Search found 102 matches

by ed_o_brain
12 Feb 2009, 2:32pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Metrolink in Manchester
Replies: 3
Views: 468

You may want to look at Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign.

Bikes on Metrolink is one of GMCCs larger onging campaign issues.

Drop me a PM with your email address and I'll forward you links to their latest newsletter which explains how you can get involved.
by ed_o_brain
12 Feb 2009, 2:03pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: The Problem with Sustrans...
Replies: 147
Views: 15171

I think more people are cycling than ever.

I'm sat in an office now where over 1/6th cycle. And there's lots of chat about cycling.

And I'm not in London.

I stopped evangalising cycling some years back because no one was interested. In the last year or so, more and more people have asked about it. I talk about it a bit more and my conversations are met with enthusiasm.

My perception is that things are changing.


I've shown a couple of people how to cycle safely on the road now and introduced them to cycle craft. The results are good.


I'm fed up of the whole roads versus paths debate. It's a diversion. And Sustrans don't do any favours in playing up the NCN. The problem is this countries attitude to mechanisation. Car's should have speed limiters fitted. They should be made to be utilitarian. They should all be produced in the same colour. Cap the horsepower to reasonable limits. Larger and powerful vehicles should be built for hauling loads and towing, not racing. Oh and stop issuing driving licenses. The roads are too full for any more cars.

Stop people from taking pride in their motors. Encourage them to take pride in their driving instead.

And less have some more morals and values please while we are at it.
by ed_o_brain
12 Feb 2009, 1:44pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: New Bike
Replies: 19
Views: 1962

Summer bike?

Thanks to the british climate the only bike without mudguards is my MTB!!!
by ed_o_brain
12 Feb 2009, 1:40pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Car free family
Replies: 78
Views: 6082

It's doable.

Not owned a car in over twelve months now - although I still end up hiring regularly.

It is more difficult when children are involved, but not impossible.

And when I was young, although we had a car, cycling gave me true independence when I was still in my teens. I certainly won't be ferrying my kids everywhere by car when they get older.
by ed_o_brain
6 Feb 2009, 1:23am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 26" Tandem Tyre Recommendation
Replies: 10
Views: 1174

I've been reading up and I suspect we might have been over the weight limit, depending on the actual weight distribution on the tandem.

The max load for the tyre is 100 kg and from the vague information i've ellicited via Googled on Tandem weight distribution the rear tyre was supporting somewhere between 105 and 120 kg.

I'll have to stick the Marathon Cross tyres back on for now.
by ed_o_brain
6 Feb 2009, 12:24am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 26" Tandem Tyre Recommendation
Replies: 10
Views: 1174

26" Tandem Tyre Recommendation

Our second-hand tandem came equipped with very heavy, yet durable, Schwalbe Marathon Cross tyres in 26" x 1.75" format.

We only ever ride it on road, so I swapped the tyres with one of our other more seldom used bikes so it had Schwalbe Marathons in 1.5" width.

I inflated the tyres to 90 psi (they were rated for upto 100 psi) and had previously only been used at 70 psi.

Within thirty miles a large bulge appeared in the rear tyre and the tread split open to show the swelling tyre casing underneath.

Was this a poor choice of tyre for the tandem or should we order a direct replacement?

Thanks
Ed
by ed_o_brain
29 Jan 2009, 1:52pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Tips for a nervy commuter?
Replies: 22
Views: 3421

jonbott wrote:they shut the local stretch of A30 to cyclists recently meaning a 5 mile detour :( as they shut one lane


Is that a permanent or temporary closure?

If I'm loaded, tired, battling a headwind or for some other reason trundling, then as others have said, inside the cones.

But if I'm upto a 30 mph sprint or the limit is 30 mph and I can maintain above 20ish, then I'll take primary.

If inside the cones is not practical, then I'd consider an alternative route before taking a muddy path.
by ed_o_brain
29 Jan 2009, 1:14pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: The Problem with Sustrans...
Replies: 147
Views: 15171

I'm no fan of Sustrans - I'll admit they do some good work but I have problems with the marketing of the organisation; both the way they recruit rangers and secure funding.

Why is it that I've seen them primarily target new cyclists? Is it because they are enthusiastic or because they are easily influenced?

I was encouraged by a Sustrans Liaison Officer to go along to a local cycle forum, because it was being 'monopolised' by others. However, when I attended, over 50% of the attendees were advocates of Sustrans and suggestions or criticisms relating to 'on-road' cycling provision were lambasted.

I was deeply unhappy with the Connect2 project. I looked at a random selection of the schemes, and of about seven or eight I reviewed I could only see a genuine case for one of them.

But I echo Simon's sentements. I think A roads which are motorways in all but name should be a bigger concern. In fact even, just the increasing number of A roads on which cyclists are prohibited. There are a few in Greater Manchester which I have raised with the local cycling campaign. One of our other members has entered into correspondence with CTC head office.
by ed_o_brain
14 Jan 2009, 2:41pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Hokey Spokes...hummmm?
Replies: 8
Views: 995

We passed someone cyclin with something similar fitted to one of their wheels, but not quite as good.

