Search found 1500 matches

by freiston
28 Mar 2024, 10:06am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Anyone ordered anything from Decathlon lately?
Replies: 13
Views: 796

Re: Anyone ordered anything from Decathlon lately?

I ordered some overshoes and a pair of (non cycling-specific) trousers about a month ago and they took two and a half weeks to arrive, as indicated on confirmation of my order. I liked the trousers and so ordered a further two pairs, they came in about three days.

I can't remember the last time that I bought something from Decathlon that was in stock in my local store (Coventry). I have managed to find a few items (not usually in my size) that I have been able to rule out from my selection process but usually I can't even do that due to no stock in the shop - despite the store being about two miles from my home, I am forced to shop and order online and hope for the best or return the item.
by freiston
24 Mar 2024, 4:49pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Pictures of your bike(s)
Replies: 1924
Views: 583845

Re: Pictures of your bike(s)

Cheers :D
by freiston
21 Mar 2024, 10:02am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Pictures of your bike(s)
Replies: 1924
Views: 583845

Re: Pictures of your bike(s)

I too have an old Saracen - a Hy-Way. I bought it last year for £60, to use as a train station commuter/utility bike. I've replaced the freewheel, chain, tyres, handlebar grips and rear shifter/cable. I swapped out the saddle, pedals and rear rack with ones I already had. I also put a mirror and a bell on the handlebars and made a front mudflap.
IMG_5986.JPG
by freiston
20 Mar 2024, 6:12pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Would it be unreasonable … ?
Replies: 42
Views: 1691

Re: Would it be unreasonable … ?

I usually shield my eyes with a hand to make it obvious that I'm adversely affected by the light; I will even exclaim about how bright/dazzling the light is as we pass.

I hardly ever use it on the bike now, but I have a 1000 lumen torch that I would strap to the handlebar (as a secondary lamp to my StVZO lamp) with a rubber block and velcro straps, switching it on for rare off-road or even on-road moments out in the middle of nowhere, usually winding single-track lanes. The light was mounted pointing more or less straight ahead. If ever a road user came the other way with a dazzling light, I would switch it on. Car drivers often quickly went from full beam to dip and I would then switch it back off. I didn't see many cyclists then but I'm half tempted to put it on the commuting bike next winter for the bike lane - all those super-bright helmet lights!

I dislike very bright flashing lamps, especially front ones - I find them not only dazzling but distracting almost to the extent of disorientating (especially if there's several of them).
by freiston
17 Mar 2024, 4:30pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Touring shoes for bunions and wide feet
Replies: 19
Views: 839

Re: Touring shoes for bunions and wide feet

I have a pair of MXZ200 Lake boots and recall that Lake do have especially wide fittings - they're not cheap though :(

Salt Dog Cycling was where I got mine from:

https://www.saltdogcycling.com/mountain ... t=priceasc
by freiston
16 Mar 2024, 10:30pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycling motivation survey - looking for participants
Replies: 24
Views: 936

Re: Cycling motivation survey - looking for participants

Done.

Personally I found it easier to complete than a lot of surveys of similar format - though I'm not sure if that helps - for instance, some questions I could easily identify rides that would be "strongly agree" and other rides that would be "strongly disagree" and so I chose "neither agree or disagree" when in truth, more rides are one extreme or the other rather than middle of the road. For example, there are some excellent cycle paths/routes in my city but also some roads and junctions that put the fear of god into me; bike parking at my railway station is excellent, but at my nearby retail park, the provided bike parking is meh and inconveniently located (and I've been told that bike theft is high there).
by freiston
10 Mar 2024, 2:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Naviki App
Replies: 6
Views: 397

Re: Naviki App

I quickly tried the online/web browser route planner (linky here) for a trip I often do, plus a long trip I've done and had spent many days going over Google Earth, looking at alternative routes etc. - and whilst Naviki's solutions were "reasonable", they wouldn't be the routes that I'd choose. Cycle.Travel, on the other hand, does a much more admirable job, imho. Of course, ymmv :wink:
by freiston
10 Mar 2024, 10:33am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tourer for gentle off-roading?
Replies: 145
Views: 6699

Re: Tourer for gentle off-roading?

