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.
Search found 199 matches
- 16 Apr 2010, 8:51pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Saddlebag vs topbag
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1876
- 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 ???
Now "bumper" with all those mods on your spectacular Tricross have you built in a cable adjuster for the rear brake ???
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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
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
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 12 Sep 2008, 10:37pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: assymetry police....
- Replies: 47
- Views: 3735
- 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.
With more forgiving geometry of Specialised Tricross and Trek Pilot I've tried various stem lengths with no ill effects on handling.
- 17 Aug 2008, 12:10am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Advice re taking a Brompton on a plane
- Replies: 14
- Views: 4421
- 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.
- 20 Jan 2008, 4:08pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Upright and happy
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1589