Search found 798 matches

by Des49
21 Feb 2023, 9:25pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Family cycling in Brittany
Replies: 36
Views: 1870

Re: Family cycling in Brittany

simonineaston wrote: 10 Feb 2023, 5:20pm Brittany is a favourite destination for many cycle tourists and for lots of good reasons. Thousands of miles of relatively empty country roads and lanes, lovely countryside, both near the sea and inland, plenty of options with respect to accomodation (although subject to season) and lots of ways to enjoy good food, too. When I first stared visiting the place, I learnt a lot from reading the info on the website linked below. The author is registered as a member of this forum too.
https://www.bretonbikes.com
I certainly think BretonBikes own campsite at Gouarec is a perfect base for a family cycling holiday. Have visited it 2 or 3 times with one of my daughters, wish we had known about it when the children were much younger.
The voies verte and canal are lovely for cycling, we have arrived there starting from St. Malo. Only thing is the canal paths did get very gritty the one time we had a good bit of rain.
by Des49
30 Mar 2022, 9:27pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Removing a seized fixed cup on a BB: your favourite method
Replies: 20
Views: 1459

Re: Removing a seized fixed cup on a BB: your favourite method

On the attached pic for square taper BBs I use the fixed cup spanner at the top together with the metal pipe which has a flattened end to slide over the spanner.

Once the adjustable cup and spindle are out the spanner is held tightly in place by the long bolt with a piece of metal flat bar and wood that are large enough to cover the BB ends fully. These stop the spanner slipping off and the wood protects the frame paint on the opposite side to the fixed cup.
Often I have had to put a foot onto the end of the bar as a lot of force can be required. But with a long lever like this is it all nicely under control.
In my view it is really important to clamp the spanner to the cup like this, the forces can be high and the spanner and cup flats are thin.
May be worth also padding the chainstay just in case something slips or rubs.

Can be used on a frame only or assembled bike. Just remember that for an english threaded BB the fixed cup is left handed.

(Ignore the adj spanner and tool/bolt in the bottom left corner, these are for the more modern BB without a fixed cup).
by Des49
21 Mar 2022, 6:32am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)
Replies: 15
Views: 1304

Re: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)

Your link gives me over £100 per night too. Maybe I am out of touch, but this is pricey to me. Bristol seems a busy place and demand appears high.

I did get the single night stay in Havant at £43 which was reasonable, especially as I was paying this night myself.
by Des49
20 Mar 2022, 10:38pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)
Replies: 15
Views: 1304

Re: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)

Just wanted to mention that on my recent trip I had no issues getting my bike into the Travelodge in Bristol, even had a nice chat about cycling with the guy at the check in. I did spend a little while cleaning any muck off my bike before I went in, it was a dry ride but some roads were a bit muddy. The bike was a very tight fit in their lift.
I was surprised just how tough some of the hills I encountered between Radstock and Bristol were, I generally enjoy hills but these at the end of a long day with a good load were testing!

Also spent one night in the Premier Inn in Havant, Portsmouth. No questions about my bike either, a larger lift too. A cheaper rate by being this far out, but an 11 mile ride to the ferry terminal is ok and a 6am start also gave reasonably quiet roads.
by Des49
5 Feb 2022, 10:56am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)
Replies: 15
Views: 1304

Re: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)

Thanks Simon that's interesting, I have already booked a Travelodge more in the centre (hopefully I can put my bike in the room). Normally I would get the Arnos Manor Hotel booked for me, but not available this time.
I know Bristol is a very busy place but I am surprised how much accommodation seems to be.
by Des49
5 Feb 2022, 10:01am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)
Replies: 15
Views: 1304

Re: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)

Thanks for the suggestion of the YHA, didn't know that was an option. Looks a good place, but currently no dorms due to Covid and £79 per night. Might be worth looking at this option in the future if they have secure bike facilities.

Last YHA I stayed at was in Portland, but I think that is another one that has since closed.

