Education We Like to Ride Bicycles

[steveo_mcg]

I've got a pair of merino lined sealskinz that keep my feet warm, bought them for biviying but they do double duty in the winter. Problem with them is if you're wearing them and its currently raining water gets down into them and can't get out. When your only option is putting wet boots on they're fantastic!

[Malvolio]

Originally Posted by woof82

My forks are damaged:

[snip]

I've never bought forks before, would this be an appropriate replacement?

Quite the bit of damage! Squinting as best I can those do look like they'll fit the bill. Things to consider: length of steerer tube (from the top to where it meets the crown), steerer tube type (yours seems to be 1 1/8" threadless, so that's fine), and if your brakes will work with it (I'm guessing you are using double pivot road callipers, which will work fine with the new fork).

Make sure you also order an appropriate star nut (new forks don't come with them) and ensure you have a good hacksaw blade handy!


@da_rude_baboon - I've not tried that specific brand, but I do own a very similar product from Gore (basic waterproof sock that is labelled as "breathable") and can echo what Steveo up there said. However, their biggest benefit is that they'll keep your feet warm even when they are fully wet, it's cold outside, and the wind is howling. I've done a couple two day charity rides in the pouring rain with these socks in non-waterproof shoes and although they do get wet inside, my feet are never cold in them - even when I've put them on dripping wet in the morning. Give them a shot, as they're a hell of a lot cheaper than a set of shoes!

[Otis1337]

Just got this in the post today, looks very sexy and feels great!
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bike-ribbon-eleganza-bar-tape/

[fix-the-spade]

Originally Posted by Da_Rude_Baboon

Anyone any experience of SealSkinz socks?

They're all kinds of wonderful. Unfortunately the breathability of the liners is a bit over rated, but the value of warm feet is worth a bit of sweat.

[lm_wfc]

Originally Posted by Da_Rude_Baboon

Anyone any experience of SealSkinz socks?

Not recently but have done. They do they say on the tin. Can be a really odd feeling if you step in a puddle though. Also not too comfortable but alot better than wet feet

[RevDarny]

Originally Posted by Da_Rude_Baboon

Anyone any experience of SealSkinz socks?

These are great, keep you feet nice and warm in the winter. To a degree.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Thanks for all the reply's everybody, rep to all.

I will pick up a pair in the smaller size to keep them close fitting. I have retired the bike for the winter but I will use them year round as once I'm out in the hills it can be pretty boggy in the heather and i'm often fording streams.

[EvilMerc]

I figured this would be the thread to come to for bicycle questions, so here goes!

I mainly ride on roads but occasionally venture out onto dirt tracks, so a pure road bike wouldn't be viable. I've had a mountain bike and they're all well and good but they're knackering over long distances on roads, so I'm looking at hybrid bikes. My budget is around £300, but I'll stretch it if it's worth it.

Are there any that you knowledgeable folk would recommend?

Feel free to try and change my mind on what type of bike to get too, it's not set in stone.

I can imagine this question has been asked before, but looking through 149 pages of posts isn't exactly what I'd like.

I already know to avoid Halfords like the plague after an Apollo bike packed up on me.

[Malvolio]

Best advice anybody can give that isn't purely subjective and dependant upon that particular person, would be to tell you to go out and try several bikes at your local shops in your price range. Find one that fits, maybe one that has been discounted, see which rides the nicest, and one that you just generally like. For such little money it is challenging to compare different models, as they generally all come with a very similar parts specification for that much, but fit and feel can be worlds apart when it comes to different makes/models, and that's an aspect a touch hard to quantify.

However, if you can find a couple models you like feel free to ask about them here, because that is when those more technical people (like myself) can give you the nitty gritty about the differences and objectively say which is the better bike.



In other news I've just done another blog post about that most hated of all people: the commuter! Have a read of An Open Letter To The Commuter, that is if you should so feel like it... And please feel free to leave me advice, suggestions, or a good solid critique! There is also a new video up on my new YouTube channel (I've remounted the camera to give a better view of the scenery - thanks to your guys' advice!). If there is something this way inclined any of you can think of for me to do at the moment, please suggest it as I've just lost my job and am looking for something to do, and right now content production is about the only thing I've got to beat the unhappy feels away with (well, that and shooting dudes in the face in Far Cry 3).

[lm_wfc]

Originally Posted by EvilMerc

I figured this would be the thread to come to for bicycle questions, so here goes!

I mainly ride on roads but occasionally venture out onto dirt tracks, so a pure road bike wouldn't be viable. I've had a mountain bike and they're all well and good but they're knackering over long distances on roads, so I'm looking at hybrid bikes. My budget is around £300, but I'll stretch it if it's worth it.

Are there any that you knowledgeable folk would recommend?

Feel free to try and change my mind on what type of bike to get too, it's not set in stone.

I can imagine this question has been asked before, but looking through 149 pages of posts isn't exactly what I'd like.

I already know to avoid Halfords like the plague after an Apollo bike packed up on me.

Halfords sell boardmans which are pretty good - however the boardman hybrid is essentially a flat bar road bike with disc brakes.

How much road/dirt is it % wise? Tyres would be the main factor.

Would you buy 2nd hand off ebay?

[Tangster]

Bit pissed off right now. Sitting on a staircase in my uni su, waiting for security to return to their station so I can tell them my bike was stolen.

[Krikkit]

Bad luck Tang, been there!

