Your rants here.
Comments
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Well, I think we all have a spell when we take our bike into the shop to get everything done, sooner or later you realize that it's a lot of money that you don't have to spend and a lot of time you don't have to waste waiting to get your bike back.
The last couple of times I've had little things go wrong on the commute into work I've popped down to the LBS, said 'any chance you can get it done today?' and when they can't I've just done the job myself (buying the parts from them as required). Best of both worlds IMHO.
In winter they're quieter, I'd suggest that's the better time to give them work (and when they are more likely to be struggling for cashflow).0 -
I have at least 1, if not 2 prolapsed discs. I've had one before but I knew the cause of that one, this one has crept up on me slowly.
So I've not ridden my bike for over a month, and won't be able to for a little while yet (doctors orders!). I am allowed to swim though - swimming sucks! The scenery is boring.
Not getting regular exercise is making me very very grumpy, also the constant pain is a bit of a...well.... pain! Also, this weather is perfect for cycling, perhaps I need to buy a sit-up and beg bike as that would be more forgiving on my spine.0 -
Work do last night so spectacularly and transcendently hung over this am. Decide to take the CS7 as I wasn't up for the mighty Wimbleberg. No sport whatsoever aside from a chap in a deep sectioned Pearson with loads of bespoke decals, despite me being on the fixie with a probable wonky front hub (kind of a hooning sound every rotation, which I just ignored, because hangover). Traffic not so bad and was making good time, but suffered an inexplicable (ok, very explicable) clipless moment just before blackfriars bridge, ruining the smug sense of superiority I had been cultivating all morning. If you need me, I'll be under my desk.0
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Plus some of us actually like doing it...TGOTB wrote:
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.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?0 -
elbowloh wrote:
Plus some of us actually like doing it...TGOTB wrote:
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.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?
well be my guest!
For me it's like DIY, decorating, window-cleaning: if I want to spend the weekend working then I'll get myself a job that pays me seven days a week.
In the meantime, if I find myself with a paintbrush in my hand on a Saturday, I'll know something's gone badly amiss...0 -
The only way your argument stands up is if you also pay someone else to take the bike to the shop (which, for all I know, may be exactly what you do).KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:elbowloh wrote:
Plus some of us actually like doing it...TGOTB wrote:
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.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?
well be my guest!
For me it's like DIY, decorating, window-cleaning: if I want to spend the weekend working then I'll get myself a job that pays me seven days a week.
In the meantime, if I find myself with a paintbrush in my hand on a Saturday, I'll know something's gone badly amiss...
Do you go to the barbers every time you need a shave?Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
don't get me wrong, I hate DIY (never do any) and gardening (pay someone to do that), but I do like tinkering with the bike!KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:elbowloh wrote:
Plus some of us actually like doing it...TGOTB wrote:
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.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?
well be my guest!
For me it's like DIY, decorating, window-cleaning: if I want to spend the weekend working then I'll get myself a job that pays me seven days a week.
In the meantime, if I find myself with a paintbrush in my hand on a Saturday, I'll know something's gone badly amiss...0 -
I know I know, I'm just being grumpy and unnecessarily provocative - just a bit hungover chaps sorry...0
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Don't stop now, I was enjoying this discussion almost as much as I enjoy tinkering with bikes. This *is* a rants thread...KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:I know I know, I'm just being grumpy and unnecessarily provocative - just a bit hungover chaps sorry...Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
TGOTB wrote:Do you go to the barbers every time you need a shave?
hehe, no but I do make things easy on myself by only shaving twice a week!
(I used to shave my own hair off, and then one day I caught myself hoovering up the clippings, and thought 'what the f--- am I doing? - this costs £8 down the barbers and they'll do a better job')
Anyway, similarly to the chap who started all this off: I have a first-floor flat with very little room, even if I wanted to work on my bike it would be awkward as hell.
As it is to clean it (which I happily spent an hour doing on Wednesday) I have to take it out the front of the house, half out on the pavement, and carry buckets of water down stairs etc etc.
It gets cleaned a lot less often than when I had a garden and hose ...0 -
If I was super rich one of the first things I would do is pay for someone to constantly clean and maintain my bikes.
