Cycling UK Forum

An update. The problem was from the outside, and so the frame was still sound. Just had it resprayed. Thanks for everyone's advice.
Trevor

I was surprised to find the paintwork under my 853 tourer has suddenly deteriorated. Viewed from above it is in pristine condition. I had this resprayed about 7 years ago. Any ideas what the black spots are:

And what can have caused the sudden rusting? It doesn't get put on a car rack or anything that would have rubbed the underneath paint. The problem isn't just under the bottom bracket, it is also on the bottom of the chainstays near the axle.

Looking at purchasing an S&S coupled tandem to allow us to use trains (UK, Eurostar, Europe). Anyone got experience of doing this? Once the tandem is split in two, does it work in all rolling stock that accepts normal bikes? Thanks

Thanks for thoughts. We're touring on a tandem so adding chairs isn't an option. Minimising weight and bulk is important.

I'm wondering about buying an XS ultralight mat to go on our old karrimats to minimise additional weight. Anyone tried sleeping with a 3/4 length mat? Is it annoying?

I'm thinking of moving from a foam Karrimat to a thermarest neoair xlite for my next tour. I need something more comfortable. On tour, I use the Karrimat outside the tent (e.g. to lie down when reading, or to sit on when preparing food). How vulnerable are these lightweight sleeping mats to being punctured if I just use them outside the tent on camp grounds? Thanks

I was wondering if i could fill in the groove with something like araldite?

I'm having problems with the guides under the bottom bracket on my tourer (photo below). The rear gear cable has scored a notch in the bottom of the guide so it occasionally grips the cable. I pulled a brake cable through the slot to clear it, and it is better, but it doesn't take much muck (especially at this time of the year!) to cause the thing to catch again. Any suggestions for repair? I had the frame resprayed a couple of years ago, so I'd like to do something that doesn't involve respraying. Thanks, Trevor