Stupid New Years Resolution!
Discussion
TwistingMyMelon said:
yellowjack said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
Liquid Knight said:
1,911 miles.
Chain number six is dead. Along with another £80 to replace it.
I think I'll go on eBay and find an £80 bike instead. I'm getting annoyed with this expensive bike being so unreliable.
Excuse the ignorance, is the route all road? I'd try and get a decent roadie on ebay for >£250 or less , you sound like you do a a decent pace so will be able to exploit the benefits even more so. Or at least another bike to split the miles over.Chain number six is dead. Along with another £80 to replace it.
I think I'll go on eBay and find an £80 bike instead. I'm getting annoyed with this expensive bike being so unreliable.
Is that six chains in 2k miles?
By comparison I'm getting about 2,500 miles per chain on my road bike, and about 800 miles per chain on my MTB.That's before we even think about the £80 per chain to replace one.
Seriously, I paid £35 for a genuine like-for-like Ultegra chain, and £30 for a KMC replacement item last time out. £80 is steep for a chain, unless you're talking about £80 all in for cassette AND chain?? Granted I'm not commuting in the wilds of East Angular in all weathers, and I'm pretty good about keeping the drive train clean and lubed, but at the rate your going, the car looks like a cheaper option? 
£80 would be for chain and cassette but the Shimann HG30-9 has been superseded by the HG50-9 that's on less than half price at my local bike bits shop so £69 instead.
In total I've had six chains, four cassettes, two cranksets, the forks resealed twice, two rear shocks and three sets of wheels. Triggers broom of a bike but still gets me to work in one-ish piece.
The red rear tyre has done all of those 10,000 miles and I sent a nice message to Curio on their Facebook page along with an order for a new pair. The recommended the puncture resistant tyre I tested for them complete with the reflective strip I suggested.
https://www.facebook.com/curioUK?fref=ts
Out of all the bits that have gone wrong the tyres have been superb value.
Having said that I'm going for something a little more subtle this time...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190647921248?var=4900534...
...black with a red sidewall so they don't look beige (like the white ones) and orangey pink like the red ones.
That's still a chain every 1,666 miles.
I need to compose my acceleration better. I'm a hammer down and go type. If I were to take it easier (I'd be bored) chains and bits could last longer. Having said that I wouldn't need to pedal as hard if I didn't always have a bloody headwind.
So here's the 10,000 mile tyre...
...on the chain side excess lube has eaten away at the sidewall so the bead lip is starting to show its stitching...
...I don't know if you can tell from the photo's but the canvas pattern is starting to show as the rubber is now very thin.
For £18 including posting I can honestly say these have been some of the best tyres I've ever used. Apart from discolouring due to road muck the white ones are still in very good condition and will be in use until the new ones arrive.
I did another Fog Light Experiment Monday morning...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ-pfXAgF_c&fea...
...Tuesday's view was a little less limited.
While I'm looking at cassettes and chains (driving to work so I'll pop in on my way) I'll look at an auxiliary front light as well. The Bikehut single LED one is completely knackered. Limited shelf life of the LED I think as it was killing batteries progressively quicker and now barely lasts a week.
I need to compose my acceleration better. I'm a hammer down and go type. If I were to take it easier (I'd be bored) chains and bits could last longer. Having said that I wouldn't need to pedal as hard if I didn't always have a bloody headwind.
So here's the 10,000 mile tyre...
...on the chain side excess lube has eaten away at the sidewall so the bead lip is starting to show its stitching...
...I don't know if you can tell from the photo's but the canvas pattern is starting to show as the rubber is now very thin.
For £18 including posting I can honestly say these have been some of the best tyres I've ever used. Apart from discolouring due to road muck the white ones are still in very good condition and will be in use until the new ones arrive.
I did another Fog Light Experiment Monday morning...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ-pfXAgF_c&fea...
...Tuesday's view was a little less limited.
While I'm looking at cassettes and chains (driving to work so I'll pop in on my way) I'll look at an auxiliary front light as well. The Bikehut single LED one is completely knackered. Limited shelf life of the LED I think as it was killing batteries progressively quicker and now barely lasts a week.
TwistingMyMelon said:
Excuse the ignorance, is the route all road? I'd try and get a decent roadie on ebay for >£250 or less , you sound like you do a a decent pace so will be able to exploit the benefits even more so. Or at least another bike to split the miles over.
I have been reconsidering the joys of using a road bike 30=mph would be a lot less effort but I would prefer to borrow one for a few days to see if my back can take it. If not build a 700C rear wheeled recumbent and have aerodynamic advantage as well as gearing. My new tyres arrived today and I'm a little concerned...
...they might be a little subtle.
Both the red and white tyres were round...
...and allowed me to feel the need to stick my knee out when taking roundabouts aggressively.
The new tyres have a wider profile, directional tread and lip around the edge...
