Cycling UK Forum

Well, I'm not a young 20 something but neither am I a cranky old codger. Cycle touring and particularly, cycle camping involves a degree of hardship. I'm looking for that in-between ground between absolute luxury and outright hardship. I'm not restricted by budget, but as a Yorkshireman, I want valu...

I'm looking to buy my first proper sleeping mat (preferably foam). I have a basic foam one from Decathlon and it was fine on a warm July night in France, but don't think it'll cut it in cooler climes. I know blow up ones are comfier, but for touring I want reliability and simplicity. My research poi...

Any recommendations? Carradice are made of similar material to the old Karrimors. They also come with a partial plastic backing to reduce rubbing against the rack. Inside, the pannier base is lined with corrugated plastic board to avoid things wearing through. I used a pair for commuting for about ...

I have always rotated front-for-rear. I mean always. Never ever had an issue. Wear both tyres out, and replace both. You never know, you may not be able to find a single tyre to match the other. Me too. But it's got to be done early on, don't wait for the rear to get a square profile before moving ...

Carradice used to make a big tall saddle bag that mounted high o a SQR mount. Any idea what it was? No idea what. Gets all my clothes, lunch, odds and sods and a few books in it. Edited. This one. Big enough for some A4 files or a classes worth of marking. They do an SQR Tour and SQR Slim. I think ...

I saw a Deutsche Post bike in Germany that had custom panniers but they were the cargo bike variety and looked like you could run a home removal service with it. They made my 51L Vaude look like seatpost packs. Similar to the Surly Big Dummy bags ? These are at least available on their own, but you...

joule.jpgAnother to horrify the loading police. (aforementioned red ortlieb bag on top with food/coffee making junk) Against the resting place of the bloke the joule was named after. The joule of course being a unit for measuring bike and rider strain. Those panniers don't look happy. They remind o...

The 70l Ortlieb ones are the largest normal panniers I have seen.

I saw a Deutsche Post bike in Germany that had custom panniers but they were the cargo bike variety and looked like you could run a home removal service with it. They made my 51L Vaude look like seatpost packs.

I guess there is nothing stopping you.

What do you hope to achieve? Is it for the aesthetics or would you like additional hand positions?

Also, how will it affect your ability to operate brakes and gears if you put your hands on the hood/drops.

It's noteworthy that one of the more (most?) expensive cable disc brakes, the Paul Klampers: https://www.paulcomp.com/shop/components/brakes/disc-brakes/i-s-klamper/ have only one moving pad. While price may not always equate to quality, Paul does have a reputation for producing thoughtfully design...

If you don't want overshoes or winter cycling boots, then socks alone will not cut it. I suggest some builders boots. There are some that look like more robust normal shoes, but these are often wind and waterproof. They're also insulated as builders spend a lot of time outside. I have a pair I use f...

Those of you who have been recently: how did you get you and your bike there? Any tips on logistics? I was in a group of 6. 5 of us caught a ferry from Holyhead to Dublin. Getting to Holyhead is easy, change trains at Chester. Holyhead train station is next to ferry terminal. Two companies operatin...

I use whichever is on offer - last purchase was a handful of Shimano HG53 at c. £6 each - pre covid.

I've used all of the above and found no discerninle difference in quality or durability.

SRAM or KMC can be taken apart via quicklinks for deep cleaning.

Did Ireland last year - Wicklow and Slieve Bloom mountains and some central counties - 8 days. Lovely, lovely part of the world. Only got rained on once for about 15 minutes, but we managed to find refuge in a pub. I ran 40mm tyres and some days the roads were tiring. My overriding memory: the lands...

It's true. Certain psychology is needed to use a static bike. For me, it complemented outdoor cycling because it raised my physical threshold enormously.

I could really go into the red, whereas it was difficult finding the right circumstances outside to do the same.