E_G_R2 Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 10 miles in 10 miles out, good quality cycles gear. I take in a couple of weeks worth of shirts by bus and take the dirty ones home every day. Replenish as needed.
pcstru Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 Does anyone else wear bibbed shorts? I use Muddy Fox padded ... things, not very elegant at my age but comfortable for the 12 mile run in. Insurance no, - I stash my bike in my office when I cycle to work and carry a fairly decent padlock to hopefully deter casual thieves if I do leave it parked up.
hardtailstar Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 I use padded cycling shorts, No insurance as ill just get a new bike. its not worth insuring it.
Dos_Box Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 I just wear normal clothes with a cycling jacket/fluorescent waterproof cycling jacket depending on the weather as I only have a 4.5 mile ride into work. If it was longer I may invest in cycling pants, but I'm pretty sure there are laws preventing legs like mine being seen in such clothing.
jinnantonnixx Posted April 15, 2013 Posted April 15, 2013 What you need is Ronhill Bikester DBX cycling trousers (the unlined version). Extraordinarily hard-wearing, they will last for years.
jinnantonnixx Posted May 13, 2013 Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) I've been reading up on cycle chain oils recently. There are hugely differing views on what works and what doesn't, some advocate thin agents like WD-40 or GT85, others shriek in horror at this suggestion. I've tried some of the fancy boutique oils and have been unimpressed. Here's an interesting bit of research on chain oils Comparison of chain lubes The initial result shows that the test with WD-40 provides the lowest friction. However, in further tests, the WD-40 is not durable and should not be used as a lube. The winner (in this admittedly small sample) was also the cheapest - the venerable 3-in-1 oil. Yes, the stuff you buy in pound shops. Comparison of chain lubes Well, that research is good enough for me, so I'm back on the 3-in-1. Tip - to check a chain is properly lubed, gently run you finger under the chain. You should see that the rollers in between the links should turn freely - if they don't, you chain is not functioning properly and you are wearing out your sprockets. Free-spinning rollers are essential to prevent wear. Dirt is the killer. Never oil a dirty chain, always clean it as best you can before oiling. Remember, grinding paste is made from oil and grit. To prevent the chain becoming a dirt magnet after oiling, always wipe away excess oil with a rag before use. Edited May 13, 2013 by jinnantonnixx
jinnantonnixx Posted May 13, 2013 Posted May 13, 2013 (edited) As for chains, I found this: http://www.cantitoeroad.com/chains A chain should be changed before it reaches 1% 'stretch'. Edited May 13, 2013 by jinnantonnixx
Griff Posted May 14, 2013 Posted May 14, 2013 Aldi have cycling gear on sale at the moment guys/girls worth checking out just got myself some SPD shoes, padded casual shorts, rain jacket and computer which gives speed distance etc
E_G_R2 Posted May 14, 2013 Posted May 14, 2013 Are the Shoes any good for the price? Tried the Lidl ones a few years back and they were very poor.
Griff Posted May 14, 2013 Posted May 14, 2013 Are the Shoes any good for the price? Tried the Lidl ones a few years back and they were very poor. They feel comfortable when I have tried them on. I am yet to give them a proper road test as I am waiting for my new pedals (Shimano M324 SPD/FLATS) to arrive but I will report back next week. I have heard good and bad things about them but for my first foray into clipless for £20 they will hopefully do the job. I think if when I get used to riding clipless I will upgrade to some decent shoes for an extra £10-20
Dos_Box Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 Looks like Sports Direct are having a sale on cycling clothing Cycling Clothing - Cycling - SportsDirect.com There are some nice jackets there for £12.99.
mats Posted May 16, 2013 Posted May 16, 2013 They feel comfortable when I have tried them on. I am yet to give them a proper road test as I am waiting for my new pedals (Shimano M324 SPD/FLATS) to arrive but I will report back next week. I have heard good and bad things about them but for my first foray into clipless for £20 they will hopefully do the job. I think if when I get used to riding clipless I will upgrade to some decent shoes for an extra £10-20 Don't forget to practice unclipping. Do it loads so you can do it really quickly when you need to - it needs to be instinctive. You will forget at some point and probably fall off at very low speed in front of lots of people. Persist, clipless pedals are a fantastic invention on and off road. I liken it to having about another leg's worth of power. Cheap shoes are fine ime.