Bristol seems to rate poorly for cycle theft, but I suppose this applies to most places nowadays. Better remember the U-lock even though it is a pain to carry around.
by Des49
1 Feb 2022, 10:58pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)
Replies: 15
Views: 1304

Re: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)

Thank you mjr and Bmblbzzz for your replies and recommendations.

I did not know cycle.travel had the accommodation indicators on it, haven't needed to use it for a while. A useful addition.

In the end I have booked the Travel Lodge, Bristol Central Mitchell Lane. Basic non refundable fee £180 for 2 nights.
Hope I have no problems getting my bike in.

I was surprised how expensive the Premier Inns were, £280! The Holiday Inn was £202.

Now I better do some cycling in preparation, I am in poor current shape to do the 100 mile each way journey.
by Des49
1 Feb 2022, 3:36pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)
Replies: 15
Views: 1304

Bristol - Bike friendly accommodation (south east area)

Hi,

I need to stay in Bristol for a couple of days mid March. This is for the area around Paintworks in SE Bristol, ideally staying very close to the area to walk in would be helpful. I am nervous leaving my bike anywhere outside and would like to be allowed to keep my bike in my room.

Does anyone know anywhere in the area that is well disposed to bikes in rooms around this area?

I am not familiar with the area having done this only once before to Bristol before the pandemic, staying in the Arnos Manor Hotel previously and was allowed to carry my bike upstairs (they weren't really happy but accepted it), this hotel is block booked by a large company this time.

I will be cycling up from Portsmouth harbour for a couple of days voluntary work and then back again overnight after my business is completed, so will have to keep my bike locked outside during work hours on my last day. But at least wish to keep the bike in my hotel room for the other 2 days/nights I am in Bristol.

Any suggestions welcome please. Budget covered is up to £80 per night on expenses.

Thank you.
by Des49
12 Jan 2022, 9:41pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Need advice about new bike frame defect
Replies: 14
Views: 733

Re: Need advise about new bike frame defect

Small holes in an Al frame, I would reject the frame for sure.
May not give an issue soon, but could be a source of fatigue cracks in later life. Especially if aided by a bit of corrosion.

Many years ago I broke a 2nd hand Specialized Stumpjumper frame, the LBS was excellent and got a new Rockhopper frame for me as a replacement! I was more than happy but suspected it was a second as the frame had a couple of tiny holes in a weld, it lasted longer than I thought but within a couple of years the frame did fatigue there. I did not ask for another replacement!

I would worry your frame will fail long term when you are not able to make any further claim.

If they have said they will replace in 3 months, not long to wait and can you use the bike until then?
by Des49
10 Jan 2022, 2:36pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: SPDs = cold feet in winter?
Replies: 86
Views: 4316

Re: SPDs = cold feet in winter?

I do think that having big metal blocks attached to the soles of the shoes makes a difference. I notice this when I sometimes cycle in my wellies on top of spd pedals. Not for long rides, but just for short local trips where I need to have wellies and don't have room to pack another pair of shoes or it is inconvenient.

I can feel the cold spot of the pedals for sure.

Overshoes etc can help, but if it gets really cold I have cycled in hiking boots, even changing to flat pedals for this.
Never tried some of the spd winter type shoes/boots available. I do not live in an area that gets very cold for a long time.
by Des49
28 Dec 2021, 9:32am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: RVLR - building my own lights…
Replies: 25
Views: 1301

Re: RVLR - building my own lights…

jb wrote: 28 Dec 2021, 12:10am Interesting set up, However I've seen some car indicators do something similar & I don't think they're particularly effective at indicating your intensions. For one thing they can be a little hypnotic - whilst your brain is trying to work out what its looking at the moment has passed.
I think there needs to be a clear separation between the turning light and the pedaling light.
Impressive, but the thoughts above are along my lines too.

Confusing and unclear. I got overtaken by a car recently (way too close, a slowing car in front of me already and approaching a junction!), it was already on the brakes as it overtook and indicating. There were so many lights on and the indicator was one of these strip patterns that lit progressively from one end to another. I did not realise the indicator was on until a good few moments had elapsed and this made me brake hard a bit late as the car almost stopped as it turned into a side road.

