Cycling UK Forum

RJC. Sorry I do not know the model but I will ask Liz when I see her. I made a note that it was a DRC because it was the first rim I had seen explode and split around it's entire circumference. Also I am not trying to rubbish any rims I am just stating facts as I know them.

I have to agree with that. But hopefully it was just a blip and it will pick up again this year.

Been for each of the last 5 years and some before that. I like it. Tradeshow and lightweight camping is not what is was but worth a try if you have never been.

When my wife and I did our first LEJOG we were living in Devon. On the way to LE the bikes came off our sons car and smashed on the road. Pauline's bike was beyond repair as the frame had snapped and mine was damaged. Fortunately my damaged parts were salvagable from Pauline's. So we decided to buy a bike in Cornwall for her. Because of an old cycling injury she needs to ride a step through frame and the only one we could get late on a Saturday was a cheap one.

During the first full day riding through Cornwall I realised I would never make it on the bitsa I had, and Pauline's would not stand the carrying of the weight and constant gear changing. We decided to head for home and find another bike for Pauline. Nick at the Bike Shed in Crediton fixed her up with one and I rebuilt mine overnight from parts I had.

If you look carefully at our pictures (sorry about the quality but negs got lost and prints had to be scanned in) you will see Pauline has two different bikes. http://www.by-bike.co.uk/endtoend.htm

What hubs and rims are you thinking of using?

I build my touring wheels with Shimano XT hubs and Mavic 719 rims. If you are using this combination I can give you the spoke lengths.

There are a couple of websites that give spoke length calculations.

Having built 100s of wheels all with Mavic rims I have never been made aware of a failure. However I have been shown rims that have failed and in my opinion it was due to using an inadequate rim for the job. A few years ago Dawes started to fit a bottom end Mavic rim on the Super Galaxys. I wrote to both them and Mavic saying the rim would not be up to the job of a fully loaded tourer. Only Mavic replied saying that I was right and the rim was only designed for lightweight touring.

On the subject of DRC rims. There is a lady named Liz from Norfolk, well known on CTC tours (can't divulge any more without her permission). If you know of her ask; what happened to her DRC rim on a reunion ride in Northamptonshire? I don't think they will get her recommendation.

Hi Karen. Nice to get your once again sensible contribution.

Sorry I will not see you at the AGM but I do not travel that distance for any meeting where the agenda is controlled by the executive. Wasted too much time doing that in the past.

Arrange an open meeting under an independent chairman with no time limit and where the executive and council members occupying the same floor as the members and I will do my very best to be there.

First time I did LEJOG with my wife, we did it in a leisurely 16 days and for 12 of those had the wind against us.

Not really difficult at all, as I will demonstrate when I am on the editorial committee.

AndyB wrote:Right then - I've been reprimanded for posting elsewhere without introducing myself, so...

I'm 32 and live up north. Most of my cycling is on a Condor tourer (40 years old on Saturday) taking my son to and from nursery (I'm looking forward to giving him his first bike on Friday); I also have a Dave Yates audax for rides around the Dales and Bowland, not as often as I'd like.

Andy.

It wasn't intended as a reprimand, it is just nice to know with whom we are sharing dialogue.

Point to remember about manipulating statistical research: If you put the cook in the kitchen you will get unrepresentative results. By putting a tick box survey inside the magazine and asking a question relating to that magazine will give an un-representational result. Hence the tick box gives 70% in favour, in reality from asking good open questions I reckon it is nearer 25% in favour.

Si, you know as well as I do that there have been many suggestions, some even on this thread but while we have DJ as editor none are going to be taken notice of. He knows best. I will keep my suggestions until I can argue them out on the editorial committee.

In the past I have contacted in-house editors and asked them in the interests of research what they regard as the basic premise of their magazine. In slightly different words they have all been similar and that is; to inform, entertain, and promote interaction for their members. The CTC magazine is far from that. Also I have asked; did they as in-house editors answer member’s letters? And always got the answer “no”. DJ is the only one that does and uses he bold type to let us know his response is more important that the original letter.

Not yet introduced yourself AndyB.

georgew wrote:If Spa have decided, and I believe that there is a background to this decision, not to advertise in the Magazine, then it is a great pity. This business has come to epitomise everything good about service, sheer good-will and keen prices for the touring cyclist.

I agree about SPA, but you did say touring cyclist. The CTC are no longer into touring cyclists.

If you want to test rims put them on the back wheel of my wife's bike. No one is heavier on the back brake than she is. Having measured her mileage I know which give the most wear.

Mavic are far and away the best in every respect, that is why they sell more than most of the other companies put together. I use 719s for touring and have never had a problem. And I do ride a lot of miles.

Wouldn't use anything but Mavic, I build my own wheels and wheels for others and they are far and away the best. Tried Rigida they are okay but are prone to spliting at spoke ends. Sun Rynos have to be the fastest wearing rim on the market. A case of never mind the quality feel the width.