Cycling UK Forum

The (fairly new & expensive) Shimano freehub on our tandem is getting a bit sticky so I'm thinking of replacing the freehub body. Its model no is FH-HF08. Now then, do I have to buy the correct body to fit this, or will one from a cheaper hub do? I think SJSC are selling the correct one at nearly 40 quid, so I thought I might save some money by getting a cheaper, complete rear hub & using the freehub from that. Does anyone know if that would work? Could I take it from any Shimano 8/9 speed hub?

The rear chainset on our tandem appears not to be mounted straight on the bottom bracket (square taper), meaning that it wobbles from side to side in a rotation, perhaps by 5mm. (It's not just a bent ring as all the rings move together & yes, the bolt is tight.) I can live with it, but it does mean the chain gets thrown off every now & again when changing onto the big ring. Is there anything that can be done with it, or is it irreparable? Tandem chainsets not cheap!

Yes, a few years ago we left our car for 2 weeks on a street of terraced houses very close to the terminal, no restrictions & no problems, enought room to find a spot but plenty of residents' cars there already so a strange car doesn't stand out. Unloaded the bike & luggage first near the terminal then just walked away from the car without luggage etc to avoid looking conspicuous (don't think I can have been wearing lycra!)

Have a look on Google maps/satellite/street view first, then get there with plenty of timie to spare & drive round once or twice to check it out.

Nutsey wrote:

rbrian wrote:I've never heard of it, and now that I have, I still won't join - my flat is barely big enough for me, and there's nowhere to park a bike, that's why I have a Brompton.

+1

Same as me.

That's a perfect explanation of why two people don't join, but it doesn't answer the original question!

Yes, you need to log in & then go to

Routes & information sheets

then choose

4. Once logged in, just click here to get the routes

then choose

General Information (INF)

then choose

inf07 UK Hospitality Directory
Phew!

Here's the link

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3480

We're members of this (& of Warmshowers too), & will be making use of it in our forthcoming summer tour. But there are only about 75 members in the CTC scheme & with the shocking price of B&Bs & disappearing youth hostels I wonder why more CTC members don't join this mutual scheme. Is it just a well-kept secret, or does the prospect of accommodating strangers put people off?

There is also an excellent inclined tramway, from the centre of Trieste to Villa Opicina, which saves a steep ride out of the city up towards the Slovenian border - the tram has a pair of prongs on the front, from which you hang your bike by the cross bar - quite an adventure in itsef!

http://www.tramdeopcina.it/tram/pages/tt2engl.htm

The terminus in Trieste is at Piazza Oberdan, not listed on Google maps apparently but on this street: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Via+Giosu%C3%A8+Carducci,+Trieste+Italia&sll=45.654226,13.775992&sspn=0.001699,0.004823&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Via+Giosu%C3%A8+Carducci,+Trieste,+Friuli-Venezia+Giulia,+Italy&ll=45.652043,13.77707&spn=0.00723,0.01929&z=16&iwloc=A

I highly recommend this place, where I've stayed a couple of times. Not quite on the route but perhaps worth a short detour for:
http://www.goosegreenfarm.com/

The bolts are prone to rusting, especially if riding in winter, so once you're happy with the cleat positions it might be worth putting a drop of Loctite or similar on the bolts so you can get them out again in the distant future... I also like to fill the hex hole with silicone sealant to keep it clean, for the same reason.

thirdcrank wrote:

Steve wrote:... Skipton would be a bit too busy for a good cycling holiday, in my opinion (I live a few miles down the road).

Bearing in mind the numbers of cyclists who head for Skipton and the surrounding area (as in "Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales") where do you do your own riding when you are not on holiday?

Mostly around Skipton, of course!! And yes there is some excellent riding in the Dales etc, but what I meant was that there are many parts of the country where the cycling is just as good, but the roads are quieter, especially in the summer. Mid Wales for example...... ah, roll on the spring

I found the Fairfx Visa card useful in Europe - you need to credit it in advance, then use it as a debit card, but it works out more cheaply than many bank cards. No charges for purchases & 1.5 euros for cash machine withdrawals I think.

Knighton, Powys is a nice spot to stay, with plenty of scope for cycling on quiet roads & good facilities at generally sensible prices. Skipton would be a bit too busy for a good cycling holiday, in my opinion (I live a few miles down the road).

I would recommend you ask a cardiologist, but yes, in general cycling is good for the heart

Possibly http://www.hlloydcycles.com/