http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: hub gear - Recent Posts en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:26:31 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-112216 Wed, 29 May 2013 12:46:38 +0000 Blueth 112216@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"@Blueth Interesting! So what did you make of Assen and Groningen and cycling in the Netherlands?"</p> <p>Just back from the KM and catching up. Alas we weren't riding when there but I think I could suffer having to cycle in either Assen or Groningen :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-111900 Sun, 26 May 2013 07:37:35 +0000 slowcoach 111900@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>for those who worry about bike failure and not being able to fix it or find a lift home, ETA have a <a href="https://www.eta.co.uk/breakdown/bicycle/">rescue service</a> but to me it seems expensive - £30 a year (or £45 to include puncture cover) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-111835 Fri, 24 May 2013 16:21:33 +0000 kaputnik 111835@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@WC, that said, I had Schwalbe cross tyres on for PoP and took a big chunk of glass between the knobbles (ooh, sounds painful!) resulting in a very flat tyre by the Sunday Evening. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-111834 Fri, 24 May 2013 16:09:31 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 111834@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You might have a point there. I've got a bad habit of running even slicks on inappropriate surfaces (or Edinburgh's roads as they're otherwise known....).</p> <p>Still tempted to take the cross bike to Glentress, though would put the mini-knobblies on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-111830 Fri, 24 May 2013 15:27:57 +0000 kaputnik 111830@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@WC I think your tyres have had no luck with <em>you</em> ;) are you sure the Radical Road is the best place to test out Ultremos? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-111737 Fri, 24 May 2013 08:26:18 +0000 cc 111737@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@WC bad luck. Mind you, you probably cover a lot more miles than I do! (That's probably the other secret of my bike's *touch wood* magic puncturelessness, I don't go very far. The knees cannae take it, Captain.)</p> <p>@Blueth Interesting! So what did you make of Assen and Groningen and cycling in the Netherlands? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-111736 Fri, 24 May 2013 08:23:49 +0000 Try Cycle 111736@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The bike co-op do maintenance classes and would probably do a sealed hub specific one if enough people were interested I'm sure. I did one ages ago - think it was £25 for a morning </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-111694 Thu, 23 May 2013 19:45:44 +0000 Nelly 111694@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have the full capability and kit in my carradice to change tyres - but frankly if it is hosing down midwinter, I will be calling a taxi and doing it at home / dropping off at The Bike Works.</p> <p>Although my gatorskins are great and touch wood have never punctured, they are a 'mare' to get on the rims (swapping marathon winters was a PITA) - and I dont care what anyone says, good technique does not always work. </p> <p>My new MTB is even worse, the Conti Mountain kings are alright tyres, but the rims are so tight that any problem out on a trail and I would be there for an hour !!</p> <p>If its a choice between good but tight tyres, or soft pliable but lots of punctures?</p> <p>Tight and (fairly) puncture proof every time for me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898&page=2#post-111684 Thu, 23 May 2013 18:39:07 +0000 Blueth 111684@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Most Dutch bikes are old. Relatively few new bikes bought due to high rate of cycle theft. So relatively little demand for bike emporia, despite the huge numbers of cyclists? "</p> <p>My expectation was just that but about 99% seemed to be almost new. <em>From memory</em> the population of Assen is circa 60,000 with the number of bikes in the town estimated to be either two or three times that for some reason. With that volume of sales perhaps the proprietors could afford to retire rather than work on doing maintenance :-)</p> <p>But WC got my point precisely. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111662 Thu, 23 May 2013 17:04:20 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 111662@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have no luck with tyres. Every single type of tyre I've had have had a puncture (save the winter studs, but they've not really been out much). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111659 Thu, 23 May 2013 17:02:22 +0000 cc 111659@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes it's a good point. I solved it by changing to puncture-resistant tyres several years ago, and so far they've worked 100%. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111657 Thu, 23 May 2013 16:52:29 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 111657@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<em>I know some folk here prefer to do all their own maintenance and really enjoy it. I'd far rather just get someone else to do it. Makes me happy. Each to his own, different strokes for different folks, etc.</em>"</p> <p>Agree 100% with this (I'm in that former camp), but I think the point of the OP is that a puncture repair isn't really 'maintenance', but rather something that could happen anywhere at any time and knowing how to sort it would save you a walk. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111654 Thu, 23 May 2013 16:38:23 +0000 cc 111654@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I went through a stage a few years ago of getting a puncture every other week, mostly on the Innocent path. I got fed up of that pretty quickly and on a friend's recommendation switched to Schwalbe tyres with built in puncture protection. Touch wood, no punctures in recent years.