Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,380 
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Post by Jem on Mar 24, 2020 14:44:06 GMT
Not been out a proper bike ride since way before Christmas (except dashes to the shop), and due to circumstances managed to get out this morning with my son for a nice 7 miler. Quiet roads (is it my imagination or is the air cleaner without all these cars and lorries on the roads?) , lovely weather and just a great antidote to everything that is going on. This is an old picture below but I had a thought as I was flying along on this - I quibbled over the amount of money it cost second hand (I think in the end it was £75) and I was probably not willing to pay 3 figures if it came to it(this is probably 4 or 5 years ago). I now feel rather foolish for even thinking that, as today I was riding along it was priceless. It I had to put a figure on it, I would probably today pay £250 and still feel I had gotten a bargain. It is such a smooth, fast bike and has the looks to go with it. If I got the choice of a new modern expensive bike or this, I would take this every time.  IMG_8897 by Sooper 8, on Flickr |
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Post by triitout on Mar 24, 2020 17:03:55 GMT
Absolutely agree that a simple bike ride can serve as a major antidote to the covid19 trouble on all of our minds. I found just doing a quick cleanup on my Mojave GP and my Kiwi green single speed (almost looks like yours) was therapeutic. I've got to wait for my lungs to fully heal from December's pneumonia.....no, not corona before I indulge. While I'm itching to go, the body says no. Soon enough, this shall pass and we can enjoy carefree cycling. Anyone tackle their bike projects yet??
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Post by brianbutler on Mar 25, 2020 13:23:38 GMT
Totally agree with you, sooper8, especially about preferring the old bike to the new one. I have a plastic Trek hanging on my wall that I never use and instead rotate through my collection of not-so-collectible 70's road bikes. They are cheap, cool, easy to work on, and massively fun. Just putting the finishing touches on this winter's haul of project bikes - 1974 Viscount Aerospace Grand Prix, 1970 Dawes Galaxy, 1973 Sekine, 1997 Bianchi Trofeo (too new but it was offered to me for $25), 1954 Raleigh Sports (not exactly my style but precisely my vintage.)
Brian
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Post by franco on Mar 26, 2020 12:51:24 GMT
Being able to get out for one ride a day (thanks Boris) is about the only thing keeping me sane. I’m self employed in the building trade so not used to being shut up in doors and can’t work from home. Anyway... I did 15 miles yesterday, all country lanes, it was beautiful. Took the Trek SL1000 though, it’s the only bike I own with a wide range of gears, besides an old Dawes rigid MTB. I much prefer riding the steel frames, they’re more comfortable on our poor road surfaces imo.  All my winter projects are finished, I refurbished an Ernie Clements 531, the Dawes MTB is now a budget touring bike and the Raleigh Kellogg’s Pro Tour is completely cleaned up. Got a Tony Doyle frame on its way but unsure of the dropout measurement, I’m guessing 126mm, so can’t really go on a wheel hunt yet. |
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Post by knukledragr on Mar 28, 2020 18:56:09 GMT
The color on this Bike is Beautiful....
I Went for a Ride on another Bike that I Built yrs ago.
A Fat Tyre post War Murray Mercury.The place I live is very safe,half the world was on the Path.I stopped to rest and get a drink,off bike my pack open on a ledge stopped on a bridge. Some Random Guy on Foot starts to mess with Me ,asking Me Random questions,Basically Sizing Me Up .He keeps looking Down,and then quickly Left to Right.I can see He has something hidden in His Rt Hand.My Right Hand is on My Bike lock Hidden in My Back pack.I Am Ready to Pummel This Tweeker. Finally I Ask Him
What do You Want ? To Rob Me,Take My Bike or You wanna See My Weapon ? He starts to Back off but still keeps circleing back
He wants MyStuff Bad. Some others Show up Finally and I Rode off .This was Yesterday,mid day broad daylight more people on the trail than Ever.Be Safe,they are Emptying the Jails Here. Sorry to Jack the Thread that Was My Ride. Have a Good One All
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Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,380
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Post by Jem on Mar 28, 2020 20:24:47 GMT
The color on this Bike is Beautiful.... I Went for a Ride on another Bike that I Built yrs ago. A Fat Tyre post War Murray Mercury.The place I live is very safe,half the world was on the Path.I stopped to rest and get a drink,off bike my pack open on a ledge stopped on a bridge. Some Random Guy on Foot starts to mess with Me ,asking Me Random questions,Basically Sizing Me Up .He keeps looking Down,and then quickly Left to Right.I can see He has something hidden in His Rt Hand.My Right Hand is on My Bike lock Hidden in My Back pack.I Am Ready to Pummel This Tweeker. Finally I Ask Him What do You Want ? To Rob Me,Take My Bike or You wanna See My Weapon ? He starts to Back off but still keeps circleing back He wants MyStuff Bad. Some others Show up Finally and I Rode off .This was Yesterday,mid day broad daylight more people on the trail than Ever.Be Safe,they are Emptying the Jails Here. Sorry to Jack the Thread that Was My Ride. Have a Good One All Where was this ? I'll cross it off my list of places to ride around. |
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Post by knukledragr on Mar 28, 2020 21:58:20 GMT
Old Pacific RR track that has been converted here to a very nice Bike path.Inland Empire,so Cal.When I used to drink
And get Rowdy I never Felt the Need for a Weapon. 1st time in My Life I really wished I Had The Force Multiplier. Gonna
Camo up later and hunt into the Homeless camp in the Bushes
And see how many bikes they got.Red Lazer Dot on the Chest should hold Em in Place...
