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by rareposter
18 Mar 2024, 7:13pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New Bike New Rubber...?
Replies: 8
Views: 251

Re: New Bike New Rubber...?

PaulK wrote: 18 Mar 2024, 6:55pm These say tube-less but mine defiantly have tubes so perhaps wont fit
New bikes almost never come set up tubeless - not unless you're buying or building custom. The reason is that a bike can sit in a warehouse or shop floor for a year or more before eventually being sold so tubeless would have dried out, gone off etc and plenty of customers aren't bothered about it anyway.

I'd just use the wheels and tyres you have for a few months.

When I bought my new road bike (15/16 months ago now), I just left the tubed wheels and tyres on there for about 6 months, did loads of riding and then found a set of carbon wheels on a really good deal so upgraded the lot in one go. Worked out really well.
by rareposter
18 Mar 2024, 6:48pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New Bike New Rubber...?
Replies: 8
Views: 251

Re: New Bike New Rubber...?

PaulK wrote: 18 Mar 2024, 6:31pm Was thinking though are some tyres more puncture resistant than others ?? (I'm assuming those it shipped with are super basic).
Would also like to go to the max recommended tyre size of 28mm (over the 26mm shipped).
It comes with Bontrager R1 tyres doesn't it? They're pretty decent. Wire bead rather than kevlar sure but they're certainly adequate. If they really were bargain basement tyres then yes, I'd switch them out but there's little point throwing brand new Bontragers in the bin. Just use them until they wear out. You may have decided by that point to get new wheels in which case it's the ideal time to get everything new together and maybe upgrade to tubeless as well.

There's no downside to using them while you get to know the bike and the weather is still quite "varied" with plenty of grit and mud washed onto the roads so I'd use them at least until there's proper summer weather and consistently dry roads worthy of some more race/speed orientated tyres.
by rareposter
18 Mar 2024, 1:45pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Halfords Apollo FS26S
Replies: 36
Views: 2320

Re: Halfords Apollo FS26S

Jdsk wrote: 18 Mar 2024, 9:56am I'd think of it as finding the correct chain length for the bike. Start here:
viewtopic.php?p=1810338#p1810338
I think that thread would be enough to put anyone off ever fitting their own chain! Another classic case of a simple question turning into something answered with some equations and engineering speak!
mcluskc wrote: 18 Mar 2024, 6:59am Is it ok to use 114 links to replace a 116 one?
Chains come as a "standard" length out the factory - normally 114 or 116 links.
To actually fit it onto the bike, you normally need to cut them down a bit, they're made longer for a reason! I'd be surprised if the existing chain on your bike is more than about 110 / 112 links. Usual way is just to remove the old chain, lay it out straight then put the new one alongside it and trim to the same length. You'll need a chain tool - something like this:

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-m ... 78494.html

Video of how to use one here:
https://youtu.be/cN8zV-Ucsw4?si=zoEjNmn2NTY9yr_-
by rareposter
18 Mar 2024, 9:57am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 8 speed chain on 10 speed chainset ?
Replies: 11
Views: 380

Re: 8 speed chain on 10 speed chainset ?

It'll be fine.

It doesn't work the other way round though - you can't use a 10sp chain on 8sp chainset/cassette.
by rareposter
17 Mar 2024, 8:21pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Halfords Apollo FS26S
Replies: 36
Views: 2320

Re: Halfords Apollo FS26S

mcluskc wrote: 17 Mar 2024, 6:44pm Can someone help me determine which chain I should buy.

The chain on the bike has 116 links
Stamped on the chain is 'KMC Narrow'
The rear gears are 7 speed
The front gears are 3 speed

I've been looking online, and I can find 116 links & 10 speed easy enough; but it's very confusing when the description says stuff like: "Only suitable for Shimano ....blah...blah...blah".
This would do the job fine:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kmc-5-8-s ... -p-X699035

Anything saying 7 speed basically. 114 or 116 links is pretty standard (and most bikes require the chain shortening by a few links anyway).
by rareposter
17 Mar 2024, 8:37am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike recommendation or considerations
Replies: 35
Views: 819

Re: Bike recommendation or considerations

TheWho wrote: 17 Mar 2024, 8:19am
Nearholmer wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 11:36pm Review of it here https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/revie ... l%20winner.

Although it’s worth checking that components haven’t been downgraded since then, because that has happened to a fair few bikes since the pandemic to maintain price under cost pressures.
Ah, thanks for this. Yes, it seems to have been downgraded to a 70Nm motor, but that's the only change i can see on the written spec. Will limit the support i get and the graidient i can approach? I'm probably around 65kg.
My e-cargo bike isn't much more than that (85Nm) and that's plenty to propel a fully loaded e-cargo up anything. I've had nearly 200kg all up weight on it and it's been fine.

70Nm for a regular MTB and a 65kg rider will be no problem.
by rareposter
17 Mar 2024, 8:06am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike recommendation or considerations
Replies: 35
Views: 819

Re: Bike recommendation or considerations

TheWho wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 11:35am My naive research lead me to think a fat electric mountain bike might be just the thing, but they seem very heavy?
Fat bikes (generally, bikes with 4" + tyres) are hilarious to ride but they're not exactly necessary for day to day off road if the sort you describe. They're great in sand and snow but you need lots of sand or lots of snow to make them worthwhile.

A regular MTB would do everything that you describe and be easier to live with on a day to day basis.

Equally a "gravel bike" may well meet at least 95% of your requirements too. Note that gravel bike is a fairly broad term that can be used to cover hybrids, and "slightly beefed up road bikes" at one end of the spectrum through to "nearly a mountain bike " at the other.

