Stupid New Years Resolution!
Discussion
962 miles.
Finally I have the right weather for my tyres. Not enough of it and 5,000+ road miles on a bike designed specifically for cross country work have claimed another victim. Instead of having a cog on my crankset I now have a rather decorative shark fin design. This only became apparent thanks to the added friction of the knobblies yesterday combined with a strong head wind. This morning the chain skipped more times than an Eminem track played on Radio One at 9:00am. The slightest bit of will to accelerate, tiniest of hills or turning into the wind made it skip again so it took best part of an hour to get home. This must be how normal commuters feel. Added to that the knobblies chucking snow, sluch, grit and stuff over my boots meant I couldn't feel my toes after three miles and when I got my socks off it looked as if I was going to lose both big toenails. Grrrr!
So the weather was perfect for my tyres but thanks to the crank deciding to lunch itself every time I pedaled with any effort let alone gusto I may as well have walked.
Good news. As I haven't used the two smaller crank wheels (I couldn't shift down to one earlier due to my front mech' being frozen solid) I can simply replace the 44 tooth outer ring.
I was thinking of this...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
...an extra four teeth should be good for a few mph flat out, but due to the way the frame and front mech' are designed it won't work.
Shark fins...
Daft gearing...
Can I get a 48t in there?
Finally I have the right weather for my tyres. Not enough of it and 5,000+ road miles on a bike designed specifically for cross country work have claimed another victim. Instead of having a cog on my crankset I now have a rather decorative shark fin design. This only became apparent thanks to the added friction of the knobblies yesterday combined with a strong head wind. This morning the chain skipped more times than an Eminem track played on Radio One at 9:00am. The slightest bit of will to accelerate, tiniest of hills or turning into the wind made it skip again so it took best part of an hour to get home. This must be how normal commuters feel. Added to that the knobblies chucking snow, sluch, grit and stuff over my boots meant I couldn't feel my toes after three miles and when I got my socks off it looked as if I was going to lose both big toenails. Grrrr!
So the weather was perfect for my tyres but thanks to the crank deciding to lunch itself every time I pedaled with any effort let alone gusto I may as well have walked.
Good news. As I haven't used the two smaller crank wheels (I couldn't shift down to one earlier due to my front mech' being frozen solid) I can simply replace the 44 tooth outer ring.
I was thinking of this...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
...an extra four teeth should be good for a few mph flat out, but due to the way the frame and front mech' are designed it won't work.
Shark fins...
Daft gearing...
Can I get a 48t in there?
Edited by Liquid Knight on Sunday 24th March 13:58
Funny how a simple ten minute job can turn into two hours of faffing about isn't it. New crank wheel, cleaned and wet lubed chain and checked the cassette for wear. Considering the mileage it's all pretty good. 
No today's faffing was due to setting my bike up for Summer (a-hem) 30 extra PSI for the forks and 10PSI less in the tyres. I have harder tyres and softer forks in the Winter to get the best out of the road temperature. I'm sure it's just psychosomatic but it's how I used to set my motorbikes up and I do it more out of habit than anything. The side walls are starting to look a little worse for wear from the salt grit so that's on my list for the next payday fairy visit.
No today's faffing was due to setting my bike up for Summer (a-hem) 30 extra PSI for the forks and 10PSI less in the tyres. I have harder tyres and softer forks in the Winter to get the best out of the road temperature. I'm sure it's just psychosomatic but it's how I used to set my motorbikes up and I do it more out of habit than anything. The side walls are starting to look a little worse for wear from the salt grit so that's on my list for the next payday fairy visit.
surely you can work out the diameter of the cog?
diameter is no of teeth x pitch of the teeth divided by pi
i think the pitch is 12.75mm (but you should be able to find this out)
using data for 48 teeth, diameter = 194.8mm
44 teeth = 178.57mm
(so the cog will be 8.11mm closer to your front mech)
diameter is no of teeth x pitch of the teeth divided by pi
i think the pitch is 12.75mm (but you should be able to find this out)
using data for 48 teeth, diameter = 194.8mm
44 teeth = 178.57mm
(so the cog will be 8.11mm closer to your front mech)
Edited by Dazza1968 on Friday 29th March 22:50
1041 miles.
