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by Vorpal
17 Mar 2024, 12:20am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Cycling motivation survey - looking for participants
Replies: 24
Views: 822

Re: Cycling motivation survey - looking for participants

SwiftyDoesIt has been banned for violating forum guidelines, and a couple of posts removed.
by Vorpal
15 Mar 2024, 12:27pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: The "Royals" Thread
Replies: 1350
Views: 54527

Re: The "Royals" Thread

A few posts have been removed from this thread. Please argue nicely, folks :)
by Vorpal
14 Mar 2024, 8:17am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Tour Plans for 2024
Replies: 76
Views: 9393

Re: Tour Plans for 2024

Littlest, who will soon be 15 :shock: wants to have a go at touring this year. He has outgrown my hybrid (yes, he's taller than me now), so we need to get something suitable for him, but then I think we will head south along the coast of the Oslofjord, as it is the flattest and has the best weather. It has the additional advantages of reasonably spaced campgrounds, and I know a fair amount of the route.
by Vorpal
13 Mar 2024, 12:57pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2120
Views: 108172

Re: BEVs

Carlton green wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 11:20am

I see your logic yet is it not flawed? Comparing fossil fuel powered cars with battery ones only works well if the capabilities stay near the same over their whole operating range. I suspect that fossil fuel cars do use more fuel in winter (ie. give less mileage) but don’t suffer as much as BEV’s do. Marketing people and others overlook such differences and the trying to be informed customer can be mislead, surely that’s something that needs to be better considered and noted.
While I mainly meant that the *tests* are of the same nature, they are not allowed to mislead customers, and the companies that have been accused of this, have changed their training for staff, and made efforts to be clearer in the information they provide.

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-revie ... crossover/
by Vorpal
13 Mar 2024, 11:08am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2120
Views: 108172

Re: BEVs

al_yrpal wrote: 13 Mar 2024, 10:55am Emissions scandal, and now this? Manufacturers need to be honest about their products, top marks for What Car for these revalations.

Al

Should they be honest about the range in hilly conditions? Flat? Winter? Summer? Rural driving? City? Motorway? Italy? Sweden? England? Wales? Aggressive driver? Careful driver?

Or should they maybe use a standard test of some sort?

While the manufacturer's published ranges are optimistic, I don't know how else they should determine range than the prescribed (and sometimes legally required) tests. It's no different that way than fuel economy.They use published processes to determine the range. They also advise buyers that the range is reduced by cold weather. The 1/3rd reduction for winter range found by What Car is typical.

Not revelations.
by Vorpal
13 Mar 2024, 10:56am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: BEVs
Replies: 2120
Views: 108172

Re: BEVs

Jdsk wrote: 12 Mar 2024, 3:02pm
NB date.

"How did Norway become the electric car superpower? Oil money, civil disobedience – and Morten from a-ha":
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl ... -from-a-ha

Jonathan
Nice article. I guess it was inspired by a shorter version of the story on BBC Scotland https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dvbc

Apparently the story is fairly well-known in Norway. I wasn't aware.
by Vorpal
11 Mar 2024, 8:26am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Knee protection please
Replies: 39
Views: 1726

Re: Knee protection please

Jdsk wrote: 10 Mar 2024, 9:17am
Pinhead wrote: 9 Mar 2024, 2:42pm ...
Knee protection, I see many professionals use knee protection, I also ride on places such as the video, any advice please on reasonable knee protection, eg what about these, (or similar) can I have advice from "users" please.
...
Efficient pedalling requires flexion at the knee.

Are there protectors that have multiple separate horizontal bars which allow easy flexion while still providing protection from external impact?

