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by andrew_s
10 Sep 2023, 9:05pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Alternative to PD-T8000 pedals
Replies: 19
Views: 1176

Re: Alternative to PD-T8000 pedals

maximus meridius wrote: 10 Sep 2023, 10:16am
freiston wrote: 9 Sep 2023, 11:31pm I have a pair of the double SPD sided pedals (PD-T400 iirc) but switched to SPD one side, flat the other so that I could go camping with the one pair of shoes/boots. I hoped to get the Click'R version but couldn't find them anywhere.
Thanks.

I assume those still available are NOS.

It's a shame my T8000s don't have 15mm flats. Because otherwise they're perfect.
Available off the shelf from your friendly not-so-local bike shop
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m17b0s86p47 ... CKR-Pedals

I dare say that rogerzilla's comment about Click'R becoming defunct means that making a decision on whether pedal extenders are necessary or not would better be done sooner rather than later.
by andrew_s
10 Sep 2023, 8:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Advice regarding Spa touring models
Replies: 289
Views: 18603

Re: Advice regarding Spa touring models

geocycle wrote: 10 Sep 2023, 7:47pm Twistleton scar, the road that runs from Ingleton to Chapel Le Dale between Ingleborough and Whernside. An amazingly smooth strip of tarmac.
Taken from the Twistleton Scar road, looking approx. SE towards the shoulder of Ingleborough.
The distant clump of trees breaking the skyline on the right is around White Scar caves.
streetview
by andrew_s
9 Sep 2023, 8:19pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Spa TD2 vs XD2. Q factor
Replies: 38
Views: 2603

Re: Spa TD2 vs XD2. Q factor

maximus meridius wrote: 9 Sep 2023, 7:18pm
andrew_s wrote: 9 Sep 2023, 5:16pm Q on it's own doesn't relate to heel scrape.

It's the difference between Q and recommended BB length you want to look at. The shorter the BB for the same Q, the more space your heels have.
I'm sorry, I don't understand that.
Q is the distance between the pedal flanges.

You can have the same Q with a short BB, in which case the cranks angle outwards, giving heel space, or with a long BB, with cranks square to the BB axle and no heel space.
by andrew_s
9 Sep 2023, 6:08pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New DIY dynamo light project
Replies: 53
Views: 9862

Re: New DIY dynamo light project

I had a go at a DIY dynamo light back in the day, when there was no off the shelf alternative.
The electronics and getting a good amount of light was easy (not that a halogen bulb was much competition), but what was difficult was a moderately sized and neat housing, and the optics.

Looking at the foregoing, I would suspect that the problem will be fitting your circuit board in the scavenged housing.
by andrew_s
9 Sep 2023, 5:16pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Spa TD2 vs XD2. Q factor
Replies: 38
Views: 2603

Re: Spa TD2 vs XD2. Q factor

Q on it's own doesn't relate to heel scrape.

It's the difference between Q and recommended BB length you want to look at. The shorter the BB for the same Q, the more space your heels have.
by andrew_s
9 Sep 2023, 4:51pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Alternative to PD-T8000 pedals
Replies: 19
Views: 1176

Re: Alternative to PD-T8000 pedals

PD-T421 pedals are flat/SPD with spanner flats and reflectors. A bit plastic-y, and no grip pegs though.
(T8000 user)
by andrew_s
9 Sep 2023, 4:43pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: Camping Chairs - Helinox Chair One and lookalikes
Replies: 23
Views: 5484

Re: Camping Chairs - Helinox Chair One and lookalikes

Bmblbzzz wrote: 18 Aug 2023, 4:10pm It was certainly a wet and muddy activity this May.
but were you lounging about outside the tent?
by andrew_s
9 Sep 2023, 4:39pm
Forum: Cycle Camping sub-forum
Topic: MSR Hubba Hubba cleaning
Replies: 7
Views: 3678

Re: MSR Hubba Hubba cleaning

philsknees wrote: 8 Sep 2023, 1:10pm(I think "mineral oil" translates to methylated spirit over here?)
Mineral oil is more likely to be turps or white spirit.
Meths is alcohol, nothing oily about it.
by andrew_s
5 Sep 2023, 11:29am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Dynamo Front light suggestions…
Replies: 20
Views: 1594

Re: Dynamo Front light suggestions…

peterh11 wrote: 4 Sep 2023, 9:10amI stopped using the IQ-X after the stand light failed and I couldn’t get the unit apart to fix it.
Dynamo lights can very rarely be opened up easily, and are often glued closed.
It's German bike regulations that are to blame - the STVZO approval is limited to the supplied LED as originally mounted. Any change is likely to change the beam pattern of the light, so it's not allowed.
by andrew_s
5 Sep 2023, 11:18am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Post-Brexit - buying bike parts abroad . . (incl. Rose/DutchBikeParts)
Replies: 657
Views: 47262

