Cycling UK Forum

Many Moultons use skinny 406 tyres.

All of the bicycle standards are derived from proprietary standards i.e. a company's choice from the 19th century when it was irrelevant what some other manufacturer was doing over the border. English bicycle threads are derived from BSA, who sold their fittings to other bike makers. Raleigh didn't,...

The French importer, Yannig, posts on forums as Panoramix and has done quite a bit of randonneuring in the UK and France, some of it with Judith and I. He'll give you the drum on any problems that he's encountered with them so that you can make an informed decision.

I've even had a front wheel flat on a solo during a steep (>15%) descent from a tube herniating through a melted rim tape. That was not fun partway through a series of hairpins.

Wellgo QRD pedals are SPD-compatible, unlike MKS.

Use a deep section alloy rim (bigger heat reservoir and radiating surface) and use a Velox rim tape or Veloplugs. You won't be able to overheat a tyre/ tube/ rim then.

Mid-to late-80s MTB

I prefer the Wellgo QRD. It halps that the cleats are SPD-compatible.

OK, let's phrase things a little differently for the 'hard of thinking'. Ignoring topography, have you tried riding your bike for longer than you are stationary, for days on end? Now think about doing that through January weather. Do you think that is harder than going for piddly little 50 mile ride...

There are quite a fe tandems with 32 spoke 26" front wheels. They don't seem to have too many problems.

A friend rode the 1200km Paris-Brest-Paris, 1400km London-Edinburgh-London and 1600km Mille Miglia brevets on his Brompton. Several other folk have completed 1000+km brevets on Bromptons. They aren't the best bikes for long distances but are surprisingly capable.

Malvern Star used Bayless-Wiley style bottom brackets through the 1970s. Very reliable pieces of kit.

I don't think a Brit has ever got under 50 hours for PBP, so nobody here will be able to talk about doing a 45 hour PBP with any authority. I've ridden brevets up to the 1600km Mille Miglia. Doing up to 400km a day is ok, allowing enough sleep for me to stay alert while riding. Other riders are fast...

Dahon and Tern do 20" wheeled bike with mudguards.

Sounds like Campag has made my future equipment choices very easy - Shimano all the way. A pity, given my loyalty over many years, but it was their doing.