In response to the OP, my Aurora has 32mm tyres and is capable of fully loaded very gentle off road use but I wouldn't want to do anything not so gentle. Obviously with 32mm road tyres, it's not brilliant on gentle but wet grass/mud tracks either - a lot of slipping and spinning and a little digging. I also have a 37mm road tyre-shod utility bike and a 50mm Schwalbe Mondial equipped Spa Rove (the purchase decision process was discussed in this thread, as referred to by slowster in his post up-thread).

I think that if I were still looking at a "traditional" drop bar touring bike for on and off-road use, I would want 47mm tyres* and mudguards. If looking at new bikes, I would be looking at disc brakes but would be prepared to compromise through-axles for the right bike (e.g. the Spa Wayfarer). I like the sound of drum brakes as suggested by Brucey but I don't have a clue about them or how to procure them.

*EDIT: It depends on how gentle/dry - 37mm, imho, could do it but if the going gets a bit too soft or a bit too bumpy, then the extra grip and cushioning afforded by wider tyres could make a lot of difference to the experience.
by freiston
10 Mar 2024, 10:19am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tourer for gentle off-roading?
Replies: 145
Views: 6699

Re: Tourer for gentle off-roading?

The Aurora (and Aurora Elite) are no longer made - it appears that Jamis decided to leave the touring bike arena - not sure but I think 2017 was the last model*.

I went to buy a Claude Butler Regent in November 2013 from FW Evans but after seeing what they had in the shop, decided on an Aurora instead. They had sold out of my size and I had to wait until the following February for the 2014 model to come into stock. Mine was generously reduced and cost me £660. It's a bit different now to what it was like when it left the shop.
P1020174a.JPG
*EDIT: I just checked the Jamis catalogue archive and the last year the Aurora/Aurora Elite appeared was 2019.
by freiston
2 Mar 2024, 2:57pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Best camping set up for electronics
Replies: 55
Views: 2033

Re: Best camping set up for electronics

MrsHJ wrote: 18 Feb 2024, 11:19am What are people doing now- power banks seem to be smaller and lighter?
*Should I add a second lighter bank to my set up- any recommendations?
*is it worth getting a solar charger and if so which one?
*My raven has a hub charger so I could take that but I'll probably take my kona- is there a good dynamo charger or alternative system I can now add?
*Anything else I've missed that might help
I like a two powerbank solution* because not only does it double your power reserve, but when using solar or dynamo, you can charge one whilst using the other to charge a device - also, if you get the opportunity to use mains electricity, you can charge both powerbanks up at the same time - meaning that as well as doubling your power reserve, you're also halving the time to accumulate that power.

Regarding dynamo chargers, I have no complaints with my Cycle2Charge chargers - they're much cheaper than alternatives and can be mounted on the top of the steerer too.

* Most of my trips are short and my power requirements are easily met with a single large capacity powerbank, charging via mains when the opportunity arises - but I still like the peace of mind afforded by the ability to fall back onto my dynamo charger and top up my powerbank in the daytime from it.
by freiston
2 Mar 2024, 1:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Sleeping bags ?
Replies: 20
Views: 1098

Re: Sleeping bags ?

I echo the sentiments of other posters, particularly on the lines of the mat being as important and that you don't get cheap, warm and compact/light (usually two out of the three).

For £50 you're very much not going to get a down bag - so synthetic will more likely be heavier and bulkier or not very warm.

Most modern bags have less insulation on the underside because it doesn't work as well (gets compressed by the body) and people get their insulation underneath from the mat - so a mat is crucial for a bag to keep you warm in anything but really warm weather (assuming "outdoor" use). Mats have similar constraints regarding weight, pack-size and cost

If the sleeper sleeps warm and the weather is warm/mild, then you can get a lightweight synthetic bag that will pack small but the comfort temperature will not be low and on an unexpectedly cold night, could prove unfit for purpose (and necessitate the wearing of extra clothes/coats in the bag).