</p> <p>Also when I was younger I used to do my own bicycle maintenance. I was never very interested in doing this so neglected it and as a result my bike was generally a creaky rusty wreck with dodgy brakes. These days I'd far rather get someone else to do it so it's taken care of without hassle.</p> <p>I know some folk here prefer to do all their own maintenance and really enjoy it. I'd far rather just get someone else to do it. Makes me happy. Each to his own, different strokes for different folks, etc. </p> <p>About bicycle shops in the Netherlands - maybe they're just small and hard to spot? If you search google maps for e.g. 'fietswinkel near Groningen, the netherlands' you get a number of results. Here's a <a href="http://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/visit-to-a-dutch-bicycle-shop/">Bicycle Dutch</a> article about bicycle shops. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111650 Thu, 23 May 2013 16:22:38 +0000 crowriver 111650@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>David Hembrow sums it up:</p> <p><a href="http://blog.dutchbikebits.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-reliable-everyday-bicycle.html" rel="nofollow">http://blog.dutchbikebits.com/2009/01/anatomy-of-reliable-everyday-bicycle.html</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111648 Thu, 23 May 2013 16:14:45 +0000 crowriver 111648@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Puzzling. And not a puncture seen!</em></p> <p>Properly maintained cycle paths and roads probably a big factor. No broken glass/thorns/car detritus/massive potholes = fewer punctures?</p> <p>Most Dutch bikes are fitted with puncture-resistant/proof tyres?</p> <p>Most Dutch bikes have hub gears (3 speeds) or single speed, drum brakes, fully enclosed chains. Very little need for maintenance, therefore not as much demand for bike mechanics/shops?</p> <p>Most Dutch bikes are old. Relatively few new bikes bought due to high rate of cycle theft. So relatively little demand for bike emporia, despite the huge numbers of cyclists? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111638 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:32:07 +0000 Blueth 111638@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As a side issue to that Baldcyclist, a couple of years ago while in Assen, obviously a special place for bike use even by Dutch standards (confirmed by research on getting home)in proportion to bike use here my pals and I expected to see a bike shop literally on every corner. I think we found all three of them over the weekend.</p> <p>In a short visit to Groningen we were only able to find one and that with cycling numbers requiring a massive multistorey bike park at the station.</p> <p>Puzzling. And not a puncture seen! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111636 Thu, 23 May 2013 15:02:34 +0000 Baldcyclist 111636@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've often taken my bike over to bike works to get a puncture fixed if I've punctured on the way into (and near) work.<br /> Not so easy to do on the way home, when you are 15 miles away from home, and as far away from anywhere open that could do it for you. As a result, I have become a 'reluctant' mechanic and can fix most things on a bike.</p> <p>I actually think this is one of the real barriers to getting people taking up cycling, especially as a method of transport. Whilst bike shops exist on practically every Edinburgh street corner, most towns / villages don't have one shop which could carry out these 'maintenance' tasks, especially at short notice. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111635 Thu, 23 May 2013 14:59:24 +0000 steveo 111635@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Sadly a billable 15 min (or less) of a bike mechanics time is 'worth' much less than the equivalent of my time... </em></p> <p>Indeed, there are times when I have farmed the relatively trivial job of bb and chainset replacement purely because I didn't have then required hour to do the job. Whilst I've never paid any one to repair a puncture, were I in town and in a hurry I probably would just get a bike shop to do it especially if I had something else I could be getting on with while they fixed my bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111633 Thu, 23 May 2013 14:50:59 +0000 SRD 111633@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@blueth I have sometimes changed a tyre okay. but other times struggled to get it on or off. or patched only to find another hole, or that patch did not stick. </p> <p>If I need to get to work for a busy day, and then have to pick kids up promptly from school (and need bike for this), I am extremely happy to pay an expert to do it for me. </p> <p>There's not a good place to do this at my work, and I can do without greasy hands etc. If leak develops on the way home, I will usually have a stab at fixing it, but twice recently have had to call in expert help even then. </p> <p>Sadly a billable 15 min (or less) of a bike mechanics time is 'worth' much less than the equivalent of my time... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111631 Thu, 23 May 2013 14:43:45 +0000 wingpig 111631@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"...but they are tacitly accepted in taking up cycling in the first place"</em></blockquote></p> <p>Nneem. Without sufficient experience someone might think that you only get punctures by cycling over drawing-pins or nails or large obvious chunks of broken bottle or have let your tyres wear down to the thread. Awareness of the invasiveness of tiny slivers of red NEPN wintergrit or the ability of chunks of razor-clam shell to penetrate even Marathons Plus is not acquired simultaneously with the acquisition of a bicycle. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111626 Thu, 23 May 2013 13:43:44 +0000 Blueth 111626@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>While there are the occasional tyre/rim combinations that need a bit more persuasion, generally the ostensible need for more strength can be overcome by good technique, which is where experienced tuition could assist.