Cycling UK Forum

i agree that this is a badly designed survey.

It works on the prmise that one soluition can provide all answers

Oliver also fails to appreciate that many cyclists will have arrived at their own solutions to their problems.

On my commuting bike (used only within the built up area) I use a shimano hub dynamo coupled to "stoplight" tecchnology lamps, the rear is fitted to the rear rack, thr front to the crown of the forks by a traditional bracket at the mudguard mount. The lamps are all double wired, so avoiding the endless earth faults of many a dynamo system. The dynamo is about 12 yeras old and still going well, the lamps are probably the second ones I have had, a front one was badly damaged in the bike racks and had to be replaced, the rear one was replaced when the capacitors failed.

I'd be very loathed to rplace my system as i have found it reliable "fit and forget" technology

I appreciate that this is my solution to my problem, and others will find other solutions to their needs.

Judy

"they" seem to have got off the point of your post.

A ten year old Galaxy (or for that matter a twenty year old one) would still be a good touring bike especially if it were "immaculate". A good old tourer beats a cheap bike shaped object any day.

Don't get suckered in to the "I must have the newest and shiniest" mindset

The choice of "mixte" "ladies" or "diamond" frame is up to you. You need to ask questions about yourself, your build and your intended type of riding.

If you are a "big girl" you might do better to avoid the mixte and ladies frames as the diamond would be stronger, if you are petite then the diamond frames may be too large.

Mrs Commuter is about 5'6" and size 18, she comfortably rides an old (early 90s) lady galaxy with a mixte frame and enjoys doing so, she finds diamond frames difficult to mount. I hasten to add that we day ride rather than tour, although i'm sure that the bike would have no problem with a B&B type tour.

Hope my thoughts are helpful

Stephen

My name is Stephen

and I'm an occassional SPD user - I've got it under control I can handle it/them

I use SPD when I'm out for a ride, but only single sided ones.

My commuter has just straight forward flats.

I don't wear any other cycle clothes as they don't make them big enough! I mean whoever heard of XXL being 38" waist?

They should come and see some real men here in Yorkshire!

Stephen

Thanks to all for their wise advise about this.

I have no reason to suspect that the headset is not the original one, so i don't think that that the JIS/ISO issue is likely to be the problem.

More likely I suspect is just wear and tear, possibly due to the headseat be used out of adjustment leading to rocking motion.

I think I'll investigate the locktite type solution.

Thanks again

Stephen

Hi all

the title says it all really.

Just to amplify the problem:

It's a cheap 1" threaded headset (dawes horizon early 1990s), the bottom cup is so loose that it falls out on its own!

I've had a go using plumbers' PTFE tape to shim the cup so that it has a tighter fit inside the headtube. So far so good, but I've only tried it "round the block".

has anyone else tried this solution, or is there any better way of doing this?

Stephen

Hi all

I have no idea what class I consider myself to be, but like many here I find the traditional three-tiered structure meaningless.

I have no inherited wealth, title or land, evrything i own is as a result of my labours. So I'm definitely not upperclass.

I am the son of non-graduate civil servant (A level educated) and a housewife (no school qualifications) who supprted me by valuing my education.

I am however a graduate (first in my family) and am a teacher.

I have always voted anti-tory (liberal when I lived in Kent, labour now I live in Yorkshre). I don't read a paper daily but when I do read one it is the Independent (not a red-top). I have no interest in celebrity culture, never watch X factor or anything like that. I have no interest in football, although I do watch international Rugby matches.

So what am I?

Stephen

I am not a pub drinker, mostly put off by the boorish behaviour and large screen TVs.

Hi all

My early to mid 90s galaxy is due for a respray.

The fork crown (a proper crown on 531 forks) has an M5 thread on the rear side (good for mudguard bracket), but not one on the front - making it rather difficult to fit a front lamp bracket.

Would it be safe to drill an M5 threaded hole into the front of the fork crown?

I have access to a typical secondary school's CDT department, pillar drills, tap sets etc, and could even persuade one of the experienced (former "metal work") teachers to do the job for me.

Or should I play safe and have it done by a frame buuilder - probably Bob Jackson

regards

Stephen

I just saw this on the BBC news website and thought that this ought to be seen more widely

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12604639

thankfully no-one was killed

Stephen

Mrs Commuter and I have been watching "The Killing" since it started and we love it! (but then we also enjoyed Wallender)

The only thing that disappoints me is that there haven't been any scenes of Copenhagen that i recognise (cycled there from Esbjerg a few years ago).

Who knows who did it? Every time I thing I've got it he is revealed to be innocent.

Stephen

Hi all

I've buitl up a few galaxies and Horizons over the last few years.

I think we need to discrimnate between rebuilding and restoring.

IMHO restoring a bike means taking it back to its original "factory fresh" condition, taking into account every last detail, and tracking down original items as fitted, even to the point of tyres, pedals etc..

