The Retirement Thread

[pawl]

Thanks Paul, that's a useful read. I bought a titanium frame back in about 1971 and built it up with mostly campag & tubs and sprints - gosh I loved that thing, wish I still had it!

Unlike Chris Froome, I won't be descending any Alpine passes. He says that disc brakes overheat in those conditions. It's not that I'm resistant to owning a disc brake bike. For a winter bike, for the terrain and riding on, and the speeds I can muster, disc brakes are a good option for their wet weather performance, but I wouldn't swap my Emonda with its rim brakes for a disc brake version (they only make them with discs now) because I want to keep that for a summer bike and I'd like to keep the weight down. The industry though is mis selling telling customers that rim brakes are an obsolete design, that discs are better under all condition - that much isn't true. I'd prefer that people are given the truth rather than always steered to the more expensive option. But that's just me.

We had bad experiences with tubeless set up within two days of ownership and the problems kept coming with the back wheel. Then the bike suffered a front wheel collapse. This was covered under warranty and the technician at the dealership checked over the back wheel and tyre set up while it was there. On several occassions the tyres just let go very suddenly while the bike was standing in the lounge with the tyre blowing off the rim. They were too much hassle and we lost all confidence. The bike now has proper clincher wheels and tyres and all the better for it in our opinion.

I'd put the Emonda on tubs and sprints in a heartbeat, and that's an alternative spending plan if I don't buy a winter bike this year. Plan B might overtake Plan A.

I'll keep you informed.

What did you stick your tubs on I originally used tub cement What a faff.was glad when tub tape came in

 

[PaulSB]

There are certain people on this thread who really annoy me , in fact I feel a flounce coming on . PaulSB bragging he only needs 6 months to decide on a new bike , me it’s 2 years and still looking . monkers in 1971 I thought titanium was the metal that held Barry Sheene together , not something you made bicycle frames out of .

Two years! Even I would concede that's quite a long deliberation!!! 😂

Surprised to read titanium frames were around in the 70s. I thought titanium was introduced more recently.

I love mine titanium frame. Both my Kinesis and Cervelo feel like an extension of my body. I never really feel the bike is there.

 

[welsh dragon]

I am still the bank of mum even though me son is nearly 48. And I was the bank of mum for my daughter, and I am also the bank of gran as well to my youngest grandson. He has paid me back now though. It is a tad expensive

 

[ColinJ]

Two years! Even I would concede that's quite a long deliberation!!! 😂

You reckon... Seriously? I can take deliberation/procrastination to a whole new level***.

I had the idea for the game I am working on about 20 years ago. After 5 years of deliberation I knocked up a prototype. I then spent some time (over a decade!) thinking about it. I revived the idea about 3 years ago and got a new version working 2 years ago. I then spent a year trying to decide what shapes and colours to use. I finally made my choice about a year ago and started thinking about more significant details. The other night I found myself thinking that perhaps I should revisit the important colours and shapes question...

The damn game could be knocked up in a week by somebody decisive; maybe just a weekend if they really got stuck in.

*** Some kind people have actually suggested that there may be mental health issues involved!

 

[monkers]

What did you stick your tubs on I originally used tub cement What a faff.was glad when tub tape came in

I had one of those screw top tins with the brush in the top. I can't remember the brand, but if I recall correctly it may have been yellow with red writing. Wow what a memory test that was - it's been nearly 50 years since.

I didn't think it a faff at the time. The sewing was a bit of a faff though. But I only remember doing that once.

My tubs at that time were Vittoria. They had a prominent raised ridge that they rode on in a straight line. I used to love riding through a damp patch and then on to dry to see the 3mm or so wide wet stripe they made. The rolling resistance felt like zero Watts, what with those Campag hubs, they just rolled.

 

[gavroche]

I am still the bank of mum even though me son is nearly 48. And I was the bank of mum for my daughter, and I am also the bank of gran as well to my youngest grandson. He has paid me back now though. It is a tad expensive

It certainly is when you know that they earn a lot more than what my pension is.

