sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
^ Sensible move to get one with three wheels.
The Cycling Chat Thread
- Thread starter ChrisFilter
- Start date
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
Buy a decent pump and keep the tyres firm, regularly lubricate the chain, stay safe & enjoy 
I kept my Giant Defy in the spare bedroom for about a year until Mrs S. evicted it into the garage. With my other three.
maomao
普費斯
Old 67ʼs pretty nippy on the downhills.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
What size frame is that? It looks smaller than it ought to
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
It looks pretty huge - the stem is way higher than my saddle
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
Well maomao is a giant if i recall. A giant with a giant GiantIt looks pretty huge - the stem is way higher than my saddle
maomao
普費斯
It's an XL. I don't think I even need the seat at maximum height. Certainly feels big enough but haven't ridden yet.
maomao
普費斯
I've shrunk to six foot five and a half in my old age.
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
south london's smallest giant
weepiper
I fix the machines that fight climate change
Very nice. But keep it in the house until you've got a good lock and a ground anchor - bike theft from sheds and common stairs is absolutely rampant at the moment.
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
If you can make it a wall anchor (needs to be a solid wall) that is better than ground, easier to use an angle grinder if the chain touches the ground I seem to remember. (Maybe overkill here, but been looking at emtbs and wondering how to keep it safe).
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maomao
普費斯
My shed's a big brick building that locks. The problem is that's where I keep my angle grinder and other heavy tools so thieves wouldn't have to bring their own. Mrs maomao wants a new toy and bike shed anyway so I'm thinking one of those floorless metal sheds, bolted to cement floor with a Sheffield bike stand cemented in inside it.
Looks like my 500 quid bargain is going to end up costing us north of 800 quid.
Took it out for a spin over the park anyway (and a very little bit of traffic). Slightly disconcerting after such a long break.
The bike is very nice. The saddle had to go up a lot but there's still nearly a centimetre left before the max line. Disc brakes are nicer than I thought they would be. I used to love canti and v brakes and was a bit worried disc brakes would be too powerful and flip me over the front wheel or something but they are very responsive. I'm sure I can teach myself to adjust them when needed.
My body is not what it was. Still got some power in the legs (not that I got off the small chainwheel) but my arse feels like it's just been leathered by a sadistic headmaster and cycling underwear has gone straight to the top of my priority list. Also I've developed arthritis in my neck since I last rode a bike and it's affecting my ability to do a lifesaver without wobbling. More stretches and more practise there I think.
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Cid
Proper break this time
I got one of those dirt cheap on-one helmets by the way:
It’s the XC version... it is pretty damn cheap. No choice of padding (though it does have some), plastic peak looks cheap and the fin at the back a bit ridiculous. Straps also cheap/thin. That said the foam seems to be pretty much as on my other helmet... the dial fit also works ok. The lack of padding options does make it a little uncomfortable on first impressions... I might take it out some time for a test (er... not a crash test hopefully). It’s kind of impressive in a way, but I’ll probably keep it as a spare and watch for deals on a Giro or something.
It’s the XC version... it is pretty damn cheap. No choice of padding (though it does have some), plastic peak looks cheap and the fin at the back a bit ridiculous. Straps also cheap/thin. That said the foam seems to be pretty much as on my other helmet... the dial fit also works ok. The lack of padding options does make it a little uncomfortable on first impressions... I might take it out some time for a test (er... not a crash test hopefully). It’s kind of impressive in a way, but I’ll probably keep it as a spare and watch for deals on a Giro or something.
Cid
Proper break this time
Cycling does have the some what sad effect of making things smaller. As I get further into the peaks it's a bit like unlocking a new area in a computer game, sort of filled in the map of the last bit. Still many miles of adventuring mind, but I suppose in the end it's only about 35 x 15-20 miles. Even the Lake District isn't that big. <eyes up Highlands>
Cid
Proper break this time
Thoughts on chain lube anyone? Been using an in-between one for the past couple of weeks, and used wet and dry variously before that. Put dry on yesterday after a thorough clean. I'm kind of tempted to go dry regardless of conditions and just reapply frequently/after every wet ride. It's just a pain in the arse doing a proper clean on a wet-lubed chain, really doesn't seem to take long before it's caked... Especially if I go off road a bit.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
DownwardDog
Riding a Brompton with a power meter.
I must have used dozens of products over the years but I keep coming back to Muc-Off Degreaser and Park CL-1 lube. "Dry" lube does almost nothing in my experience as it doesn't penetrate the pin/plate interface.
maomao
普費斯
It's twelve quid a bottle! I've got some three in one somewhere. Was invented for bikes.
Cid
Proper break this time
Yeah but it'll get dirt sticking to it. Maybe. I've probably got some, might try it. People use all sorts of shit mind you... My mate just uses WD40 and the odd drop of oil. I'm not sure this is particularly good, but he did ride to London (from Sheffield) last weekend. The bike world is a bit of an odd one for stuff like this, everyones has their own thing they swear by.
Cid
Proper break this time
I think that's largely what I did. I certainly remember getting through a lot of the stuff.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Yes, it is. It’s worth every penny. You put it on your chain after each ride and don’t have to worry about cleaning your chain ever again. Dirt literally falls off.
High Voltage
In the top 97% of Urban's most interesting posters
Your thoughts urban cycling collective
Years ago I got a magnesium framed mtb from Halfords and I mean years ago best guess 30+. At the time "around" £500, so not cheap not expensive.
It's sat in storage for YEARS flat tyres general neglect looks very sad
It's this worth chucking a few quid at through a local bike chap?
I'm currently furloughed, returning to work next month then probably being re-fuloughed, (with luck?) in September so time is not pressing, but would this be chucking good money after bad
Years ago I got a magnesium framed mtb from Halfords and I mean years ago best guess 30+. At the time "around" £500, so not cheap not expensive.
It's sat in storage for YEARS flat tyres general neglect looks very sad
It's this worth chucking a few quid at through a local bike chap?
I'm currently furloughed, returning to work next month then probably being re-fuloughed, (with luck?) in September so time is not pressing, but would this be chucking good money after bad
