Search found 113 matches

by bobzeller
19 Sep 2021, 6:16pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Shipping bike Canada to UK
Replies: 7
Views: 1314

Re: Shipping bike Canada to UK

This is really good information. Thanks for sharing it.
by bobzeller
7 Sep 2021, 8:11am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Durano Plus tyres vs Continental Gator Hard Skin
Replies: 8
Views: 1382

Re: Durano Plus tyres vs Continental Gator Hard Skin

Many thanks for all the advice. I'll stick with what I have.

Cheers
by bobzeller
2 Sep 2021, 2:55pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Durano Plus tyres vs Continental Gator Hard Skin
Replies: 8
Views: 1382

Re: Durano Plus tyres vs Continental Gator Hard Skin

My real concern is riding on non-paved surfaces. My bike was made in 1978 for me for both touring and Audax use. Thus 700 x 22 tyres were the logical choices for those times. These days, while roads are still my usual touring choice, there are some times when I would like to have the option of a velo verte or similar. That's why I am wondering if another tyre would give me a more logical ballance of excellent puncture resistance, limited rolling resistance and some tread. Any ideas would be greatfully received. Right now, I have excellent puncture protection but at a cost of high rolling resistance and no tread whatsover for those occasional non-paved routes.

Thanks again!

Bob
by bobzeller
2 Sep 2021, 8:03am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Durano Plus tyres vs Continental Gator Hard Skin
Replies: 8
Views: 1382

Re: Durano Plus tyres vs Continental Gator Hard Skin

Thanks. I am grateful for the suggestions.
by bobzeller
1 Sep 2021, 11:30am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Durano Plus tyres vs Continental Gator Hard Skin
Replies: 8
Views: 1382

Durano Plus tyres vs Continental Gator Hard Skin

I have been using Schwalbe Durano Plus tyres for sometime but am wondering if the Continental Gator Hardskins might be a better choice relative to rolling resitance. Neither of them have any tread so they aren't great in many off road situations, but I usually prefer roads anyhow.
I originally went to the Schwalbes on the recommerndation of SJS and they have cut way down on my punctures. But according to rollingresistance.com they have greater rolling resistance to the Contis. Does anyone know if it is worth changing to the Contis?

Many thanks

Bob
by bobzeller
27 Jul 2021, 8:48am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Garmin Edge Explore
Replies: 31
Views: 2334

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Apologies because I think I am doing this follow up for my original post regarding not being able to charge my Garmin Edge Explore fully. However, it may be of interest to know that my new Anker 24W 2-port charger arrived and and it has fully charged my Edge Explore.

Cheers
by bobzeller
25 Jul 2021, 9:11pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Garmin Edge Explore
Replies: 31
Views: 2334

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

I contacted Anker, a company that specialises in chargers and asked for a recommendation. They suggested their Anker USB Charger 4.8A/24W 2-Port USB Wall charger. I have ordered one and will report back after giving it a trial.

Cheers

Bob
by bobzeller
25 Jul 2021, 8:09am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Garmin Edge Explore
Replies: 31
Views: 2334

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Re battery and Edge Explore issues. When I charge my Edge Explore, iyt seems to only go to 93 per cent. Could that be because my charger is not working properly? If that might be the case, what would be the best charger I could get? There are so many different ones in addition to the standard mobile phone chargers. Advice would, as always, be appreciated.

Bob

UPDATE Sorry if I am posting this incorrectly. I would be grateful if someone can tell me how to update things if I have it wrong. However, since posting the above, I have received delivery of a new wall charger and my Edge Explore has gone from 73% to 100% in approx 3hrs and 30 minutes. It has almost never gone to 100% before. The new charger is made by Anker and it is their 24W 2-Port USB model. Cost about 17£. I contacted Anchor and they recommended this model for my Garmin.
by bobzeller
6 Jul 2021, 8:58am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Garmin Edge Explore
Replies: 31
Views: 2334

