This discussion has been closed.
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Wednesday, 14th September 2011
For all cyclists and those needing encouragement to get back on 2 wheels. Get the old bike out of the shed, wipe off the dust, wheel it along to the Village Hall. We have a stirrup pump and hot drinks and cyclists of various ages to chat and answer questions.
I was reminded of the need for a new thread by a keen cyclist in The Bull.
Old thread:
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Wednesday, 14th September 2011
Subscribing
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Abu Milhem (U14323992) on Wednesday, 14th September 2011
hello,
good to see it has restarted.
Any tandem riders about?
, in reply to message 3.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Thursday, 15th September 2011
Any tandem riders about?Â
Tried it for a while with my wife. It was exhilarateing but I think might have eventually led to a divorce.
It was a tandem that was given to us.
We passed it on to an organisation where sighted pilots take those with restricted vision cycling.
Have not tried a tandem, Abu. Did it take you long to learn it?
Pleased to see this news item, cycle training funding still available for children:
No time at all once I found out the right way to do it. What I mean by that is once an experienced tandem rider told me what to do. Simply, get the stoker (normal nickname for the rear rider) sat first with feet on pedals while the pilot/captain stands astride the tandem. Then the captain mounts and moves off as though on a heavily laden solo. There are other refinements but you pick those up as you go. Start in a park. Attempting to do it together as as a synchronised mount is impressive but is difficult especially if you are a heavy team.
It is good fun but hills are a pain - low gear and twiddle
Sorry, but tandem always makes me think of Terry Scott and Betty Marsden in Carry on Camping. It definitely has an image problem.
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Friday, 16th September 2011
It is good fun but hills are a pain - low gear and twiddleÂ
I have been impressed when I have seen tandem pairs get out of the saddle and thrash up hill. Must really require a sysnchronised effort.
Tandems on the track used to be popular but since it was dropped as a World Champs event interest has waned.
Now for the goodies contribution to Ambridge Wheelers.
There is a discussion in The Bull which has veered onto bike security. Anyone here know why frame numbers are hidden away under the bottom bracket? You have to turn mine upside down to read it. There is a police database which offered free registration a few years ago but have not tested it and doubt it would be any good.
I have painted my postcode conspicuously in pink. Would not stop a professional but might deter a casual rogue.
, in reply to message 9.
Posted by Poorgrass (U12099742) on Saturday, 17th September 2011
I suppose it's just a convenient place to put the frame number, and since all manufacturers seem to put it in the same place, it's not a bad thing. I would guess since the frame number is etched deep into the metal you probably wouldn't want the number on some stressed part of the frame.
As for painting the postcode in pink, it might work. Or if it is a valuable bike it might give a bike thief a clue as to where to look for it, especially if it's kept in a shed or similar.
, in reply to message 10.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Saturday, 17th September 2011
Some manufacturers used to put them on the rear drop outs. It needs to be something resistant to a letter punch being used on it. Just wondering how/where are carbon fible frames numbered?
Anyway, for arm chair cyclists the Beebs red button World Champs coverage . Make a change from the dire ITV4 coverage of the Tour of Britain.
, in reply to message 10.
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Saturday, 17th September 2011
Our postcode road is quite long and I didn't paint the housenumber.
Current bike never very valuable and last century (just), but that did not stop a friend losing 2 old bikes in a month.
, in reply to message 11.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Saturday, 17th September 2011
You can get micro chip thingys to insert into seat tubes etc. They are pricey, and I do wonder just how many bikes are recovered because of them being micro chipped.
Last I heard the majority of pinched bikes go to the scrapman rather quickly.
, in reply to message 13.
Posted by sagethyme (U5272261) on Saturday, 17th September 2011
I thought they went to an auction in Brick Lane?
, in reply to message 14.
Posted by Poorgrass (U12099742) on Wednesday, 21st September 2011
Looks like Ford is looking to cash in on the rise of bicycles.
Interesting that at last a major manufacturer of cars is beginning to take bicycles seriously as a way of getting around cities.
, in reply to message 15.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Wednesday, 21st September 2011
Interesting that at last a major manufacturer of cars is beginning to take bicycles seriously as a way of getting around cities.Â
Not strictly true, Peugeot and Skoda are two manufacturers that began as cycle makers. There are probably more.
The Ford machine has some cute looking engineering. I particularly like the suspension neatly built into the fork.
Looks like a belt drive though, which isnt particularly efficient.
, in reply to message 16.
