Search found 2111 matches

by james01
7 Mar 2024, 11:38am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Decathlon 920e speedo misting up
Replies: 2
Views: 154

Decathlon 920e speedo misting up

Rainwater must be entering through the push-button holes in the control panel, but it can't evaporate. I've tried leaving the unit on a hot sunny windowsill but without success. Has anyone opened up the unit successfully to let it dry out? I'm reluctant to try this in case I make matters worse.
by james01
22 Feb 2024, 12:38pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano 2.4 watt dynohub - how inferior ?
Replies: 6
Views: 777

Re: Shimano 2.4 watt dynohub - how inferior ?

Update: dynohub now fitted. 2.4 watts seems no different from the 3 watts on my other bike. Lights are very satisfactory. Adjusted bearings very carefully to avoid any chance of preloading.
by james01
22 Feb 2024, 12:31pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Will I get on the train?
Replies: 51
Views: 3146

Re: Will I get on the train?

Thread hijack: does anyone know if we've got a reasonable chance of spaces on a train from Salisbury to Warminster mid-morning on a Saturday ?
by james01
14 Feb 2024, 11:43am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano 2.4 watt dynohub - how inferior ?
Replies: 6
Views: 777

Re: Shimano 2.4 watt dynohub - how inferior ?

interestedcp wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 11:46pm There probably need be several factors at play to initiate a crack in the cone wall, such as lot of dynamic weight, over tight cones etc.

Thanks for this detailed reply. The particular point about over-tight cones is very relevant, hub dynamo bearings being notoriously difficult to set. I err on the side of caution and allow a tiny bit of sideplay at the rim.
by james01
11 Feb 2024, 3:03pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano 2.4 watt dynohub - how inferior ?
Replies: 6
Views: 777

Shimano 2.4 watt dynohub - how inferior ?

Have been offered an old DH2N70 built into a wheel. Is it likely to be significantly inferior to a 3 watt hub when powering standard 2.4w front and 0.6w rear lights (all LEDs) ? I've done a Google search and consensus is that I won't notice.
by james01
11 Feb 2024, 2:53pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: How do you carry big shopping?
Replies: 65
Views: 3882

Re: How do you carry big shopping?

Pendodave wrote: 10 Feb 2024, 2:10pm
Like the poster a couple up from this, I'm lucky enough to live within 15 minutes of town, so regular top ups are easy enough.
At the weekend in particular, I'm home before the SUVs have managed to queue their way out of the car park.
Agree about the SUVs. It's very satisfying to cycle through the gridlock right up to the supermarket door!
by james01
2 Feb 2024, 5:04pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Do flashing rear lights make it easier to judge how far away a cyclist is?
Replies: 32
Views: 1521

Re: Do flashing rear lights make it easier to judge how far away a cyclist is?

Recently cycled home on a misty drizzly night on a fast local unlit rural B road with dynamo rear plus flashing battery rear, plus flashing helmet light. Cars could be heard to reduce speed and then cross to opposite lane to pass me. I think that my array of lights made it HARDER to judge distance and worked to my advantage. This was a wake-up call to any inattentive motorist. If they'd been able to judge my position easily I would have had more close passes.
by james01
16 Jan 2024, 3:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bar end or downtube shifters
Replies: 49
Views: 2723

Re: Bar end or downtube shifters

I use old MTB friction thumbshifters on my drop-handlebar tourers. They work perfectly and have been used without problem on 6,7,8 and 9 speed bikes.
by james01
19 Oct 2023, 1:06pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Ninety two year old cyclist killed by car.
Replies: 58
Views: 9660

Re: Ninety two year old cyclist killed by car.

cycle tramp wrote: 18 Oct 2023, 6:46pm

What sort of mirror have you got and how effective is it?
Decathlon https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/100-bike- ... /_/R-p-512
It's as good as a car door mirror, very clear view.
by james01
18 Oct 2023, 12:59pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Winter bike lights suggestions please
Replies: 51
Views: 5766

Re: Winter bike lights suggestions please

The Lidl Crivit brand seem to offer competent STVZo compliant rechargeable headlights for well below £20. I've got one which claims to be 60 lux and has given good service over several years. The usual Lidl problem is that stocks are intermittent.
by james01
18 Oct 2023, 12:42pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Ninety two year old cyclist killed by car.
Replies: 58
Views: 9660

Re: Ninety two year old cyclist killed by car.

On the subject of trailers I find that my rear view mirror is a Godsend, I can check out overtaking vehicles and brace myself for the additional danger if they are towing.
by james01
29 Sep 2023, 12:07pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: train: Newark to Market Rasen
Replies: 4
Views: 2126

Re: train: Newark to Market Rasen

We'll probably try all four together but we'll split into twos if challenged. Unfortunately the trains are once every two hours so the first pair will have a long wait at Market Rasen. And we'll hope there aren't any other cyclists to complicate matters. My experience of these situations is a total dependence on the personality of the guard/conductor.
by james01
29 Sep 2023, 9:53am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: train: Newark to Market Rasen
Replies: 4
Views: 2126

train: Newark to Market Rasen

As part of a tour we're hoping to get this train on a Friday in October, probably the 11.00am or 01.00pm. The snag is that there are 4 of us. Does anyone know if the guards are fairly relaxed about this ?
by james01
29 Aug 2023, 7:03pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Parking in Harwich
Replies: 35
Views: 2945

Re: Parking in Harwich

A couple of ideas which have worked for me in the past:

Google Streetview can give a good idea of residential areas without parking restrictions, eg.https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.92212 ... ?entry=ttu This is a 17 minute bike ride to the ferry terminal according to Google maps.

Campsites tend to be below capacity after the August holidays - sometimes a site owner is happy to allow safe parking for a reasonable fee - could be worth phoning sites within cycling distance of the port.
by james01
12 Aug 2023, 3:36pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Headlight for Decathlon Riverside 920e
Replies: 1
Views: 3377

Headlight for Decathlon Riverside 920e

The light from the LED headlamp fitted is a bit underwhelming on my new purchase, so I'm thinking of upgrading. There's a huge variety of ebike lights on the market, some with tolerance for widely varying voltages. Does anyone know the correct voltage for my bike? The bike battery is 36 volt, but that doesn't necessarily mean the output feed to the existing lamp is also 36 volts.