New to CycleChat? Make your first post here and say HELLO :)

[SiadwellinSomerset]

Hello,

So you've signed-up, got your user account, now all you need to do is get posting .... ah, um, er, What do I say?

Well, it's dead easy - just say Hello and tell us a little bit about yourself and whereabouts you're from (so we can invite you along to rides!!)

Believe me, once you get that first post under your belt you'll be off!

My name's Shaun by the way, and I own and operate CycleChat.

If you need any help or advice on using the forums, or want to ask a question but don't want to do it publicly - just send me a PM (private message).

Hope you enjoy, and welcome to CycleChat

Cheers,
Shaun

Hello it's me Siadwell. I am a Welsh exile now living in mid Somerser near Glastonbury.
I am a member of Mendip CC and just getting used to indoor cycling scene.
In summer planning a few Eroica events including Tuscany on vintage steel framed pre 1986 bikes.
Geoff thanks for invite to this group. Look forward to some epic climbs with you and other Goats

 

[sir adrian dangerous]

Hello pedal pushers!
My first post on here.
55 year old, bloke living in Benfleet, South East Essex.
Been riding an old bike for just 4 days now, having not ridden for quite a long time, so taking things real easy, just a block or two to start with, now doing two miles per day. Plan is to gradually build up to the 15 mile 'Ride for Helen' on 10th May. Just two weeks ago, I started a job at Basildon, and intend to ride to work when I am more confident, if the weather looks fine, in the summer months.
Using an eighteen year old Shimano SP2018 Raider (mountain bike style), was surprised to find the original tubes and tyres had not perished and the bike only needed a new band to protect the rear tube from the spoke ends, and a general oil up.
MALT

Bike looks good

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Wow, loads of people signing up recently. Hello and everyone.

@MALT - the bike doesn't look bad. If you're mainly riding on the road can I suggest some slicks or some touring tyres in place of the knobblies as they'll make the bike ride a little easier and faster.

 

[mmmmartin]

Hello there
I will graduate to a full size bike one day!
Mark

Hello Mark

 

[SimonH]

Hi everyone im new to the forum ,im in the North East and have been cycling on and off since 1991,im now back on the road, ive sold my retro gear and enjoying riding modern ,lighter bikes i cant fault the Giant defy /advanced range for price and Quality.It makes Training easier i just need to shed a stone.

 

[geoffnelder]

Hello there, I'm another Geoff. I live in Chester and cycle throughout the North Wales, Cheshire and somewhere sometimes in Merseyside and Greater Manchester. Every year I pedal off to my family in Gloucestershire stopping at youth hostels, B&Bs etc. I also cycle to my son in Nottingham usually staying at Ilam Hall Youth Hostel en route. I used to teach but now edit other people's books and stories for cycling money. I've been known to contribute articles to Cycling World. I'm not much of a technie geek but I like to write and blog funny stuff I see on the road.

 

[aliene]

hello

 

[User42542]

Hi Guys,
I have been loitering around the site for a while, and thought it best I should join up and say hello...

I have been cycling on/off for approximately 2 years, and recently got my first road bike through the C2W Scheme, a Specialized Allez C2....which so far seems great!

My mileage was initially 8-12 miles 2/3 times a week, but recently signed up for a Ride IT even in October, doing the 56 Mile route, so need to up my mileage, and fitness. I am currently 18.5 Stone, so this should hopefully be a weight loss journey, as well as the enjoyment of many hours riding!

Anywhoo - its nice to meet you all!

 

[johnbhoy82]

Hello to all...

This is my second post on the forum, I have kinda gone the wrong way round and what not. Anyway.

Screen name FelixStarsofsky, real name Oliver. I'm a Royal Marine Commando who has just come back to Afghanistan after 2 weeks R&R with my fiancee in Devon. I didn't leave without doing the typical guy thing and "P" the missis off my spending £330 of our wedding money on a nice shiny new Carrera Gryphon (with bling dics brakes haha) from Halfords. Despite my best efforts to convince her that it was a good move because I was saving £70 all she could manage was that terrifying look only a woman can give a guy that can put a guy well and truly back in his box. Now I am back in Afghanistan, she is probably spending a fortune on shoes and whatever else (some <--- keeping it P.C.) women like to spend thier money on.
I have not actually ridden the bike yet and I have to wait a few months until i leave here to do that, but the thought of it is pure morale! Halfords seems to get a bit of stick from what I have heard but the service i got was ok and although wee lad who initially served me was obviously on his first week of an after school part time job by the way he was causing havoc on the till, the guy who was running the show was very helpful and apart from not paying for the bike itself, could not have done more to help me. Hopefully the bike will not fall to bits on its maiden voyage to the local Co-op.
I intend to use it to commute to and from work whilst getting my daily phys cracked at the same time as well as hairing around on the roads between Taunton and Exeter. On my time off after Afghan, i was thinking about taking a week or so out to cycle from my mums up in Scotland to my home in Devon. I had thought about going the other way but I have it in my head that because I will be cycling south, it will be more downhill that up hill! Silly man I hear you mutter haha!
Well its dinner time over here so I'm away to have some delightful rice and peas. Yum.
Take care, Oliver

I thought I was the only one who thought cycling south would be easier on the legs lol

 

[johnbhoy82]

hello Shaun. I'm new to this

 

[Gurudeep]

Hello there folks!

