{"id":1501,"date":"2018-09-12T19:06:53","date_gmt":"2018-09-12T18:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/?page_id=1501"},"modified":"2024-03-31T18:41:46","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T17:41:46","slug":"bikes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/?page_id=1501","title":{"rendered":"bikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cycles past and present, in some sort of order of date of acquisition:<\/p>\n

On One Pompino<\/h4>\n

Thought I’d try fixed a few years ago, and also fancied building a bike for the first time.\u00a0 Fixed scared me too much so I dismantled it and failed to sell the parts.\u00a0 The wheels became the faster ones for the Hewitt.\u00a0 There doesn’t seem to be a market for the frames (someone else was trying to sell one on yacf<\/a> without interest, and that was a more popular size) so I decided to resurrect it, with the plan to encourage the frame to take a hub gear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In an attempt to make it as low cost as possible, I am trying to use what I have as far as I can.\u00a0 I did need to buy a hub gear, and found an 8 speed Shimano Nexus on ebay which had no packaging etc but was new (SG-C6010-8R).\u00a0 After a long<\/em> time studying the manual<\/a> and SJS cycles website<\/a> I figured put what extra bits were needed to fit it.\u00a0 I think.<\/p>\n

18\/02\/24<\/h5>\n

Put the hub fitting kit together.\u00a0 The manual instructions “…install the sprocket and secure it in place with the snap ring” slightly gloss over how difficult it is to get the snap ring in the right place as there is an easier, closer slot that it really likes to go into.\u00a0 Finally managed to get it in place by using a guy-line tensioner to hold it open, which happened to be just the right size and shape (it did not feature in the Tools Required section).\u00a0 Also “D = right hand dust cap C, E = right hand dust cap A” put me in mind of Victoria Wood<\/a> (“take tube A, and apply to bracket D, with flange channel outermost”).\u00a0 I thought that the good news was I could fit the hub in the rear dropouts without having to permanently spread them, but when I tried to fit it it looks like I need some sort of spacer in lieu of the roller brake to get the non-turn washer on the left hand side to be in the right place.\u00a0 So some metal abuse may still be required.\u00a0 Turned my attention to some east wins instead and attached the forks, seat post, and front wheel so I could hang it on the wall.<\/p>\n

ICE Sprint<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

18\/02\/24<\/h5>\n

I’ve tried ‘bent trikes a couple of times, but after seeing the price of new ones I have been keeping my eye out for something second hand, and this came up on facebook – more or less what I was looking for, and fairly local.\u00a0 Boom and chain length adjusted I am now working out what else I need\/want and how to mount it.<\/p>\n

31\/03\/24<\/h5>\n

First proper ride; 30 km out to Otley Chevin and back via Eccup.\u00a0 Quite a few friendly beeps, waved at several kids, passed nice and wide.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Thoughts: I need lower gears; I used the lowest one several times, and never touched the largest chain ring.\u00a0 I can see why people have suspension.\u00a0 Potholes could be a lot more serious than on a two wheeler as they are more difficult to avoid; I am learning to keep the small front wheels out of them, and know where the rear wheel is.\u00a0 Constant gear changing is needed; too high a cadence causes unpleasant wobbling, too low is obviously difficult.\u00a0 I love the bar end shifters, although might turn off the indexing on the rear.\u00a0 It is really easy to change through several in one go.\u00a0 Great to be able to forget about balance at low speed, and to be able to go as slow as is needed.\u00a0 More car positioning than I am used to.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bacchetta Cafe<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Bacchetta<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n

White bike<\/h4>\n

(Awaiting a better name)<\/p>\n

\u00a330 Gumtree find, bought to put my studded ice\/snow tyres on (well that is my excuse). \u00a0The chap selling it was very much a mansplainer so I did a lot of nodding in agreement. \u00a0Then I had to ride it home, the only practical way from Horsforth to \u00a0being Getting it home was a bit of…<\/s><\/p>\n

18\/02\/24 Dismantled to use the good bits elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n

