The Cycling Chat Thread

[Sigmund Fraud]

I know how hard you work on it. I was having a larf!
Maybe I should've put a winky in. ;-)
Seriously, I think this is going to be my fourth Classic, and it's my favourite ride of the year. I've got nothing but thanks and admiration for all of you who are organising it, particularly you!

Don't worry I didn't take offence It sort of runs like clockwork (or at least a clock built by Brixton Cycles ie it runs late) as we have the same people doing the signing on, charity collections, T-shirt sales etc for a number of years.

 

[DownwardDog]

After this morning's adventures - 65km trail loop in the pissing rain - I think my hardtail MTB days are over. My fucking back is killing me. I might get a Yeti SB5C as I am attracted to its mega complex 'Infinity Link' suspension system.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Accidentally applied the n+1 formula and bought a 1981 Holdsworth Elan. Mrs Fraud was chuffed to bits.

 

[steeeve]

Don't worry I didn't take offence It sort of runs like clockwork (or at least a clock built by Brixton Cycles ie it runs late) as we have the same people doing the signing on, charity collections, T-shirt sales etc for a number of years.

Do people generally lock bikes up after at the pub?

 

[braindancer]

Yeah - I've normally taken a lock to the pub in the morning - and then left it there locked to some railings ready for afters. Lots of others do the same....

 

[steeeve]

Yeah - I've normally taken a lock to the pub in the morning - and then left it there locked to some railings ready for afters. Lots of others do the same....

Good idea! cheers

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Do people generally lock bikes up after at the pub?

lots of bikes aren't locked up though...never had a problem thusfar (touches wood).

 

[han]

Yeah - I've normally taken a lock to the pub in the morning - and then left it there locked to some railings ready for afters. Lots of others do the same....

That's what I do too. Helps shed a little weight. Lol.

 

[contadino]

My 1980 Raleigh Record Ace that I bought nearly a month ago turned up yesterday. I built it up and did a 5 minute circuit on it this afternoon. It's very weird going from a comfy hardtail MTB to an old school 'sports tourer'. Gonna take a bit of adjustment and some getting used to but oh yeah..

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

My 1980 Raleigh Record Ace that I bought nearly a month ago turned up yesterday. I built it up and did a 5 minute circuit on it this afternoon. It's very weird going from a comfy hardtail MTB to an old school 'sports tourer'. Gonna take a bit of adjustment and some getting used to but oh yeah..

They were porn when I were a lad. The Ti Raleigh team bike with full Campag Super record was the only bike higher in the range. I'd still love one someday.

 

[contadino]

I saved my paper round earnings for ages to buy one in 1983. This one has Suntour Cyclone gears (seem great so far) and Weinmann brakes (jury's still out.)

http://cloud.contadini.co.uk/index.php/s/7d07a64edf3516ffbdb209d5004a27ee

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

By coincidence I saved my paper round money to buy my first racer - Peugeot Equipe - also in 1983. Approx a quarter the price of a Record Ace. Great condition from those pictures.

 

[DownwardDog]

Sold my Cohutta and ordered the Yeti frame and Fox 34 CTD fork. One foot in the grave, the other in a XTR SPD...

 

[contadino]

By coincidence I saved my paper round money to buy my first racer - Peugeot Equipe - also in 1983. Approx a quarter the price of a Record Ace. Great condition from those pictures.

I *think* mine may have been a Raleigh Record rather than the Ace. Same colour, though, which is confusing me because I read somewhere that the Record wasn't made in that 'Champagne' colour. The saddle was defo different but I'm pretty sure the hubs were the same.

Sadly it's not going to stay stock for long. Ultimately I want to start Randonneuring on it, or is it Audaxing? Whichever one where you get a pat on the back for finishing rather than being the first to finish.

 

[sleaterkinney]

 

[golightly]

This is my first road bike, which I bought when I was about 16 I think. Was nicked from the bike racks in University three years later, I recall.

e2a: It was a Raleigh Olympus

 

[Dogsauce]

This might be the year I get my Raleigh Record Sprint back to the sort of condition that I can do proper rides on it. I've been saying that for about the last five years mind.

