The Cycling Chat Thread

[Orang Utan]

cycling accessory manufacturers need to up their accessibility game and provide full written instructions instead of hieroglyphics that only make sense if you have a head for physics and better spacial coordination

 

[hash tag]

If only I was still riding, but £36 though

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[a_chap]

The 20km ride is suitable for "seasoned cyclers" [sic] and they describe the 50k ride as both "mammoth" and "endurance" (for "cycling professionals")...

[rolls eyes]

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

The 20km ride is suitable for "seasoned cyclers" [sic] and they describe the 50k ride as both "mammoth" and "endurance" (for "cycling professionals")...

[rolls eyes]

50km on a basically flat, exposed, circuit where you won’t have to touch your brakes? That will be hard work if you want a fast time.

 

[rutabowa]

Just replaced a gear cable/casing... I forgot how much I hate indexed gears for this reason, I swore never to get a bike with them again but it was ages ago and I forgot. I should have bought that older saracen, oh well it is just about adjusted now

 

[weepiper]

Took the bike out earlier and noticed I'd last a bolt for the panier at the bottom, anyone know the standard size for those so I can replace?

Bikes a standard MTB - Carrera

M5 thread, with an 8mm nut head or a 4mm Allen key button head.

 

[TopCat]

d’oh, thanks, there either wasn’t any written instructions or I didn’t see them!
I was looking at this and thinking wtf, it can’t be faulty - it was designed like that!
View attachment 285218

The plastic clasp is designed to come off with a small yank when you are wearing the chain. It’s to stop you getting injured if the chain caught on something when around your waist.

 

[Artaxerxes]

M5 thread, with an 8mm nut head or a 4mm Allen key button head.

This seems about the cheapest longest one I can find on ebay.

BICYCLE SEAT POST SCREW M8 x 45mm STAINLESS STEEL BIKE SADDLE CONNECTING BOLT | eBay

Stainless Steel. Socket head for 6mm Allen key.

www.ebay.co.uk

Though theres this one as well which I think I've got the screw head to unlock in my bag of tricks.

M5, A2 BUTTON HEAD SECURITY 6 LOBE PIN TX TORX ANTI VANDAL SCREWS BOLT BIKE * | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for M5, A2 BUTTON HEAD SECURITY 6 LOBE PIN TX TORX ANTI VANDAL SCREWS BOLT BIKE * at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[weepiper]

This seems about the cheapest longest one I can find on ebay.

BICYCLE SEAT POST SCREW M8 x 45mm STAINLESS STEEL BIKE SADDLE CONNECTING BOLT | eBay

Stainless Steel. Socket head for 6mm Allen key.

www.ebay.co.uk

Though theres this one as well which I think I've got the screw head to unlock in my bag of tricks.

M5, A2 BUTTON HEAD SECURITY 6 LOBE PIN TX TORX ANTI VANDAL SCREWS BOLT BIKE * | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for M5, A2 BUTTON HEAD SECURITY 6 LOBE PIN TX TORX ANTI VANDAL SCREWS BOLT BIKE * at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

That first one is M8, not M5! Don't buy it (unless you need a new saddle clamp bolt)

 

[weepiper]

Here: M3 M4 M5 M6 ALLEN CAP SCREWS BOLTS STAINLESS STEEL SOCKET SCREW HEX HEAD DIN 912 | eBay you probably only need a 16 or 20mm long one, btw.

 

[Orang Utan]

Yeah, I have the v-type topeak rack, If you use the rubber inserts and clamp it tight it shouldn't move around. The clamp keeps rubbing against my thighs though. Can you not put a proper rack on?

Gonna call them today and tell them they've a) sent me the wrong rack and b) mis-sold me it anyway - I think I need something like this, but can't tell whether it would fit my bike. Not sure what to look for in the specs that would confirm this. Have you or anyone else any idea if this would work:
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/topeak/uni-super-tourist-for-disc-brake-931669#colcode=93166903 ??

 

[weepiper]

Gonna call them today and tell them they've a) sent me the wrong rack and b) mis-sold me it anyway - I think I need something like this, but can't tell whether it would fit my bike. Not sure what to look for in the specs that would confirm this. Have you or anyone else any idea if this would work:
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/topeak/uni-super-tourist-for-disc-brake-931669#colcode=93166903 ??