Jonathan
There are knee protectors for BMX. They are either built into trousers, or they tend to be sheath type, lycra tubes with knee pads built in. They work best in conjunction with other BMX clothes. They are also dear, and require a good fit to be comfortable, and not bunch up.

here is an example; I am not familiar with the shop

https://www.skatepro.uk/498-40446.htm

and a slightly cheaper example; again, I am not familiar with the shop

https://crucialbmxshop.com/g-form-pro-x-knee-pads
by Vorpal
7 Mar 2024, 3:57pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Flying bikes back from Tirana Airport
Replies: 9
Views: 533

Re: Flying bikes back from Tirana Airport

Andy61 wrote: 7 Mar 2024, 11:57am Thanks for your replies.
We've found a few bike shops in central Tirana and one of our group has made contact. One place has said they can supply boxes, but is asking 20 euros per box. In many years of travelling with a bike I've never known a bike shop ask for payment for used bike boxes, but if that's what we have to do then so be it.
The ironic thing is that I don't actually need a box, my demountable frame bike will pack into a bag that I'll carry with me. The rest of the group are the ones needing boxes.
Thanks again for your replies.
The alternative is likely to ask multiple shops for 1 box each, but then you have the trouble of going around collecting them.
by Vorpal
7 Mar 2024, 8:27am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Put a lid on it
Replies: 11
Views: 667

Re: Put a lid on it

tim-b wrote: 7 Mar 2024, 8:20am
Should this go in the Helmut thread. :shock: :lol:
Definitely shouldn't be here...

Mods: please move to "What Has Made You Laugh Today?"
:lol:
by Vorpal
7 Mar 2024, 8:26am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Routing online or via "knowledge" ?
Replies: 30
Views: 1867

Re: Routing online or via "knowledge" ?

gbnz wrote: 6 Mar 2024, 3:58pm
Little or no engineering of any era on the routes & wasn't even as if the restrictions on modern day paths, tracks or roads being constructed, would have been a restraining factor. All the roads required for an obvious route existed, even the Roman road now being tarmac
I assure you that a huge amount of engineering went into the Roman Road, or it wouldn't have survived to be tarmacked.

They either dug out or compacted the surface, then built foundations. They also used a multi-layer technique, not so different from what is done today, but the layers were thicker and more durable. They cambered the surfaces for drainage, and where necessary, facilitated drainage in other ways. In many way, the engineering, even for a simple straight surface was more than that done today. First because they did it without access to even Victorian technology, and second because it had to be built with human & animal power.
by Vorpal
6 Mar 2024, 10:41am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Routing online or via "knowledge" ?
Replies: 30
Views: 1867

Re: Routing online or via "knowledge" ?

gbnz wrote: 2 Mar 2024, 8:41pm
Sorry, just bemused that the Romans, 1800 yrs ago, the Victorians 140 yr's ag, a 13yr old in 1985, immediately recognised the contours of the local landscape and were able to define an appropriate route immediately. As I was today, sans map or IT

Just wondering if it's a fairly common experience, to find that "cycle routes",, are routinely defined by motor vehicle dependent individuals', without an intuitive regard for "up's & downs" in the landscape ? As anyone who walks, cycles, or rides will know, on an intuitive basis
Romans & Victorians immediately recognised the contours of the local landscape and were able to engineer an appropriate route.
by Vorpal
6 Mar 2024, 7:32am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Is 250w enough power for modest speed up steep hills
Replies: 329
Views: 28871

Re: Is 250 W enough power?

BarcodeUK wrote: 6 Mar 2024, 5:19am

I did read the consultation document and the Cycling UK statement. Sadly, most Cycle UK replies would be considered out of scope and ignored.
What do you mean by 'out of scope' in this situation?
BarcodeUK wrote: 6 Mar 2024, 5:19am The consultation is biased towards only considering the benefits of increased power and no pedalling requirement.

Possibly hidden below question 9 is the statement:
"The consultation is limited to the 2 proposed changes to the regulations and the above questions. It does not extend to wider topics related to e-cycles, cycling or active travel, including mandatory insurance, licensing or helmets, the Highway Code, cycle training or riding in an antisocial manner. Responses that are not relevant will be disregarded."

