Cycling UK Forum

I agree also. Unfortunately there isn't a smiley (Smiley, TC?) which represents tongue in cheek

Track mitts at all times except in colder weather when full-finger gloves. Benefits : extra padding on the bars, saves your hands from road rash if you're unfortunate enough to crash, can be used to wipe brow/nose. Wash regularly!

thirdcrank wrote:Ash28

I'm not sure which post you are referring to in yours.

I think Ash28 was referring to the OP.

I think European manufacturers particularly Schwalbe and Hutchinson tend to be fatter for a given size, Japanese tyres tend to be slimmer.

Are you implying tyre sizes reflect national body types?

I gather you don't use a carbon seatpost, TC

TheBrick wrote:19 mm silks are the best for this type of tour.

Now we're talking! I can hear the 'rip' of the tubs on the tarmac now!

Seriously (or at least, more seriously) yes tyres are a matter of personal choice, and personal riding style. At the end of the day, read all the advice then go with whatever you're happy with. Just accept that whatever you use will be a trade-off between relative speed and relative reliability. If you're a smooth rider and relatively lightweight, travelling over good tarmac, you can get away with lighter/narrower tyres. And vice versa. One thing I would advise - fit new rim tapes and tubes as well as new (or at least very good condition) covers.

robgul wrote:the Evans in Brum is (or was) quite small being a store within a store at an outdoors shop.

Rob

Not anymore it ain't, it's in Temple Street, just off New Street, on two floors.

Personally I've used a four point fixing alloy Blackburn rack with Tubus rack eyes top and bottom. Simples

Eddy Merckx used to adjust his saddle height as he rode along using just an allen key. A QR is easier but it's not that much more work to use an AK. The most difficult job is getting it straight fore and aft!

Red Kite, Echelon plus Speeds Cycles in Bromsgrove and Worcester Cycle Centre (near the Cathedral) are ones I'd recommend. Otherwise there's a branch of Evans in Birmingham City Centre

Blimey, thanks for the heads up. "Uncle Bob" is a fine man and I wish him well. He bought himself a new bike a few months before his 80th birthday. I asked him how he liked it. "Oh I haven't ridden it yet, I'm waiting for my birthday".

Here's the link to the Veloriders thread. http://www.veloriders.co.uk/phpBB2/view ... 3c15350052 let's hope he responds to treatment and makes a good recovery.

I'm considering changing to a new sport as I'm not sure I can stand being back in fashion.
As Groucho Marx said "I wouldn't join any club which would have me as a member"

Which brings me to a question raised some years ago : given that most cyclists enjoy riding alone, why do so many of them join clubs?

There are (is?) obviously a large number of well-educated pedants on this site!

I've done LeJoG and toured extensively with panniers (YHA/B&B's, not camping) using 23c front/25c rear and had no problems except when I ran over a shard of metal whilst passing a car crash! You should be fine with 28c.

Mick F wrote:Yes, too slack is better than too tight, but still not desirable. I wonder if a chain might foul the wheel if it swung inwards?

Maybe ask Andy Schleck about that

It may have been closed two years ago but it was open again last year