Your rants here.

roger_merriman

menthel wrote:

No sure if this is a rant or anti-rant but given the safety issues it causes it goes in here...

Ladies, its lovely to see you out cycling but please wear something more robust on your bottom half, its rather distracting to see your flowery pants or tiny thong through what seems to be a pair of tights. Something slightly thicker would keep your dignity intact, you warmer and me safer! :oops:

Haven't noticed that much, though was a young lass who really should of checked in the mirror how much cleavage is on show, it was a look not a good look though did amuse me!

veronese68

roger merriman wrote:

menthel wrote:

No sure if this is a rant or anti-rant but given the safety issues it causes it goes in here...

Ladies, its lovely to see you out cycling but please wear something more robust on your bottom half, its rather distracting to see your flowery pants or tiny thong through what seems to be a pair of tights. Something slightly thicker would keep your dignity intact, you warmer and me safer! :oops:

Haven't noticed that much, though was a young lass who really should have checked in the mirror how much cleavage is on show, it was a look not a good look though did amuse me!

The air scoop? They clearly don't consider how far they lean forward when on a bike.
Where did dhope's reply to Menthel go?

dhope

Veronese68 wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

menthel wrote:

No sure if this is a rant or anti-rant but given the safety issues it causes it goes in here...

Ladies, its lovely to see you out cycling but please wear something more robust on your bottom half, its rather distracting to see your flowery pants or tiny thong through what seems to be a pair of tights. Something slightly thicker would keep your dignity intact, you warmer and me safer! :oops:

Haven't noticed that much, though was a young lass who really should have checked in the mirror how much cleavage is on show, it was a look not a good look though did amuse me!

The air scoop? They clearly don't consider how far they lean forward when on a bike.
Where did dhope's reply to Menthel go?

Double post and deletion weirdness. I was advocating the wearing see through leggings however, under the guise of defending a right to wear anything.

menthel

dhope wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

roger merriman wrote:

menthel wrote:

No sure if this is a rant or anti-rant but given the safety issues it causes it goes in here...

Ladies, its lovely to see you out cycling but please wear something more robust on your bottom half, its rather distracting to see your flowery pants or tiny thong through what seems to be a pair of tights. Something slightly thicker would keep your dignity intact, you warmer and me safer! :oops:

Haven't noticed that much, though was a young lass who really should have checked in the mirror how much cleavage is on show, it was a look not a good look though did amuse me!

The air scoop? They clearly don't consider how far they lean forward when on a bike.
Where did dhope's reply to Menthel go?

Double post and deletion weirdness. I was advocating the wearing see through leggings however, under the guise of defending a right to wear anything.

Deleted for blatant sexism and lechery?

Its been an "issue" over the past couple of weeks, that and the flash of the builders bum from both sexes whom haven't yet discovered the wonders of bibs. :shock:

veronese68

dhope wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

The air scoop? They clearly don't consider how far they lean forward when on a bike.
Where did dhope's reply to Menthel go?

Double post and deletion weirdness. I was advocating the wearing see through leggings however, under the guise of defending a right to wear anything.

I had started to reply to it, then remembered the real world isn't like the motor trade and thought better of it.

menthel

Veronese68 wrote:

dhope wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

The air scoop? They clearly don't consider how far they lean forward when on a bike.
Where did dhope's reply to Menthel go?

Double post and deletion weirdness. I was advocating the wearing see through leggings however, under the guise of defending a right to wear anything.

I had started to reply to it, then remembered the real world isn't like the motor trade and thought better of it.

Still got Sam Fox calendars up in the wall?

veronese68

menthel wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

dhope wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

The air scoop? They clearly don't consider how far they lean forward when on a bike.
Where did dhope's reply to Menthel go?

Double post and deletion weirdness. I was advocating the wearing see through leggings however, under the guise of defending a right to wear anything.

I had started to reply to it, then remembered the real world isn't like the motor trade and thought better of it.

Still got Sam Fox calendars up in the wall?

No, she's really old now. One supplier still sends calendars that are not as subtle as page 3 material. They are dying out though. Not allowed in areas customers or visitors to the building might see though, very modern you see.

adam0bmx0

This is me once in the office after cycling along Embankment (and a few laps of RP tonight!)

asprilla

adam0bmx0 wrote:

This is me once in the office after cycling along Embankment (and a few laps of RP tonight!)

