Search found 3289 matches

by DaveP
30 Oct 2020, 6:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Screw in Presta valves
Replies: 63
Views: 3238

Re: Screw in Presta valves

[quote="Brucey]With Schrader valves ...It is not considered 100% safe to have just a spring holding the valve shut [/quote]
Bit of a surprise here!
I realise that the spring would be important when deflated, but I always thought that at working pressures it was the air that kept things airtight - splendid example of self compensation.
by DaveP
30 Oct 2020, 6:17pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Anyone done carbon fibre?
Replies: 7
Views: 598

Re: Anyone done carbon fibre?

I was into kayaks in the 80's and remember looking at ads for bespoke boats, polyester resin with combinations of glass, kevlar, and some other exotic material (aramide?) that was even more expensive. Kevlar cloth, which I believe is made from the same polymer as Dyneema, was supposed to produce a stronger job than glass,but one reason given for not using it throughout was the difficulty of getting a satisfactory bond with the cloth. Very hard to wet out IIRC - something to look into?
TBH, I wouldn't have thought the choice of reinforcing would save much weight on something like a mudguard - usually most of the weight is resin.
by DaveP
29 Oct 2020, 6:40pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Card Payment only, No Cash
Replies: 36
Views: 1494

Re: Card Payment only, No Cash

kwackers wrote:I think some folk just like being one or two iterations behind the curve... :lol:


Well I certainly like being at least a month behind with my Microsoft updates, especially since current conditions more or less obliged me to start on line banking :D
by DaveP
29 Oct 2020, 6:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Novel rim tape.
Replies: 6
Views: 451

Re: Novel rim tape.

A homemade attempt at "Run Flat"?
by DaveP
29 Oct 2020, 6:20pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: LBS v Online v Online-Physical
Replies: 6
Views: 650

Re: LBS v Online v Online-Physical

I'd like to drop in to a local shop for most of my requirements, but of the two that I regarded as "serious" bikeshops, one retreated to their other site nearly twenty years ago. It's about 8 miles away, its a horrible ride and there is nowhere to lock up to when you get there. I don't get there as often as I used to. The other one closed down this summer and has reinvented himself as a mobile service unit. The thing about bike shops is that I like to do my own maintenance, and these days I can usually manage most of it. People like me must be a nightmare for them!

FWIW I'm pretty close to Wiggle's physical presence :D I was excited when I heard they were coming here, but all for nought - no counter service, not even for click and collect. And, like Chain Reaction they are of limited relevance to someone chugging around on a lowly 8 speed!

I've used SJS quite a bit. Say what you like about them but they keep lots of spares and stuff you might not have known about and they have always been pretty good at replying to questions of the "will it fit my..." sort. Never had much contact with Spa, although I have three of their wheels, but always consider them because they do at least support the type of cycling I engage in - riding around and touring and they are cheaper if they have it.
I think that they both count as "quality" and as such deserve our support. Retail generally has moved further away from our homes and on to t'net, local bikeshops likewise. As long as there is somone willing to supply spares...
by DaveP
29 Oct 2020, 5:41pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: ...why women's' cycling clothing is still mainly pink?
Replies: 48
Views: 2296

Re: ...why women's' cycling clothing is still mainly pink?

TrevA wrote:Check out Fat Lad/Lass at the Back


"Generously cut for a perfect fit, that won't leave you looking like a badly packed sausage..."
A very handy link to a company I hadn't heard of. Thanks!
by DaveP
29 Oct 2020, 12:08pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: One for Ko-Ko or a more humane Mikado?
Replies: 2
Views: 145

Re: One for Ko-Ko or a more humane Mikado?

Poor chap!
And all he was trying to do was to reach that special forest...
by DaveP
29 Oct 2020, 11:24am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: An easy to use track pump head?
Replies: 34
Views: 1757

Re: An easy to use track pump head?