Re: Post-Brexit - buying bike parts abroad . . (incl. Rose/DutchBikeParts)

That Fischer clamp is the type usually used at the rear.
I'd expect a clamp for the front fork blades to be rare. Using one is fairly dodgy as the fork blades are tapered so the clamps loosen and move downwards with any movement, and the consequences of getting the dynamo in the spokes can be high.
by andrew_s
3 Sep 2023, 12:33pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Creak diagnosis
Replies: 11
Views: 762

Re: Creak diagnosis

Creaking whilst pedalling lightly would point me at the saddle, seatpost and clamps.
Does it happen when turning the pedals with no pressure?
by andrew_s
3 Sep 2023, 12:08am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Dynamo Front light suggestions…
Replies: 20
Views: 1594

Re: Dynamo Front light suggestions…

I'd recommend the non-T Cyo Premium, which (IMO) hits the price/light quality sweet spot for those lights currently available. (model number 1752+letters)

The non-premium Cyo (aka Cyo 60) is a little less bright, but the main drawback is that the beam is a fair bit narrower (model number 175+letters).

I don't like the daylight running lights (="T") models. The daylight LEDs (the 4 slung under gregoryoftours' light) use as much power as the main beam LED, and I don't want 7 or so watts of dynamo drag all of the time, rather than just when I'm getting some useful light out of it. You can turn the light off, but then the Senso function won't work, and I find that useful enough that my dynamo lights spend all of the time in Senso mode.

The IQ-X and IQ-XS don't have a non-daylight running lights option, and there's the somewhat dodgy soft switch mentioned by PH. I dare say it's OK if you have the light turned on 100% of the time or never leave the bike unused for long enough for the standlight capacitor to discharge, but I have heard tell of people not being able to turn the light on until they are riding, or have ridden far enough to put some charge in the capacitor if the switch isn't reachable from the saddle.

I notice that the Cyo has dropped off the B+M website, so I expect it won't be available for too much longer. So has the Luxos U (with USB output, and a poor reputation for reliability).

In other news...
B+M are meant to be introducing a new IQ-XL light "soon " that's properly bright, almost like a car - 300 lux low beam, 250 lux high beam, with a handlebar switch to toggle between them. €300, and with daylight running lights though :(

SON are also introducing a new light (Edelux USB-FL) with a similar high/low beam switch. It apparently won't be all that much brighter than the B+M IQ-X, but the gimmick is USB power up to 7.5 watts via a handlebar switch socket, even with the lights running. Just the thing for those who navigate by smartphone?
by andrew_s
2 Sep 2023, 4:29pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Dual Carriageway cycling?
Replies: 56
Views: 3832

Re: Dual Carriageway cycling?

Cycling is prohibited on M or (M) roads, and a small number of other roads, all of which you will need to pass a "no cycling" sign to access (circular, red border, black bike on white background).

Other that that, it's a matter of your judgement.

There isn't much practical difference between being hit from behind by a car doing 65 on a single carriageway A or B road, and one on a dual carriageway doing 70 or 80 - you probably get killed either way.
On the other hand, sight lines are generally better on duals, and there's much more overtaking space unless it's particularly busy.

On the being stopped front, if it's busy enough the be really dodgy*, it's even more dodgy for the police to try to pull you over for a talking to (or advice, as they would put it).

* One of my memories is of passing a cyclist on the Huntingdon to Grantham stretch of the A1, at about 19:00 on a Friday with nose to tail cars in both lanes doing a steady 75, on 3 or 4 occasions in June/July 1988.
by andrew_s
30 Aug 2023, 2:38pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Flamboyant paint finishes..yay or nay?
Replies: 31
Views: 1598

Re: Flamboyant paint finishes..yay or nay?

My impression is that paint that's been maturing for a year or two is considerably less delicate than new paint.

That's based on the differences between a new frame (that's not a standard frame from stock) and a frame that's come back from repair and hasn't been built up for a year or three (parts transferred to a different frame before sending it off).
by andrew_s
30 Aug 2023, 11:40am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Worn tyres, how much is OK?
Replies: 33
Views: 1966

Re: Worn tyres, how much is OK?

Stradageek wrote: 29 Aug 2023, 8:29am My rule is 'one puncture' - even if the tyre looks worn, repair it, 'another puncture in quick succession' - replace it.

Of course this rule is superseded if there are clear signs of significant damage or wear :D
I would be inclined to treat a second puncture in quick succession as evidence the you hadn't successfully removed the cause of the first puncture, rather than end of life.

I gernerally have a feel of how thick the remaining tread is whilst swapping tubes after a puncture. With relatively smooth tyres the extra thickness either side of the centreline of a worn tyre is fairly obvious.