Today is a dark day, literally. You would be forgiven for thinking the sun has not come up, but indeed the rain continues to come down. This often seen feature of the lovely British summer season seems to have become a somewhat permanent fixture in 2012.
What we need in these dark and dreary days, as we dream of the summer sun beating down on our backs as we glide through the rolling countryside, is a little light in our cycling lives.
Luckily modern technology has been able to try its hand in this respect - and if its light and fun your after these two bike lighting systems may raise a smile on that rain soaked, mud splattered face.
Interesting ideas!
Showing posts with label bike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bike. Show all posts
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Bike helmets
Yesterday I had my first near miss. It was my fault and no one else was involved. It appears that doing big wheelies is not as easy as it used to be - and I had to partake in an emergency bail out off the back of the bike before I got inverted.
I had forgotten the ominous feeling when you know that your skill has run out and you are going to part company with your machine.
Despite what the boys say in the (not very serious) video below - I was glad I was wearing a helmet, but it reminded me that I had seen this a few weeks ago while looking to buy one. It appealed to the more child like side of my sense of humour - but I did laugh a lot watching it.
Hope you enjoy!
I had forgotten the ominous feeling when you know that your skill has run out and you are going to part company with your machine.
Despite what the boys say in the (not very serious) video below - I was glad I was wearing a helmet, but it reminded me that I had seen this a few weeks ago while looking to buy one. It appealed to the more child like side of my sense of humour - but I did laugh a lot watching it.
Hope you enjoy!
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Cycle pins
I planned to have a page of bikes that I liked on this site - but it turns out there is a better way!
I have started a Pinterest board, and plan to share the best of the bike related images that I like on it.
I will be adding pictures of bikes I like, as well as random bikes that I have found that deserve a mention. I will also be adding images that I find that express how I feel about riding. I hope you like them.
To have a look at the images I have collected so far have a look at http://pinterest.com/secondcycle/cool-bikes-riders
I have started a Pinterest board, and plan to share the best of the bike related images that I like on it.
I will be adding pictures of bikes I like, as well as random bikes that I have found that deserve a mention. I will also be adding images that I find that express how I feel about riding. I hope you like them.
To have a look at the images I have collected so far have a look at http://pinterest.com/secondcycle/cool-bikes-riders
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Lock down
The bike moves - the next thing I have to make sure of is that I am the only one who is moving it. I knew I needed a lock - but a quick search for reviews on the web through up some interesting a fairly frightening statistics and facts about bicycle theft in the UK.
Over 100,000 bicycles are officially stolen in the UK every year, and this does not include the figure for the ones that are not reported (estimates suggest that it could be 5 times this number in reality!). I thought that the £9.99 lock that I picked up while getting some other parts would be ok - it looked relatively tough - that is until I watched a video that showed a similar one being cut with a pair of garden pruning shears in under 10 seconds!
Bike theft is a growing industry, and after watching "Gone in 60 Seconds - The Bike Crime Wave", a film about bike crime in London, you can understand why. A lot of locks can be cut through in seconds, people stand and watch as bikes are taken, and bikes are very hard to trace back to owners if they are ever recovered.
I have quick release mechs on my wheels (and they are the most expensive looking parts on the bike). So not only do I lock through both the front and back wheel, I have also zip tied the quick releases just to make it a little more frustrating for anyone who attempts to liberate them.
I have also seen sites like bikeregister.com that offer a comprehensive solution to give you the best chance of retrieving a bike if it is stolen. It seems like a good system, that would not only help to identify a bike - but with the visible stickers on the frame may make a bike thief beside to move on to the next one!
More info can be found at http://www.halgradesyourlocks.com
Over 100,000 bicycles are officially stolen in the UK every year, and this does not include the figure for the ones that are not reported (estimates suggest that it could be 5 times this number in reality!). I thought that the £9.99 lock that I picked up while getting some other parts would be ok - it looked relatively tough - that is until I watched a video that showed a similar one being cut with a pair of garden pruning shears in under 10 seconds!