Bother! Fully intended to specify Schrader valves and road pressures, but it was getting late...
I've never understood how they became so popular for bikes - why have a bigger hole in that narrow rim, than you have to? I only have one bike now that uses Presta, I have an adaptor for it that sort of works, but usually I use its onboard Zefal HPX - which I can handle quite successfully. Hhmmm. Food for thought...
At the moment, I let down the Brompton tyres, by way of checking the pressure :roll: about twice a week. Definitely not a Team scale user!
I currently have a twenty odd year old Silca. Pump works fine, but apparently when it needs a new washer I will have to make one as they changed the bore. The original hose has been shortened over the years and is now too short for convenience. Currently has a Zefal lever action head which is the focus of my current dificulties.
If I bought the Lezyne flip head I would obviously need a coupling and hose as well, at a cost over half way to that of an entry level pump, and with no real idea about compatibility. Perhaps, after all, its just time to buy new - If only I could afford an accountant - I'd just get me an air line! :D
by DaveP
28 Oct 2020, 11:53pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike
Replies: 48
Views: 3757

Re: Fitting different pannier rack to ebike

Jancathy wrote:I am dead chuffed to now have my new rack fitted on my bike


Excellent, Well done! It might not be rocket science but its still very satisfying to get your bike the way you want it. Enjoy!
Thanks for letting us know.
by DaveP
28 Oct 2020, 11:39pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: An easy to use track pump head?
Replies: 34
Views: 1757

An easy to use track pump head?

Can anyone recommend a decent quality track pump head that is easy to use?
I'm struggling to use the one I have because of a problem with one thumb that makes it difficult to apply enough squeeze to get it properly seated while flicking the lever up with the other hand. Not much better the other way round. I end up letting all the air out before I've got it sealed on. I suppose I could go back to a screw on head , but there do seem to be some quite fancy looking heads available at SJS. At a price. Are any of them particularly user friendly?
by DaveP
28 Oct 2020, 7:07pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Help & advice on folding e-bikes including the Ezego EZE Fold please
Replies: 7
Views: 651

Re: Help & advice on folding e-bikes including the Ezego EZE Fold please

Stumbled across this during my market research: https://wooshbikes.co.uk/?rambletta
£899 according to their shop page, but still 20kg
No direct knowledge, but the company appears to have a decent reputation in these parts.
by DaveP
28 Oct 2020, 11:56am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Card Payment only, No Cash
Replies: 36
Views: 1494

Re: Card Payment only, No Cash

Not as yet, but I think you , well, we need to resign ourselves to the likely disappearance of cash in the foreseeable future. To the banks etc cash handling requires too much expenditure on premises, wages and physical security. To Boris and the boys people with cash are just loose cannons. Could do anything anytime - and thats obviously just Wrong. Except for those who have so much that Swiss banks will put out the red carpet...
Bring back the Gold Standard!
by DaveP
28 Oct 2020, 11:44am
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Porridge: love or hate? Vote now please!
Replies: 365
Views: 28112

Re: Porridge: love or hate?

Porridge was required eating during my childhood. My father would make it overnight in the small oven of the Rayburn. When he took it out he would add a vast quantity of sugar. I ended up being unable to face it.
These days I can manage it when served with salt and a bowl of cream
But I prefer my oat ration raw with chopped fruit, seeds and nuts and served with semi skimmed and natural yoghurt.
Talking about it has inclined me to pencil in microwave scrambled eggs and coffee for tomorrow :D
by DaveP
28 Oct 2020, 11:29am
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Ebikes and fitness
Replies: 63
Views: 3673

Re: Ebikes and fitness

Excellent news! I'm very happy for you :D
by DaveP
28 Oct 2020, 11:19am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Keir Starmer's vehicle hits cyclist
Replies: 96
Views: 5397

Re: Keir Starmer's vehicle hits cyclist

Tangled Metal wrote:Is sir Starmer in trouble for leaving the scene without contacting police if there had been an injury to the cyclist? Assuming taking to a PCSO doesn't count?


In practical terms, I doubt it. Yes, there is a requirement to report accidents involving an injury to the police, but as I understand it the purpose of that requirement is essentially about not wasting police time. As long as you make yourself readily identifiable and locatable and don't try to deny your involvement I doubt that anyone would be that bothered about enforcing it.
Especially if you spoke to someone in a blue uniform who could have been taken for the real thing.