A few of the recent posts forget that some people only have one bike. For many years my one bike was everything from utility round town > day rides (pootling not club runs) > expedition tourer ready to head off to far flung places.
Another thing, maybe "xx" is adequate, but sometimes xx ++ is comforting when heading off somewhere a bit remote.
I've never had a failure, but as my touring gets less demanding I am aware my rugged LHT build is unnecessarily heavy. Nonetheless there is a certain pleasure in knowing that your bike will face almost anything thrown at it.
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- 29 Mar 2024, 8:33am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: touring wheels upgrade
- Replies: 75
- Views: 2992
- 25 Mar 2024, 3:26pm
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Escooter trial to start
- Replies: 351
- Views: 37578
Re: Escooter trial to start
The e-scooter trials are still ongoing because the Govt don't want to make a decision and instead keep extending the trial.period.
Some trials have ceased, eg Canterbury because the good burghers of that city didn't want the hoi polloi to have have cheap clean transport. " Let them walk like we did".
E- bikes are legal and the schemes to rent them out are down to local councils and commercial considerations.
- 25 Mar 2024, 3:12pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1047
Re: Best tyres for touring
Ooooops!
- 25 Mar 2024, 3:01pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: touring wheels upgrade
- Replies: 75
- Views: 2992
Re: touring wheels upgrade
rareposter wrote: ↑25 Mar 2024, 1:05pm You don't really need maths to prove anything though. Put some 2.5kg wheels on a bike, go and ride up a hill.
Replace the wheels (keeping the same tyres/pressures etc) with a pair weighing 1.5kg , go and ride up the same hill at the same power.
The lighter wheels will feel better (which is a bit subjective) and will be measurably faster (which is purely objective).
Excuse the shouty but...For me this is where the lighter v heavier wheel debate goes astray.
Yes, taking 1kg off the bike WHEREVER will be 'better', but that doesn't prove if the lighter wheels are actually better or if it's just because the overall bike is lighter.
To do the comparison if lighter wheels are better you need to ADD the equivalent weight to the bike somewhere. Then you can see if the wheels are better. Otherwise all you are doing is feeling the weight loss of the wheels.
Nonetheless, given the scientific/mathematical proof I am happy that lighter wheels accelerate 'more easily*'. This is not to be underestimated as an ongoing advantage as almost all riding is slightly up and down speed wise.
There is also the pre stated advantage of reducing overall bike weight. Win, win.
Excuse me labouring the point, but felt that this post was unfinished. I'm happy now.
Phew!
*attempt to seek a meaningful non scientific term.
- 25 Mar 2024, 9:55am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: touring wheels upgrade
- Replies: 75
- Views: 2992
Re: touring wheels upgrade
In English please?
Is the following true?
Apart from the weight they add to the overall weight of the bike, heavier wheels and tyres make very little difference to pulling away or rolling.
Someone has written on the touring tyre thread "So pulling away at a junction, 1kg on a tyre feels like 2kg on the frame". Is that untrue,?
Is the following true?
Apart from the weight they add to the overall weight of the bike, heavier wheels and tyres make very little difference to pulling away or rolling.
Someone has written on the touring tyre thread "So pulling away at a junction, 1kg on a tyre feels like 2kg on the frame". Is that untrue,?
- 25 Mar 2024, 9:35am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: touring wheels upgrade
- Replies: 75
- Views: 2992
Re: touring wheels upgrade
Consequent to a question about tyres (and as mentioned by me, weights) on this forum, I have dragged this one up again.
I admit my Physics is limited and tempered by the all too dangerous addition of common sense.
So......
What about 531colin's theory that there is very little difference in getting a light and a heavy wheel spinning.
To paraphrase:
Two bikes upside down. One with heavy wheel and tyre, one with both lightweight.
A flick of the finger will get both spinning with very little effort, a couple of further flicks and they are spinning at a fair speed.
The effort required in either case is minimal compared to that required to get the whole bike going (pedalling or pushing).
If it takes so little energy to get the 2 different weight.wheels up to speed when the bikes are upside down, why is weight in the wheels so important.
If this was explained I missed it and am happy to be told to go to the back of the class.
I admit my Physics is limited and tempered by the all too dangerous addition of common sense.
So......
What about 531colin's theory that there is very little difference in getting a light and a heavy wheel spinning.
