Cycling UK Forum

Arb66 wrote: ↑31 Jan 2025, 9:35pm Had my hardtail serviced start of December changed back wheel bearings strip & regresse.had to go back in today 31/01/25 has back axle has snapped cassette is wobbling which they put down to aggressive riding something about riding on loose cones(there sealed press fit bearings?)I personally think it’s shoddy workmanship & they haven’t over torqued to correct spec.where do I stand….

Nowhere. If the bicycle was serviced two months ago, quite from the passage of time, it'd be impossible to prove anything, even if you have an in depth knowledge of the hub/servicing techniques/work undertaken etc, etc

And honestly, the cost in £'s and time in trying to prove anything, wouldn't be worth it. If you've the skills, or time to learn them, take the freehub apart etc, etc, check what's wrong and rebuild/replace the hub. If you haven't ? It's perfectly possible to buy an entire, basic wheel for peanuts online, an entire basic wheel, often a similar cost to 1-2 Hr's of paid labour

Immediate purchase of a new bicycle last week, value of the parts alone made it worthwhile; had no desire to buy a new bicycle, but had browsed January sales, as......

Realised could buy a 90's era clearance sale bicycle, brand name frame & components, brand new, to be delivered to the door fully assembled and actually properly checked over, c/w decent rack & guard fittings, suitable brakes and................consisting of an entire bicycle of spare parts which can be used on my two main bicycles, over the next ten years (Nb. Aside from the screw on freewheel Rr hub, - will be the 1st ever 7spd system bicycle I've ever used)

Costs covered by the value of spares available for my two main bicycles, aside from providing a commuter/daily bike which can subsequently be fitted out with heavily worn parts from the other two (NB. Wouldn't want to do a couple weeks "tour" with worn parts, but quite ok if useable, for short runs locally - much better than a clearance Argos bike had considered £78 !. )

Full mudguards from "Komodo Sports", half the price of a typical set (£12.97). Must be a sports shop, only stock a minimal number of cycling products. Had anticipated that it could even be a "dodgy" outfit, but........

1. Online order process straightforward, delivery was exceptionally good; arrived within 48 Hr's, was kept informed via emails of delivery date / time, mudguards were well packed to an exceptional standard (Nb. Heavily packaged, within heavy duty, corrugated cardboard)
2. Plastic of the mudguards is heavy duty, they appear to be robust
3. But HUGE ISSUES with the mudguard, fittings. I reviewed fitting them to a range of bicycles, full steel touring frame, compact road frame, moderately compact road frame
4. But the struts are non-adjustable and manufactured to a set length, they were an easy 3" too long / too short for the fitting points on the variety of frame shapes above. And they only fit to the mudguard itself, via one, robust fitting, it'll last, but shakes/rattles on a ride

They're perfectly useable, is one if prepared to undertake major adjustments to the various parts and/or come up with makeshift arrangements to ensure they'll fit I.e. ad hoc double bolted, huge washers, bending of various parts, all secured via deposits of epoxy resin or some similar glue / resin type product. Unless short of cash, c/w loads of time & fitting skills, brand mudguards would be much better

roubaixtuesday wrote: ↑30 Jan 2025, 8:16am

djnotts wrote: ↑29 Jan 2025, 10:59pm OK not 2-3 years, but could bring forward start time by 3-4 years and build in same time.

"According to available information, the new Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, which replaced the old one, took approximately four years to build, with construction starting in August 2000 and opening on August 5, 2004...."

And that was a whole lot bigger than just an extra terminal and runway at Heathrow.

FWIW I do not favour the expansion, merely commenting on the UKs incompetence.

In most cases, building an entirely new facility is far cheaper, simpler and faster than significant modifications to an existing, still operating at full capacity facility.