I did work it out but without confirmation I wasn't willing to risk it. Also a larger cog up front would be counter productive in the winds we get here. As it will soon be the Summer season, when I work day shift I'll have a head wind all the time and when I'm on nights I'll have a tail wind all the time. The joys of being close to the sea and in a tornado alley.
As for my old cog I was thinking of wearing it on a chain for the blingers or better still attaching it on the end of a 1.5m pole that would be mounted to my seat post. Close overtakers are a bit of a menace these days so maybe a nice gauge down the side of their car would be an incentive to learn how to drive. Maybe provoke road rage so it would need to be quick release and weaponise-able. Within what I consider a reasonable amount of force of course officer.
So the new cog works and that's about it.
Oh, I did have a bit of an adventure yesterday. As I entered a 30 zone a car overtook me gave plenty of room and was slowing to turn right about a quarter of a mile further up the road. Mr black Audi A3 streamed past me at well over twice the limit as close to me as he could get. Obviously only driving six feet at a time meant he ploughed into the side of the car who was now turning right. Knocking him into a car parked on the other side of the road. As I stopped I heard a blast from a horn behind me and another car drove past me and straight into the three car pile up ahead. I made sure everyone was okay left my details with the innocent driver and the Police. As I continued my journey to work I got on the last stretch (I usually sprint this bit) and the road was partially blocked by the Police and a recovery truck. Another idiot driver had tried to overtake a line of traffic at about 70mph (in a 30 zone) panicked when he noticed a car coming the other way, only just missed it by driving along the pathway. The path wasn't gritted so he lost control and went through a fence. The other side of the fence was a six foot drop the he went down, hit the bottom, flipped back up and through the fence fifty yards later. He finally came to rest on the path a couple of feet away from where an old dear was walking her dog.
Be careful out there guys. These things happen in threes.
I did work it out but without confirmation I wasn't willing to risk it. Also a larger cog up front would be counter productive in the winds we get here. As it will soon be the Summer season, when I work day shift I'll have a head wind all the time and when I'm on nights I'll have a tail wind all the time. The joys of being close to the sea and in a tornado alley.
As for my old cog I was thinking of wearing it on a chain for the blingers or better still attaching it on the end of a 1.5m pole that would be mounted to my seat post. Close overtakers are a bit of a menace these days so maybe a nice gauge down the side of their car would be an incentive to learn how to drive. Maybe provoke road rage so it would need to be quick release and weaponise-able. Within what I consider a reasonable amount of force of course officer.
So the new cog works and that's about it.
Oh, I did have a bit of an adventure yesterday. As I entered a 30 zone a car overtook me gave plenty of room and was slowing to turn right about a quarter of a mile further up the road. Mr black Audi A3 streamed past me at well over twice the limit as close to me as he could get. Obviously only driving six feet at a time meant he ploughed into the side of the car who was now turning right. Knocking him into a car parked on the other side of the road. As I stopped I heard a blast from a horn behind me and another car drove past me and straight into the three car pile up ahead. I made sure everyone was okay left my details with the innocent driver and the Police. As I continued my journey to work I got on the last stretch (I usually sprint this bit) and the road was partially blocked by the Police and a recovery truck. Another idiot driver had tried to overtake a line of traffic at about 70mph (in a 30 zone) panicked when he noticed a car coming the other way, only just missed it by driving along the pathway. The path wasn't gritted so he lost control and went through a fence. The other side of the fence was a six foot drop the he went down, hit the bottom, flipped back up and through the fence fifty yards later. He finally came to rest on the path a couple of feet away from where an old dear was walking her dog.
