Cycling

I've worked in engineering for years & I'm ashamed to say my bike maimtainance is poor.Apart from the repairing puncture bit,I could do with my own pit crew on permenant standby the roads are shite.

(13-04-2012 22:52 )dan g 27 Wrote:  

(13-04-2012 22:42 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Dan - What needs fixing on your bike mate ?

Its just the tyres are punctured, I just hope it doesn't take weeks to fix. A few years ago, I brought my bike to be fixed, it took two weeks, just to fix a couple of punctured tyres.

A mudguard, I think thats the name I'm thinking of, I need that on my bike

Holy crap, 2 weeks to fix punctures! Unacceptable, that's a same day fix, maybe even a stop and wait while it's done.
The only time I put my bike in the shop was to replace the freewheel block and re-adjust the gears, he had to do quite a bit of work as the deraileur had been bent out of shape by a fall, but it was done same day.

If you do fix them yourself, and it has been a while since the bike has been used, a word of advice, be sure to get some new rim tape. This is a band of tape that goes around the rim that the inner tube then sits on to protect it from the spokes. Usually these days it is made of rubber, but it used to be some sort of material. If the bike has been laid up a while, that tape may need replacing, so it pays to get some beforehand rather than find out when you get the tyre off (been there!).
Also, if the bike has been laid up a while, probably best to replace the inner tubes rather than try repairing, else you could find they fail again very quickly. Tubes are cheap enough. I usually fix and keep an old inner tube and carry it with me as an emergency replacement. If I'm on my way somewhere, I don't want to spend time repairing a puncture, I'll just swap it out and get going, and do the repair later.

Mudguards come as full mudguards that wrap right around nearly half the wheel, and need proper fixing points on the bike, or these days you can get ones which just attach to the frame somewhere, typically called crud catchers or clip-on mudguards, and designed more for mountain bikes which don't usually have the fixing points for proper mudguards.
Here's a link to see the sort of options available:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?s=mudguards

I used to go with full mudguards, but these days I tend to favour the detachable type, and only fit them in winter. I use a rear rack which offers some protection from spray anyhow.

Thanks a million munch1917, that website for the mudguards is also helpful too, prices are not too bad either, seems very reasonable to me

Does any one use any phone apps to record cycle routes and times ?

I've downloaded a free one called 'Map My Ride+' that seems okay, although my last two rides is recorded the time but not the distance! A bit annoying.

(13-04-2012 23:38 )dan g 27 Wrote:  Thanks a million for the website Money Shot, it will probably work out cheaper if I do it myself to fix the bike. It shouldn't be too difficult either, I'm pretty good with my hands, ever since when I did metal work in secondary school

It'll work out loads cheaper, and it is a pretty essential thing you need to learn how to do as punctures can often occur on the road, so carrying a repair kit, or as Munch has said, a spare inner tube can really save the day.
I personally never leave the house without a puncture repair kit, set of Alan keys and a pump!

I would agree also with Munch that maybe it'd be best just to get brand new inner tubes. As mentioned they are pretty cheap and you can always keep the current ones as spares.

(14-04-2012 09:17 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Does any one use any phone apps to record cycle routes and times ?

I've downloaded a free one called 'Map My Ride+' that seems okay, although my last two rides is recorded the time but not the distance! A bit annoying.

i time my self with a good old watch

(14-04-2012 10:32 )LODOS Wrote:  

(14-04-2012 09:17 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Does any one use any phone apps to record cycle routes and times ?

I've downloaded a free one called 'Map My Ride+' that seems okay, although my last two rides is recorded the time but not the distance! A bit annoying.

i time my self with a good old watch

But does a stop watch log your routes and tell you the distance, average speed etc etc

I use a cycle computer on my bike,does all I need as I'm familiar with my routes.Easy to fit & don't cost much.I used to be obsessed with my times etc. & it winds me up that the reality is my body wont let me go as quick these days so I try not to look all the time & just enjoy the ride.

(15-04-2012 02:56 )Money_Shot Wrote:  

(14-04-2012 10:32 )LODOS Wrote:  

(14-04-2012 09:17 )Money_Shot Wrote:  Does any one use any phone apps to record cycle routes and times ?

I've downloaded a free one called 'Map My Ride+' that seems okay, although my last two rides is recorded the time but not the distance! A bit annoying.

i time my self with a good old watch

But does a stop watch log your routes and tell you the distance, average speed etc etc

calculator watch!

i don't know how to repair punctures yet. i don't even know what an inner tube is. like all the problems with my bike, i learn about them after they have occured!

good call on the Allen keys. they come in handy when your handlebars come loose all of a sudden when you're cycling down the road! you can also use them to adjust the breaks, gear levers etc. to tailor the bike to your needs.

i have only ever owned mountain bikes. my current one has full suspension and it takes more effort to keep up with road bikes, but i enjoy it. if you are mainly using roads (and some can be pretty bad), you can skip the suspension, but either way, invest in a comfy saddle!!

if anyone wants a cheap pair of clip-on mudguards, go to Specsaver. i mean Sports Direct. good advertising