Similarly I find indicators now seem to hide on many cars when the brake lights are on at the same time, or if the indicators are these complex patterns or even a rim of lights around a headlight which again masks things until my brain catches up.

This applies to a lot of modern vehicles where it seems the designers are playing around too creatively with led patterns and losing the message. Maybe I am just getting slower at interpreting visual signals too.
by Des49
28 Dec 2021, 9:07am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: No room for mudguards on hybrid
Replies: 32
Views: 1942

Re: No room for mudguards on hybrid

The picture of the fork crown area with tyre on the website you linked to doesn't seem that tight to me (but the perspective may be odd or different tyre as you only measured 10mm whereas it looks more on the pic).
I would certainly try and fit a set of SKS chromoplastic guards that I am familiar with under that gap.

The Portland guards I do not know but looking at them they seem to have a fairly flat central area profile, the more rounded SKS shape may sit higher.

Though often all mudguards need a good bit of fettling to fit nicely, possibly some bending under the bridge.

You have a decent looking bike for commuting there, I would try a cheaper set of plastic guards to start. Whereas the Portland ones appear to be premium guards the SKS are good, rigid with the 2 sets of stays per guard, resist damage/knocks and last well. Just add your own longer mudflaps and consider remounting the front stay top bracket on the outside of the guard if you find drips from the bracket end up on your feet.
by Des49
29 Nov 2021, 2:20pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Home spraying - masking head tube
Replies: 19
Views: 1527

Re: Home spraying - masking head tube

I'm very impressed by what AndyA and peetee have achieved with masking tape! Well done.

As an alternative to masking tape there is masking fluid which is available for painters/artists. I used to use it in the darkroom for black and white printing where it was painted onto a print to selectively tone areas differently.
No experience of what is available nowadays but the one I used was quite thick and easy to apply accurately with a brush. Then afterwards it can be easily removed by peeling off. This could be an alternative to tape to mask off lugs accurately for spraying.
by Des49
26 Nov 2021, 5:37pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Chainring wear and tear on my brand new bike?
Replies: 31
Views: 2036

Re: Chainring wear and tear on my brand new bike?

Are the rings steel or aluminium? A magnet should soon let you know.
They do look a bit pointed but if steel I would think unlikely to be worn in that time unless you have done loads of gritty off road work.

I did wear out some aluminium chainrings in a couple of rides years ago so it can be done. Collected my brand new Roberts White Spider from Croydon and rode it to stay with someone near Winchester on road. The next day went for a long ride in the rain on the downs and got chain suck badly with the chain gouging loads of paint off my brand new bike! The chain rings were so badly worn already, Suntour Compact rubbish. Soon swapped it all for Shimano XT.
by Des49
4 Nov 2021, 10:12am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bearings on old SON dynamo
Replies: 7
Views: 521

Re: Bearings on old SON dynamo

geomannie wrote: 3 Nov 2021, 7:55pm Last year I acquired an old (15-20 years?) virtually unused old-style SON dynamo. The nights are drawing in & I am now putting to use.

After all this time just sitting around I worry that the bearing grease will be old & dry but according to SON "bearings are sealed on both sides; they are lifetime-lubricated grooved ball bearings. Normally they run maintenance-free for many 10 thousands of kilometers and need neither lubrication nor adjustment.". All the same I worry that after a couple of decades it might be a bit unlubricated in there. Should I leave well alone & just ride? It seems wrong.

Thanks for your thoughts.
I have had to have one of the older hub design sent away for maintenance, which is a pain and expensive as I had to add in carriage. However while I am not sure of the exact mileage it was used a lot and possibly a few tens of 1000s of miles. The need for maintenance was obvious as the hub developed side to side play and a rattle, but continued use for a while without problem.

I certainly do not have the skills like robc02 (thanks for that post robc02 I hadn't seen it before) to tackle self maintenance, and if I had your hub would just go ahead and use it and then have it maintained if and when necessary.

SON's advice is interesting as it only indicates likely distance of use rather than age, I have at least one other SON hub around 15+ yrs old that is less used and shows no signs of needing maintenance yet.