In addition to which, state authorities with a much closer approach to "absolute control", can do much more what they want to do, thus it's much quicker and more efficient

Thus when the Romans were in my area, they surveyed and set out the routes for what are still, much of the length of one of the main A Roads and a former railway line. The Roman road is dead straight, but even by 1883, the railway taking the same route, had to twist and turn either side of the Roman road, the A Road is even worse in places (Nb. Peoples land, housing, even graves have had to be taken into account )

pwa wrote: ↑28 Jan 2025, 2:11pm At 86 you are doing really well to get out so regularly, and long may that continue. But when it is icy, I recommend staying in. Settle for some indoor exercises. That way you will avoid having a fall that could derail your exercise regime for months. Or find a playing field to do some brisk walking on. Grass sometimes remains okay to walk on in light frost.

+ 1. Worth staying in, when it's too dangerous, breaking bones isn't worth it - @52yr's, indoor maintenance today, heading out was unsafe

Otherwise choose the safe route, the grass verge, fields, gravel track, coarsely surfaced roads - think it was 2.5 weeks back, @ 4pm ice had all gone, by 6pm the town was an ice rink . Have literally never experienced a glaze of ice like it, held on to fences, walked along the shallow ditch, leant over stone walls to shuffle along, walked on the empty carriageway. It was lethal, going out the next day was a NO

PH wrote: ↑28 Jan 2025, 10:07am

rogerzilla wrote: ↑27 Jan 2025, 9:09pm not to let it out of your sight when out with it.

That would mean reducing my cycling by about 60%, for some of us it's more than a hobby.

+ 1. Most of my essential journeys within a 23 mile radius, are via bicycle. Shops, gym, family, hospital. Have always found a Gold & a Silver "Sold Secure" D lock, more than sufficient, though rarely remember to take both

If a £2.5k bicycle is to be used for cycling & exercise, I wouldn't be too concerned. And if a need arises to routinely leave it locked up as a commuter, I'd look at buying that age old a "day" bike I.e. brand new / quality / sale bikes have been available for as little as £375 past month, quite apart from 2nd hand, or cheap new buys

Based on a theft in ten years time, could £37.50 per annum, work out cheaper ? That said, even my off the shelf Tesco Home & Contents policy, covers £2.5k of bicycle, in & out of the house, though only £1k per individual bicycle

irc wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 5:29pm People don't care about the environment. Not enough to cycle. Compared to a car carrying a trolley load of shopping is tough on a bike. Bikes require donning waterproofs today. Helmet campaigns have convinced most non cyclists that helmets and possibly other special clothing is needed. With a car they just walk out the door

If you need a helmet it must be dangerous. In fact I couldn't count the number of non cyclists who are amazed I don't wear one.

Locally far more people take the slower bus option for local journeys than cycle.

Why? Who knows. Maybe I'll ask some of them My wife will walk while her bike is in the shed. She has been injured in a cycling accident. Never while driving or walking.

I cycle, but also quite routinely walk........2 mile round walk to a couple of supermarkets, 8 mile round walk via the railway station. Will tend to have the time, a soggy tyre, a loose pedal, can't find a spanner, or bicycle pump. A walk with a view to the castle, the moors, the river, the cobbled market square, perfectly ok

(Nb. Wouldn't dream of using the bus for a 1 mile journey each way.....multitude of reasons, early/late/dirty/risk of contamination)

[XAP]Bob wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 2:28pm

gbnz wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 9:24am

pete75 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 7:40am . Hypocrites the lot of them.

Raison de etre, of many humans. As with an earlier post.......

"I love the countryside, isn't this climate change horrible, the roads are too busy, I lost my job and therefore haven't sufficient money for food, I love travelling by bus"............ therefore I travel by car, don't use the FOC bus pass I've had for quarter of a century avoiding the bus because it's too slow, spending more money on fuel, being stuck in traffic and experiencing horrific gale force winds on Friday........"

Why can't those with time walk, cycle, use the bus or train, to avoid all those issues, one causes for ones self ? Whilst inflicting the harm one causes, onto the rest of humanity and the natural world, to buy a newspaper or take the dog for walk, in the car

So you think those with disabilities have *more* time than those without?

