Search found 5107 matches

by irc
17 Mar 2024, 11:08am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Budget wheels opinion
Replies: 13
Views: 523

Re: Budget wheels opinion

I agree with PH. I would either go for something like that Bankrupt Bikes wheelset or pay enough to get a pair of wheels from a recognised handbuilt place.

I got a pair of handbuilt 26" wheel for £145 plus delivery from Spa Cycles as they had a sale on. I was needing disc wheels though. No 26" rim only in the sale.

If you bought something like these you can pretty much be sure they would never break. I have have similar Spa wheels with Sputnik 700c rims used for thousands of miles of loaded touring. 16 stone rider and camping gear. No problems. The only reason not to would be if you wanted something a bit lighter.

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m10b0s200p5 ... ce-of-Rims

Another option is buy a handbuilt rear wheel as the rear takes most of the abuse and a cheap front wheel.
by irc
16 Mar 2024, 5:18pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: crazyguyonabike site
Replies: 11
Views: 792

Re: crazyguyonabike site

simonhill wrote: 16 Mar 2024, 1:54am
Some journals I had been using for info have 'disappeared ', so its certainly not the font of all knowledge it used to be.
That happens as the journals are the property of the author not the site. As for the owner. He is opinionated and expresses strong opinions. That said it only effects the forums and there is no need to use them. In fact compared to previous years the forums are quiet. As result of general changes in social media or site specific who knows? In any case having a very divisive owner hasn't stopped people using Twitter.

It is a useful site IMO whether you use the forums or not.
by irc
9 Mar 2024, 1:20pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Train Glasgow to Pitlochry Return
Replies: 9
Views: 495

Re: Train Glasgow to Pitlochry Return

Pebble wrote: 8 Mar 2024, 11:32pm I wouldn't worry, scotsrail seem to be quite relaxed about bikes, I often travel with bike and never book. I was on a train last week (not as a cyclist) from Livingston back to Edinburgh. There was loads of bikes on the train, I doubt any were booked. Seriously its not like it was 20 years ago when they could get all arsie like they do down in Engerland. The scot rail staff just seem to go on like normal human beings and the trains are pretty reliable.
Scotrail do get arsey about bikes. I saw a local in Oban turfed off even though he was only going one stop.

The Glasgow - Livingston - Edinburgh line though does not require reservations. I guess the trains are big enough and frequent enough it is not an issue.

So I would not turn up to a Glasgow Pitlochry train without a booking and expect to get on. Last time I was trying to book a bike for Glasgow - Inverness the only way was by going via Aberdeen. So as stated above - book -, and book early.
by irc
5 Mar 2024, 3:15am
Forum: On the road
Topic: 20mph Did you know, FACT!
Replies: 55
Views: 5985

Re: 20mph Did you know, FACT!

TrevA wrote: 30 Nov 2023, 11:19am It’s not just 20mph speed limits, no speed limits apply to cyclists, they only apply to motor vehicles or to be more accurate mechanically propelled vehicles.
Appears that in this case it is actually motor vehicles they apply to.

"A person who drives a motor vehicle on a road at a speed exceeding a limit imposed by or under any enactment to which this section applies shall be guilty of an offence."

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/section/89
by irc
20 Feb 2024, 9:20am
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Thread derailment
Replies: 16
Views: 732

Re: Thread derailment

mattheus wrote: 20 Feb 2024, 8:09am
irc wrote: 19 Feb 2024, 9:47pm
rjb wrote: 19 Feb 2024, 12:27pm What annoys me the most are links posted with no reference to what they are about. :(
Especially if the ink is a video.
Those ones are easy - I simply never open them.
Exactly. There is no point posting a video link without a couple of sentences saying what it is. Nobody will look at it.
by irc
19 Feb 2024, 9:47pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Thread derailment
Replies: 16
Views: 732

Re: Thread derailment

rjb wrote: 19 Feb 2024, 12:27pm What annoys me the most are links posted with no reference to what they are about. :(
Especially if the ink is a video.
by irc
13 Feb 2024, 7:31pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Will I get on the train?
Replies: 51
Views: 3202

Re: Will I get on the train?

rogerzilla wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 3:15pm
irc wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 11:07pm
Lazybird wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 9:01pm Have booked a bike space on the train Exeter to Plymouth on a Friday morning in early May to catch the ferry to Roscoff. Now I’m worried that the bike rack will be full of general luggage and I won’t get on despite having booked. Is this a realistic possibilty or am I being overly pessimistic?
Ask staff before the train arrives which carriage has the bike space. Get on the train. If the bike rack is blocked by luggage then block the aisle with your bike. The staff will soon get the luggage moved. If it was me my bike would be in the bike rack and the luggage moved out the way but if you don't want to do that the staff are there to sort out issues like this.
What staff? We usually stand from Swindon to Bristol because our bike spaces are full of luggage amd surfboards.