My partner would really like them.. I think she wants something like that for her shopper bike when it's done up.
by ed_o_brain
14 Jan 2009, 11:42am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tricross / SKS mudguards interface
Replies: 15
Views: 5857

Re: Front SKS mudguard fitting for Tricross

maxy wrote:Where the front mudguard bracket is secured by the allen bolt at the front fork crown, it is in a triangular recess. Yes , a longer bolt is required as you say, but the squarish bracket on the mudguard wont sit in the triangular recess. Have you come across this problem? I was thinking of elongating the hole or filing off the corners of the bracket. Could I fit it to the front of the fork crown ? ( won't look as good though)



Faced with the same problem, I thought I would do just as you have suggested mounting the mudguard to the front of the fork crown. It's not very elegant tho, so I'd appreciate and other suggestions?
by ed_o_brain
13 Nov 2008, 9:39am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Genesis Croix de Fer - Brilliant or bonkers?
Replies: 44
Views: 27879

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/series/croix_de_fer

Magnifying the picture, I can see mudguard eyes above the rear dropouts and behind the front dropouts.
by ed_o_brain
1 Oct 2008, 11:34am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Best pannier for commuting?
Replies: 18
Views: 3926

I've got a pair of large office bag Ortlieb panniers. Err.. I don't use them very much.

I could be persuaded to part with them.
by ed_o_brain
1 Oct 2008, 11:30am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Q: Who to use to post a bike?
Replies: 7
Views: 964

I've posted bikes with ParcelForce.

If you get a box from your LBS (ring them first and they will set one aside) and pack the bike so it fits in there, you should have no trouble posting it with ParcelForce.

You will probably need to drop the saddle out, remove both wheels, unfasten the handle bars and maybe remove the pedals. It really should only take about ten minutes. If you don't have a pedal spanner, removing the pedals might be a bit tricky, but you might not necessarily need to do that.

Cheers
Ed
by ed_o_brain
25 Sep 2008, 11:46am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: What can we do to encourage more women to cycle?
Replies: 358
Views: 48466

Before anyone considers cycling anywere, for business or pleasure, I think the first question has to be are they open to the idea?

I can think of a number of reasons why men would be more open to the idea then women.

1. I think men make more confident (not necessarily better) drivers. I think this has a lot to do with the way men and women handle risk.

2. Women feel a lot more vulnerable than men, and take their safety seriously. I'd suspect women are deterred from using the road by the prospect of traffic (see 1) and deterred from off road routes for fear of sexual attack. If I understand right, the increase in number of people now obtaining a full driving license each year can be attributed entirely to young women. I think one of the biggest drivers for this is personal safety. I think a lot of women don't like to go anywhere on there own and having a car gives them some protection when they are on their own.

3. Women like companionship when they undertake activities. Around the city, I seldom see women joggers out on their own. They are nearly always with someone else whether it be a friend or partner. I see many more men running out on their own. Also, when I see groups out running, there seem to be equalish numbers of men and women, or soley women.
Running is a fairly cheap activity to take up. Cycling requires a little more investment. I would imagine, as fewer women cycle, not many women have a friend who cycles who they could go out and cycle with, and I can't imagine it's as easy to persuade someone to buy a bike as it is a pair of running shoes.

4. The marketing is geared up much more to men than it is women, although it's catching up. I think women come in more shapes and sizes than men and finding equipment and apparel is much more daunting.

5. I think women still are the mainstay of the household. I think cycling for leisure has to come before cycling for transport so that people realise the benefits for themselves (it certainly worked with my partner). The fact is, cycling is a fun activity and banging on about it being transport can make it seem rather droll. But I digress slightly, I think women have less free time than men to try new activities.

6. We are not a cycling society. It's not a normal everyday commonal garden activity, like driving. There is almost an expectation placed on people to drive. (So many people assume that I have a car!!! Noone assumes I have a bike.)

So that's the openness sorted. I think the next thing is, when someone is open to it, making sure they are equipped with everything they need. And I don't mean lycra, I mean knowledge.

My partner bought a bike a few years ago before we met. She was sold a kids "stunt bike". Slow. Cumbersome. Uncomfortable. Even painful. I guess it was the only bike in the shop she could get her leg over. (quite literally, from the retail staff's perspective).

The first thing I did, was fix this bike up and get my partner out for a short ride, no pressure or anything. I did what I could to make the bike more comfy for her, fitting a ladies saddle and sliding it as far forward as it would go on it's rails etc. And she loved it. Then it was onto buying a light road bike. Not really practical for everday commuting but it helped her enjoy it.

We have slowly built it up. We cycle lots of places together. I've encouraged her to deal with traffic situations that she was frightened of. Shown her what an inner tube is etc. There is still a long way to go, but I think what has made it has been the imparting of knowledge, help at the right times, understanding and support.

So, in conclusion there are two aspects. The first is people being open to cycling. The second is providing the right support when people are ready to try cycling.

I think people need to stop being bombarded with how environmentally friendly cycling is (save it for government ministers and town planners who are still in the dark). As so many others have pointed out, they probably more than anything just need to see more normal people on bikes.

Then, in terms of starting out on a bike, I think buddying up is probably the most important aspect of it. Finding someone with experience, understanding, time and patience to guide along.

This is just my two penneth.
by ed_o_brain
18 Jun 2008, 3:15pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycle thefts and Gumtree - my story
Replies: 14
Views: 2234

Did you get your bike back?
Was the thief apprehended?