Alas I'm not, so I'll ride with badly maintained, unclean bikes.0 -
KnightOfTheLongTights wrote:TGOTB wrote:Do you go to the barbers every time you need a shave?
hehe, no but I do make things easy on myself by only shaving twice a week!
(I used to shave my own hair off, and then one day I caught myself hoovering up the clippings, and thought 'what the f--- am I doing? - this costs £8 down the barbers and they'll do a better job')
Anyway, similarly to the chap who started all this off: I have a first-floor flat with very little room, even if I wanted to work on my bike it would be awkward as hell.
As it is to clean it (which I happily spent an hour doing on Wednesday) I have to take it out the front of the house, half out on the pavement, and carry buckets of water down stairs etc etc.
It gets cleaned a lot less often than when I had a garden and hose ...
This is exactly my situation and why I thought I would try someone else to give it a service. For anything more than light tinkering it quickly becomes awkward, as much as I would like to do it myself
I did try and clean my bike in the bathroom once, much to the annoyance of the flatmates, will make sure they are our out before I do that again. For the meantime I try and wipe it down outside after each ride to minimise any build up0 -
One of the few things I don't like about cyclocross is arriving home late on Sunday afternoon, with 4 bikes that you *have* to clean, regardless of how cold and miserable it is outside, because you're going to need them again next weekend. It's fine to begin with, but by the middle of December it starts to get quite dull. I reckon there's money to be made by turning up at races with a big van, and charging people to take away their dirty/broken bikes and then deliver them, sparkling and fully fettled, to the next week's venue.Rick Chasey wrote:If I was super rich one of the first things I would do is pay for someone to constantly clean and maintain my bikes.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:If I was super rich one of the first things I would do is pay for someone to constantly clean and maintain my bikes.
Alas I'm not, so I'll ride with badly maintained, unclean bikes.
Should you ever find yourself in the position to do this and you can match my salary at the time I'd be up for that! I'd even drive (your car, using petrol paid for by you) along with spare bikes on the roof in case you have mechanical issues whilst out and about as well!www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes0 -
Chris Bass wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:If I was super rich one of the first things I would do is pay for someone to constantly clean and maintain my bikes.
Alas I'm not, so I'll ride with badly maintained, unclean bikes.
Should you ever find yourself in the position to do this and you can match my salary at the time I'd be up for that! I'd even drive (your car, using petrol paid for by you) along with spare bikes on the roof in case you have mechanical issues whilst out and about as well!
Yes, though I would point to my post count, which suggests the likelihood of me making enough money to do that is fairly remote.
*must spend less time on forum, more time making money*0 -
And your line of work is about finding people jobs that make them rich.Rick Chasey wrote:Chris Bass wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:If I was super rich one of the first things I would do is pay for someone to constantly clean and maintain my bikes.
Alas I'm not, so I'll ride with badly maintained, unclean bikes.
Should you ever find yourself in the position to do this and you can match my salary at the time I'd be up for that! I'd even drive (your car, using petrol paid for by you) along with spare bikes on the roof in case you have mechanical issues whilst out and about as well!
Yes, though I would point to my post count, which suggests the likelihood of me making enough money to do that is fairly remote.
*must spend less time on forum, more time making money*
Find me a million pound a year job and I'll pay someone to keep your bikes clean...0 -
dhope wrote:
And your line of work is about finding people jobs that make them rich.Rick Chasey wrote:Chris Bass wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:If I was super rich one of the first things I would do is pay for someone to constantly clean and maintain my bikes.
Alas I'm not, so I'll ride with badly maintained, unclean bikes.
Should you ever find yourself in the position to do this and you can match my salary at the time I'd be up for that! I'd even drive (your car, using petrol paid for by you) along with spare bikes on the roof in case you have mechanical issues whilst out and about as well!
Yes, though I would point to my post count, which suggests the likelihood of me making enough money to do that is fairly remote.
*must spend less time on forum, more time making money*
Find me a million pound a year job and I'll pay someone to keep your bikes clean...
Got it the wrong way round.
Finding companies people to make them richer.
