So..... cycling - Page 27

LeperousDust · 19-03-2012, 01:00

If no one answers before I get back skiing on Saturday drop me a mail, everything you've said can be had reasonably cheap for quality kit, or super cheap if you buy right, but right now I can't link our do anything decent in wengen with this terrible internet connection

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

Jonny69 · 19-03-2012, 17:47

Busy weekend for me. I bought some track bars for my Bob Jackson. I was going to splash out on some Nitto ones but at £95 they are a bit steep and I don't need them certified because I don't compete on a track. I actually had a look at some at Tokyo Fixed Gear last week and they are AMAZINGLY light so I know where your money goes. I found some in the same shape but a LOT cheaper online and took a chance on them. Curved tops, BIG drop and they look the business. The bike has got that Snoopy ear look to it and the bottoms of the drops are roughly in line with the top of the wheel when the stem is all the way down. I'll post some pics when I've wrapped them and swapped to a matching seatpost.

I also treated my unicycle to a hand-built wheel

. The last time I used it (a few years ago now) the inner tube exploded through the tyre wall so it needed a new tyre. I always thought it had an awkward-looking size wheel (24x1-3/8") and I had a spare early aero deep-section 700C rim, so I had a measure up and it fits. I laced it to the hub with some spare stainless db spokes I had in the drawer and it works really well size-wise. I'll take some pics later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostkat

Lights - I've got some cheapo ones, but given that I've had them about 2 weeks and already broken the bracket on the rear ones, I clearly needs something a bit more robust. I'm not going to be cycling tonnes at night and don't want to spend a fortune, but I do want to be see and to see where I'm going. What's the best I could get for £20? Oh and are those reflective thingies you can get for the spokes any good? They seem like they might look quite cool (adult spokey dokeys???

) but I'm not sure if they'll all just fall off the second I go over 10mph.

If you can stretch to £30, the ones a guy on OcUK just bought look like a pretty good deal: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electron-Nan.../dp/B005SPB2BI

The front light is metal which renders it indestructible in my eyes.

More bargainacious on the front light is one of these from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005HH30JO

I've got one. It's very cheap and very bright, but have a lot of rechargeable AAA batteries on the go because they only last about an hour.

Top of the range for torches are things like the Fenix L2D or LD20 which will set you back about £50 but will turn an unlit road into day. People don't pull out in front of you when you've got lights like those. At the back I also like the Fibre Flare, which is about £30. It adds some size to you when you're riding and drivers are better able to judge how fast they are approaching, so it buys you a bit more space on the road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostkat

Mudguard - Firstly do I need one? I'll most be doing road miles, but thought that a rear mudguard might stop any crap being flicked onto my back. If I do need one, what should I look for? Any recommendations? Prices?

I don't generally have them on the bike but I have got some. The main thing is you don't get a wet bum when it rains and they can stop a lot of crud getting thrown all over the chain and front gears.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostkat

Gloves - My running gloves are way too thin. I'm currently riding wearing a pair of leather gloves with a pair of fleece gloves over the top. Not ideal as I don't have much grip. Are there such things as windproof gloves???

Gore Windstopper. They come in plain Windstopper material or insulated inside. Most of them are padded on the palms as well. It will feel like someone else is doing it.

lostkat · 21-03-2012, 07:11

Thanks Jonny.

I'd actually already bought the cheapo light you suggested. I tried it out last night and was very impressed. £30 doesn't sound unreasonable for a good set of lights though, if the battery life is unacceptable on this one.

I think I'll get a set of mudguards to stop me getting wet. The bike seems to have bolt holes for them. I just need to see which sort I'm supposed to fit.

Had a look at the Gore Windstoppers... HOW MUCH?? If I was going to be riding to work every day then yes I wouldn't mind splashing out, but I'm a recreational bike rider (riding to work just isn't practical unfortunately) and spring is nearly here. I've taken a chance with some cheaper ones on Ebay. Will see how they go!

On another note, my arse hurts!! I hate this bit of getting back into cycling where your bum hurts every time you get on the damn thing. It's just the sit bones though, which I've read isn't a bad thing because it means at least the weight is in the right place. I've had to remove the mens saddle and replace it with the saddle from my old ladies bike.

Jonny69 · 21-03-2012, 16:50

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that gloves are expensive

You probably don't need insulated ones, just the Windstopper material which is a bit like a soft-shell but the wind doesn't get through it to freeze your fingers.

Barse ache is normal, except for you it'll be whatever girls have instead of a barse. Biffin bridge? You harden up to it after a while but do use the saddle that's most comfortable for you.

lostkat · 28-03-2012, 05:35

Biffin Bridge??? I can't relate that to anything at all. No idea what you're on about

It literally is my sit bones which ache afterwards.

Went out for a cycle last night and ended up covering 20 miles, just wandering around the lanes in the sunshine. The thing I love about my really long runs is that I can amble around some beautiful countryside, so it was nice to be able to do it on my bike

My knee still gives me a bit of jip on the bike, but it's nothing like the pain I get from running at the moment and I get some respite going down the hills.

camerajuan · 14-04-2012, 17:58

Anyone know where i could grab a cheap handlebar stem from?

