Search found 310 matches
- 27 Nov 2022, 6:35pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Changing stem height - change length?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 743
Re: Changing stem height - change length?
In answer to the original question, I find that when I lower my bars I need to reduce the reach. That means a stem with less rise also needs to have less reach. Conversely, when I raise my bars, I like to have more reach on the stem to feel comfortable on the bike. The amount of ideal reach for me varies by up to 20mm when I vary the rise by 60mm. This is true for me when the bars are set at the height of the saddle or approx 20mm lower. Your dimensions may vary.
- 29 Sep 2022, 8:24am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Advice on gearing
- Replies: 60
- Views: 4110
Re: Advice on gearing
Chainsets with 48-36-24 are available. That would give you 14 per cent easier gear.
- 21 Jul 2022, 10:24am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: 599 tyres
- Replies: 34
- Views: 1697
Re: 599 tyres
I agree that one of those photos (the top one) appears to show 590, while the other three photos show 599, though the wear to the rubber means it's difficult to be certain.
Manual measurement is more complicated than it might seem, because this number refers to the rim's bead seat diameter (BSD). This is the recessed portion of the rim where the wired bead of the tyre sits, and so it's a slightly smaller circle than the rim edge. The BSD is tricky to measure with a tape measure outside the rim as you need to guess where the bead seat is.
Manual measurement is more complicated than it might seem, because this number refers to the rim's bead seat diameter (BSD). This is the recessed portion of the rim where the wired bead of the tyre sits, and so it's a slightly smaller circle than the rim edge. The BSD is tricky to measure with a tape measure outside the rim as you need to guess where the bead seat is.
- 14 Jul 2022, 9:06am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: When did Raleigh stop making roadsters and what replaced them?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2229
Re: When did Raleigh stop making roadsters and what replaced them?
The short answer to the OP is that the hybrid replaced the traditional roadster.
My father owned a series of roadsters, buying a new one even ten years or so, and using them for his one-mile trip to work. The last one he owned was made around 1990 and was among the last to come out Raleigh's Nottingham factory.
I was into mountain bikes at the time and received a budget ATB (as they were known) as a Christmas present in 1989. Around the same time, my mate had a Raleigh Pioneer, which combined mountain bike components with 700c wheels and a frame with roadster geometry. It's hard to overstate the novelty of that combination at the time. A bike with mountain bike gearing but a roadster's ride quality. And this is the format that has stayed with us, as 'the hybrid', into the 2020s.
There are still Dutch bikes, featuring more relaxed geometry, and there are hybrids with internal hub gears from Shimano and SRAM, and I guess those are closer to the original Roadster recipe, though they're rarely found in UK bike shops.
My father owned a series of roadsters, buying a new one even ten years or so, and using them for his one-mile trip to work. The last one he owned was made around 1990 and was among the last to come out Raleigh's Nottingham factory.
I was into mountain bikes at the time and received a budget ATB (as they were known) as a Christmas present in 1989. Around the same time, my mate had a Raleigh Pioneer, which combined mountain bike components with 700c wheels and a frame with roadster geometry. It's hard to overstate the novelty of that combination at the time. A bike with mountain bike gearing but a roadster's ride quality. And this is the format that has stayed with us, as 'the hybrid', into the 2020s.
There are still Dutch bikes, featuring more relaxed geometry, and there are hybrids with internal hub gears from Shimano and SRAM, and I guess those are closer to the original Roadster recipe, though they're rarely found in UK bike shops.
- 6 Oct 2021, 9:02am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: What size frame is a 22.5" MTB these days?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 690
Re: What size frame is a 22.5" MTB these days?
What length stem are you using? And what is the make and model of bike?
- 5 Oct 2021, 10:44am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: What size frame is a 22.5" MTB these days?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 690
Re: What size frame is a 22.5" MTB these days?
