Search found 12663 matches

by PH
27 Mar 2024, 7:12pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: GPX devices...Garmin alternative
Replies: 26
Views: 905

Re: GPX devices...Garmin alternative

carlislemike wrote: 27 Mar 2024, 3:11pm Tempted by using it as default and I think I can use my saved Cycle Travel routes on it. Simple question, can I load CT routes onto Garmin or other devices?
With a Garmin Explore 2*, from PC** to phone to Explore, at home with wi-fi it couldn't be simpler. Have Garmin Connect on the phone, have that open and the Garmin turned on, check the phone recognises the Garmin, save the route in CT > GPX > Send to Garmin Connect and it's all done. It sometimes takes a couple of minutes to show, though you can hurry it along by pressing "sync" on the Connect app.

* Probably on other models as well, I'll stick to commenting on the ones I have.
** Probably with a Mac as well, but again I'll stick to what I know
by PH
26 Mar 2024, 8:00am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Not pedalling
Replies: 48
Views: 2891

Re: Not pedalling

re_cycler wrote: 25 Mar 2024, 5:38pm Is it purely a case that the pedals need to be rotated, even if there is no effort used, to meet the legal requirement ?
The EAPC classification states that cycles need to have pedals fitted that are capable of propelling them. There's nothing that stipulates how much effort the rider must contribute while being electrically assisted, so you do get bikes where the contribution from the rider's pedalling is negligible.
by PH
24 Mar 2024, 11:31am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best tyres for touring
Replies: 27
Views: 1008

Re: Best tyres for touring

What sort of touring and other use? Schwalbe's Marathon range are all touring tyres*, that there's a dozen variations from the toughest Plus to the fastest Efficiency is an indication of how varied touring cyclists needs are. I think you need to narrow your criteria, otherwise you may get loads of inappropriate recommendations. If avoiding punctures really is your number one priority, then the Plus (Or similar from other manufacturers) deserves to be top of the list, for any other criteria, there are better tyres.

*Though not all Schwalbe tyres that look suitable for touring carry the Marathon name.
by PH
23 Mar 2024, 4:43pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?
Replies: 103
Views: 2923

Re: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?

Mike Sales wrote: 23 Mar 2024, 4:31pm I imagine that they have a lot more knowledge of the subject than thee and me.
I'm sure they do, but knowledge and good ideas are not enough to get you elected. If they were we wouldn't be in this position. If you need an example of that, look at all the good ideas and level of knowledge within the Green Party and compare that with their electoral success.
by PH
23 Mar 2024, 4:10pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Dashcams in HGVs will help catch reckless drivers
Replies: 7
Views: 334

Re: Dashcams in HGVs will help catch reckless drivers

Mike Sales wrote: 23 Mar 2024, 1:36pm The police are enlisting vigilantes.
No they're not.
They're coming up with alternative ways to gather evidence. There is no intention of changing the way crimes are judged and punished.
by PH
23 Mar 2024, 4:04pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?
Replies: 103
Views: 2923

Re: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?

Mike Sales wrote: 23 Mar 2024, 2:19pm Some ideas from a patriotic millionaire.
It's what I said a couple of posts ago, the idea of taxing wealth rather than income. The problem is that no one has come up with a mechanism to do it. If someone's wealth is growing assets rather than income, how do you tax that? If the answer involves them relinquishing control of all or part of the asset, that's socialism. The idea of that level of state intervention scares people so much that no one proposing it stands a chance of being elected.
by PH
22 Mar 2024, 7:08pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?
Replies: 103
Views: 2923

Re: Just how long will it take to turn this ship around?

Nearholmer wrote: 22 Mar 2024, 9:48am Personally, I’m in favour of progressive income tax (higher rates for higher bands of income), but would rather see that done overtly than by the semi-covert erosion of allowances, even if the net result is the same.
Better to find a mechanism to tax wealth rather than income, if you're wealthy enough you don't have much need for taxable income.
by PH
17 Mar 2024, 3:04pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Snap ring ordering details
Replies: 8
Views: 465

Re: Snap ring ordering details

I'd take a step back and consider what it's for, then see if the specification is available for whatever than is.
by PH
17 Mar 2024, 9:30am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Budget wheels opinion
Replies: 13
Views: 693

