Search found 188 matches

by Tompsk
2 Jun 2022, 7:52am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Gear cable housing (replace multiple sections with single length)?
Replies: 8
Views: 582

Re: Gear cable housing (replace multiple sections with single length)?

There are a couple of advantages of having less outer cable housing in any Bowden cable run

The first is that the outer compresses when the inner is under tension, less outer means less compression (the frame, which is resisting the compression between the braze ons, shouldn't compress!). This reduces 'spongeyness' in brake cables and inaccurate indexing for gears. Compressionless outer cables improve this.

The second is weight, air weights less than outer cable! The braze ons do weigh something, but less than the outer cable they save.

The third is friction, air has less friction than outer cable, however the most friction is on the bendy bits where you still need an outer. Lined outers (PTFE / Teflon?) inproves things.

A downside is the inner is exposed to the elements, bad for under the bottom bracket gear cables, but yours seem to be on the top tube.

If you have sensible braze ons already and corrosion isn't a problem I'd probably not convert to 'all covered' as you may be loosing more than you gain.

PS Never (ever) use gear cable outer on a brake cable! To reduce changes in length of the gear cable outer, which causes indexing errors, the reinforcing is lengthwise. This could 'balloon' under high compression, not critical for gears but catastrophic for baking! Brake cable outer has the reinforcing as a coil which resists ballooning to a much higher degree.
by Tompsk
1 Jun 2022, 10:59pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: cantilever brakes for an old frame
Replies: 20
Views: 1348

Re: cantilever brakes for an old frame

Late to the discussion but if you don't mind compromising on originality you could change the forks to a 700c set? You obviously need find some with the right diameter for the headset, length, material(?) etc. The rear braking will need some of the fixes discussed earlier.
Sticking with 27" may be the best way forward though :-)
by Tompsk
1 May 2022, 10:10pm
Forum: Cycling Goods & Services - Your Reviews
Topic: Good bike shed
Replies: 4
Views: 4927

Re: Good bike shed

Clunky wrote: 30 Jan 2022, 5:17pm Hey all,

Looking for some sort of enclosed bike shed to keep the weather off the bike.
Any suggestions?
Was thinking of a plastic one so it doesn't rot like a wooden shed.

Thanks!
If it just to keep the weather off the bike you could go for a plastic garden storage box type of thing. Zero security though so you may want to look at a ground or wall anchor to lock the bike to (inside whatever you store it in). For a more normal shed to avoid rot you can also get metal ones, although they may have heat/condensation problems? I have a self designed and built wood 10x8 shed, no rot problems if the roof felt is replaced every 5 years and wood gone over with treatment every 2 or so years... I'd expect it to last 15 years before needing to be replaced.

PS Just noticed date of OP question, hope you have found a solution to your storage requirements :-)
by Tompsk
18 Apr 2022, 8:00am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Flapjacks
Replies: 17
Views: 1028

Re: Flapjacks

briansnail wrote: 17 Apr 2022, 7:54pm "The case is reminiscent of the court battle between McVitie’s and HM Customs and Excise (now HMRC) in the 1990s when the UK’s tax authority unsuccessfully argued that Jaffa Cakes were biscuits and so should attract VAT."

If Jaffa cakes do not attract VAT there does seem to be an argument case flapjacks should not either.
Jaffa cakes are not exclusively for Tea and often eaten on the move.
...
In the Jaffa cake case I think they successfully argued that old cakes go hard but old biscuits go soft. The Jaffa cakes went hard, so were cakes...
by Tompsk
17 Apr 2022, 9:00pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Honking out of the saddle
Replies: 73
Views: 5130

Re: Honking out of the saddle

Another aspect of honking (that can't be done when sitting down) is keeping relatively upright in the body and throwing the bike side to side with each pedal stroke. This helps with getting over the dead spot as it dynamically changes the effective length of the cranks as the bottom bracket moves up (slightly) as the crank goes down (and vice versa on the other crank). You can also use your upper body to pull and push the bars in opposition to the legs.

