Recent Posts

21

The Dark Side / Re: Considering a recumbent due to chronic low back pain - tips/advice?

« Last post by Lightning Phil on Today at 12:19:30 pm »

I run a 44/11 biggest gear combination on my recumbent and don’t find I’m under geared.  I do have a 46 ring replacement sitting in a box but overall I’m quite happy with a 44/11 top gear. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve hammered it down a hill. Too many pot holes out there. So I tend to just let the bike roll downhill whilst watching my line once the legs have reached a certain level of spin.

That's where a large front wheel and longer wheelbase will give more confidence.

More confidence to crash after hitting a pot hole at speed, and having a blowout. I just don’t see the point of pedalling much beyond 30-35 mph downhill.

22

OT Gallery / Re: People who park like fuds

« Last post by ian on Today at 12:06:09 pm »

I think that nearly every time I cycle along the Putney riverside at high tide (got my feet wet last time) here's a car parked at the edge and half underwater. It's always a fat, shiny wanktank.

It could be the same guy, I suppose, having discovered an innovative automated car-washing solution.

23

The Pub / Re: A random thread for small things that don't really warrant a thread of their own

« Last post by mrcharly-YHT on Today at 12:01:34 pm »

surely both science and social opinion only advance through dispute?

Otherwise we'd all still be flat-earthers thinking the universe goes round the earth, and that it's OK to beat your wife with something no wider than you thumb and snaffle all her property when you marry?

Erm, no, not when it comes to science.

Science advances through observation and the scientific method. Plus rigorous application of "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof".

What constitutes a moral standing varies from culture to culture, and over time.

Facts don't, only our understanding and observation of facts change.

Are Newton's laws of motion 'facts'?
Well, they are an adequate description of motion, for a set range of circumstances. Adequate enough that they can be used for some engineering design.

24

The Pub / Re: A random thread for small things that don't really warrant a thread of their own

« Last post by citoyen on Today at 11:57:30 am »

I have to disagree.  It is not for us as individuals to decide which opinion holds greater weight.  You dismiss theirs because it does not conform to your position which you regard as logical and obvious.  They will feel likewise. 

You're taking being reasonable to a ludicrous extreme. If you allow every crank a platform to air their opinions, genuine serious discussion becomes overwhelmed in a sea of shite.

No one is saying the consensus cannot be challenged, but any challenge must be made in reasonable terms, backed by supporting arguments and empirical evidence.

People are entitled to hold whatever crackpot views they like, that doesn't mean I should be required to hear them.

25

The Pub / Re: A random thread for small things that don't really warrant a thread of their own

« Last post by ian on Today at 11:56:01 am »

That's the problem though. You've dumped centuries of empiricism and replaced it with the marvellously postmodern all-viewpoints-are-valid.

Taking climate change, it's not an opinion. It's not a belief. It's supported by reams of evidence and data and accepted by essentially every scientist and researcher in the field. There's no debate to be had on the reality of it. It's not 'contentious.' This is the same logic as to why we don't seriously allow for flat-earth theory, that's an opinion, but we know the earth isn't flat because there is no data to support that hypothesis, but endless data and evidence that the earth isn't flat.

There's debate about how much climate change and the outcome of those changes, of course. But flat out denialism, presenting it as a controversy or contentious issue, or insinuating that the science 'isn't settled' at this point in a lie.

26

Arts and Entertainment / Re: Today I am Listening To...

« Last post by pcolbeck on Today at 11:49:22 am »

Enjoyed listening to Go Go Boots by Driveby Truckers last night for first time in ages.

I had Southern Rock Opera on the other day. I have tickets for DBT in Leeds which has been postponed until some time next year

27

The Dark Side / Re: Considering a recumbent due to chronic low back pain - tips/advice?

« Last post by PaulM on Today at 11:47:28 am »

Think 50/34 and 11-42 would give a range of about 22" to 123", which should be plenty enough. Even with 11 speed Gaps are a bit bigger than I would like ideally, but I don't really want to go for a triple.

You could fit 33/48 rings to your double to lower the gearing a bit. I think you'll be ok with that.

28

The Dark Side / Re: Considering a recumbent due to chronic low back pain - tips/advice?

« Last post by PaulM on Today at 11:44:04 am »

I run a 44/11 biggest gear combination on my recumbent and don’t find I’m under geared.  I do have a 46 ring replacement sitting in a box but overall I’m quite happy with a 44/11 top gear. 

It’s been a long time since I’ve hammered it down a hill. Too many pot holes out there. So I tend to just let the bike roll downhill whilst watching my line once the legs have reached a certain level of spin.

That's where a large front wheel and longer wheelbase will give more confidence.

29

The Dark Side / Re: Considering a recumbent due to chronic low back pain - tips/advice?

« Last post by PaulM on Today at 11:42:56 am »

That Schlitter is very like the Performer HiRacer,

Looks like higher BB and space for wider tyres on the freestyle; is that all there is?

I imagine John Schlitter designed the Freestyle from scratch. It's notable for the longer wheelbase, horizontal seat mount, seat stay attachment points, tapered headset, internal cabling.

30

Racing / Re: Vuelta 2020

« Last post by TimC on Today at 11:39:53 am »

Haven't found the highlights yet - was busy watching the Giro and building a new 'office' (yes, it'll be a place to watch cycling...!). My son informed me that Froome had exceeded expectations with an 11-minute deficit at the end of the stage. Oh dear. It would appear that, as in pretty much all the other significant races that have actually occurred this autumn, the younger generation have got this, and learned a lot while Zwifting in the fallow months. Meanwhile, the oldies who poo-poohed the modernist movement toward online training during the lockdown seem to have caught a bit of a cold.

I think that's kinda harsh on Froome who is coming off a massive injury at the tail end of his career. Also, Roglic is 30, so hardly counts as a youngster.

It was very much a tongue-in-cheek comment (and wine was involved)! I take no pleasure in Froome so obviously struggling, and I hope he manages to get some form back during this race. However, there was a significant body of opinion that he'd been hard done by when he was not selected for either the Tour or Giro squads, but it would appear that that decision was quite correct.