The official cycling thread

[Womack]

The second one's a DH bike. Not sure about the first, the geometry looks a bit steep.

[bealonian]

How do you find the Boardman Bealonian?

I'm looking to buy something roughly equivalent secondhand if possible. Was really looking at a Giant Rapid, Trek 7.5 or Felt QX85. Boardmans are occasionally going in Dublin too, might consider.

I like the Boardman for its speed, but I think it's a bit too delicate for me. I'm going through a spoke every two weeks (on average) and it's pissing me off. That said, I don't have much experience to compare it to as my previous bike was a low end Marin Larkspur, which was on the more MTB side of a hybrid.

I think it's an awful lot of bike for the money (new).

[Seez]

Schwalbe make some tough tyres. I have Durano Plus on my bike. Unfortunately, combined with the Prolite Comos, they make a very heavy and unforgiving combination.

Thanks Mick

Had a quick Google, came up with these. Slightly less width than my current tyres, but I really need a tough one with the flint round here.
http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... n_plus_mtb

By the way, has anyone ridden that single track down Box Hill towards Betchworth? Best bit of "natural" trail I've ever done, a real hidden gem.

Not done that one, tend to stick to leith and holmbury hills.

[Seez]

Can anyone recommend a really decent mountain bike tyre? I was out cycling on Slane street yesterday, the old Roman Road near Box Hill - it's wicked! Had a big blow-out on the rear when I hit some sharp flint - what a bang! Anyway, replaced the inner tube like you do, but left a hole in the Tyre. I need a more bullet proof tyre. 26" 2.25 is the size.
Thanks

I think specialised are doing armadillo puncture protection on mtb tyres now. Not used them but the armadillo road tyres coped with a lot of abuse when I used them for commuting.

[Clanger]

Schwalbe make some tough tyres. I have Durano Plus on my bike. Unfortunately, combined with the Prolite Comos, they make a very heavy and unforgiving combination.

Thanks Mick

Had a quick Google, came up with these. Slightly less width than my current tyres, but I really need a tough one with the flint round here.
http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... n_plus_mtb

By the way, has anyone ridden that single track down Box Hill towards Betchworth? Best bit of "natural" trail I've ever done, a real hidden gem.

Not done that one, tend to stick to leith and holmbury hills.

Yes, I do Leith Hill and Holmbury to. But this trail is great - I think it's way better than Summer Lightning. As you head away from the visitor center into Box Hill village, just past the church, bridleway starts on the right hand side. You really must! Not good if wet though.

Ill have a look at those tyres. Popping into Evans tomorrow.

[Seez]

Anyone favour a particular brand of paniers? Looking for some bags for my horse to carry my gear in. Sizeable enough for two changes of clothes, and pref. water-proof.

Hoping to do some touring in the spring or summer.

Ortlieb back rollers are completely waterproof in my experience. Actually I don't remember submerging them so "completely" might be over the top but they have coped with torrential rain while riding without letting any water through.

[Apposite]

How do you find the Boardman Bealonian?

I'm looking to buy something roughly equivalent secondhand if possible. Was really looking at a Giant Rapid, Trek 7.5 or Felt QX85. Boardmans are occasionally going in Dublin too, might consider.

I like the Boardman for its speed, but I think it's a bit too delicate for me. I'm going through a spoke every two weeks (on average) and it's pissing me off. That said, I don't have much experience to compare it to as my previous bike was a low end Marin Larkspur, which was on the more MTB side of a hybrid.

I think it's an awful lot of bike for the money (new).

Cheers! Mind me asking what weight you are mate? I am just under 15st.

That's approximately 5/6 of a Womack.

[bealonian]

How do you find the Boardman Bealonian?

I'm looking to buy something roughly equivalent secondhand if possible. Was really looking at a Giant Rapid, Trek 7.5 or Felt QX85. Boardmans are occasionally going in Dublin too, might consider.

I like the Boardman for its speed, but I think it's a bit too delicate for me. I'm going through a spoke every two weeks (on average) and it's pissing me off. That said, I don't have much experience to compare it to as my previous bike was a low end Marin Larkspur, which was on the more MTB side of a hybrid.

I think it's an awful lot of bike for the money (new).

Cheers! Mind me asking what weight you are mate? I am just under 15st.

That's approximately 5/6 of a Womack.

You'll be fine. By the Womack scale of lardiness I rate about a 1.3 (currently about 19st).

[Womack]

Schwalbe make some tough tyres. I have Durano Plus on my bike. Unfortunately, combined with the Prolite Comos, they make a very heavy and unforgiving combination.