Raleigh Campus<\/h4>\n

The first bike that I can only justify acquiring on the grounds that it’s gorgeous and it’s my hobby. \u00a0Another from CRC<\/a> which I spotted on the shop floor at\u00a0\u00a350 but unserviced so not ready for sale. \u00a0Am hoping to exchange it for 25 m of white brake cable (minus what I need). \u00a0I’m taking the opportunity to give it a thorough going over in time that is additional to my normal Saturday shift so it’s taking a while.<\/p>\n

Dated from both the frame number<\/a> and rear hub<\/a> to having been born in Nottingham in February 1978.<\/p>\n

\"Raleigh<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Raleigh<\/a> \"Raleigh<\/a> \"Raleigh<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Raleigh<\/a> \"Raleigh<\/a> \"Raleigh<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Stormy<\/a> \"Raleigh<\/a> \"Raleigh<\/a> \"Raleigh<\/a><\/p>\n

Current status: fitted new Raleigh Record tyres, serviced front hub and headset. \u00a0Removed cotter pins (vice required) and crankset. \u00a0New cables. \u00a0Rear hub working but would probably benefit from a service. \u00a0Have been for a circuit of the local roads, I love the riding position but I don’t think I could go too far on this saddle.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n

Hewitt Cheviot<\/h4>\n

My ‘good’ bike; tourer and audax machine. \u00a0Bought in 2013 for my John o’Groats trip<\/a>, the only change to the standard spec was a dymano\u00a0hub and B&M Cyo N Plus front light. \u00a0I fitted a rear B&M\u00a04D-Lite Plus myself later on. \u00a0I already had the front and rear racks that had been used on my Trek, and it’s been through a few saddles. \u00a0I changed to a short stem pretty quickly. \u00a0It did about 1400 km that year camping.<\/p>\n

Original spec: Hewitt wheels, SONdelux dynamo and rear hub Shimano Deore, Continental Touring Plus tyres, SKS guards.<\/p>\n

\"Hewitt<\/a>\u00a0\"SONdelux<\/a>\u00a0\"Hewitt<\/a><\/p>\n

My first audax<\/a> was later that year. \u00a0At the time of writing (September 2018) it’s slowly evolved and done 9000 km of audax rides; first I changed the tyres and more recently the wheels, and a number of luggage options have been tried with my favourite being a Carradice Super C rack bag.\u00a0 Some audaxes have involved camping and having the rack permanently attached makes sense.<\/p>\n

\"Bike<\/a>\u00a0\"Severn<\/a><\/p>\n

Current status: Hewitt original wheels are reserved for proper touring, and need new rims (certainly the rear). Audax wheels are Mavic Open Pro rims, DT Competition double-butted spokes, front hub Shimano DH-3N80 dynamo, rear Shimano LX FH-T670, built by me and Roger Musson’s Wheelbuilding<\/a> book; Panaracer Pasela Tour Guard tyres. New mudguards are Gilles Berthoud<\/a> bling after going through too many rear SKS plastic ones. \u00a0A nightmare to fit but hopefully they’ll last a bit longer. \u00a0Following a bike fit I have a Thomson in-line seat post and a Fabric Cell saddle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n

Scott Boulder<\/h4>\n

After the theft of the Grater I needed a new commuter\/utility\/hack bike, and I thought a tatty old rigid mountain bike would nice and practical but also less desirable to thieves. \u00a0I had a look at a few in Cycle ReCycle<\/a> (CRC, where I volunteer); rigid adult MTBs are usually around \u00a350 but this was \u00a370 as it is relatively light and has decent components (Shimano LX), although they let me have it for free. \u00a0The frame is completely black but the bars say Scott AT2 on, and the wisdom of the internet as identified it as a Boulder of around 1995. \u00a0It has a few little bits of rust which add to the anti-theft nature of it but are superficial.<\/p>\n