Oh god yes.

redvee

Veronese68 wrote:

The air scoop? They clearly don't consider how far they lean forward when on a bike.
Where did dhope's reply to Menthel go?

Witnessed my first air scoop of the summer last week, luckily on a narrow path so we both had to slow, and yes the footage from the helmet cam is safe from deletetion

Bagged an extra paid day off work for a Doctor's appointment but the treatment meant no riding today

elbowloh

Left the house yesterday, about to ride to work, pulled the door to and...crap I didn't pick up my keys.

Locked out, bikes locked in the back of the car, i'm dressed in cycling gear and the girlfriend is away.

adambruntlett

menthel wrote:

No sure if this is a rant or anti-rant but given the safety issues it causes it goes in here...

Ladies, its lovely to see you out cycling but please wear something more robust on your bottom half, its rather distracting to see your flowery pants or tiny thong through what seems to be a pair of tights. Something slightly thicker would keep your dignity intact, you warmer and me safer! :oops:

The highlight of summer cycling but I agree it can be a dangerous distraction, and particularly damaging to my Strava times as I slow down to draft said young females and enjoy the view.

seajays

elbowloh wrote:

Left the house yesterday, about to ride to work, pulled the door to and...crap I didn't pick up my keys.

Locked out, bikes locked in the back of the car, i'm dressed in cycling gear and the girlfriend is away.

That's even worse than my key story above - at least I could cycle back and get them! :shock:

adambruntlett

elbowloh wrote:

Left the house yesterday, about to ride to work, pulled the door to and...crap I didn't pick up my keys.

Locked out, bikes locked in the back of the car, i'm dressed in cycling gear and the girlfriend is away.

Sort of thing that happens to me. Strangely reassuring that I'm not the only one. What was the outcome?

I've had to call the brother-in-law who's got a spare set and lives round the corner, and once even managed to fashion a hook-type device from a bit of wire in my shed, stick it through the letter box and open the Yale Lock to 'break in' to my own house. I was pretty chuffed with that achievement.

seajays

adambruntlett wrote:

menthel wrote:

No sure if this is a rant or anti-rant but given the safety issues it causes it goes in here...

Ladies, its lovely to see you out cycling but please wear something more robust on your bottom half, its rather distracting to see your flowery pants or tiny thong through what seems to be a pair of tights. Something slightly thicker would keep your dignity intact, you warmer and me safer! :oops:

The highlight of summer cycling but I agree it can be a dangerous distraction, and particularly damaging to my Strava times as I slow down to draft said young females and enjoy the view.

Just be cognisant of the warning in this SCR haiku...

Girl Roadie, shaved legs,
At lights she waits, poised, ready
Oh no! is a man!
- Dunston_checks_in, A revision of an earlier Greg T work

KnightOfTheLongTights

Glad the warm weather stuck around.

dhope

Seajays wrote:

adambruntlett wrote:

menthel wrote:

No sure if this is a rant or anti-rant but given the safety issues it causes it goes in here...

Ladies, its lovely to see you out cycling but please wear something more robust on your bottom half, its rather distracting to see your flowery pants or tiny thong through what seems to be a pair of tights. Something slightly thicker would keep your dignity intact, you warmer and me safer! :oops:

The highlight of summer cycling but I agree it can be a dangerous distraction, and particularly damaging to my Strava times as I slow down to draft said young females and enjoy the view.

Just be cogniscant of the warning in this SCR haiku...

Girl Roadie, shaved legs,
At lights she waits, poised, ready
Oh no! is a man!
- Dunston_checks_in, A revision of an earlier Greg T work

Ah, Pinarello Rob... him with the long hair and nice legs. Apparently.

veronese68

adambruntlett wrote:

elbowloh wrote:

Left the house yesterday, about to ride to work, pulled the door to and...crap I didn't pick up my keys.

Locked out, bikes locked in the back of the car, i'm dressed in cycling gear and the girlfriend is away.

Sort of thing that happens to me. Strangely reassuring that I'm not the only one. What was the outcome?

I've had to call the brother-in-law who's got a spare set and lives round the corner, and once even managed to fashion a hook-type device from a bit of wire in my shed, stick it through the letter box and open the Yale Lock to 'break in' to my own house. I was pretty chuffed with that achievement.

