Silly commuting racing

cruff

The difference between wet and dry lube is ridiculous. I had no dry lube left the other day and had to stick wet lube on after cleaning the chain. Literally less than 40 miles and the chain now looks like it's done three months nonstop riding round an industrial estate.

CitizenLee

I use Shimano PTFE Dry Lube and find it lasts quite well in the wet, for a dry lube at least.

I have the Finish Line Cross Country Wet Lube too, but njee says, it picks up everything so I only really use it on the MTB in winter.

rower63

TGOTB wrote:

I don't know what essential oils are, but the squeaking noise that accompanied me all the way to the office morning seems reasonable evidence that some form of oil is essential.

I don't think they'd be much use on their own!

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/ ... erapy-home

I refill an old lube bottle with the Halfords transmission oil, and add 30-odd drops of this for aromatic purposes

veronese68

rower63 wrote:

...Halfords Gear Oil mixed with some essential oil to mask the smell...

EP oils tend to smell the most, not sure if a bicycle oil needs EP additives. We sell some pretty heavy straight gear oils here, might try some 250 grade and see how that goes. Should last a few years as we only sell it by the litre.

tgotb

rower63 wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

I don't know what essential oils are, but the squeaking noise that accompanied me all the way to the office morning seems reasonable evidence that some form of oil is essential.

I don't think they'd be much use on their own!

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/ ... erapy-home

I refill an old lube bottle with the Halfords transmission oil, and add 30-odd drops of this for aromatic purposes

I wonder whether this could be a new hipster "thing". Coloured chains are so last year, but to have a green one that smells of mint...

kingstonian

Adding essential oils to lube for my bike is a step too far for me, you lovely flowery smelling guys clearly are on another planet !!!

elbowloh

I've taken to applying the principals of feng shui for the placement of my light holders and garmin mount on my bars. I also have homeopathic electrolytes in my water bottle (I've not put a tab in it for a long time), but have re-filled it everyday. I'll soon be overdosing on salts.

CitizenLee

My route to and from work is along the major route into the city from the countryside, used by the fish and cattle trucks going to the harbor. When they stop at the traffic lights all the p!ss, sh!t and slurry (or melted fish death) runs out of the back of them and onto the road. It reeks, but to make matters worse when it’s sunny it then get baked in only to be come back with a vengeance when the roads are wet again. I have quite strong intestinal fortitude however it’s still enough to give me the boke every morning. It truly is horrific and the stench of fear and death stays with you for the whole journey to work, sometimes even after a shower. I think it must etch itself into my nose hairs or something, and I’m sure the smell sticks to my bike from the surface spray. Anyway, whilst the thought of using essential oils on a bike seems somewhat ridiculous (are they being serious or trolling?) it has got me thinking it might make the journey to work more fragrant! Might have to raid my gf’s aromatherapy collection

dinyull

If you can smell your chain lube you aren't pushing hard enough.

Sense of smell disappearing, taste of blood at the back of your throat and a mouth full of belgian toothpaste is the only way to rock up to the office.

rower63

CitizenLee wrote:

... Anyway, whilst the thought of using essential oils on a bike seems somewhat ridiculous (are they being serious or trolling?:

Quite serious. Halfords transmission oil has a faintly unpleasant "this is a garage" smell about it, and the bikes live in the house, so to avoid the room smelling of garage I add the essential oil, it's effective. I was inspired by one of the popular brands flavouring their bike lube with Eucalyptus.
I did once (and believe me you'll only ever do this once) clean my bike with Gunk. Christ, the smell of that stuff polluted the house for weeks.
I'm near the end of my original 500ml of Halfords oil so I might trouble V48 for some of his neutral stuff...

smokey_bacon

Ive recently been experimenting with Wend wax after getting some on a deal. The stuff smells amazing but the slight amount of chain noise put me off. Bck to muc-off wet lube and its quiet as the grave. Not bothered that the chain gets grubby. A two second wipe down sorts that out. Can imagine Rowers garage is like some sort of bike lube skunkworks.

drhaggis

Oh, the mac-off wet lube is crap. I'm counting the days until my bottle finishes, so I can get a different lube (yes, I'm that cheap). I mean, it's not bad per se, but it sucks more gunk than a bloody black hole. And their dry lube won't last passing by the shallowest puddle. Of which we get a few in Scotland.

mtb-idle

Smokey Bacon wrote:

I've recently been experimenting with Wend wax...

