The Cycling Chat Thread

[sleaterkinney]

Any recommendations for winter gloves? Any recommended brands?

These ones. Also, if your core gets cold then blood will be drawn away from your extremities.

dhb Extreme Winter Gloves | Wiggle

Buy your dhb Extreme Winter Gloves from our Gloves range at Wiggle. £27.00. Free delivery available.

www.wiggle.com

 

[DJWrongspeed]

Was looking at Wiggle/ChainReaction & Sigma deals recently. Now is the time to buy a bike. The post pandemic over stock moment has finally arrived.

 

[RubyToogood]

Has anyone cracked the issue of indoor bike storage? Mine was living in my hallway when I didn't need to get into the spare room. Now I've done the spare room up as a work room it's living in there which isn't ideal.

It's not the sort of light thing you can easily lift onto a wall hanger. I don't think my ancient plaster would take the strain either.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Has anyone cracked the issue of indoor bike storage?

Currently have three in my living room, and another 2 hanging off hooks on a door at the top of my stairs.

So no, not really

 

[Dogsauce]

I had a nice little alcove in one of the tunnels at the back of the house which was perfect height for hanging the road bike from the front wheel, you could get three bikes in there side by side, and at about 400 deep it stopped them poking too far into the room. However we had the whole back part tanked out last year which took about 100 off the floor which means it doesn’t work as well now, and I might have to take the wheel off once I get it back in use.

i used some cheap hangers I found on eBay, through some stupid deal it was cheaper to buy five than two. This sort of thing:

4x Bike Storage Wall Mounted Hook Bicycle Rack Hanger Holder Garage Steel Stand | eBay

The hook cover with thick rubber prevents scratches on the bicycle rim. With the scooter hook, you can easily remove and hang the electric scooter. Wall-mounted scooter pylons vertically hang bicycles to save space.

www.ebay.co.uk

I had them attached to the top of the alcove with bike hanging down, but they’re supposed to be installed vertically.

 

[weepiper]

Has anyone cracked the issue of indoor bike storage? Mine was living in my hallway when I didn't need to get into the spare room. Now I've done the spare room up as a work room it's living in there which isn't ideal.

It's not the sort of light thing you can easily lift onto a wall hanger. I don't think my ancient plaster would take the strain either.

Two mountain bikes in a cupboard in the living room. Another mountain bike, a commuter and a BMX stacked together in the living room. Road bike in the bedroom. HTH

 

[Dogsauce]

We have another five outside, under shelter of the walkway above which just about keeps the rain off them. Only one currently working but two of them only need punctures fixing, including my current pub bike.

 

[likesfish]

Any recommendations for winter gloves? Any recommended brands?

Finger Trigger Mittens - Grade 1

Finger Trigger Mittens - Grade 1. Genuine British Army Field Kit Direct From the MoD - we cannot be beaten on price. Order online now or call for advice.

www.britishmilitarysurplus.co.uk

if your out all day these things may look like camofluaged oven gloves but keep your hands dry. Unlike altura waterproof gloves that lasted 2 hours

 

[spitfire]

Thinking about signing up for Ride London Essex 60 in May. Anyone else done it?

 

[cm.london.30]

I'd love to ride in a critical mass event. Must be a good atmosphere.

Come to this event, it should be really big and there's an after party for riders.

a 30th Birthday Anniversary ride for Critical Mass London - Sunday 14/04/24

HOLD TIGHT... it's a 30th Birthday Party Ride for Critical Mass London! It's all taking place on SUNDAY 14TH APRIL 2024 12pm : meet at Southbank 1pm : Ride 3pm : After Party (bring a lock) 1994 saw jungle music move from the underground into mainstream consciousness, the hated Criminal...

www.urban75.net

 

[jontz01]

Come to this event, it should be really big and there's an after party for riders.

a 30th Birthday Anniversary ride for Critical Mass London - Sunday 14/04/24

HOLD TIGHT... it's a 30th Birthday Party Ride for Critical Mass London! It's all taking place on SUNDAY 14TH APRIL 2024 12pm : meet at Southbank 1pm : Ride 3pm : After Party (bring a lock) 1994 saw jungle music move from the underground into mainstream consciousness, the hated Criminal...

www.urban75.net

Thanks, but I've just left the UK again. Looks great, should be quality day out.

 

[nick]

Come to this event, it should be really big and there's an after party for riders.

a 30th Birthday Anniversary ride for Critical Mass London - Sunday 14/04/24

HOLD TIGHT... it's a 30th Birthday Party Ride for Critical Mass London! It's all taking place on SUNDAY 14TH APRIL 2024 12pm : meet at Southbank 1pm : Ride 3pm : After Party (bring a lock) 1994 saw jungle music move from the underground into mainstream consciousness, the hated Criminal...

www.urban75.net

User name checks out.



(Tempted to go to my first cm)

 

[sleaterkinney]

Has anyone cracked the issue of indoor bike storage? Mine was living in my hallway when I didn't need to get into the spare room. Now I've done the spare room up as a work room it's living in there which isn't ideal.

It's not the sort of light thing you can easily lift onto a wall hanger. I don't think my ancient plaster would take the strain either.

We used to store 6 in a one bed flat. These are really good, you can set the bottom one so there’s not much lifting to do.

 

[Orang Utan]

Has anyone cracked the issue of indoor bike storage? Mine was living in my hallway when I didn't need to get into the spare room. Now I've done the spare room up as a work room it's living in there which isn't ideal.