Posted by Poorgrass (U12099742) on Wednesday, 21st September 2011
Yes - I like the idea of the suspension in the front fork as where I live the roads are so rough that a bit of "give" in the front fork would be really helpful on the harder bumps - but you don't need the heavier and more cumbersome suspension of a mountain bike.
The only other thing that worries me slightly about it is that while it looks great I wonder just how adjustable everything is. I know whenever I get a new bike it takes me ages to get the saddle position correct (both up and down and forwards and backwards adjustments) and I usually end up changing the stem/handlebars as well. Those "designer" bikes always look as if they have to be made to measure, otherwise they'll be useless.
, in reply to message 17.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Friday, 23rd September 2011
The UK medal tally at the World Road champs is looking really impressive. With possibly the best yet to come.
It really is brilliant that we are not only a top player on the track, but now the rod as well.
I do wish this outstanding performance would get out and permeate Joe Public and not just the cycling fraternity.
Just posting to share my joy at today's cycle ride. It was only 13 miles with several friends right around Richmond Park and back. The weather was lovely, the views stunning, the cafe good with plenty of cycle racks.... Pembroke Lodge, recommended if anyone is in that direction.
Don't know what it is about cycling that stills the worries of the world for me.
, in reply to message 19.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Sunday, 25th September 2011
Don't know what it is about cycling that stills the worries of the world for me.Â
I reckon the demand for mental health services would be dramatically reduced if the whole Nation got out on bikes.
Says he spending the day armchair cyccling watching the amazing World Champs win by Mark Cavendish whilst recovering from a bit of knee surgery.
Just done a 25 mile sponsored ride - (although according to my bike's computer it was much nearer 30, and quite hilly.) Would agree about cycling carrying the worries of the world away - I think it's a mixture of exercise-induced endorphins and the joy of being outside in the fresh air (when I was a runner I used to get the same effect from that).
World Champs win by Mark CavendishÂ
Fausto, I arrived home in time to notice Mr T watching that. Though as you know I never watch sport, I was transfixed for the last few minutes when Cavendish seemed to be hemmed in, then sprang away to win. Just like our group round Richmond Park....?
How is the knee? Can you pedal at all yet?
, in reply to message 22.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Sunday, 25th September 2011
Can you pedal at all yet?Â
Physios advice is to wait at least two weeks and then do some gentle low gear pedalling. Knee is swollen and tende at the moment, but the excrutiating pain due to a broken spur of bone floating about has gone.
Ironic to think it was a bird watching event that damaged my knee.
, in reply to message 23.
Posted by pigsrlovely (U14715579) on Sunday, 25th September 2011
BiL bought me a lovely second hand bike for christmas off a lady he gardens for. Its great and I love it having been out on it for the first time today. I didnt have to change gear it did it automatically. What is happening - I dont understand. As second hand it has no instructions with it. Its a Real breeze with a nexus 4 box on the handlebars. Has anyone got any additional info please, I would really appreciate it.
, in reply to message 24.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 26th September 2011
Sounds like some enjoyable cycling.
Did some googling on the Nexus 4, which I had never heard of previously. It is as you claim an automatic gear, but didnt have much of a production run before it was discontinued circa 1995.
Anyway,
if it is working fine, enjoy.
Does anyone else consider it common courtesy when overtaking another cyclist to sound one's bell to let them know you're there and coming past. On the charity ride yesterday there was more dangerous overtaking by cyclists than by the motorized traffic - some swishing past others at speed and much too close. And this on a charity ride with some of the cyclists being novices and a bit wobbly and unpredictable. Luckily I didn't see any crashes, but the potential was there.
, in reply to message 26.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 26th September 2011
Failing a bell, "coming through on your right/left" etc is welcome.
Must say in recent years I have found it almost an English habit to ride these things with inconsideration for others. I have riden sportives in France Belgium and Holland, and in all cases communication between riders is much more than I have experienced in this country.
, in reply to message 27.
Posted by James Owen (U14260184) on Friday, 30th September 2011
Failing a bell, "coming through on your right/left" etc is welcome.
Must say in recent years I have found it almost an English habit to ride these things with inconsideration for others. I have riden sportives in France Belgium and Holland, and in all cases communication between riders is much more than I have experienced in this country. Â
Suppose I brought this on myself. Reserved some tires online to pick up at a certain well known chain of bike stores, the one with the 'hut'.
Not only did they have none, they told me Continentals don't even come in the size they sell on the website. How bonkers is that?
I know It was a sin, not to just go down to my local independent guy.
BTW, love Dutch cyclists, some just give you a good loud 'RAAWWWRRR!' to alert their passing. You know where you are with that.
