Official P&b Cycling Thread

[Funky Nosejob]

13 hours ago, jamamafegan said:

Been doing a bit of looking around and I’ve seen something which is screaming to me too good to be true - or is it legit? A brand of bike called “Sunspeed” that’s made in China

Easier to view the spec of what you’re getting here. https://www.cyclobikessg.com/hybrid/p/sunspeed-kepler

I was told in the 90s to walk away if the components aren’t Shimano or Campagnolo. Don’t know whether that’s still the case, but all the recognised brands in the UK seem to stick with those options.

[Sherrif John Bunnell]

I'd be careful ordering a bike direct from China, you could get stung by massive import taxes and a box that size is bound to be looked at by customs.

[jamamafegan]

It’s seems I’ve cocked up my calculations - what I thought was the full price was just shipping cost [emoji38]. The dream is over.

[Bairnardo]

It’s seems I’ve cocked up my calculations - what I thought was the full price was just shipping cost [emoji38]. The dream is over.

No cycle to work scheme at your work?

[Busta Nut]

perhaps the experienced guys could point out bikes for the newbies 

[jamamafegan]

No cycle to work scheme at your work?

Yeah there is but I’m concerned at what happens if I leave the company!

[LondonHMFC]

8 minutes ago, jamamafegan said:

 

Yeah there is but I’m concerned at what happens if I leave the company!

 

You pay the remainder of what is left. I did it recently. Had a few months left of payments, and it was taken from my final pay.

[sonsanorak]

I can recommend Cycletrade and Bike for Good in Glasgow for buying good used bikes. Checked over and set up by experienced mechanics and a good vibe about both places.

[Funky Nosejob]

2 hours ago, Busta Nut said:

perhaps the experienced guys could point out bikes for the newbies 

My experience is more through age than expertise. I’m currently riding a Pinnacle Neon 1 Hybrid bicycle with upgraded saddle, brake pads and tyres. Hopefully my pros and cons might be useful considerations for someone.

Things I like about it: 

• It’s got rim brakes, a single chainring and no suspension making it relatively light. 
• The 8 gears give me enough range for my needs and I don’t have to worry about cross-chaining.
• The rim brakes and single chainring also make it easier to maintain. 
• The flat handlebar makes it more stable than bikes with drop handlebars. 
• The lower price (under £350) means it’s automatically covered on my home insurance.
• I can happily go out on it for 2hr road rides, but it doesn’t look out of place when accompanying Funky Junior on his MTB along the Water of Leith.

Downsides: 

• The flat handlebar reduces your hand placement options which can become uncomfortable on longer rides. 
• On anything more challenging than a forest path, the lack of suspension leads to sore wrists and knees.
• Evans Cycles has now been taken over by Sports Direct and their customer support has suffered as a result.

If you’re looking for second hand bikes in Edinburgh, I can recommend Soul Cycles near Tollcross.

[RiG]

I'm looking to track my rides in a bit more detail than just location and distance on Strava with my smartphone and was looking at fitness trackers but some seem a bit hit and miss. The Fitbit Charge 4 was one I was looking at as it has built in GPS but there seems to be a lot of reports that the GPS signal is pretty rotten. Cheap ones still need to be tethered to your smart phone which is what I am trying to "free" myself from.

I've ended up looking at a smart watch, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 which, whilst old, seems to have good reviews and the GPS seems pretty good. I can order it through Amazon US for about £50 cheaper than any of the UK stores here (even with shipping etc) but is there any reason why a a US Vivoactive wouldn't work here? I can't think of anything but maybe I am missing something obvious.

Thanks.

[die hard doonhamer]

Been going out 6/7 mile ish rides on my lunch break recently. Went for one today, and managed to fall off before I'd even left my street moral of the story: if you've forgotten to put your gloves on, just stop to do it, don't try putting them on while moving.

Thankfully no witnesses.

Edited March 23, 2021 by die hard doonhamer

[Gnash]

2 hours ago, die hard doonhamer said:

Been going out 6/7 mile ish rides on my lunch break recently. Went for one today, and managed to fall off before I'd even left my street moral of the story: if you've forgotten to put your gloves on, just stop to do it, don't try putting them on while moving.

Thankfully no witnesses.

I learned the hard way to not read a map while riding. 

[Busta Nut]

Went out twice on the old Mountain bike last week First time in ages. Having issues with my gears but not enough to stop me. 

I use my phone to track my rides on strava. I don't mind using my phone but I was wondering if there is anything (free &) better than Strava out there?