Thanks Mick

Had a quick Google, came up with these. Slightly less width than my current tyres, but I really need a tough one with the flint round here.
http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... n_plus_mtb

By the way, has anyone ridden that single track down Box Hill towards Betchworth? Best bit of "natural" trail I've ever done, a real hidden gem.

Not done that one, tend to stick to leith and holmbury hills.

Yes, I do Leith Hill and Holmbury to. But this trail is great - I think it's way better than Summer Lightning. As you head away from the visitor center into Box Hill village, just past the church, bridleway starts on the right hand side. You really must! Not good if wet though.

Ill have a look at those tyres. Popping into Evans tomorrow.

I'm planning to hit Leith Hill for the first time in a couple of weeks. Can't wait - so far my MBing experience consists of the singletrack circuit at Bedgebury Forest in Kent - it's OK but I'm definitely keen to start going further afield.

A mate of mine has just moved to Ewell so I've got a base from which to hit the trails around those parts...

[Womack]

I've just received a new short-sleeve merino base layer for the summer, it's made by a company called Orca, and was on clearance at half-price on Chain Reaction down from £70-odd quid

Just reading through the blurb on the tags, apparently:

"It is constructed from Orca's unique SeaMerino™ fabric, which combines the natural performance characteristics of ultra-fine New Zealand Merino wool, with the health and wellbeing benefits of a seaweed based fibre called Seacell."

On the other side:

"SeaMerino™ contains active nutrients, vitamins and minerals which are released by the fabric and absorbed into the skin, stimulating skin cell regeneration and blood flow, and quenching free radicals. The active elements remain in the garment wash after wash and enhance Merino's natural ability to regulate body temperature, breathe and prevent body odour."

Holy f**king shit, I'm going to be awesome after wearing this thing for a few weeks

[JM2K6]

Sounds like you'll be strongly tempted to eat the f**king thing

[Womack]

The tag also has a list of 'active substances' comprising carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins and minerals

I might just wear it round the clock, I'd save a fortune on food.

[Apposite]

My only concern would be that you could put on weight cycling. Wearing that thing for half an hour sound like eating a 5 course meal.

[Womack]

Wore it in this morning, the only problem is that after absorbing a bit of sweat, it gives off a faint but distinct aroma of seaweed

No wonder the fucker was half price. On the plus side, I did look quite cool in it, and that's the main thing, after all.

[Armchair_Superstar]

Wore it in this morning, the only problem is that after absorbing a bit of sweat, it gives off a faint but distinct aroma of seaweed

No wonder the fucker was half price. On the plus side, I did look quite cool in it, and that's the main thing, after all.

You'll be fighting the chicks off

On flint-proof tyres, Schwalbe have a "snakeskin" casing which is tougher than standard. Its a good time of the year to get a fast rolling rear tyre like a Racing Ralph. I also like the Maxxis Larsens but I can't remember what the tougher casing is called from Maxxis. Don't get talked into a full dual-ply tyre as it will weigh a f**king tonne.

[Womack]

A-S,

So is having a fast rolling tyre on the rear and a more nobbly tyre on the front a good way to go IYO? I think I've got 2.35 Maxxis High Roller at the back and a Minion at the front at the moment, but was thinking of getting some faster rolling tyres for the summer. Would be quite happy only shelling out for one though!

Somebody recommended me Kenda fast block 8s, any thoughts on these? The Racing Ralphs seem to get good reviews.

[Nieghorn]

Anyone have any good, simple (video appreciated) instructions on how to adjust the real derailleur? I can't shift into the lowest gear and while it changes fine between the others when I'm working on it, it's not so when I'm riding it. I could take it to the shop, but a) I'd like to learn, and b) I'm going to sell it and know I can get x for it now, but will lose any profit by adding y for repairs.

[musefreek]

what do you need to setup up that little camera thing on your helmet? and how much does it cost?

[Womack]

You need a helmet cam. GoPro seems to be a well regarded brand, there are others too. Try checking out youtube helmet cam vids, I think most channels would say what camera they used somewhere or other. You can make a decision based on which vids you think are best vs what you are willing to spend.

Why do you want one - protection on the roads or making cool vids? Or both?

[Seez]

You need a helmet cam. GoPro seems to be a well regarded brand, there are others too. Try checking out youtube helmet cam vids, I think most channels would say what camera they used somewhere or other. You can make a decision based on which vids you think are best vs what you are willing to spend.

Why do you want one - protection on the roads or making cool vids? Or both?