The Dulwich Dynamo is tempting, but I need to see if I'm up to it, I haven't ridden more than about thirty miles in a single ride since the Christmas 2013, and haven't been on a bike at all for five weeks (on a long holiday in the southern hemisphere at the moment and still getting knee pain after being taken out by a turning Fiesta a month or so before that). If I can get my 'good' bike put back together fairly quickly I'll be doing a few test rides to see how it goes.

 

[tommers]

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/morpher-folding-helmet-technology

Folding helmet aimed at people who use rental cycle schemes and can't be arsed to carry one around all day.

I might get one. I think it's a great idea.

 

[Boycey]

The Dulwich Dynamo is tempting, but I need to see if I'm up to it,

if the dulwich dynamo proves too much you'll just have to settle for the dalston dynamo

 

[Dogsauce]

Someone on the campsite we stopped at last night had a really nice looking tourer - a steel road or possibly cross frame, modern but in a really nice metallic Amber colour. If I was to replace my main bike (a very beaten up Falcon) I'd be tempted by something like that, since most new bikes look shit (not a fan of White frames and big logos). I meant to look up the make later but have completely forgotten it, it began with an 'S' (not specialised or surly) and was one I'd seen before - I'd say eight or ten letters long. Anybody know what it might have been? This is in New Zealand so might have been something I've previously seen here or in Australia. Looking at lists of bike manufacturers has drawn a blank.

 

[han]

Just did a 58 mile ride - furthest I've gone since London to Brighton in 2007. Very happy! Now just to build up over the next couple of months. I'd like to do 100 before the Dynamo... We'll see! :-D

 

[han]

if the dulwich dynamo proves too much you'll just have to settle for the dalston dynamo

A friend of mine did that last year :-D if I wimp out of the Dynamo, I'll be doing it too!

 

[weepiper]

Someone on the campsite we stopped at last night had a really nice looking tourer - a steel road or possibly cross frame, modern but in a really nice metallic Amber colour. If I was to replace my main bike (a very beaten up Falcon) I'd be tempted by something like that, since most new bikes look shit (not a fan of White frames and big logos). I meant to look up the make later but have completely forgotten it, it began with an 'S' (not specialised or surly) and was one I'd seen before - I'd say eight or ten letters long. Anybody know what it might have been? This is in New Zealand so might have been something I've previously seen here or in Australia. Looking at lists of bike manufacturers has drawn a blank.

Doesn't start with an S but the first thing that comes to mind is a Genesis Croix De Fer or Tour De Fer?

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

curved disc fork....hmmm

 

[Dogsauce]

Doesn't start with an S but the first thing that comes to mind is a Genesis Croix De Fer or Tour De Fer?

Thanks weepiper. I've actually found it I think - the 'S' was actually the model, a Satellite Sport by Jamis. Not definite as I can't load pictures very easily on this ancient mobile phone. It looks like Evans sold them at one point (which might not be a good thing).

Someone at work has a genesis Croix de Fer, which is really nice looking, kind of lean and understated. If I get a decent payout from my crash I'm putting it towards building something nice I reckon.

 

[a_chap]

I find myself in London for the next few days (£5.50 a pint in this hotel ) and as I was driving into the centre last night I was surprised how few cyclists there were, almost none in fact. And then the first one I saw - and I only just saw him - was merrily riding along with no fucking lights front or rear. I was gobsmacked to put it mildly.

I take it night-time riding isn't terribly popular down here.

 

[han]

Those Croix de Fer and Tour de Fer bikes are lovely.

a_chap - night riding is pretty popular, yes. I'm curious as that you saw so few cyclists. Was it 3bin the morning or something? Probably a Sunday in the middle of the night would be the quietest time of the week.

 

[golightly]

Those Croix de Fer and Tour de Fer bikes are lovely.

Yes, they are. I'm enjoying my new Kona Rove. It will probably end up largely as a tourer when I've kitted it out. I just want to get some mudguards and a handlebar bag.

 

[craigxcraig]

I've a croix de fer and absolutely love it - by far the best bike I've ever owned, I'm becoming a genesis fan boy

im slowly upgrading mine and hope to taje delivery of my new wheels this week

 

[fen_boy]

curved disc fork....hmmm

Is that bad? I swapped the front end of my Long Haul Trucker out for a Disc Trucker fork which is similarly curved. Am I going to die?