Search found 44 matches

by truckturner
27 Mar 2019, 1:27pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Decathlon mail order
Replies: 15
Views: 8365

Re: Decathlon mail order

Ordered a Dynamo wheel last week. When I went to check out delivery the local store was 03/04/2019 or home 02/04/2019. They gave this information at the checkout before I ordered it. It is arriving tomorrow by DPD who have informed me of the time. Sure its a long wait about 8 days in total against the original 14 and I would like it quicker but this is not an item stocked in store and probably comes from a French depot. However I have just bought a £30 Shimano dynamo wheel for my going to the shop bike and at that price I don't mind the wait. let you know how I get on o this index with the wheel Cheers Peter
by truckturner
27 Mar 2019, 1:07pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Spa Cycles (Harrogate)
Replies: 691
Views: 388540

Re: Spa Cycles (Harrogate)

Just bought a dynamo wheel. Great advice, unbeatable price wheel is perfect cheers
by truckturner
10 Mar 2019, 11:19am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Can you recommend all steel 700c disc brake big clearance frame?
Replies: 75
Views: 7131

Re: Can you recommend all steel 700c disc brake big clearance frame?

I would be interested in your build spec when complete cheers
by truckturner
9 Mar 2019, 4:55pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Can you recommend all steel 700c disc brake big clearance frame?
Replies: 75
Views: 7131

Re: Can you recommend all steel 700c disc brake big clearance frame?

I originally bought the stock bike mostly due to a ex demo deal however I did not like the drive train the bar ends don't work well compared to Shimano, I could live with the wheels and brakes and finishing kit though. Def go for custom build the frame deserves it cheers Peter
by truckturner
9 Mar 2019, 11:22am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Can you recommend all steel 700c disc brake big clearance frame?
Replies: 75
Views: 7131

Re: Can you recommend all steel 700c disc brake big clearance frame?

If helps I see a few people have mentioned a Genesis Vagabond. I like my Genesis Vagabond one of my better buys. Built it up with 50c and mudguards great for touring compliant and will handle rough stuff. I like it so much I have bought another frame which I am likely to build with top end components and a different drive train. Plan to tour Spain Portugal in April May, and then the Hebridean way/North Coast Cycle Route the rest of the year. Frame is a bit heavy but no heavier than my other tourers usually save weight by not taking stuff I don't need. cheers Peter
by truckturner
19 Feb 2019, 8:05am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Pashley type bikes
Replies: 26
Views: 4118

Re: Pashley type bikes

I borrowed a Pashley Sovereign tourer from my bike shop. Unbelivbly comfortable puts you level with 4x4 windows glides down the road and surprisingly agile. No problem with fit etc just goes on inside leg. To me this is an every day utility bike for decent commutes with your lunch on the pannier and for going to the shop etc. Its also not a target for thieves if you need to leave it. I have a number of touring bikes but I would be happy to use a Sovereign but when I tour I slow the pace of life and enjoy the ride. You really have to ride it to believe it like the op did with the Princess. I ended up buying an Adventure Double Shot for my utility bike mainly on price which is ok but not in the same league. In reply to your question about anyone done any serious touring on a Pashley type bike you might want to look at Hienz Stucke's 3 speed 23 KG roadster that he rode round the world for the best part of 30 years.

Cheers Peter
by truckturner
18 Feb 2019, 6:52pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Velodyssee Roscoff to Nantes - by Brompton??
Replies: 25
Views: 4219

Re: Velodyssee Roscoff to Nantes - by Brompton??

.
MaccPaddler wrote:Thanks for the comments. Nobody has dissuaded us from trying the route on Bromptons.


I have ridden extensively in France and regularly on a Brompton. I am planning a tour of France using the Brompton with the same 20kgs of luggage and full camping kit that I carry on my tourer. I have found the roads/cycle routes in France far better surfaced than English ones and you can always find a D or C road running parallel to the EV or canal track if the going gets that rough and you can catch a bus to avoid if you want. . The reason I use my Brompton is so that I can fly easily with it or put it on Eurostar without hassle. I like to be flexible on tour. Usually after 3 days of riding I don't really notice that much difference compared with my tourer. However I am not looking to break any records and I am never in a hurry averaging less than 35 miles a day and about 12-15kph when touring. 70k would be feasible. Don't let anyone put you off touring on a Brompton plenty of people did this to me. However, it all changed when I bought this book. Look at some of the terrain he has crossed on a heavily loaded Brompton which he used for 9 years.
IMG_8408.JPG
Also try this link

http://www.bromptontraveler.com/2013/10 ... asics.html

There are other links also some on the Brompton site itself.

