Cycling UK Forum

Definitely true for halfords being a bit hit and miss.

That's why I got my boardman from cycle republic (unfortunately shut down now).

Psamathe wrote:I have very limited experience (just Marathon GreenGuard and Marathon Plus tyres on a single set of wheels) but I wonder if it's not so much the tyre rather than the tyre/wheel combination - I've never had any problems with the notorious Marathon Plus'. I certainly don't have any breath of experience so can't have "good technique" and any expertise.

But as I say, based on a very limited configuration.

Ian

Yes, I think it's a matter of tyre wheel combination as well.

Jdsk wrote:Do you already know about:
* Dropping the bead into the well?
* Using ties or straps?
* Specialised tools?

Jonathan

Yes, yes and yes.

And so did the mechanic at my LBS who also failed to fit them

Why do some tyre require much more effort to fit than others?

Are some tyres just impossible to fit?

Have you ever called it quits?

I did, with my schwalbe g-one all-round. I had a puncture a few months ago, I found it almost impossible to even take the schwalbe tyres off. No tyre levers worked, I only managed with a flat head screwdriver. The bead was so freaking tight. Changed the inner tube, tried to fit the schwalbe back on and it was just not possible. I tried for an hour and nothing. I felt emasculated, totally inadequate

I tried all the tricks in the book, even left them on the radiator because heat makes rubber relax and expand.

Went to my LBS and I was expecting to see the mechanic just fit them in 10 seconds, laughing me out of the shop, but he couldn't fit them either! That made me feel a bit better.

So I went back home, ordered a pair of Continental GP5000 (for a change) and managed to fit them in 2 minutes with no tyre levers required.

Why do those schwalbe have a problem with me?

Adventure bikes are also called gravel bikes.

- Relaxed geometry
- 1x or 2x
- disc brakes
- bigger tyres
- plenty mounts for bottles and bags

Don't know how much the new models cost but a couple of years ago I got a Boardman adv 8.8 for £640 and it's a cracking bike for that price.

Mick F wrote:Scottish.cyclist.lad

Please don't swear or used disguised swearing. Your posts and the quotes by other people have been edited by me.

Thanks Mick and apologies for that, I'm not familiar with the posting guidelines.

Can I use "freaking" or is it on the banned list too?

As one of my first posts, it was a very well thought out question to see what type of answers I was going to get and therefore get a sense of the users and in general what this forum had to offer

yes...a few minutes...you realise you've given an almost total newbie more than a few minutes of hassle. Read this, read that, think about the steerer extender, think about bar risers....

It's a bike, buy the size that is suggested for you height, play about with saddle height to make sure you have a decent position and that's it, you ride it. Your body will adapt to a less than scientifically perfect position. You've got a few miles to ride, not the giro d'italia.




<Edited by Mick F to remove poorly disguised swearing.>

My advice is to not overcomplicate things.

Don't worry about bar risers, don't worry about steerer extenders.

Although if you are unfit as you say you are, start slow. Maybe just go to work by bike on the Friday. Start with one day a week if possible, then up it gradually.

Have fun!



<Edited by Mick F to remove poorly disguised swearing.>

SDadi wrote:Thank you for merging the threads!

I have gone through the thread and left lot more confused. I also have to get familiarise myself with terminology!

It we can adjust reach then I should be good with medium. Have to trail it once before jumping in. I'll re-try my luck calling few stores near me.

yes you can adjust the reach but you probably need to replace a stem. Too much hassle if you ask me, especially when you have the option to buy a size Small frame.

Like, if you buy Medium, you're buying the wrong frame and have to adjust it to make it kind of right. Just buy the right frame to start with

SDadi wrote:Hi All,
I'm newbie to this form and getting back to cycling after 20yrs to get fitter. Once situation gets better and offices open, I would like to bike once a week to work - 25miles together.

I am almost convinced that I would go for Boardman URB 8.9. However, I am confused as the frame sizes suitability given on website contradicts to advice I got from store.

I'm 167cms/5'6" - with inside leg of 75cms/30".

Boardman site says:
Small for height range 170 - 179 cm and inseam between 74 - 82 cm
Medium for height range 177 - 183 cm and inseam between 78 - 85 cm

Should I go with site and take 'Small' or go with 'Halfords' advice and take Medium.

I tried 2 Halford stores, none have Medium and Small in store to try on.

Can you please give your expert advice?

Thanks,
S Dadi.

I'd suggest you take the Small.

I have a boardman adv. I'm 5'11 and have a size Medium which fits me nice. I'm trying to adapt the same bike for my girlfriend who is the same size as you and it requires quite the adjustment. So yeah, pick the small.

What do you know...turns out my missus can use my bike.

I only had to put the saddle down and forward a bit and managed to get a more than acceptable fit for her.

No new stem needed. Probably just a new saddle but mainly because I'm going to bring my current saddle to whatever new bike I like.

Guys, you thought this ad for the cannondale was dodgy....there was an ad going up this morning for a Jamis Ventura for sale at 50 quid

Bike looked in good condition. Got sold within minutes

ANYWAYS...turns out I can't go check the bike after all. Given it's outside my local area and this is not an essential travel, I'm going to have to wait for travel restrictions to be lifted.

Good advice on what to check, especially around the carbon frame

chris_suffolk wrote:I'd definitely only agree to meet as his house. For a bike like that I'd expect to be able to see a receipt or at the very least know which shop it came from (and then check they sell cannondale etc)

Oh christ, I hope I never have to sell my bike. Even if it's 1 year old, I think I threw away the receipt/deleted the email almost immediately. And the shop has now closed down

I'm doomed