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Post by franco on Jun 26, 2020 13:28:41 GMT
I took the Aerospace Pro out on my maiden death fork voyage today. Just a steady run out over 12 miles covering some mixed terrain, for the first time ever I wasn’t cursing the headwind on a couple of big descents but all good and a cracking ride.   |
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Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,380
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Post by Jem on Jun 26, 2020 18:42:55 GMT
Looking good Franco! What saddle do you have on there?
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Post by franco on Jun 26, 2020 19:12:26 GMT
Cheers mate. It’s a Selle Italia I had lying around in the shed, I put it on temporary then thought it actually fits with the colour scheme so might leave it on. Not period correct I know but you can only spend so much money at a time on projects.
These are the first pedal straps I’ve ever gotten on with as well, so easy to get in and out of. Had some on a few other bikes and couldn’t get on with them, always end up going back to rat trap pedals.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,380
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Post by Jem on Jun 27, 2020 14:55:04 GMT
I'm not much of a toe strap man really, but the relatively heavy weight of those seemed to make them easy to flip over with your foot to get into them. And they are roomy. I remember being chased by a bicycle gang in the early 80's and my toe straps were a proper hindrance. I'd stopped at a small shop to get an iced lolly , and it wasn't the best area. I still have an aversion to toe straps or any kind of pedal device...even though it's unlikely that I will be in a rush to escape a cycle gang anytime soon  |
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 27, 2020 16:52:54 GMT
I use the Zefal half toes clips on all my bikes:
They are cheap, light, easy to install, and easy to get in and out of. I gave up toe clips and clipless pedals a few years ago for several reasons:
1. Did not want to spend upwards of $300 for clipless pedals, cleats, and shoes again. 2. Could never get a pair a cycling shoes to fit. They were always WAY too narrow and ultimately caused a bunion that has since improved greatly after ditching the shoes. 3. Hated mincing around in cycling shoes when off the bike. Now I just use running sneakers. 4. Never believed in "pulling up on the pedals" for power, mainly because the human body does not really have a muscle that would perform that function. 5. Tired of falling while trapped in pedals. I always thought the final straw would be a broken arm, but instead it was a lacerated kidney. Similar cost but more alarming symptoms.
The Zefal half clips keep your feet in place but permit easy exit backwards or sideways. They are also easy to rotate into position. Cost is about $8 a pair.
Brian
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Post by franco on Jun 27, 2020 19:07:11 GMT
I can’t disagree at all with you both, I like to keep cycling simple and comfortable. The problem I had with toe straps was pulling off at traffic lights, faffing around trying to get my left foot in whilst sensing the frustration from the impatient driver behind me. I might try those Zefal clips on another bike Brian, worth a go at £4. Sounds like a bad injury you got there as well. Never considered to try clipless, seems like a load of cost and like you say, don’t fancy mincing around in a pair of those cycling shoes  |
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Post by triitout on Jun 27, 2020 19:30:38 GMT
I'm a toe clip guy. I've found MKS deep LL toe clips to be very roomy for sneakers. Combined with loose straps, its a perfect compromise between keeping me on the pedal and quick and easy remount and dismount. My fitness/recreational style of cycling makes me look like a bit of a misfit at the bigger "Ironman 70.3" triathlon races but it still works fine for me. My best event is T2 which is the transition from bike to run. No cycling shoes to switch out of for the run! Anything goes at the smaller local sprint races so toe clips are fine. I tried Speedplay clipless pedals and hated them.
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 28, 2020 1:45:50 GMT
I also used the MKS deep LL toe clips for years and rarely got tangled in them. But then I refurbished an old Raleigh Super Course with quill pedals like the Viscount pedals. The extra side barrier somehow prevented me from getting out of the pedal when I rolled up to a street crossing. I went down pretty hard on my right side with my elbow providing a nice kidney punch. That's when I decided I needed a foolproof way to get out of the pedals fast. I switched to the Zefal half clips just to try them and I like them better than toe clips, not sure why exactly, and it is strictly my humble opinion.
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Post by franco on Jun 28, 2020 19:35:27 GMT
Just ordered some of those Zefal half toe clips. Most places are out of stock in the U.K. but finally found some at Condor Cycles.
I’ll try them out on the gold 400.
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Post by franco on Jul 2, 2020 20:52:27 GMT
The Zefal toe clips have arrived, fitted them onto the Aerospace 400 and looking forward to trying them out tomorrow.
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Post by franco on Jul 6, 2020 13:50:27 GMT
Im impressed with the Zefal toe clips, the best of both worlds, thanks for the recommendation Brian.
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Post by knukledragr on Jul 27, 2020 4:22:07 GMT
I took the Aerospace Pro out on my maiden death fork voyage today. Just a steady run out over 12 miles covering some mixed terrain, for the first time ever I wasn’t cursing the headwind on a couple of big descents but all good and a cracking ride. Ahh Super nice Bike. |
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Post by franco on Jul 27, 2020 21:50:57 GMT
I took the Aerospace Pro out on my maiden death fork voyage today. Just a steady run out over 12 miles covering some mixed terrain, for the first time ever I wasn’t cursing the headwind on a couple of big descents but all good and a cracking ride. Ahh Super nice Bike. Thanks  I fitted an old Shimano Atlas RD but wasn’t happy with it, I’ve since changed it for a Shimano 105 and a new Freewheel has arrived today. Looking forward to getting it out on the road in the next few week. |
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