Tag Archives: components

Recommended tyres for a sportive

Posted on 10 March, 2014 by doug

What would be my recommended tyre for a sportive?  Recently blog reader Deano asked this question in a comment on the review of the Specialized Allez. Sportives are cycling events growing in popularity throughout the UK.  They are organised rides … Continue reading →

Posted in buying guides | Tagged | 3 Comments

Beware of Bike Shaped Objects

Posted on 8 March, 2014 by doug

Newcomers to cycling need to beware of Bike Shaped Objects, BSO for short.  I’m not saying not to buy one, but just take care to make sure it’s in good order before you start to use it.  Make sure you … Continue reading →

Posted in buying guides, cycle maintenance | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Latest commuting by bicycle fun

Posted on 4 February, 2014 by doug

Yesterday I cycled to work, Dunstable to Stevenage and as ever it turned out to be fun!  Yes fun, although not how I planned it as it involved a few snags along the way: Front light My Cateye front light … Continue reading →

Posted in cycling, cycling at night, great rides | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The LBS view of Sram HydroR brakes, recall, life and everything

Posted on 26 January, 2014 by doug

Not so long ago I got into a conversation about Sram’s hydraulic brakes (the HydroR on road bikes) and their recall; this is one of the nice things in having a good rapport with the LBS. I was asking what … Continue reading →

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Installing Shimano Tiagra shifters

Posted on 4 January, 2014 by doug

Many thanks to my friend Dee who has come to the rescue with some Shimano Tiagra STI shifters.  He had spotted me saying (in my recent 5,000 mile review) that I wish I had some.   This post is all … Continue reading →

Posted in cycle maintenance, Thorn Audax | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Review – Abus Combiflex 202 cable bike lock

Posted on 18 December, 2013 by doug

There is a bewildering choice of locks on the market each with their own advantages, or disadvantages.  Some of these are seriously secure and seriously bulky, heavy and awkward – and just what any weight conscious roadie doesn’t need.   … Continue reading →

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Thorn Audax Mk3 5000 mile review

Posted on 13 December, 2013 by doug

Earlier this year I clocked up 5000 miles on the Thorn Audax and that’s time to review my investment in cycling. In brief, the Thorn Audax is a fairly traditional steel frame bicycle, aimed at cyclists who are looking to … Continue reading →

Posted in reviews, Thorn Audax | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Rim wear and stating the “bleedin’ obvious”

Posted on 3 November, 2013 by doug

Some friends of ours asked if I could fix the hub on their daughter’s bike.  That was done without too much fuss by cleaning, greasing and replacing the correct number of 3/16th ball bearings along with adjusting the cones to … Continue reading →

Posted in cycle maintenance | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Review – Shimano BR4600 brake pads

Posted on 27 September, 2013 by doug

Time to replace brake pads and tell you about these Shimano BR4600 pads, fitted as original equipment on Tiagra and Sora brake sets.  On this occasion I’m fitting like-for-like for ease and because I know they work fine. The Good … Continue reading →

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Buying guide – bicycle locks

Posted on 12 December, 2012 by doug

Following on from my recent experience of having to cut a jammed lock to free up our bikes, I’m clearly in the market for a replacement lock.  The last thing I want to do is be in the position of … Continue reading →

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Flippin’ cheap bicycle lock

Posted on 2 December, 2012 by doug

This gallery contains 4 photos.

Things didn’t quite to plan today but thankfully no great disasters.  Seeing as it was freezing cold this morning (brass monkeys spring to mind) Becky decided we’d cycle to church this morning.  We weren’t put off by the slippery frost … Continue reading →

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The new revolutionary airless tyre

Posted on 9 November, 2012 by doug

It has been said the best ideas are brilliantly simple and so obvious; you wonder why anyone hasn’t already done it.  Take these tyres for instance.  They are constructed in a way which is self-supporting i.e. no inner tube is … Continue reading →

Posted in cycle maintenance | Tagged | 1 Comment

Cateye TL-LD100 review

Posted on 13 October, 2012 by doug

  I bought one of these lights three years ago and was so pleased, I got another for my second bike.  Overall I am impressed with it. Description There are two rows of LED lights on this good quality rear … Continue reading →

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Cleaning a bicycle chain

Posted on 12 October, 2012 by doug

Cleaning a bicycle chain is probably one of the yuckiest things to do in the world of cycling, other than having a broken chain in the middle of nowhere, at night and in the pouring rain.  And yet when you … Continue reading →

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