For credit card touring I get everything in a front bag and for this I prefer Radical Designs C bag. For full touring I use a Carradice waterproof front bag ugly but cheap., A Barley saddlebag reversed on the handlebars a Camper Longflap on the seat and the tent strapped to the rack. A couple of Alpkit food type bags on the handlebars. A popular way is to strap a rucksack to the rear rack but I was never happy with this and if I had £800 I would use a Radical Designs Trailer. I got rid of the standard pedals and use MKS. Standard pedals can be an issue more the fixed pedal, and if you can afford it buy MKS Easy. However they are not big enough for me and I use Lambada's. Removing pedals is only an issue on a plane usually. Take 2 spare tyres and 4 tubes (for 2) and Brake Blocks. A Brompton is the only bike I ever tour on and take spokes also. Get the bike checked or serviced before you go normally the front wheel bearings are like grinding pepper. However they are tough little bikes as witnessed by the abuse dished out by commuters. and as I keep reminding people they are a proper bike and not a toy. Go for it and make sure you visit Breton Bikes at Gourec Geoff is a mine of information and he would be interested in your trip Cheers Peter
by truckturner
8 Feb 2019, 3:04pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Euro Velo 6
Replies: 24
Views: 3389

Re: Euro Velo 6

Most of the EV6 is better paved than the B roads round here. There were a couple of detours which were hard going for any road bike and if you have skinny tyres you may need to find an alternative route to re-join. When I rode it many sections were flooded but it did not take long to find a D or C road that ran along side the EV6 which is sometimes a welcome change from the river. Buy IGN maps to cover the route and you should have no problem
Cheers Peter
by truckturner
18 Jan 2019, 10:49am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: where can I buy a bike box in Nice
Replies: 17
Views: 3602

Re: where can I buy a bike box in Nice

Re train travel from Nice. Travelled to Calais from Nice last year with 4 fully loaded touring bikes. Go to the station buy some tickets you may have to place your bike in a plastic bag I found advance booking saved me little and I prefer the flexibility of on the day. I have never had a problem with my bike on a train in France . I have no experience with Eurostar though. Train travel is expensive from north to south about £250 per person. My collegue however took his bike to the airport where they gave him a box. He arrived in Nice 48 hours before the flight to explore Nice and find a box.

Cheers Peter
by truckturner
5 Jan 2019, 5:03pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Pedals suitable for barefoot shoes ( ultra-thin soles )
Replies: 42
Views: 5743

Re: Pedals suitable for barefoot shoes ( ultra-thin soles )

You could try these
0030554_moto-classic-colour-pedals-black_360.jpg
0030554_moto-classic-colour-pedals-black_360.jpg (49.29 KiB) Viewed 1078 times
from Brick lane Bikes I have no experience of them-- I use these MKS lambadas with any flat shoe, croc, sandal, flip flop etc on my touring bike, mountain bike and Brompton They look ridiculous but I love them
pe1-3_650x.jpg
by truckturner
13 Dec 2018, 6:59am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycle Insurance - any good ones?
Replies: 32
Views: 3039

Re: Cycle Insurance - any good ones?

Their quote was nearly £300 more than my renewal quote![/quote] Strange mine was £450 cheaper than Prudential @ £200 I suppose they have a criteria cheers
by truckturner
9 Dec 2018, 2:32pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Porridge: love or hate? Vote now please!
Replies: 365
Views: 27968

Re: Porridge: love or hate?

ambodach wrote:Surely everybody knows the correct way is to do a week’s supply on Monday and pour into the porridge drawer and cut a slice off every morning. When I worked on farms we got porridge twice per day and the auld farmer maintained we were lucky as in his young days he got it at every meal. This of course is plain oatmeal porridge and none of your fancy stuff. Fair sticks tae the ribs.


I know this and I do this and I am English although once a day is enough I am not one for a cold slice from my Jersey pocket. I use grease proof paper rather than newspaper in the drawer. Its allways better twice cooked and it stores well in the drawer if made with oats water and salt . Love it Peter
by truckturner
8 Dec 2018, 5:00pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Trailer users experience sought
Replies: 37
Views: 11298

Re: Trailer users experience sought

I have always used panniers on long tours and found them satisfactory but have toyed with the Idea of a trailer mainly for the simplicity of it . Having read most of the posts on the forum and other opinions on trailers I have decided that some things in life are experiential only no one can tell you these things not even the master. On that basis I have just bought a second hand BOB Yak. Now I have never ever had an issue with putting my bike on a train anywhere in Europe which I do frequently. I have just been told they are not allowed on trains which for me severely limits its use for touring. Cheers Peter
by truckturner
6 Dec 2018, 5:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycle Insurance - any good ones?
Replies: 32
Views: 3039

Re: Cycle Insurance - any good ones?

I Have my cycles covered on my home contents insurance. For years I paid a high premium with Prudential thinking they were one of the only insurance companies to cover kit out of the house. I now use Hiscox The cover includes the contents of outbuildings within the grounds up to £10000. Contents of outbuilding out of sight of the house up to £5000. Contents of my van to £2000. locked up bike anywhere £3000, plus the household cover for under £200 a year. I do not have to specify any single item but I would assume I need to provide some proof of purchase if I made a claim. I would have had to pay Prudential £650 for a fraction of that cover. I think Hiscox pay for accidental damage while riding as my contents are covered for accidental damage but not sure. My main concern in relation to loss is theft from outbuildings. I would not lock up an expensive bike and leave it despite the amount of cover I have a basket bike for that.

I work in the Criminal Justice System so I see a lot of crime. Emptying garages and outbuildings of their contents is big business for thieves especially in relation to cycles which are easily moved on. However, I pay a lot of insurances nowadays and can understand the idea of saving the money and taking your chances.


Cheers Peter
by truckturner
4 Dec 2018, 7:24pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Diameter Adjustable bottle cages - what options are there?
Replies: 8
Views: 687

Re: Diameter Adjustable bottle cages - what options are there?

I bought the top Topeak one for my .5 fuel bottle and found it a bit flimsy its probably ok and fits well but not for me Cheers Peter Ps Planet x have odd size Holdsworth and Nitto bottle cages