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Post by Humph on Oct 15, 2016 12:15:01 GMT
Aren't cable ties just the most brilliant things? One of the things that might not be widely known is that if you're doing any serious, or even semi serious off road riding it's not a bad idea to remove things like reflectors and bells, lights etc from your bike. The former because they shard on impact and the latter because you really don't want to hook your Crown Jewels on them as you pass by on your way over the bars. Not that you're planning an unconventional dismount but it can happen.
This though provides the dilemma if you want to use the same bike on the road, I don't much, and keep an old one for that, but many people don't have two or more bikes, and use the one for everything.
Refitting or removing reflectors and other kit isn't a long or difficult job but it is a bit of a faff if you're doing it a couple of times a week. Enter the trusty cable ties ! Seconds only to snap everything together and a quick snip with scissors to remove.
The most useful things apart from a set of Allen keys and a spare inner tube to have to hand in your toolbox/saddle pouch.
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Post by hobbit on Oct 17, 2016 15:06:48 GMT
Rather than mess about fixing punctures at the roadside (especially in wet conditions) and seeing as a lot of bikes now have the Schrader type valves, has anyone tried that Tyre-gunk used for cars for a quick-fix?
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Post by Humph on Oct 17, 2016 19:49:07 GMT
I haven't hobbit, but I can see the attraction. I prefer to use "puncture proof" inner tubes which already have some kind of gloop in them that self seals if a thorn or something gets through. Doesn't help if you rip a gert big hole in your tyre but I suppose a can of gloop wouldn't either !
The self sealing tubes are a bit dearer but I've found them really very good.
I'm actually running with Specialized "Flak Jacket" tyres at the moment and have to say I'm very impressed with them for a relatively budget tyre. They look quite flimsy with quite small tread blocks but they really grip when you want and so far they've resisted my best attempts to damage them. I was always a fan of Kenda Kinetics in the past which are real rufty tufty things that'll plough through anything really but I'm rather enjoying the lighter weight tyres I have on at the moment. Much faster to accelerate and climb with, but that offset by noticeable but not especially disturbing, lesser lateral grip.
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Post by bromptonaut on Oct 17, 2016 20:04:04 GMT
Like Humph I've come across 'slime' and similar products in so called self sealing tubes. No quantified experience as their efficacy. The MTB Miss B had from age 9-12 came with slime tubes and never punctured but the one she's had since has only had two flats and she's 24 in December.
Not quite so lucky with her road bike but punctures nowadays are some other bloke's problem.
Schwalbe Marathons are pretty well puncture proof on the Brommies.
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Post by Humph on Oct 17, 2016 20:07:37 GMT
Do you still use your Brompton, er Bromp? Guy I know bought one about a year ago and is now addicted to it, he uses it as you did for the last leg of his work commute.
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Post by bromptonaut on Oct 18, 2016 10:54:48 GMT
Not as much as I should Humph as I no longer work in London. Gets used for errands in the village and occasionally for an exercise ride around the lanes.
Really, really should use it, at least in summer, for my 6/7 mile commute to CAB. On volunteer day they'd even pay me 20p a mile to do so. It's become default to jump in the car though, even get to park for free.
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Post by Humph on Oct 19, 2016 7:27:11 GMT
Do you take it when you go away in the caravan?
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Post by bromptonaut on Oct 19, 2016 8:17:25 GMT
Do you take it when you go away in the caravan? Did at first and even contemplated getting on for Mrs B. While ideal for nipping into the village for bread the B isn't at it's best on loose gravel tracks and we now use the MTBs If it's just the two of us they go in the back of the Berlingo. Offside rear seat out, twist the handlebars first bike in rearwards, second forwards and secure to load points with ratchet straps. Mucky chains inside and still four seats in car. Takes about five minutes. If it was less easy and involved taking wheels off then Brommy would still get the gig. |
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Post by Humph on Oct 19, 2016 8:29:32 GMT
Yeah, sometimes, when there's only two of us on a mtb trip, I think I should probably just stick the bikes in the back of the car rather than faff about with the roof rack, but mud inside the car if it has been gloopy isn't all that welcome and I'm so used to loading and unloading the rack I can do it in under a minute.
A clip for each wheel and one locking bar onto the frame and it's done.
I have seen guys with sort of hand pressured water pumps washing their bikes off before stashing them back in their cars though. Could be persuaded I suppose. I used to leave the rack "upstairs" more or less permanently on the old car but this new one has a gert big sunroof ( may not have mentioned that before? ) which if open with the rack in place is really noisy, so I've been taking it off on a Sunday night and putting it back on a Saturday. Again, that doesn't take long being secured by just four clamps.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 15:39:48 GMT
I clearly have a lower threshold for pain. Taking a rack off and putting it back on again every week ?!?! Nope, couldn't be doing with that.
You should buy an old Landrover or something and keep it permanently loaded and ready.
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Post by Humph on Oct 19, 2016 20:02:35 GMT
I could, just as easily, put the racks on the Qashqai, but that never has any petrol in it. Costs me £50 every time I use the damn thing. "Oh darling, if you're taking my car, could you just..."😕
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