Forum Replies Created
-
Replies
-
“The buses are terrible
“The buses are terrible around here” latest:
Stagecoach East announces timetable shake-up to combat ‘severe’ traffic issues
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/stagecoach-east-announces-timetable-shake-29624639
Oh, good.
Oh, good.
Car crashes into Wat Tyler
Car crashes into Wat Tyler pub in Dartford High Street
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/car-crashes-into-historic-town-centre-pub-310457/
Because of course we have no choice – we have to drive. How else can you reach destinations within say 3 miles or so in a timely manner, or carry more than a couple of kilos around without working up a sweat?
Don’t forget that it’s always uphill, raining, dark and 1 am.
It sometimes takes coastal
It sometimes takes coastal erosion to get a new car-free route:
Council planning pedestrian and cyclist safety scheme for Watchet’s closed B3191
I guess it’s a railroad over
I guess it’s a railroad over there, so it sort of counts.
Anyway, I enjoyed my fly-through of Niagra Falls, the town and all the day-to day-stuff you don’t usually get to see.
Insurance too, and wasn’t
Insurance too, and wasn’t there something about servicing a while back?
What a dilly of a pickle, it’s as though motoring is some kind of luxury pursuit that many people who can’t really afford it are trapped into.
Car crashes into betting shop
Car crashes into betting shop in Wiltshire high street
https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/24477366.car-crashes-betting-shop-wiltshire-high-street/
What are the chances?? It would seem the white car pictured was shunted by another driver under, the influence.
And by no means least, the
And by no means least, the whole bike.
The cranks are Stronglight
The cranks are Stronglight Impact double 48-36t. Double shifting is ok, I’ve pushed it down to 46t triple on another bike, which feels like it’s the limit. Shimano M520 pedals, so not a bike for casual use.
Seatpost is a middling black alu thing – might ask Santa for a CF one (e.g. Condor or RSP) at some point.
The fashion choice of saddlebag (Brooks Cambium saddle) is an old school Carradice Zipped Roll in burgundy.
The wheels, yes I was getting
The wheels, yes I was getting to those. Currently Hunt 4 Seasons, with Conti 4 season tyres in 25c. Work well on my local country roads.
It doesn’t show here, but I had to switch out the Hunt QR lever at the back because it’s the unenclosed type that don’t exert enough clamping force to run with horizontal drop-outs. I got a pretty patronising reply from them when I asked about this issue so this will be the only pair of Hunt wheels for me.
I’m quite into the Miche cassettes that start at 13t – I still hardly ever reach top gear. It’s just a question of whether it will fit with the dropouts – one to try when the time comes.
CLICK! What ever is that
CLICK! What ever is that sound they ask two counties away, not to worry it’s just David changing gear. These wretched 10s indexed Dura Ace levers were cheaper than Dia Compe or 2nd hand Campag friction levers. You can’t even switch out the indexing.
Everything I’ve had from
Everything I’ve had from Ritchey has been a good product – e.g. headset, bar tape, stems (though not here). It’s a 1″ headset and I’ve gone the adaptor route and we’re running Brand X CF bars got in the sale, which are slightly lighter and I think there’s a tiny bit of flex that wouldn’t be there with basic alu. The bar tape is easy to work with, the best supplied finishing strip I’ve seen and is durable, good looking and comfortable.
The head badge is a decal – I’ve never figured out the little rivets used to attach Raleigh badges (older ones of which are little more than cheapy tin foil to handle). The little holes in the head tube were infilled as part of the spray job.
I’m going to take you all on
I’m going to take you all on a close-up tour of what I think is getting pretty close to perfect for me. That’s taking into account cost, reliability, type of riding.
The frame
An EBay mystery – probably early 1990s. Well worth a professional spray job. It’s the exact right blend of speed and comfort. It would mount mudguards, but you’d not get above 25s. It runs 105 calipers. The decals are those of a Raleigh Competition – seemed near enough.
I first put this on here a
I first put this on here a couple of months ago. It’s now got its own hand built wheels.
I’m struggling with the triple at the front, I sometimes drop the chain when going to the smallest sprocket – blasted Brifters make the cable release so sharp and uncontrolled. I may change out the chainset, mech and l/h lever for a double. On this frame with no lever bosses, I’m pretty much committed to brifters (or maybe bar-ends).