On the subject of tyres and sizes, I wish websites and bike shops would adopt the metric system throughout. 41 x 559 (the tyre thickness and rim diameter in mm) is much easier to understand than the old imperial 26" x 1.5" where the wheel diameter isn't 26". Tyres for road bikes are generally sold in metric (28 x 700 etc.) - I just cannot understand why they still sell mountain bike tyres in the old confusing imperial measurements.
, in reply to message 29.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Saturday, 1st October 2011
I just cannot understand why they still sell mountain bike tyres in the old confusing imperial measurements.Â
Probably due to the American influence on the origins of mountain bikes.
Hello everyone, just thought I'd mention Aldi are flogging pannier racks for a tenner at the mo. Just bought one and although it feels a bit heavy for alloy, it's very well made with a good strong sprung clip on the top
(I did post this elsewhere in the Bull a few days ago not realising there was a thread in the Village Hall)
My real reason for posting is that I'm trying to fathom tyre/wheel sizes. I'm trapped in 27-1 1/4 and have recently bought a tourer that appears to be
23-622 (700x23c) hs363 (622x13)
Can anyone please explain what all the 700c tyre sizes are referring to in plain English?
, in reply to message 31.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd October 2011
Just refer to the 700 figure as a constant that you will need. The 23 refers to the width of the tyre in millimetres.
23 seems to be rather narrow for a tourer as most of them seem to go from 28 upwards.
If you need further explanation reading this might clarify, or again confuse.
700 normally refers to the diameter of the wheel rim in mm. 23 is roughly the depth of the tyre when it is fitted to the rim. 700 mm is a very common wheel size and you shouldn't have any problems finding tyres for it. There is a bit of latitude thickness of the tyre you choose - any 700 mm tyre will fit the wheel but if you go for a very thick tyre like 700 x 40 there is a risk that it could foul the frame depending on the bike. Generally thicker tyres are slower, but are better on very bumpy roads and rough surfaces.
You refer to a 700mm size and also a 622mm size - are the wheels different sizes?
I haven't heard of a 622mm rim size before - mountain bikes are generally 559 mm. I think it is an unusual size - Halford's stock one 27" bike tyre, but worryingly they refer to it as 32 x 630mm.
, in reply to message 33.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd October 2011
700c and 622 are essentially the same thing. One is an ISO standard and the other a tyre manufacturers standard (622 is ISO) I forgot to post the link that clarifies/confuses the whole thing .
On many tyres the 700 x 25 or whatever will be prominent but the 622 sizing will also be there usually in brackets and smaller text.
Main thing to know when purchasing tyres is what sizes will your rims tolerate. The easiest way round this is to google on your rim make and model and see what comes up.
Though going through the Sheldon Brown article will reveal what tyres fit which rim dimensions.
Sheldon Brown RIP was the guru of bike facts, and I am plesed to see that his web site is being maintained and updated as new kit appears.
Fausto - thanks for putting me right. As I posted earlier, I wish they would just use the metric and dump the other systems!!
, in reply to message 33.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd October 2011
Halford's stock one 27" bike tyre, but worryingly they refer to it as 32 x 630mm.Â
According to Sheldon Brown 27" is 630 and for older road bikes, so should fit the older 27X1and a quarter rims.
32 mm is roughly inch and a quarter.
Thanks Fausto and Poorgrass, when I said a tourer I meant a well worn 2nd hand Dawes with two quite different wheels, the front has a very deep rim compared to back, but neither appear to have much information the '23-622 (700x23c) hs363' was from the tyres.
Would I be right in thinking to fit a tyre bigger/wider than 23mm you'd have to change the wheel too? The current tyres are looking very thin and I'd like to fit some with a bit of tread and wider for the winter
, in reply to message 37.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd October 2011
Would I be right in thinking to fit a tyre bigger/wider than 23mm you'd have to change the wheel too? The current tyres are looking very thin and I'd like to fit some with a bit of tread and wider for the winterÂ
I think the best thing would be to measure the rim width and see what tyre options that gives according to the table towards the end of the Sheldon Brown link I posted.
I have two bikes with the same rims on both. One is fitted with 23mm tyres and I use it for unladen fastish day rides. The other is fitted with 28mm tyres and I use this for touring and it coped with the infamous Belgian pave OK last year.
Hello everyone, please excuse me butting in but now I feel I can, it's nice to be here, but in view of the weather I don't think I need the hot drinks I was enticed by.
I just wanted to say that the new Pashley has arrived and I am so chuffed! Rode it home in style, did a bit of shopping, such a lovely roomy basket!