To paraphrase:
Two bikes upside down. One with heavy wheel and tyre, one with both lightweight.
A flick of the finger will get both spinning with very little effort, a couple of further flicks and they are spinning at a fair speed.
The effort required in either case is minimal compared to that required to get the whole bike going (pedalling or pushing).
If it takes so little energy to get the 2 different weight.wheels up to speed when the bikes are upside down, why is weight in the wheels so important.
If this was explained I missed it and am happy to be told to go to the back of the class.
- 24 Mar 2024, 11:50pm
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Escooter trial to start
- Replies: 351
- Views: 37578
Re: Escooter trial to start
- 24 Mar 2024, 11:32pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1047
Re: Best tyres for touring
Is weight a concern. Some of the more chunky touring tyres are very heavy. Some over 1000 gms.
Although a recent thread said weight on wheels no more important than weight elsewhere.
Those Gatorskins look good, but only in (in current parlance) narrow sizes - 32 max.
Although a recent thread said weight on wheels no more important than weight elsewhere.
Those Gatorskins look good, but only in (in current parlance) narrow sizes - 32 max.
- 24 Mar 2024, 12:32pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1047
Re: Best tyres for touring
I presume you are using 700s. What width do you fancy. What type of touring, any other help for us.
I used Marathon Supremes (26x1.6) for a number of years. I was very happy with them apart from the thin sidewall (folding). I wrote off a couple of good tyres with sidewall damage - something as simple as sliding down a pothole and 40 quid down the drain.
Anyway, they stopped making Supremes a few years ago. If you can get them now they are about 60 quid for a few years on the shelf tyre.
I decided to go Marathon Greenguard. Their basic Marathon with a puncture proof belt. Only aout £20 each. Very mixed reactions from users from love to hate. I think correct pressure is a big part of it.
Before I got the chance, I ended up with a reasonable quality Chinese alike. Currently running these and happy with them ( Chaoyang Kestrel). Will see if I can buy another pair before I come home tomorrow.
Personally I do value puncture resistance.
I used Marathon Supremes (26x1.6) for a number of years. I was very happy with them apart from the thin sidewall (folding). I wrote off a couple of good tyres with sidewall damage - something as simple as sliding down a pothole and 40 quid down the drain.
Anyway, they stopped making Supremes a few years ago. If you can get them now they are about 60 quid for a few years on the shelf tyre.
I decided to go Marathon Greenguard. Their basic Marathon with a puncture proof belt. Only aout £20 each. Very mixed reactions from users from love to hate. I think correct pressure is a big part of it.
Before I got the chance, I ended up with a reasonable quality Chinese alike. Currently running these and happy with them ( Chaoyang Kestrel). Will see if I can buy another pair before I come home tomorrow.
Personally I do value puncture resistance.
- 23 Mar 2024, 2:39pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: crazyguyonabike site
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1668
Re: crazyguyonabike site
Recumbent. I'm sorry I *issed you off.
I thought I was giving background info on Crazyguy's site need to raise funds. I certainly never accused you of seeking funds, please reread what I wrote.
There was nothing in favour of Crazyguy in the post because I was posting about the reasons for cash shortfall. If you followed my posts on different forums over the last 25 years you would have seen innumerable recommendations from me for Crazyguy - probably running into many hundreds. It was my main go to on the old Lonely Planet Thorn Tree On Your Bike Forum where I had many thousands of posts.
Navrig is right I don't journalise on Crazyguy, it's not my thing. I do try to answer any forum posts on the subjects I know best. As Navrig said, I have offered and had many phone calls and a few meetings with people interested in going to where I tour. I even recall a number of PM exchanges giving detailed local info to mattmatt, glad he's *issed off with me too.
You seem to have read what I wrote in your own way which certainly wasn't how I thought I wrote it. I'm happy to apologise, but not sure for what. Nonetheless I'll keep on doing what I do, advising and encouraging people about long haul touring, which includes recommending Crazyguy when appropriate.
I thought I was giving background info on Crazyguy's site need to raise funds. I certainly never accused you of seeking funds, please reread what I wrote.
