The Cycling Chat Thread

[DownwardDog]

If it's a press fit (Campagnolo excepted) you've got about twice as far as normal before the creaking starts.

Blue loctite helps until you have to get the BB out again then you need a flamethrower to supplement your Park RT-1.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Ominous creaking sounds coming from what sounds like the bottom bracket - only when pedalling. I should tighten the chainring bolts etc before i book it in to the shop, right? Couple of forums suggest there are more likely candidates than the bracket. Bikes just under 2 years old, only done maybe two thousand km.

Take off the pedals, grease the threads and put them back on.

 

[BigTom]

Dont know where the £6k came from. Every story I can find says $1500 for bike and helmet.

It's all American parts built in 10 days and the fella who built it usually starts his builds at £3k with a year plus long waiting list so I imagine he's just thrown together whatever was hanging around the workshop.

Say $6,000 (dollars, not pounds): President Biden gave U.K.'s Boris Johnson a bike made at North Philly shop

 

[weepiper]

Ominous creaking sounds coming from what sounds like the bottom bracket - only when pedalling. I should tighten the chainring bolts etc before i book it in to the shop, right? Couple of forums suggest there are more likely candidates than the bracket. Bikes just under 2 years old, only done maybe two thousand km.

Yep. Tighten the chainring bolts, the crank bolts, and grease the pedal threads, because those are the first things the shop will try. Other common culprits are the saddle clamp and the stem clamp bolts, or the wheel qrs not being clamped tight enough (people will swear blind it's coming from their BB and it will often eventually turn out to be one of these)

 

[iamwithnail]

Cheers! Tomorrow’s activities sorted!

 

[Part 2]

Say $6,000 (dollars, not pounds): President Biden gave U.K.'s Boris Johnson a bike made at North Philly shop

When you click on the Inquirer link in that article it says the budget was $1500. Michael Tanenbaum is clearly a fucking idiot.

 

[Part 2]

Not bought a bike for ages but this was only £25 so couldn't leave it.

Rust spots here and there but otherwise looks like it's barely been ridden. Clicks through the gears nicely and the brakes work well for something that's been stood for years. I've not had a mountain bike for years and it's proper comfy. I'll probably ride it through summer and strip it down at some point with a view to turn it into a tourer.

 

[braindancer]

Had a cracking weekend on the bike in mid Wales - hills, hills, hills galore...

Then I did a 5 mile ride yesterday and fell off into a stream and sprained my wrist
View attachment 271360

Sprained wrist turned out to be a fracture. No riding for me for the foreseeable - bit frustrating to probably miss peak weather....

 

[Cid]

Got the Inbred (On-one had a propensity for silly names) fixed up and did some light trails this weekend... Parkwood springs on Friday (blue with optional red bits), Lady Canning's plantation (blue run, red run) on sat. Was good fun, although I did fall off. Not on the actual trails mind you, but on the access road - I seem to have developed a problem with transitioning through light gravel. No real harm done. It's a 26er, I ran 2.25s at 30/35psi (I am er... heavy) and managed it all fine. No jumping mind you. Would like to work on that, but just feels like I might lose it and break something (on me), which I can't really afford to do. Felt good though...

None of it was particularly hard (the reds are... borderline red really), although can't exactly claim to have gone fast. Lady Canning's has rather sketchy berms though, very rocky, kind of not worth it. I am now craving a full sus low-mid travel trail bike. Would be overkill I suppose - only soreness I've got today is from the fall. Bike did feel a bit sketchy and squeaked a little at times, but I mean it's a 15 year old hard tail with poorly serviced forks (zocchi MX comps).

Also had another stupid fall on a little technical rock uphill that was always my nemesis when I last rode Parkwood springs (6/7 years ago). You need to carry a bit of speed through, but it's just after another slightly sketchy rock patch, and I'd slowed down too much. My front wheel was almost over, but no, I lost it and slowly toppled backward.

I shall probably do more, be prepared to commiserate.

e2a: Ahem, didn't read your post braindancer...

 

[Dogsauce]

You won't have a huge choice for that budget... I'd probably look for something from the mid 2000s. Giant, Kona... Specialized Rockhoppers. GT were still decent back then I think. Trek, Scott etc. Ideally you want forks from Rock Shox, Manitou or Marzocchi. Or obviously fox, but they'll probably be out of budget. You may have to get something with V-brakes rather than disk, but they do the job. Sadly no 15 year old mountain bike is likely to be low maintenance. They'll have triple chainsets, and you need to be reasonably good about MTB maintenance in any case - they get dirt in the drivetrain, and that will wear out components unless you wash them fairly regularly.