My Name is Gurudeep and I am a cyclist from India. After having spent a few years studying in Cambridge and having comuted on a cycle all through my college days there, I took the idea of cycling back to India. I even started an adventure cycling tour company in India

My love for cycling started in the quaint town of Cambridge, filled with students and every now and then I'd ride with my mates form college out toward Royston Glatton and Kimbolton for cycling. The countryside is beautiful and the local pubs make for a great weekend's summer outing in those parts of the country.

While I was reliving my memories of Uni life in Britian, I got searching about cycling in Cambridgeshire area and I chanced on this chat group.
Good to see an active community of cyclists here. Would love to visit these parts again.

Until then cheers guys

 

[MALT]

Bike looks good

Wow, loads of people signing up recently. Hello and everyone.

@MALT - the bike doesn't look bad. If you're mainly riding on the road can I suggest some slicks or some touring tyres in place of the knobblies as they'll make the bike ride a little easier and faster.

Thanks Adrian and Phil.

Since posting my first entry on here, I have added front mudguards and changed the pedals (bearings not too good on one of them). On Monday my 33yr old son and I did a 10.4mile ride at 9.8mph, on the flat, both ways along Southend seafront (I was slowing Gary down). Gary also owns a Mountain bike. His tyres were pumped to 40psi. This seemed too hard to me, I had pumped mine to 30psi.

Today I pumped mine to 35-40psi and we did the same 10.4miles at 11.6mph, (the wind was lighter in strength and helping us in the opposite direction). We then did another leg for a total of 15.0miles, at an overall average of 10.6mph.

What is the likely maximum pressure that the tyres will be safe at? I weigh 15st 11lb.

As the bike is so old (18yrs+), is it still probable that slicker tyres will be available?

Seems like a good idea to fit road tyres, as the bike will mainly be for road use.

MALT

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Thanks Adrian and Phil.

Since posting my first entry on here, I have added front mudguards and changed the pedals (bearings not too good on one of them). On Monday my 33yr old son and I did a 10.4mile ride at 9.8mph, on the flat, both ways along Southend seafront (I was slowing Gary down). Gary also owns a Mountain bike. His tyres were pumped to 40psi. This seemed too hard to me, I had pumped mine to 30psi.

Today I pumped mine to 35-40psi and we did the same 10.4miles at 11.6mph, (the wind was lighter in strength and helping us in the opposite direction). We then did another leg for a total of 15.0miles, at an overall average of 10.6mph.

What is the likely maximum pressure that the tyres will be safe at? I weigh 15st 11lb.

As the bike is so old (18yrs+), is it still probable that slicker tyres will be available?

Seems like a good idea to fit road tyres, as the bike will mainly be for road use.

MALT

There should be either a recommended or a maximum pressure marked on the sidewall of the tyre. 40psi sounds about right on those tyres.

From the photo I'd say that your bike has standard 26" mountain bike size wheels for which there is a wide choice of tyres. To be absolutely certain have a look at the size markings on the sidewall - ideally you want the modern ETRTO size which will be in the format ??-559 (width by the diameter at the bead of the tyre in mm). The diameter of the new tyre must match the wheel rims you have but you have a lot more flexibility with the width

If it is a 559mm diameter tyre I'd suggest something like Schwalbe City Jet which is a popular semi-slick or Continental TourRide which as the name suggests is a touring tyre which has a bit more tread depth so works quite well off road as well as on (I'm a wee bi biased as I have these on my converted MTB and like them).

 

[MALT]

Thanks Phil.

Your reply is exactly what I wanted.
Tyre size is 54x559mm (26"x1.95"), and the max rated pressure is 65psi. I will keep them at 40psi on your recommendation, as they do seem happy at that.

Will check out the Schwalbe City Jets and Continental TourRides.

Best regards,

Jef

 

[Jarwolf]

Hello Shaun and all other users here! I am in Lancaster Ohio, I have a few questions; 1) How do I PM someone as I was going to PM Shaun asking what section I would have to be in to ask for what bicycle I am looking for; a.k.a {Assistance on purchasing a bicycle!} I went in a section and posted a thread but it has to be accepted; I have a feeling that I have put it in the wrong area!