577 replies to this topic

[AndrewJ530]

Another quick question lads, are reflectors a legal requirement? I'm not sure whether they are or not. Don't want to get pulled by the bobby's.

[Mark@IR]

I believe the bike shop has an obligation to give you reflectors with your bike, but you don't have to have them fitted. Lights do a much better job then reflectors anywho!

Biiiig essay on why they are pap.

http://www.sheldonbr...reflectors.html


Personally, lights any day of the week, brighter the better.

Heres a quick interesting read,

23rd October 2005, it finally became legal to have a flashing light on a pedal cycle. Even better: it became possible for a flashing light to be approved, meaning no other light would be needed in that position. And since BS6102/3 does not yet cater for flashing (but is likely to be amended to do so quite soon), approval is for the time being, granted simply on the basis of brightness.

Because DfT very much prefer anything that possibly can be evaluated against a proper technical standard, so to be evaluated: any flashing lamp that is also capable of emitting a steady light is approved only if it conforms with BS6102/3 when switched to steady mode. Since most (probably all) flashing lights do also have a steady mode, and since none of their manufacturers can be bothered to test and mark them to the pernickety standards of one small country on the fringes of Europe, it's unlikely that any flashing light actually qualifies for approval. But since it became theoretically legal to ride a bike with only flashing lights on it, the Police are nowadays no more likely to quibble its legal status than one equipped with steady lights – unless they're rather dim or involved in an accident of course.

[Timtom]

Man im so unfit! my legs get so knackered just cycling a few miles..!

Any good recommendations on bike lights (for the front - i've got a back 'un) but i'm wanting brightness! Also is there a limit on how many lights you can have on the front? (i'm only guna have one on, on the main roads)

Thanks,

[AndrewJ530]

I believe the bike shop has an obligation to give you reflectors with your bike, but you don't have to have them fitted. Lights do a much better job then reflectors anywho!

Biiiig essay on why they are pap.

http://www.sheldonbr...reflectors.html


Personally, lights any day of the week, brighter the better.

Heres a quick interesting read,

23rd October 2005, it finally became legal to have a flashing light on a pedal cycle. Even better: it became possible for a flashing light to be approved, meaning no other light would be needed in that position. And since BS6102/3 does not yet cater for flashing (but is likely to be amended to do so quite soon), approval is for the time being, granted simply on the basis of brightness.

Because DfT very much prefer anything that possibly can be evaluated against a proper technical standard, so to be evaluated: any flashing lamp that is also capable of emitting a steady light is approved only if it conforms with BS6102/3 when switched to steady mode. Since most (probably all) flashing lights do also have a steady mode, and since none of their manufacturers can be bothered to test and mark them to the pernickety standards of one small country on the fringes of Europe, it's unlikely that any flashing light actually qualifies for approval. But since it became theoretically legal to ride a bike with only flashing lights on it, the Police are nowadays no more likely to quibble its legal status than one equipped with steady lights – unless they're rather dim or involved in an accident of course.

Exactly what i thought. I do have lights but just wondered if the rozzers would pull me. It's the same with bells asswell. i know shops have to sell them with one (i used to build the bikes in big w 4 years ago) but you can take them off when you've bought it.

First ride into work today gents. My legs are really aching too. I only did 9 miles each way but it was my first proper ride of a bike in 2 years lol. Think i did okay considering i had my cruciate operation 9 months ago .

Andrew

Edit: Forgot to say i need a decent pump. Any suggestions? The cheap ones probably wont go past 80 psi and the tyres go up to 125.

Edited by AndrewJ530, 27 January 2009 - 09:01 PM.

[Mark@IR]

Lights wise, you'll be better giving us a budget and we can have a shop around for you. Personally i spend as much as i possibly can on lights! After all its whats keeping you away from a car bonnet and the hospital!

As for the pump situation, Topeak do some really nice road ones, however no matter how good the small pumps are they're not as good as having a proper track pump at home to keep your pressures high. Use the little pump so you're able to put new tubes in when you get punctures when out riding.

[nurseholliday]

I bought a Blackburn Track Pump from my LBS for £30. It comes with a lifetime warranty and it goes up to 140 PSI. My tyres are 700x25 and they'll go from flat to 100 in not very long, and 80ish to 120ish in about 10 seconds. It's a good pump.

Here it is on Wiggle, and also thanks for asking that question, because without searching for it, I would never have realised that I had this perk built into my pump!

