Search found 835 matches

by gxaustin
3 Jan 2024, 3:48pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Deep discounting in January sales?
Replies: 9
Views: 1161

Re: Deep discounting in January sales?

SimonCelsa wrote: 30 Dec 2023, 5:25am It's all about perception.

2 grand for that Vitus e-bike is not cheap. When compared with the supposed RRP of £3700 it may seem like a bargain but I don't think many (if any) would buy that bike at RRP.

You can purchase a decent conversion kit (hub or BB) plus battery for around £700, With a budget of £2K there are many decent bikes you could buy, and fit the conversion kit to and still have change.

Having said that, as long as you are happy with the purchase, and get good use from it, is all that matters really!!
I think it's a good buy for £2k. I know 2 people who've put kits on an existing bike and they weren't a patch on a properly integrated bike. they had batteries where one of the bottle cages would go or needed a rack mounted battery. The add ons weighed about 4kg - a consideration for when they ran out of power, even when used sparingly.
I definitely wouldn't pay much more though.
by gxaustin
2 Dec 2023, 10:25pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: ..if I should ride this frame again?
Replies: 8
Views: 1657

Re: ..if I should ride this frame again?

I would definitely not trust the forks but a bike shop might be able to assess your frame or advise who can.
in a similar crash I used the CUK solicitors and they were excellent.
by gxaustin
2 Dec 2023, 9:18pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: ShImano recall
Replies: 67
Views: 9317

Re: ShImano recall

I had an Ultegra crank fail after about 30,000 miles. I chucked it away and only have a photo. I don't imagine anyone will replace that :lol:
by gxaustin
3 Nov 2023, 9:52pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Being 'Equipped to Free Bikes'
Replies: 18
Views: 4607

Re: Being 'Equipped to Free Bikes'

simonhill wrote: 24 Oct 2023, 1:39am To answer the question, I would think that you put yourself at risk from Police interest if carrying a set of bolt croppers.

You need a good reason/excuse and the risk of someone locking your bike must be low. Obviously this post helps as evidence (convenient ??)and the word of your maintenance team.

Where will you have the offending article? Hidden unde coat. Can't leave on bike. I'd be careful, if nothing else they could be considered an offensive weapon in some circumstances.
The police will be completely disinterested if my son's experience is anything to go by. Anyway, how would they know, even if there was a bobby anywhere? Thieves use bolt croppers with folding handles carried in a rucksack. If approached they just say they lost the key and had to borrow the cutters to free their bike.
by gxaustin
7 Oct 2023, 4:02pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Gravel bike frame size
Replies: 5
Views: 457

Re: Gravel bike frame size

What Colin said above but if you need a bit more lift on drop bars then Specialised sell a riser drop bar that gives an extra 20mm by the look of it. Someone in my club showed me his today. They can be had for under £50.
by gxaustin
7 Oct 2023, 3:58pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping
Replies: 25
Views: 2160

Re: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping

slowster wrote: 6 Oct 2023, 5:55pm Are you using compressionless cable? I think it does make a difference, and more so for the rear brake because the cable is so much longer than for the front brake.
I found that compressionless cable made a worthwhile improvement to my TRP HY RD cable hydraulic brakes.
by gxaustin
23 Sep 2023, 10:03pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: riding pain
Replies: 35
Views: 4875

Re: riding pain

531colin wrote: 18 Sep 2023, 12:34pm
Just to make sure you understand, using a "balance test" to set saddle position isn't something I invented. Generations of cyclists have used similar tests to set their saddle position .....as I didn't invent the process, the resulting saddle position has nothing to do with my arm strength, or weakness.
I don't recall crediting you with the balance test but hey ho. I would like to know why having no pressure on the arms is important to you? And cyclists generally
by gxaustin
17 Sep 2023, 10:16pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 12% lower gears
Replies: 112
Views: 8889