I have just been researching these and Contour look like the best option for a helmet cam. Better form factor than Go Pro and the GPS and Plus (http://contour.com/products/contour-plus) models have GPS tracking and can connect to an iPhone or Android jobby for checking the view and changing settings. The Plus model is more expensive but looks worth it for the much better quality footage. Amazon looks like the cheapest deal at the moment.

You can also get much cheaper but low quality cameras (google for dog cam or check ebay) but if you want to use one of those to identify miscreant drivers you will have to shout the reg number out when incidents happen as the quality probably won't be good enough to resolve the plate.

I used to use one for snowboarding but in those days (2004) i had to have the helmet cam wired to a camcorder in my backpack and a battery pack in my jacket, and the camcorder wired to a remote control in my jacket pocket. Too much of a pain in the arse to use it very often so my advice would be that it's worth paying more to get the most convenient system that does exactly what you want.

[musefreek]

You need a helmet cam. GoPro seems to be a well regarded brand, there are others too. Try checking out youtube helmet cam vids, I think most channels would say what camera they used somewhere or other. You can make a decision based on which vids you think are best vs what you are willing to spend.

Why do you want one - protection on the roads or making cool vids? Or both?

cheers. making cool vids!

[Womack]

I have just been researching these and Contour look like the best option for a helmet cam. Better form factor than Go Pro and the GPS and Plus (http://contour.com/products/contour-plus) models have GPS tracking and can connect to an iPhone or Android jobby for checking the view and changing settings. The Plus model is more expensive but looks worth it for the much better quality footage. Amazon looks like the cheapest deal at the moment.

You can also get much cheaper but low quality cameras (google for dog cam or check ebay) but if you want to use one of those to identify miscreant drivers you will have to shout the reg number out when incidents happen as the quality probably won't be good enough to resolve the plate.

I used to use one for snowboarding but in those days (2004) i had to have the helmet cam wired to a camcorder in my backpack and a battery pack in my jacket, and the camcorder wired to a remote control in my jacket pocket. Too much of a pain in the arse to use it very often so my advice would be that it's worth paying more to get the most convenient system that does exactly what you want.

That's quite a difference in price between the normal HD and the Plus! I wouldn't use one on the road, tbh, nothing interesting every happens to me apart from the odd SMIDSY near miss. Would be quite cool to film the odd MBing run though, but I couldn't really justify the expense for the level and frequency of my MBing exploits...

[musefreek]

this morning whilst pedaling to the gods on gower street i let out a fart. like really dropped the bomb. unfortunately i approached a set of traffic lights at speed which turned red, so i had to stop. man, i tell you, that bastard of a fart followed me 50 damn meters down the road. all of the cyclists around and behind me were coughing and clearly couldn't wait to get away from the vicinity.

story of my life.

[Armchair_Superstar]

A-S,

So is having a fast rolling tyre on the rear and a more nobbly tyre on the front a good way to go IYO? I think I've got 2.35 Maxxis High Roller at the back and a Minion at the front at the moment, but was thinking of getting some faster rolling tyres for the summer. Would be quite happy only shelling out for one though!

Somebody recommended me Kenda fast block 8s, any thoughts on these? The Racing Ralphs seem to get good reviews.

Your rear makes the biggest difference to the rolling resistance. I prefer a bit of extra grip on the front, if the front slips badly you generally end up in a world of pain. If the rear slips, you can usually get away with it. The type of bike you are on will encourage you to go a bit mental on the descents in the dry, its always good to have a bit of extra grip up front. I would probably go for a Larsen because they roll really well and have a surprising amount of grip in the mud for a summer tyre. Small(?) Block 8s or Racing Ralphs are both a similar type of tyre to the Larsen, you wouldn't go far wrong with either.

[cheese cutter]

Neig,
this site has how-to articles, no video but I have used it for a couple of things,
http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/fettling.html

This has videos:
http://bicycletutor.com/

lots more on youtube as well.

[Womack]

Oh yeah, Small Block 8s is right

Cheers, will go with that sort of set-up then.

[Armchair_Superstar]

Anyone have any good, simple (video appreciated) instructions on how to adjust the real derailleur? I can't shift into the lowest gear and while it changes fine between the others when I'm working on it, it's not so when I'm riding it. I could take it to the shop, but a) I'd like to learn, and b) I'm going to sell it and know I can get x for it now, but will lose any profit by adding y for repairs.

Sheldon Brown - Google him.

It sounds like either your limit screw is out (stops the mech from shifting past the end of the cogs), or your cable has stretched and your shifter isn't pulling enough cable to get you onto the biggest cog.