A "symapthetic restoration" is not quite as severe, but involves using parts that "look right", I've a Galaxy that I built up using SKS mudguards, RX100 shifters, Stronglight 100LX, a Toepeak rear rack, alivio hubs, MA3 rims, B17, none of which would have been original spec, but they look as though they "fit" the bike.

"Rebuilding" a bike, IMHO, means repairing a bike to the level that it is safe, relaible and useable. I have an Horizon with an Exage 500 front mech and a Deore LX rear mech, definitely not original spec, not even the same age as each other, but they work together and thus the bike works. THis bike is rebuilt but not restored.

Stephen

I have butterflies on my galaxy and I love them - great for social rides with my wife.

Mark - you ask about alternatives to foam bar grips:

given that most butterflies can be covered with the four short lengths of foam that would cover drop bars I'd reckon that you could use any conventional bar tape, even leather if you fancy.

if you go down the path of using foam grips do get the loger (400mm ?) ones designed for butterflies - you'll not get a satisfactory butt joint with two shorter pieces.

I suppose you could use foam pipe insulation and cover it with 1" cotton twill ribbon (local buttons/bows/harberdashery shop) - allow abou 3m for comfortable coverage

Just my thoughts on the issue of hi-viz.

My daily commute is entirely within the built-up and therefore street-lit urban area of York.

I leave home at about 7.30, so in the winter this is dark, my return home is also often in darkness.

Having found hi-viz vests difficult to wear over a waterproof/breathable Gill cycling jacket I bought myself a hi-viz coat, with all the scotchlite tape required for the most dangerous working environments - You know the sort of jackets that you see being worn men who are digging up the roads.

Being a coat it has sleeves, which makes my hand signals clear.

The coat (3/4 length) is quilted so warm, waterproof but not breathable, and cost me less than £20 in the market.

It is now going through its second winter and is looking a little grubby so its fourth wash is due soon.

Friends and colleagues who have passed me ib cars comment on how much more visible I am than other cyclists.

Personally i wouldn't be without it, but I recognise that my short urban commute is a very different prospect to a long rural one.

regards

Stephen

For Schrader valves take the same approach with regards to rolling.

Every time you get an appreciable bulge press in the centre of the valve and the air will depart.

regards

Stephen

In some attempt to bring this post back to its original theme, I'll need to timoroulsy run may own flag up the flag-pole.

I am a member of the Church of England (so in light of other comments this scarcley counts as a religion), I mind my own business, do not try to impose my thoughts, way of life, morality on other people. In fact when some years ago a "celibate" homosexual was eliminated from the possibilty of becomming a Bishop i was a signatory of my church's card of condolence to him.

Having had 10 years of women priests in the CofE, and longer in the Methodist church, I have met many excellent women priests, and I am proud to have some as friends.

For me the appointment of women to the bishopric would be an entirely logical and welcome step. personally i'd be happy to say "Lesbian Bishops Now!"

As for the three former Bishops who, though personal conscience, have found it neccesary to become Roman Catholics I wish them well, relationships come to an end and it is time to move on.

Many are concerned about the relations between the CofE and RC churches, saying that ordaing women will damage ecumenical links between us. I would like to point out that the RC church doesn't recognise any Anglican priest as a priest, and the only terms by which they'd accept unity with the CofE is when the CofE becomes RC en masse.

More important to me are the relationships between all people of good will, no matter what creed they may may not confess, we are to share our common humanity.

On this forum we see a level of trust on the sales board based on the excellent precept "We're all cyclists together!".

I don't discrimate between cyclists, who like me, as mainly commuters and those who can spend hundreds of hours on the road each year, i talk to fixie riders (don't understand what they're talking about) and I don't care how many panniers are on a bike. I ride Shimano, but only because that's what was on the bike, if somebody else is passionate about Campag i will try to share their joy. If i see a cyclist with a problem I stop and offer help because s/he is my fellow cyclist/human, I see the person before the bike.

Expand this and it is the way i try to live my life. My reason for that is based on the techings of Jesus, if someone else does because of the Qu'ran, or because of Dawkin's expalnation for any altruistic action (we grew up in small communities, by helping our neighbour we are helping copies of our genes) it doesn't matter because the same good is being done.

I anticipate some interesting responses

Stephen

galavanter

Ther are cyclists in "Blade Runner" - a group of asian cyclists cycling in the street.

Not that Blade Runner is the future I'd like to see (although I fear that we might).

Alex Scarrow's apocalyptic novel "Aferlight" set 10 years after the collapse of society following organised terrorist attacks on the petroleum infrastructure involves a cycle journey from Norfolk to London on the M11, including avoiding deer grazing on the central reservation

The BBC's origianl 1970s "Survivors" (series 1 I think) also has one of the minor characters visiting another set of Survivors by bike and being packed off with his Thermos, puncture kit and pump, and iirc in series 3 a "racer" is stolen (haven't seen series 3 since it was last shown on TV so i may well be wrong)

At the moment that's all that comes to mind, if i remember anything else I'll be back.

Stephen