What bits do I need?

[col]

Excellent! All good advice, thank you - I didn't think to leave the mudguards until later as it was raining when I posted I've got one of these;http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/nitecore/nitecore-d20.html in one of these; http://www.flashaholics.co.uk/fenix/fenix-flashlight-mount.html to use as a front light so I may just pick up a cheapy rear in case I get caught out after dark.



Don't, I'm still wondering if I've made the right decision. My commute will be four miles road, three miles tow path/muddy track/potholes & speed bumps. Matey in my local shop knows the route and reckons it's inappropriate for a hybrid (which I was looking at first).



I'm not too bad with road craft, even if I say so myself. I've been a full-time motorcycle instructor for over fifteen years (until this year) and I've seen what can happen on two wheels. I'll definitely pick the book up, and thanks for the link. But I'm gonna wear a lid!

So, is a full-size pump a better bet than those little ones? The small ones are shinier, surely that means they're better?

Full size pumps are better and easier to use and less pumping if needed, the mini ones are all about saving weight and having somewhere to put them on the bike or yourself, I have a shoe bag strapped to my rack so a normal pump isnt a problem on my tourer, but on my road bike I have a mini on its own bracket held on the frame under the bottle cage, simply because I dont have a rack to put a normal sized one on my road bike.

 

[HJ]

What if the cyclist isnt at fault but is hurt due to an idiot driver?

I would have thought a helmet was essential
Or am I missing something?

If you are hit by a car a helmet is very unlikely to make any difference, there is a myth that cycle helmets will save you from serious head injury, they won't. They might provide some protection from minor injury, but evidence for even that is rather thin.

Good point, hairy jock is one of these cyclists that prefers to read how to ride a bike in traffic then actually do it and gain something called .

Lee stick to RLJing, and leave the serious debate to the adults...

 

[HJ]

It is Nadeen, unless one doesn't have anything to protect.

You really do show that ignorance is bliss, try doing a wee bit of research. There is evidence for around the world that show that when cycle helmets are made compulsory that there is no significant difference in the rate of serious head injury per Km cycled. QED a cycle helmet will not protect you in the event of a crash.

 

[HJ]

I'm not too bad with road craft, even if I say so myself. I've been a full-time motorcycle instructor for over fifteen years (until this year) and I've seen what can happen on two wheels. I'll definitely pick the book up, and thanks for the link. But I'm gonna wear a lid!

Try a wee experiment, take an old motorcycle helmet and cycle helmet, place side by side, then hit each with a large hammer. Chances are the motorcycle helmet will come out unscathed and cycle helmet will disintegrate. The difference is that, motorcycle helmet is designed to survive high impact whereas a cycle helmet is not.

If you look at the accident data, you will find that cycling carries about the same level of risk as walking. Strangely no suggest that we should all go around wearing helmet when we walk along the street.

But it's your money, if you want to throw it away go ahead

 

[HJ]

I can see your point here HJ, very concise, that's why all riders that race have to wear helmets. What's the point though if they don't do anything.

Typical rook cyclist, reads about cycling but never actually does it.

The Pro rider wear helmets because their sponsors tell them to, that way they get to sell more helmets. It is a multi-billion pound industry, there is a lot of money to be made from people like you.

 

[HJ]

Comparing a motorcycle helmet to a bike helmet When was the last time you done 70mph on your pushbike HJ. (Can you remember or you still reading cyclecraft?)

Try and get some grasp of reality, at 70mph even a motorcycle helmet isn't going to save you...

Even the manufactures admit that cycle helmet only offer protection at speeds of less that 12mph, most people can run faster than that. Maybe should start telling runners they should wear helmets in case they trip over.

 

[HJ]

Does Cyclecraft say to wear a helmet?

Why don't you try reading it, you might learn something

 

[col]

If you are hit by a car a helmet is very unlikely to make any difference, there is a myth that cycle helmets will save you from serious head injury, they won't. They might provide some protection from minor injury, but evidence for even that is rather thin.



Lee stick to RLJing, and leave the serious debate to the adults...

I think its what happens after your hit by a car that a helmet could help, side slam your head or head dive or other angles of impact once your off the bike. Just like seat belts, head ons are very rare it seems so dont do anything on side impacts . It seems its a gamble on these instances happening when you are knocked or fall off, I for one would like to keep my head in one piece , even if i did have a shattered hip or leg because a car side swiped me. But having a shattered skull because of side slamming the road as I was knocked off as well as hip or leg ect is a lot worse.
I really cant understand how you feel a helmet doesnt help in these instances, as they are as possible as not, and are designed to absorb impact when needed, obviously very fast impacts with the head will just break your neck or more, but any impact that doesnt kill you is lessened.

 

[bonj2]

Excellent! All good advice, thank you - I didn't think to leave the mudguards until later

you can easily leave them till at least the 12th.



12 th of never.

 

[dellzeqq]

I'd suggest spending £36 on CTC membership. You don't know how much you need it, until you need it......

And check your household insurance thoroughly - you may or may not be covered.

 

[gavintc]

I'd suggest spending £36 on CTC membership. You don't know how much you need it, until you need it......

And check your household insurance thoroughly - you may or may not be covered.

...or save some money and get a BC membership for £24. (You will not need to grow a beard either)

 

[magnatom]

You prattle on HJ as does your mate Magnatom with his dumb vids.

What is the connection between me and HJ with relation to this thread? Is it just because we are both Scottish?

If you feel like insulting me, please do it to my face, not skulking away in a thread I'm not taking part in.

 

[bonj2]

What is the connection between me and HJ with relation to this thread? Is it just because we are both Scottish?

If you feel like insulting me, please do it to my face, not skulking away in a thread I'm not taking part in.

yeah - I had an auntie who was scottish - you probably know her!

 

[magnatom]

yeah - I had an auntie who was scottish - you probably know her!

Her name wasn't Jessie was it?

 

[HJ]

...or save some money and get a BC membership for £24. (You will not need to grow a beard either)

And what is wrong with having a beard?