And that those who have jobs should be allowed to risk the lives of others because? GDP more important than life?

Time ? Those who aren't working, have vast amounts of time, compared to those who are. Regardless of whether it's due to a disability, being an OAP or whatever, though those actively seeking employment may well be as pushed for time, as someone working. I've only a partial disability & certainly have vast amounts of time available, due to it. Doing the 44 mile round ride to the gym, or 24 round ride to see an aged parent, isn't an issue in respect to time, as I've the time available, though is a nuisance now having to do a 14 Hr bus ride to the Lakes (Nb. One reason why I prefer the 110 mile ride there, as ever , riding takes a fraction of the time of travelling via bus)

And obviously the lives of those who are productive, aren't more valuable than those who aren't. But it is appalling that those with no actual NEED to drive, should be allowed to do so given the harm they inflict by doing so. Would be the first to suggest that those actively seeking employment in a motor vehicle dominated economy, need some means by which the use of a motor vehicle for interviews etc, can be arranged, likewise those with a genuine need to transport the infirm or whatever. But why should those with no NEED to drive, be allowed to drive, as a matter of routine ?

I know the above and would suggest that an OAP easily capable of walking up mountains, is more than capable of walking a few hundred feet to pick up a newspaper, rather than driving 400 - 500 miles a year, to pick up a newspaper. Why should such be allowed to do that ?

mr riff raff wrote: ↑21 Jan 2025, 7:26pm the train had a proper guards van affair, but the last time I did that was probably 6+ years ago.

Have routinely travelled York (Darlington/Durham/Morpeth/Alnmouth/Berwick - Edinburgh since '98). Years since had a train with a Guards Van (Nb. '09 - '11?), wouldn't dream of anything other than a cupboard (Nb. And if disabled/changing at York ? Ensure you've signed your pass, York don't accept disabled travellers as disabled if pass isn't signed, unless on a stretcher via police and/or ambulance)

And North of York? LNER are by far the best, Trans Pennine trains are similar / but seating is absolutely appalling - think they squeezed an extra row in, sans no seat padding, they're as bad as buses in the 80's. Cross Country are ok, but +20yr old carriages

Barrowman wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 4:00pm I'll second what IRC says about mudguards . Most of the water that has found it's way into your headset will have come off the front wheel.

Mudguard post, product reviews

pete75 wrote: ↑26 Jan 2025, 7:40am . Hypocrites the lot of them.

Raison de etre, of many humans. As with an earlier post.......

"I love the countryside, isn't this climate change horrible, the roads are too busy, I lost my job and therefore haven't sufficient money for food, I love travelling by bus"............ therefore I travel by car, don't use the FOC bus pass I've had for quarter of a century avoiding the bus because it's too slow, spending more money on fuel, being stuck in traffic and experiencing horrific gale force winds on Friday........"

Why can't those with time walk, cycle, use the bus or train, to avoid all those issues, one causes for ones self ? Whilst inflicting the harm one causes, onto the rest of humanity and the natural world, to buy a newspaper or take the dog for walk, in the car

Practice and/or adjustment of muscles, to certain workouts

- Routinely walk miles, but on 2024's Millets (Peter Storm) light weight boots being worn out; ensured I'd wear out a pair of Hi Tec light weight boots, prior to replacement (3-4 wks back). Absolute minimal difference in angle of foot to ground, resulted in noticeable muscle aches the next two days - only walked several miles, quite routinely walk 15 - 40 miles weekly
- Likewise putting Spa Tourer into storage 2-3 weeks back, with the Giant now being used, very similar in set up of saddle / handlebars / height off ground etc, etc. Absolute minimal difference in frame shapes / lengths / heights, resulted in noticeable muscles aches after the first two days of ........5 - 6 miles, moderate pace (shops. Muscles are adjusted to the Giant now)

Have been aware for years that doing a muscle building workout at a different gym, doing exactly the same workout, has to be taken for slowly for the first few days, as a lat pull at one gym, will muscles in a minutely different manner, than lat pulls elsewhere

mjr wrote: ↑24 Jan 2025, 10:46am
The problem with public transport is usually coverage and journey time, not cost. Too many lines start late, finish early and don't serve key destinations well.

