http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Forum: Stuff - Recent Posts en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:28:49 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21908#post-383725 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:48:19 +0000 Arellcat 383725@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You could lace an Alfine hub easily enough, but the axle would be too wide for the standard Brompton rear triangle that uses a 112mm OLD. It would however drop right in on a G-line model which has a 135mm OLD.</p> <p>The Sturmey 8spd hub can be fiddled with to fit in a standard Brompton triangle, but most other solutions require cold setting the dropouts wider, or replacing the triangle with one that is designed for the purpose, Rohloff conversions being the most popular. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21908#post-383723 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 14:27:52 +0000 neddie 383723@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wouldn’t a Shimano Alfine hub fit in a Brompton wheel? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21908#post-383713 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:09:36 +0000 Arellcat 383713@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's unfortunately quite expensive to convert a 3-speed Brompton into a 6-speed; you need the Brompton wide range hub that has more widely spaced ratios and takes two sprockets. You'll also need the two sprockets, the 2spd chain tensioner, the 'derailleur' which is a tiny swivelly thing, plus the left-hand 2spd gear lever and cable. You also need a new chain, though any 8spd chain will do.</p> <p>I would say though that 6 speeds is perfectly adequate for Edinburgh if you pick the right size of chainring (I'm running a 40T on mine). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21908#post-383694 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:51:57 +0000 SRD 383694@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@themighty... Thanks. I have been riding a borrowed 3speed Brompton since February, and there is lots I like about it, but I definitely need a slightly larger gear range. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21908#post-383691 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:15:18 +0000 themightysimmonite 383691@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I am considering selling a 3 speed Brompton. It's not great for things like hacking up the Mound unless you have the thighs of Chris Hoy.<br /> On the plus side it has very, very low mileage and is in great condition.<br /> Not as cheap as a Dahon but I am open to sensible offers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21908#post-383682 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:07:53 +0000 SRD 383682@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I noticed a Vitesse D7 on gumtree too. maybe the same one? will have a look. thanks for the tip. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21908#post-383681 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:57:00 +0000 Arellcat 383681@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There are a couple of Dahons for sale on FB Marketplace at the moment, a Vitesse D7 and a newer Vybe D7. Both already have a pannier rack. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21908#post-383680 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:52:01 +0000 SRD 383680@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looking to buy a used Dahon or similar. </p> <p>Nothing fancy, but would prefer a pannier-rack (and definitely needs to be able to have one added). </p> <p>Either hub or derailleur gears fine, but something "Edinburgh-appropriate". </p> <p>I'll look in the usual places, but thought I'd mention here in case anyone was keen to get rid of one. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2602&page=31#post-383043 Sat, 31 Jan 2026 22:27:35 +0000 acsimpson 383043@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Would anyone like a pair kids cycling shorts. Size small (128), colour blue, brand Scott.</p> <p>Probably ideal for a 7-8 year old. Usable at 9 but to small at 10.</p> <p>Free to a home with such a child. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18718&page=17#post-382953 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:13:17 +0000 Arellcat 382953@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had a lot of love for SunTour, back in the day. Their gear levers and chainrings were excellent. Still use Dia Compe brake levers; they made a lot of parts for SunTour. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18718&page=17#post-382952 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:51:03 +0000 chdot 382952@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“Hah! I had clipped my pump onto the frame at the wrong angle and the crank was gently knocking into the nozzle“</p> <p>‘Obviously’ it should have been obvious with a regular noise every time you turn the cranks. </p> <p>But bike problems aren’t always so simple… (even to people with a lot of experience of different bikes.)</p> <p>I started a list of “misdiagnosed maintenance problems” a while ago. </p> <p>One annoying mystery I had, similar to yours, was apparently skipping gears when in the smallest sprocket. Not an unusual thing in itself, but new freewheel, so, chain?</p> <p>Well, no. Turned out the problem was the pedal spindle. </p> <p>Skinny steel cranks with a pedal thread poking through. Changed pedals, no more ‘issue’. </p> <p>I’m slightly used to freehub problems. They don’t last forever. Usually it’s a skip caused by ‘sticky’ pawl. They are usually well sealed so a quick spray is probably optimistic - but anything to avoid dismantling/replacement. </p> <p>Problem was strangely infrequent - especially when I discovered the cause. </p> <p>I’m used to pulley wheels getting gunged up so they don’t turn smoothly, but this XT rear mech had somehow got a damaged tooth on one pulley which caused periodic chain slip - and misdiagnosis. </p> <p>I bought a bike a while ago which had not-perfect gear changes. Whole thing was a bit bitza, but a bargain, of course. <em>Eventually</em> I realised it had a 9 speed cassette and 8 speed lever. Replaced, sold, cassette!