Search found 199 matches

by David Cox
16 Apr 2010, 8:51pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Saddlebag vs topbag
Replies: 16
Views: 1876

Re: Saddlebag vs topbag

I think its hard to beat panniers for commuting, but I always carry too much stuff papersI think I am going to read in one side, bike kit, waterproofs and clean shirt in the other. The Brompton front pannier is superb and another reason for using that bike. I've not had much success with rack top bags limited capacity but we do use one on the tandem I pilot occasionally.

Nelson long flap with bagman support is very satisfying for riding around. Its not very aerodynamic and doesn't make fitting two lights easy - you've lost the seat post and usually the rack mounts. But you can usually get something else in - like two bottles of wine from a village shop. Also they are great for leaning bikes up against walls without marking the saddle. Americans, presumably because their walls are rare and farther apart, all seem to go for stands even on lightweight bikes.
by David Cox
22 Mar 2010, 9:41pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Carradice Zipped Roll - what do you think of it?
Replies: 13
Views: 8708

Re: Carradice Zipped Roll - what do you think of it?

Its not quite Carradice quality but I noticed on the Heart of England 50 in 4 that some representatives of the Hopwood Ladies Cycling Club had some very neat BTwin bags velcro'd to the handlebars. I need something like this to avoid overstuffing summer jersey pockets and to carry bunches of fresh asparagus peace offerings back home from Worcestershire in the spring. Tracked source to Decathalon. So I combined a trip to their Merryhill branch with the Dudley CTC "independent" Member Group's inaugeral meeting on a wet Friday and picked up a bag for less than £10. Looks ok will have to see how it holds up through the season.

Now "bumper" with all those mods on your spectacular Tricross have you built in a cable adjuster for the rear brake ???
by David Cox
16 Mar 2010, 9:51pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tricross 2010 Sport for commuting?
Replies: 32
Views: 3753

Re: Tricross 2010 Sport for commuting?

I've got a Tricross comp mainly for winter (but not snow and ice) club runs. I still quite like it, dont get brake judder, I need the upright position, it rides out potholes, gravel and grotty lanes well, its comfortable - carbon stays and forks giving some shock absortion. But I rarely use it for commuting. Even my size 7.5 feet catch on the mudguards on tight weaving through stationary cars, there's wide flat top tube and loose civilian work trousers rub against it, the back brake has no simple adjustment or functioning quick release, the rim on the fancy rear wheel has worn through half way through the 3rd winter (c3,000 winter miles) and 26 hole rims for a rebuild seem not to be attainable or wise (so its a new wheel and hub) and finally the tyres supplied - soft rubber trail bias - gave fantastic grip in poor conditions but were very slow and sucked in glass and grit and punctured so easily that I soon replaced them with Schwalbe marathon racers. It does look "good" but that's a reason not to leave it locked up outside my office or in Birmingham City Centre.
by David Cox
2 Mar 2010, 9:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Wheel rim assessment
Replies: 15
Views: 853

Re: Wheel rim assessment

Just cleaned winter bike. Examined rear rim and noted little black spot -query hole. Small screwdriver investigation created much larger hole. Foil thin. 3000 miles 3rd winter. Clarkes brake pads from Halfords - probably a mistake. There were nice roval wheels with stylish large flange hubs !

Last rim that went was a Mavic, similar mileage but that shattered, shedding aluminum shards and jammed the wheel 20 miles from home.

You can't be too careful.
by David Cox
6 Jan 2010, 10:25pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Badgering for a badge
Replies: 73
Views: 15520

Re: Badgering for a badge

I like both the logo and winged wheel badge but I've also had the classic wheel transfer on every bike since I joined in the 1970s. I've got one left to add a bit of class to my newish audax bike - I've been putting off fitting it because I usually get through two trying to line them up or chip the edges. As a Councillor, I'll follow up if Karen's request to HQ doesn't produce a result.
by David Cox
24 Dec 2009, 11:33pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Studded tyres?
Replies: 61
Views: 177191

Re: Studded tyres?

