Cycling UK Forum

LollyKat wrote:I find Rainlegs will cope with most conditions - they are not sweaty like full overtrousers and take up very little room in a bag. Back in the day I used and liked a cape but they catch the wind, prevent you from signalling, and cover the front light on modern bikes.

Rainlegs deploy quickly and are surprisingly effective in heavy rain. Only downside is they are expensive for what they are.

An update on the first paragraph of the original post and the issues surrounding GPX.

An imported GPX route is not in anyway connected to the underlying map. It makes no use of OSM data.The Osmand app is describing a line with no reference to any features around it. The result is often poor, misleading or non existent voice instructions that can be exceedingly frustrating.
What is needed is for Osmand to describe an OSM map. For that one needs to use Osmands navigation feature layered over your GPX route. ( As described above ) A bit of a faff initially but at least one receives useable instructions that work.

I am planning an upcoming tour that is going include the Isle of Purbeck. There have been favourable reviews of the Woodhyde campsite but I am concerned that it is on an A road. Is it possible to cycle from Corfe Castle to Woodhyde with a reasonable degree of safety. Are there any recommendations for alternative campsites.

Early into a trip to Exmoor I managed to slightly bend the rotor to my front wheel. As there were no local bike shops I continued with the trip onto the moor. What followed were days of repeated and prolonged braking with a heavy load, down some very steep hills. I could smell the fumes coming off the calliper. By the end of the trip the rotor had definitely straightened. It wasn't true but it was straighter to the point that I continue to use it to this day.
I am interested in the dynamics that caused the rotor to warp back to and hold to its original shape. Is this how rotors behave? I would have thought that the distortion would have been compounded. Any similar experiences and or explanations ?
( Avid BB7 / sintered pads / Cleansweep rotor / centerlock hub )

Caulkheader wrote:Fit Jagwire compressionless cables to a Boardman CX with drops and Avid mechanical discs. Vast improvement in feel and modulation. Brakes are no longer spongy. Not cheap but I think money well spent.

I initially thought Jagwire compressionless were a bit of an indulgence. That changed when I fitted and used them. Braking transformed to a point I did not think possible. Delight to use.

1) Repeated exposure to salt water has turned the three ball bearings inside my BB7s unit black. Replacements needed. Does anyone know the size of these balls. Nothing on the SRAM website and a certain well known bike shop does not know either.

2) On a new BB7 unit is it worth replacing the three ball bearings with precision balls. Will this have any demonstrable effect on the life of the cams.

3) The CPS washers have also corroded badly. Replacements are very expensive. Is it feasible to use stainless steel flat washers and still maintain effective alignment of the unit.

meic wrote:

This morning I fitted a set of Jagwire`s to my load lugger. The difference it has made to the BB7`s is phenomenal.

Would you be so kind as to mention the type and where they can be bought?
I doubt that I will like the price though!

Jagwire Mountain Pro Brake Cable Kit from Chainreaction cycles. Once you have tried them the price will become irrelevant. It did in my case anyway.

This morning I fitted a set of Jagwire`s to my load lugger. The difference it has made to the BB7`s is phenomenal. Hugely impressed. Shifter cable set now on order.
Whilst on the subject of BB7s does anyone know the size of the ball bearings used in the internals.( Mine have been blackened by repeated exposure to salt water). Nothing on the SRAM website and a certain well known bike shop don't know either. Is it worth using a precision grade ball on a new BB7 unit for increased longevity.

pedalsheep wrote:Most of the roads from the ferries are quite busy but you can catch a train from Ryde pier to Sandown which would only be a short ride on quiet lanes to this campsite http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co ... /adgestone
Its right next to the cycle track and is the one Josie Dew used when she brought her 3 young children to IOW - Josie knows a thing or two about camping http://www.josiedew.com

And with the Camping and Caravan Club you are guaranteed a stay free from anti social behaviour.

landsurfer wrote:

g.meredith wrote:No surprise. The British political / economic system is a well constructed and disguised racket.

Substitute any nation for "British" and it will still apply and be relevant ...

Maybe. But the elite spend considerable time and effort on admonishing the lesser nations, on their corruption.

No surprise. The British political / economic system is a well constructed and disguised racket.

On some days I would not want to do be doing anything else. On others I just want to sling all the gear off a cliff. I sometimes find it difficult to cope with the unpredictable events / weather. Not helped by the fact that I like to have everything planned just so. Giving it another go this spring.

My brass bell from Lion Bellworks. I very pleasant happy sound that even draws admiring comments from pedestrians. Simplicity, quality and just a good honest device.

[/quote]I'm not sure that seeking to control the population would be necessarily malicious. It is often done with the kindest of intentions.[/quote]

No. It is invariably done to preserve the wealth and privileges of the ruling class.

rfryer wrote:Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give this a try. It would be nice if Osmand could be made to do it for you, though!

Agreed. Apparently Osmand have been aware of the issue since..........March 2014. Extraordinary given the popularity of GPX. This workaround can save a lot of aggravation on the road, especially in built up areas.