Search found 162 matches

by GrahamG
7 Jul 2008, 2:51pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Small handlebar bag with map holder or just a map case?
Replies: 8
Views: 2822

Johno - that's a great help, thank you very much for going to the trouble.
by GrahamG
7 Jul 2008, 12:34pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Small handlebar bag with map holder or just a map case?
Replies: 8
Views: 2822

That's funny, I forgot to mention that I wanted to avoid Altura like the plague - they've had their '3 strikes' with various products over the last few years and are definitely out now!
by GrahamG
7 Jul 2008, 12:03pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Small handlebar bag with map holder or just a map case?
Replies: 8
Views: 2822

Small handlebar bag with map holder or just a map case?

Thought I'd pick everyone's brains here on this one as I'm having trouble finding anything suitable!

I'm after a bar bag for long day rides, mostly because I want a decent waterproof map/route card holder and besides not liking the look of those available, thought I may as well have a bar bag for camera and snacks.

Problem is that they all seem huge, 6 or 7 litres or so, or don't have a map case. Any ideas on something suitable?

Thus far I've only come across one from Edinburgh bike coop, but they've not got back to me with dimensions yet:
Evolution 3l bar bag
by GrahamG
7 Jul 2008, 11:19am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: What bike??
Replies: 10
Views: 1465

That sounds like you need something really quite rugged - mountain bike style would surely be more sensible?
Did you read that article in the CTC magazine a few issues back about the guy who did a round the world trip? He implied that the best go-everywhere bike was an old steel frame MTB but with some very robust wheels purpose built for the job in hand.
by GrahamG
7 Jul 2008, 11:08am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Fallen in love with a Princess
Replies: 20
Views: 2769

I'd agree with what's been said, and also reiterate that the weight of the bike will probably make a bit of a difference too. My other half is going from a weighty old 3 speed which I built up to a modern hybrid as she found Bristol just a bit too hilly for it when we moved here - she did persevere for 7 or 8 months though bless her!

If it's just one hill then go for it - you can always walk up in a ladylike manner - but if you live in a generally hilly area you may find yourself making excuses for not cycling (god forbid!).

Just my tuppence worth...
by GrahamG
7 Jul 2008, 10:54am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Advice required - Securing Bikes in the Garage at Home
Replies: 20
Views: 3307

I live in some 60's flats with garages in blocks that are wonderfully sheltered from view of either the flats or the road going past (there have been two cars up on bricks in the last 6 months!), so this is a pertinent one for me.

The up and over doors can sometimes be broken into using nothing more than a steel rule. Our door roller bits are missing from the runners so it can be opened just by jiggling the door so we have something similar to this:
http://www.saundersonsecurity.co.uk/acatalog/Garage_Defender.html

Inside the garage I'm going to install some wall mounts with lock loops and lock bikes to them. Hopefully that means that it's difficult to get leverage with bolt croppers, and I'll be using mini u-locks in the hope that they can't be opened with a bottle jack.
by GrahamG
27 May 2008, 4:35pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Lugged frames with 1 1/8" aheadsets
Replies: 8
Views: 1305

Thanks for the responses. Perhaps it is more of an aesthetic issue for most people, but I think I'd rather have an aheadset for ease of adjustment.

Thirdcrank - thanks for the Ellis Briggs link. Although I may not go custom yet, I do have a frame to be resprayed/renovated and they offer good value compared to my local outfit.
by GrahamG
26 May 2008, 11:29am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Lugged frames with 1 1/8" aheadsets
Replies: 8
Views: 1305

Lugged frames with 1 1/8" aheadsets

I was thinking of getting myself a Mercian frame made up as I would love something a bit more traditional construction wise, but it would appear that they only make the lugged frames for a threaded headset. Does anyone know if it's possible to 'mix the old and new' by using an aheadset but with lugged construction?
by GrahamG
25 Apr 2008, 3:20pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why does the CTCshop have hubs and rims but no spokes?
Replies: 3
Views: 594

Because it's just Evans Cycles rather than a more 'rounded' specialist retailer (like Spa mentioned above) - I suspect a lot of people buy their hubs/rims as cheaply as possible online and then take them to someone else to build up hence the online offerings.
by GrahamG
14 Apr 2008, 1:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Why reflective gear costs so much?
Replies: 18
Views: 3501

Re: Why reflective gear costs so much?

Cadfael wrote:
+1... well said that man!

Not only for Hi-Viz gear but general safety gear. Cycling specific spectacles can cost the earth, but go to a Safety Wear website you can see specs that offer the same protection... UV, strong lenses to withstand hits from road debris, antislip frames and anti-mist for a fraction of the price...I am talking about a fiver. And you can either smoked, clear or amber lenses, for around £15 you can have all three, with polycarbonate lenses.

As regards why cycling specific kit is so expensive, that is because some cyclist will pay it, and in a few cases just to have a particular logo or name emblazoned across it. The usual justification that you get what you pay for, but when you look at the very good kit that is safety rated on H&S sites, that argument falls flat. A lot of the stuff from H&S stores are also very fashionable and trendy.

http://www.arco.co.uk/products/3C4300/108073/

http://www.arco.co.uk/products/3U2100/70344/

http://www.arco.co.uk/products/3U0100/54853/



Thanks for that - they even look better!
by GrahamG
17 Jul 2007, 3:49pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Aero Levers for small hands.
Replies: 3
Views: 893

Thanks Paul, that points me in the right direction - see wanted section!
by GrahamG
17 Jul 2007, 2:59pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Aero Levers for small hands.
Replies: 3
Views: 893

Aero Levers for small hands.

Hi all,

It was suggested that I post over here regarding brake levers (not sti's) with a nice small/compact hood area - it's not so much the reach that I'm bothered about which is addressed by some 'compact' models but just the bulk of the hoods. I'm currently using cane creek scr-5's which are just too beefy for my small hands to feel comfortable (and therefore safe!) braking on the hoods.

Any suggestions - needn't necessarily be aero type if they're more comfortable!