The Cycling Chat Thread
- Thread starter ChrisFilter
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beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Looking on eBay - christ, there's some seriously overpriced crap on there at the moment 
Still some bargains as well, but they're few and far between.
Still some bargains as well, but they're few and far between.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
That’s the one. Yeah, not a huge fan of the Tiagra groupset either.
Had a look at the 650B, it's never going off-road. I'd be using it to exercise which I do daily on London roads. Its the bumpiest it's going to get.
I currently have a
2015 Specialized Mountain Bike,
Crappy mtb style festival bike for when I work Boomtown and Glastonbury
Gazelle road bike which I built from components.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Neither is mine - it has road tyres (WTB Horizons), but I can run them at ridiculously low pressures. Bumps and small potholes just vanish. I love it
mauvais
on reddit or something
How suitable is the 2015 one for conversion into something like a gravel bike? Possibly just with a wheel set you can swap in and out.
If it's a hardtail on 27.5 or 29 then you've got a lot of options. Gravel bikes never used to be a thing, I suppose the idea was represented by a mixture of CX and XC bikes, and it's not like the latter has got wildly different geometry or anything from a general purpose hardtail MTB.
If it's a hardtail on 27.5 or 29 then you've got a lot of options. Gravel bikes never used to be a thing, I suppose the idea was represented by a mixture of CX and XC bikes, and it's not like the latter has got wildly different geometry or anything from a general purpose hardtail MTB.
Cid
Proper break this time
Having a quick browse Planet X have an £800 disc road bike that should be available end of the month. Apex 1x11 groupset, which is ample for London... Mechanical discs, not great, but it is a totally new bike. Thru-axle, tire clearance up to 35c. Bit over 10kg.
Not necessarily the right bike, but just to give an idea of what's available at that price point. 100% a better buy than that cube.
Not necessarily the right bike, but just to give an idea of what's available at that price point. 100% a better buy than that cube.
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
I get sunglasses for 3.99 from decathlon, they work great and if you lose them or sit on them they’re cheap to replace. You can get ones with clear lenses.
ST 100 MTB Sunglasses Category 3 - Grey
ST 100 MTB Sunglasses Category 3 - Grey null These MTB cycling sunglasses shield against sunlight, wind and splashes on occasional rides. The lenses are category 3, with a 100% UV protection filter.
www.decathlon.co.uk
Orang Utan
Psychick Worrier Ov Geyoor
just remembered I have some anti-Covid clear specs, so will be using thoseI get sunglasses for 3.99 from decathlon, they work great and if you lose them or sit on them they’re cheap to replace. You can get ones with clear lenses.
ST 100 MTB Sunglasses Category 3 - Grey
ST 100 MTB Sunglasses Category 3 - Grey null These MTB cycling sunglasses shield against sunlight, wind and splashes on occasional rides. The lenses are category 3, with a 100% UV protection filter.
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
This, I have one and you can put on road tyres and cycle it but it’s built for mud and off road. The bottom bracket and riding position is high and if you want to go fast it’s difficult. Better off looking for a gravel bike, they are more racy.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Speaking of gravel bikes, I've just ordered a set of bike packing luggage 
Got plans for some exploring once the weather gets a bit nicer
Got plans for some exploring once the weather gets a bit nicer
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
Its a mountain bike, purely used off-road. I don't like the ride position, suspension or gearing on road.
I picked a cyclocross bike as they are multifunction, but are ok for road use. I'm going to wait to see if I can get a disc road bike when they become more available. I use my road bike nearly every day, it's still great.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Except... cyclocross bikes aren’t really multi function. They’re designed around the UCI rule book for cyclocross races. Hence the (relatively) limited tyre clearances, gearing and so on.
it does sound like a decent disc brake road bike is what you’re after. Get one that can fit at least 28c or even 32c tyres, set them up tubeless if you’re feeling brave, and you’ll have a fast and comfy ride.
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
Tubeless tyres, are they worth it? When they get punctured is it normally small enough to repair itself? Got some tubeless ready stuff coming but with tubes, so could be persuaded...