Be careful out there guys. These things happen in threes.
1066 miles.
That is one thousand and sixty six miles my Fiat Panda has not been exposed to salt grit, mud and s
t left on the road. 
That means less welding to do later and the preservation of one of the UK's rarest cars continues. That's also about a million calories I've had to waste time and money in the gym and not looked like a pillock trying to avoid the hall of mirrors just in case the other people there aren't judgmental enough. Oh yes cycling to work is good. It's can also be nightmare-ish. With idiotic drivers, the weather, mechanical failure and motivational issues to deal with but ultimately I'm feel better for it.
I love driving (even a Fiat Panda) and my job isn't particularly involving or interesting enough to justify it's existence most days (that'd be the politically correct way of saying depressingly boring) by associating driving with that I began to think of driving as a means to a dead end. My grandfather told me "It's not an honest days work if you haven't broken a sweat". I stand by this and use my commute to keep me honest. If I come across as a bit of a prat putting down other commuters who pootle along without a care in the world while I try to get there quicker than the day before and time myself. It's not because I'm a serious cyclist (have the wrong tool for that job) it's because I'm breaking a sweat (avoiding any thought of my destination and the following twelve hours of my life) and also I'm a bit of a prat.
So first quarter conclusion? Bring on Summer. Not that I'm bothered by the weather but if people were to drive properly to the conditions I would be able to buy lotto tickets again as my luck won't be wasted on my commute.
That is one thousand and sixty six miles my Fiat Panda has not been exposed to salt grit, mud and s
t left on the road. That means less welding to do later and the preservation of one of the UK's rarest cars continues. That's also about a million calories I've had to waste time and money in the gym and not looked like a pillock trying to avoid the hall of mirrors just in case the other people there aren't judgmental enough. Oh yes cycling to work is good. It's can also be nightmare-ish. With idiotic drivers, the weather, mechanical failure and motivational issues to deal with but ultimately I'm feel better for it.
I love driving (even a Fiat Panda) and my job isn't particularly involving or interesting enough to justify it's existence most days (that'd be the politically correct way of saying depressingly boring) by associating driving with that I began to think of driving as a means to a dead end. My grandfather told me "It's not an honest days work if you haven't broken a sweat". I stand by this and use my commute to keep me honest. If I come across as a bit of a prat putting down other commuters who pootle along without a care in the world while I try to get there quicker than the day before and time myself. It's not because I'm a serious cyclist (have the wrong tool for that job) it's because I'm breaking a sweat (avoiding any thought of my destination and the following twelve hours of my life) and also I'm a bit of a prat.
So first quarter conclusion? Bring on Summer. Not that I'm bothered by the weather but if people were to drive properly to the conditions I would be able to buy lotto tickets again as my luck won't be wasted on my commute.
1091 miles.
Pretty pleased with my commute yesterday evening. Thirty five minutes and forty three seconds!
That works out an average of 20.14mph
The wind was perfect, not too warm (five-ish) degrees, not a lot of traffic holding me up and both sets of traffic lights were green for me. My first 20mph run of the year.
This morning by complete contrast was an epic battle between myself and letterbox drivers too busy doing other things to actually drive with any roadsense whatsoever.
Look if the operation of the vehicle you are traveling in is fifth on your list of priorities for the sake of others get a taxi/bus/train/walk/broomstick. Better still get a pushbike and see how you like it for a month.
Pretty pleased with my commute yesterday evening. Thirty five minutes and forty three seconds!
That works out an average of 20.14mph
The wind was perfect, not too warm (five-ish) degrees, not a lot of traffic holding me up and both sets of traffic lights were green for me. My first 20mph run of the year.
This morning by complete contrast was an epic battle between myself and letterbox drivers too busy doing other things to actually drive with any roadsense whatsoever.
Look if the operation of the vehicle you are traveling in is fifth on your list of priorities for the sake of others get a taxi/bus/train/walk/broomstick. Better still get a pushbike and see how you like it for a month.