The bikes you linked to look like sort of poor quality direct Chinese imports and I'm not sure they're all UK legal either.

First thing - set your budget.

Secondly, decide on e-bike or regular. There's nothing wrong with e-bikes at all, they're brilliant enablers and especially for people coming back from health issues who may lack strength to pedal regular bikes far. Ideally, if you've not ridden one before, try and get a test ride, even if it's only one of those Lime hire bikes you see in some cities.

Having decided on the "e-bike or not?" part of it, look for reputable dealers and shops, ideally UK based. There are a couple of e-bike magazines and websites/review sites now so try something like https://www.cyclingelectric.com/ for a run down of reputable brands. Be aware that for anything of decent quality, you'll be pushing the limits of your £1500 budget.

As already mentioned, Decathlon is worth a look - some of their mid range stuff is really very good indeed, excellent value for money and often getting good reviews. That £1700 Rockrider you linked to looks fine.
by rareposter
16 Mar 2024, 1:32pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike recommendation or considerations
Replies: 35
Views: 819

Re: Bike recommendation or considerations

Jdsk wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 1:26pm
TheWho wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 1:12pm
rareposter wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 11:44am What's your budget?
Probably about £1,000 but ideally less!
One of the many things that I’ve learnt from this forum is that at that price you shouldn’t buy a new bike with suspension.

Jonathan
And I think you'll struggle to get an e-bike (especially anything half decent) for that amount as well.
by rareposter
14 Mar 2024, 10:43am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Wheel Advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 543

Re: Wheel Advice needed

Cyclothesist wrote: 14 Mar 2024, 10:34am I have done it. I used a Shimano 6 bolt to centre lock adapter with a 6 bolt rotor and the 6 bolt shims on the adapter.
Point taken but the OP has already bought a centre lock rotor which is what I was referring to.
by rareposter
14 Mar 2024, 9:29am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycle Retail In Meltdown.
Replies: 181
Views: 23035

Re: Cycle Retail In Meltdown.

pliptrot wrote: 14 Mar 2024, 9:07am If anyone can explain how a bicycle made in Taiwan is worth 10,000 quid I'd love to hear it.
Taiwan is the world centre of the bike trade. It's incredibly high tech, there's been unbelievable investment in factories, production facilities, staff, training and so on.

In fact it got so expensive and so competitive that Taiwan itself started off-shoring production facilities to Vietnam, Malaysia and so on.

"Made in Taiwan" was seen as a bit of a cheapskate label 30-odd years ago. Now it's a mark of absolute top quality. You'd struggle to build a complete bike without at least some involvement from Taiwan, that's how deeply rooted they are in the industry.
by rareposter
14 Mar 2024, 8:50am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Wheel Advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 543

Re: Wheel Advice needed

531colin wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 9:07pm Shim the disc so you don't need to move the caliper when you swap wheels?
Can't, it's a centre lock rotor. You can do it (to varying degrees of success) with a 6-bolt but not a centre lock.
by rareposter
13 Mar 2024, 6:11pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tourer for gentle off-roading?
Replies: 136
Views: 5550

Re: Tourer for gentle off-roading?

Carlton green wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 6:02pm We haven’t seen the OP for a few days and I hope that he hasn’t been scared off by the intensity of discussion here.
I was wondering that too.
It's far from the first time that a fairly straightforward question has ended up in detailed theoretical discussion on esoteric aspects of bike design... :roll:
by rareposter
13 Mar 2024, 4:30pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tourer for gentle off-roading?
Replies: 136
Views: 5550

Re: Tourer for gentle off-roading?

oaklec wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 4:25pm
jimlews wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 12:28pm
I wouldn't use that in UK offroad conditions. There just isn't enough mud clearance, let alone mudguard clearance.
There is perhaps 5mm under the fork crown. The whole thing would become completely clagged up within 100yds
on a typical UK bridalpath.
Good spot, I assumed Sonder offered a choice of wheel size, 700c or 650b as they do in their Camino range but it appears that they do not, though I guess asking nicely might persuade them to fit some as part of the sale.
They do.
It'll take 700 x 37c or 650 x 47c with space for mudguards.

A friend uses one as his commuter on gravel (towpath / old railway lines) terrain. It's never once clogged up. I'd assume from the OP's thread title of gentle off-road that there are no plans for hub deep muddy bridleways or extreme terrain...
by rareposter
13 Mar 2024, 3:15pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Wheel Advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 543

Re: Wheel Advice needed

psheraton wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 2:16pm I plan to get tubeless, the current cassette is Shimano 105, 11x34, he mentioned the chain length but not the " needing to readjust the calliper every time you swap wheels" so this is good to know.
I mentioned it as a potential issue. Obviously all hubs are the same width between the dropouts but they can vary a bit in the rest of it - width of hubshell, exactly how far out the rotor attachment point sits and so on. Only by a few mm but a rotor sits very tight within a brake caliper, there's really only about 1.5mm clearance each side of the pads so if the rotor on one wheel is 5mm further inboard / outboard than the rotor on the second wheel, it will be something that needs adjusting each time the wheels are changed.

It's only a case of loosening off the two bolts that hold the caliper, putting the wheel in, squeezing the brake on, re-tightening the bolts and then letting go of the brake, That sort of self-centres everything.

You'd have the same on a rim braked bike if you took out a wheel that measured 22mm external width and replaced it with a wheel that measured 26mm external width (for example).