The Cycling Chat Thread

[Mation]

They're called spanners.



You're unlikely to get a full kit that's exactly what you need. Look for a multi tool with the sizes of allen key and spanner you need. Or just carry loose tools in a pencil case. Specialist cycling multi-tools tend to have stuff like spoke keys and chain tools on them that you probably don't need. Don't carry patches, just carry a spare tube or two and patch burst ones at home. You probably need tyre levers too. I always seem to need at least two so a multi-tool with built in tyre lever wouldn't suit me. If you have fat mountain bike style tyres you might get away with one.

And I need advice on a cheap pump to take on rides too. I have a fancy track pump at home but too big to pack. If you have one with a decent gauge at home you probably don't need a fancy one, just something that will get you moving again.

I'm sure that's all good advice, but it's hard for me to take in details of lots of new things at once.

If there isn't one kit that will do, can anyone recommend 2 or whatever? Specific kits that I can get to grips with over time?

(Soz - I usually say spanners, but wrenches turned up in searches.)

 

[klang]

 

[klang]

that's what I carry in my commuter rucksack.

 

[braindancer]

Gonna have a bash at doing the Festive 500 this year - 500k between Xmas Eve and NYE - I've tried and failed a couple of times before but far fewer commitments this year which means it could just be doable! We'll see....

Job done - a day early too - was great, a bit challenging to drag myself out of bed a few mornings but once I got going each ride was ace. I'm even a bit tempted to get out tomorrow again for a few bonus kms....

 

[Artaxerxes]

 

[purves grundy]

Canyon pauses UK shipments amid Brexit concerns - Cycling Weekly

Canyon Bicycles has announced that it is pausing all shipments to the UK, including spare parts such as mech hangers, handlebars and complete bikes.

www.cyclingweekly.com

Brexit continuing to really benefit us all

I wonder how my local cycle shop’s going to feel about any Brexit delays to their stock. I went in back in May to get myself a new bike and the young sales lad that came over to help was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with ‘January 31st: Independence Day’. I thought hmmmmmm interesting, wonder how he goes down with the rest of the staff?? Then I spot another, older member of staff - possibly his old man - wearing the same fucking T-shirt! So although I’m sorry for the normals affected, and as much I do value them as a local business, I would still laugh my bicycle clips off if their beloved project gives em trouble.

 

[Dogsauce]

I’ve been stuck indoors on the turbo for about three weeks now. It’s shit living back on the rainy side of the country.

 

[nick]

Van driver clearly in the wrong - but you've got to be suicidal to try to ride a penny farthing on an open road.

At the risk of encouraging the cyclists are evil brigade - that bike is a bit Charlie Alliston - no brakes and not legal on the road

 

[Artaxerxes]

Van driver clearly in the wrong - but you've got to be suicidal to try to ride a penny farthing on an open road.

At the risk of encouraging the cyclists are evil brigade - that bike is a bit Charlie Alliston - no brakes and not legal on the road

Yeah if it was a standard bike I think it would have had the brakes to stop in time. As it is you can hear him have time to really fucking curse before he hits.

 

[nick]

If only he had been wearing a decent set of tweeds to absorb the impact of the pavement

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Yeah, while the van driver is clearly at fault my sympathy is somewhat limited. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

 

[DownwardDog]

I once read that something like 900 people a year died on PFs at the height of their popularity.

The absolute twat in the video seems to have got a bit of target fixation as he steered directly at the van.

 

[weepiper]

Scottish cycling achievement unlocked: helmet visor icicles.

 

[weepiper]

I once read that something like 900 people a year died on PFs at the height of their popularity.

The absolute twat in the video seems to have got a bit of target fixation as he steered directly at the van.

There's a reason that when the standard two wheels the same size bike became popular it was known as the Safety Bicycle.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

There's a reason that when the standard two wheels the same size bike became popular it was known as the Safety Bicycle.

I don't think we give enough credit to John Kemp Starley from Coventry. In 1885 he nailed it. Bikes have pretty much worked from his model ever since.

 

[Kev424242]

Scottish cycling achievement unlocked: helmet visor icicles.

View attachment 246251View attachment 246252View attachment 246253

Chapeau congelé!

 

[ferrelhadley]

no brakes and not legal on the road

If the cranks directly attach to the wheel then it does not require a brake to be legal. This covers penny farthings, children's tricycles and unicycles. Fixed wheel drive trains also count as a brake, so "fixies" only require a front brake to be legal.
I have seen far more dernies (peddle assisted petrol bikes) and petrol scooters without license plates than penny farthings. Including many on bike lanes and pavements.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

There's a reason that when the standard two wheels the same size bike became popular it was known as the Safety Bicycle.

My next bike will have different sized wheels, 29 at the front, 27.5 at the back. Will I die?

 

[nick]

. ........Will I die?

Inevitably

eta. Happy new year

 

[maomao]

My next bike will have different sized wheels, 29 at the front, 27.5 at the back. Will I die?

Do your cranks attach directly to the front wheel axle? Are your tyres made of solid rubber? Will you be wearing a top hat and tails when riding? If no to all three questions then you'll be fine.

 

[sleaterkinney]

Gonna have a bash at doing the Festive 500 this year - 500k between Xmas Eve and NYE - I've tried and failed a couple of times before but far fewer commitments this year which means it could just be doable! We'll see....

I managed it this year. A lot more free time and less parties for some reason.
It's tougher with the weather, a distance that would be routine in the summer was hard this time around. It doesn't help being in a non flat part of the world either.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Kinda depressing stats for me this year - less than 1000 miles. It’s almost all been on Zwift. I just don’t feel comfortable going out on the roads. Can’t shake the feeling if I crashed I’d end up in a covid full ward and be even worse off and/or taking a doctors attention away from people who needed it more.

On the flip side, because it’s all been on Zwift my power numbers are higher than they’ve ever been. Hoping to get back out on the roads next year to smash some PB’s.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Will you be wearing a top hat and tails when riding?

Of course, my mountain biking takes place in the Surrey Hills, what else does one wear?

 

[Artaxerxes]

Kinda depressing stats for me this year - less than 1000 miles. It’s almost all been on Zwift. I just don’t feel comfortable going out on the roads. Can’t shake the feeling if I crashed I’d end up in a covid full ward and be even worse off and/or taking a doctors attention away from people who needed it more.

On the flip side, because it’s all been on Zwift my power numbers are higher than they’ve ever been. Hoping to get back out on the roads next year to smash some PB’s.

I should have ridden a lot more during furlough and summer but I just couldn't shake the terror of "what if" and getting stuck far from home or worse getting hit by a car or something so you aren't alone.

 

[Leafster]

Bahnhof Strasse testing out his new mullet bike on Box Hill recently

 

[weepiper]

2278 miles/113,170 feet of climbing for me this year. There were a few bigger rides in the summer but it's mostly commuting.

 

[Leafster]

Just six months of newbie MTB cycling for me getting used to being back on a bike after 30 years. I've managed just 410 miles with 30,157 feet of climbing from about one ride per week off road(ish)

 

[PursuedByBears]

5,094 miles cycled, 399,904 feet climbed for me, much further than I've gone in a year before.

 

[braindancer]

I managed it this year. A lot more free time and less parties for some reason.
It's tougher with the weather, a distance that would be routine in the summer was hard this time around. It doesn't help being in a non flat part of the world either.

Good work - yep, having no commitments at all certainly made it easier this year - a good way to pass the time!

 

[braindancer]

3000 miles for me - way down on previous years, working from home since March meaning hardly any cycling in the week as no commuting....