Bike theft is a growing industry, and after watching "Gone in 60 Seconds - The Bike Crime Wave", a film about bike crime in London, you can understand why. A lot of locks can be cut through in seconds, people stand and watch as bikes are taken, and bikes are very hard to trace back to owners if they are ever recovered.
Locks
Although my ride is not that desirable these days, I would be totally gutted if it were to go missing - so have decided to invest in a decent 'D lock'. I will keep the other cable lock to make sure the front wheel can be locked, as well as the back and frame with the 'D lock'.Wheels
While parking the bike up I have noticed that loads of people lock only the wheels of a bike, or only the frame. I have also seen a few lone wheels in bike racks!I have quick release mechs on my wheels (and they are the most expensive looking parts on the bike). So not only do I lock through both the front and back wheel, I have also zip tied the quick releases just to make it a little more frustrating for anyone who attempts to liberate them.
Register and post-coding
My bike had a postcode stamped into the frame may years ago, and this process is still used now. The local police force have days that you can ride up and get your bike stamped with a registration number to help identify it if it does go missing and is found again. This service is usually free of charge, but you would have to check with your local Police Station to see what they can offer.I have also seen sites like bikeregister.com that offer a comprehensive solution to give you the best chance of retrieving a bike if it is stolen. It seems like a good system, that would not only help to identify a bike - but with the visible stickers on the frame may make a bike thief beside to move on to the next one!
How to lock a bike properly
I found some great films on YouTube about how to lock a bike effectively - but there was one series of videos that stood out above the rest from "Legendary bike mechanic from Bike Habitat New York - Hal Ruzal". In the first video Hal shows how to lock a bike correctly, and in the second he heads onto the streets (of the UK) to rate the how well people are locking their rides up.More info can be found at http://www.halgradesyourlocks.com
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Shopping lists and left hand cranks
The bike moves - but is not really safe to use yet. After a quick visit to a few local bike shops I have managed to get hold of a new rear cassette and spacer so the gears and cogs will match.
I have also bought and replaced all the cables on the bike after snapping the front and rear brake cables on my first test ride.
The main problem is getting hold of a left hand crank. I have got a few strange looks when asking for 'just the left side'. I have considered swapping out the whole front drive train with one from another old bike that was sharing garage space with mine - but have found that nothing is compatible due to the very small front cog set on the bike compounded by the bottom bracket mounted front mech.
To use the kit from the donor bike would mean swapping out - the front cogs, front mech, bottom bracket, cranks and pedals. I would also have to change the shifters to match the new kit, the brake levers on my bike are a one piece, so they would have to swapped too - and for good measure the rear derailleur would also have to be swapped to match the new shifters. After closer inspection I have also noticed that the front mech on my bike is top loading - and the donor bike is bottom. There are no set cable routes on the bottom of my bike - so buying a new front mech is going to be easier than trying to fit these.
I would gain a few extra gears for all this trauma - but I think on balance I would prefer to have a few more strange looks from bike shops a find a compatible crank!
I have also bought and replaced all the cables on the bike after snapping the front and rear brake cables on my first test ride.
The main problem is getting hold of a left hand crank. I have got a few strange looks when asking for 'just the left side'. I have considered swapping out the whole front drive train with one from another old bike that was sharing garage space with mine - but have found that nothing is compatible due to the very small front cog set on the bike compounded by the bottom bracket mounted front mech.
To use the kit from the donor bike would mean swapping out - the front cogs, front mech, bottom bracket, cranks and pedals. I would also have to change the shifters to match the new kit, the brake levers on my bike are a one piece, so they would have to swapped too - and for good measure the rear derailleur would also have to be swapped to match the new shifters. After closer inspection I have also noticed that the front mech on my bike is top loading - and the donor bike is bottom. There are no set cable routes on the bottom of my bike - so buying a new front mech is going to be easier than trying to fit these.