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

Thanks to all for replies. I will just pack a battery pack for those times when I seem to be running especially low on power. However, I did complain to Garmin about the inconsistant info coming from the battery info on a data screen and because of that they offered to replace my Edge Explore with another one. When I said they had already done that, they checked and came back to say that the refurbished unit they had already sent me as a replacement unit hadn't had new batteries placed in it as part of the refurbishment process. That was because it was less that three months old when they did the refurbishment and they don't install new batteries in units that are less than three months old. That is their policy apparently. To his credit, the Garmin man said he would provide a brand new, never out of the box, unit for me. Trouble is, the delivery company - UPS - screwed up the return of my unit to them so the process has had to be restarted. Hopefully this won't mean that the original decision to provide a brand new unit hasn't been forgotten.
by bobzeller
5 Jul 2021, 11:48am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Pop down mirror
Replies: 15
Views: 805

Re: Glles Berthaud Bar End Mirror

Has anyone any experience with the Gilles Berthaud Bar End Mirror? At £56 from Spa it is very much more expensive than others discussed here. But the company does make many first class products. Any comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Bob
by bobzeller
24 May 2021, 5:09pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Route Planning for Garmin
Replies: 22
Views: 1668

Re: Route Planning for Garmin

I struggle with IT and other tech stuff. But, I use RideWithGPS to plot my routes and then download them into my Garmin Edge Explore without too many complications. RWGPS is simple to use, but they have a terrific help system that has on many occassions come to my rescue with simple to understand instructions. Can't recommend them enough. There is a choice of 'membership' plans. The basic is free and then a couple of higher levels which have a fee.

Cheers
by bobzeller
8 May 2021, 7:01am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tyres for touring cycle
Replies: 40
Views: 4119

Re: Tyres for touring cycle

i don't think the Marathons would fit. Even the treadless Duranos have just enough clearance. I do like Marathons and have used them on my shopping bike for years. My touring bike is a road bike that was made for me in 1978 and designed for 700 x 23 tyres, a very common size at the time. Anything larger won't fit. When touring (always using hotels and B&Bs), I use Arkel T28 panniers on the rear and a bar bag. The combination of tyres, bike and touring luggage works really well. I am not off road too much so being treadless isn't a problem. The only problem might be the lack of availability of Schwalbe Durano Pluses and that was why I was asking for suggestions. But if I am the only one who has heard that the Duranos are being discontinued, then the problem might be incorrect information. Nothing else.

Many thanks again for everyones replies.

Bob
by bobzeller
7 May 2021, 7:31pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tyres for touring cycle
Replies: 40
Views: 4119

Re: Tyres for touring cycle

Thanks to all for the advice. Lots of good suggestions. I'll do some more homework.

Cheers

Bob
by bobzeller
7 May 2021, 4:30pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tyres for touring cycle
Replies: 40
Views: 4119

Tyres for touring cycle

I would very much appreciate some advise. For three or four years, I have been using Schwalbe Durano Plus tyres (700x23) on my touring bike. I really like them because of the puncture resistance. I might be having to deal with a touch more rolling resistance, but not having to repair punctures more than sets that off.

However, I was recently told that they are being phased out by the manufacturer. Does anyone know if that is indeed the case? And, if so, are there any recommendations for other brands. I tour mostly on paved roads with just the occassional stretches of non-paved sections.

I would be grateful for any advice given.

Cheers

Bob
by bobzeller
19 Apr 2021, 7:30pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Garmin Edge Explore
Replies: 31
Views: 2334

Re: Garmin Edge Explore

I use a Garmin Edge Explore and have found it to be a really worthwhile tool for navigation. But, like others, I found battery life to be a problem on kong days. As a result, I have just bought a Garmin Battery Pack which fastens to the bottom of the mount with the GPS unit on top. I had considered using a small battery pack in my handlebar bag and connected to my handlebars mounted Garmin Edge Touring GPS unit. But I was worried that in wet weather, I could have problems so the Garmin Battery Pack seemed to be an ideal answer because it connected directly to the GS unit via the mount. I confirmed with Garmin that the Garmin Edge Explore was indeed compatable and could do this and was told yes.

But it seems that is not the case. The Garmin Battery Pack I am now told by one Garmin rep, only connects directly to one model Garmin Edge and it is not the Edge Explore. Another Garmin rep said it did. Can anyone give me a definitive answer please.

Many thanks

Bob