The Velotard Thread.

[Wombat del combate]

I'd guess,
Slight wheel buckle?
Tyre not seated properly?
QR release/thru axle not tight enough?
And silly as it sounds not enough weight on the front, perhaps you haven't gone full holding on tight for dear life you fearless bastard as the rest of us would

Rims are carbon so I think we discount that (I hope!)

I will check the tyre but that was fitted by my mechanic post-blowout when I got him to check everything over, however I do feel as if I could see a fraction of oscillation on the front wheel so will check both at the same time.

While I wasn't holding on fear dear life, I wasn't hands free either; I might have been slightly off the saddle though which has made me wonder if that was enough to destabilise?

 

[Wombat del combate]

jesus, I'm not capable of going that fast wombat. think I *may* have got to around 25mph at best...

It's fine; just remember at high speeds you make a very small and aerodynamic hole in the scenery if you come off.

 

[lemonjelly]

prefer to avoid that mate! I don't often get above 40mph in my car, let alone on the bike!

 

[Parkins left foot]

be interested to know how you get on PLF. considering acquiring one for home myself.

Bike fully assembled now (well apart from the flimsy connection to run the display which runs off the resistance pedal unit so don't know how far I am going or at what speed) - wasn't helped by the instruction book as 2 of the sections finished with the word 'and' plus a couple of items needed extra info as they only went on with a reverse thread (which they didn't tell me) & that';s counter intuitive .

Still - did 15 mins this morning to try it out and will do a bit longer tomorrow. Pouring with rain so being able to cycle in the garage was a plus. Reasonably comfortable and can dial up the resistance to make it harder, though only moved it to level 4 (out of 8) so far.

 

[lemonjelly]

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/mar/14/five-uk-best-bike-cycle-scenic-rides

 

[jlo]

Trying to research some half decent but not expensive wheel rims for my road bike, just so I can fit some more gravel/all terrain type tyres to them; then have interchangeable wheels for road or gravel path surfaces. Searching online throws up some very expensive options, and then the random cheap thing like this. These genuinely look like they might do the job for leisurely type rides, what's the catch (i.e. must be a reason they are so cheap and i'm missing it!). Any thoughts on what's decent out there?

On the above chat for indoor set ups - I've had an indoor turbo for the last year which wasn't half bad, but jumped in the deep end with a Peloton which arrived just over a month ago and the difference is massive (and yes, I get the irony that I'm complaining about cost of wheels above!). Really enjoying it, getting much more exercise in with it and the price is no different to a gym membership near where I live except you don't have to fuss with trying to get into a class / awkward times / etc.

 

[lemonjelly]

cleaned the bike last week in the more pleasant weather, and been able to get out a couple of times. need to get back in shape for commuting to work again...
someone has also gifted mrs jelly a bike that had been left in their garden. It has been barely used. I've given the chain and gears a thorough clean. I need to get someone who knows that they are doing to fix the break cables. aside from that the brake pads and tyres are virtually new, so I am hoping it will be something she can use over summer (she's already bought herself a helmet, and a basket to go on the front!)

Is there a way to tidy up the places starting to see surface corrosion following the previous owner leaving the bike outdoors? We are at least able to keep it covered, and would like to avoid it getting worse, and improve it if I can.

 

[Keef]

Rims are carbon so I think we discount that (I hope!)

I will check the tyre but that was fitted by my mechanic post-blowout when I got him to check everything over, however I do feel as if I could see a fraction of oscillation on the front wheel so will check both at the same time.

While I wasn't holding on fear dear life, I wasn't hands free either; I might have been slightly off the saddle though which has made me wonder if that was enough to destabilise?

Did you ever find out the problem?

 

[Wombat del combate]

Did you ever find out the problem?

Not definitively, no; I found a tiny bit of oscillation in the front wheel and thoroughly checked over everything else, but nothing was immediately obvious. So now it's a case of building up confidence again through gentler hills and with knees clamped on the top tube; not as much fun as hanging over the stem at 40mph+.

 

[machin05]

Trying to research some half decent but not expensive wheel rims for my road bike, just so I can fit some more gravel/all terrain type tyres to them; then have interchangeable wheels for road or gravel path surfaces. Searching online throws up some very expensive options, and then the random cheap thing like this. These genuinely look like they might do the job for leisurely type rides, what's the catch (i.e. must be a reason they are so cheap and i'm missing it!). Any thoughts on what's decent out there?

On the above chat for indoor set ups - I've had an indoor turbo for the last year which wasn't half bad, but jumped in the deep end with a Peloton which arrived just over a month ago and the difference is massive (and yes, I get the irony that I'm complaining about cost of wheels above!). Really enjoying it, getting much more exercise in with it and the price is no different to a gym membership near where I live except you don't have to fuss with trying to get into a class / awkward times / etc.

Have you got disc brakes?

 

[jlo]

Have you got disc brakes?

No they're just traditional rim brakes (for this bike). Just looking for a relatively cheap alternative set of wheels and stumbling into what looks like a complex marketplace...!

 

[sycophantia]

Ok, I'm still having trouble with my foot so hill walking is off the menu for now, so I'm joining the 'darkside' for a bit to try and get/stay a bit fitter.
I've acquired a bike from my lad, the first cycle I've owned for 46 years...things have changed a bit.
Looks like I need a new set of tyres (its an MTB) 26 x 1.95. Don't want to spend a fortune but they need to have decent wet grip (on the road) and preferably longevity. Also the seat/saddle is like sitting on a razor blade, need summat comfy, more in keeping for an old fella, don't care what it looks like. So any advice/comments welcome.

 

[Keef]

Schwalbe marathons for tyres, grip good puncture resistance fantastic, I had one puncture in 6000 miles around Europe, quite expensive though about £20-25
Saddle wise is tricky, different for everyone, I'm using a spa cycles nidd leather saddle, but have used a rido R2 in the past, looks weird but very comfy once you've tweaked the angle on it

 

[MARKakaJIM]

Saddles are a bit pot luck in my experience unless you can be bothered to go and get your arse measured, though I'd guess most places offering that service are going to push you towards their most expensive saddles afterwards to make it worth their time.

 

[sycophantia]

Saddles are a bit pot luck in my experience unless you can be bothered to go and get your arse measured, though I'd guess most places offering that service are going to push you towards their most expensive saddles afterwards to make it worth their time.

Hmm, sounds like cycle saddles are bit like motorcycle seats, in that there is no right or wrong answer......luckily unlike motorcycle seats, they don't cost 300-500 quid

 

[Tredman]

Thought this was quite useful

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

I'm going to have to start dropping the kids off at breakfast club at school in the mornings which won't then give me a lot of time to make it from the school to work in time. As I don't drive, my plan is to bike it. I'll only be using the bike for about 15 minutes twice a day so I'm just going to get myself a 2nd hand bike. Are there any shops that sell decent 2nd hand bikes or am I better off looking on eBay?

 

[Keef]

There's a few charities out there that sell bikes, they safety check them as well, which eBay won't. Worth a Google depending on where you live

 

[sycophantia]

Any local buy and sell groups online?

 

[lemonjelly]

decathalons bikes are pretty affordable. Got mine 6 years ago approx, and it's still in good nick and more than does the job for me. In normal times I do a similar ish commute to what you'll be doing - 15-20 mins each way.