Cycling UK Forum

I've run Schwalbe Marathons on an eighties Raleigh with Weinmann rims for the last 18 months (about 4,000 miles) without a problem, think I've had them at about 80psi.

SJS have a stainless steel bracket by Schmidt specifically for the Brompton: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Schmidt-Schmidt-Stainless-Steel-Headlamp-Bracket-for-Mounting-Schmidt-E6-Headlamp-on-a-Brompton-11620.htm I bought one for mounting an Edelux on a Brompton (that I've not yet bought) - I e...

27" wheels have a bead diameter of 630mm, 700c wheels have a bead diameter of 622mm, 8mm difference, therefore your brakes need to reach 4mm further to be able to swap from 27" to 700c.

The other thing to bare in mind is the initial supplies of the Schmidt Edelux are completely sold out, no more are expected until the end of September at the absolute earliest apparently. SJS are the UK distributor and sold all theirs in 5 days they told me - no one else in the UK had any!

'Paint' everything gungy with Gunk engine cleaner using an old paintbrush (especially the rear rim after you've made the mistake of using Finishline wet lube which seems to just have the effect of spraying the rim making braking a bit interesting!) then hose off with a fine spray and then wash the b...

Don't know whether it's just my imagination but I don't think there's as good a selection of Galaxys, Mercians or Raleigh tourers on ebay as there was at this point last year and the ones that are there seem to sometimes go for silly amounts. The prices asked on the For Sale/Wanted section on this s...

Go to the bottom of the M1 and park in a side street near Brent Cross tube station? You might need to be quite a few streets away but only a few minutes walk or if switching to bike it doesn't matter.

When I placed my frame order canti brakes went on the order to permit 32mm tyres, afterwards I remembered about the relatively recent Tektro R556 55-73mm dual pivots - don't think Mercian had seen these before, anyway I got a pair from the US and sent them up to Mercian - John at Mercian seems to th...

I spoke to John in the shop today who said he'd advise 853 for a heavier rider or loads of baggage - I'm not particularly heavy, certainly not the 18 stone he mentioned! Anyway, as long as I let them know pretty soon of any change it's OK - so the jury is out for the weekend, verdict expected early ...

And it has a tendancy to become completely invisible when wet and dark, even with, maybe especially with sodium street lights - certainly have this problem when driving and have noticed it too when on the bike. Motorcyclists I believe definitly hate it for its lack of grip, France and maybe elsewher...

Have a look at http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/light-mounts.asp

Seems to be lots of interesting stuff on his website! It's in the US but he says he ships internationally (I've not used him though).

Sounds like it needs some attention from a frame builder, Mercian for example, their website lists:

New fork column £44.00

And then its going to need a repaint too, they should be able to match the original finish.

I think rear stays have to be either 525 or 725 regardless of whether the main tubes are 631 or 853?

Think I might phone them and ask why I shouldn't go 631 forks, 853 main tubes and 725 stays.

Thanks, my original logic went along the lines of any weight difference 631 - 853 would be fairly insignificant for a touring bike carrying panniers, etc and also there seems to be some suggestion that 853 would be more likely to dent easily. Wonder why Dawes choose 853 for the Ultra Galaxy? Thorn s...

I've got a Mercian Vincitore special on order at the moment specified with 631 tubing - I thought I'd decided this, but now can't help thinking would 853 be 'better'... The frame is being built as a tourer with wide clearances, etc - off the peg you might consider a Dawes Ultra Galaxy (853). Anyone ...