Ergonomic shaped T-handle offers comfort and storage space in hidden drawers for patch kits, tyre levers, and the included ball needle adaptors

[AndrewJ530]

I can't really afford a track pump to be honest. Think i'm going to have to stick with a compact one until i can get a track one maybe in a month or 2 when the funds are right again. I just need something that will give me a decent amount of pressure to get me home if a tyre decides to go pop.

I thought about getting this one:

http://www.wiggle.co...uge/5360011989/

but then i read reviews on it and people rate it as carp.

[Mark@IR]

I can't really afford a track pump to be honest. Think i'm going to have to stick with a compact one until i can get a track one maybe in a month or 2 when the funds are right again. I just need something that will give me a decent amount of pressure to get me home if a tyre decides to go pop.

I thought about getting this one:

http://www.wiggle.co...uge/5360011989/

but then i read reviews on it and people rate it as carp.

That pump wont do you much good at all, its more of a MTB specific pump.

I'll find you one in a mo, but they do more road specific pumps.

[THE ANORAK]

in my opinion the mini pumps are hard work when it comes to getting a road tyre up to pressure. a good sized frame pump is best (why don't bikes come with these anymore ??? ).

i have one of those co2 thingies as a "get me home" pump and it does work and it only takes seconds. only thing is, if you have a really bad day and get loads of punctures... your stuffed but then i've never had a puncture on the road bike (you watch, i'll get one on my next ride )

i do have a propper track pump at home and i agree that you should invest in one as soon as "funds allow". even a car foot pump struggles to reach the pressures needed and a track pump gets there in a few, well.... "pumps".

[nurseholliday]

You seriously can't beat a good track pump.

It's on Chain Reaction Cycles for £24.99 with free Delivery, only £7 more than that mini pump.

http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=27013

Start off with better pressure, less likely to get punctures, negating the need for a mini pump. You'll struggle to see past 80 psi with a hand pump.

I seriously can't stress enough how important it is to have proper pressure in a road tyre. You will feel such an amazing difference. I was in a Time Trial on Sunday and had a go on someone's fixed gear with tubs. 200 psi feels ridiculously fast, like ridiculously fast. There's practically no rolling resistance whatsoever.

Edited by nurseholliday, 28 January 2009 - 09:27 PM.

[THE ANORAK]

you see, now i want one of those.... in red

Edited by THE ANORAK, 28 January 2009 - 09:28 PM.

[nurseholliday]

Well according to my Fixed Gear friends, Topeak Joe Blow Track Pumps are better than Blackburn Air Towers, so here, take your pick (they're cheaper too!).

Max II - £19.99
http://www.chainreac...px?ModelID=4949

Sport - £24.99
http://www.chainreac...px?ModelID=1608

Sprint - £29.99
http://www.chainreac...px?ModelID=4950

[Mark@IR]

As said above, the track pumps really are better. However if you want something to take out with you, like the other guy said a 'frame fit' pump, nice big barrel on the bad boy! Its ideal to have a pump out with you and a pump at home but yea.. I mean take a look here

http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=11312

come in different sizes so measure up your top tube and see which will fit best.


Track pump wise, i've had one of them Air Towers, i got rid to buy myself a mofo of all pumps, the daddy, made by SKS. Got the best track pump award for like 3 years running or something!

http://www.wiggle.co...ump/5360036928/

Its a beast! It stays at home though so it doesn't matter. Point is, most track pumps when they get to 80PSI upwards start to get stiff, this pump puts less air in per pump, but you never seem to struggle with it. So it might take you 10 pumps more to get to 120psi, but you can do it all with one hand easy.

About a year and a half i've had it, use it at least twice a week and i've not had one issue with it. For those who can spend a bit more on there track pumps, this one is definatly the big beast of the bunch.

Blackburn do a track pump for like £200 thats full carbon, magazines said its all show and not much better then there £60 equivalants.. Ha!

[nurseholliday]

Oh thanks Mark. That SKS looks amazing!

Er... Anyone want to buy my Blackburn?? Probably only used about 20-25 times!

[Mark@IR]

Oh thanks Mark. That SKS looks amazing!

Its an absolute tank man, proper awesome peice of kit. I like stuff that lasts, if this was a bike it would be a downhill bike, i mean just pure beasty strength. Again, lifetime warrenty i do believe and you can buy rebuild kits for it i think.

While im in the mood for recommending things, i recently bought some more Endura clothing, just can't get enough of there stuff, proper good. They don't like wasting anything either which is nice to hear these days, i ripped one of my jackets and they took it back and stitched it all up properly for me.

Pricey yes, worth it, yes! Not as pricey as some stuff, but they're quality is high so.. Yea.. thumbs up from me.

I've given up on my single speed steel bike idea.. Going to buy myself one of them nice little Wilier bikes!