If you sort out your limit screws and get the cable re-tensioned, it might clear up the gear changes. If it doesn't your shifter might have a barrel adjuster to fine tune the cable tension.

Or your drivetrain might just be a bit worn out?

[Armchair_Superstar]

Oh yeah, Small Block 8s is right

Cheers, will go with that sort of set-up then.

Coming into the best time of year for biking. Drier trails, not too hot, nettles aren't up yet!

[Seez]

That's quite a difference in price between the normal HD and the Plus! I wouldn't use one on the road, tbh, nothing interesting every happens to me apart from the odd SMIDSY near miss. Would be quite cool to film the odd MBing run though, but I couldn't really justify the expense for the level and frequency of my MBing exploits...

Having some sort of comeback would help to disperse any SMIDSY-induced red mist but on the rare occasion of a near miss, I don't usually lose it. So I wouldn't buy one just for that but I might be able to justify it if I can also use it for mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing with kids, etc.

[Apposite]

I have just been researching these and Contour look like the best option for a helmet cam. Better form factor than Go Pro and the GPS and Plus (http://contour.com/products/contour-plus) models have GPS tracking and can connect to an iPhone or Android jobby for checking the view and changing settings. The Plus model is more expensive but looks worth it for the much better quality footage. Amazon looks like the cheapest deal at the moment.

You can also get much cheaper but low quality cameras (google for dog cam or check ebay) but if you want to use one of those to identify miscreant drivers you will have to shout the reg number out when incidents happen as the quality probably won't be good enough to resolve the plate.

I used to use one for snowboarding but in those days (2004) i had to have the helmet cam wired to a camcorder in my backpack and a battery pack in my jacket, and the camcorder wired to a remote control in my jacket pocket. Too much of a pain in the arse to use it very often so my advice would be that it's worth paying more to get the most convenient system that does exactly what you want.

That's quite a difference in price between the normal HD and the Plus! I wouldn't use one on the road, tbh, nothing interesting every happens to me apart from the odd SMIDSY near miss. Would be quite cool to film the odd MBing run though, but I couldn't really justify the expense for the level and frequency of my MBing exploits...

Sorry Mate I didn't See You?

f**king hate that Got knocked off a motorbike twice and got that both times. Well the second time it was an old dear crying and shaking so much I was afraid she'd have a heard attack. I was bleeding all over the shop and I nearly ended up calling an ambulance for her.

[Womack]

Sorry Mate I didn't See You?

Watertight defence for many near-fatal bits of fuckwittery on the road.

[Nieghorn]

Neig,
this site has how-to articles, no video but I have used it for a couple of things,
http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/fettling.html

This has videos:
http://bicycletutor.com/

lots more on youtube as well.

Cheers!

(I have seen Sheldon Brown's site, but it's too wordy and too technical for me. I'm quite new to all this self-repair shit, and paragraphs of jardon - or at least trying to remember it all and then go outside - has proven useless.)

[bealonian]

Neig,
this site has how-to articles, no video but I have used it for a couple of things,
http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/fettling.html

This has videos:
http://bicycletutor.com/

lots more on youtube as well.

Cheers!

(I have seen Sheldon Brown's site, but it's too wordy and too technical for me. I'm quite new to all this self-repair shit, and paragraphs of jardon - or at least trying to remember it all and then go outside - has proven useless.)

+1 on the bike tutor, although he has since started charging subscriptions

[Nieghorn]

Housemate and I almost bought 17 bikes in one lot from a government auction today. We probably could have still turned a profit going above the limit we set ourselves, but we were bidding online and didn't get a chance to check the quality of the good ones. Lots of cheap dept store ones, but there were also two Specialized (incl what looked from the photos to be a new Stumpjumper frame), a GT with rear suspension, a Giant road bike and a decent Schwinn.

We were each going to keep one, sell a few and donate those not worth it to a local not-for-profit that harvests, repairs and sells cheaply in a low income community.

[Apposite]

Housemate and I almost bought 17 bikes in one lot from a government auction today. We probably could have still turned a profit going above the limit we set ourselves, but we were bidding online and didn't get a chance to check the quality of the good ones. Lots of cheap dept store ones, but there were also two Specialized (incl what looked from the photos to be a new Stumpjumper frame), a GT with rear suspension, a Giant road bike and a decent Schwinn.

We were each going to keep one, sell a few and donate those not worth it to a local not-for-profit that harvests, repairs and sells cheaply in a low income community.

What did they go for?

