Cycling UK Forum

Can anyone explain what OLN is? I'm trying to get a new 26 inch tandem wheel for a Thorn which needs 145mm OLN but the right hubs are like rocking horse manure it seems. Being simplistic, why can't you just add a spacer or something to a smaller OLN hub?? I have a perfectly good 700C rear tandem wheel in my Dawes Super Galaxy tandem...wouldn't that do with a new rim?

Hi
Love to think about it...I've been wanting to do it for years and even bought the book of that route. Trouble is I can't really commit till I've sorted my business out; finding someone to look after it. But I'm keen. Are you thinking of motels/B&B or camping? I won't camp....need a decent sleep every night!! Did LEJOG this year and Miami to Washington DC the year before. I'm 57 and pretty fit. And I like beer.....
Neil

Have you tried contacting Thorn and haggling over the £99?? Seems to me that in the credit crunch era they would be unlikely to say a definite 'NO'.

Speaking for myself, I'd go for Thorn steel every time rather than something else aluminium or carbon.....not because I'm a luddite but because of quality, durabilty and comfort.
Neil

For what it's worth I posted a thread on here yesterday (throwing light on a question....) which asked a similar question. Best if you read the replies because they are very interesting. I have a IQ Fly Plus driven by a Schmidt dynohub and it's brilliant - expensive but no hassles from batteries.

Because it's a minefield is why you need those good lights!!

Having just bought a Schmidt hub and B&M IQ Fly it's possibly too late to ask this question......but can anyone throw light (excuse the pun) on interpreting real-world performance from the claims made by lamp manufacturers? For instance, what does 'lux' mean? Is 100 lux twice as bright as 50 lux? And where do lumens fit in? What about watts? And what about beam spread? Keep it simple, they say, so for those of us that ride mostly on roads in a variety of conditions what do we really need?

I'm a little cynical (sad to say) because something really simple and consistent would be nice before making decisions that can cost a lot. By the way, I'm delighted with my choice but will never know if I'd bought a Shimano dynohub and cheaper lamp whether I'd have noticed the difference other than in my wallet!! Any clever optical engineers out there?

Neil

I know which one I'd rather be seen on!!

Don't you people cycle after dark in the Summer? [/quote]

Not on my commuting bike......but I have been known to venture out in the dark sometimes!!

So it's my legs then....thanks for the reply CJ, I had read that 'one foot per mile' estimate so I guess the big question is whether other Schmidt owners leave the hub on all year or just fit during winter months.

I just treated myself to a Schmidt hub with Lumotec LED light. Great combination. I read all the stuff about the low drag when the light is off but I'm pretty sure I notice it anyway....it's added about 5 mins to my 1 hour (daytime) commute. Is this everyone else's experience or are my legs shutting down for winter?? It's not a problem, and I'm sure when the darkness comes it will get worse because of the laws of physics but I just wanted to know what you all think.
N

I have the urge to do a coast-to-coast in the US next year or the year after. Has anyone done one? I guess the basic questions are; which way (east/west or west/east), best time of year, route etc. I will be staying in motels or B&B. I'm going to aim for 70mpd average with an overall eight week schedule to allow rest days. Any advice welcome.
Neil

...but here's a word of warning before you separate bike and pedals. Last year I flew to Bergerac to start a tour. Two of us. The bikes came out the airplane along with one pannier each. In the panniers that didn't make it to Bergerac were (amongst other things) the pedals. It was a Sunday. 33 degrees. No shops open, no taxis prepared to take bikes. We walked 12km into the town and found a B&B and lost a day waiting for a bike shop to open on the Monday. You can do without clothes, toothpaste and the like but a bike without pedals is like a chocolate teapot!!

I didn't mean to stir such controversy...it was supposed to be a light-hearted thread only!!

What's significant is that athletes careers are getting longer, so why not? Steve Redgrave was (I think) 39 when he won his last gold, Jeannie Longo was there or thereabouts in the womens road race and time trial at the Olympics at 51!! All of us oldies (that's 40+) should celebrate this news. And knowing Armstrong's focus on the tour, you can bet he'll be surrounded by the team to help him win. Bring it on!

Mick, I'm rushing off to the patent office now!! But where do the panniers hang?