Search found 123 matches

by DurableAce
15 Sep 2009, 5:52pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Who got chased of the road by a big red ELECTRIC sports car?
Replies: 94
Views: 6463

Re: Who got chased of the road by a big red ELECTRIC sports car?

He's a [rude word removed]. Pure and simple. In his position and able to reach a mass, easily influenced audience, he should be more responsible.
by DurableAce
11 Sep 2009, 4:55pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Changes to British Airways Carriage of bikes
Replies: 10
Views: 5096

Re: Changes to British Airways Carriage of bikes

It doesn't look like they have in effect "banned bikes", just taken an opportunity to charge for them.

I've flown BA several times in the past with my bike, specifically because they didn't charge. It's a shame they've decided to change and it will almost certainly mean I'll be taking my business elsewhere in the future.
by DurableAce
19 Aug 2009, 9:58pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Seat posts
Replies: 6
Views: 402

Re: Seat posts

I've never had any bolt fail across many bikes in 20 years of cycling. I think you were just unlucky, so I wouldn't worry about replacing bolts periodically.

You can't beat Thomson posts. A bit more expensive, but try shopping around online and you can usually find one for between £40 and £50. Well worth it.
by DurableAce
9 Aug 2009, 10:00pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Etape du Tour
Replies: 3
Views: 467

Re: Etape du Tour

Interesting graph and commentary here that might give you an insight http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=21824.0
by DurableAce
8 Aug 2009, 7:34pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Good bike ruined by......
Replies: 32
Views: 2018

Re: Good bike ruined by......

I can't follow most of what's been written above, but the Park website has never let me down: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=75

For what it's worth, if the stop screws are in the right place, it seems to me that the cable tension may not be high enough to pull the mech far enough over the big chain ring to complete the shift. Or perhaps the mech alignment. Saying that, if your LBS can't sort it, unless they're crap, maybe there is something more fundamentally wrong with the mech (or BB, as suggested above). Just a thought...
by DurableAce
6 Aug 2009, 8:12am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Still chain problems
Replies: 18
Views: 1196

Re: Still chain problems

Long shot again - it's not the chain rubbing on inside edge of the the adjacent chainring is it? With a new chain that's less worn (flexible), it might not be flexing enough to avoid the chainring like your old one might have done.
by DurableAce
1 Aug 2009, 9:13pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: How much faster is a racing bike than a tourer?
Replies: 79
Views: 3953

Re: How much faster is a racing bike than a tourer?

patricktaylor wrote:What I'm really wanting to do is get a feel for my 'performance' compared with that of the people who pass me on racing bikes. So if a racing bike is 10% faster and someone passes me on one going 20% faster, they are 10% fitter than me. I'm only looking for an approximation. The young fellow who zipped past me today in his jeans was going maybe 25% faster - then he disappeared into the distance. I would also need to make an allowance for age (I'm not young), but at least it would help if I knew reasonably accurately that someone else's bike is a certain percentage faster than mine.

I also ride a rigid MTB and it's hard to say which of my bikes is the fastest just by riding them.


I think that you're taking a leap too far in trying to approximate this difference, given that you'd probably know nothing about the other rider, his/her fitness, level of effort at the time etc. If Alberto Contador overtakes me going only 20% faster, he's still probably on a recovery ride and taking it easy, despite being far, far fitter than I'll ever be :(
by DurableAce
29 Jul 2009, 5:38pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: RIGHT! Helmet petition approved (finally)
Replies: 23
Views: 1454

Re: RIGHT! Helmet petition approved (finally)

I think this would be a waste of time to try and prove or disprove.

Look at any forum thread and you'll see no end of research cited, supported, weakened, misquoted and debated over and over again.

Why don't we all just admit that there are two camps to this argument and there most likely always will be. I can't be bothered to read any of it, because someone will always have their view to maintain. I liken it to foxhunting. You're for or against it, or don't care and I've never known anyone change their view. Is there such a thing as perfect research that cannot be criticised? I doubt it. And then there's the civil liberty argument and individual bias to consider...

I do what I do, and others will do what they do. Live and let live. Let's try to be more constructive and put our energies into something more likely to make a difference.
by DurableAce
4 Jul 2009, 3:46pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Panniers for Trek Madone
Replies: 10
Views: 1601

Re: Panniers for Trek Madone

dpendley wrote:Does anyone have any reccomendations for what panniers I should get for my Trek Mondone 4.5. I am cycling with a few friends from LEJOG planning on travelling light but still need a good bag, I am not sure if all panniers will fit on my bike.

Thanks for any advice


Such blasphemy!! :lol:
by DurableAce
3 Jul 2009, 6:13pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Helmets-best buys?
Replies: 15
Views: 1075

Re: Helmets-best buys?

Giro Monza's are down to £50 in Ribble's 15% off summer sale. That's a good discount.

I normally find the more you spend, the better the ventilaition options.
by DurableAce
24 Jun 2009, 8:23am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Travel Insurance
Replies: 3
Views: 284

Re: Travel Insurance

I suggest covering your bike under 'cover away from home' on your contents policy. Search this forum and you'll find plenty of contents insurance advice already posted.
by DurableAce
22 Jun 2009, 7:32pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Clip pedals - will I go faster?
Replies: 20
Views: 1543

Re: Clip pedals - will I go faster?

It depends on how fast you pedal :wink: , but clipless pedals are great. Once you've tried them, you won't go back.
by DurableAce
13 Jun 2009, 7:55am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Exploding glue tin
Replies: 4
Views: 405

Re: Exploding glue tin

You had a lucky escape! Glad you're ok. And glad I use clinchers!
by DurableAce
10 Jun 2009, 10:57pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: CTC Quiz
Replies: 4
Views: 466

Re: CTC Quiz

I find it useful to be reminded of good responses to direct at the less well informed. Also, perhaps some who are considering taking up cycling are put off by Clarkson-style popular propaganda. As for the cost, putting what you already have available on a website isn't a big job by any standards.

I'd be more worried about what your income tax goes into paying for, although I'm sure "it was all within the rules" :wink:
by DurableAce
9 Jun 2009, 7:14pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Squeaky Specialized BG Saddle
Replies: 6
Views: 516

Re: Squeaky Specialized BG Saddle

My Toupe Team and standard Toupe are thankfully squeak free. Long may it continue (fingers crossed!).