Search found 1355 matches

by robing
24 Mar 2024, 4:15pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best tyres for touring
Replies: 27
Views: 1028

Re: Best tyres for touring

pjclinch wrote: 24 Mar 2024, 2:21pm
robing wrote: 24 Mar 2024, 2:17pm
pjclinch wrote: 24 Mar 2024, 2:16pm

No such thing as "best" without a heavy dose of context...

I use "normal" Marathons and punctures are sufficiently rare that I've never felt the need to go to the plus, which are not only heavier but have higher rolling resistance.

For, say, winter commuting on wet, glass strewn streets I can see a niche for the Plus but the standard model remains a popular touring workhorse that doesn't need fixed as it ain't broke.
Well I used to get a lot of punctures on the standard marathons.
When? They have changed a few times over the 20+ years I've been using them.

My experience with the older ones was once you got to a certain level of wear they'd puncture relatively easily, so that's time to change the tyre. But current ones ("Greenguard" IIRC) either don't do that or Mine aren't worn enough yet.

Pete.
I toured extensively from 2012-19 in the UK, Ireland and Europe. I used both the Kevlar guard Marathons and the Greenguard that superceded them, and changed them regularly.
by robing
24 Mar 2024, 2:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best tyres for touring
Replies: 27
Views: 1028

Re: Best tyres for touring

pjclinch wrote: 24 Mar 2024, 2:16pm
robing wrote: 24 Mar 2024, 8:24am Need new tyres for my dawes sg .

Are marathon plus still the best choice?

Or any better options. Puncture proof more important than weight .
No such thing as "best" without a heavy dose of context...

I use "normal" Marathons and punctures are sufficiently rare that I've never felt the need to go to the plus, which are not only heavier but have higher rolling resistance.

For, say, winter commuting on wet, glass strewn streets I can see a niche for the Plus but the standard model remains a popular touring workhorse that doesn't need fixed as it ain't broke.

Pete
Well I used to get a lot of punctures on the standard marathons.
by robing
24 Mar 2024, 12:48pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best tyres for touring
Replies: 27
Views: 1028

Re: Best tyres for touring

700c prev 32mm but tempted to go 35. Fully loaded touring 4 panniers and tent. But travel fairly light usually carry less than 20kg altogether . Road and good cycle tracks so not off road.
by robing
24 Mar 2024, 11:54am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best tyres for touring
Replies: 27
Views: 1028

Re: Best tyres for touring

rualexander wrote: 24 Mar 2024, 9:27am Marathon Plus have never been the best choice.
Punctures are not really an issue touring, you're unlucky if you get one in 1000 miles
Marathon Supreme have been my touring tyres of choice over the past decade or so.
They seem to be quite a popular choice. I got a lot of punctures with plain marathons so would be keen to try something better.
by robing
24 Mar 2024, 11:52am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best tyres for touring
Replies: 27
Views: 1028

Re: Best tyres for touring

MrsHJ wrote: 24 Mar 2024, 9:19am I have continental contact plus. No punctures so far over a few years and many miles of touring (all though most of my mileage is touring so it’s going to be a few thousand miles) on varied surfaces from the USA to Italy including a lot of unsealed surfaces. My longest time ever puncture free (only puncture was on my other bike which has different tyres!).
So they have been astonishingly good and confidence inspiring. Am going to replace like for like this year. Are you tempted to go tubeless? I’m not atm- I’m not looking for the speed gains and as my current tyres have all the no puncture characteristics I want I’m happy with my current approach.
Thanks, I'll check them out. I had the plain marathons on it before but used to get quite a lot of punctures. I've got one marathon plus on my hybrid bike and no punctures so far .

I like continental gator skins on my road bikes . No plans for tubeless .
by robing
24 Mar 2024, 8:24am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best tyres for touring
Replies: 27
Views: 1028

Best tyres for touring

Need new tyres for my dawes sg .

Are marathon plus still the best choice?

