Search found 847 matches

by cjchambers
12 Oct 2023, 9:23pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Total bleed solutions
Replies: 5
Views: 13008

Re: Total bleed solutions

They also have a shop in Middlesbrough - I see their very nicely liveried van on a regular basis on my way to work!

Not used them myself (I'm all cable), but great to see specialist niche business doing well.
by cjchambers
28 Aug 2023, 9:12am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Pictures of your bike(s)
Replies: 1924
Views: 583848

Re: Pictures of your bike(s)

Early 2000s Revolution (Edinburgh Bicycle) Cuillin Sport. Been on slicks for about 15 years and in storage for about 10 years, so had a pleasant afternoon getting it back in service and putting some knobblies back on. Then out into the Cleveland Hills and North York Moors!

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by cjchambers
29 Jul 2023, 8:21am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: So much for design standards
Replies: 11
Views: 4196

Re: So much for design standards

I used to be stridently anti-shared use. Touring in the Netherlands has completely changed my mind - I'm only interested in the quality now.

In the NL (or certainly in the bits I visited), out of town, the majority of rural inter-urban cycle tracks ('fietspad') have no separate footway and cyclists and pedestrians co-exist apparently fairly happily. On a lot of them, even mopeds are allowed too! Shock horror. Pedestrians tend to walk on 'wrong' side so as to face oncoming cyclist/moped traffic and it all just works with a bit of co-operation.

BUT, as we all know, these are generally of sufficient width, have a smooth maintained surface, have few obstructions, good sight-lines, and nearly always have priority over all crossing motor traffic etc etc.

So rather than asking why shared use is being used to dodge the standards, I would ask why the standards are not being applied to shared use!
by cjchambers
6 Jul 2023, 10:21am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: S.A. Hub with One Anti-Rotation Washer
Replies: 6
Views: 594

Re: S.A. Hub with One Anti-Rotation Washer

Well, 1 hour and €2.50 later, I am the proud owner of two of these! Phew.
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by cjchambers
6 Jul 2023, 9:19am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: S.A. Hub with One Anti-Rotation Washer
Replies: 6
Views: 594

Re: S.A. Hub with One Anti-Rotation Washer

Keezx wrote: 5 Jul 2023, 11:28pm I do have these things lying around for ages, kan send one for the cost of shipping (where do you stay?)
Thank you, that's a very kind offer! However, I would be home by the time they got here! And I do actually have some at home.
rjb wrote: 6 Jul 2023, 8:07am As it stops the axle rotating I don't think it matters which side of the hub it fits.
In my searching I also found this thread viewtopic.php?t=82258

Where brucey suggests "If you are going to put more torque through a NTW (or torque arm) on one side only, it is normally best to make it the left side; the reason is that (in toggle chain models) the right end of the axle has a slot in it for the toggle key and is less torsionally stiff/strong; the load is not shared evenly between the two sides.

Interesting, I would never have thought about that, I always just tend to assume that the drive side is more stressed.
by cjchambers
5 Jul 2023, 6:38pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: S.A. Hub with One Anti-Rotation Washer
Replies: 6
Views: 594

S.A. Hub with One Anti-Rotation Washer

I am touring and have broken an anti-rotation washer on my SRF5(W) in a 20" wheel. It was the drive side, a sintered type and was positoned on the inside. I suspect the axle nut was loose for some reason - I live and learn.

I am going to make some friends tomorrow in the local bike shops - I am hopeful because it's The Netherlands but I'm not sure how well S.A ever sold over here?! I expect continental stuff was much more popular?

Anyway - I have seen references to having only one of these washers fitted, presumably on the drive side - has anyone tried that long term? I only need to get a few hundred miles out of it, preferable without damaging the axle.

If I can't get a washer and decide to give this a try, are there any other tip/tricks/adaptations anyone can think of that would reduce the strain on the sole remaining washer?
by cjchambers
23 Jun 2023, 7:56pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Sturmey Archer 5-speed ( sprinter, etc. )
Replies: 67
Views: 47867

Re: S.A. 5speed

cjchambers wrote: 4 May 2014, 11:54pm Thanks Brucey. I'm planning to relubricate at 500 miles or so - I'll see what it's like after that.
Bit of a thread resurrection, but 9 years later I finally got around to it :lol:. It's mostly been sitting since then, and the factory grease was pretty 'orrible. I relubed with Land Rover swivel grease STC3435. Running nicely, gears all present and correct, changes are OK, all as I remember but maybe a bit quieter.

Problem is, despite many attempts at setting the cones as per instructions (backing off the right side a quarter/half turn from finger tight, locking, then adjusting left side for very slight play) I'm getting pedals turning when I push, and a fair bit of drag when freewheeling. Chain tension isn't the culprit as I've tried it very loose too.

Other than just needing to get the adjustment right, is there anything else I need to check?

Have I greased it somewhere I shouldn't have? Not enough grease? Too much? Or could it just be the fresh grease causing drag?
by cjchambers
14 Jan 2020, 6:33pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Radio 4 issues!
Replies: 5
Views: 410

Re: Radio 4 issues!