The think is as I've waited so long for it I'm wondering if I should give it a name? Anyone else got either names for their bikes or ideas?
ARGHHH!!! According to that table my current tyres shouldn't exist!!!
23 gives you 40, 44, 47, 50??
Hang on is that where the 622x13 come into the equation?
Very brave riding on cobbles, especially if it rained!
Hi Duzzents
Welcome and we shall have some cold drinks in the fridge.
I googled Pashley images and came up with many. Is there one there like yours?
Am being informed and educated, by the tyre discussion (these plus entertainment being the mission of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã). If in doubt consult local bike shop? Ours is usually reliable and not out to sell us unnecessarily expensive stuff.
, in reply to message 40.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd October 2011
23 gives you 40, 44, 47, 50??Â
Is the 23, the internal or external dimension? The table is based on the internal dimension.
Hang on is that where the 622x13 come into the equation?Â
Forget the 622 bit. In any case, if your tyres were labelled 700X23 the 622 bit will be 622-23. Anyway ignore the 622 bit completely. 23mm tyres are quite narrow and are at the upper end of what might be considered a racing tyre the latter being genarally either 19 or 23mm.
The Belgian cobbles are something else, they are not part of the main highway but exist only as farm service roads. They certainly give both rider and bike a real pounding
, in reply to message 39.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd October 2011
The think is as I've waited so long for it I'm wondering if I should give it a name? Anyone else got either names for their bikes or ideas?Â
My Bob Jackson built tourer is known as Bob.
My Hetchins lightweight is known as Alf after Alf Hetchins one of the family involved in the original Hetchins business.
Pashley have an excellent reputation as bike builders, if you are really enraptured, it could be called Pash as short for passion.
I picked up on the bike name habit from a touring book by Bettina Selby. One of her bikes was built by F W Evans who were a london hand builder company of some repute. So she just called her bike Evans. Anyway the Evans business declined and I believe now exists in name only as part of the Halfords empire. I found it ironic that in the latest issue of the CTC mag they were advertising a centenary bike with the frame built by Pashley
Hello sagethyme
Thanks for the reply. Yes there is one on the website like the one I bought, it's the Princess (I know, a bit cringe-making but the bike makes up for it). I got the classy green version.
I am immersed in the tyre sizing info too, it's all useful stuff, especially about the cobbles as I have some hefty plans for the new baby in the following year.
I've brought you some old fashioned lemonade and ginger beer for the fridge.
, in reply to message 42.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Monday, 3rd October 2011
23 gives you 40, 44, 47, 50??
Is the 23, the internal or external dimension? The table is based on the internal dimension.Â
If the 23mm was external, I reckon it should give you an internal measurement in the vicinity of 18mm. In which case 700x28s will fit admirably.
I personally dont think you need tyres wider than 28mm unless you are encountering a lot of off road cross country type stuff. I have ridden fully laden touring bikes over rough tracks with no mishaps, but wouldnt consider venturing where some of the mountain biker types go.
, in reply to message 45.
Posted by Cliff Hanger (U14309141) on Saturday, 8th October 2011
T'missus and I took advantage of the wonderful weather last weekend to cycle The Way of the Roses, a 170 mile route from Morecambe to Bridlington. My trip diary is at
, in reply to message 46.
Posted by Former Archers Listener known as Fausto etc (U14266958) on Saturday, 8th October 2011
Thanks for the link, and indeed a great tour.
Just somewhat suprised by the picture of Aldborough though. The picture looks very much like the small village well to the South of Bridlington (circa 20 miles) and the text doesnt mention you going there.
, in reply to message 47.
Posted by Cliff Hanger (U14309141) on Saturday, 8th October 2011
No, we didn't go south of Brid, it's definitely the Aldborough near Boroughbridge. My Sony A55 features a GPS so ever photo I take has the location embedded in the file, as long as I give it a few seconds to lock on. It's a great feature for bike tours, I used to have to spend ages when we got back figuring out where many of my photos were taken.
, in reply to message 48.
Posted by Poorgrass (U12099742) on Wednesday, 12th October 2011
Quite impressed with the latest puncture resistant tyres I have fitted to my hybrid. On a long ride this morning, I heard the familiar "thump, thump, thump" of something stuck to a tyre, so pulled over and sure enough a nasty bit of bramble stem was impaled on it by means of a large thorn. Pulled it out, and guess what - no puncture. Technology is wonderful.
, in reply to message 49.
Posted by Cliff Hanger (U14309141) on Wednesday, 12th October 2011
Sounds interesting, what make and model are they?
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