For summer (and some spring/autumn) use, I get by with a Berghaus Intrepid 700 which is rated as comfort down to 9°C and transition from 9° to 5°, with a Decathlon Forclaz MT500 inflatable mat.

I have Berghaus and Vango bags and rate them for good value synthetic bags.
by freiston
28 Feb 2024, 6:36pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Tudor Sport Plusses - Recommended??
Replies: 13
Views: 1424

Re: Tudor Sport Plusses - Recommended??

I've worn (very) similar in the past but not Tudor brand ("Ayel" Alan LLoyd Cycling Supplies). I got a pair of the Tudor longs five or more years ago. I wore them a few times but I don't recall wearing them in the wet. Nowadays I tend to wear clothes that are styled less "cycling specific" and tend to wear Endura Hummvee long trousers (I feel more comfortable wearing them in the pub etc.). I do sometimes wear them as long johns under trousers (on and off the bike) but it rarely seems to be cold enough for that. I no longer wear padded shorts/undershorts either.

I do like the Tudor longs and can't think of a reason not to recommend them (the longs at least - never tried the plusses) but they're just not my style any more.
by freiston
26 Feb 2024, 2:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New groupset for an old Galaxy
Replies: 23
Views: 1649

Re: New groupset for an old Galaxy

What sort of shifters do you have (friction, indexed etc.) and what speed is your cassette/freewheel? What is the OLN of the rear hub/dropouts? How worn are the rear sprockets and the chainwheels? How are the parts "mixed"?

As hamster says, new cables and a clean might make a big difference. Depending on what you've got and what needs replacing, the possibilities and permutations could be wide and varied.
by freiston
26 Feb 2024, 2:31pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Charging Devices: Pass Through Battery Pack
Replies: 5
Views: 562

Re: Charging Devices: Pass Through Battery Pack

From what I gather (caveat: I don't understand the electronics) smart phones analyse the current/power source and set the charging speed accordingly - so as you set off with the phone plugged in, the phone charges according to the power received as your dynamo is still at low output. Stopping and starting doesn't help either. I've also heard that pass-through power banks, being used thus, don't age very well and performance deteriorates faster than "regular" powerbanks (I'm not talking about low capacity task-specific pass-through batteries but those sold as powerbanks) . Also, if you don't/can't switch your lights off, the power going towards charging will be greatly reduced. Personally, I think you're better off getting a decent powerbank without pass-through capability and topping it up with the dynamo then using it to charge up the phone. Depending on your power and charging requirements, you can double your stored energy reserve and simultaneously top up a powerbank and charge a phone by using two powerbanks - doing this and also taking advantage of mains charging when available, should keep you in power comfortably.
Most likely, if it's just charging a phone up that you require, with one good capacity powerbank and overnight charging opportunities, you can get by without even using the dynamo to top up the powerbank but you will have the peace of mind that you can do if required.

Either way, topping up a powerbank directly and charging your phone separately is a lot less faff and pretty reliable.

I use a Cycle2Charge and a 20,000 mAh powerbank (I used to use 2 smaller capacity powerbanks).
by freiston
23 Feb 2024, 1:58pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Ex-Post Office CEO Paula Vennells
Replies: 553
Views: 34149

Re: Post Office scandal

pete75 wrote: 23 Feb 2024, 1:09pm
Cowsham wrote: 20 Feb 2024, 9:47am
Psamathe wrote: 19 Feb 2024, 10:40am
And who pays her legal fees? Taxpayers?

My impression of Ms Badenoch is she is not particularly competent and holds office because she has somehow managed to garner support of the right wing Conservative MPs. Just my personal impression.

EDIT: And I not predict we'll be getting "I can't discuss details because it's subject to legal proceedings" so none of the evidence released.

Ian
Sub judice is the proper phrase she was looking for. Used a lot in the Ranson affair. Seriously the government needs to get the convictions overturned and compensation paid asap before more worms crawl out of the dirt.
Any compensation paid should take into account the free board and lodging enjoyed by imprisoned postmasters. It costs something over £30,000 a year per prisoner, so any compensation should be reduced by this amount for each year spent inside.
Is that still the case?

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... -in-prison