Cycling UK Forum

I use a couple of lazzy bands when I have the trailer. It wouldn't be beyond the wit of bike manufacturers to have a button to press on the brake levers that would hold them on tight.

Brake levers have a button to allow the brakes to retract further so you can get the wheels out easily, so another button or a ratchet system to hold the brakes tight wouldn't be difficult. Or perhaps a lever on the brakes callipers themselves.

I still think the old style grit catchers are a good idea, although I have never had some myself. Someone on here said they had some but I couldn't fathom a way to attach them. I can repair a puncture, although fairly inept at it unless sitting at home with dry hands and rubber gloves to help get a grip.

Mick F wrote:I use a couple of lazzy bands when I have the trailer. It wouldn't be beyond the wit of bike manufacturers to have a button to press on the brake levers that would hold them on tight.

Brake levers have a button to allow the brakes to retract further so you can get the wheels out easily, so another button or a ratchet system to hold the brakes tight wouldn't be difficult. Or perhaps a lever on the brakes callipers themselves.

I use a velcro strap. I'm not certain I'd want a button to hold the brakes on. I'd probably hit it accidently at 20 mph.

Parts for my bike's transmission that won't be considered obsolete when I come to replace them.

Or better still replacements for the bits that are already considered obsolete.

A decent hub gear.

Puts on tin hat and ducks.

There are loads of things I've thought of. Are there any sports/cycling engineering companies that you can approach with ideas? I'm far too much of a follower and coward to ever try to get a product made myself. The guy who came up with the Bike Eye downtube mirror seems to be doing well now after years of plying his wares at trade shows---I see his product in Halfords. You can have a daft idea for free: how about a bicycle ejector seat...better to fall from 15 feet up than be hit by a car at 60MPH. You could set it as a security device, too, so that scallies are randomly ejected after stealing your bike. Or how about prism spectacles for use on a road bike, so you can keep your head in a natural downward position, but still see forward; it would prevent that crick in your neck from developing, and improve your aerodynamics, too.

Mick F wrote:... Or perhaps a lever on the brakes callipers themselves.

You can set up the brakes so the "relaxed" position spaces the blocks ready for braking, and the "closed" position actually clamps the wheel.

I accidentally discovered this when I put wheel with wider rims on my racer. It would also make a feeble security measure: twiddle the knobs and a scroat couldn't quickly ride off on it.

nettled shin wrote:... how about a bicycle ejector seat...

Ha! Great idea. But knowing my incompetance, I'd set it off by accident.

snibgo wrote:

Mick F wrote:... Or perhaps a lever on the brakes callipers themselves.

You can set up the brakes so the "relaxed" position spaces the blocks ready for braking, and the "closed" position actually clamps the wheel.

Agree, but mine have the release on the lever not the brake calliper. My old Campag brakes (Record and Victory) had a release lever next to the calliper adjuster - so that would work ok as a hand brake.

However, if I release my Ergo levers, it puts them too far away from the 'bars to reach easily.

Out later this morning with the Trailer to do a spot of shopping. I'll get my lazzy bands ready.

Ash28 wrote:A decent hub gear.

Puts on tin hat and ducks.

Often thought that if Campag made hub gears they'd have 20 speeds, have spoke flanges that wouldn't break, weigh half as much as a Rohloff but probably cost twice as much.

I'd probably buy one then!

Cost is a big disadvantage of course, but the Rohloff doesn't have enough gears - the ones that it does have are too far apart - and it weighs a ton.

So if Campag could do one at half the weight with 20 ratios, it would be worth the cost.

pete75 wrote:

Ash28 wrote:A decent hub gear.

Puts on tin hat and ducks.

Often thought that if Campag made hub gears they'd have 20 speeds, have spoke flanges that wouldn't break, weigh half as much as a Rohloff but probably cost twice as much......

....and be superceeded in three years with an even lighter less durable model

Yes. Probably!
But you don't have to follow the fashion. I'm still on 10sp and will remain so.

Ash28 wrote:A decent hub gear.

it's a great opportunity for us to hear of your experiences, as you've obvioulsy tried them ALL

Mick F wrote:But you don't have to follow the fashion. I'm still on 10sp and will remain so.

wasn't moving to 10 speed following fashion in the first nplace, or was it what your bike came with?

reohn2 wrote:

pete75 wrote:

Ash28 wrote:A decent hub gear.

Puts on tin hat and ducks.

Often thought that if Campag made hub gears they'd have 20 speeds, have spoke flanges that wouldn't break, weigh half as much as a Rohloff but probably cost twice as much......

....and be superceeded in three years with an even lighter less durable model

I've found Campag to be very durable. Am using a late sixties Gran Sport derailleur and it still works fine.