This is probably more efficient than throwing weight fore and aft as the masses are not slowing and speeding as much but may be less effective in anti stalling.

For the really advanced cyclist you can try to combine the two techniques, however only do this in a safe place :-)
by Tompsk
17 Apr 2022, 7:07pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 5 day tour of Belgium on a Brompton
Replies: 4
Views: 480

Re: 5 day tour of Belgium on a Brompton

For some headline cities and towns with history you could go: Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Ypres, Lille? If you want countryside I found the South of Belguim good but hilly, e.g. Ardennes.
From Lille either return to Brussels or get the Eurostar from there.
by Tompsk
17 Apr 2022, 5:51pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Flapjacks
Replies: 17
Views: 1028

Re: Flapjacks

axel_knutt wrote: 17 Apr 2022, 4:47pm I suddenly felt the urge to make some until I saw the recipe. At ~70% fat and sugar, I think I'd better stop before I start.
That would mean 30% are complex carbohydrates? You could experiment with upping the oats and reducing the fat/sugar to see if they are still ok to cook, carry and consume. The recipe I use has 62.5% fat and sugar and works well. Having raw oats in the house also means porridge is a VAT free option in the morning, assuming some of the fancier breakfast cerials have VAT added?
As long as you are burning off the calories and keeping an an eye on the total fat and simple sugars intake you should be ok :-)
by Tompsk
17 Apr 2022, 5:36pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Honking out of the saddle
Replies: 73
Views: 5130

Re: Honking out of the saddle

Twas always known as 'honking' for me, which goes back to the 70's (perhaps not that long ago for some contributors :-)

One feature of honking, or 'dancing on the pedals' (a bit more poetic), is being able to throw one's weight back and forward relative to the bike which you can't do when you're sitting on the saddle. This helps the rider to get over the dead spot when the cranks are vertical, which happens when peddling at a low cadence. If this isn't done the bike may stall and balance then becomes rather tricky! (Unless on a trike). This comes fairly naturally after a bit of practice. This technique is not efficient as the bike is being slowed down and speeded up twice in each pedal stroke.

I agree the least amount of energy is expended by staying seated, however if the gearing isn't low enough then getting out of the saddle (as above) may be the only way to stay on the bike.

My memory of club runs (certainly the slow and medium paced ones) from my youth was that 'getting out of the saddle' was only for the young or the racing types, both of which were in the minority. Back then when you ran out of sitting down gears you got off and walked. With today's low gears I think most would think there was a fault with the bike if you are walking up a hill (unless it was very very steep).
by Tompsk
10 Apr 2022, 7:39am
Forum: On the road
Topic: "My dog may chase you, but he's friendly" today's ride
Replies: 102
Views: 8014

Re: "My dog may chase you, but he's friendly" today's ride

pwa wrote: 10 Apr 2022, 1:49am
Our frisbee will pose less of a risk because it is a ring with three spokes that give extra lift.
Sadly not, smaller holes just mean the animals that could be harmed are smaller, e.g. swans and beer can rings.
by Tompsk
9 Apr 2022, 6:15pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: "My dog may chase you, but he's friendly" today's ride
Replies: 102
Views: 8014

Re: "My dog may chase you, but he's friendly" today's ride

Jdsk wrote: 9 Apr 2022, 6:10pm
Tompsk wrote: 9 Apr 2022, 6:07pm
Barrowman wrote: 9 Apr 2022, 5:49pm Highway Code is only a guide. No real clout in law I fear.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong... but I think not observing the guidance* in the Highway code, whilst not an offence, can lead you to being seen as liable or negligent.

* AFAIK some of what is in the Highway Code _is_ law. e.g. if it says you 'must' then that is a requirement not a recommendation.
First it's essential to separate criminal and civil law.

Once that's done...

Wording of The Highway Code

Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence. See an explanation of the abbreviations.

