Cycling UK Forum

Yes, it's the implied threat, in mentioning that they are regular advertisers, which is so distasteful. A threat which was carried out, by the way, because the usual two-page spread from Thorn is missing in this issue.

DougR wrote:... BUT these paths had been planned by a maniac armed with a spirograph...

Ah! Is this maybe the same maniac who designed the cycle path ("follow the red line") for exiting the ferry docks in Dover? You twist and you turn and at one point you even have to buzz yourself through a little door, and you think that perhaps all the hassle is so that you can avoid the cars and trucks eager to start tearing up the roads after 90 minutes on the ferry. But, no; in the last few hundred yards you end up mixing with the traffic anyway.

I have a Dawes Galaxy Tour (new in 2005, I have no idea what the tubing is - there are no stickers) which I never use for heavy touring, but mostly for long day rides and occasional 100k audax events. It has Mavic A319 wheels with Schwalbe Marathons (32c) and it has been suggested to me that, for the kind of riding I do, I should replace the wheels (and tyres, naturally) with something lighter and faster.

So could anyone please recommend a better set of wheels?

Thanks very much.

I have a 3-speed Brompton and an Airnimal Joey Explore (with 9 speed cassette and 3 speed internal sram hub).

I use the Brompton for almost daily commutes to London (about 1.5 miles from home to station, another 2 miles station to office) and I don't think there is a better machine for 4 folds a day, including busy trains on the way home; perfect for shortish rides. (Although some will tell you they can tour 100 miles a day on one.) It also has a great luggage system.

The Airnimal is for folding up to put on the Eurostar and TGVs and longer (up to 60 miles) rides; it feels comfortable and fast on longish rides and it has a huge gear range. It takes about a minute to fold and you have to remove the front wheel and you're better off without mudguards. I used it a few weeks ago on a trip to France and a friend of mine took his Birdy. I had trouble keeping up with him, but then I have trouble keeping up with him when we're both on 'normal' (700c) bikes. The only thing I don't like about the Joey is its noisy (lots of creaking) aluminium frame.

I have tried Dahons twice; the first time I rejected it because the fold relied on a magnet which didn't work too well in the demo. I tried again a few years later but found the seat stem too short (I'm 6'4").

They have these 'share the road' signs on roads frequented by cyclists around Tucson, Arizona, although I remember some of them (the signs) had been shot at.

timmitchell wrote: - whats this brompton front bag thing ? how much are they ?

Brompton front bags are useful and efficient and I think the best way to carry things on a Brompton. It seems that Brompton handling actually improves with a load in the front. I have the front touring pannier - highly recommended.

Unfortunately, they are not cheap:
http://www.brompton.co.uk/explorer/acce ... asp?view=9

Also, the bike will need to be equipped with a 'front-carrier block' (another 15 pounds, if it hasn't already got one).

I both love them and hate them: love them when riding in a downpour, hate them when I need to put them on in public.

I have a cheap-ish cat-eye rear light which came with a piece of heavy-duty plastic designed to hold on to a strap (as well as the usual clamp for a seatpost).

So I attach it to the strap (or loop) in the middle of the flap on the saddlebag.

zefal hp x frame pump
rainlegs

emergency_pants wrote:Then , I have to try and negotiate those odd pavement slabs which we find on bike paths here, with the ridges on them, which run parallel to the cycleway, so every time I ride over one, my wheels slide from side to side. What the hell are they? Some sort of safety paving for people with sight problems, I think. Or to stop prams from rolling ito the road when mums and dads let go of the pram to make a text!

Aren't those things amazing? What are they made of? They have them all over the cycle path approaching Royal Mint St and Cable St from Tower Bridge in London. It just takes the slightest bit of wet to make them treacherous, never mind snow and ice!

Ah, California!
http://tinyurl.com/d9l6wj
You need a lot of bandwidth to watch this. (You also have to put up with some 'up-talk').

Neil Fat Man On A Bike wrote:10. Bromptons / collapsing bikes

Riding a Brompton in London, it is great sport to sit on the wheel of a roadie or fixie and, thanks to flat terrain and traffic, it's not too difficult. But it drives them nuts.

It was ironic that the only country in which Mark Beaumont was physically attacked was the (supposedly) "most advanced nation".

Riding through Louisiana he should have taken the same precautions as for Afghanistan - a police escort.

On the other hand, he seemed to enjoy California very much, when he wasn't worrying about mileage and hours of daylight and calorie intake.

I've only taken a test ride on a Moulton TSR 8 (so I know very little about the bike) and I'm not picky about low bars, but for me the saddle was too low. I'm 6'4", also 34" inside leg. During the ride I readjusted the seatpost to a comfortable height and, when I got back, the bike shop pointed out to me that it was a few inches over the limit.

The bike shop told me that Moulton couldn't provide a longer seatpost.