If you are getting on at the starting station, you might be able to get something done. At an intermediate station, no chance.

The other issue is that two normal bikes don't fit in the GWR "cupboard" anyway.
There was plenty staff available last time I got the Oban train to stop a local getting on for one stop with his bike because he didn't have a booking.
by irc
12 Feb 2024, 11:07pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Will I get on the train?
Replies: 51
Views: 3202

Re: Will I get on the train?

Lazybird wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 9:01pm Have booked a bike space on the train Exeter to Plymouth on a Friday morning in early May to catch the ferry to Roscoff. Now I’m worried that the bike rack will be full of general luggage and I won’t get on despite having booked. Is this a realistic possibilty or am I being overly pessimistic?
Ask staff before the train arrives which carriage has the bike space. Get on the train. If the bike rack is blocked by luggage then block the aisle with your bike. The staff will soon get the luggage moved. If it was me my bike would be in the bike rack and the luggage moved out the way but if you don't want to do that the staff are there to sort out issues like this.
by irc
11 Feb 2024, 8:31pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Footways - planning
Replies: 26
Views: 1227

Re: Footways - planning

gaz wrote: 11 Feb 2024, 2:25pm We know that neither one more lane nor one more car park will fix it,
Do we? My estate built 50 years ago has footpaths seperate from the roads. After 50 years of growth in vehicle ownership it still has enough parking. Build it adequately in the first place - problem solved.

In fact at work the other day I remarked that the new build estate we were in was unusual in that every house had 2 or more off road spaces. Compared to the footprint of a house and garden the amount needed for a couple of cars is not much.

I accept Victorian streets will have issues but you can't blame the designers back then for not seeing a century into the future.
by irc
7 Feb 2024, 1:23am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Ritchey Road Logic back in rim brakes
Replies: 9
Views: 608

Re: Ritchey Road Logic back in rim brakes

Yikes! £1400. It looks fairy similar to my Surly Pacer frame. £200 second hand in great condition. The last frame I boughtwas my Spa Steel Tourer - memory says around £300? new fairly soon after they were introduced. Even allowing for inflation I couldn't bring myself to shell out £1400 for a frameset. Looks nice thouigh.
by irc
31 Jan 2024, 1:57pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Campaigners / campaigning groups joining to use the forum as a platform
Replies: 8
Views: 747

Re: Campaigners / campaigning groups joining to use the forum as a platform

I have no issue with current members posting links as part of a campaign. I don't think it is appropriate for anyone to join just to post links then not take part in any subsequent discussion of the issue in question. That feels like spam.

Some forums have rules about needing to be a member for a certain time and/or make a certain number of posts before being allowed to post links.
by irc
29 Jan 2024, 1:56pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Conversion Rim to Disc Frames
Replies: 10
Views: 675

Re: Conversion Rim to Disc Frames

You would need new hubs. bar endshifters and drop bar brake levers could work with cable disc brakes. But given you are needing buy a new frame. new wheels, new brakes, possibly new brake levers a second hand Disc Trucker is the way to go IMO. For little difference in price you would end up with two bikes. Or your current Trucker could be sold to go towards the relacement.

Or as an alternative to a Disc Trucker

viewtopic.php?t=159606
by irc
18 Jan 2024, 9:21am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain slipping under load - chainring wear?
Replies: 17
Views: 1327

Re: Chain slipping under load - chainring wear?

bohrsatom wrote: 18 Jan 2024, 9:06am
Tempted to replace the middle chainring and see if this improves things
Doesn't owe you much after 15000 miles. So why not? Either it fixes the problem or your chainring is good for the next 15000 miles.
by irc
6 Jan 2024, 6:27am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Cycling, carbs, the bonk and ketones - in that order
Replies: 26
Views: 2177

Re: Cycling, carbs, the bonk and ketones - in that order

Interesting topic. On my last 1 month tour I lost 12 pounds in weight so was obviously burning fat much of the time. I never experienced any bonk symptoms. It was fully loaded and slow paced.

I have experienced the bonk before usually on a very long (for me) day ride or walk. Needed to get some carbs in and rest for 30 mins before going on. Though also bonked once or twice on previous tours last time was in 2009. No idea why I haven't bonked on more recent tours. It all seems a bit random.
by irc
2 Jan 2024, 10:58pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Bi-Focal Contact Lenses & Alternative Tricks? Anybody Experiences/Knowledge
Replies: 35
Views: 1725

Re: Bi-Focal Contact Lenses? Anybody Experiences/Knowledge

I use bifocals from Specsavers. Minimal distance prescription and +2 for reading. Wear them all the time and just forget they are on. It's one thing I wouldn't buy online. Apart from the pupil distance the line between the main lense and the close vision insert needs to be in the right place.

Edit Sorry I see you are looking for contacts. It;s glasses I wear.