It's a bit of a weird one with used bikes. I would definitely say it's worth saving an extra couple of hundred, because the leap in quality will be huge.

Cheers - I’ve ended up going almost triple my budget, but a Litespeed titanium one popped up locally, old but fairly good spec, hydraulic disc brakes etc., weighs in about 10.5kg which sounds pretty low for an MTB. Picking it up tomorrow...

 

[iamwithnail]

Currently thinking about pressing the button on this through the work bike scheme. Primary attraction is that it’s in stock, but seems pretty decent? Trek Domane AL 4 Disc Sportive Road Bike in Era White

 

[Cid]

Cheers - I’ve ended up going almost triple my budget, but a Litespeed titanium one popped up locally, old but fairly good spec, hydraulic disc brakes etc., weighs in about 10.5kg which sounds pretty low for an MTB. Picking it up tomorrow...

Am very intrigued.

Saturday my friend turned up on a prototype mid 90s Stevens full suspension XC rig, with a crazy 4 bar(ish) linkage front fork. In lycra. He kind of showed everyone up a bit.

 

[Cid]

Currently thinking about pressing the button on this through the work bike scheme. Primary attraction is that it’s in stock, but seems pretty decent? Trek Domane AL 4 Disc Sportive Road Bike in Era White

That would be a solid pick at any stock level I think.

 

[han]

I was looking into LeJoG (Land's End to John o Groats - it's a cycling goal of mine, and saw this. An 87 year old did it on a Brompton. Respect!

87-year-old completes LEJOG on an 18-year-old Brompton

Donald and his son are investigating if the feat can be recognised as a world record

www.cyclingweekly.com

 

[a_chap]

If anyone here actually attempts the Land's End to John o' Groats ride (or, indeed, John o' Groats to Land's End or Land's End to John o' Groats to Land's End, etc.) and takes the A38 route through Worcester let me know. I'll probably be able to put you up for the night or at least give you a jolly good feed + mechanical TLC for the bike.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I was looking into LeJoG (Land's End to John o Groats - it's a cycling goal of mine, and saw this. An 87 year old did it on a Brompton. Respect!

87-year-old completes LEJOG on an 18-year-old Brompton

Donald and his son are investigating if the feat can be recognised as a world record

www.cyclingweekly.com

It’s on my list. Are you wanting to do it self supported or on one of the organised trips where they ferry your bags and provide pre erected tents etc?

 

[han]

I haven't really investigated that yet. I'll probably do it quite slowly ie 50 miles a day so doing it supported would be prohibitively expensive I expect. I'd probably try a bike packing stylee, as light as possible, with a tent. It's just an idea at the moment, I want to do some shorter trips first to test the waters

 

[han]

If anyone here actually attempts the Land's End to John o' Groats ride (or, indeed, John o' Groats to Land's End or Land's End to John o' Groats to Land's End, etc.) and takes the A38 route through Worcester let me know. I'll probably be able to put you up for the night or at least give you a jolly good feed + mechanical TLC for the bike.

Oh that's awesome, thanks! I'll be doing the Sustrans route - there's a book, with the route in that I have. A nice quiet route. If it goes nearby I'll deffo get in touch. Will be next autumn hopefully!

 

[a_chap]

If the GPX track of the Sustrans route that I just downloaded is accurate then the route passes within about a mile of Chap Towers.

 

[han]

If the GPX track of the Sustrans route that I just downloaded is accurate then the route passes within about a mile of Chap Towers.

Coool!

 

[purves grundy]

I haven't really investigated that yet. I'll probably do it quite slowly ie 50 miles a day so doing it supported would be prohibitively expensive I expect. I'd probably try a bike packing stylee, as light as possible, with a tent. It's just an idea at the moment, I want to do some shorter trips first to test the waters

I did a fun, short-ish (100 mile) trip over the weekend, with a night in a B&B in Lincoln. Great fun but made me realise how unfeasible it is to do trips like this with a backback: even with just a few items it became pretty weighty quite quickly. Any hints and tips on non-pannier bikepacking options welcome!

 

[Winot]

These things...

Z LOK - Lightweight, Multi-Use Security Tie & Bike Lock | Hiplok

Award-Winning Bike Lock. Steel Core Security Tie with 400mm Locking Length. 1 x Lock Key Included. Deter Thieves & Enhance Existing Locks. Fast Shipping

hiplok.com

Will secure panniers nicely to the mounts, plus make them harder to steal should you nip in to a shop or whatever.