Or any better options. Puncture proof more important than weight .
by robing
6 Mar 2024, 6:12pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
Replies: 36
Views: 2452

Re: Hub/Freewheel problem

robing wrote: 6 Mar 2024, 5:47pm update - the wheel is spinning freely now, but the rear disc brake is impinging.
I'm a bit of novice re disc brakes - is it easy to adjust/centre a cable disc brake?
I think I've sorted it - slackened off then reapplied cable tension but not too tight;
then loosed both mounting bolts for the brakes and applied brake, then tightened bolts.
This should recentre the discs?

is that about right or any other tips?
by robing
6 Mar 2024, 5:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
Replies: 36
Views: 2452

Re: Hub/Freewheel problem

update - the wheel is spinning freely now, but the rear disc brake is impinging.
I'm a bit of novice re disc brakes - is it easy to adjust/centre a cable disc brake?
by robing
3 Feb 2024, 9:22pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Default 20mph for Wales
Replies: 574
Views: 574058

Re: Default 20mph for Wales

Where I live I would say > 90% of drivers don't comply with the 20 mph limit.
by robing
2 Feb 2024, 6:25pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
Replies: 36
Views: 2452

Re: Hub/Freewheel problem

Thanks for the advice. I should have gone back to the original retailer in the first instance.
by robing
2 Feb 2024, 2:30pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
Replies: 36
Views: 2452

Hub/Freewheel problem

I've been having a lot of problems with my bike, which I purchased from a well-known chain bike retailer almost 2 years ago. It's a Schwinn hybrid, slightly unusual make as it was one they got in during the pandemic.

The rear hub was faulty and had some side to side movement which was putting the gears out and making the wheel go out of true. I've been to 2 LBS and the solution was to replace the wheel (and hub). It was tricky to find the correct wheel as it's a freewheel (ie threads on) rather than the more common freehub which slots on.

What I have found since (and TBH was a bit like this before) is the wheel just doesn't spin as freely as it should. So there is more friction in the system making it harder work to cycle. Particularly when compared with my other bikes when the rear wheel just spins effortlessly - even my 30 year old MTB!

I probably should have taken it back to the store where I got it from. It's nearly 2 years old, but I don't think it should have had all these problems. I don't know what my rights are now, but feel it's not fit for purpose. TBH I'm getting to the point where I feel the bike is a bit of a dud and it's pretty heavy anyway so wonder if they would do part exchange?
by robing
26 Nov 2023, 4:00pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: wheel out of true
Replies: 9
Views: 691

Re: wheel out of true

pwa wrote: 26 Nov 2023, 3:45pm Spokes can sometimes be inclined to undo themselves during use. It isn't usual but it does happen. Tap the spokes with something metal and see if one or more sound less tight than the others on the same side of the wheel.
Thanks, will do. I wasn't impressed with this bike shop as they did a poor job on something else so won't be going back so wondered if they had done a poor job with this.
by robing
26 Nov 2023, 3:43pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: wheel out of true
Replies: 9
Views: 691

wheel out of true

Any ideas why my rear wheel keeps going out of true?

Just regular riding, not hit any significant potholes.

Had it trued at LBS a couple of months ago and now I've noticed its out of true again.

Poor workmanship? Didn't tighten the spokes properly?
by robing
16 Sep 2023, 10:42am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Default 20mph for Wales
Replies: 574
Views: 574058

Re: Default 20mph for Wales

I live in Wales and this is deeply unpopular. I'm not against 20 in most residential areas. But having a blanket 20 on almost all previously 30 roads is stupid. Dual carriageways and bigger main roads should not be 20.

And I don't think it will make the roads safer for cyclists. I would rather have a vehicle pass me safely and at reasonable speed. Traffic at 20 will just clog up the roads and encourage slow 'sticky' passes.

It doesn't address the real issues which is poor standards of driving and close passes etc
by robing
16 Sep 2023, 10:25am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: How to speak Welsh?
Replies: 91
Views: 8274

Re: How to speak Welsh?

I have recently moved to Wales and have been learning Welsh for over a year with the excellent learn Welsh online learning. I did my first year in England on Zoom and am continuing now I am here.

It's not actually that difficult a language once you know the basics. It's phonetic. The mutations and all the different versions of yes/no can be a bit tricky, but there's no need to get hung up on them.

It's also a very beautiful language and very sing songy.

Plus it is an ancient language and predates English. In fact an earlier version of Welsh was spoken throughout England and Wales.

Cymru am byth. Hwyl am a tro!

Not so keen on the rain and the new blanket 20mph speed limit coming tomorrow - but that's another matter!