Cycling UK Forum

I and one or two others in the group I ride with have done this with some success.

Some manufacturers do separate tubeless and inner tube sealants, but I don't know if that means they are sufficiently different to matter.

One thing to beware of is getting sealant in the valve. Inner tube valve cores are often not removable, and gumming up the valve can leave the tube useless.

If your body is desperate it can turn protein into glucose, so a protein meal can theoretically help recovery from a glucose-deficiency bonk. But the initial bonk isn't caused by protein deficiency.

I had a rear SKS mudguard that broke clean across in two places, but I'm almost sure that was down to me fiddling with the mountings and putting undue stress on them. Otherwise, they seem to go on for ever.

Never trust a politician named after a hernia appliance.

In the foothills of the Cheviots

Energy drinks and gels can cause bowel upsets in some people. This is likely to be worse on longer rides because the intake is greater. If this is how you fuel your rides, it's certainly worth trying some longer rides with normal food and drink instead.

Cugel wrote: ↑14 Aug 2022, 12:48pm Cugel, just extrapolating some daftness to even more daft.

You think you jest. you can buy these on Amazon. "Thudguard -- learning to walk in a world of hard surfaces."

Tiggertoo wrote: ↑12 Aug 2022, 9:56pm If I had not been wearing the helmet, I would not be here today to write this.

50sbiker wrote: ↑13 Aug 2022, 6:12pm The idea that the thickness of the helmet makes the difference between contact and non-contact is nuts.

Sadly, these two quotes illustrate the two main difficulties in trying to have a sensible, reasoned discussion about helmets.
1. Anecdote presented as evidence.
2. Opinion presented as fact.

The evidence of benefit and/or harm to an individual from wearing a helmet is weak. If there were major effects in one or both directions, we would probably know by now.

There is reasonable evidence that compelling cyclists to wear helmets is a very poor public health measure, and there is no justification for it.

Conclusions? In my opinion individual cyclists should be free to wear helmets or not, as they please. There is no justification for cycling clubs, event organisers or governments to enforce helmet wearing. There is no place for anyone to persuade another that they should or shouldn't wear a helmet, especially if that opinion is based on anecdote and/or opinion unsupported by evidence.

While not wanting to stifle discussion, is there any point in debating this any further unless significant new evidence appears?

Riding a motorcycle can be helpful too. Things happen quite a bit faster, and you have to use the cornering skills all the time, not just going downhill.

I've thought for a while that a lot of the pros would benefit from learning how to corner properly. Pidcock gave them an excellent demonstration yesterday on how it should be done.

For what my opinion's worth, I think it is a great idea.

Practically any cardio-respiratory condition benefits from mild or moderate exercise. You are likely to feel better. Your exercise capacity will improve and everyday activity will be a bit easier. Discuss it with your physician, but he/she is likely to encourage you. There is research that shows e-bike riders exercise more, but at a more moderate intensity, than comparable riders on bio-bikes. This is exactly what you need.

And you'll still be out cycling.

Cugel wrote: ↑28 Jun 2022, 9:54am How sticky are Putoline and similar products: Do they leave chainring tattoos?

The wax itself is black and can get a bit messy if bits get onto your hands or clothes. Dirt doesn't stick to it. I leave the chain to drain until it cools, then put it back on the bike and give it a good rub down with a rag to remove any excess -- or at least spread it around a bit. This also helps ensure there is a film to stop the chain rusting.

NickJP wrote: ↑28 Jun 2022, 3:54amI don't think Duckhams Chainguard exists any longer as a product - O-ring chains on motorbikes pretty much killed off such lubes.

I think you're right, but Putoline chain wax is similar and is still used by off-road motorcyclists, who don't tend to be as keen on O-ring chains. It sounds expensive at something like £35 for a 1 kg tin, but if used even once a month on a bicycle chain will last for years.

How are you assessing that, please?

Good question. The chain is quiet and flexible. Subjectively, it seems to rotate freely and doesn't feel like harder work than it did when fresh out of the wax bath. No rusting after a wet ride.

In theory -- I hope a proper tribologist or engineer will correct me if I'm wrong -- I imagine that once the wax is there in between the rollers and solidified, it shouldn't wash out. Maybe it gradually gets squeezed out and needs to be replaced, but to do that it would need to soften in use. This line of thought suggests wax should be very long lasting. I don't rely on this, and re-do it about twice a year, or sooner if I think it needs it.

When using molten wax, how do you judge when it needs re-doing? I last did my chain in January, have done about 1500 miles since then, and it still seems to be fine. Between hot dips I give it the occasional wipe over with a solution of beeswax in turpentine, just to ensure it doesn't rust. It's a Rohloff drivetrain, if that matters. I'm surprised by how often others do it.