Cycling UK Forum

I have a Giant Defy 2 with Tekro brakes which I would like to upgrade. What a mine field! I would like to know what Shimano brake calipers are compatible with Shimano Tiagra 10 speed double levers (4600?) - Tiagra 4600 obviously but what about 105 or Ultegra?

It was certainly a lot easier once upon a time to swop bits around but progress always spoils things.

I have a Ridgeback Panorama (non Deluxe) - very sturdy heavy bike with Blackburn carriers front and back - ideal for cycle camping and expeditions but far too heavy for hotel/hostel touring for which I have a Giant Defy 2. The latter has only a back Blackburn carrier.
The Ridgeback is better on tracks but too slow for club/day rides whereas the Giant gallops on with the best on the road but does not like tracks.

The jury is out on disc brakes - too fiddly? Tekro 720's work well on my Ridgeback. On the other hand the Giant brakes are poor on the Defy.

The same thing has happened in Milton Keynes where the Council used the sustainable transport money to cover the overspend on a rebuilt roundabout designed to speed up motorists to and from the M1.

Milton in the bottle.

Depends on how many coaches. Every four coaches have bike facilties. Generally London Midland is fairly liberal. Bikes are always propped by the doors as well. Avoid busy periods.

Once again a bargain comes along and you sit around debating.

In common with Tour de France winner Greg Lemond I used to get hot foot problems. Don't know why I get them no more.
I do not do the miles I once did but improved shoes and clipless pedals have helped. The shoes have to be big enough to accomodate the feet spreading as the day progresses, especially in hot weather. Good insoles help. One other tip - always buy Shimano shoes at the end of the day and a size bigger than normal.

I usually patch twice then discard. In mountain areas NEVER use patched inner tubes, especially if a cautious descender, as heated rims from braking will lift patches with potential disaster.

531 framed bike for £80. Grab it - steel framed bikes are costing new up to £2500 plus and second hand ones up to £1000.
Just make sure it is the right size!

While most of you will have a wait before you see self driving vehicles on your local roads here in Milton Keynes they are expected any day. On 19 August Milton Keynes Council introduced an Experimental Order covering the use of pods under two pilot schemes in order 'to alleviate the danger to pedestrians' in Central Milton Keynes. The Order bans vehicles, with some exemptions, from certain roads and all underpasses. The underpasses are used by 100 per cent of cyclists as they avoid traffic lights.

Cyclists are not mentioned in the Order. Presumably they are not seen as being in danger. However, the more worrying aspect is that a cycle is legally a vehicle and any ban on vehicles would therefore include cycles. Either this is a genuine error - MKC failing to recognise the legal status of the cycle - or the Council does so and and wishes to keep cycles apart from pods, however inconvenient or dangerous the alternative routes are for cyclists.

I am taking this up with MKC and will keep you informed. I have asked the CTC and Sustrans (NCN is affected) HQ's to comment as there are national implications.

Are driverless vehicles progress? What about healthy forms of transport?

I use cafe locks on club runs and the like making sure the bike is clearly visible from the cafe. However, I use a D lock (+ others) in town. Without a rack bag or panniers I fix the D lock onto the top of the rack with a single toe strap making sure the rounded end is wedged into the upright at the front of the rack.

Go Outdoors sell a rear rack suitable for projecting disc brakes but the one that looks better is the Topeak One Fits All rear rack disc mounts version. This is fixed to the mudguard eyes with standard length bolts which sit in recesses in the projecting arms of the rack. This prevents mudguard stays be attached at the same place. The rack is designed to take 25 kgs (56 lbs).

Sadly, although there are optional fittings for a variety of lights there is not one for fixing mudguards to the carrier as suggested above. I guess even cable ties would do the job. They may not be the most elegant but they do the job.

Well, most of you will be ok for a few years but here in sunny Milton Keynes we are not so lucky and await the forthcoming trials of driverless cars and pods. Of course the cyclists, pedestrians and mobility vehicle users are not being consulted as how they may be affected. The pods are to run on pedestrian routes but share underpasses with cyclists as well.

Prof Stephen Potter, Open University Transport Guru, argues that driverless cars are the future. Brave new world - heaven help us. Luddites unite.

Use longer bolts with aluminium tube spacers (from model shops) cut to to length to suit to fit mudguards and rear racks. Note there are rear racks now available designed to project out beyond the disc and be fixed with standard length bolts. However, these do not allow mudguard stays to be fixed at the same place, hence the need to use longer bolts and spacers if both rack and mudguard are to be fitted.

All this should not be necessary if all bike makers sold disc braked bikes suitable for purpose. After all these are often marketed as all purpose suitable for club runs, commuting,touring and, perhaps, a tilt at the Three Peaks.

The 49D crank removers are non standard. Years ago we used to get a remover included when you bought a set. Of course we lent them out never to see them again, hence the current shortage. Where did they all go to?

TAKE CARE WITH THE 49D's. I broke one, where the pedal screwed in, a year ago. I came off and have a permanent knee injury as a result, which even an operation was unable to repair.