Search found 1799 matches

by MikewsMITH2
18 Jan 2022, 7:17am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Measuring Blood Pressure
Replies: 406
Views: 30375

Re: Measuring Blood Pressure

White coat syndrome. My wife gets it.
by MikewsMITH2
9 May 2020, 9:36am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: My Moulton TSR - a love story?
Replies: 106
Views: 7205

Re: My Moulton TSR - a love story?

Hi Cyril,
It's a Velo Orange Neutrino. I work with Velo Duo Cycles, who distribute Velo Orange in UK and Europe, which is how I came by it.
Cheers
Mike
by MikewsMITH2
9 May 2020, 9:28am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: My Moulton TSR - a love story?
Replies: 106
Views: 7205

Re: My Moulton TSR - a love story?

I like Moultons. I've had a few. The F Frames are bomb proof. The modern ones are apparently not so well engineered. A good friend of mine who is a high mileage Audaxer bought one recently and loved it. However he has had lots of problems with wheel bearings and tyres. I managed to get him a batch of decent 17" Bridgestone tyres from my contact in Japan (where these bikes are worshipped by some), but he has cancelled the upgraded model that he had ordered. They are a bit of an anachronism in the modern world, as they are based on the concept (that I know Mick still subscribes to), that rock hard narrow tyres are the most efficient and you need suspension to get adequate comfort. This has been proven to be wrong by research and in practice. Light, flexible wider tyres are in fact more efficient and more comfortable, so why don't Moulton get with the programme and fit fatter tyres and ditch the suspension, which shouldn't be needed on the road.

To this end, I am trying out this little beauty
Neutrino Park.jpg


It has 20" BMX wheels and I am using 50mm tyres. It only weighs 11Kg with mudguards. It is comfy at 30psi and rolls well on the road and on gravel trails. I haven't done enough miles yet to give a detailed appraisal, but initial reactions are that it rides well enough up hills, but for long rides I would always choose my full sized Polyvalent with 650B 42mm tyres, but that may be just because I love that bike!
by MikewsMITH2
8 May 2020, 10:44am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Unusual Freewheel - how to remove?
Replies: 10
Views: 509

Re: Unusual Freewheel - how to remove?

Thanks Brucey.
Another 9 spokes and 3 Weetabix and I have managed to remove it. I must pay closer attention to Brucey's instructions in future!
Does anyone know what the freewheel is? Some kind of early attempt at a cassette system? It is marked "Shimano China" so I am thinking it is not that old. The bike is 1980's
by MikewsMITH2
7 May 2020, 11:40pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Unusual Freewheel - how to remove?
Replies: 10
Views: 509

Re: Unusual Freewheel - how to remove?

I only tried 9, but it was in a good bench vice. Will have another go in the morning
by MikewsMITH2
7 May 2020, 10:39pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Unusual Freewheel - how to remove?
Replies: 10
Views: 509

Re: Unusual Freewheel - how to remove?

Thanks to all for suggestions. Tried Brucey's method but it is just too tight and the wheel is to springy. Guess the next step is to try and dismantle the freewheel and build up the wheel completely?
by MikewsMITH2
7 May 2020, 2:42pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Unusual Freewheel - how to remove?
Replies: 10
Views: 509

Unusual Freewheel - how to remove?

Any one seen one of these? But more importantly any tips on removal, now the rim has gone ? It takes a normal Shimano freewheel tool.
Duncan Hub.jpg

My first thoughts are to build the left hand side of the wheel only and remove the usual way.
by MikewsMITH2
5 May 2019, 11:26am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Stuck stem - removing drilled out remnants of
Replies: 9
Views: 648

Re: Stuck stem - removing drilled out remnants of

Have done the caustic soda trick a few times. It works well and is great fun. You can buy lye off eBay. Crafters use it for making their own soap. You need a tall slim vessel and add the crystals until they won’t dissolve any more. Put the steerer into the vessel in a plastic bucket as it will bubble over. Then sit back and watch the fun. You may need to change the caustic solution a couple of times if the bubbling stops. You will hear the stem wedge fall to the bottom of the vessel when done. Very satisfying.
by MikewsMITH2
2 Jun 2018, 10:39pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Sturmey Archer damage?
Replies: 22
Views: 1616

Re: Sturmey Archer damage?

I blame Steve Browne He sold it me. I want my money back Steve ;-)
by MikewsMITH2
2 Jun 2018, 10:14pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Sturmey Archer damage?
Replies: 22
Views: 1616

Re: Sturmey Archer damage?

yes Brucey alloy shell dated 1951. it was worse than it looks in that photo
Image
There was a severe pothole strike a while ago which may have started the crack.
by MikewsMITH2
2 Jun 2018, 9:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Sturmey Archer damage?
Replies: 22
Views: 1616

Re: Sturmey Archer damage?

Image

1951 FM shell
by MikewsMITH2
21 Feb 2018, 12:28pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: ADVICE ON TANDEM TYRES PLEASE
Replies: 15
Views: 1602

Re: ADVICE ON TANDEM TYRES PLEASE

Wider tyres at lower pressure are only faster if the tyre is more flexible. Schwalbe Marathons are not flexible.
by MikewsMITH2
20 Feb 2018, 8:49pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: ADVICE ON TANDEM TYRES PLEASE
Replies: 15
Views: 1602

Re: ADVICE ON TANDEM TYRES PLEASE

They were often flat at the bottom
by MikewsMITH2
10 Apr 2017, 3:21pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: togglechaintour bikes
Replies: 4848
Views: 256830

Re: togglechaintour bikes

Hi
TCT migrated to its own website years ago (now defunct). It petered out in 2014. It is now here http://www.touringcyclistclub.org.uk/Fo ... board=20.0 Little or no activity, but the original founders are there.
Cheers
Mike
by MikewsMITH2
2 Dec 2016, 8:58pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Restoring a 1970s Merlin
Replies: 8
Views: 951

Re: Restoring a 1970s Merlin

New TA Pro 5 Vis (Cyclotouriste) rings are still made and (sporadically) available in all sizes 26-52T. PM me if you need some.