Search found 371 matches
- 22 Aug 2014, 3:41pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Sturmey X-RD5(W) issues
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2079
Re: Sturmey X-RD5(W) issues
I'm working through the same issue, but when stripping the hub I'm not able to get the drive side bearing cup off. I've tried using a hammer and punch but am approaching the point where I'm worried I'll break it. Am I being too gentle with it or is there something I'm missing
- 22 Aug 2014, 11:54am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: My first tour (I didn't make it)
- Replies: 93
- Views: 11862
Re: My first tour (I didn't make it)
don't concern yourself too much over the 100kg recommended limit for the bike. I weigh in at 120 and carry up to 30kg on my bikes. Have not had any serious issues. Braking can be hairy though and it's a good idea to make sure nuts are all tightened and wheels are straight. Never had one fail under me yet though
- 17 Jul 2014, 10:19pm
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: Cruelty to bikes
- Replies: 22
- Views: 4180
Re: Cruelty to bikes
If there were rules about this I would have been banned from cycling many times over
turns out riding in the sea isn't good for gears.
Or suspension.
Or riding into walls to see how fast the bike stops.
How about cutting a spoke to see what happens.
Or using the maximum chain angle possible because "it sounds like a motorbike"
Or cleaning the oil off the chain with a brunsh because it made my hands dirty when I put it back on (for some reason it fell off quite regularly)
Or forgetting to tighten the rear wheel nuts and being surprised at how fast the bike would slow down when the wheel came off
or chucking the anti turn washers from a hub gear because they looked stupid
My bike was once dropped off the back of a car while heading off for a camping holliday.
I used to try and run in to the back of my brothers bike because it would make him skid
I rounded off just about every fastener using vise grips because I was too lazy to get a screwdriver
I used to turn the bike upside down, spin the wheel up and push polystyrene into the tyre to shred it.
Sometimes it takes a bit of cruelty in order to learn.
turns out riding in the sea isn't good for gears.
Or suspension.
Or riding into walls to see how fast the bike stops.
How about cutting a spoke to see what happens.
Or using the maximum chain angle possible because "it sounds like a motorbike"
Or cleaning the oil off the chain with a brunsh because it made my hands dirty when I put it back on (for some reason it fell off quite regularly)
Or forgetting to tighten the rear wheel nuts and being surprised at how fast the bike would slow down when the wheel came off
or chucking the anti turn washers from a hub gear because they looked stupid
My bike was once dropped off the back of a car while heading off for a camping holliday.
I used to try and run in to the back of my brothers bike because it would make him skid
I rounded off just about every fastener using vise grips because I was too lazy to get a screwdriver
I used to turn the bike upside down, spin the wheel up and push polystyrene into the tyre to shred it.
Sometimes it takes a bit of cruelty in order to learn.
- 17 Jul 2014, 10:00pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Spoke Nipple Sizes
- Replies: 4
- Views: 3610
Re: Spoke Nipple Sizes
I measured mine with (99p) vernier calipers. I think they were either 3.2 or 3.3mm, couldn't be sure. Suppose that would mean 3.25mm, though presumption does precede a fall. My (cheapo again) spoke key wouldn't fit properly.Going to see about getting a good one for the weekend. Need to get this bike finished.
- 16 Jul 2014, 7:19pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: tubeless tyres
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2050
Re: tubeless tyres
Mick F wrote:Trouble is, won't tubeless tyres have to go on tubeless rims?
yes, I would guess they are more difficult to maintain at home. I was having a look at them until I realised new rims would be needed.
Read something about a sealant system that can be used, but it seems very fiddly and doesn't satisfy me it will be more leakproof than tubes
- 16 Jul 2014, 6:52pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Jailed for messing a Merc
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2596
Re: Jailed for messing a Merc
I didn't know car washes were so expensive.
- 15 Jul 2014, 7:31pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: We should always be allowed to do this!
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2893
Re: We should always be allowed to do this!
Mick F wrote:Wow!
I've rode through the Clyde Tunnel many many many times, but it isn't as far .............. or as iconic.
Clyde Tunnel is great fun. Not sure if it still is,but at one point it was the steepest tunnel in the world
- 14 Jul 2014, 6:30pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Friction gears?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 25470
Re: Friction gears?
Bike-Rich wrote:Many thanks, I understand now
For down-tube shifting, is it required for the frame to have provision for the fitting or is it braze-on type?
you can get shifters which fit braze ons or you can get band-on shifters which are attached with a contracting band
- 7 Jul 2014, 8:27pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Small metalwork Job
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1954
Re: Small metalwork Job
I work next to a steel fabricator. They have told me they can produce just about anything. Not sure about coming in off the street for it, or whether the finish would be great, but if you know a fabricator, or a friend of a friend, that would be worth contacting as a start. Do you know the dimensions of the tubing, to check if it is available as general stock?