Small difference. 0 -
Rick Chasey wrote:dhope wrote:
And your line of work is about finding people jobs that make them rich.Rick Chasey wrote:Chris Bass wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:If I was super rich one of the first things I would do is pay for someone to constantly clean and maintain my bikes.
Alas I'm not, so I'll ride with badly maintained, unclean bikes.
Should you ever find yourself in the position to do this and you can match my salary at the time I'd be up for that! I'd even drive (your car, using petrol paid for by you) along with spare bikes on the roof in case you have mechanical issues whilst out and about as well!
Yes, though I would point to my post count, which suggests the likelihood of me making enough money to do that is fairly remote.
*must spend less time on forum, more time making money*
Find me a million pound a year job and I'll pay someone to keep your bikes clean...
Got it the wrong way round.
Finding companies people to make them richer.
Small difference.
Stop procrastinating and find me the job!0 -
Missed the rain that most of the commuters had today, but not the wind.I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.0
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Its still blowing a gale and last night at one particular gyratory, I had to get off the the bike as I nearly got blown off.... damn tall buildings"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."
PX Kaffenback 2 = Work Horse
B-Twin Alur 700 = Sundays and Hills0 -
Last night was not the idea night to trial the new 55mm rims. Embankment was less than amusing at times.rubertoe wrote:Its still blowing a gale and last night at one particular gyratory, I had to get off the the bike as I nearly got blown off.... damn tall buildings0 -
rubertoe wrote:Its still blowing a gale and last night at one particular gyratory, I had to get off the the bike as I nearly got blown off.... damn tall buildings
I started a thread in road beginners about same thing -imatfaal wrote:Got caught by some very strong and blustery cross winds in stratford this evening - at one point I could just not keep myself going in a straight line (luckily I had already checked there was nothing close and I was able to let the wind blow me across a bit)
So what's the best advice for two scenarios:
1. Once you find yourself already being pushed
2. When you know there is a chance and you want to be best prepared for when the cross wind hits0 -
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School kids: Don't ride AND text at the same time. You can't do it without weaving all over the place. :roll:Cannondale Trail 6 - crap brakes!
Cannondale CAAD80 -
Two things that make a big difference when your front wheel is being blown around:imatfaal wrote:Got caught by some very strong and blustery cross winds in stratford this evening - at one point I could just not keep myself going in a straight line (luckily I had already checked there was nothing close and I was able to let the wind blow me across a bit)
So what's the best advice for two scenarios:
1. Once you find yourself already being pushed
2. When you know there is a chance and you want to be best prepared for when the cross wind hits
1. Weight on the front wheel - if you sit back it'll get blown around more, so keep your weight forward (maybe even ride on the drops)
2. Practice makes a huge difference. If you get an opportunity to ride with gusty sidewinds in a safe environment (ie not in traffic), go and spend a bit of time riding up and down, getting a feel for how the bike behaves. That'll do wonders for your confidence, and your ability to hold a straight line.
I quite often race time trials on an off-road circuit, and I make a point of always using my deepest-section wheel, however windy it is, specifically to get the experience. The worst that can happen is that I'll get blown into the bushes. It's done wonders for my bike handling, which translates to being able to use that deep section in stronger winds on the road.Pannier, 120rpm.0 -
Trying to avoid Fulham traffic by going up North End Road to Earls Court is akin to chopping off your head because you have an itchy nose. Doh!0
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TGOTB wrote:Two things that make a big difference when your front wheel is being blown around:
1. Weight on the front wheel - if you sit back it'll get blown around more, so keep your weight forward (maybe even ride on the drops)
2. Practice makes a huge difference. If you get an opportunity to ride with gusty sidewinds in a safe environment (ie not in traffic), go and spend a bit of time riding up and down, getting a feel for how the bike behaves. That'll do wonders for your confidence, and your ability to hold a straight line.
I discovered this on Saturday morning when being blown around Southport promenade by a 35mph cross wind coming off the sea. Was quite fun once I got the hang of it - you do need to keep an eye out for any gaps that might try and fetch you off.
Mrs Wind got her own back post ride when she decided to blow the best part of a large "99" all over my face that I had earmarked as a post-ride treat.