Re: Budget wheels opinion

warey4life wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 11:27am I think I might wait a little while and spend a few more pounds on getting a better quality wheelset with sealed bearings.
As indicated upthread, IMO there's no guarantee that you'll get noticeably better wheels till you spend significantly more money. The difference between a £70 wheelset and a £100 one might be cosmetic. I don't think there are any incremental improvements between a budget wheelset and what I'd consider the starting point for a handbuilt set. I'd expect to pay around £170 for something well built with decent hubs, rims and spokes, without going over the top. So, I'd be choosing to spend £70 or £180 and expect to get good value from either, I'd be wary that anything I spent in between would be too much for one thing and not enough for the other.
by PH
17 Mar 2024, 9:05am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Portsmouth - Le Havre
Replies: 4
Views: 273

Re: Portsmouth - Le Havre

AndreaVin wrote: 17 Mar 2024, 8:28am We'll just get the train back to Dieppe if necessary.
Le Havre > Portsmouth would have suited me, but I didn't see any bike options. I changed my plans and cycled to Dieppe which added 60 miles. The only real disadvantage was the sailing times, it's either a really early start or arriving in Newhaven late. I took the early start and sailing to Newhaven made no difference, the train home via London was the same time and cost. The ferry a bit cheaper.
by PH
16 Mar 2024, 9:24am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Budget wheels opinion
Replies: 13
Views: 693

Re: Budget wheels opinion

Wheels at that price point can be good value, but you have to have realistic expectations about what you're getting. That price won't include much for a craftsman's care and attention. I bought a similar priced wheel from Madspeed via ebay, I gave the spokes a good squeeze then re-trued it and evened the tensions, and several thousand miles later it's still fine. You don't need to be a master wheel builder to do that, a spoke key and some youtube guidance will still improve what comes out the box.
Or, you could just fit them and hope, they're likely to be the same quality as those supplied on all sub £500 hybrid bikes and probably a good few at higher prices. Lots of people are riding such bikes without any wheel problems.
Spending more on wheels might get you better sealed hubs, spokes less likely to break, rims less likely to crack and some care from a wheel builder, but there's no guarantee of that till you start spending several times the price.
by PH
14 Mar 2024, 7:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Why not have dual front discs?
Replies: 21
Views: 1389

Re: Why not have dual front discs?

cycle tramp wrote: 12 Mar 2024, 8:42am If you look at many sports motorcycles at the larger engine size spectrum... you'll see that they have dual front disc brakes...
Why would you compare a bicycle to a larger engine sports motorcycle when a more realistic comparison would be a moped?
by PH
14 Mar 2024, 6:59pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycle Retail In Meltdown.
Replies: 195
Views: 24356

Re: Cycle Retail In Meltdown.

pliptrot wrote: 14 Mar 2024, 11:05am I have had 3 bikes made in Taiwan. All expensive. The top-of-the-range Marin bike had balls missing from the headset, a bottom bracket which was hugely out of spec.
You were not the customer of that Taiwanese manufacturer, Marin were. The design, specification, tolerances and QC were all set by Marin. That's how the bulk of modern mid volume production works, the actual manufacturing is sub-contracted. Taiwanese manufacturers are capable of producing to any specification set, if you've bought tat, aim your displeasure at the right people.
by PH
10 Mar 2024, 2:02pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tourer for gentle off-roading?
Replies: 145
Views: 6690

Re: Tourer for gentle off-roading?

djnotts wrote: 10 Mar 2024, 12:31pm My point about 2nd hand is different really - can easily save at least 50% on a bike that is so near to new that will still run for decades.
I get that and if you can find exactly what you want secondhand then that's perfect. My experience when looking at used has been that it's always more of a compromise than looking with an open wallet. Had the OP managed to find the perfect Galaxy for half price twenty years ago, they'd have saved a few pence a week. OTOH had you bought your bikes new and sold after a short time, it would have cost a fortune. It's the difference between cost and expense and IMO the two are too often confused.
by PH
10 Mar 2024, 12:19pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tourer for gentle off-roading?
Replies: 145
Views: 6690

Re: Tourer for gentle off-roading?

djnotts wrote: 10 Mar 2024, 10:04am I don't buy new!
But you do buy frequently :wink:
How many bikes in the last five years? Your choice of course to spend so much time and effort swapping bikes, just as it might be someone else's choice to spend a lot more and keep the bike for decades.