If you need more reach, you could fit a longer stem. A 22.5" effective top tube on a MTB sounds about right for someone 5' 10"
- 5 Oct 2021, 10:30am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Supergluing bike locks - does it really happen
- Replies: 42
- Views: 3215
Re: Supergluing bike locks - does it really happen
Yes, I think I'd source a low value bike if I were regularly parking in the street, so that theft would be less of a concern. That bike would need to be just good enough for that journey. The £1200 bike can be kept for other rides.
- 4 Oct 2021, 2:51pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Supergluing bike locks - does it really happen
- Replies: 42
- Views: 3215
Re: Supergluing bike locks - does it really happen
I reckon I'd carry a lock with me just in case. A lightweight one, perhaps. That way, I'd know I'd always be able to lock up.
- 15 Sep 2021, 4:58pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Laptop On Tour - How/Practicalities
- Replies: 35
- Views: 2013
Re: Laptop On Tour - How/Practicalities
I've killed two laptops in the last 20 years, in each case by carrying the machine in a rear pannier. The first time the magnetic HDD failed through being shaken. Second time a cooling fan failed, apparently from being shaken while on the bike. More recently I've owned a fanless laptop with SSD, but I've learnt my lesson and carry the PC in a small backpack rather than a pannier. Two tough plastic bags keep the water off the computer if the backpack lets the rain in.
- 11 Sep 2021, 12:26pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Saddle help
- Replies: 26
- Views: 1891
Re: Saddle help
I think this is the kind of purchase that needs a trip to a bike shop. You could take your tape measure with you to find something your required width. Difficult to choose a saddle online even if there are numerous photos.
- 11 Sep 2021, 12:21pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: chain jumps off inner ring
- Replies: 12
- Views: 692
Re: chain jumps off inner ring
Good experience using the dog fang.
- 11 Sep 2021, 12:20pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: chain jumps off inner ring
- Replies: 12
- Views: 692
Re: chain jumps off inner ring
Good experince using the dog fang.
- 14 Aug 2020, 10:35am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Hitch upgrade for cargo trailer
- Replies: 3
- Views: 297
Hitch upgrade for cargo trailer
I have a cheap cargo trailer with a spring hitch at the left side of the bicycle's rear axle. It is the usual design of a steel spring connecting a short piece of tube to the trailer's draw bar. I have found the trailer handles poorly when heavily loaded and suspect the hitch is to blame. When I accelerate, the trailer drags, then stops dragging, then drags, then stops dragging. Perhaps three or four times.
Seeking to upgrade the hitch, ideally to eliminate the spring. I like the simplicity of the Carry Freedom Y-Frame trailer's elastomer hitch. SJS sell these as spares for £55 and I imagine they can be retrofitted to other trailers. Anyone retrofitted an elastomer hitch of this type, as an upgrade?
Any other options for an upgrade to the hitch?
Seeking to upgrade the hitch, ideally to eliminate the spring. I like the simplicity of the Carry Freedom Y-Frame trailer's elastomer hitch. SJS sell these as spares for £55 and I imagine they can be retrofitted to other trailers. Anyone retrofitted an elastomer hitch of this type, as an upgrade?
Any other options for an upgrade to the hitch?
- 22 Apr 2019, 8:00am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Uses for a dead D-lock.
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1933
Re: Uses for a dead D-lock.
Another ground anchor?
- 4 Jul 2018, 10:18pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Do I want a bike that doesn't exist?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1780
Re: Do I want a bike that doesn't exist?
I considered flip flop but decided I would only use one of the sides. The idea of flip flop is nice, but I can't see myself actually taking the wheel off mid ride and getting my hands mucky for the sake of a couple of sprocket teeth. If it had a freewheel that could get me up the steepest hill on my commute, that would be the side I'd use, and I'd keep the wheel that way round all the time.
And so the wheel you have should be good enough, if you just want to run a SS freewheel. You already know you enjoy riding the Plug, which probably means the frame is a good fit for you. That's an argument for sticking with it.
And so the wheel you have should be good enough, if you just want to run a SS freewheel. You already know you enjoy riding the Plug, which probably means the frame is a good fit for you. That's an argument for sticking with it.