I would gain a few extra gears for all this trauma - but I think on balance I would prefer to have a few more strange looks from bike shops a find a compatible crank!
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Getting tooled up
Its been so long since I took a bike apart, I had forgotten that almost every component has its own specific tool in order for you remove anything.
My bike mechanics is a little rusty - but I remember the basics - and the big advantage now compared to 14 years ago is the internet - within seconds you can find and be involved in a bike repair refresher course on youtube or a magnitude of other excellent bike specific sites. I even found some make and model specific info on www.retrobike.co.uk.
Getting the crank off is my first challenge - the video below from youtube was massively helpful.
My bike mechanics is a little rusty - but I remember the basics - and the big advantage now compared to 14 years ago is the internet - within seconds you can find and be involved in a bike repair refresher course on youtube or a magnitude of other excellent bike specific sites. I even found some make and model specific info on www.retrobike.co.uk.
Getting the crank off is my first challenge - the video below from youtube was massively helpful.
Monday, 21 May 2012
The re-build challenge
So, the re-build is underway. The bike now actually moves but not convincingly!
There is a major problem with the crank - bottom bracket and pedals. I spent a little time re-adjusting the brakes to work with the new borrowed rims - rolled down the road to see how they worked and promptly snapped both brake cables (I have seen some sites that recommend you swap brake cables out every year regardless of use, and now I can see why). The brake blocks look new, but not sure if they will be any good after all this time.
I have too many gears on the borrowed back wheel for the old shifters, so I am going to have to get a new rear cassette at some point, and I think judging by the somewhat solid consistency of the chain a new one of those is going to be on the list too. Hopefully a industrial size pot of bike grease, a couple of tools and a little time will be able to sort most of the rest - but we shall see.
The challenge
Looking around on the web I was amazed at how cheaply you can actually buy a bike now. I have set my self the challenge to get the old machine running in the same budget that buying a new one would set me back (and hopefully end up with something as good or better than buying new.
The best deal I have spotted so far was on the Halfords online bike shop - and will only leave me UK£69.99 to play with - Considering this is the price of a fairly decent looking adult bike, I don't think I will look any harder for one cheaper - this may actually be a lot harder than I thought!
There is a major problem with the crank - bottom bracket and pedals. I spent a little time re-adjusting the brakes to work with the new borrowed rims - rolled down the road to see how they worked and promptly snapped both brake cables (I have seen some sites that recommend you swap brake cables out every year regardless of use, and now I can see why). The brake blocks look new, but not sure if they will be any good after all this time.
I have too many gears on the borrowed back wheel for the old shifters, so I am going to have to get a new rear cassette at some point, and I think judging by the somewhat solid consistency of the chain a new one of those is going to be on the list too. Hopefully a industrial size pot of bike grease, a couple of tools and a little time will be able to sort most of the rest - but we shall see.
The challenge
Looking around on the web I was amazed at how cheaply you can actually buy a bike now. I have set my self the challenge to get the old machine running in the same budget that buying a new one would set me back (and hopefully end up with something as good or better than buying new.
The best deal I have spotted so far was on the Halfords online bike shop - and will only leave me UK£69.99 to play with - Considering this is the price of a fairly decent looking adult bike, I don't think I will look any harder for one cheaper - this may actually be a lot harder than I thought!
Friday, 18 May 2012
We can re-build it, we have the technology
So, after peeling back over a decades worth of dust and grime from the bike with the use of a pressure washer and some engine cleaner I can finally see exactly what I am dealing with. The first issue of wheels has been solved when my brother kindly donated a set of old ones that he had 'surplus to requirement'. The bike now at least looks like a bike again - although the wheels are probably worth more than the sum of the rest of its parts.
I should explain that my ride was retired all those years ago after I managed to crash it - in a big way.
It was a regular occurrence back in the day for a group of us to disappear into the countryside in various parts of the UK for a weekend away biking. It was on one of these trips when my ambition clearly out weighed my skill on a kicker jump at the bottom of a long steep hill. I remember taking off - I remember being upside down, and the clear thought in my head that this was not going to end well!