thanks for all the advice folks, frustrated by a week of turbo only "riding" I've fitted Schwalbe Snow Studs (rapid service from Chain Reaction in Xmas week). They are on a mountain bike and they are a great improvement for commuting although you still need to concentrate in frozen ruts. I used to plough on through snow quite cheerfully on a variety of tyres in the past including Michelin 27" touring BUT I'm older/wiser/more nervous now and came down hard on unexpected black ice last year. Inevitably buying and fitting snow tyres seems to have brought the thaw!
by David Cox
9 Dec 2009, 9:00pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rohloff chain.......and front changers
Replies: 6
Views: 514

Re: Rohloff chain.......and front changers

On chain wear I was surprised to find that a Shimano 105 wore out (i.e. stretched) at a significantly lower mileage than an Utregra with similar maintenance.
by David Cox
8 Dec 2009, 11:08pm
Forum: Cycling UK Member Groups and Affiliates
Topic: CTC Membership Services
Replies: 212
Views: 28226

Re: CTC Membership Services

Hi,

If "Edwards" or any other West Midlands member would like to receive my occasional email up dates and requests for views on Council business just send your email address to David.Cox@ctc.org.uk I've built the list from Member Group secretaries and Right to Ride Reps. Working in the NHS I've learnt to be a bit sensitive about Data Protection so you have to opt in or out.

Of course you can and should complain to the Director of the CTC if you wish to do so.

David
by David Cox
8 Nov 2009, 9:10pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Overshoes
Replies: 9
Views: 610

Re: Overshoes

Hi,
I bought some of the BBB ones last year and they are now into their second winter. They are heavier duty than anything I've tried before and fit well over MTB winter boots. I think they are great and better than anything I've tried before.
by David Cox
20 Sep 2009, 11:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Really neat bar mirrors..
Replies: 12
Views: 1041

Re: Really neat bar mirrors..

I used to use Pinney mirrors which were really neat but they dont seem to be available now, the eventually break and I'm down to my last one.
I tried the Italian Road Bike mirror from Velotech in the US. However, it didn't work for me and now sits in a draw. Its not sufficiently adjustable (not at all once its taped up) and angle of view depends on how the drops on your bars are shaped and adjusted.

I now rely on a Busch and Mueller mirror from Bike Fix in London. They are excellent quality and field of view, fully adjustable and neater than the Zefal on my commuter.
by David Cox
12 Sep 2008, 10:37pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: assymetry police....
Replies: 47
Views: 3735

Dont motorbikes and mopeds have chain drive on the left ? I think I've seen left drive bikes made up of mopeds with the engine removed. does it matter and does it affect riding in Australia ?
by David Cox
17 Aug 2008, 12:15am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Is stem length critical to steering?
Replies: 19
Views: 2735

I've found that it depends on the geometry and the forks. On a much loved Bianchi Pro I shortened the stem once to avoid neck/shoulder ache, no problems. But when I reversed it to gain a higher position it spoilt the handling. Steering was less linear and in motoring terms switched from understeer to oversteer. Not satisfying and difficult when riding in a bunch.

With more forgiving geometry of Specialised Tricross and Trek Pilot I've tried various stem lengths with no ill effects on handling.
by David Cox
17 Aug 2008, 12:10am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Advice re taking a Brompton on a plane
Replies: 14
Views: 4421

i also used the Carradice folding bag to get to CTC AGM in Belfast FlyBe from Birmingham. Tight fit but worked well and below the luggage weight allowance.
by David Cox
12 Jun 2008, 11:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: hub dynamo help please!
Replies: 21
Views: 3130

I've just got a Smit dynohub and standard B and M front and back lights with standlicht facility from 3 years back on my commuter bike. Wouldn't be without it. I use it like motorists/motorcyclists do whenever its overcast or I am white lining a load of traffic. I've got LED back ups and flashers but haven't needed them except to get christmas tree effects. Brilliant though the rechargable Cateye and better modern leds are there's no substitute for building lights into the vehicle for everyday use.
by David Cox
20 Jan 2008, 4:08pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Upright and happy
Replies: 13
Views: 1589

Many thanks for this tip. I've been to the Nitto website an am going to order one of their stems to give me wider choice of handlebar heights when I rebuild my Mercian in search of a neck/should ache free ride !!