Re: 12% lower gears

Lazybird wrote: 16 Sep 2023, 12:22pm Have been looking into getting lower gears on my 700c road bike to help with hill climbing. Have been advised by a Shimano service centre that I can swap my existing Ultegra 50-34 double for a GRX 46-30 gravel set and new front derailler. Not a cheap solution but one which would achieve about a 12% reduction in the lowest gear. My question is whether that is a substantial difference. Will that make a big difference to me on hills?
I swapped my 105 chainwheel for GRX but was able to use the 105 front derailler 7000 series. It cost about £120. There's a YouTube video on this (of course); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rQQjCEkbPU beware though, you will need to lower your front mech and if it's braze on it may not be possible to get it as close as you'd like and gear changing will be sub optimal. The GRX 600 is 30/46 and the 810 is 31/48 (which may work better).
The GRX 600 is a bit heavy but I swapped the non drive side crank for an Ultegra item and saved 50 grams.
I like it and find the lower gear useful.
by gxaustin
17 Sep 2023, 9:33pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Hacked e-bikes
Replies: 24
Views: 2753

Re: Hacked e-bikes

There was a prog on the tele where a chap rode an E bike, a derestricted "e bike" and a full on electric motorbike masquerading as a bike. He also drove scooters. He found the high powered Motorbike rather scary.
It wuld be nice if the TV news and papers didn't refer to illegal e motorbikes as E bikes.
by gxaustin
16 Sep 2023, 10:01pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: CTC Polythene bike bags
Replies: 13
Views: 1325

Re: CTC Polythene bike bags

Miguel Evans wrote: 4 Sep 2023, 11:17am Does anyone know where I can buy one? I have found these the best way to fly with my bike but can't source a new one.
diolch/thanks
I've heard of these bags but would be scared to death to put a bike in one in an aeroplane. Having watched as a plane was unloaded my confidence hasn't increased. How often and how recently have you used one, please? It would certainly be lighter.
by gxaustin
16 Sep 2023, 6:34pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cracking noise when pedalling
Replies: 23
Views: 4658

Re: Cracking noise when pedalling

I had a cracking/creaking noise I couldn't place - it eventually revealed itself as the bonded halves of an Ultegra driveside crank coming apart. Luckily a fellow rider had a sturdy cable tie which held it together long enough to get home (30 miles). I believe it happens with Dura Ace cranks too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TENAyaOi9DE
by gxaustin
16 Sep 2023, 6:13pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: riding pain
Replies: 35
Views: 4875

Re: riding pain

531colin wrote: 25 Aug 2023, 8:17am I can’t learn anything if you won’t even enter a discussion.
Paulatic’s contribution to this thread was new to me, and it appears that Paulatic and me ride with very little weight on our hands, which might be relevant as the original question on this thread was about hand pain.
I’m guessing that you ride with more weight on your hands than I do, so what would your advice be?
Honestly, Colin there's nothing to learn from me. I'm 71, cycle about 8,000 miles a year and do some 200km rides. Most of my rides are about 100km.
My bike position is dictated by what is available, with the exception of my steel bespoke frame. I don't like flat bars; I like drops.
I have some weight on my hands/arms but not that much. I have weight on my arms when using Nordic poles when walking. Standing up on the pedals puts weight on the arms. Why do the arms have to be non weight bearing anyway? Maybe yours are weak and mine can take a bit of weight?
You are very knowledgeable and speak a lot of sense, which I respect, but come over to me as a wee bit prescriptive.
So how about we leave it there?
by gxaustin
16 Sep 2023, 4:55pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cable operated disc brakes
Replies: 21
Views: 1437

Re: Cable operated disc brakes

maximus meridius wrote: 1 Sep 2023, 9:24am
gxaustin wrote: 31 Aug 2023, 9:07pm I used TRP cable hydraulic brakes. They were not quite as good as full hydraulic, mainly in terms of modulation. A good upgrade was the fitting of compressionless brake cable outers which made the brake lever much firmer.
It means that you can use a cable groupset on a disc bike too.
Are they these please? https://trpcycling.com/product/hy-rd/
Sorry for delay. Yes they are.
by gxaustin
31 Aug 2023, 9:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cable operated disc brakes
Replies: 21
Views: 1437

Re: Cable operated disc brakes

I used TRP cable hydraulic brakes. They were not quite as good as full hydraulic, mainly in terms of modulation. A good upgrade was the fitting of compressionless brake cable outers which made the brake lever much firmer.
It means that you can use a cable groupset on a disc bike too.
by gxaustin
30 Aug 2023, 8:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New (secondhand) bike time
Replies: 15
Views: 858

Re: New (secondhand) bike time

531colin wrote: 30 Aug 2023, 8:01am I think I would go for through axle if buying a disc brake frame, although I don’t have any direct experience!
I'd agree. I was sceptical about through axles at first but I do find that its easier to fit disc equipped wheels with through axles than with quick releases.