I once did that, found myself in the back garden with no access to the house or garage. But, there was the 1970's folding bike in the garden so I rode to work in that. Thankfully I don't commute in lycra as that would have looked really odd.

menthel

Veronese68 wrote:

adambruntlett wrote:

elbowloh wrote:

Left the house yesterday, about to ride to work, pulled the door to and...crap I didn't pick up my keys.

Locked out, bikes locked in the back of the car, i'm dressed in cycling gear and the girlfriend is away.

Sort of thing that happens to me. Strangely reassuring that I'm not the only one. What was the outcome?

I've had to call the brother-in-law who's got a spare set and lives round the corner, and once even managed to fashion a hook-type device from a bit of wire in my shed, stick it through the letter box and open the Yale Lock to 'break in' to my own house. I was pretty chuffed with that achievement.

I once did that, found myself in the back garden with no access to the house or garage. But, there was the 1970's folding bike in the garden so I rode to work in that. Thankfully I don't commute in lycra as that would have looked really odd.

I am contemplating, for amusement, sorting out the Moulton Standard that I have acquired and intermittently riding it in to work. In fact I might buy a full set of sky kit to do it in!

elbowloh

adambruntlett wrote:

elbowloh wrote:

Left the house yesterday, about to ride to work, pulled the door to and...crap I didn't pick up my keys.

Locked out, bikes locked in the back of the car, i'm dressed in cycling gear and the girlfriend is away.

Sort of thing that happens to me. Strangely reassuring that I'm not the only one. What was the outcome?

I've had to call the brother-in-law who's got a spare set and lives round the corner, and once even managed to fashion a hook-type device from a bit of wire in my shed, stick it through the letter box and open the Yale Lock to 'break in' to my own house. I was pretty chuffed with that achievement.

Never done it before, felt a right plonker.

Had to go to my Gf's parents house, but it was 6.30 in the morning and didn't want to wake them (don't know them that well). Even when I turned up later, I called them in advance...no answer. The bell wasn't working. Tried knocking, no answer.

Waited a while, went round the corner to a café and had a cup of tea (had a couple of quid on me). Went back round to their house, could hear water coming down the drain pipe, so knew they were in. rang them again and finally they answered, let me in and gave me the spare keys!

Ended up working from home the rest of the day instead as I wouldn't have gotten to work until about midday anyway.

elbowloh

elbowloh wrote:

adambruntlett wrote:

elbowloh wrote:

Left the house yesterday, about to ride to work, pulled the door to and...crap I didn't pick up my keys.

Locked out, bikes locked in the back of the car, i'm dressed in cycling gear and the girlfriend is away.

Sort of thing that happens to me. Strangely reassuring that I'm not the only one. What was the outcome?

I've had to call the brother-in-law who's got a spare set and lives round the corner, and once even managed to fashion a hook-type device from a bit of wire in my shed, stick it through the letter box and open the Yale Lock to 'break in' to my own house. I was pretty chuffed with that achievement.

Never done it before, felt a right plonker.

Had to go to my Gf's parents house, but it was 6.30 in the morning and didn't want to wake them (don't know them that well). Even when I turned up later, I called them in advance...no answer. The bell wasn't working. Tried knocking, no answer.

Waited a while, went round the corner to a café and had a cup of tea (had a couple of quid on me). Went back round to their house, could hear water coming down the drain pipe, so knew they were in. rang them again and finally they answered, let me in and gave me the spare keys!

Ended up working from home the rest of the day instead as I wouldn't have gotten to work until about midday anyway.

I could see the keys through the letter box, but it's a tiny letter box and couldn't quite reach with the pole that I had found in the outside cupboard. Thought about the cat-flap, but it's one that only opens when the cat with the right chip comes through. So i'm standing there calling through the letter box for the cats to come out, but they don't. Look through the window and they're just sitting there staring at me, mocking me with their inactive silence.

seajays

elbowloh wrote:

So i'm standing there calling through the letter box for the cats to come out, but they don't. Look through the window and they're just sitting there staring at me, mocking me with their inactive silence.

You realise the cats probably planned it all along don't you...

