Search found 1349 matches

by robing
6 Mar 2024, 6:12pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
Replies: 36
Views: 2379

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: 2379

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: 553110

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: 2379

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: 2379

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: 553110

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: 8263

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!
by robing
16 Sep 2023, 10:19am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Be safe or risk injury?
Replies: 136
Views: 11247

Re: Be safe or risk injury?

If you have ever watched any of Jeremy Vine's videos - you will see that his roadcraft is terrible and even though other drivers may be at fault he unnecessarily puts himself in danger. In his latest video a van reversed over his bike! He could have avoided this.
by robing
11 Feb 2023, 11:24am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: QR tightness
Replies: 10
Views: 886

Re: QR tightness

Thanks for the tips :D
by robing
6 Feb 2023, 5:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: QR tightness
Replies: 10
Views: 886

QR tightness

My bike didn't feel right and pedalling was hard work. I realised the problem -
I'd tightened the QR on the rear wheel way too tight and the wheel wasn't spinning freely.
Easy fix! Bike feels fine again.
by robing
23 Dec 2022, 4:44pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Croatia to join Schengen - Jan 1st
Replies: 12
Views: 1368

Re: Croatia to join Schengen - Jan 1st

It's what 'we' voted for. We've ended up with the hardest Brexit despite all the promises. Maybe there was no such thing as a soft Brexit.
by robing
23 Dec 2022, 11:51am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Croatia to join Schengen - Jan 1st
Replies: 12
Views: 1368

Re: Croatia to join Schengen - Jan 1st

Another Brexit benefit :( A longer European tour is now scuppered as Croatia offered a place to go to reset your 90 days. I'm sure Bulgaria and Romania will follow suit and also become part of Schengen.
Some sort of pragmatism needed here - would there be a simple way of getting a 6 month tourist Schengen visa? Even if it cost a bit, would make life so much better for a cycle tourist.
by robing
15 Nov 2022, 3:29pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: EV owners to pay Tax.....
Replies: 98
Views: 4552

Re: EV owners to pay Tax.....

EVs - most of the energy used by the National Grid to charge them still comes from gas.
And with gas in short supply and at a premium, and with petrol prices having come down a bit that is a big disadvantage.