Cycling UK Forum

One of the pluses with TPU tubes is that (in theory) they are less prone to pinch punctures and being smoother than butyl also don't suffer from internal tyre stiction. I've now done @ 1000 miles on TPU tubes, as mentioned on another thread, i've had one puncture which was due to a Blackthorn barb which lodged in the tread of the gravel tyres i've got fitted so no fault of the tube. My riding is across all sorts of surfaces from godawful semi surfaced lanes, proper stony tracks as well as urban potholes, at what i consider decent inflation (in this case @ 70psi, they are 37c tyres) the bike feels much livelier than i'd expect, the guff about TPU having lower rolling resistance does seem to have some mileage to it.

I must admit to being quite sceptical initially but so far, in regards to performance, i can't fault them. Plus of course they are much lighter than butyl or tyre sealant so its a win/win for me

To be honest, for the stuff you are doing the generic ebay/Aliexpress stuff is fine. IME where you want to spend is on decent outer casing, i've not had any issues with the generic cables i've bought. As for noodles a quick look on Ali found this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005 ... 00726590_7 which looks a good deal! free shipping too.

enjoy your mechanicing

When i rebuilt the touring bike last month i decided to try Tpu tubes in the 37c Vittoria gravel tyres i decided to fit. In that time i've done 14 rides, covering some1300km with 10,000m of climbing. It is mostly rural riding which can include a percentage of byways/trails with surfaces from mud/grass to rocks/loose stone. The tyres have a pressure range of 35 to 80psi, i decided to go for 70/75psi at which i seem to get good traction, although it sometimes feels like i'm riding through syrup!

After 2 weeks i suffered a flat in the rear, Blackthorn, tube replaced and inflated to the same pressure. However between rides the tube lost pressure, after third reinflation i removed to further investigate. After all the usual checks i identified the leak as coming from the valve tube interface, where the two layers of plastic are bonded there was a 'stretch' with a pin hole leak. Another tube was fitted and has so far remained inflated. The front has had no issues whatsoever.

The tubes i have use a two part valve stem, part plastic with the valve unit itself being metal, it appears that the plastic is moulded directly to it. So far i've had no valve issues.

I haven't done enough mileage to determine if they are 'better' than butyl but so far they are no worse.

all this talk about wind on the Knavesmire reminds me - i need to check my tent out, i've got a week's tour on the way to York this year = i leave in three weeks

Give yourself plenty of time in Rothenburg ODT. there is a lot to see! And beware, there are some nasty little climbs on your route. Like burroc, i think Dinkelsbuhl is worth the effort with a bonus of crossing the Rhein/Donau watershed on the way.

MrsHJ wrote: ↑15 May 2024, 8:23pm Ortlieb panniers just generally annoy me. How did they decide that the standard back pannier set should be 10 litres smaller than any other Brand?

Really? after two decades of using them and a further decade selling them i'd never noticed that a 40 litre set by Ortlieb was smaller than anyone elses! Vaude etc all use 40l as the standard bag size too, Altura used to make a stupidly heavy 50l set and i've seen other poorly made bags with the same but all the decent brands seem to use 40l. Thing is, you can overstuff Ortlieb Classics by at least 5l/bag and still seal them watertight.

As for weight carried, my all up on top of the base bike is under 18kg, that includes racks, bags, spares, clothes, full camping gear and stuff like cameras/phone - yep, i've weighed everything, essential if you are flying. The bikes, an Airnimal Chameleon folder and a Focus Mares big wheeler weigh @ 9 and 11kg respectively. Yes i'll admit to throwing £'s at some of the kit, the 1kg tent, the 300g sleeping bag etc, etc. but everything has to be 3 season capable and pack size is important too. All the hardware will 2/3 fill a pair of back rollers leaving space for shopping/food. Clothing and maps/souvenirs half fill a pair of front rollers - each pair of bags are weight balanced, @ 2kg each on the front, 4kg each on the back (that includes the bags).

Philip Benstead wrote: ↑14 May 2024, 7:04pm I brought this


Forceatt Tent, 1/2 Person Two Doors Camping Tent, Ultralight Waterproof 1-2 Man Tent,Quick To Set Up,Portable,for Camping,Motorcycle Travel, Backpacking


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forceatt-Light ... D_BwE&th=1

I'll look out for you! I'll be in my Vaude Powerlizard hiding amongst all the huge Hille's and Vango's.