R4skob

Sent the bike in for a service, lack of space and time means not really had chance to do it myself, and it apparently it needs new chaining (and a new chain but expected that). Its only a year old, it should have lasted longer than that and I tend to keep the drive-train clean

Half of me believes them, the other half makes me think they are going for a easy sale

KnightOfTheLongTights

R4skob wrote:

Sent the bike in for a service, lack of space and time means not really had chance to do it myself, and it apparently it new chaining (and a new chain but expected that). Its only a year old, its should have lasted longer than that and i tend to keep the drive-train clean

half of me believes them, the other half makes me think they are going for a easy sale

Always a tricky one this - one of the many ups to having a workshop you really trust.
Chainring should last several chains shouldn't it, more than cassettes iirc?
But suppose a badly worn chain might damage chainrings early.

timothyw

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

R4skob wrote:

Sent the bike in for a service, lack of space and time means not really had chance to do it myself, and it apparently it new chaining (and a new chain but expected that). Its only a year old, its should have lasted longer than that and i tend to keep the drive-train clean

half of me believes them, the other half makes me think they are going for a easy sale

Always I tricky one this - one of the many ups to having a workshop you really trust.
Chainring should last several chains shouldn't it, more than cassettes iirc?
But suppose a badly worn chain might damage chainrings early.

This is exactly it, if you've been using the same chain for a year and you ride a decent amount it's likely you've prematurely aged the chainring by using a worn chain on it.

It's a bit of a no-win situation for the bike shops, I remember when I was a rookie I had a new chain put on and the next day I was straight back as the chainring was constantly slipping, which is arguably a worse situation to be in.

If in doubt then ask to see the old chainring, it'll soon be obvious from comparing the teeth to the new one if you've been taken for a ride...

elbowloh

and this is why I do my own maintenance.

Well, that and the cost savings.

R4skob

elbowloh wrote:

and this is why I do my own maintenance.

Well, that and the cost savings.

I would much prefer to do my own, its more of a lack of space issue that comes with living in a flat in London

Asked to see the Chainring so I can see what is being regarded as worn. Worst case being it is, and I learn what to keep an eye out for in future

tgotb

R4skob wrote:

elbowloh wrote:

and this is why I do my own maintenance.

Well, that and the cost savings.

I would much prefer to do my own, its more of a lack of space issue that comes with living in a flat in London

Asked to see the Chainring so I can see what is being regarded as worn. Worst case being it is, and I learn what to keep an eye out for in future

You don't need a lot of space for that sort of maintenance - small box to keep the tools in, and a bit of pavement to swap the bits over (or kitchen floor with newspaper if partner/flatmates are amenable)

My strategy is to replace chains when they're nearing 1%. I then replace the cassette when it starts slipping with a new chain (only ever slips on 1 or 2 cogs, so it's ok to finish the commute on which I discover it's slipping); cassette typically lasts 3 or 4 chains. Replace the chainring when that starts slipping; chainring typically lasts 3 or 4 cassettes. With the money you save by doing it yourself the first time, you can buy a chain and cassette to keep "in stock" so you don't have to rush to the LBS next time you discover one needs replacing.

All you need is:
Chainbreaker (which you should have anyway)
Cassette tool
Chain whip
Hex keys (which you should have anyway)
Tool for back of chainring bolt

You can fit all the tools you need to do 95% of bike building/maintenance jobs into a shoebox. The only ones you can't are more specialised things like bearing presses, mech hanger alignment tools and truing stands, and most home mechanics are probably going to want the LBS to do those sort of jobs anyway...

Edit: replacing chain and cassette is a 10 min job.

KnightOfTheLongTights

or you save a lot of valuable time and hassle by paying a tradesman to do it, thereby keeping them in business and freeing yourself to get on with stuff that is a lot more enjoyable?

tgotb

KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:

or you save a lot of valuable time and hassle by paying a tradesman to do it, thereby keeping them in business and freeing yourself to get on with stuff that is a lot more enjoyable?

This makes no sense at all! In the 10 mins it takes me to replace a chain and cassette, I wouldn't even have time to get to a bike shop, let alone stand in line waiting to be served, stand around waiting while someone else does the work, pay for it, and then ride back home. And that's always assuming the bike shop has someone available to do the work when I want it done. Doing it myself saves money *and* time.