1243 miles.
It's been an interesting and busy week. Coming close to the end of the poverty period thank's to my previous employer ripping £400 from my last pay check and it taking six weeks for my next one. I've been borrowing from Peter to pay Paul last month, paid Paul off so I was running on empty this month and with my days off being booked as holiday and Jesus's rebirthday I should be able to be above the line this coming month. The Payday Fairies are due to visit Monday and I spend my last fiver on food and stuff for work tomorrow and then (obviously I can't shop and be at work at the same time). The Spring weather has been kind with proper tail winds and favorable temperatures meaning I've dipped under thirty five minutes four times. Much to the annoyance of tin box commuters who can't understand why a bicycle can be near enough to the thirty speed limit for them to have difficulty overtaking. Lucky I'm not on a road bike. A dual suspension road bike would be awesome. Guess I'd better get my welder out at some point as they don't sell them I'll have to make one.
Back on track I've been annoyed, tired and frustrated thanks to losing sleep over money woes, my nephews thinking it's okay to instigate World War III when I'm working nights and the actual stress of having probably the worlds most unforefilling job. Not that I'm complaining. The site I'm at is about to make 350 people redundant so my situation could be a lot worse. The Payday Fairies will take Damocles's sword and shove it up various organisations bottoms.
On that note my bike needs two new wheels now as I hit a pothole near flat out thanks to a driver only giving me three inches to maneuver. Again I'm thinking bombproof rims with the existing hubs and decent (not DT fackin' Swiss) spokes.
Two of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330854901299?ssPageName=...
...and 72 of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/36-BLACK-STAINLESS-STEEL...
...and a bit of effort.
It's been an interesting and busy week. Coming close to the end of the poverty period thank's to my previous employer ripping £400 from my last pay check and it taking six weeks for my next one. I've been borrowing from Peter to pay Paul last month, paid Paul off so I was running on empty this month and with my days off being booked as holiday and Jesus's rebirthday I should be able to be above the line this coming month. The Payday Fairies are due to visit Monday and I spend my last fiver on food and stuff for work tomorrow and then (obviously I can't shop and be at work at the same time). The Spring weather has been kind with proper tail winds and favorable temperatures meaning I've dipped under thirty five minutes four times. Much to the annoyance of tin box commuters who can't understand why a bicycle can be near enough to the thirty speed limit for them to have difficulty overtaking. Lucky I'm not on a road bike. A dual suspension road bike would be awesome. Guess I'd better get my welder out at some point as they don't sell them I'll have to make one.
Back on track I've been annoyed, tired and frustrated thanks to losing sleep over money woes, my nephews thinking it's okay to instigate World War III when I'm working nights and the actual stress of having probably the worlds most unforefilling job. Not that I'm complaining. The site I'm at is about to make 350 people redundant so my situation could be a lot worse. The Payday Fairies will take Damocles's sword and shove it up various organisations bottoms.
On that note my bike needs two new wheels now as I hit a pothole near flat out thanks to a driver only giving me three inches to maneuver. Again I'm thinking bombproof rims with the existing hubs and decent (not DT fackin' Swiss) spokes.
Two of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330854901299?ssPageName=...
...and 72 of these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/36-BLACK-STAINLESS-STEEL...
...and a bit of effort.
Edited by Liquid Knight on Saturday 13th April 17:45
Hmmmm, I forgot about the Whyte set up. Having the hinge in the front swing arm always concerned me.
The problem with ideas is someone has pretty much always come with something similar...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suntour-Swing-Shock-700c...
...better than the D.I.Y option.
1318 miles.
There was a time trial going on along my commute route this evening. The local Lycra wearing society were out in force. The were being set off at ten second intervals and I managed to catch three. Probably due to this being their first ride of the year so I'll get trounced next time I see them.