I think it's because they used to send a 'radio car' with a broadcast-quality link (microwave?) and a trained/qualified person to operate and oversee things.

Now I suspect they're using internet-based VoIP things like Skype on people's own devices. Great in theory but often not great in practice. In my previous job I spent many an hour in teleconferences speaking to people who sounded like they were on the moon when in fact they were only a few hundred miles away.
by cjchambers
13 Jan 2020, 11:52pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: A positive thread
Replies: 950
Views: 164915

Re: A positive thread

peetee wrote:I was last there as a young boy over 45 years ago when my dad used to take us to the swimming baths on the sea front!
Optimistic is the word. I well remember playing footy at school in Hartlepool and getting so cold even a hot shower wouldnt thaw my fingers enough to get my shirt and tie on properly!

Glad to have sparked some memories! Hmm yes, there's a definite freshness in the air in Hartlepool isn't there?! Must be something to do with sticking out into the North Sea with an uninterrupted line of sight to the arctic! :shock:

I'm pleased to say Seaton is thriving, by North Eastern coastal standards anyway! I think possibly because its small size means it can maintain a good density of occupied shops etc and a general feeling of busyness. I sometimes ride along the front street on my way home from work, and in the summer there are often queues down the street for fish and chips.

If you're the type who likes looking at old photos, there's a fantastic indexed collection from Hartlepool here: https://www.hhtandn.org/
by cjchambers
13 Jan 2020, 1:32pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Cow Bells
Replies: 17
Views: 897

Re: Cow Bells

Paulatic wrote:I’ll stick with my whitebred shorthorn or their crosses Blue Grey :D
Think this might be your man https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/en ... -1-6168195

Aha yes, good find - all fits together now! I walked down into Swainby from the moor so probably went right past his farm! Great to see things like this going on.
by cjchambers
12 Jan 2020, 7:49pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Cow Bells
Replies: 17
Views: 897

Re: Cow Bells

I was on Scarth Moor Wood between Osmotherley and Ingleby Arncliffe. It's National Trust land, actually - linked to Mount Grace Priory, I believe.
by cjchambers
12 Jan 2020, 7:21pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Cow Bells
Replies: 17
Views: 897

Re: Cow Bells

Cyril Haearn wrote:Certainly might help finding cows on the Alm, summer pasture in the Alps
At the start of summer the cows are dressed up for the Almauftrieb, ascent to the summer meadows, at the end of the season is the Almabtrieb, ceremonial descent
Like in Wales, Hafod (summer house), Hendre (old house lower down)

Funnily enough, I mentioned the cowbells to someone at work who used to live in Switzerland and he got very excited about these rituals. I think he used to get the day off work for it! Here in the North East I think the terms are inbye (in the valley, nearer the farm) and outbye (up on t'moors)

Paulatic wrote:I’m hooked...

They were moderately hairy, dirty white but no horns. Other than the lack of horns, they did look a bit like Chillinghams. I wish I'd taken a photo really, but it was getting dark and I needed to keep mooving.
by cjchambers
12 Jan 2020, 7:09pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rain damaged Brooks saddle.
Replies: 49
Views: 3957

Re: Rain damaged Brooks saddle.

Surely that's just not normal? Back when I was commuting all year round, my brown Swift (proofided top and bottom) got wet on a regular basis. I never thought anything of it. After 10ish years there is some slight discoloration on the very tip of the nose which could well be water damage but it's probably not even 10% as bad as what you're seeing over a much larger area.

A saddle that can't be taken out in the rain (once!) and come back looking the same simply isn't acceptable. Good luck with Brooks.
by cjchambers
12 Jan 2020, 6:42pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Cow Bells
Replies: 17
Views: 897

Cow Bells

A little while ago before Christmas, I was walking on the edge of the North York Moors and came across a herd of fairly rustic wild-looking cattle. A few of them were wearing cow bells. It was a lovely sound and quite familiar, probably from all the cycle racing I watch on TV!

But it suddenly dawned on me that this is actually very unusual in Britain and something I've never ever seen or herd before - has anyone else ever seen British cows with cow bells on?!

I'm also not clear on the purpose of the bell - is it to scare predators? Help the farmer find his cows in the fog? Or something else?
by cjchambers
12 Jan 2020, 6:34pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: A positive thread
Replies: 950
Views: 164915

Re: A positive thread

I got my Revolution Cuillin out of storage in my dad's garage where it's been sitting gathering layers of dust from all the cars he's spray painted over the years since it was put there. Spent the day cleaning it up and re-lubricating everything. Couldn't possibly pass up on the chance of a dusk test ride!

After 10ish years of exclusively riding road bikes and I'd completely forgotten the simple pleasure of riding around town on a smooth-tyred mountain bike. Nice high riding position, nice squishy ride, powerful V-brakes, the ability to crash in and out of potholes as you please.

There was a very optimistic ice-cream man in Seaton Carew, to match the very optimistic palm trees :lol:

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