There was nothing in favour of Crazyguy in the post because I was posting about the reasons for cash shortfall. If you followed my posts on different forums over the last 25 years you would have seen innumerable recommendations from me for Crazyguy - probably running into many hundreds. It was my main go to on the old Lonely Planet Thorn Tree On Your Bike Forum where I had many thousands of posts.
Navrig is right I don't journalise on Crazyguy, it's not my thing. I do try to answer any forum posts on the subjects I know best. As Navrig said, I have offered and had many phone calls and a few meetings with people interested in going to where I tour. I even recall a number of PM exchanges giving detailed local info to mattmatt, glad he's *issed off with me too.
You seem to have read what I wrote in your own way which certainly wasn't how I thought I wrote it. I'm happy to apologise, but not sure for what. Nonetheless I'll keep on doing what I do, advising and encouraging people about long haul touring, which includes recommending Crazyguy when appropriate.
- 23 Mar 2024, 12:34am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Long term ebike rentals
- Replies: 1
- Views: 219
Re: Long term ebike rentals
Brompton do them. Don't know about any of the conditions.
https://www.brompton.com/why-brompton/b ... lsrc=aw.ds
https://www.brompton.com/why-brompton/b ... lsrc=aw.ds
- 23 Mar 2024, 12:29am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Brompton case / luggage storage at Schiphol
- Replies: 5
- Views: 269
Re: Brompton case / luggage storage at Schiphol
Hotel or disposable is usually cheaper for any more than a few days.
€9 isn't too bad, it's £12 to15 a day at London airports. (£1.70 for full size bike in Bangkok airport).
If leaving at hotel not feasible then another option would be a bag. I bought one for my Brompton, about £20 online. It was for COVID but plans weren't possible. I do use a bag for full size bike - sides padded with bits of cardboard, almost makes it into a bike box. Bits of cardboard easier to source than a whole box. Then carry bag on tour.
€9 isn't too bad, it's £12 to15 a day at London airports. (£1.70 for full size bike in Bangkok airport).
If leaving at hotel not feasible then another option would be a bag. I bought one for my Brompton, about £20 online. It was for COVID but plans weren't possible. I do use a bag for full size bike - sides padded with bits of cardboard, almost makes it into a bike box. Bits of cardboard easier to source than a whole box. Then carry bag on tour.
- 23 Mar 2024, 12:15am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: New handlebar choice
- Replies: 15
- Views: 778
Re: New handlebar choice
If you were happy with your butterfly then like MrsHJ, I would have thought something fairly conventional would be OK and worth trying. Particularly as you have a requirement for a bar bag (which seems the main problem at the moment).
Any particular reason you are trying these various 'odd' shape bars. Admittedly you might end up with perfection or it could be an expensive exercise in futility.I would start with the obvious.
I ride straightish MTB style bars with Ergons and short bar ends, but that's me.
Any particular reason you are trying these various 'odd' shape bars. Admittedly you might end up with perfection or it could be an expensive exercise in futility.I would start with the obvious.
I ride straightish MTB style bars with Ergons and short bar ends, but that's me.
- 22 Mar 2024, 2:41pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Boxing a bike in Paris
- Replies: 3
- Views: 334
Re: Boxing a bike in Paris
I use Google maps. Open up near chosen location and put in a search for bike shops or something similar.
It will locate most. You can then click on each to see which might be suitable. Read reviews look at photos, etc.
Website, email, phone, etc usually given.
It will locate most. You can then click on each to see which might be suitable. Read reviews look at photos, etc.
Website, email, phone, etc usually given.
- 21 Mar 2024, 2:24pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Flying bikes back from Tirana Airport
- Replies: 11
- Views: 680
Re: Flying bikes back from Tirana Airport
Boxes in airports are new and bought explicitly to sell to people flying by airlines or baggage services.
The bike shop boxes:
Bike box is used;
Shop has already profited on the box, it was the packaging for a bike that they sold at profit to a customer;
Certainly in UK shop has to pay for recycling collection.
I think €20 is taking the p.. Maybe €5 would be acceptable.
A bit like a supermarket charging you for an old cardboard box.
The bike shop boxes:
Bike box is used;
Shop has already profited on the box, it was the packaging for a bike that they sold at profit to a customer;
Certainly in UK shop has to pay for recycling collection.
I think €20 is taking the p.. Maybe €5 would be acceptable.
A bit like a supermarket charging you for an old cardboard box.