</p> <p>I take your points too Wingpig but they are tacitly accepted in taking up cycling in the first place - indeed that was kind of my point. In becoming a cyclist we all accept that a puncture will have to be dealt with on a varyingly regular basis. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111620 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:53:22 +0000 cb 111620@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Some people might not be physically strong enough to get the tyre off the rim, depending on tyre type/rim size.</p> <p>But I agree with the principal that it's a useful (and let's face it fairly basic) skill to have. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111611 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:06:03 +0000 wingpig 111611@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"...than for a weekend long-distance rider who might find himself or herself in the middle of nowhere with a flat."</em></blockquote></p> <p>Especially if they're wearing shoes they can't walk in and only carrying what they can stuff in their rear jersey pocket and don't have a proper pump as they're too heavy compared to gas cartridges.</p> <p>Having somewhere to fix punctures helps - some might not like the idea of hunkering down outside in the winter if their bike parking is outside at both ends of their journey. Some might be put off by the grey grime. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111609 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:54:30 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 111609@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Especially if it's a case of replacing a tube rather than fixing the puncture.</p> <p>But, I'd actually say a puncture for an urban commuter is less disruptive than for a weekend long-distance rider who might find himself or herself in the middle of nowhere with a flat.</p> <p>My ride is 5 miles, so in worst case scenario I'm a 2.5 mile walk from either home or work. And while workplaces are different, a once-in-a-blue-moon call to work to let them know you'll be 15-20 minutes late is normaly okay (I did just that on Tuesday past).</p> <p>However, I agree entirely, fixing a puncture/replacing a tube should be something taught to all (I still remember my dad teaching me, and in the absence of tyre levers using two gert big dessert spoons (handle end). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111606 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:39:15 +0000 Blueth 111606@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm not trying to denigrate anyone's capabilities but I am genuinely puzzled as to how cyclists who can't/are so reluctant to change a tyre (notwithstanding the hub complexities in this case) cope with punctures, given how frequently they are likely to occur compared with motor transport. </p> <p>Most on here seem to use the bike for day to day travel where journey time is more important than when just out for a ride and a dispruption could have a significant effect on one's day. I suppose, given the upsurge in numbers of late, you might well be within walking distance of a bike shop in Edinburgh but that's still a fair bit of time involved. </p> <p>I don't want to take the bread out of the mouths of the bike shops but is it not time someone did classes in tyre removal and replacement - in most cases where I see people having difficulty it is because they don't seem to understand the basic principle of what they are trying to do - to me this is a skill as essential as the ability to balance the bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-111553 Thu, 23 May 2013 00:09:07 +0000 Harts Cyclery 111553@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Glad you got it fixed! For the record (and a shameless plug), I'm happy fixing ANY type of bike. I like obscure stuff! A 1955 Raleigh All-Steel Bicycle was treated to one of my Grand Tour services recently, including a Sturmey service - a joy to work on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-107428 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:13:57 +0000 cc 107428@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh yes - this morning's ride to work was <em>bliss!</em> Like riding on air. And the gears were perfect too, best I've ever had them. Big thumbs up for <a href="http://www.bicyclerepairmanedinburgh.com/home">The Bicycle Repair Man</a> and for the <a href="http://www.laid-back-bikes.co.uk/page18/page18.html">Paper Bicycle</a>. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-107393 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:31:42 +0000 LaidBack 107393@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>From experience the PB needs to have its chain tightened with the outside guard off. The noise I started to get from my now sold 8 speed demo was chain against the guard spacers. Once tight it was nice and quiet. Sturmey 8 speed has calibrating marks but a less easy to see than Alfine.<br /> Glad your bike is working well though. With the Big Apples back on you'll be riding in luxury! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-107391 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:44:02 +0000 cc 107391@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aah is that what it is, thanks, yes that sounds likely.<br /> It had slowly got to the point where (this sounds crazy) low even-numbered gears were skipping but the odd-numbered ones were fine, except occasionally when changing down into them. I was never quite irritated enough to get it fixed. (And I never quite like the thought of going to a bike shop and saying, "you know, it's kind of not quite right in second gear, but most of the rest are fine, except occasionally...") Now it seems lovely again so far, and as a bonus I have beautiful smooth quiet summer tyres on again, no more breakfast cereal following me about everywhere I go. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=9898#post-107384 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:55:27 +0000 Uberuce 107384@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bike Repair Man is a track shop and is therefore a ninja at chain tension. My bet is yours had slackened, which makes a hub/single/fixed gear bike feel sloppy. </p>