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I've just ridden home on my new mountain bike.
I used to ride for miles when I was a kid, but I'm in peices after riding the one mile from the shop.
I didn't realise I lived at the top of a mountain.
Mind you, it will be good fun riding down it again on my way to work in the morning.
Weeeeeee!
Seemed like a good idea at the time. It's murder getting parked at the office which is only two miles from my house.
The weather's getting better, mornings are lighter...
WHAT HAVE I DONE?
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: Seemed like a good idea at the time. It's murder getting parked at the office which is only two miles from my house.
The weather's getting better, mornings are lighter...
WHAT HAVE I DONE?
Eh? Did you put your clock forward? Mornings are darker!
That's d-a-r-k-e-r.
It's the evenings which are lighter. Which is why I'm still at work - cos they haven't shut Regents Park yet and I can still walk to Camden through there, even at this time of night! (And maybe get mugged by a gang of 20 teenagers, but that's not he point)
The mornings are dead light up here anyway. By 7am you don't need your headlights, even now the clocks have gone back.
And the evenings go on forever.
By June we'll have 3 hours of darkness. It's not even proper darkness, it just goes a bit dim for a bit.
It's one of the advantages of living this far north.
In fact, it's the only advantage as far as I am aware!
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: The mornings are dead light up here anyway. By 7am you don't need your headlights, even now the clocks have gone back.
Sun-up's at 6.30 in London at the moment, but it was 5.45 before the clocks went forward. D-a-r-k-e-r. 
Right, I'm off to gangbanged in the park by the Red Hang Gang. If you don't hear from me again, it was nice knowing you! 
Must stick with Biggie here, the mornings are in fact getting lighter, dawn comes earlier each day. The one off moving of clocks to defer this phenomenon is a man made nonsense, and only made it darker one day, those following days were lighter than the day on which the clocks went forward.
I can no longer ride a bike, owing to me sore bits, so I may pass no further comment on that.
the facts as i see them as i walk to work at 6.30 am is that it is DARKER than it was a week or 2 ago, it wil of course get lighter but for now, it is indeed,darker.
eldorado wrote: the facts as i see them as i walk to work at 6.30 am is that it is DARKER than it was a week or 2 ago, it wil of course get lighter but for now, it is indeed,darker.
Yes, BUT, today was lighter than yesterday, and darker than tomorrow. So the mornings are getting lighter, except for one morning, last Sunday. And of course the time from sunset to sunrise is decreasing daily.
Dawn is now visible here from as early as just after 5.
Just been out for half an hour, just to get the feel of it.
I'm knackered! i didn't realise I lived at the bottom of a steep hill. It's uphill everywhere round here.
And those bloody speed humps motorists don't look where they're going fucking third rate citizens us cyclists I pay my taxes just like everyone else it's a disgrace I tell you.
Lance Armstrong must be shitting himself!
I were right about that saddle though
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: my new mountain bike.... Weeeeeee!
Good job there, Biggie. But you should swap out those mountain bike knobbie tyres for some commuter slicks-- they're far more efficient.
Comrade Shampanyov wrote:
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: my new mountain bike.... Weeeeeee!
Good job there, Biggie. But you should swap out those mountain bike knobbie tyres for some commuter slicks-- they're far more efficient.
How are they on wet and greasy roads?
Over here, and where the bigster is, after a few dry days, a little light rain can create what amounts to a lubricating layer betwixed wheel and road, you can near go on yer hole on foot it's that bad. It's basically dust and condensed fuel vapoour that stays cohesive until water gets in on the act.
I know a lot of roads stateside are concrete and that in general they're built a little differnet. So I just wonder if the same thing happens and if slicks are terrifying in such conditions.
Otherwise they sound like a fuckin fabulous idea.
Well, there is the whole, business of this being the UK and it being pissing wet 350 days of the year too.
