope, so was able to jam the brakes on fast and stop about a foot away from him.

If we had collided I doubt there would have been more than the odd bruise or scrape to either of us. The drivers I regularly see weaving about while using the phone are much more of a threat. Children and dogs sometimes run into the road. These are everyday hazards that you can anticipate. I wrote the post because I was shocked that the bloke on the phone was not just distracted, he was totally oblivious to his surroundings. He showed no reaction at all until I yelled at his back at point blank range, which really made him jump. He looked up, said “sorry”put the phone back to his ear and continued down the pavement. I don’t think he intended to cross the road or even realised he was stepping off the pavement. It is this level of detachment which I find dangerous. As I mentioned, a faster car would have injured or maybe killed him.
by Kenn
2 Oct 2017, 2:23pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Mobiles are a menace
Replies: 54
Views: 4601

Mobiles are a menace

This morning a pedestian with his back to me and mobile glued to ear stepped sideways into the road right in front of my bike without any warning. I always slow down on that bit of road, which is single track due to cars parked on the right, so I just managed to stop. He was still oblivious and talking on the phone. In the wet I would have hit him. White van instead of bicycle and he might be dead. (He almost died of cardiac arrest as I yelled a warning close to his free ear.)

I despair of mobile phone use on the move. It makes drivers dangerous and pedestrians (and occasional cyclists) suicidal. Is there realistically anything that can be done to reduce this menace. It seems to get worse with each passing year from my perspective.
by Kenn
15 Aug 2017, 8:43am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Freewheel Recommendations
Replies: 2
Views: 376

Re: Freewheel Recommendations

I use a 14-32 6 speed IRD block from SJS cycles on my 1986 Mercian. Works perfectly.
by Kenn
19 Apr 2017, 10:38am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Self righteous cameramen
Replies: 163
Views: 28516

Re: Self righteous cameramen

Perhaps the real problem is that human beings are both physically and mentally ill-equipped to drive motor vehicles. Our reactions are slow. We get tired, our eyesight deteriorates, some people drink and drive etc. We have a short attention span, we are easily distracted and some drivers even look for diversions via mobile phones. We underestimeate risk, overestimate our driving ability and have a tendency to believe that "it will never happen to me". One day (hopefully not too far off) self driving cars will eliminate this problem and I will feel much safer as a cyclist.
by Kenn
8 Mar 2017, 6:39am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Mobile Phones at the Wheel
Replies: 93
Views: 5357

Re: Mobile Phones at the Wheel

I used to work for a mobile phone manufacturer and had access to research studies on driver distraction. It seems to be the case that mental distraction is a bigger problem than physical interaction with a device. The research showed that a hands free kit was only marginally better than holding a phone - both caused much longer reaction times in emergencies which was roughly on a par with being a bit over the drink drive limit.

If hands free kit is used to listen in to a conference call without active participation, then the effect is much smaller, but when the user speaks or makes a one to one call the level of distraction increases a lot.
by Kenn
10 Sep 2016, 6:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Old TA chainset
Replies: 17
Views: 1430

Re: Old TA chainset

This looks identical to the TA Cyclotouriste that I still have on my Mercian.(except that is a double). It is 30 years old and works perfectly. Very low Q factor. Spa still offer rings on their website -smallest is 26T.
by Kenn
9 Sep 2016, 5:55pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: ... about Bart's 1/2" maps?
Replies: 40
Views: 5780

Re: ... about Bart's 1/2" maps?

The Oxord Bike Works' website says that they have a long term plan to supply equivalent maps to the Barts series. I don't know what timescale they mean by long-term, but it looks promising.
by Kenn
8 Sep 2016, 7:30pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Pedal Reflectors - let's allow some alternatives
Replies: 29
Views: 3582

Re: Pedal Reflectors - let's allow some alternatives

A couple of years ago I was driving from Newton Abbott towards Teignmouth. It was completely dark, that section of road was narrow, winding, unlit and it was raining - visibility very poor. I saw the slightest orange flash ahead and braked hard, just missing the cyclist with no lights and dark clothing who was completely invisible. I reckon the pedal reflector was dirty or damaged given the very dim reflection, but it may well have saved that rider's life.
by Kenn
15 Jul 2016, 8:17am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: lubricate your chain with WD40.
Replies: 40
Views: 3772

Re: lubricate your chain with WD40.

I think WD stands for water displacing. I believe the original objective was to formulate a water displacing lubricant and the 40th formula worked best. I used it as chain lube for many years. Quick spray every few days, or after a wet ride, and wipe excess off with a rag, removing surface dirt at the same time. Never cleaned the chain in solvent. Chains lasted 4-5 K miles. I switched to light oil for a while but that seems to collect a lot more dirt, so now use Halfords general purpose bike spray lube in the same way.
by Kenn
14 Jul 2016, 10:57pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: what are the headphones which drown traffic noise?
Replies: 101
Views: 6603

Re: what are the headphones which drown traffic noise?

I use a pair of Bose quietcomfort 25s to listen to music in noisy surroundings (but not on the bike). They cancel out a lot of noise (especially at low frequencies) and give very good sound quality, but may be a bit big for cycling. Bose now make a bluetooth wireless model 35. There are also in ear noise cancellers but I have not tried these. I dislike in ear phones because they need several dB more sound pressure to give the same perceived volume as over ear models, which is not good for long term hearing quality. Sites such as what hi-fi and head-fi have lots of reviews of different phones.

Cheers, Ken
by Kenn
28 May 2016, 6:30pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Brooks v Spa saddles.
Replies: 9
Views: 1447

Re: Brooks v Spa saddles.

Grant Petersen, of Rivendell Bikes, suggests preventing sag by shaping a piece or pieces of high density furniture grade foam to fit tightly in the space between the saddle top and rails. He reckons it lasts far longer and works better than lacing. I have never tried it, but I have found a suitable bit of foam and plan to try it on one of my Brooks saddles.

I also plan to buy a Nidd soon since Brooks seem to be very overpriced now and marketed for fashion over practicality. I don't need another leather saddle yet, but have learned that it's always wise to start breaking in the next one on short rides a long time (at least a year) before using it for all-day trips.