Cycling UK Forum

Bicycles are much more common in Denmark than in the UK so I expect most dogs will be more used to them and less likely to get excited by them

Just seen this sticker on the back of a 4x4. Charming.

It does look like a good deal but I notice it comes with 23mm tyres, this seems rather narrow for an audax bike. Harry at 6'3", unless you are very skinny you may find the ride from such narrow tyres a bit harsh and limiting (the walking paths you mention may be a challenge).

From what you have said I would have thought 28mm a better tyre choice.
It might be an idea to check with Spa if the Dawes can fit a 28mm tyre while still keeping the mudguards on.

macbully wrote:i still feel like i am leaning heavily on the handle bars and it is giving me a pain in the hands, is this just being soft after siting in a car for years or will raising the bars help?

Raising handlebars, as raytax says, might help. A neutral position to start with might be to have the tops of the bars level with the top of the saddle. As the bars go lower, aerodynamics get better but this can be uncomfortable on the hands unless you are pedalling vigorously (and thereby supporting quite a lot of your weight on your feet).

Another important factor is to make sure the saddle is completely level (stand bike on flat ground, hardback book on saddle, spirit level on book). If the saddle is tilted nose down instead, you will tend to slide forward on the saddle and (unconsciously) push yourself back onto the saddle by pushing on the handlebars - result, tired hands. If the saddle is tilted nose up, the nose will tend to apply unwanted pressure against soft tissue in the nether regions - result, numb ****. Again though this is a rule of thumb, start neutral then see how it goes.

pigman wrote:do you mean because you need to turn the bike upside down? If so, why? It looks real numpty-like to me when I see a bike turned upside down to remove the wheel. Why can't it remain upright and simply remove the wheel?

I have never understood this. How does the bike remain upright without a rear wheel? Won't the rear mech be resting on the ground and supporting the weight of the bike?

The brochure on Brompton's web site lists the gearing of the 6 speed as 3.22 meters to 6.87 meters (metric system), equivalent to 40 inches to 86 inches.

86 inches gives 20 mph at 80 RPM, which is enough for what most people would consider touring. Spinning out is possible on downhills but unlikely on the flat.

40 inches as a bottom gear is not that low.

Personally I find the standard gearing on my 6 speed fine and would neither raise nor lower it. Any higher and I would have to walk up quite a few hills, and all that would be gained is a slightly higher average speed as a result of being able to continue pedalling down hills.

Cycle paths in Denmark very widespread and generally excellent, usually 2 metres wide, with one on each side of the road. Trailers should not be a problem at all on these.

P.S. Although Denmark is mostly very flat it is also very windy!