Cycling UK Forum

pete75

I'm thinking of changing from down tube gear levers to bar end ones. I'd appreciate any comments, good or bad, on whether or not it's worth it. Do they offer any advantanges?
Levers made by Dia Compe, a firm I've never heard of, seem to be a good price. ? From the name I assume they're from Italy rather than the far east so I'd expect the quality to be good but I may be wrong

pete75

KateB wrote:I am soooooooo glad to off found this site. My boyfriend and I will be setting off in mid/end March to cycle through France (from Calais) to
Seville - I'm not too big on cycling through Spain so this part could invovle a train if I have my way. We are new to touring so any tips would be appreciated specifically I wondered.................

1. As much as I really hate Tescos I'm skint and am wanting a cheap but reliable bike to make it through France on, do any of you know if any of these would do the job??? http://direct.tesco.com/q/N.1998743/Nr.99.aspx

2. If anyone knew a good route to take is down through France (trying avoid any huge mountains/hills).

Umm, that's about it at the moment, thanks for your time!

The Dawes Horizon here would be a better bet

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... _-_Tourers

pete75

Platform pedals? Didn't they go out in the seventies?

pete75

I've always used motorcycle chain lube stuff like Slippitin chain wax gold. I reckon if something works well on a motorbike chain then it should work even better on a bike chain.

pete75

Maff wrote:Hi, I'm going to buy a new set of tyres. Just wondered if anyone had any recommendations.

Thanks

What size and what sort of riding?

pete75

Oh dear this had me looking through my box of bits n bobs and I found an acetylene back light - I can't really be that old can I?

pete75

They pop up on EBay from time to time - seem to go for £100 - £150.

pete75

A good quality impact adhesive might do the job - solvent rather than water based.

pete75

glueman wrote:Capes and So'westers were great but belong to a bygone age of singing kettles and four-abreast CTC runs. Sprinting through urban traffic in a yellow cape might conjour the odd comment.

Glueman that's quite an appealing picture you paint of sprinting through urban traffic in a cape.

Must admit I know little of cycling in large cities. I don't like them and rarely visit them. It ain't natural for people to be crammed together like sheep in a pen.

I suppose the real answer to the overtrousers question is how uncomfortable do you feel with wet legs.

pete75

If you don't mind a camo pattern Army issue Gortex trousers can be bought new for under £30 from surplus outlets. They're well made, breathable and, obvioulsy, designed to let the wearer move easily.

The old fashioned cycling cape did a good job of keeping most of you dry and allowed air to circulate freely. I used them for years cycling to school and when I joined a club in 1970 they were common on club runs. Wonder if they're still available?

pete75

Well Shirehorse if you’ve got legs anything like your namesake you’ll be able to get up any hill on a 108” gear.

Seriously though mountain bikes tend to have something like 44 32 22 on the front and usually go up to 30, 32 or even 34 on the back. So on your middle ring you can go down pretty low.
There are compact doubles available which are something like 50 34 which might suit. I’d advise a Stronglight Escape from Spa cycles. If you get a double and then feel you need a triple these are easily converted. They’re designed for touring rather than racing so have a very wide range of rings available

pete75

Interesting indeed.

If I put my height 74 inches and weight (230lbs) into a BMI calculator it comes up with 29.5 which is bordering on obesity. Using the navy method detailed here with 36" waist 17" neck and 74" height it says I'm 15.8% fat.
One of them must be wrong but which?

pete75

Mick F wrote:I think he's suggesting that the BIKE should be anchored down with a big chain or somesuch!

Good point - never thought of that. I'm not very security minded don't even own a cycle lock!

pete75

Mick F wrote:Hi John,
I am basing my thought on the fact that there ain't none on their website.

I do them a disservice. Sorry.

They stock a lot more than is on their website - think it says on the website that it shows some of their stock. Having said that they do specialise in touring stuff which isn't really a market that Campag target.

pete75

Cunobelin wrote:Wooden and plastic sheds need to be adjacent to a wall or concrete floor so you can afix some sort of anchor into a surface more solid than wood.

Are you sure? My parents house has a free standing wooden shed that's been there for forty odd years. No anchor and it hasn't blown way yet even though it's in the fens where there's nowt to stop the wind.

Cycling UK Forum

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Bar end levers

Re: Touring Bikes & France Trip

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