</p> <p>I had a similar problem (of my own making) with a 7 speed chain on 8 speed block. I usually find ‘mixed’ components ‘just work’ - whatever Shimano says. A ‘proper’ chain made a big difference.</p> <p>‘Usually’ Shimano mechs work fine with SunTour (remember them?) levers, but had one combination that refused to play nice. Can’t remember which one I changed. </p> <p>Then there’s non bike stuff. </p> <p>Not going to relate whole tale of the smoke alarm. </p> <p>Too long, too embarrassing. </p> <p>Different batteries, body swaps etc</p> <p>Still kept beepping </p> <p>Found a forgotten about CO2 detector saying its battery was end of life… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=18718&page=17#post-382951 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:25:49 +0000 Arellcat 382951@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The last couple of times I was riding my bike it had started making Yet Another Strange Noise, this being a click and a slight graunch every time I turned the pedals. I was convinced it was a pedal bearing and concluded it was the left, but then it seemed to be the right one. Sure enough, the bearings were very slightly loose, but really, on an XT SPD pedal, that I rebuilt not that long ago?</p> <p>I switched pedals and went out again but annoyingly it didn't fix anything. Hmm! I could feel the graunch each time I turned the cranks, soft pedalling or hard. I figured it must be the BB, even though it's not that old, and it's a Tange Seiki for crying out loud. But it wasn't wobbly or anything.</p> <p>Back in the garage I wondered more and turned the cranks gently. Hah! I had clipped my pump onto the frame at the wrong angle and the crank was gently knocking into the nozzle. Turned the pump a bit in its bracket, problem solved! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19434&page=10#post-382898 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:39:09 +0000 Baldcyclist 382898@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Actually that did work. Just loosened the drive side that holds on the rear mech, and the thru axle just slid out. Panic opver, phew!! Visions of sweat and blood, and much expense over. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19434&page=10#post-382896 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:35:38 +0000 Baldcyclist 382896@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So, I thought I'd put my gravel bike on my indoor trainer instead of my road bike - for more comfiness on 2 hour training rides..</p> <p>So, took through axle out, realised bike wasnt going on trainer cos of the SRAM xplr groupset and need a different adapter.</p> <p>So put through axle back on, set torque wrench to 10Nm as prescribed. Now this is where stupidy/lack of nerves in hand/arm set in. I never fealt the click so kept tightening, and just as I thought, this feels quite tight the end on the through axle snapped. :/</p> <p>So how to I get that out now that it is overtightened?</p> <p>I'm hoping if I just undo the rear mech end to take the mech off that the whole lot will just come out the mech side - is there a fair chance of that happening? If not any ideas how to get it out? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14263#post-382326 Sat, 06 Dec 2025 21:54:04 +0000 chdot 382326@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>FOR THE RECORD </p> <p>Only person ever <em>banned</em> on CCE was the person who had curious ideas about a universal colour scheme for cycle routing. </p> <p>The ban followed abuse of people who didn’t agree with him… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14263#post-382323 Sat, 06 Dec 2025 18:37:55 +0000 gembo 382323@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson, many thanks<br /> @chdot many thanks for withdrawing your comment.</p> <p>I have a further phenomenon to record. Due to the threadbare pattern on the rear tyre of the second Spesh tricross I own [one year younger than the first one but not ridden for twelve years by its previous owner so well new] I find that there is a layer of pine needles covering the mudguard inside. As this progresses it becomes harder to pedal and I have to stop to poke at this layer with a stick]</p> <p>So there.</p> <p>Schwalbe Landcruiser I put on front and back after the bike came out of 12 years in the shed.</p> <p>Sold To me by a lovely man who is friends with the Mickly Pran years back in this thread before he was banned. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14263#post-382322 Sat, 06 Dec 2025 17:41:53 +0000 acsimpson 382322@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo threadbare tread and rubbish thread, but first rate necrobumping! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14263#post-382248 Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:37:54 +0000 chdot 382248@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>However</p> <p>To address yr problem </p> <p>“as they have all started wearing out at the same time“</p> <p>Not clear if this is existential or misdiagnosed in some way. </p> <p>As you will be well aware, they “wear” by being used!