It's not the sort of light thing you can easily lift onto a wall hanger. I don't think my ancient plaster would take the strain either.

I keep mine in the corridor, not ideal but better than in the ground floor garage where it’ll get nicked. I used to keep it at the bottom of the bed in my tiny flat in London, which I was fine with but others might not be

 

[spitfire]

Come to this event, it should be really big and there's an after party for riders.

a 30th Birthday Anniversary ride for Critical Mass London - Sunday 14/04/24

HOLD TIGHT... it's a 30th Birthday Party Ride for Critical Mass London! It's all taking place on SUNDAY 14TH APRIL 2024 12pm : meet at Southbank 1pm : Ride 3pm : After Party (bring a lock) 1994 saw jungle music move from the underground into mainstream consciousness, the hated Criminal...

www.urban75.net

User name checks out.



(Tempted to go to my first cm)

I've been to a couple over the years but could be up for this.

We could have an Urban 75 cadre.

 

[braindancer]

I used to be a regular - not been for years though....

I'd have been up for it but not in the country that date.

Hope it goes well.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

Thinking about signing up for Ride London Essex 60 in May. Anyone else done it?

Yes , i've done the Surrey route twice and the inaugural Essex one.
The current route is fairly flat and safer than the Surrey route. The finish line is tower bridge which isn't quite as grand as The Mall. You did feel grand cornering into Admiralty Arch at the end.
If you never done a closed road sportive it's super fun.

 

[spitfire]

Yes , i've done the Surrey route twice and the inaugural Essex one.
The current route is fairly flat and safer than the Surrey route. The finish line is tower bridge which isn't quite as grand as The Mall. You did feel grand cornering into Admiralty Arch at the end.
If you never done a closed road sportive it's super fun.

Nice one thank you.

Yes I’m liking the flat aspect of it after London to Brighton last September.

I saw a comment elsewhere that the queues to get started are really long. Did you experience that?

 

[weepiper]

If anyone is thinking it's a bit cold to ride your bike, my Canadian friend has just posted a picture of herself in full ski kit with the caption 'getting groceries by bicycle in -37'. Apparently the bike was very hard to pedal because the grease in the bearings was freezing

 

[DJWrongspeed]

I saw a comment elsewhere that the queues to get started are really long. Did you experience that?

Yup, try and get an early slot, it can be cold that time of the morning so bring a packable jacket for standing around in. I think we waited over an hour.

 

[spitfire]

Yup, try and get an early slot, it can be cold that time of the morning so bring a packable jacket for standing around in. I think we waited over an hour.

Nice one. Thanks for the tip.

 

[spitfire]

Mini Fire got her first road bike.

Look how happy. Hahaha. Will help her build stamina for the bmx races hopefully.



And yes she always normally has a helmet.

 

[pbsmooth]

nice short film

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

apologies if this has been asked / answered before....

I got a new mountain bike about 6months ago , and I have disk brakes for the first time. Had to get the pads replaced at the weekend. Is that normal? I thought it would last longer than that ....
For ref: I am using bike to commute and round trip is 20 miles , and do that 4 times a week . normal city traffic. not high speed and not hard on the brakes imho . maybe the pads that came with the bike wernt high quality?

looked up google and it says there are 3 types of pads: syntered, organic, and semi-metal . Anyone got strong feelings which are the best (for me: see above)?

 

[DownwardDog]

If anyone is thinking it's a bit cold to ride your bike, my Canadian friend has just posted a picture of herself in full ski kit with the caption 'getting groceries by bicycle in -37'. Apparently the bike was very hard to pedal because the grease in the bearings was freezing

I did an 83km loop in the hills this morning. Stopped for water 4 times and drank 7.5L in total. Feel fucking awful now.

 

[DownwardDog]

apologies if this has been asked / answered before....

I got a new mountain bike about 6months ago , and I have disk brakes for the first time. Had to get the pads replaced at the weekend. Is that normal? I thought it would last longer than that ....
For ref: I am using bike to commute and round trip is 20 miles , and do that 4 times a week . normal city traffic. not high speed and not hard on the brakes imho . maybe the pads that came with the bike wernt high quality?

looked up google and it says there are 3 types of pads: syntered, organic, and semi-metal . Anyone got strong feelings which are the best (for me: see above)?

You are lucky they lasted that long in the winter. Sintered pads for a commuter. Don't get any oil or grease on them.

 

[a_chap]

I did an 83km loop in the hills this morning. Stopped for water 4 times and drank 7.5L in total. Feel fucking awful now.

Just water? Or water + electrolytes?

You absolutely need electrolytes.

 

[TopCat]

apologies if this has been asked / answered before....

I got a new mountain bike about 6months ago , and I have disk brakes for the first time. Had to get the pads replaced at the weekend. Is that normal? I thought it would last longer than that ....
For ref: I am using bike to commute and round trip is 20 miles , and do that 4 times a week . normal city traffic. not high speed and not hard on the brakes imho . maybe the pads that came with the bike wernt high quality?

looked up google and it says there are 3 types of pads: syntered, organic, and semi-metal . Anyone got strong feelings which are the best (for me: see above)?

There is very little meat on cycle disc pads. I am dubious of disc brakes on cycles generally.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

On my third set of pads after 4000km of off-road riding with a heavy bike and heavy rider, so would guess that quality varies, mine are Shimano.