Although failure to comply with the other rules of the Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts (see The road user and the law) to establish liability. This includes rules which use advisory wording such as ‘should/should not’ or ‘do/do not’.


https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway ... troduction

Jonathan
Thank you for the quotes from the H.C., it sounds like my understanding was there or thereabouts :-)
by Tompsk
9 Apr 2022, 6:07pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: "My dog may chase you, but he's friendly" today's ride
Replies: 102
Views: 8014

Re: "My dog may chase you, but he's friendly" today's ride

Barrowman wrote: 9 Apr 2022, 5:49pm Highway Code is only a guide. No real clout in law I fear.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong... but I think not observing the guidance* in the Highway code, whilst not an offence in itself, can lead you to being seen, in law as liable or negligent.

* AFAIK some of what is in the Highway Code _is_ law. e.g. if it says you 'must' then not following it is an offence.

Edit. Clarification, maybe...
by Tompsk
8 Apr 2022, 7:48pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: "My dog may chase you, but he's friendly" today's ride
Replies: 102
Views: 8014

Re: "My dog may chase you, but he's friendly" today's ride

Carlton green wrote: 8 Apr 2022, 6:53pm ... it is the cyclist who introduces the hazard by tempting the dog ...
Are you saying it is the cyclist fault if the dog becomes out of control just because they are cycling along the same path? I can see if they were pulling some meat behind them they could be blamed, but not otherwise.
by Tompsk
7 Apr 2022, 1:59pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Front rack for an MTB
Replies: 15
Views: 787

Re: Front rack for an MTB

hamster wrote: 7 Apr 2022, 1:36pm This one (and Blackburn FL-1) use U-bolts round the fork which work fine.
https://www.bikeparts.co.uk/products/m- ... 665d&_ss=r

Alternatively use this with P-clips for the fork stay.
https://www.bikeparts.co.uk/products/m- ... lloy-black
Be careful with the U bolts as a set I have will only go round fairly 'skinny' road forks and are not suitable for fatter fork blades. Another 'gocha' are straight bladed forks as the design (on the set I have) assumes a curved end to the forks. This means the carrier tilts at an angle unless you drill the U bolt holes - if there is enough metal to do that...
As mentioned on another thread is the possibility that lightweight forks may be a bit too thin in the middle to accept a direct load half way down. You should be safe if it is a disc fork or more 'basic' plain gauge one.
by Tompsk
23 Mar 2022, 7:25am
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Predatory willow trees?
Replies: 12
Views: 640

Re: Predatory willow trees?

If you are concerned get in contact with special branch.
by Tompsk
15 Mar 2022, 8:27am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Ordered a cassette from MERLIN cycle and received workshop/OEM part?
Replies: 129
Views: 8183

Re: Ordered a cassette from MERLIN cycle and received workshop/OEM part?

kylecycler wrote: 14 Mar 2022, 8:51pm
gregoryoftours wrote: 14 Mar 2022, 8:23pm No it's a Shimano Altus 11-32. I just don't like the black colour and not shiny/a bit more prone to rust, not cut as precisely. I'd really like to know if the steel quality/heat treat improves as you go up the hierarchy (setting aside sprocket thickness)
Thanks. My Carrera Subway came with a plain black unplated Altus 11-32. I'm not sure how badly or otherwise it wore - too many other factors like when I replaced the chains. I've fitted nickel plated Shimano cassettes since, not sure of their designation. It didn't rust though, but maybe I didn't ride it through a frosty winter.

I suppose the Tourney 12-32 is basically the same quality (or lack of), it's just that its gearing suits the 52/38 chainset on my road bike best - I'm sure there was a thread once bemoaning the fact that all Shimano non-road cassettes came with an 11T highest sprocket when ideally they would have had a 12T.
Decathlon do a shiny silver 8 speed 12-32 at a good price, I think it might be by Microshift? Have one fitted to the wife's bike with no problems. Next time I overhaul my 3x9 drivetrain I might be tempted (cheap conversion for me as bike fitted with 9 speed / friction option bar end controls).

Edit: Correct name of shop.