Comrade Shampanyov wrote: Good job there, Biggie. But you should swap out those mountain bike knobbie tyres for some commuter slicks-- they're far more efficient.
The guy in the shop, bless him, wanted to sell me a COMMUTER BIKE.
He was certainly right that it was the best choice for me, being a commuter and everything.
But I'm a non-reformed Tonka nut. I wanted knobbly tyres, suspension, disk brakes and low gears. In the end he shrugged and sold me what I wanted. It's got a flashing light on too.
It's a boy's bike. Like Roysers.
Oh dear.
I'm having a mid-life crisis, aren't I!
I was very close to buying a BMX.
Doctor? wrote:
Comrade Shampanyov wrote:
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: my new mountain bike.... Weeeeeee!
Good job there, Biggie. But you should swap out those mountain bike knobbie tyres for some commuter slicks-- they're far more efficient.
How are they on wet and greasy roads?
Over here, and where the bigster is, after a few dry days, a little light rain can create what amounts to a lubricating layer betwixed wheel and road, you can near go on yer hole on foot it's that bad. It's basically dust and condensed fuel vapoour that stays cohesive until water gets in on the act.
I know a lot of roads stateside are concrete and that in general they're built a little differnet. So I just wonder if the same thing happens and if slicks are terrifying in such conditions.
Otherwise they sound like a fuckin fabulous idea.
Well, there is the whole, business of this being the UK and it being pissing wet 350 days of the year too.
I'm not sure about the "greasy" part, but some commuter tyres do admirably well on wet roads. Don't forget, here in Portland, the bike capital of America, it rains from October through May. Check with your local bike shop, I'm sure they can recommend tyres suitable for wet roads.
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote:
Comrade Shampanyov wrote: Good job there, Biggie. But you should swap out those mountain bike knobbie tyres for some commuter slicks-- they're far more efficient.
The guy in the shop, bless him, wanted to sell me a COMMUTER BIKE.
He was certainly right that it was the best choice for me, being a commuter and everything.
Yes, he was. But you can still commute on your mountain bike (although if you have low-quality shocks, they will make the ride less efficient because they transfer some of the energy from your crankset to a useless up-and-down motion), and even more efficiently with the proper tyres. If you'd like, get a second wheelset, and use one set for efficient commuting, another set for your midlife crisis stunt-biking.
The main purpose of the exercise (see what I did there) is to get a little fitter. So a slightly less efficient bike isn't really a problem as it delivers a bit more of a workout on my ride to work (which is only 2 miles so hardly the Tour de France).
This next bit is disgusting. Don't read it if you're eating and don't say you weren't warned...
My office is surrounded by cobbled streets I pass several fish factories on my route through this area. So the cobbles are covered with a lovely greasy fishy paste. I sometimes tail slide my car around in this solution when it's late and there's no parked cars around. So I imagine my knobbles and suspension (front only) will come in handy there.
The front forks have adjustable tension but, honestly, I'm sure I'm some way off needing to optimise my bike in this way. It's just a way of getting some exercise, beating the traffic and never having to worry about parking.
...and it gives me an excuse to ram a large piece of chamois down the front of my kecks, obviously 
Comrade Shampanyov wrote:
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote:
Comrade Shampanyov wrote: Good job there, Biggie. But you should swap out those mountain bike knobbie tyres for some commuter slicks-- they're far more efficient.
The guy in the shop, bless him, wanted to sell me a COMMUTER BIKE.
He was certainly right that it was the best choice for me, being a commuter and everything.
Yes, he was. But you can still commute on your mountain bike (although if you have low-quality shocks, they will make the ride less efficient because they transfer some of the energy from your crankset to a useless up-and-down motion), and even more efficiently with the proper tyres. If you'd like, get a second wheelset, and use one set for efficient commuting, another set for your midlife crisis stunt-biking.
That only goes for rear shocks, front shocks don't effect yer efficiency (unless they are not set right)... but they make it easier on the elbows.