Mine is beginning to crack

Jonny69 · 14-04-2012, 18:21

Woah, don't ride that! I saw one snap at low speed and it wasn't pretty when the woman ate the road - seriously. What type do you need, the older quill style or a clamp one for threadless headsets (most newer bikes)?

camerajuan · 14-04-2012, 19:47

older style. L-shaped. The bike is about 15yrs old. Pic back in this thread.

Jonny69 · 15-04-2012, 19:31

Is it the Scott Yecora with the dead pics on p.6? What is it, a welded steel one? Should be able to pick up a used one on eBay. Don't spend a load of money on it though, because they can be had for peanuts. £5-£10 delivered should be about right. I think my last alloy quill (road) one was about £8-£10.

Jonny69 · 17-04-2012, 19:17

I got some track bars for my Bob Jackson a few weeks ago. These are basically drop bars with a lot more drop and curved tops, so there's no straight section at the top. I fitted them up and they looked damn cool but the bike was near unrideable!

Even with them pulled out some way they are way too low. The bottoms of the drops are about inline with the top of the tyre when all the way down which looks cool but I can't ride it like that! I'll need a bigger frame to use these so they're back off and the bullhorns back on

19-03-2012, 01:00	#261
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	If no one answers before I get back skiing on Saturday drop me a mail, everything you've said can be had reasonably cheap for quality kit, or super cheap if you buy right, but right now I can't link our do anything decent in wengen with this terrible internet connection Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk __________________

21-03-2012, 07:11	#263
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	Thanks Jonny. I'd actually already bought the cheapo light you suggested. I tried it out last night and was very impressed. £30 doesn't sound unreasonable for a good set of lights though, if the battery life is unacceptable on this one. I think I'll get a set of mudguards to stop me getting wet. The bike seems to have bolt holes for them. I just need to see which sort I'm supposed to fit. Had a look at the Gore Windstoppers... HOW MUCH?? If I was going to be riding to work every day then yes I wouldn't mind splashing out, but I'm a recreational bike rider (riding to work just isn't practical unfortunately) and spring is nearly here. I've taken a chance with some cheaper ones on Ebay. Will see how they go! On another note, my arse hurts!! I hate this bit of getting back into cycling where your bum hurts every time you get on the damn thing. It's just the sit bones though, which I've read isn't a bad thing because it means at least the weight is in the right place. I've had to remove the mens saddle and replace it with the saddle from my old ladies bike. __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?

21-03-2012, 16:50	#264
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Oh yeah, forgot to mention that gloves are expensive You probably don't need insulated ones, just the Windstopper material which is a bit like a soft-shell but the wind doesn't get through it to freeze your fingers. Barse ache is normal, except for you it'll be whatever girls have instead of a barse. Biffin bridge? You harden up to it after a while but do use the saddle that's most comfortable for you. __________________

28-03-2012, 05:35	#265
lostkat Good Cat Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,550	Biffin Bridge??? I can't relate that to anything at all. No idea what you're on about It literally is my sit bones which ache afterwards. Went out for a cycle last night and ended up covering 20 miles, just wandering around the lanes in the sunshine. The thing I love about my really long runs is that I can amble around some beautiful countryside, so it was nice to be able to do it on my bike My knee still gives me a bit of jip on the bike, but it's nothing like the pain I get from running at the moment and I get some respite going down the hills. __________________ Oooooh Cecil, what have you done?

14-04-2012, 17:58	#266
camerajuan Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southampton Posts: 211	Anyone know where i could grab a cheap handlebar stem from? Mine is beginning to crack __________________ British by law, Scottish by birth, Highlander by the grace of God.............Alba gu Braith My Papa - 31/12/28 - 25/1/2011 Goodnight old man, I'll miss you

14-04-2012, 18:21	#267
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Woah, don't ride that! I saw one snap at low speed and it wasn't pretty when the woman ate the road - seriously. What type do you need, the older quill style or a clamp one for threadless headsets (most newer bikes)? __________________

14-04-2012, 19:47	#268
camerajuan Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southampton Posts: 211	older style. L-shaped. The bike is about 15yrs old. Pic back in this thread. __________________ British by law, Scottish by birth, Highlander by the grace of God.............Alba gu Braith My Papa - 31/12/28 - 25/1/2011 Goodnight old man, I'll miss you

15-04-2012, 19:31	#269
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Is it the Scott Yecora with the dead pics on p.6? What is it, a welded steel one? Should be able to pick up a used one on eBay. Don't spend a load of money on it though, because they can be had for peanuts. £5-£10 delivered should be about right. I think my last alloy quill (road) one was about £8-£10. __________________

17-04-2012, 19:17	#270
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	I got some track bars for my Bob Jackson a few weeks ago. These are basically drop bars with a lot more drop and curved tops, so there's no straight section at the top. I fitted them up and they looked damn cool but the bike was near unrideable! Even with them pulled out some way they are way too low. The bottoms of the drops are about inline with the top of the tyre when all the way down which looks cool but I can't ride it like that! I'll need a bigger frame to use these so they're back off and the bullhorns back on __________________