...this is great news for wet riding as the directional tread will throw water away form the tyre and the lip will help keep the rims dry. Very important if you don't have disc brakes. But...
...could this lip effect the lean angle in the dry?
It looks to be nice and progressive and a wider contact patch than the rounder tyres. I'll let you know after a couple of hundred miles. Another observation, even though the profile is wider and the tyre certainly feels thicker there is little to no difference in the weight. This could well be another superb tyre and from my first impression another bargain buy.
Also the Solar powered rear light arrived today from China. It's on the window sill charging and I'll give it a try next time I'm out and about.
...they might be a little subtle.
Both the red and white tyres were round...
...and allowed me to feel the need to stick my knee out when taking roundabouts aggressively.
The new tyres have a wider profile, directional tread and lip around the edge...
...this is great news for wet riding as the directional tread will throw water away form the tyre and the lip will help keep the rims dry. Very important if you don't have disc brakes. But...
...could this lip effect the lean angle in the dry?
It looks to be nice and progressive and a wider contact patch than the rounder tyres. I'll let you know after a couple of hundred miles. Another observation, even though the profile is wider and the tyre certainly feels thicker there is little to no difference in the weight. This could well be another superb tyre and from my first impression another bargain buy.
Also the Solar powered rear light arrived today from China. It's on the window sill charging and I'll give it a try next time I'm out and about.
1986 miles
What a difference a day makes.
Yesterday I was stopped by a local Police officer for doing 35.7mph.
This morning with an air of smugness...
"Only 28 today!"
...I replied...
"Yeah; it's a headwind".
I'm going to feel guilty about how cacked up that shiny cog set it going to get.
What a difference a day makes.
Yesterday I was stopped by a local Police officer for doing 35.7mph.
This morning with an air of smugness...
"Only 28 today!"
...I replied...
"Yeah; it's a headwind".
I'm going to feel guilty about how cacked up that shiny cog set it going to get.
2011 miles.
Hmmmm. I was a little concerned how tired I was this morning after a forty minute run. My front tyre was 20psi and my rear 32psi.
Someone looking for the end of their bell had let my tyres down!!!!
As my tyres are new and I'm not used to them yet I thought I was coming down with a cold or the wind was heavier than I thought it was.
Time to fill my dust caps with milk I think.
Hmmmm. I was a little concerned how tired I was this morning after a forty minute run. My front tyre was 20psi and my rear 32psi.
Someone looking for the end of their bell had let my tyres down!!!!
As my tyres are new and I'm not used to them yet I thought I was coming down with a cold or the wind was heavier than I thought it was.
Time to fill my dust caps with milk I think.
2037 miles
Sram hollow pin chains are less than half price at Halfords....
....because they are absolute crap!
126 miles of normal road use and the normally £60 chain is
! Between half and a millimeter of play in every single link.
I'll get the cheaper, heavier, nastier one tomorrow at least they last a bit longer.
Sram hollow pin chains are less than half price at Halfords....
....because they are absolute crap!
126 miles of normal road use and the normally £60 chain is
! Between half and a millimeter of play in every single link. I'll get the cheaper, heavier, nastier one tomorrow at least they last a bit longer.
No Shimano chains in stock and as I want to go more than a hundred miles this time I didn't get a Sram.
I got the cheapest nine speed chain Halfords had. Clarkes C9 is an old YBN design, thick enough to have writing stamped on every link yet as smooth as the Sram was when first fitted. Let's see how the next hundred miles or so go.
I got the cheapest nine speed chain Halfords had. Clarkes C9 is an old YBN design, thick enough to have writing stamped on every link yet as smooth as the Sram was when first fitted. Let's see how the next hundred miles or so go.
2087 miles and the smoothest ride to work in ages.
Thirty six minutes and I spent most of it in the top three gears. I had to brake for the roundabout so I haven't pushed the new tyres yet.
This morning's typical Sunday drivers. Condensation cleared on the front screens only, passing within inches of my handle bar; just as well there were only seven vehicles that passed me. The one thing I like about Saturday night shift is I'm the only one daft enough to be on the road at silly AM Sunday morning. I was lovely and fresh out as well. I should have taken a pair of thin gloves. The air temperature was about 7'C but the humidity and wind chill (at 20-ish mph) was enough for my hands to go that blue/purple/red you normally get in December.
I'm thinking of getting a seat post mounted rack for my bag instead of a small trailer. I can then mount a 1.5m pole on the back of my bike covered with reflective tape and with a light on the outer edge. Maybe then alleged drivers will overtake at an appropriate distance.
Thirty six minutes and I spent most of it in the top three gears. I had to brake for the roundabout so I haven't pushed the new tyres yet.