I changed the knobbly tyres before leaving the shop, to some used slicks that we had lying about (rear a Schwalbe City Jet and the front\u00a0a Tioga City Slicker which looks almost identical), and found an old rack which needed some bending to fit. \u00a0The top tube height is fine but the reach was ridiculous, so I changed to an in-line seat post and a shorter stem, being able to swap both for used components from CRC. \u00a0It needed new bar tape and I’ve changed the saddle to one of my collection. \u00a0I fitted emergency mudguards made of Aldi water bottles (17p), the rear isn’t too ineffective but the front, being down-tube mounted, only protects when travelling in a straight line. \u00a0Still it’s better than nothing. \u00a0A new chain was required after the existing one snapped in a busy-junction scenario (always the way). \u00a0I love the fat tyres, they are really comfortable, but I’m not sure that they leave enough clearance for proper mudguards, which I do need. \u00a0Longer term I’d like to fit a hub dynamo and lights.<\/p>\n

\"Scott<\/a> \"Bottle<\/a>\u00a0\"Scott<\/a> \"Scott<\/a> \"Scott<\/a>\u00a0\"Scott<\/a><\/p>\n

Current status: daily commuting and shopping.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n

Brompton<\/h4>\n

I was able to justify buying this when living in a flat with little storage, and I’d also had a small redundancy payment. \u00a0It got heavy use when I was working in Coventry, first when I was train commuting from Nuneaton and later in a house where ‘proper’ bikes had to live upstairs and I’d soon tire of carrying one up and down everyday. \u00a0Since moving to Leeds it’s only had occasional use but I’d never get rid of it, it’s so handy; recently it’s been on a canal boat trip, on the train to Bradford a few times, and as an emergency spare when my commuter was nicked. \u00a0Feels really odd to ride now that I’m not used to it.<\/p>\n

\"Brompton<\/a> \"Tatty<\/a>\u00a0\"Brompton\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Current status:\u00a0it’s a proper Trigger’s broom, the rear triangle is looking rather rusty and could do with replacing.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n

Cube<\/h4>\n

Bought this on a bike to work scheme (back when they actually saved you money), it’s probably done the fewest miles of any of them. \u00a0I’ve found that my adrenalin threshold is quite low and throwing myself down rock strewn paths isn’t my idea of fun. \u00a0I’ve kept it because although it’s fairly decent I couldn’t sell it for much (it’s hardly cutting edge) and I have made use of it as a winter bike with studded tyres. \u00a0Also I’d like to ride some more tame trails, like bits of the Pennine Bridleway. \u00a0Because, I think, of lack of use, the disc brakes have been problematic and I’ve spent more time messing with them without actually riding the bastard.<\/p>\n

Current status: needs a new rear brake hose.<\/p>\n

—Ex-bikes—<\/em><\/p>\n

Peugeot<\/h4>\n

This caught my eye on eBay and it turns out it belonged to someone who lives a few streets away from me who I know slightly. \u00a0I ended up giving him \u00a320 for it as he was moving the next day and it was going to be chucked away otherwise. \u00a0It has both a Queer and a Scottish heritage, which pleases me. \u00a0It looks like it needs EVERYTHING doing, so a long term project.<\/p>\n

\"Peugeot<\/a><\/p>\n

1975? \u00a0From head badge.<\/p>\n

18\/02\/24<\/h5>\n

Dismantled and mostly scrapped.\u00a0 Several bolts were un-movable.\u00a0 Wheels are now a climbing frame for honeysuckle on the garden fence.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h5>\n

Charge Grater<\/h4>\n

This was an eBay bargain…when my Trek needed new rims I started thinking about other changes that I would make for a fantasy commuter, started looking for a hub gear, and ended up finding one that came with this bike for about the price of a new hub. \u00a0Hence the Trek was retired. \u00a0I thought the Grater was a small size when I bought it but it actually was an extra small, and I think the small would have been a better fit for me, but it was nice and comfortable for pootling to the shops and going to work. \u00a0The 8 speed gear range was fine for getting up the hills in Leeds, with the added bonus of being able to change gear when stationary. \u00a0I\u00a0fitted my Brooks saddle and On-One Mary handlebars (which I love), fitted a rack and changed the pedals.<\/p>\n