[Funky Nosejob]

On 24/03/2021 at 10:26, Busta Nut said:

Having issues with my gears but not enough to stop me.

Indexing (simple to adjust) or chain stretch (best replaced before you damage your cassette)?

On 24/03/2021 at 10:26, Busta Nut said:

I don't mind using my phone but I was wondering if there is anything (free &) better than Strava out there?

I used to use the Garmin App which had some extra metrics, but I had access to the paid version because of a Garmin Watch I own. Can’t say for sure whether the free app is any better than Strava.

On 07/03/2021 at 11:46, Funky Nosejob said:

There! Happy now?
Anyway, to push myself on I decided to join a suitable Strava challenge to cycle 400km in March. I’ve been out every other day so far and checked my progress after this morning’s ride. I’m currently in position 129,181 with 145km.

Made 530km in March and aiming for something similar in April.
This morning’s 43km ride was notable for Personal Records all the way out to Pumpherston, but no achievements whatsoever thereafter, probably due to a NE wind rather than the standard SW.

[davidkennedyshand]

I'm looking to track my rides in a bit more detail than just location and distance on Strava with my smartphone and was looking at fitness trackers but some seem a bit hit and miss. The Fitbit Charge 4 was one I was looking at as it has built in GPS but there seems to be a lot of reports that the GPS signal is pretty rotten. Cheap ones still need to be tethered to your smart phone which is what I am trying to "free" myself from.

I've ended up looking at a smart watch, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 which, whilst old, seems to have good reviews and the GPS seems pretty good. I can order it through Amazon US for about £50 cheaper than any of the UK stores here (even with shipping etc) but is there any reason why a a US Vivoactive wouldn't work here? I can't think of anything but maybe I am missing something obvious.

Thanks.

I bought a Fitbit Versa 3 earlier this year. The GPS certainly isn't as strong as a phone is but the only issue I've had with it is going under large bridges or the old railway tunnel on a cycle path I use. It reconnects automatically once you're back out though. Still registers the full map and gives you all your splits,heart rates etc

[RiG]

30 minutes ago, davidkennedyshand said:

On 18/03/2021 at 22:23, RiG said:

I'm looking to track my rides in a bit more detail than just location and distance on Strava with my smartphone and was looking at fitness trackers but some seem a bit hit and miss. The Fitbit Charge 4 was one I was looking at as it has built in GPS but there seems to be a lot of reports that the GPS signal is pretty rotten. Cheap ones still need to be tethered to your smart phone which is what I am trying to "free" myself from.

I've ended up looking at a smart watch, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 which, whilst old, seems to have good reviews and the GPS seems pretty good. I can order it through Amazon US for about £50 cheaper than any of the UK stores here (even with shipping etc) but is there any reason why a a US Vivoactive wouldn't work here? I can't think of anything but maybe I am missing something obvious.

Thanks.

I bought a Fitbit Versa 3 earlier this year. The GPS certainly isn't as strong as a phone is but the only issue I've had with it is going under large bridges or the old railway tunnel on a cycle path I use. It reconnects automatically once you're back out though. Still registers the full map and gives you all your splits,heart rates etc

Cheers. In the end I went for the Garmin and just played it safe by getting it from Amazon UK. Seem good so far and tracks well. A couple of irritating drops with the bluetooth connection with the phone with requires complete restarts of the phone, watch and app. it does what I wanted it to do I guess and that's the main thing. 

[Busta Nut]

On 01/04/2021 at 12:07, Funky Nosejob said:

Indexing (simple to adjust) or chain stretch (best replaced before you damage your cassette)?

 

It's more a case of the wire that adjusts them sticking at points

[bennett]

7 minutes ago, Busta Nut said:

It's more a case of the wire that adjusts them sticking at points

Check that the cable is clean and nothing is blocking it, maybe a wee bit of lube.

Also is the cable connected correctly?

 

[Ingo ohne Flamingo]

Got gifted this from my MD last week! Not had a proper shot on it yet due to not having cycling shoes and matching cleats but got those tonight. 

Been using a hybrid bike for the last 4 years so looking forward to this and seeing the difference when out on rides 

Unfortunately my fitness is a shambles thanks to 7 months of no exercise after my achilles rupture back in September. Hoping this new bike will spur me on again! 

[Ingo ohne Flamingo]

Not a great commute home when my back tyre went down and my pump fucked the presta valve and halved it . First time I've had a bike with these valves and they're a nightmare! 

For those who have shoes, did you fit your own cleats or get someone do it for you? I fitted mines last night but my right heel was pretty uncomfortable whilst cycling today.