Questions 1) and 4) relate to the two proposed changes 1) being increase power to 500W and 4) Allow twist and go ie no peddling required. Questions 2) and 5) require explaining the response to the main question and mentioning additional benefits or risks (including in relation to road safety) not referenced in the document. When you read the rest of the consultation document, they cover the risks (including road safety). So, they will ignore all the points they don't like against this policy change.
Are you saying that that they plan to ignore valid responses to the questions because they may require additional explanation?
BarcodeUK wrote: 6 Mar 2024, 5:19am If these go through, we will have a fast and heavy class of vehicles that can be used on cycle lanes and shared pavements (taken by many to mean any pavement) without the rider/driver needing any formal qualification/training or license. Any law enforcement will be limited. Currently, anybody would struggle to spot an illegal e-cycle, how would any enforcement be possible?

The acceleration of a 250W e-cycle is somewhat limited by the requirement to peddle over 3.73mph. Remove this, and you have a vehicle that will out-accelerate a 50cc moped. Would anybody support allowing mopeds access to shared pavement and cycleways?

What remedy is there in law for those using these illegally? No driving license is required, so banning is not an option. For the trials of the legal e-scooters a driving license is required to hire them allowing the option to impose points and a ban. There is no such requirement for e-cycles. Already the police are unable to control rides of illegal e-scooters.

Any damage to the person or property is not required to be covered in law by insurance.
I don't see how the ability for enforcement changes. It is poor, but that is at least as much a problem of policing methods and budgets as it is the e-bikes. Maybe they can get a testing dyno, like the Dutch police use https://electricbikereport.com/dutch-po ... er-output/

The police already have the power to confiscate and crush illegal motorbikes, which is exactly what an illegal e-bike is.
by Vorpal
5 Mar 2024, 10:54am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Flying bikes back from Tirana Airport
Replies: 9
Views: 533

Re: Flying bikes back from Tirana Airport

I haven't flown back from there, but there are *lots* of bike shops there.

I would just call some & ask them.
by Vorpal
4 Mar 2024, 2:01pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: touring gearing ?
Replies: 18
Views: 1146

Re: touring gearing ?

ton wrote: 2 Mar 2024, 7:42pm got a 3 week tour planned in France, taking in the massif central.
and i need to change my gearing to suit the terrain.
running 9 speed at present. 26-36-50 with a 12-34 block, was just looking at merlin. 22-32-44 sq taper set on offer, with a 12-36 block. all on off.
worth a punt ?
That is a change I would make, though the gearing already looks pretty good for hills.
by Vorpal
4 Mar 2024, 12:08pm
Forum: Using the Forum - request help : report difficulties
Topic: Hacked forum accounts and spammers editing posts to add spam links
Replies: 3
Views: 137

Re: Cyclist in Ukraine. Youtube videos

DevonDamo wrote: 1 Mar 2024, 11:35pm
[Edit: my post from yesterday below now makes no sense because, since I posted it, a moderator has quietly deleted all the posts made by the 'Yatsushiro' account over the past year. All of these posts had been edited 3 days after posting to include spam links, which may well have been malicious. Oddly, the moderator has deemed the post above to be worthy of preserving, despite it obviously not being a genuine comment - just any old banal text which the hacker can later edit to include a spam/malicious link.

...

If you take a look at Yatsuhiro's post history, you'll notice something odd.

The account was obviously hacked around September last year, from which time onwards the account has been making vanilla posts, like the above, on dormant threads. There is then a 3 day pause, before the hacker tiptoes back and adds a spam link to the post.
The post under discussion was not considered 'worthy of preserving', other than for the sake of this discussion.

What has happened is that
1) Yatsushiro's posts with spammy links have been moved to a moderator area
2) the user account was deactivated, along with another that the same hacker/spammer was likely using
3) I posted viewtopic.php?t=160154

slowster did 1 & 2 a few days ago.
DevonDamo wrote: 1 Mar 2024, 11:35pmIf you see any odd posts, e.g. replies to long-dead threads which basically add nothing, then check that poster's history before jumping back into the debate. Continuing the original discussion will just help the hacker out, i.e. if the long dead thread comes back to life, their dodgy post will no longer stick out like a sore thumb. If it looks suspicious, flag it up whichever way you think is best.
Please report them using the '!' button.