When I had stopped kart wheeling and finally slid to a stop several meters later, I found that indeed it had not. I got off rather lightly with a dislocated shoulder and a few cuts and brusies - but the bike had faired slightly worse.
Most of the rear spokes were gone or bent - the rear derailleur had found its way through them before being torn off and travelling round the chain smashing the front mech too!
The bike had gone sideways, and started to low side me (with the rear wheel locked by the carnage) - that is until the off slide pedal dug in, changing the plan to a high side. The impact had bent the crank and left a crack right across the back of it.
As well as all of this, the handle bars had done a 360, taking off a lot of the paint from the top of the frame and bending them into a new and interesting shape in the process. The front wheel was also somewhat banana shaped, as was the rear brake lever.
The only plus for me here, is that I bought most of the replacement parts and had actually started to fit them in the weeks after the crash. I was still a little sore in the shoulder, so riding off road was out for a few weeks, and at the time I had just bought my first motorbike. As I let the engine dictate my routes more and more, the bike never did make it back to a fully operational state - until now that is.
I should explain that my ride was retired all those years ago after I managed to crash it - in a big way.
It was a regular occurrence back in the day for a group of us to disappear into the countryside in various parts of the UK for a weekend away biking. It was on one of these trips when my ambition clearly out weighed my skill on a kicker jump at the bottom of a long steep hill. I remember taking off - I remember being upside down, and the clear thought in my head that this was not going to end well!
When I had stopped kart wheeling and finally slid to a stop several meters later, I found that indeed it had not. I got off rather lightly with a dislocated shoulder and a few cuts and brusies - but the bike had faired slightly worse.
Most of the rear spokes were gone or bent - the rear derailleur had found its way through them before being torn off and travelling round the chain smashing the front mech too!
The bike had gone sideways, and started to low side me (with the rear wheel locked by the carnage) - that is until the off slide pedal dug in, changing the plan to a high side. The impact had bent the crank and left a crack right across the back of it.
As well as all of this, the handle bars had done a 360, taking off a lot of the paint from the top of the frame and bending them into a new and interesting shape in the process. The front wheel was also somewhat banana shaped, as was the rear brake lever.
The only plus for me here, is that I bought most of the replacement parts and had actually started to fit them in the weeks after the crash. I was still a little sore in the shoulder, so riding off road was out for a few weeks, and at the time I had just bought my first motorbike. As I let the engine dictate my routes more and more, the bike never did make it back to a fully operational state - until now that is.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Time is not always a healer
I can confirm that 14 years at the back of a garage, under piles of boxes, bits of wood and other forgotten bits of life's lost paraphernalia - does not do bikes any particular favours. The first part of my journey back into biking is to have a bike that moves. Rather essential to this idea is wheels - and that is the first of a somewhat long list of issues that stand between me standing looking at some bits of metal that have the potential to be a bike, and me actually having one!
When first looking at my old machine I must say the idea to just get a new one and start from scratch did cross my mind, and I am sure that as I put new parts on and others fall off (which I remember being a somewhat regular occurrence, even when the bike was in what you might call one piece all those years ago), the decision to rebuild rather than replace may be one that I come to regret, but a new bike would just not be the same, I have a lot of happy memories with this bike, we have done a lot of miles together and I feel like the old girl deserves another chance. Besides, where am I going to find another set of the classic "Mint Sauce" stickers from the mid nineties!
When first looking at my old machine I must say the idea to just get a new one and start from scratch did cross my mind, and I am sure that as I put new parts on and others fall off (which I remember being a somewhat regular occurrence, even when the bike was in what you might call one piece all those years ago), the decision to rebuild rather than replace may be one that I come to regret, but a new bike would just not be the same, I have a lot of happy memories with this bike, we have done a lot of miles together and I feel like the old girl deserves another chance. Besides, where am I going to find another set of the classic "Mint Sauce" stickers from the mid nineties!
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