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
For mountain/gravel bikes it's a no brainer. For road... dunno. The people I know who've tried them seem to be about 50/50. Some have had no problems whatsoever, others it sounds like an enormous faff. The benefits seem good though.
Sunray
Its sunny somewhere.
I'd not go tubeless, too much of a faff to fix in the rain on the side of the road. I carry spare inners around with me with a tiny pump, fix a puncture in 5 min. 100% of the time, every time.
Current fulcrum 6's take 28mm tyres but I had just got the 25mm before I bought the wheels. When they wear out I'll switch to 28mm to see how much of a difference it makes.
Wonder if I can get a steel frame that has the disc fittings? Aluminium is a bit shit for longevity.
Current fulcrum 6's take 28mm tyres but I had just got the 25mm before I bought the wheels. When they wear out I'll switch to 28mm to see how much of a difference it makes.
Wonder if I can get a steel frame that has the disc fittings? Aluminium is a bit shit for longevity.
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beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Check first that you've got clearance on the frame/brake callipers. That's what will limit you, not the wheel rims...
Plenty steel frames with discs out there (I own one!), although they tend to be a bit more expensive than their aluminium equivalents.
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
Would love to get a steel disc bike with proper mudguards for winter.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
braindancer
not for long
nick
Pleomorphic Adenomas R us
YMMV but.
sometimes tubeless will self seal, sometimes not. I've got an inner tube for the latter.
In the former I managed to find a screw sticking out of a tyre on a commute. Pulled out said screw (it was banging against the frame) - stuck some CO2 in the tyre, span it around a few times and it was sufficient to get me both too work and back home again before I had a chance to patch the tyre.
And no pinch flats
( Schwalbe G-one speed TLE. 700 *30. should you care). I use Stans sealant and stick the spunk in the tyre using a Milk-it syringe thing
sometimes tubeless will self seal, sometimes not. I've got an inner tube for the latter.
In the former I managed to find a screw sticking out of a tyre on a commute. Pulled out said screw (it was banging against the frame) - stuck some CO2 in the tyre, span it around a few times and it was sufficient to get me both too work and back home again before I had a chance to patch the tyre.
And no pinch flats
( Schwalbe G-one speed TLE. 700 *30. should you care). I use Stans sealant and stick the spunk in the tyre using a Milk-it syringe thing
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
I've heard a few rave about them, but there's not much gravel or off road full stop in London.Google "Rondo Mutt ST 2021"
A rather beautiful (and wallet crushing) example...
I've got an eye on a fairlight strael but that's the best part of three grand. And I haven't got room for more bikes anyway.
Smokeandsteam
Working Class First
I'm not sure if this has been covered earlier on the thread but I didn't want to start searching 'lubricant', but what do people use on their chains. Mine is starting to feel crunchy and resistant when I change gear. I've been using a wd40 wet chain lube that I ordered ages ago, but the problem is persisting. It's not stopping me riding it but it feels like a problem I don't want to get any worse. It has become much more noticeable over the last few winter months.... any tips/suggestion?
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Squirt Chain Lube Range • Squirt Cycling Products
Get the best chain lube for your bicycle chain. Squirt Cycling Products Chain Lube range will prolong the life of your drivetrain.
www.squirtcyclingproducts.com
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Don't need gravel - I'm a total convert to 650B for comfortable road riding. For club runs and sportives etc I'll stick with the usual rock hard 25mm tyres on 700c rims, but for getting from a to b in comfort? They're brilliant..
DJWrongspeed
radio eros
I'm wondering whether this is the bike for life i'm looking for . The steel Fairlight Strael:
As ridden by mad bloke James Hayden winning the Trans Continental race X2
As ridden by mad bloke James Hayden winning the Trans Continental race X2
Cid
Proper break this time
Aside from lubricating, have you indexed your gears recently?
e2a: I've used the lube bees recommended, it is great, but do keep the drivetrain serviced and give it fairly regularly cleanings - particularly if you're riding often in the winter.
Cid
Proper break this time
I'm wondering whether this is the bike for life i'm looking for . The steel Fairlight Strael:
As ridden by mad bloke James Hayden winning the Trans Continental race X2
What are these Hunt wheels that seem to have suddenly appeared on all the trendy frames?