+ 1. Had to get to hospital back in September, couldn't risk the bicycle, so had a 25 mile walk to make the Sunday appointment. And it's always a nuisance, if on the bus stopping 11-12 miles away (Nb. Most stop just a 8 mile round walk away, so they're fairly convenient)

It's just a pity on renewing a bus pass in December, that a valid passport with 7 months left on, wasn't acceptable as ID, so had to replace the passport early, but , passport photographs taken professionally just 6 weeks back and declared acceptable and put on the new passport, aren't acceptable for a bus pass renewal, 2024 letter stating I'm on the electoral roll etc, etc, etc, isn't accepted as evidence of ID and or address, to renew a disabled bus pass,

Been without the pass since December, am hoping that I may have one before end of February / March, as can't always risk the bicycle (Nb. 44 mile round ride to the gym, far better than a bus ride c/w a disabled pass; bicycles far quicker, more reliable, one isn't left with a minimal 4 mile walk, 12 miles if the bus stops early (Nb. A1 dual carriageway will be far too windy today, a good 1.5 miles on a raised embankment. But if partially disabled, one has to travel (Nb. Was blocked from public sector gyms 2019 for being partially disabled, is a nuisance as that was just 0.75 mile a way, never mind, the 44 mile round ride to the private gym is pleasant, for anyone with a disability blocked from travelling in the UK. NB. Have finally stopped recycling orange juice containers, obviously was blocked from recycling such in the part of England I live in, for being partially disabled, 75 miles the most I was prepared to go, 90 miles or whatever, to Scotland, to recycle ? They now get binned)

[XAP]Bob wrote: ↑24 Jan 2025, 10:12am

gbnz wrote: ↑24 Jan 2025, 10:10am

the snail wrote: ↑23 Jan 2025, 10:37pm

Well, that's the stupidest thing I've read today. So you think anyone who loses their job should have to give up their license and sell their car, thus making it harder to get to interviews, and limiting the jobs they can apply for? I've been asked how I will get to work at interviews before - if an employer thinks you will struggle to get to work, you won't get the job.

Hmm....the true motorist

Suppose people who base their lives around driving, can't comprehend basing their life around life itself, rather than driving

Bit like the modern day smart phone user, screams of distress "i can't get online, can't get online, what will I do........."

The true evil dictator: "everyone must be able bodied and working 100+ hours a week", else you're not "productive" and can't be part of society.

You're digging deeper, and continuing to ignore the facts which have been presented to you.


Have you tried claiming universal credit without internet access?

Oh yes, had to submit claim in 2020 so called into the local DWP office (Nb. Was using a PAYGO internet access)

Do pensioners have to sign on? I had to "sign on" in 2020, will be horrible if I have to every few weeks as a pensioner. Cause I would walk or cycle it, not being a motorist

the snail wrote: ↑23 Jan 2025, 10:37pm

gbnz wrote: ↑22 Jan 2025, 3:58pm Suppose those groups who don't need to drive, such as benefit claimants and OAP's, should have their driving licences removed anyway

Perhaps on moving back into work, benefit claimants (Nb. Excepting OAP's) could have their licence returned.

Well, that's the stupidest thing I've read today. So you think anyone who loses their job should have to give up their license and sell their car, thus making it harder to get to interviews, and limiting the jobs they can apply for? I've been asked how I will get to work at interviews before - if an employer thinks you will struggle to get to work, you won't get the job.

Hmm....the true motorist

Suppose people who base their lives around driving, can't comprehend basing their life around life itself, rather than driving

Bit like the modern day smart phone user, screams of distress "i can't get online, can't get online, what will I do........."