\"Charge<\/a> \"Grater<\/a>\u00a0\"Bike<\/a> \"Charge<\/a><\/p>\n

Current status: one day I parked it, with a\u00a0decent cable lock, outside WHSmith while I popped into Cycle Surgery for a few minutes. \u00a0When I came out it had disappeared, leaving no trace. \u00a0I reported it and scoured eBay and Gumtree for a while; it was unique with the bits I had changed plus I had the frame number. \u00a0But no luck, and after I investigating I didn’t think it was worth claiming on my home insurance.<\/p>\n

Trek<\/h4>\n

This was my first ‘proper new’ bike, as in I did some research before buying it. \u00a0I remember having a test ride and thinking how much more nimble it felt than the Purple thing. \u00a0I got it in Exeter when I had my first job, it was about \u00a3370 including mudguards, rear rack and panniers. \u00a0I’m still using the rack and panniers now. \u00a0I didn’t know much about bikes then so it was just that, a\u00a0bike. \u00a0It did mostly commuting duties, but also a few longer rides\u00a0and pub trips\u00a0(and oh, the best pubs). \u00a0It spent a while in my parents’ barn until I had use for it and space to keep it again. \u00a0I used it for about a year, again commuting, from the northern reaches of Leighton Buzzard to Milton Keynes; this was about half on tow paths and I learned to love Schwable Marathons. \u00a0I resurrected it when living in Coventry and doing my first tour – to Lands End (well when I set out all I knew was that I was headed to a campsite in Taunton for a few days and that after that I had a couple of weeks of leave). \u00a0When I moved to Leeds I stopped using my Brompton for commuting and started using this again.<\/p>\n

\"Trek<\/a> \"Camping<\/a> \"Trek<\/a>\u00a0\"Trek<\/a>\u00a0\"Loaded<\/a><\/p>\n

Current status: It needed new rims (originals badly worn), but with the combination of a lack of logic,\u00a0an\u00a0interest in an alternative commuting steed, and eBay, this led to the purchase of the Charge Grater, and the Trek was donated to Cycle Recycle in Bradford (where I help out doing mechanic stuff\u00a0when I can). \u00a0It was one of their more expensive ‘for sale’ bikes, but after a few months it was sold and I’m happy to think it’s out there somewhere keeping someone else happy.<\/p>\n

Purple thing ‘Universal’?<\/h4>\n

Sadly I don’t even have a photo of this. \u00a0It was the first bike I bought rather than being provided by parents as a thing that children have. \u00a0I must have been about 16, my dad took me to a sale of ex-hire mountain bikes and we tried this one. \u00a0It might have been about \u00a360 at the time. \u00a0I know I requested a pair of mudguards for it for my birthday. \u00a0I took it to university at various points when it was more sensible than walking about (I went to university in St Andrews where it was possible to walk from one extreme end of town to the other in an hour, so a bike made short work of anything).<\/p>\n

I used it mostly (miles-wise) to commute when I lived in Troon and worked at (as-then) SmithKline Beecham in Irvine, on a 6 month student placement. \u00a0There was no other way I\u00a0could get to work. \u00a0I remember that first ride in: tracksuit trousers and a too-warm jacket, rucksack, totally unfit…it didn’t take long before I was loving my morning sight of Ailsa Craig, and joining Sustrans* and dreaming of touring.<\/p>\n

Current status: I don’t know what happened to it…probably still in my parents’ barn
*Finally cancelled my direct debit a few years ago after a farcical route through my then place of work and meeting a member of their staff…<\/p>\n\n\n

    <\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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    Cycles past and present, in some sort of order of date of acquisition: On One Pompino Thought I’d try fixed a few years ago, and also fancied building a bike for the first time.\u00a0 Fixed scared me too much so I dismantled it and failed to sell the parts.\u00a0 The wheels became the faster ones […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":4,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1501","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1501"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1501\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2610,"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1501\/revisions\/2610"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sloeburn.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}