Got these through over the weekend. Very neat. Will use them to lock helmet to bike when parked in town.

 

[han]

Got these through over the weekend. Very neat. Will use them to lock helmet to bike when parked in town.

They look really great!

 

[iamwithnail]

See just on the bike chat - i'm tossing up between a 52 and a 54 frame.

I'm 5'8" but with really short legs (like 29.6") - on height the size guide is suggesting a 54, but on inseam it's saying 52, not quite sure which way to go with that.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

See just on the bike chat - i'm tossing up between a 52 and a 54 frame.

I'm 5'8" but with really short legs (like 29.6") - on height the size guide is suggesting a 54, but on inseam it's saying 52, not quite sure which way to go with that.

52. Always go smaller if in doubt.

 

[han]

I did a fun, short-ish (100 mile) trip over the weekend, with a night in a B&B in Lincoln. Great fun but made me realise how unfeasible it is to do trips like this with a backback: even with just a few items it became pretty weighty quite quickly. Any hints and tips on non-pannier bikepacking options welcome!

Yes, I was thinking of using panniers but as light as possible (which isn't really bikepacking is it ). I imagine a backpack would soon become uncomfortable.

On my day long rides I carry as little as possible. I did a London to Oxford quiet route via an overnight stay in Reading once and it was manageable with not too loaded panniers.

But you're looking for non pannier - so I think the key is to have really lightweight kit.

A few pages I drool over are here

The Bikepacking 101 Handbook

The Bikepacking 101 Handbook is the definitive guide to planning your first bikepacking trip, and we're thrilled to launch the 2nd edition...

bikepacking.com

What's The Best Cycle Touring & Bikepacking Tent? (2024 Edition)

A detailed guide to choosing the right tent for your next cycling adventure, with listings of tried & tested tents for all budgets & purposes.

tomsbiketrip.com

Best bikepacking kit in 2023: get out in the wilds - MBR

Between niche brands like Alpkit and big brands like Specialized you can fully kit yourself out for bikepacking. We went feral for a few days.

www.mbr.co.uk

 

[han]

52. Always go smaller if in doubt.

Yes, it's easier to extend components on bikes on the small side. Nowt you can do about a bike too big. That's why I bought a 42 instead of 46 Surly frame as I was borderline in the calculations. I iz a hobbit.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

I always ride with this on my back:





It has a bladder and tube for drinking which I thought would be useful, but it tastes horrible and the bladder is heavy and takes up a load of space, so have taken it out and just use a bottle on the bike and a spare in the bag. In this bag I carry my laptop, spare tubes, pump, tools, bottle, lunch and a jumper/rain jacket and there's still loads more space in it. Picking it up it is heavy, but once strapped on I genuinely don't notice it at all, it doesn't dig in anywhere or leave marks on my skin, it also has a built in back protector, for what that's worth. Done quite a few >4hour rides with it and am really happy with it. So maybe the type of backpack is important here..?

 

[Artaxerxes]

I always ride with this on my back:

View attachment 273423



It has a bladder and tube for drinking which I thought would be useful, but it tastes horrible and the bladder is heavy and takes up a load of space, so have taken it out and just use a bottle on the bike and a spare in the bag. In this bag I carry my laptop, spare tubes, pump, tools, bottle, lunch and a jumper/rain jacket and there's still loads more space in it. Picking it up it is heavy, but once strapped on I genuinely don't notice it at all, it doesn't dig in anywhere or leave marks on my skin, it also has a built in back protector, for what that's worth. Done quite a few >4hour rides with it and am really happy with it. So maybe the type of backpack is important here..?

I'd assume so yeah.

Ones with good waist and chest supports along with the standard straps do a lot to help take the pressure of your arms.

 

[weepiper]

I did a fun, short-ish (100 mile) trip over the weekend, with a night in a B&B in Lincoln. Great fun but made me realise how unfeasible it is to do trips like this with a backback: even with just a few items it became pretty weighty quite quickly. Any hints and tips on non-pannier bikepacking options welcome!

Ortlieb.

Bikepacking Bags | ORTLIEB

If you want to feel simultaneously free and at home in nature, the combination of biking and sleeping outdoors is just the thing for you. What you need: a gravel grinder, a mountain bike or fatbike, a thirst for adventure, and light baggage. The bikepacking equipment from ORTLIEB lets you set...

www.ortlieb.com

We did the Hebridean Way with Mr W using the seat bag, frame bag and bar roll. I had the bar roll, an Osprey backpack and a cheaper Altura seat bag. The Altura bag leaked in a heavy downpour but none of the Ortlieb stuff did.