Cycling UK Forum

Does anyone have any experience of riding in the Cesky Krumlov area? We're heading that way beginning of July and I'd be interested to know whether bikes and and/or their wheels are more or less likely to get nicked than anywhere else when unattended. Sounds like a slightly paranoid question but I'm...

OK so the Conti tyre seems to be made of the right stuff, but doesn't come in a 25 size. I guess the sensible thing to do is stay off the road when it's icy!

My riding in the morning has been somewhat curtailed by the hard frosts we have been having here in East Anglia. I once came off very badly on black ice and now have no sight in one eye as a result of the injury. Anyway, I was thinking about how on the continent people fit winter tyres on their cars...

We got a ladies Raleigh Captus and have no complaints about it. Good build quality. Quite heavy but you don't notice when it's rolling. Only an issue if you need to transport it I guess.
I second the 'try a hire bike or two first' idea.

I sometimes ride from Presteigne in mid-Wales to Knighton, a short hop going the back road up a road called Stonewall. It has a very steep section of around 500m in the middle of a fairly steep section. The challenge comes in defeating the road surface ie not spinning the wheel when out of the saddl...

Thanks everyone for your input. Think I'll try without and see how it works! (But put them in a safe place in case... )

On my Dawes Mono single speed the rear drop-outs each have an adjuster screw that turns with an allen key. Are they really necessary? They are a faff and the wheel is easily positioned in the dropouts without them. Or do they actually serve a purpose of preventing the wheel from pulling forward (I'm...

I agree with the earlier post re Exustar Stelvio: retro looking, black leather shoe. But they do have laces which puts some people off. In my experience, great for riding and walking (up steep hills at the end of a long sportive!)

Thanks Brucey, maybe I'll get one of my more able pals to watch over me while I attempt it!

What is the 'low stack height problem' I should be looking out for? (That SJS headset looks like good value for money - not sure I trust myself rebuilding the old headset... )

How much 'better' is a 600 headset than a 105? And where does the 500 I see advertised on ebay stand in comparison? The 600 I have on my 80s rebuild needs replacing and so I'm looking at alternatives? (The rest of the group is 105.) Is it best to buy a new/NOS. Is it risky to buy another 2nd hand on...

When cycling in the lanes I almost never stop to let a vehicle past. It's my road as much as a motorist's (usually just one in the car). But invariably you only have to cycle on a short distance and the car is stopped to let someone thru coming the other way! I figure if an onward approaching car ca...

This line is incredibly unreliable so look out for the dread bus replacement service, especially on Sundays.

That's really helpful everyone and very much appreciated. We're staying in the NW so it looks like we're in the right place. Midge-wise I am packing Avon Skin So Soft as it is said to be an effective repellent. Not sure I will need it as the weather forecast doesn't favour midges (or cyclists come t...

I use the old fashioned looking Exustar Stelvio leather shoes. I rub dubbin like the football boots of old. And if it is raining hard (or cold) I put overshoes on. Simples.