E_G_R2 Posted May 17, 2013 Posted May 17, 2013 Don't forget to practice unclipping. Do it loads so you can do it really quickly when you need to - it needs to be instinctive. You will forget at some point and probably fall off at very low speed in front of lots of people. Persist, clipless pedals are a fantastic invention on and off road. I liken it to having about another leg's worth of power. Cheap shoes are fine ime. Bitten the bullett and picked up a pair. Better quality than the Lidl ones from a few years back. Only gripe is the laces over long IMO.
Dos_Box Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Lidl are doing cycling gear on the 11th July: Our Offers - Thursday, 11.07. - Lidl UK Not much of a selection, but the jacket looks good if you don't already have a lightweight summer jacket.
Dos_Box Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 LOL! Aldi are also doing cycling gear on Sunday the 7th: https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/sunday-specialbuys-7th-july/ I need some new glasses I also notice they have the large bike toolkit for £19.95 and GT85 spray for £2.99 (it's usually £4-£5 a tin that stuff).
twin--turbo Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 I got a Bike on Cycle to work a couple of weeks back, been using it for leisure and my 2M cycle to work. ( more for the leisure ) Cycle to work makes it very attractive. done 170miles in 9 days so far on the new bike Also bought some gear from alid, it's not bad. Because it's only 2 miles and mostly down hill, I put my cycling vest over my shirt, and just change into my trousers at work... Rob
rickjames Posted July 31, 2013 Posted July 31, 2013 I live onsite where I work and wouldn't mind a bike right now. Think the school would have any objections to me asking to sign up? Looking for a cheapish beginner MTB bike, cheaper the better. Decathlon Rockrider and Carrera Vulcan good choices to maybe go with?
twin--turbo Posted July 31, 2013 Posted July 31, 2013 Depends on how freindly your school is, technicaly you need to ride it to work mostly. But nobody checks up on this and it makes no odds to the school.
Poults Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 Seeing as the nights are drawing in and the mornings are getting darker, anyone have any recommendations for bicycle lights? I want some quite low profile and discreet, but to also be nice and bright too.
jinnantonnixx Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) Lights? I think the best is the Philips LBL (LED Bike Light) - the 80 lumen battery version. It's a proper bike light, it shines a properly shaped beam, like a motorcycle light, not a ball of light like an ordinary torch. I bought one three years ago, cost £99 but don't regret a penny. I've wasted money on ultra bright ebay specials only for them to fail. I normally ride on unlit canal paths, but on the odd occasion when I use the road I find that other traffic seem to see you as a vehicle (rather than 'just a bike') as the light tends to give that impression. Don't fall into the trap of looking up lumen charts and comparing torches this way. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?287452-Philips-LED-bike-light Edited September 12, 2013 by jinnantonnixx
mats Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 .. but if you do want lots of lumens, search ebay for "t6 bike light". At £20ish I think I'm going to have to give them a go. Mat
flyinghaggis Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) I'd also recommend some of the cheapo non-branded Cree lights off amazon marketplace or ebay to be honest. I bought this last year and can't believe how bright it is for the money. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007X8YFYY/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It's only £20 so if it fails after a few months it's no big deal but mine's lasted over a year so far. Edited September 12, 2013 by flyinghaggis
CAM Posted September 13, 2013 Author Posted September 13, 2013 Over a year later and I never got round to trying this due to a bike with dodgy gears and no real idea how much longer it'd take to ride.
mats Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 I'd also recommend some of the cheapo non-branded Cree lights off amazon marketplace or ebay to be honest. I bought this last year and can't believe how bright it is for the money. Pellor 4 Mode 1200 Lumen CREE XML T6 LED Bicycle Outdoor Sports Light HeadLamp White: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors It's only £20 so if it fails after a few months it's no big deal but mine's lasted over a year so far. AKA £30 with postage. I see that's a single LED light. Does it give a decent spread of light or is it all concentrated in one spot? Currently weighing up single vs multi led lights. Runtime? Do cars coming the other way flash their lights at you?
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