One chap stayed with me and we got chatting even though this meant he went off course. He think's I'm mad for riding twenty five or so miles a day in all weathers. What's mad is he was on a £5,000+ bike wearing a £500 helmet and he rides 50-60 miles for the fun of it but drives seven miles to work.
I guess that's the difference between a cyclist and a rider. He goes on long rides for the fun of it and even though I enjoy riding mostly I do it to get to work and take long drives for the fun of it.
The problem with ideas is someone has pretty much always come with something similar...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suntour-Swing-Shock-700c...
...better than the D.I.Y option.
1318 miles.
There was a time trial going on along my commute route this evening. The local Lycra wearing society were out in force. The were being set off at ten second intervals and I managed to catch three. Probably due to this being their first ride of the year so I'll get trounced next time I see them.
One chap stayed with me and we got chatting even though this meant he went off course. He think's I'm mad for riding twenty five or so miles a day in all weathers. What's mad is he was on a £5,000+ bike wearing a £500 helmet and he rides 50-60 miles for the fun of it but drives seven miles to work.
I guess that's the difference between a cyclist and a rider. He goes on long rides for the fun of it and even though I enjoy riding mostly I do it to get to work and take long drives for the fun of it.
1404 miles.
I've driven to work this week and after an entire Winter (and a half if you believe the press but I don't think it was as cold this year barely a few minus double figure mornings and the coldest was -12'C instead of last year's -18'C and plus 20'C a week later. Anyway....) without a day off due to illness. Today I sound like Barry White. Yesterday was the warmest day of the year so far 21'C and I'm bloody ill. Could this be because I've driven my car and am not pumping my immunity around my body as much? Could it be because I used the air conditioner in the office and it smelled like a dead badger that had been wearing the same socks for two months? Could it be because I'd been working on my Transit and breathed in more rust and paint dust than other powders that are snorted on an entire Justin Beiber tour?
Who knows, but I'll be making a few phone calls to people I don't like while my voice is this low.
I've driven to work this week and after an entire Winter (and a half if you believe the press but I don't think it was as cold this year barely a few minus double figure mornings and the coldest was -12'C instead of last year's -18'C and plus 20'C a week later. Anyway....) without a day off due to illness. Today I sound like Barry White. Yesterday was the warmest day of the year so far 21'C and I'm bloody ill. Could this be because I've driven my car and am not pumping my immunity around my body as much? Could it be because I used the air conditioner in the office and it smelled like a dead badger that had been wearing the same socks for two months? Could it be because I'd been working on my Transit and breathed in more rust and paint dust than other powders that are snorted on an entire Justin Beiber tour?
Who knows, but I'll be making a few phone calls to people I don't like while my voice is this low.
1404 miles still.
Fixed my bike as waiting for insurers to payout is like waiting for Venus to Eclipse Mars. The Police have given the driver a driver awareness class and a slapped wrist.
Against Dr's orders I'm back on the saddle tomorrow as I've run out of petrol money and I'm bored of driving.
Fixed my bike as waiting for insurers to payout is like waiting for Venus to Eclipse Mars. The Police have given the driver a driver awareness class and a slapped wrist.
Against Dr's orders I'm back on the saddle tomorrow as I've run out of petrol money and I'm bored of driving.
1429 miles.
Bloody Hell I'm unfit. Apart from a bit of discomfort that'll be the intercostal muscles not fully recovered then. I was worried because my spit was pink but that was probably due to brushing my teeth in a hurry. I felt fine as soon as I was off the bike and stretched but by lunchtime I was as stiff as a board. Head wind all the way home. Grrrr!
Beer and bed.
Bloody Hell I'm unfit. Apart from a bit of discomfort that'll be the intercostal muscles not fully recovered then. I was worried because my spit was pink but that was probably due to brushing my teeth in a hurry. I felt fine as soon as I was off the bike and stretched but by lunchtime I was as stiff as a board. Head wind all the way home. Grrrr!
Beer and bed.
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