Wax on; wax off #karatekid

On the subject of smells I often use Juice Lubes Fork Juice on my MTB and absolutely love the smell. if they made an aftershave in that flavour I would be on it like Sonic.

(Do I get extra points for two 80's references in one post?)

tgotb

MTB-Idle wrote:

(Do I get extra points for two 80's references in one post?)

Nope. Sonic didn't appear until very early 90s.

sgt.pepper

Hit (nudged) by a car this morning. Was weaving through traffic waiting for a roundabout that hadn't left enough space on the left, they accelerated too soon - only pushed my rack. Wasn't a major one and could tell there was no damage, so figured it was best just to keep on and get to work on time. Reminded me that I do need to get my cameras though.

norks74

Sgt.Pepper wrote:

Hit (nudged) by a car this morning. Was weaving through traffic waiting for a roundabout that hadn't left enough space on the left, they accelerated too soon - only pushed my rack. Wasn't a major one and could tell there was no damage, so figured it was best just to keep on and get to work on time. Reminded me that I do need to get my cameras though.

This - the camera's on the bike - is more and more on my mind too. For the reason you state.

On another note, did anyone here ride down Tooting High Street circa 7pm this eve? First off a broken down car in middle of road about 100m from the Bec, no real issue there, but then about 200m from the Broadway an ambulance and paramedics and police and a crowd. I slowed and could see a white and black Cervelo propped against the scaffolding and someone on a stretcher. I hope not a rider down, rather hope the rider was helping out....and that if so, it didn't look as serious as it looked.

whatleytom

Smokey Bacon wrote:

Ive recently been experimenting with Wend wax after getting some on a deal. The stuff smells amazing but the slight amount of chain noise put me off. Bck to muc-off wet lube and its quiet as the grave. Not bothered that the chain gets grubby. A two second wipe down sorts that out. Can imagine Rowers garage is like some sort of bike lube skunkworks.

Wouldn't bother if I were you. https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/wp-c ... nd-Wax.pdf

wolfsbane2k

elbowloh wrote:

I've taken to applying the principals of feng shui for the placement of my light holders and garmin mount on my bars. I also have homeopathic electrolytes in my water bottle (I've not put a tab in it for a long time), but have re-filled it everyday. I'll soon be overdosing on salts.

Bwaahhhhh

anonymousblackfg

zakos wrote:

Do you have a link to the frame bag?

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... Frame-Bags

I bought the Ripio for about £100 as I couldn't find alternatives until about 12 hours after ordering where I found one for half the price that I would have bought (I like to think I was at the forefront of bike packing kit buying).

Else two bus incidents in two days, fecking annoying, today's was telling me I should not swear after going down the right of a left indicating bus before he indicates right and starts turning across me.

Finally, sorry to ask, I know the thinking commuters choice are Rubino Pro's for 25/28 requirements but what the hell at 35c? puntured through the side wall coming into my drive last night on the stock spesh tyres which came with my Diverge.

kingdav

Not 35 but I got some 32 conti 4 seasons from PBK which roll nicely on and light off road.

I've had a wheelie annoying saga of mechanicals lately. Last Thursday I suffered a rear hub failure, wheel locked at oval so I hobled on cleats with it up to Brixton cycles and commissioned a treat rebuild onto a DT Swiss 350 hub. Got it back yesterday and had a spoke fail after only 18 miles.
Carried it in neutral service style this morning

Only to get a puncture on the way in. Was very tempted to use the spare wheel!

elbowloh

Norks74 wrote:

Sgt.Pepper wrote:

Hit (nudged) by a car this morning. Was weaving through traffic waiting for a roundabout that hadn't left enough space on the left, they accelerated too soon - only pushed my rack. Wasn't a major one and could tell there was no damage, so figured it was best just to keep on and get to work on time. Reminded me that I do need to get my cameras though.