[Otis1337]

yep, has a £2000 DH bike nicked mate. Got it replaced by one that was twice as good tho lol..
But now on a roadie

[EvilMerc]

Originally Posted by Malvolio

Best advice anybody can give that isn't purely subjective and dependant upon that particular person, would be to tell you to go out and try several bikes at your local shops in your price range. Find one that fits, maybe one that has been discounted, see which rides the nicest, and one that you just generally like. For such little money it is challenging to compare different models, as they generally all come with a very similar parts specification for that much, but fit and feel can be worlds apart when it comes to different makes/models, and that's an aspect a touch hard to quantify.

However, if you can find a couple models you like feel free to ask about them here, because that is when those more technical people (like myself) can give you the nitty gritty about the differences and objectively say which is the better bike.

I'll have a look around tomorrow hopefully, thanks for the advice!

Originally Posted by lm_wfc

Halfords sell boardmans which are pretty good - however the boardman hybrid is essentially a flat bar road bike with disc brakes.

How much road/dirt is it % wise? Tyres would be the main factor.

Would you buy 2nd hand off ebay?

It would be mostly road work, but the route from where I live into Bristol for example is 50% dirt, not too rough or steep but well beyond a road bike.

[Tangster]

Originally Posted by Otis1337

yep, has a £2000 DH bike nicked mate. Got it replaced by one that was twice as good tho lol..
But now on a roadie

Sadly my insurance only covered accidental damage, not theft.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Originally Posted by Malvolio

If there is something this way inclined any of you can think of for me to do at the moment, please suggest it as I've just lost my job and am looking for something to do, and right now content production is about the only thing I've got to beat the unhappy feels away with (well, that and shooting dudes in the face in Far Cry 3).

Ouch Malvolio I'm sorry to hear about your job. I always got the impressions you were quite integral to the operation of the place.

Originally Posted by Krikkit

Bad luck Tang, been there!

+1 Sorry to hear of the theft Tang. Here's hoping it turns up again.

[woof82]

Originally Posted by Malvolio

If there is something this way inclined any of you can think of for me to do at the moment, please suggest it as I've just lost my job and am looking for something to do, and right now content production is about the only thing I've got to beat the unhappy feels away with (well, that and shooting dudes in the face in Far Cry 3).

ouch, really sorry to hear that. You've been so helpful to myself and everyone else here who has asked bike related questions - thank you so much and best of luck finding something.

[steveo_mcg]

Originally Posted by Malvolio

If there is something this way inclined any of you can think of for me to do at the moment, please suggest it as I've just lost my job and am looking for something to do, and right now content production is about the only thing I've got to beat the unhappy feels away with (well, that and shooting dudes in the face in Far Cry 3).

Nasty, What about some sort of maintenance workshop video or the like? They're pretty well covered but its something to do. Either that or could you try advertising one to one tuition? Folk get their bike fixed and learn something new for next time.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Have you considered offering a cycle guide service to tourists?

[Malvolio]

Originally Posted by Da_Rude_Baboon

Ouch Malvolio I'm sorry to hear about your job. I always got the impressions you were quite integral to the operation of the place.

I was initially hired to build the repair side of the business up into something worthwhile, and I did exactly that with the owners proclaiming from on high how much money I was making them. We were becoming known as the shop for people in the city to bring bikes that nobody else would or could work on, and I would repair them fast and well. But it seems like the owners are now shifting goals and making the store more of a "boutique" retail space, rather than a bike shop, and the owners are now saying that they're broke and wont make it through the winter because of how much I cost (which is different to what was said less than a month ago, that they had oodles of monies - more than they planned for). Doesn't matter though, and this is all here-say and rumour. Had an interview yesterday at another shop, so I'll know if I have a job Monday.

The one saving grace is that my skills are in great demand in this city, and I now have a good reputation, so it shouldn't be too difficult to get another job, it's just that this is the absolutely worst season to be looking. Two months from now? Not a problem! But December kinda sucks. Thanks for the kind words though.

Originally Posted by woof82

ouch, really sorry to hear that. You've been so helpful to myself and everyone else here who has asked bike related questions - thank you so much and best of luck finding something.

Thank you. More people riding is always a more better thing.

Originally Posted by steveo_mcg

Nasty, What about some sort of maintenance workshop video or the like? They're pretty well covered but its something to do. Either that or could you try advertising one to one tuition? Folk get their bike fixed and learn something new for next time.

I have been batting around doing this actually, but the problem I have now is that my apartment is extremely tiny (any photos you see taken inside it are in areas where I've had to spend an hour and dismantle my living room), plus I need some bright lights. But this could be something I look into as the way I want to do it hasn't been done yet in the industry, but I don't know if it'll be better than what's out there. First-person wrenching lessons? I think it's a good idea.

Originally Posted by Da_Rude_Baboon

Have you considered offering a cycle guide service to tourists?

I've actually participated in a couple services like this here in town, guiding people and ending up at a restaurant, but they never prove popular in this city for some reason. Plus it's winter


It has been strong on my mind now to try and find a way to produce content in such a way as to monetise it in order to procure a living for myself, and I do have a few ideas of ways I could do it, but I have my doubts it would ever be all that successful given the fact that I know of precisely zero people that are currently doing this. Unless you look at a dedicated news outlet there aren't many people in this industry that live entirely off content production. We'll see what happens though.

Thanks for the feels everybody. It is nice to hear.