It won't work - your bike doesn't have the threaded frame eyelets that would allow you to mount it. Which is why the shop has sold you a seatpost mounted one. But if you get them to send the correct size/design seatpost mounted one it should be fine.

 

[Orang Utan]

It won't work - your bike doesn't have the threaded frame eyelets that would allow you to mount it. Which is why the shop has sold you a seatpost mounted one. But if you get them to send the correct size/design seatpost mounted one it should be fine.

ta, so will only a seat post mounted one work on my bike? I should be asking for the V instead of the A? Others have said I should get a 'proper' rack - it would be lower then and give me more balance/room

 

[DJWrongspeed]

Ordered some more Panaracer tyres yesterday.
"International Deliveries – Temporarily Suspended 11/11/20"
That'll give me plenty of time to wear out my other ones

 

[Cid]

ta, so will only a seat post mounted one work on my bike? I should be asking for the V instead of the A? Others have said I should get a 'proper' rack - it would be lower then and give me more balance/room

A proper bike rack pannier rack is the type you just linked, that won't fit. Wiggle explains the fit on those Topeak beam racks... The one you have is for XS/S bikes... I assume you're on an M/L, and therefore yes, you need V. Chainreactioncycles have the kind you need in stock. Except that doesn't have the drop down bits.

Why the fuck Trek made a hybrid bike without pannier rack mounts still defeats me.

 

[Orang Utan]

A proper bike rack pannier rack is the type you just linked, that won't fit. Wiggle explains the fit on those Topeak beam racks... The one you have is for XS/S bikes... I assume you're on an M/L, and therefore yes, you need V. Chainreactioncycles have the kind you need in stock. Except that doesn't have the drop down bits.

Why the fuck Trek made a hybrid bike without pannier rack mounts still defeats me.

yeah, i'm getting a voucher to replace the A with a V - might be a while before they are back in stock though

 

[Orang Utan]

Anyway, have just ordered bike no.2 from the insurance voucher - a Ridgeback Avenida 7 2021 Hybrid Classic - a chunky step-through runaround for shopping and leisure that I can feel a bit less anxious about locking up outside:

 

[sleaterkinney]

Anyway, have just ordered bike no.2 from the insurance voucher - a Ridgeback Avenida 7 2021 Hybrid Classic - a chunky step-through runaround for shopping and leisure that I can feel a bit less anxious about locking up outside:
View attachment 285476

If that's the runaround, what's the hybrid with a rack for?

 

[Orang Utan]

If that's the runaround, what's the hybrid with a rack for?

riding to work and further afield

 

[TopCat]

Anyway, have just ordered bike no.2 from the insurance voucher - a Ridgeback Avenida 7 2021 Hybrid Classic - a chunky step-through runaround for shopping and leisure that I can feel a bit less anxious about locking up outside:
View attachment 285476

That’s a lovely machine.

 

[TopCat]

Put the rack on the hybrid and cosset the carbon jobbie.

 

[Cid]

I’d just commute on the ridgeback (which is a lot less nickable in any case) and keep the Trek for long rides out to the countryside.

 

[TopCat]

Did a 26 mile round trip today. I will feel it tomorrow but overall it’s getting easier and I’m really enjoying it.

 

[TopCat]

Not feeling anything near as sore as I anticipated.

 

[Orang Utan]

anyone here use a gopro? just setting one up now, but will probs end up using it more for fun - already plotting to stick it on a cat

 

[pbsmooth]

Thinking about it too. How you planning to mount/carry it?

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Attaching to helmets is thought to lessen the effectiveness of the helmet…

 

[TopCat]

I like my cycle in the hall best rather than the shed. Don’t care about handlebars in the kidneys during 2am piss.

 

[Orang Utan]

I like my cycle in the hall best rather than the shed. Don’t care about handlebars in the kidneys during 2am piss.

end of bed, on top of fridge, behind sofa, anywhere indoors innit

 

[Artaxerxes]

I like my cycle in the hall best rather than the shed. Don’t care about handlebars in the kidneys during 2am piss.

Can you get ones that the ends unscrew so you can thin the bike down a bit indoors?

Idle thoughts on how to deal with small space bikes...