This - the camera's on the bike - is more and more on my mind too. For the reason you state.

On another note, did anyone here ride down Tooting High Street circa 7pm this eve? First off a broken down car in middle of road about 100m from the Bec, no real issue there, but then about 200m from the Broadway an ambulance and paramedics and police and a crowd. I slowed and could see a white and black Cervelo propped against the scaffolding and someone on a stretcher. I hope not a rider down, rather hope the rider was helping out....and that if so, it didn't look as serious as it looked.

I went through about 6.30. The car had stopped in the middle of the road with both front doors open, think it had only just happened. The car behind it almost took me out as it tried to use the cycle lane to go round it. I saw a few cops looking like they were searching for someone. I think the car was maybe stolen and they then abandoned the car when the cops showed up and did a runner. There was no incident nearer to Broadway that I saw. So maybe it happened after I went through?

roger_merriman

anonymousblackfg wrote:

zakos wrote:

Do you have a link to the frame bag?

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... Frame-Bags

I bought the Ripio for about £100 as I couldn't find alternatives until about 12 hours after ordering where I found one for half the price that I would have bought (I like to think I was at the forefront of bike packing kit buying).

Else two bus incidents in two days, ******* annoying, today's was telling me I should not swear after going down the right of a left indicating bus before he indicates right and starts turning across me.

Finally, sorry to ask, I know the thinking commuters choice are Rubino Pro's for 25/28 requirements but what the hell at 35c? puntured through the side wall coming into my drive last night on the stock spesh tyres which came with my Diverge.

35mm is gravel bike tyres, I really rate the Gravel Kings SK they are bigger than schwalbe for claimed size, the 35 is more like a 38.

The gravel Kings seem in a fairly good Goldilocks fast enough, tough enough, grippy enough, with out fast wear rate. X-ones wear at a terrifying rate!

elbowloh

anonymousblackfg wrote:

zakos wrote:

Do you have a link to the frame bag?

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... Frame-Bags

I bought the Ripio for about £100 as I couldn't find alternatives until about 12 hours after ordering where I found one for half the price that I would have bought (I like to think I was at the forefront of bike packing kit buying).

Else two bus incidents in two days, ******* annoying, today's was telling me I should not swear after going down the right of a left indicating bus before he indicates right and starts turning across me.

Finally, sorry to ask, I know the thinking commuters choice are Rubino Pro's for 25/28 requirements but what the hell at 35c? puntured through the side wall coming into my drive last night on the stock spesh tyres which came with my Diverge.

As you mentioned the Rubino Pros 28s, I cycled to Bruges and back (well back to Dunkirk) over the BH weekend. There were six of us. Everyone else was using Conti's (either GP4000s or 4 seasons). There were 8 punctures over the entire weekend and none for the Rubino Pros.

anonymousblackfg

roger merriman wrote:

anonymousblackfg wrote:

zakos wrote:

Do you have a link to the frame bag?

https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.c ... Frame-Bags

I bought the Ripio for about £100 as I couldn't find alternatives until about 12 hours after ordering where I found one for half the price that I would have bought (I like to think I was at the forefront of bike packing kit buying).

Else two bus incidents in two days, ******* annoying, today's was telling me I should not swear after going down the right of a left indicating bus before he indicates right and starts turning across me.

Finally, sorry to ask, I know the thinking commuters choice are Rubino Pro's for 25/28 requirements but what the hell at 35c? puntured through the side wall coming into my drive last night on the stock spesh tyres which came with my Diverge.

35mm is gravel bike tyres, I really rate the Gravel Kings SK they are bigger than schwalbe for claimed size, the 35 is more like a 38.

