Recent Posts

11

The Knowledge / Re: B&M Secula Plus seatpost mount rear light

« Last post by Kim on Today at 12:56:01 pm »

My thoughts exactly, though I am compelled to point out that you can measure the amount of superfluous bolt and attack it with a hacksaw/dremel/angle grinder/oxyacetylene torch/thermite/etc after removing it from the mudguard.

I've compromised somewhat on the Red Baron, in that I've worked out how to remove and re-fit the rack with a minimum of fuss for silly bike racing purposes.  (I need the rack on-road, as it's the only sensible way to carry your basic wallet/phone/keys/puncture kit - frame bags and bananana bags tend to foul the chain.)  I've got a strategically placed Tamiya connector to easily disconnect the wiring to the dynamo light.

12

The Knowledge / Re: B&M Secula Plus seatpost mount rear light

« Last post by Cudzoziemiec on Today at 12:51:22 pm »

General cogitations on seatpost versus mudguard mounting: I was briefly considering replacing the dodgy Secula with a seatpost mounted one, but there isn't much vertical gap between top of mudguard and bottom of my capacious saddlebag. Enough to put a light in but the angle of visibility would be a bit narrow. Below the mudguard seems to be asking for obscuration from the side. And there's the problem of leaning the bike against things. Against this, a mudguard mounted light can be a bit low to be visible in traffic and is also vulnerable to knocks and bashes. And some models have a bolt which protrudes a long way on the inside of the mudguard, necessitating some chopping or cutting in an awkward space. A light mounted on the saddlebag works well if it can be kept reasonably still – a support such as a Bagman is useful in this respect – but, unless the bag is permanently fixed to the bike, it's not really practical for a dynamo light. Though I suppose some sort of block connector could be included in the wiring near the light itself. Obviously you'd need a back up plan for riding without the bag in that case.

The answer, clearly, is to put your back light on a rack. Unfortunately not all bikes suit this. Or to put it on the seatpost and be luggage-free.

13

Freewheeling / Re: How Not To Lock Up Your Bike

« Last post by Kim on Today at 12:50:29 pm »

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48035577

No details of the bike or lock, but I wouldn't lock up any bike worth touring on on Borough High Street unless I was keeping an eye on it the whole time.  -10 points to the hostel.

14

Camping It Up / Re: Motorhomes & Campervans

« Last post by Oscar's dad on Today at 12:50:05 pm »

Recommendation for Cabbunk. My eldest prefers it to the bed made up from the dinette seat. He slept 13hrs in it on Sunday!

That's a seriously clever bit of kit, I've just been looking at their website.

15

Arts and Entertainment / Re: Television tonight, whats worth watching

« Last post by rafletcher on Today at 12:50:04 pm »

There was just a trailer on BBC4 for the new season of Cardinal.

Yay!

Might be a while before we see it, as it only broadcast in Canada in March 2019.

16

Where The Wild Things Are / Re: Gratuitous cat pics - new and improved!

« Last post by fuzzy (retd.) AAGE on Today at 12:48:06 pm »

IMG_9877_01 by The Pingus, on Flickr

Wochoo laughing at?

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Arts and Entertainment / Re: Television tonight, whats worth watching

« Last post by rafletcher on Today at 12:47:20 pm »

Well not until April, but Killing Eve series 2.

Not before May 26th now, as that's the date of the final episode broadcast in the US>

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Camping It Up / Re: Motorhomes & Campervans

« Last post by DrMekon on Today at 12:41:58 pm »

Recommendation for Cabbunk. My eldest prefers it to the bed made up from the dinette seat. He slept 13hrs in it on Sunday!

19

Rides and Touring / Re: Mid-Essex Mid-Week Nocturnal Series

« Last post by Oscar's dad on Today at 12:39:40 pm »

If I had been in the UK I would have made an effort to get myself to Essex tonight to bid OD bon voyage, but as I am stuck in France I won't!

Stay there until next week and we’ll come and find you!

20

The Knowledge / Re: Electric Assisted Bikes - Looking for information

« Last post by Kim on Today at 12:37:25 pm »

On these, a hub motor is a bit like riding fixed - if you don't get a run at them you can find it hard to get over the top without bogging down. Hub motors make more sense on the flat, or for the speed pedelec type of ebike that has enough power to carry you over all but the worst hills.

...or on cycles with small wheels, where this effect is less pronounced.  They're still inefficient at climbing hills slowly, so bear this in mind if you want to match pace with an unassisted rider.

I think this is why the mountain bikers have all gone mid-drive, as low-speed torque is more useful than the occasional benefits of a driven front wheel.