A couple of things, do take some warm clothing, the wind scythes across the Knavesmire, more than once i've been woken by the coolness that results. If it does get a bit iffy in your tent it has been known for people to decamp to the beer tent for shelter! In 25 plus years camping there i can't remember any 'weather' lasting more than a couple of hours.

djnotts wrote: ↑11 May 2024, 7:59pm ^ one to beat Eddie's 35 I think.

The biggest difference to Eddy is however how they've been won - every one of Cav's has been a man on man multi rider sprint, Eddy often won alone after long escapes. However you look at it, both are exceptional athletes with long racing careers, will the current crop of 'superstars' still be racing at top level when they reach Cav or G's age? Beating riders maybe 20 years your junior is amazing, all i can say is respect where its due.

I don't have a favourite, I can't even contemplate how to ascertain that, i do have lots of memorable rides and some routes that i enjoy enough to repeat. I guess that's what happens when you've 50 years of riding to choose from

Now least favourite, that might be a bit easier, there are several contenders that spring to mind but even they weren't all bad, just marred by experience on the day. Fairy days, mechanical days, weather days, who's to say which is the worst - or best?

have you looked at Decathlon? - cheap and cheerful options.

Otherwise you will open worms,.can of and endless discussion

mjr wrote: ↑10 May 2024, 10:22am

foxyrider wrote: ↑9 May 2024, 10:05pm Yes it could be better but look where waiting for better has got the Pier to Pier route!

That's not why the pier to pier is taking so long. It's mostly that one river crossing.

but it could be open now if they weren't insisting on smooth tarmac - the crossing is there, i've been over it

JerseyJoe wrote: ↑9 May 2024, 8:29pm

cycleruk wrote: ↑9 May 2024, 7:20pm

JerseyJoe wrote: ↑7 May 2024, 2:45pm Cavendish riding the tour this year or is he officially "retired"?

Still on the startlist as part of the TdF team.

He's a tough nut - if he's on the start list, barring a bad crash I'm sure he'll be there to break the record!

won todays stage at the Tour of Hungary

JerseyJoe wrote: ↑9 May 2024, 8:41pm I'm still keen on the cider, but the sweet tooth has been tamed. I'm sure I read that you have to do a tremendous amount of miles if very hard intensity to actually overcome the exertion/food intake barrier and actually lose weight from cycling? True or false?

You won't directly lose weight from cycling in the long term, its what and how much you eat that will do that. Sure cycling won't hurt but eating less is the only surefire answer.

I had a serious DVT above my left knee back in early 2017, once diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound i was put on AC's and told to not do any exercise beyond day to day survival. That lasted for three months before they allowed me to start light exercise, it was a full six months before i was allowed to return to strenuous exercise.

You ask why the insistence on such a complete layoff, yes the AC's could result in a bleed out from an injury if you had a mishap but just as importantly, the increased blood flow whilst exercising could result in a mobile clot which at best could cause a stroke, at worst, well good night Vienna.

Is your 'cycling' more important to you than your health? From your description, your DVT's are worse than mine, i'd be following the medics advice to the letter!

Seven years later now, I wouldn't say that i've made a 100% recovery, damaged veins and lymph nodes can't be fixed, but i have ridden something like 50k miles since and most of the time i have no issues. The leg is more susceptible to cramping, particularly if i'm sat for too long it can get a bit swollen but both things are manageable. I stopped taking AC's after 2 years, they were giving me issues that outweighed their usefulness at that stage but they affect people differently so don't take any score by that.

mjr wrote: ↑9 May 2024, 4:24pm

Jdsk wrote: ↑9 May 2024, 3:16pm NB date.

"Somerset’s growing cycle network bears fruit: a ride on the Strawberry Line":
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/arti ... berry-line

That's a very optimistic review of a route that's over twenty years old, mostly gravel (of a type very mucky when wet) and still incomplete. It needs completing and an all weather surface. France would have done it by now.

I did the stretch from Axbridge to Yatton today, yep still some 'interesting' road crossings and surfaces but it does provide an off road route so avoiding some often busy bits of road and gets you across the Mendip without a climb as such. Yes it could be better but look where waiting for better has got the Pier to Pier route!