The gravel Kings seem in a fairly good Goldilocks fast enough, tough enough, grippy enough, with out fast wear rate. X-ones wear at a terrifying rate!

So are the 32's more like 35's?

norks74

elbowloh wrote:

Norks74 wrote:

Sgt.Pepper wrote:

Hit (nudged) by a car this morning. Was weaving through traffic waiting for a roundabout that hadn't left enough space on the left, they accelerated too soon - only pushed my rack. Wasn't a major one and could tell there was no damage, so figured it was best just to keep on and get to work on time. Reminded me that I do need to get my cameras though.

This - the camera's on the bike - is more and more on my mind too. For the reason you state.

On another note, did anyone here ride down Tooting High Street circa 7pm this eve? First off a broken down car in middle of road about 100m from the Bec, no real issue there, but then about 200m from the Broadway an ambulance and paramedics and police and a crowd. I slowed and could see a white and black Cervelo propped against the scaffolding and someone on a stretcher. I hope not a rider down, rather hope the rider was helping out....and that if so, it didn't look as serious as it looked.

I went through about 6.30. The car had stopped in the middle of the road with both front doors open, think it had only just happened. The car behind it almost took me out as it tried to use the cycle lane to go round it. I saw a few cops looking like they were searching for someone. I think the car was maybe stolen and they then abandoned the car when the cops showed up and did a runner. There was no incident nearer to Broadway that I saw. So maybe it happened after I went through?

That makes sense now re. the car in the middle of the road. Had a look at where the other incident was this morning going to work and I could see blue and white police tape attached to the scaffolding which seemed kind of ominous...

hopkinb

anonymousblackfg wrote:

Finally, sorry to ask, I know the thinking commuters choice are Rubino Pro's for 25/28 requirements but what the hell at 35c? puntured through the side wall coming into my drive last night on the stock spesh tyres which came with my Diverge.

I have 38mm schwalbe G Ones on my spare wheels. They're mainly for messing about on gravel cycle paths with the family. They're ok for that, and fine on the road unless you want to press on.

rhodrich

700 x 35c, and you're a fan of Rubinos?

You want Vittoria Voyager Hypers....
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVOHY/ ... lding-tyre

Fast, supple, with good puncture protection. Bargainistic too!

veronese68

Rhodrich wrote:

700 x 35c, and you're a fan of Rubinos?

You want Vittoria Voyager Hypers....
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVOHY/ ... lding-tyre

Fast, supple, with good puncture protection. Bargainistic too!

This, I'm on 32c and very happy with them. I have a brand new pair of either 35 or 37 sat in the garage if you want them for what I paid, still in the boxes. Realised I'd ordered the wrong size so never fitted as they won't go under my 'guards.

smokey_bacon

kingdav wrote:

Not 35 but I got some 32 conti 4 seasons from PBK which roll nicely on and light off road.

I've had a wheelie annoying saga of mechanicals lately. Last Thursday I suffered a rear hub failure, wheel locked at oval so I hobled on cleats with it up to Brixton cycles and commissioned a treat rebuild onto a DT Swiss 350 hub. Got it back yesterday and had a spoke fail after only 18 miles.
Carried it in neutral service style this morning

Only to get a puncture on the way in. Was very tempted to use the spare wheel!

I see what you did there

whatleytom wrote:

Smokey Bacon wrote:

Ive recently been experimenting with Wend wax after getting some on a deal. The stuff smells amazing but the slight amount of chain noise put me off. Bck to muc-off wet lube and its quiet as the grave. Not bothered that the chain gets grubby. A two second wipe down sorts that out. Can imagine Rowers garage is like some sort of bike lube skunkworks.

Wouldn't bother if I were you. <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Lubricant-detail-review-Wend-Wax.pdf</span&gt;

Yeah agreed, its a faff to apply, is well expensive and is no better imo than wet lube. Does smell nice though!

kingstonian

Tonight was disappointingly the first time I headed home after sunset. Autumn is here, and that isn’t a good thing