This morning's typical Sunday drivers. Condensation cleared on the front screens only, passing within inches of my handle bar; just as well there were only seven vehicles that passed me. The one thing I like about Saturday night shift is I'm the only one daft enough to be on the road at silly AM Sunday morning. I was lovely and fresh out as well. I should have taken a pair of thin gloves. The air temperature was about 7'C but the humidity and wind chill (at 20-ish mph) was enough for my hands to go that blue/purple/red you normally get in December.
I'm thinking of getting a seat post mounted rack for my bag instead of a small trailer. I can then mount a 1.5m pole on the back of my bike covered with reflective tape and with a light on the outer edge. Maybe then alleged drivers will overtake at an appropriate distance.
2137 miles
Grrrr!
ATTENTION ALL DRIVERS!!!
If you do not clear the condensation from your side windows you can not see what's around you.
If you can not see what's around you and I'm there I will smash your window so you can see me!
Five near misses in two days. I'm wearing my carbon knuckle duster bike gloves tonight.
Grrrr!
ATTENTION ALL DRIVERS!!!
If you do not clear the condensation from your side windows you can not see what's around you.
If you can not see what's around you and I'm there I will smash your window so you can see me!
Five near misses in two days. I'm wearing my carbon knuckle duster bike gloves tonight.
TwistingMyMelon said:
Liquid Knight said:
2037 miles
Sram hollow pin chains are less than half price at Halfords....
....because they are absolute crap!
126 miles of normal road use and the normally 60 chain is ! Between half and a millimeter of play in every single link.
I'll get the cheaper, heavier, nastier one tomorrow at least they last a bit longer.
I'm lost I dont get how a chain can die so quick? On my 15 year old MTB commuter I stuck a cheap single speed chain o on (with a 7 spd cassette) and never really cleaned it and it was solid after 2000+ miles. My standard fit campag chain was only half worn after 3K comuteing milesSram hollow pin chains are less than half price at Halfords....
....because they are absolute crap!
126 miles of normal road use and the normally 60 chain is
! Between half and a millimeter of play in every single link. I'll get the cheaper, heavier, nastier one tomorrow at least they last a bit longer.
Either that or it's my tree trunk He-Man legs.
2187 miles.
Pretty uneventful ride home this morning and I finally get a day off (I only had three days off at the start of September). So I'll be under my brothers BMW swearing at the ABS sensors shortly but...
Good morning sir.
Good morning.
Do you have any idea why I asked you to stop?
No.
Do you know how fast you were going?
Not at all; I don't have a speedometer and there's no other traffic to use as a guide.
35.7mph
Really? (the tinnitus of a car headed towards us)
Maybe you should look into getting a computer for your bike.
Not unless they make it compulsory. Have a nice day.
I can see where he was coming from. Drivers don't expect cyclist to be going anywhere near the speed limit and have a nasty habit of pulling out of junctions, roundabouts, driveways and so on because they may look but hardly ever see. Especially at silly o'clock in the morning.
Pretty uneventful ride home this morning and I finally get a day off (I only had three days off at the start of September). So I'll be under my brothers BMW swearing at the ABS sensors shortly but...
TheLemming said:
Im curious as to what they said?
...it went a little like this...Good morning sir.
Good morning.
Do you have any idea why I asked you to stop?
No.
Do you know how fast you were going?
Not at all; I don't have a speedometer and there's no other traffic to use as a guide.
35.7mph
Really? (the tinnitus of a car headed towards us)
Maybe you should look into getting a computer for your bike.
Not unless they make it compulsory. Have a nice day.
I can see where he was coming from. Drivers don't expect cyclist to be going anywhere near the speed limit and have a nasty habit of pulling out of junctions, roundabouts, driveways and so on because they may look but hardly ever see. Especially at silly o'clock in the morning.
I get a sweaty back.
Bleaugh!
'cos when I ride I wear a ruck sack.
Bleaugh!
So I'm trying to decide between a trailer or rack.
Bleaugh!
To make my commute a little less whack!
Look out for the Walrus!
So my ruck sack is getting old and tired. They are still available and superb but...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hi-Vis-bag-Rucksack-2-Co...
...any bag of this type will trap moisture and not allow air flow.
Due to the design of my bike I need to either have a seat post mounted rack...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avenir-Pioneer-Urban-Eli...
...and pannier bag big enough for a change of clothes, laptop, food, drink and stuff...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Cycle-Bike-Rear-...
...or a trailer with bag instead.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cargo-Bicycle-Bike-Trail...
The rack and panniers will effect the geometry of the bike and I'm sure it will be weird for a while but I should get used to it pretty quick. The trailer is an extra tyre to take care of, compromise the handling of the bike (no more knee scraping roundabouts) and could the limited suspension of both options damage my laptop?
Any ideas guy?
That was just a t'shirt's and a spirted commute. If I hurry it's worse. I must go to Aldi and get another one of their jackets at some point. They are superb. Also how about a sidecar? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAn-mdS-otE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAn-mdS-otE
I'd get one for when I go hare causer and lamper hunting.