Commute: Chadderton - Sportcity0 -
msmancunia wrote:TGOTB wrote:Two things that make a big difference when your front wheel is being blown around:
1. Weight on the front wheel - if you sit back it'll get blown around more, so keep your weight forward (maybe even ride on the drops)
2. Practice makes a huge difference. If you get an opportunity to ride with gusty sidewinds in a safe environment (ie not in traffic), go and spend a bit of time riding up and down, getting a feel for how the bike behaves. That'll do wonders for your confidence, and your ability to hold a straight line.
I discovered this on Saturday morning when being blown around Southport promenade by a 35mph cross wind coming off the sea. Was quite fun once I got the hang of it - you do need to keep an eye out for any gaps that might try and fetch you off.
Mrs Wind got her own back post ride when she decided to blow the best part of a large "99" all over my face that I had earmarked as a post-ride treat.
different bikes do seem behave differently the old MTB I use for commute/pottering sidewinds have little effect, it simply is too heavy, and stable for even strong winds to push about, but headwinds... can end up in the granny ring.
where as the various SS drop bikes I've had would cut though headwinds with out too much bother but could and would get shoved about a bit by gusts.
messy as it was how was the icecream?0 -
TGOTB wrote:
Two things that make a big difference when your front wheel is being blown around:imatfaal wrote:Got caught by some very strong and blustery cross winds in stratford this evening - at one point I could just not keep myself going in a straight line (luckily I had already checked there was nothing close and I was able to let the wind blow me across a bit)
So what's the best advice for two scenarios:
1. Once you find yourself already being pushed
2. When you know there is a chance and you want to be best prepared for when the cross wind hits
1. Weight on the front wheel - if you sit back it'll get blown around more, so keep your weight forward (maybe even ride on the drops)
2. Practice makes a huge difference. If you get an opportunity to ride with gusty sidewinds in a safe environment (ie not in traffic), go and spend a bit of time riding up and down, getting a feel for how the bike behaves. That'll do wonders for your confidence, and your ability to hold a straight line.
I quite often race time trials on an off-road circuit, and I make a point of always using my deepest-section wheel, however windy it is, specifically to get the experience. The worst that can happen is that I'll get blown into the bushes. It's done wonders for my bike handling, which translates to being able to use that deep section in stronger winds on the road.
Both those points make a lot of sense - definitely will practice, and will have the chance to get weight forward this evening at same point. Thanks for a great response0 -
Had a lovely chat with a young lady on CS7 this morning about her propensity for RLJing. First encountered her at Clapham North where she just sailed through a red (I'd been sitting there for a while). The usual scenario then unfolds whereby I catch & pass her but then get stopped at the lights by Stockwell tube. Again she sails past through the red. Through the Stockwell chicane & I see her jump another red up ahead of me. I'm still pretty zen at this point - happy to catch and pass her over & over. At Oval, I've passed her again and take my place in the group/ queue of bikes at the lights. She then comes wobbling past everyone else, up the outside then proceeds to ride through the junction whilst about 6 of us wait at the red. It turns orange when she's about three quarters of the way across & I catch her yet again within about 20 yards (she's not exactly quick). Not sure why, but as I passed her I politely (the total gentleman at this point) pointed out that the idea was to stop at the red ones. Clearly this annoyed her because when I stopped at the lights by Kennington she's up alongside asking what my problem is. I replied that it was nice of her to stop at this red light, to which she explained that the last one was orange and I had no idea what I was talking about. The mask of zen was slipping slightly at this point as I pointed out that it wasn't orange, it was blatantly red the same as the previous four I'd watched her ignore. At this point she asked me what my problem was and told me to **** off. I'm afraid that at this point I called her a "****ing embarrasment".
At least she'd stopped at that light though - mission accomplished.
The leap frog then continued to Borough at which point she RLJ'd again and I finally lost her (having enquired loudly as she ploughed through the RL whether the light was orange). I normally just ignore the RLJing b'stards so don't know why I bothered weighing in today, probably just an accumulated annoyance. Bit annoyed at myself though nonetheless. More annoyed with Darwin though - where were you when I needed you?! ;-)CS7
Surrey Hills
What's a Zwift?0