I'm all about them hardtails
Street bikes are for girlie-men
EdelBrock wrote:
Comrade Shampanyov wrote:
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote:
Comrade Shampanyov wrote: Good job there, Biggie. But you should swap out those mountain bike knobbie tyres for some commuter slicks-- they're far more efficient.
The guy in the shop, bless him, wanted to sell me a COMMUTER BIKE.
He was certainly right that it was the best choice for me, being a commuter and everything.
Yes, he was. But you can still commute on your mountain bike (although if you have low-quality shocks, they will make the ride less efficient because they transfer some of the energy from your crankset to a useless up-and-down motion), and even more efficiently with the proper tyres. If you'd like, get a second wheelset, and use one set for efficient commuting, another set for your midlife crisis stunt-biking.
That only goes for rear shocks, front shocks don't effect yer efficiency (unless they are not set right)...
Stand behind one headed uphill on a city street and watch the up-and-down bounce.
Now admittedly, a good set of shocks won't do that.
EdelBrock wrote: but they make it easier on the elbows.
Street bikes are for girlie-men
First he complains about how hard it is to ride without shocks, and then he calls guys who ride without shocks "girlie-men."
Never ridden a bike equipped with shocks in my life, mind.
I think you missed it, hardtails are bikes with only front shocks.... and still mountian bikes.....
FACT: street bikes are....well.....bikes for girlie-men
EdelBrock wrote: I think you missed it, hardtails are bikes with only front shocks.... and still mountian bikes.....
FACT: street bikes are....well.....bikes for girlie-men
I know what a hardtail is, but really, aren't you the one who missed it? You complained that it's hard to ride without shocks...And then called guys who ride without shocks "girlie-men."
Must be in the Republican genetic code, always getting everything bass-ackwards.
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: The mornings are dead light up here anyway. By 7am you don't need your headlights, even now the clocks have gone back.
And the evenings go on forever.
By June we'll have 3 hours of darkness. It's not even proper darkness, it just goes a bit dim for a bit.
It's one of the advantages of living this far north.
In fact, it's the only advantage as far as I am aware!
What about the sheep?
Shug wrote:
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: The mornings are dead light up here anyway. By 7am you don't need your headlights, even now the clocks have gone back.
And the evenings go on forever.
By June we'll have 3 hours of darkness. It's not even proper darkness, it just goes a bit dim for a bit.
It's one of the advantages of living this far north.
In fact, it's the only advantage as far as I am aware!
What about the sheep?
Aberdeen - Where men are men,
and sheep are nervous....
Sheep are too easy
We've moved onto Llamas now, it's the south american influence - latino animals
Damn Dark Dyce wrote: With a subject thread such as this; things were always going to sleazy, were they
LeggyD wrote:
Damn Dark Dyce wrote: With a subject thread such as this; things were always going to sleazy, were they
LeggyD wrote: Don't forget to get a good quality lube, Biggy
What's that for?
Tell you what, it's a while before I achieve my ambition of riding to the Web.
I thought I'd be meeting Royser there last night, but there's no way I'd have made it!
I got wet on the way to work this morning as well.
No one said it was going to be easy 
EDIT: It's only 3.4 miles to GH if you go over the secret bridge.
Right. Next week
Over 5 miles to the Web though 
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote:
LeggyD wrote: Don't forget to get a good quality lube, Biggy
What's that for?
Should always give your equipment some lubrication before a hard ride
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: The main purpose of the exercise (see what I did there) is to get a little fitter. So a slightly less efficient bike isn't really a problem as it delivers a bit more of a workout on my ride to work (which is only 2 miles so hardly the Tour de France).
This next bit is disgusting. Don't read it if you're eating and don't say you weren't warned...
My office is surrounded by cobbled streets I pass several fish factories on my route through this area. So the cobbles are covered with a lovely greasy fishy paste. I sometimes tail slide my car around in this solution when it's late and there's no parked cars around. So I imagine my knobbles and suspension (front only) will come in handy there.