</p> <p>They degrade by being left in the sun or shed for a long time - especially if underinflated/flat. </p> <p>As you will also be aware rear ones wear out faster - mostly because rear is driving wheel but also carries more weight. </p> <p>Wear rate can increase due to over or under inflation. </p> <p>I’m sure there are many forums where the precision of this is argued about…</p> <p>I withdraw my comment about not riding. </p> <p>Ride less. </p> <p>Or</p> <p>Pay attention to inflation </p> <p>It <em>may</em> be recommended that rear tyres are inflated more, but that might well be argued about somewhere too…</p> <p>Practically, some people swap tyres (f/r) so they wear about the same and can be replaced as a pair. </p> <p>Some people just replace the most worn so have non-matching tyres (I’m sure that’s not you…)</p> <p>Some people wait until their tyres explode (not recommended). </p> <p>Just ride. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14263#post-382247 Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:09:31 +0000 chdot 382247@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Was merely irony… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14263#post-382245 Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:21:18 +0000 gembo 382245@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot what a rubbish idea </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21846#post-382244 Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:20:04 +0000 gembo 382244@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Far better design would require the key to lock it, then if you lose you key that is on you. This whole threads is caused by bad design of the lock. See also the benefit of Mortice over Yale </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21846#post-382243 Sat, 29 Nov 2025 08:43:23 +0000 bakky 382243@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>All’s well that ends well, as they say! I hate the ‘disappeared key’ feeling with a vengeance. I once locked up the bakkyfiets with an alarmed motorcycle disc lock at St James Quarter which similarly allows fitting without the key, and then we had a taxi round-trip to retrieve the key from home as we were too short on our deadline to bus it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21846#post-382241 Sat, 29 Nov 2025 01:10:47 +0000 LaidBack 382241@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This was your St Andrew's Day holiday I believe. At least it was a memorable one, albeit for wrong reasons! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14263#post-382239 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 23:47:14 +0000 chdot 382239@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Stop riding… </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14263#post-382238 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 23:20:34 +0000 gembo 382238@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson The Rubbiish Thread Thread, I am worried abut a lot of my tyres as they have all started wearing out at the same time. I will post on the Rubbish Tread Thread. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21846#post-382235 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 22:47:59 +0000 Arellcat 382235@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Today it was my turn to be rubbish, because I failed to notice that I left the house this morning without the means to open my bicycle lock. Lest malicious readers think I own only one lock, heh, I have several, but the lock I brought with me today can be <em>closed</em> without a key. For convenience I suppose.</p> <p>Luckily* this discovery happened in the company of several CCEers. @bakky lent me a spare U-lock as extra security while @LaidBack and I went off to consider padlock destruction techniques and in search of another cafe so that I could wait for a lift home to look for the missing key. I found it, fortunately, and made sure it will Never Happen Again. Ever. Probably.</p> <p>I eventually made it back into town and rescued my bike, failed to transact any business at three shops I visited during the afternoon, so rode home into the teeth of whatever the latest storm is and later delivered Big Lock to @bakky with the help of the huge enduro motorbike because I'd had enough of cycling for today.</p> <p>* and in equal measure, embarassingly </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21800#post-381676 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:54:42 +0000 mcairney 381676@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I actually forgot about the competition this year so you'll have all missed out on my usual low-effort, last-minute submission.<br /> Results are available <a href="http://www.spokes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-comp-in-order-for-web-150dpi.pdf">here</a></p> <p>Not entirely sure I agree with the voting personally but hey-ho. Also you can just about see my flat in the 4th prize submission :) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21800#post-381675 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:54:38 +0000 gembo 381675@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Urchaidh, I accept your apology. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21800#post-381674 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:47:20 +0000 urchaidh 381674@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo - a bit harsh I feel! I only mentioned the puddle in passing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21800#post-381673 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:09:46 +0000 gembo 381673@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wow - the winner was my actual every day commute. I suppose it is good. Ha I can get from the house to work with only the canal to meadows link still not finished after 20 years and ran Keillor st. As my only on road sections . THe winner also took some amazing photos of the Colinton Tunnel. So even if I had submitted my commute as my favourite ride I wouldnt have won. The phot Urchaidh provided of his scone also helped him beat me even though he promised not to submit a duplicate Clubbiedean Big Puddle route I knew he would.</p> <p>The puddle abides<br /> Mon The Big Puddle </p>