[Nieghorn]

I just checked, and it seems a piddly $460. ... if so ... My buddy was doing the bidding and said it doesn't work like ebay where you can counter-bid. You put in what you'd pay and when the auction closes, they take the highest bidder. It's all blind up to that point. (f**king stupid if you ask me, but that's the government for you ... )

I'd have been willing to go higher if I'd actually seen them in person (and if I hadn't bought a brand new bike on Monday and if my work contract wasn't ending in five weeks). We just learned about this site two days before the end of the auction and the only viewing times are on Weds during the time we both work.

[Apposite]

I just checked, and it seems a piddly $460. ... if so ... My buddy was doing the bidding and said it doesn't work like ebay where you can counter-bid. You put in what you'd pay and when the auction closes, they take the highest bidder. It's all blind up to that point. (f**king stupid if you ask me, but that's the government for you ... )

I'd have been willing to go higher if I'd actually seen them in person (and if I hadn't bought a brand new bike on Monday and if my work contract wasn't ending in five weeks). We just learned about this site two days before the end of the auction and the only viewing times are on Weds during the time we both work.

Someone got a cracker of a deal there.

[fisgard792]

the one thing aboot scotland is that it can be called the mtb capital of the world, if your into trails, you will struggle to beat

http://www.7stanesmountainbiking.com/Home

tons of natural stuff too

though if you miss the buzz from rugby, you could always try this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr5FGOKY3RM

[Womack]

How much are those Contour Plus jobbies again? Had a fun bit of road rage this morning. Got a pretty close pass from a red Octavia, I normally shrug off close passes but it seemed like there was aggressive intent behind this one so as I passed him again at the next set of lights I gave him a bit of a look to see if he was looking aggressive or just oblivious. It was definitely the former and he shouted something angry and unintelligible, but the lights had gone green so I just pressed on, knowing what was coming. Sure enough, he caught up and pulled alongside me with his window down. I'm not very good at staying calm in these situations unfortunately - my opening gambit was 'that was too f**king close!' which he countered with the classic 'stay in your f**king bike lane, then' (slightly odd as there is no bike lane on the stretch of road where he passed me, and I'm fairly sure I'd only strayed from somewhere near the curb to pass a stopped bus).

Sadly, cycling along at 20mph, with a car a couple of metres off the starboard bow, is not conducive to reasoned discourse - so rather than pointing out the lack of a bike lane for me to stay in, and giving him a detailed explanation of defensive cycling techniques, and explaining the highway code vis-a-vis cycle lanes, and ruminating upon the danger and stupidity of punitive close passes, I simply responded, in a voice rapidly rising into the upper registers, 'I don't have to be in the f**king bike lane, you plum!'. Faced with this compelling counter-argument, he pulled out the heavy guns: 'You don't pay road tax, you f**king plum'. Seeing my opportunity, I applied the coup-de-grace: 'I own a f**king car you wanker!'*

At this point, a motorcyclist who'd been hovering behind, and had presumably seen everything going back to the close pass, pulled in between us and shouted 'learn to f**king drive!' at the bloke in the car. This brought proceedings to a close, the biker sped off down the road and the car followed suit. Of course, I caught the car back up again at the next lot of lights but contented myself with giving him an extravagant wanker sign as I went past rather than continuing the debate. Didn't see him again, as he was in a long queue of traffic and would have essentially remained so all the way to wherever he was going - the fact that other cars and not cyclists were causing him this long delay probably not occuring to his pea brain.

All good fun anyway - on second thoughts, a camera probably still not a good idea as the quality of my arguments is probably not worth recording for posterity.

*A bit of a shame I said this as it reinforces the idea that Vehicle Excise Duty is 'Road Tax'. But again, the situation was not conducive to a precise explanation of why his 'Road Tax' argument was spurious.

[Seez]

£320 or so on Amazon I believe although cheaper ones may do the job adequately.

If you had the footage you could stick it on youtube with the reg in the title of the video and spell out your argument in more detail. That usually generates lots of quality, reasoned, adult debate

On a serious note I saw a cabby swerve across someone in a cycle lane and he was very aggressive towards his victim until he noticed that i had stopped and was watching. He asked me "what are you, his witness?" and when I said yes (even though I hadn't really seen the whole thing) he changed tack completely. However, when a passing police van turned up the cabby immediately told them the cyclist had sworn at him and they were far more interested in that than the collission / near miss. So be careful with the terms of endearment. I find "oik" and "peasant" in as posh an accent as possible far more effective. Slow finger wag and shake of the head much better than wanker sign too.

Cheer yourself up with some footage (not mine) of a couple of trails on Holmbury Hill (next one over from Leith, can give you GPS co-ords for these if you want them):

http://vimeo.com/22168256

http://vimeo.com/22509014