The front forks have adjustable tension but, honestly, I'm sure I'm some way off needing to optimise my bike in this way. It's just a way of getting some exercise, beating the traffic and never having to worry about parking.
...and it gives me an excuse to ram a large piece of chamois down the front of my kecks, obviously
that post has made my night! made me feel a bit sick at some point,but its shear talent
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote: The front forks have adjustable tension but, honestly, I'm sure I'm some way off needing to optimise my bike in this way.
To adjust yer forks properly, when you are riding the bike, stand up and push down on the handlebars. The shocks should retract somewhere between an inch to 3/4 inch. Tighten or loosen to get it just right.... its worth the effort.
LeggyD wrote:
Biggest Thing on Two Wheels wrote:
LeggyD wrote: Don't forget to get a good quality lube, Biggy
What's that for?
Should always give your equipment some lubrication before a hard ride
I've asked colin to supply me with his rim specs.
Here's mine;
RIMS Specialized/Alex RHD 26, double wall, eyelets,
fitted new tyres to mine, gone from 700x20 to 700x23 for comfort then realised i don't have a pump any more, so just ordered a floor pump off tinternet
will be back in the saddle soon.
There's me thinking a rider is 4 bottles of JACK DANIELS,4 bottles of VODKA 132 cans of STELLA,13 cheese on biscuits and a DUSTER!
I've got a puncture :(
Does this mean that I have to start dicking around with spoons while my Mum shouts "where's my washing up bowl" at me, or has technology come up with something better than all that?
Do I win 40psi?
I told yer , Colin ! , some weeks back when you got yer bike , you HAVE to get some SLIME .Puncture prevention stuff that you put in your inner tubes.Bit late now but get yerself a new tube and put Slime in it.And in your other good tube too.I swear by the stuff.I never get punctures.Of course , i'll go and get one tomorrow now i've said that.
Aha I wish I'd read back now.
Of course you did.
In fact, that was what I was asking. I knew someone had mentioned something that might help.
COLIN you are FULL of HOT air.....
And i ain't got no money and i ain't got no HAIR....oh no don't say it's TRUE.
The RETURN OF THE Thin WHite DRUNK.
Biginmikitchen wrote: Aha I wish I'd read back now.
Of course you did.
In fact, that was what I was asking. I knew someone had mentioned something that might help.
He's talking about a product you purchase...
...not jizzing in yer innertubes there mate!
Did about 12 miles on Wednesday, 1st outing of the 'summer'. I was in bits, me buttocks are still killing.
Should've got the train home. Though I would have missed seeing a Chinook take off from abar 100 yards, if I had.
This last day or two i fitted a new block and chain , a new front chainwheel , a new front chainwheel gear changer , a new front chainwheel gear change cable, new brake blocks on front and rear , regreased the bracket and bearings on the rear wheel and pumped the tyres up.Goes like a rocket now! wheh hey! 
Life on the edge eh?
I used to work in a bycycle shop when i first left school actually.The bosses daughter was well fit.And she used to fancy me
The smell of WD40 does it for me.What a high that stuff gives me whooooohhhh eeehhh.I use it as air freshener around the house you know.But it settles on the laminate floor and things get WHOOPS a daisy!! slippery slidy.er , not reallyGreat stuff though.Polishes anything.Although i heard a story recently where the spirit measures in a pub were all squeaky every time the barmaids pressed the glasses to them to fill up.So this dumb twat decides to spray WD40 on them to loosen them up.You can imagine what happened to the taste of the drinks after that Loads of people ended up in hospital
that's it, i'm getting me a new bike through the cycle to werk scheme
any suggestions for which brand/ model?
in an ideal world i'd prefer campag to shimano, but realise that's getting harder these days 
was looking at cyclocross bike as opposed to an mtb or an out & out road bike cos of pot holes etc
have some michelin booted mavic 700c open4c rims can swap in for road rides
Rural Country Boy wrote: I told yer , Colin ! , some weeks back when you got yer bike , you HAVE to get some SLIME .Puncture prevention stuff that you put in your inner tubes.Bit late now but get yerself a new tube and put Slime in it.And in your other good tube too.I swear by the stuff.I never get punctures.Of course , i'll go and get one tomorrow now i've said that.
