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I have a pretty trusty old
I have a pretty trusty old Cannondale Hybrid commuter but if I was starting from scratch again I’d go for the Trek Crossrip (best seller according to my LBS). I particularly like the fact that it’s got disc brakes with additional levers on top of the bars, which means you can stop quickly if you haven’t got your hands in the drops. I had an ‘altercation’ with a car the other day which jammed it’s brakes on right in front of me (on purpose). With flat bars and hydraulic brakes I stopped just in time. Not sure I’d have managed it on my road bike (travelling faster with my hands on the hoods).Kask Mojito – love it! Best
Kask Mojito – love it! Best helmet I’ve ever owned. Light and comfortable; I prefered it to the more expensive helmet in the range. Cool Italian flag colours on the adjustment knob (sad…I know).Lots of interesting comments
Lots of interesting comments and ideas for LBSs, but it very much sounds like if you’ve got some good old fashioned nous, and work hard, you can make a LBS work and beat the pressure from the internet and business rates. Maintenance (outside of my capabilities) is the big one for me and, secondly, good advice which often ends up with me buying something there and then.Just before I comment to
Just before I comment to myself, “why did I take the mudguards off!”, as I’m getting a good spraying.Something I learnt on; can’t
Something I learnt on; can’t remember what it was.Raleigh Rudge (1970s) ‘sit up and beg’ type bike. Upgraded with a Sturmey Archer 3spd! (nicked).
Raleigh Banana Racer (70s/80s – 2nd hand). School run, ‘scrambling’, did everything. (nicked) Bit of a ‘no bike’ period after that.
Raleigh Pioneer Trail hybrid (late 80s/early 90s). (Traded in).
Marin 9 spd hub geared hybrid bike (late 90s) (nicked).
Cannondale H700 Hybrid (2000). Spent a ‘grand’ on this with all the accessories which was pretty scary at the time. Still going strong with some ‘pimping’ and upgrading…..+ 3 more bikes (Giant Anthem MTB, Mezzo D9 Folder, Genesis Equilibrium 20).
I use a Kryptonite but the
I use a Kryptonite but the Targus option is good idea.Had a conundrum last year whilst road riding in France. Was going to be out all day and stopping for lunch/sightseeing in a town with a concern that the bike would be out of sight. After some thought (cables, chains, hip lock etc) I managed to work out how to carry an Abus Mini-U Lock I use for commuting. The barrel went in the seat pack (large Specialized one) and the U fitted quite snugly between the seat pack and the saddle (held in place by the straps). OK, it was extra weight but rather that than having the bike nicked.
Bit of a nightmare this
Bit of a nightmare this subject. Currently on 4 (wife has 2): Road, MTB, Folder and Hybrid. There’s always a better, or more suitable for the job, bike out there and you’re a ‘bit attached’ to the old ones. I just try and ensure they all get an airing to justify their existence. I can vouch for a bit ‘pimping up’ if your old steed is feeling a bit tired. Nothing like some upgrades to give it a bit more zip and cure the lust for something you can’t afford.Old fashioned patch and glue
Old fashioned patch and glue works best for a lasting repair. Went through a phase of only using a new inner tube but am now using repaired tubes which are lasting well. Kind of see the patches as an ‘on road’ repair if you get a 2nd puncture.
Somewhat ‘bad form’ that some people throw their old inners into the bushes in Surrey (akin to a motorist dumping rubbish out of his window). Given the recent news that some events were cancelled, potentially due to local opposition, perhaps they aren’t helping their cause much.Get rid of the roof box, bike
Get rid of the roof box, bike rack and the car……..and get a VW Transporter van; the big boys mobile toy box. Raises a few eyebrows when you arrive at work in one. Nearly forgot…there’s usually space for wife and kids as well. 😀My original (10 yr old) SKS
My original (10 yr old) SKS mudguards on my commuter hybrid finally packed in a couple of years ago. The new front one had a flap at the back which, after some thought, I left on but it made a massive difference to the amount of muck on the front chainrings. My other ‘routine’ change was to not to wait until the bike was completely filthy before giving it a clean. Made sure all the cleaning bits (hose/spray/brush/chain lube kit) were easily accessible. If the chain gets a soaking then it gets a clean (GT85/wipe/lube/wipe); couple of minutes. Had the road bike out yesterday and even though there was just a bit of ‘splattering’, I just gave it a quick clean which took no time at all. So far components seem to be lasting longer.I was in the Tarn region just
I was in the Tarn region just N of Toulouse last August. Didn’t have any specific routes to work with but French roads are so quiet I just started going all over the place. Even on the occasional times I was on an ‘A road’ I felt very safe and the motorists are very courteous to cyclists. Had a big truck behind me once and he patiently waited until there was a safe place to overtake; almost couldn’t believe it. Saw lots of other ‘roadies’ and small pelotons as I cycled around. The only car that pulled out in front of me without looking was British!! Probably some of the most enjoyable cycling I’ve ever done.I run SPDs (+ compatible
I run SPDs (+ compatible Shimano shoes) on my road bike and agree with all the SPD comments above. I use SPDs on my MTB, Hybrid (combo pedals) and thought I needed road cleats when I got my road bike. LBS advised SPDs and I’ve been 100% happy. Borrowed a bike/shoes a while back with road cleats and walking around on them off the bike was a nightmare.I’ve only had occasion to use
I’ve only had occasion to use a Nespresso machine at a friends place, who didn’t use it much. Seemed pretty versatile but needed an understanding of the different coffee pods and setting up the milk side of things. I just ‘bodged’ my way through but there were some pretty revolting brews on the way. Struck me as being a mid week machine when time’s pressing.
I used to have a Gaggia (ground coffee only) at home but it packed up a few years ago. I bought the replacement, a Magimix machine, based on a Which magazine test report. Very pleased with it and I grind the beans using a small Gaggia grinder. I get my beans from a local shop who get them from a small local roaster. I reckon I mix a good brew but it’s definitely a weekend activity as there isn’t enough time on a work morning.I’ve got a Lifeline Spin
I’ve got a Lifeline Spin Doctor stand which covers me for all the jobs I want to do. You’ll wonder how you managed without one!It’s a doddle; I did it a few
It’s a doddle; I did it a few years ago in a small team. It was the longest distance I’d done but I was pretty cycle fit as a result of commuting. We didn’t ‘hammer it’ as for some people in our team it was a real challenge; as such it was quite enjoyable as we just went with the flow. Watch yourself for the first few miles but then people start to ‘space out’ more. Loads of refreshment stops so input will definitely exceed output. I did it on a hybrid but I was amazed at people with top-end road bikes pushing them up the hills. No pushing up Ditchling though (short and sharp), and there’s a great downhill run into Brighton. A team meal in Brighton ends things off well. Logistics takes a bit of planning and a support van makes things a lot easier for getting home (make sure you read all the info on this as you can’t take your bike home on the train for example). Only had one ‘loony’ trying to weave through everyone but came up to a bend shortly afterwards to find him sprawled over the road with first aiders round him. The year before I did it I drove the support van and, when I arrived in Brighton after a breakfast stop, the ‘roadies’ were finishing so if you don’t want to hang around then be in an early start group.