2195 miles.
Just been to the shop and back. There's never a Police officer around when you need one. Completely flat out in the tail wind section. For the first time this year I could still feel the wind behind me as I was gunning it. I've previously calculated the top speed for the bike is 38 mph and this was it. Sadly this only lasted an eights of a mile so twenty five-ish seconds later I turned left ninety degrees and had to lean the bike between five and ten degrees to go in a straight line. Three quarter tail winds the back of the bike felt as if it wanted to lift, three quarter headwinds and the bike felt heavy. Headwind! Even with my elbows on the handle bars 10-12 mph was good going.
Tomorrow's commute will be fun.
2195 miles.
Just been to the shop and back. There's never a Police officer around when you need one. Completely flat out in the tail wind section. For the first time this year I could still feel the wind behind me as I was gunning it. I've previously calculated the top speed for the bike is 38 mph and this was it. Sadly this only lasted an eights of a mile so twenty five-ish seconds later I turned left ninety degrees and had to lean the bike between five and ten degrees to go in a straight line. Three quarter tail winds the back of the bike felt as if it wanted to lift, three quarter headwinds and the bike felt heavy. Headwind! Even with my elbows on the handle bars 10-12 mph was good going.
Tomorrow's commute will be fun.
2221 miles.
That was so much fun!
This morning the forecast was for heavy rain and 50+mph tailwinds. The sky was the clearest I've seen in ages and 10-20mph tops.
The ride home was either a head or three quarter headwind. Steady 20mph and gusts up to fifty. If I put weight on the back wheel the front felt light and twitchy; if I put weight over the front the back wheel would lose grip.
Thirteen miles in forty four minutes.
I hope the wind holds for the morning.
That was so much fun!
This morning the forecast was for heavy rain and 50+mph tailwinds. The sky was the clearest I've seen in ages and 10-20mph tops.
The ride home was either a head or three quarter headwind. Steady 20mph and gusts up to fifty. If I put weight on the back wheel the front felt light and twitchy; if I put weight over the front the back wheel would lose grip.
Thirteen miles in forty four minutes.
I hope the wind holds for the morning.
2272 miles.
This morning.
Drizzle, 3/4 tailwind, tailwind, 3/4 headwind, headwind, 3/4 tailwind, tailwind, 3/4 tailwind, tailwind, 3/4 head wind, headwind, 3/4 tailwind, side wind, 3/4 headwind, side wind, tail wind, all 20-30mph with gusts of up to 60mph (recorded at Marham). I had to stop for one red light (about thirty seconds) and had to slow for one car in a thirty zone (I was flat out hoping my friendly Police Officer friend was there). Left my house at 05:45 and arrived at work at 06:18....
THIRTY THREE MINUTES!!!
...but because it was a bloody gale the time doesn't count.
Last nights headwind was a turbo trainer session for this mornings sprint I recon.
This evening was a different story. Proper rain and no wind at all. I like proper rain because as soon as you've been out for a couple of minutes you're as wet as you are going to get. That drizzle stuff from earlier was crap. I was soaked through without realising it and three layers of skin removed from my face. With the sugarbeet season mud pack my complexion should be marshmallowy soft now. Women pay a fortune for this kind of treatment and some conservative MP's pay by the hour for it.
Proper rain and no wind meant a nice and consistent thirty six minute ride home. I'm glad I'm getting back of form after my off.
Novembers forecast is for heavy snow?
Bring it!
This morning.
Drizzle, 3/4 tailwind, tailwind, 3/4 headwind, headwind, 3/4 tailwind, tailwind, 3/4 tailwind, tailwind, 3/4 head wind, headwind, 3/4 tailwind, side wind, 3/4 headwind, side wind, tail wind, all 20-30mph with gusts of up to 60mph (recorded at Marham). I had to stop for one red light (about thirty seconds) and had to slow for one car in a thirty zone (I was flat out hoping my friendly Police Officer friend was there). Left my house at 05:45 and arrived at work at 06:18....
THIRTY THREE MINUTES!!!
...but because it was a bloody gale the time doesn't count.
Last nights headwind was a turbo trainer session for this mornings sprint I recon.
This evening was a different story. Proper rain and no wind at all. I like proper rain because as soon as you've been out for a couple of minutes you're as wet as you are going to get. That drizzle stuff from earlier was crap. I was soaked through without realising it and three layers of skin removed from my face. With the sugarbeet season mud pack my complexion should be marshmallowy soft now. Women pay a fortune for this kind of treatment and some conservative MP's pay by the hour for it.
Proper rain and no wind meant a nice and consistent thirty six minute ride home. I'm glad I'm getting back of form after my off.
Novembers forecast is for heavy snow?
Bring it!
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