Search found 574 matches

by Eyebrox
25 Mar 2024, 2:05pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Newton Stewart Sustrans route 7 Surface question
Replies: 2
Views: 291

Re: Newton Stewart Sustrans route 7 Surface question

The surface is well-established compounded quarry stone for much of the route. Dry and dusty on hot days and wide enough for a lorry. A family car could be driven along the route. Please note that the cafe at Clatteringshaws has recently closed.
by Eyebrox
1 Mar 2024, 1:08pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Where can I get a cleaning brush
Replies: 27
Views: 1380

Re: Where can I get a cleaning brush

I use this brush. Halfords do an interior version and an exterior version. The interior one has softer bristles but is firm enough to clean up cassettes and mechs.
The brushes unfortunately have doubled in price since I last bought them a couple of years ago.
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by Eyebrox
29 Feb 2024, 1:13pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Shimano 11 speed cassettes
Replies: 8
Views: 719

Re: Shimano 11 speed cassettes

The biggest three cogs are riveted together so can't easily be separated. The attached diagram shows the options for 11 speed cassettes and where the riveted trio reaches down the range.
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by Eyebrox
21 Feb 2024, 9:11am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Headset cap for Carrera Subway 2011-12
Replies: 7
Views: 504

Re: Headset cap for Carrera Subway 2011-12

Halfords stock generic stem caps with bolt. £3.50. Check the sizing against Carrera bikes when you're there, if necessary. 99% of them fit.
by Eyebrox
9 Jan 2024, 2:34pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: You can Go Outdoors now
Replies: 15
Views: 1574

Re: Don't Go Outdoors

Go Outdoors is part of JD Sports, a company which makes £1 billion in profit every year from 1,300 shops and is the world's biggest earning sports and outdoor retailer. Not bad from a single store family business in England 40 odd years ago. Their success has been due in a big way, paradoxically, to the trading model adopted by their biggest rival Sports Direct. Mike Ashley, SD owner, bought stock at clearance prices, piled them high and sold them cheaply. JD Sports did the opposite. Signed selective stock deals, some of them exclusive, with the mega manufacturers and sold restricted quantities from bright, contemporary stores at premium prices. The two businesses are like chalk and cheese but trading merrily in their own established marketplaces. JD is continuing to grow and have planned to open 200 new stores this year. Ashley's team has introduced a new "we won't be beaten on price" scheme on bicycle items across his chain of stores, including Evans, House of Fraser as well as Sports Direct. Clearly the two companies will fight it out with totally different offerings but it does appear there's room for both.
by Eyebrox
3 Jan 2024, 9:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Android phone screen and rain drops
Replies: 9
Views: 689

Re: Android phone screen and rain drops

Android phones have a lock screen feature in their settings. Check for "lock screen" under the security section. You generally have three or four ways of locking the screen and these will be itemised and explained. I'm not sure when this feature was added to the Android platform. You may not have it if the phone precedes this.
by Eyebrox
15 Dec 2023, 2:52pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Ceramic vs Sintered pads
Replies: 9
Views: 1613

Re: Ceramic vs Sintered pads

Nearholmer wrote: 15 Dec 2023, 1:32pm
As to organic pads, the only advantage that I found was that they don’t need to be bedded in; the much more significant disadvantage was that they wore out very quickly, so no more of them!
I work in a bike shop and have experimented with all brands of brake pad on road and mountain bikes. The responses here are spot on. Sintered pads are tough and wear well but with a lot of noise when wet. Organic are cheaper, softer and are more effective, especially after a brief bedding in session, but don't last. Noises are minimal in dry and wet. Semi-sintered offer something in between the two versions.
The decision I've made is to go for organic and enjoy the peace of silent braking. I think the cost balances out. Organic are half or a third the price but you use two or three times as many as sintered. As some have said, sintered may be the answer if you're knocking hell out the brakes on a mountain descent.
by Eyebrox
5 Dec 2023, 5:11pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 9 speed quick link safe with 8 speed chain?
Replies: 16
Views: 1239

Re: 9 speed quick link safe with 8 speed chain?

They're 59 pence on Wiggle. No brainer if you have already paid their one-off annual delivery charge.
by Eyebrox
26 Nov 2023, 9:13pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cannondale Optima 1
Replies: 11
Views: 775

Re: Cannondale Optima 1

I don't see any mounting holes on the fork or the seatstays.
In my opinion the fancier the fitting at the points where the guards squeeze through the frame at the braking points, the less chance of a successful job. You will need to check out if there's a hole at each of the bridges to attach a guard, preferably threaded ones. I have doubts about this if the bike itself doesn't have holes elsewhere for mudguard struts. Hard to see on promotional pictures.
by Eyebrox
26 Nov 2023, 7:48pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cannondale Optima 1
Replies: 11
Views: 775

Re: Cannondale Optima 1

The Optimo 1 does indeed look well-speced for the money, with admittedly a few money-saving components in the mix. The Raceblades are excellent and SKS offer extra bits and pieces in the pack of fittings. SJS have additional fittings if you need them. It is difficult to pair a bike up with a mudguard set until you've had a go at setting it all up. I have asked manufacturers, distributors and retailers for advice on suitable mudguards for specific bikes and they tend to offer advice only with much use of the word "should" in their responses. I install a lot of mudguards and rely on patience and precise planning to achieve a good fit. My Dremel is a necessity as is a big container of brackets, bolts and rubber washers from past jobs. It takes time and a lot of thought but the finished product, keeping the rider dry and protected (and no rattles!!) is so worthwhile. Best of luck.
by Eyebrox
25 Nov 2023, 11:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Q Bell For Road Bike?
Replies: 20
Views: 1312

Re: Q Bell For Road Bike?

My bell fits better on the stem and is as reachable as it was near the centre of the bars. This one from The Range (Halfords has similar) is cheap, loud and attaches via a strong rubber band.
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by Eyebrox
19 Nov 2023, 8:13pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Best light on seat stay
Replies: 85
Views: 5459

Re: Rest light on seat stay

The Cateye Viz lights numbered 100 to 450, based on lumens and costing from £16 to £39 come with the SP-15 bracket which allows for fitting to a wide range of seat stays, including fine aero stays.
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by Eyebrox
19 Nov 2023, 8:03pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: relocation conundrum
Replies: 14
Views: 1846

Re: relocation conundrum

Three hours each way by train. Book the bike to travel in the "guard's van" ie as a parcel.
by Eyebrox
18 Nov 2023, 2:19am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Only One Kidney
Replies: 17
Views: 2619

Re: Only One Kidney

I'm 67. Had a kidney removed nine years ago for the very same reason as you. I was not given any advice against cycling. In fact I was praised for it, told by the doctors that cycling was the reason I made such a quick recovery. I still cycle 100 miles a week, even more in the summer. I work part time in a bike shop. I am secretary of our local cycling club and a committee member of a cycling development group for young people. I don't know what I'd do without cycling. I've never thought about an accident or a fall comprising my remaining kidney. I can't give advice because I'm not qualified to but my experience might be useful in determining how you handle your own situation. Best of luck and best of health from here on in friend.
by Eyebrox
20 Oct 2023, 8:03pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Brake pad squealing
Replies: 60
Views: 7765

Re: Brake pad squealing

Push a screwdriver or a Magnum ice lolly stick between the grip and the handlebar, leaving a space for you to spray in some hairspray. Leave it for a few hours and the grip will stick and stay put.