
Search found 377 matches
- 11 Jan 2021, 8:42pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Dented top tube; DIY repair
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1160
Re: Dented top tube; DIY repair
I've repaired quite a few cars that looked a lot like father Ted's above 

- 10 Jan 2021, 9:29am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Saddle choice/strange numbness
- Replies: 15
- Views: 735
Re: Saddle choice/strange numbness
Been there and tried all sorts.
Harder seat with cutout, lowered and nose down is the answer.
Just bought a selle SMP but it's en-route in the post so can't confirm. However that saddle is the one that comes up as the answer in a lot of internet searches....under £50 delivered from Halfords.
Harder seat with cutout, lowered and nose down is the answer.
Just bought a selle SMP but it's en-route in the post so can't confirm. However that saddle is the one that comes up as the answer in a lot of internet searches....under £50 delivered from Halfords.
- 9 Jan 2021, 3:15pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: 1.5 watt dynohub - inferior lighting performance?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 514
Re: 1.5 watt dynohub - inferior lighting performance?
The modern led lights use (mostly) much less than their halogen equivalents hence why the 1.5w hub dynamos were made. I'd imagine they are more efficient....ie less pedal effort. Led lights rarely give true electrical loads just saying 3w refers to it's ability to run on a standard dynamo.....they'l...
- 7 Jan 2021, 2:26pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Hub Generators; reactive loading puts new slant on efficiency claims.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 1564
Re: Hub Generators; reactive loading puts new slant on efficiency claims.
It was a Schmidt e6 and the secondary light wired in series used a capacitor to enable the second light to illuminate at lower speed. I worked out the capacitor value probably 25-30 years ago for a bottle dynamo and it worked well. A few years ago I went to a hub dynamo and changed the capacitor to ...
- 7 Jan 2021, 1:27pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Hub Generators; reactive loading puts new slant on efficiency claims.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 1564
Re: Hub Generators; reactive loading puts new slant on efficiency claims.
I've used power faction correction for years running twin halogen lamps on both bottle and hub dynamos....still do now.
I recall that there was even a secondary light from a big manufacturer that had a capacitor in it as standard.
I recall that there was even a secondary light from a big manufacturer that had a capacitor in it as standard.
- 6 Jan 2021, 2:21pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Winterproofing my bike.
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1456
Re: Winterproofing my bike.
I think lots of us on here face a never ending battle to keep a derailleur bike running well thru winter. Round here with tractors etc after a ride despite mudguards, mudflap etc a rather coarse grinding paste gets into everything. I've tried all sorts and for me old engine oil on the chain after mo...
- 1 Jan 2021, 8:50am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: ...pros and cons of a tricycle? Sidecar?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 690
Re: ...pros and cons of a tricycle? Sidecar?
I saw many tricycles in my youth time trialing. Never see one now.
Could've done with one myself the last 2 days....back roads were sheet ice here and unsafe to cycle a normal bike on.
Could've done with one myself the last 2 days....back roads were sheet ice here and unsafe to cycle a normal bike on.
- 30 Dec 2020, 9:59pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: LED verses incandescent bulbs front lamp
- Replies: 102
- Views: 6683
Re: LED verses incandescent bulbs front lamp
They're in series, so run the dynamo at 12v, it's a constant current source so wiring the second lamp in series with a shorting switch for low speed over runs the dynamo to compensate. This worked previously for years with a bottle dynamo but now with a hub dynamo. I use a capacitor to reduce the sp...
- 30 Dec 2020, 2:48pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: LED verses incandescent bulbs front lamp
- Replies: 102
- Views: 6683
Re: LED verses incandescent bulbs front lamp
I've previously used a pair of mr11/mr16 led bulbs with a wattage of about 3w apiece as they are designed for AC use and have built in lenses. But They don't have cutoffs as the light isn't asymmetric so you can dazzle other road users. My preferred lighting is 2 off halogen dynamo lights....I use t...
- 30 Dec 2020, 11:36am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: LED verses incandescent bulbs front lamp
- Replies: 102
- Views: 6683
Re: LED verses incandescent bulbs front lamp
I take it the led bulbs are push fit not screw in?
- 29 Dec 2020, 9:29am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Nuvinci hub
- Replies: 11
- Views: 603
Re: Nuvinci hub
Very interesting thread. In real terms how "inefficient" is this hub? I'm fighting a losing battle keeping derailleur gears working well in this weather. Every ride seems to cover everything in fine grinding paste. The hub gear route seems to make much more sense and the n380 has a big ran...
- 25 Dec 2020, 3:41pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Bottom bracket tap
- Replies: 10
- Views: 464
Re: Bottom bracket tap
I used an old cup which had a high carbon content (tested with grinder) and made a basic tap from it.
First few threads are a bit worn, someone before me cross threaded it. It's back together now but if the taps were cheap enough I'd buy a set
First few threads are a bit worn, someone before me cross threaded it. It's back together now but if the taps were cheap enough I'd buy a set
- 24 Dec 2020, 9:34pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Bottom bracket tap
- Replies: 10
- Views: 464
Re: Bottom bracket tap
It's a basic cup & cone square taper bottom bracket 3RMC is the size.
I've fitted it and all is ok but the threads need recutting.
I'll see if I can get a set cheap, if not bike shop as you suggest
Thanks
I've fitted it and all is ok but the threads need recutting.
I'll see if I can get a set cheap, if not bike shop as you suggest
Thanks
- 24 Dec 2020, 6:24pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Bottom bracket tap
- Replies: 10
- Views: 464
Bottom bracket tap
Anyone know what thread a typical 3rmc square taper MTB bottom bracket will be?
I'm assuming armed with the above that ebay can source one.
Bottom bracket thread starting is getting badly worn.
I'm assuming armed with the above that ebay can source one.
Bottom bracket thread starting is getting badly worn.
- 20 Dec 2020, 7:50am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: LED verses incandescent bulbs front lamp
- Replies: 102
- Views: 6683
Re: LED verses incandescent bulbs front lamp
I'm interested in the outcome cycle tramp.
What's the light output like? Beam shape etc?
What's the light output like? Beam shape etc?