Slime is bloody awful. Really messy and adds about 3 tons to your rolling weight.
For an MTB/Commuter get some tyres with a light Kevlar band. Like Schwalbe Marathon Racer
And get a floor pump to get them up to maximum pressure. That's 60-80psi for 26" MTB tyres, 100-120 for 700c Road bike tyres.
It's still spoons to get the tyre off but don't dick around with bowls of water and glue patches - ditch the tube for a new one. And don't pinch it putting the tyre back on!!
hibster wrote: that's it, i'm getting me a new bike through the cycle to werk scheme any suggestions for which brand/ model? in an ideal world i'd prefer campag to shimano, but realise that's getting harder these days
was looking at cyclocross bike as opposed to an mtb or an out & out road bike cos of pot holes etc
have some michelin booted mavic 700c open4c rims can swap in for road rides
If Bristol fashion is anything like London you'll have to get a Fixed. Everyone here is a Fakenger.
Bonus is you don't have to put up with that noisy Campag freewheel and daft shifters 
Royser wrote:
I've asked colin to supply me with his rim specs.
Here's mine;
RIMS Specialized/Alex RHD 26, double wall, eyelets,
I noticed with some interest that slime is not featured on the website of my local cycle shop, and I don't recall seeing it in the shop. This did make me suspect that it may be something that pwopah bike-heads sneer at. I was also wondering whether the introduction of high-viscosity liquid into the inner tube would affect the dynamics of the wheel at all.
I’ve bought the repair kit now. Chucking the inner tube out seems incredibly wasteful. I’m a bit shocked by that suggestion.
They use nitrogen for aircraft tyres you know
Biginmikitchen wrote:
I’ve bought the repair kit now. Chucking the inner tube out seems incredibly wasteful. I’m a bit shocked by that suggestion.
Yeah, a bit wasteful. But driving to work is more so. And with decent tyres well pumped and often checked for cuts and debris I expect at least 3000 miles between p*nct*res
They use nitrogen for aircraft tyres you know
I'm waiting for them to invent Helium tubes.
Should make the bike lighter and if you get a p*nct*re it'll make you sound like Joe Pasquale
I've never noticed the Slime stuff affecting the dynamics of the wheels or adding extra rolling weight etc although i'm sure it probably does.I'm not really a bike head , only use the cycle to get to work.Not big on long cycle rides in my spare time although i'm thinking about doing a bit one of these weekends if the weather's good.Can understand proper bike heads turning their noses up at Slime but each to their own.I started using it some years back when i had a succession of punctures.I rarely get punctures now , if ever.
LeggyD wrote:
hibster wrote: that's it, i'm getting me a new bike through the cycle to werk scheme any suggestions for which brand/ model? in an ideal world i'd prefer campag to shimano, but realise that's getting harder these days
was looking at cyclocross bike as opposed to an mtb or an out & out road bike cos of pot holes etc
have some michelin booted mavic 700c open4c rims can swap in for road rides
If Bristol fashion is anything like London you'll have to get a Fixed. Everyone here is a Fakenger.
Bonus is you don't have to put up with that noisy Campag freewheel and daft shifters
wtf is a fakenger? wait - is it a fake messenger?
was looking at a lightweight frame, maybe flat bard, maybe dropped, slightly tougher wheels than on a roadie so can go on gravel/ cylepaths etc
something like a kona jake, focus mares cross, trek xo1, claude butler urban 600 that sort of thing