- 30 Oct 2013, 10:14pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: dynohub designed for 20" wheels in a 28" wheel size?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1916
Re: dynohub designed for 20" wheels in a 28" wheel size?
The larger wheel will rotate at 70% the rate of the smaller wheel for any given speed. This means that the light will not reach full brightness until a slightly higher speed. In my experience with dynamos they reach full brightness slightly above walking pace so this shouldn't be an issue. I've only used bottle dynamos, but I can't see how a dynohub would be any different
- 28 Oct 2013, 11:54pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: dutch style roadster..
- Replies: 25
- Views: 4747
Re: dutch style roadster..
you'll grow to love the hub brakes
- 28 Oct 2013, 11:41pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: dutch style roadster..
- Replies: 25
- Views: 4747
Re: dutch style roadster..
I have a Dawes graduate. Do most of my cycling on it. 5 speed gears, hub brakes. It has not been zero maintenance but much closer than other bikes I have used. I had trouble with the rear wheel moving in the stays but i have never ridden a bike where this has not been an issue. One thing I like are the heavy duty wheels, 36 2mm spokes, which despite being abused have stayed perfectly true
It has been ridden in hard weather for commuting one year and general riding for 3. The chaincase has surface and paint peeled off, though this was mostly due to being stored outside for it's first year. The frame has no signs of damage or corrosion apart from where I have chipped the paint.
I have never cleaned the bike. It still runs great. It was a smidge under £400 4 years ago. The frame is in perfect nick and the brakes bedded in nicely only thing I wouid change would be 90mm rather than 70mm drums. i had looked at Pashleys before but couldn't justify the extra cost for what seemed to amount to detailing and a handbuilt frame, which i didn't see as a big deal because the frames are so heavy they should be strong regardless.
The brake levers are nice to use, though the screw barrel on one has broken. Comes with a bottle dynamo that works but isn't ideal.
Sadly Dawes have stopped making this model and only seem to do deraileur models similar which won't be so robust. Halfords Real classic range looked identical but at a lower price and with some slightly different components though they no longer list the mens' frame on their website they might have some old stock
My only difficulty would be replacing the tyres, as it is fiddly to remove the rear wheel.
It has been ridden in hard weather for commuting one year and general riding for 3. The chaincase has surface and paint peeled off, though this was mostly due to being stored outside for it's first year. The frame has no signs of damage or corrosion apart from where I have chipped the paint.
I have never cleaned the bike. It still runs great. It was a smidge under £400 4 years ago. The frame is in perfect nick and the brakes bedded in nicely only thing I wouid change would be 90mm rather than 70mm drums. i had looked at Pashleys before but couldn't justify the extra cost for what seemed to amount to detailing and a handbuilt frame, which i didn't see as a big deal because the frames are so heavy they should be strong regardless.
The brake levers are nice to use, though the screw barrel on one has broken. Comes with a bottle dynamo that works but isn't ideal.
Sadly Dawes have stopped making this model and only seem to do deraileur models similar which won't be so robust. Halfords Real classic range looked identical but at a lower price and with some slightly different components though they no longer list the mens' frame on their website they might have some old stock
My only difficulty would be replacing the tyres, as it is fiddly to remove the rear wheel.
- 28 Oct 2013, 11:23pm
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: That one hill...
- Replies: 31
- Views: 5370
Re: That one hill...
hill outside my parents' house. I know I should be able to climb it fine, but every time when I'm about halfway up (it's very short but rather steep) whatever bike I'm on will have some sort of malfunction causing me to fall off or otherwise come to a stop. I'm not superstitious but I'm sick of it happening so I take other routes
- 30 Sep 2013, 11:54pm
- Forum: On the road
- Topic: Deliberate or not?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 3109
Re: Deliberate or not?
If it was deliberate I think they could have mustered a bit more than that. I see that sort of quantity fall off trailers all the time, especially when maneuvering. Nobody could notice that amount falling out of a tractor trailer, remember that they often tow several tons of the stuff.
- 30 Sep 2013, 11:47pm
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: Hows your workshop?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 8525
Re: Hows your workshop?
I prefer to work away from where my sleep, otherwise I get up during the night and fiddle, and find it harder to get to sleep. On a personal note, I received a Nuffield bursary to go on a work placement while I was at school.