 

[BoldonLad]

I know the feeling, I have a grandson like that. I offered to teach him how to budget but it falls on deaf ears.

Indeed. I have had several attempts at "breaking the cycle", but, since daughter is 45 yers old, this year, I don't think it is going to happen.

It is not really a "big deal", it is not exactly silly money, but, I do find the interaction between some people and money quite fascinating. Personally, I find planning and budgeting my income/expenditure simple, but, I do know people who although they are perfectly intelligent, appear unable to achieve this (what is to me) simple task.

 

[pawl]

I initially used Wolber tubs,it was all I could afford then Boy were they heavy.What a difference when I changed to Pirelli Never tried to repair a tub There used to be an advert in Cycling cant remember his name who repaired tubs Used him a couple of times I did attempt on one occasion to do a repair but ended up with more holes in the tubes than I started out with.

 

[Dirk]

Genitals, breasts, excrement and bathrooms.

Sounds like a posh version of 'Plaistow Patricia'

Porthdafarch beach. The tide was exceptionally low.

Wheredafarch is that?

 

[welsh dragon]

While I was waiting for Mr WD this morning I was parked beside a big 4X4. I got chatting to the driver who was waiting for his wife.

He is a highlander and hates Nicola Sturgeon and anything to do with independence. Very nearly told me his life story. . Talking to him passed the time that was for sure

 

[12boy]

Youse guys and your lightweight bikes, tires wheels etc. Having parted ways with my 20 lb Fuji fixed gear track bike years ago I doubt anything I have is less than 25. in fact coming home from the library with my Brompton, leather saddle, tool roll, 6 hardbacks and a cable lock, I bet it was 40 lbs. Climbing hills and accelerating the extra weight was noticeable, but so what. I ride them for exercise, although I can' t deny a light bike that fits perfectly and works like it should is a treat. Actually, all my regular rides meet that, although 25 pounds is light for me. Perhaps like driving a old VW buses the high desert and then going to a stripped Toyota truck with a real heater was very luxurious, if I rode lighter bikes I would not want to go back to my ponderous behemoths.

 

[PaulSB]

Vaccine jabs booked for February 18th and May 6th. I could have had any time from tomorrow lunch through till February 21st. Decided to wait till Thursday in case the Covid test result doesn't arrive quickly.

 

[PaulSB]

It certainly is when you know that they earn a lot more than what my pension is.

The kids have known for years they come to us first - after we found out one of them took out a pay day loan! Full credit to them they've always paid us back. I did tell them when we retired we would still help but they needed to remember we are on pensions and there would always have to be a repayment schedule.

 

[classic33]

Thanks Mo.

At the moment I'm interested in the Kinesis R2, though I'm aware that they had a couple of frame fracture problems with the R1, so I have a watchful eye on that.

I bought a Trek Domane at one time. I was suckered by its looks - it was gorgeous - but I didn't like the ride, it went back the next day and swapped for the bike I have now. The Domane is a bike loved by so many, so the problem is obviously me. It features that iso speed arrangement that is designed to reduce NVH, but it felt too detached from the road to me. The Cube I had before that was a little too rattly on our local roads, but I preferred that to the artificial feel of the Domane. I'm not sure I have the eloquence to explain it, just that sensation of detachment felt unsettling somehow.

I have a Trek Emonda now, a much different kettle of fish altogether to the Domane.

I like the look of a couple from the Tifosi range too -despite the Italian sounding name, they are at least notionally a British brand. I'd quite like to get to ride one though before making a decision - but that's not easy to arrange.

They are currently available too. Ultimately I will choose from what's available rather than wait months for something, only for it to be keep being put back or never arrive.

How about one of these!

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

How about one of these!
View attachment 573659

I don't think the UCI likes those - sure I heard something recently