http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Recent Posts en Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:30:30 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55775 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:25:41 +0000 PS 55775@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've got both and would recommend the Crud Road Racers over the SKS Raceblades.</p> <p>I used the Raceblades for a couple of winters and they did a job. A bit fiddly to set up, especially if your rear stays are a slightly different shape to normal (often the case with carbon bikes), they'll keep you ar$e dry, but don't do much for your feet. They're a bit rickety as well, so wobble around a bit and don't have perfect coverage - they're a bit on the short side when you compare them to the Cruds. Mrs S has Raceblades as well and, having cleaned her bike this afternoon, have recent experience that they do not stop lots of road crap getting on your cranks or bottom bracket.</p> <p>I got the Crud's last winter and they were a big improvement. They are fiddlier to fit than some of the reviews suggest, but if you've done it once it becomes easier to replicate. They are very close fitting with 23c tyres, so you do get grit scraping along their underside and if you go through a pine forest you can get a lot of needles building up under there and occasionally have to stop to scape them out - but that's a price worth paying in my book. Their coverage is good - there's more at the front and back, and there's a neat wrap around behind the seat tube that protects the drivetrain and your feet.</p> <p>You can take them on and off (the cable ties are the reusable ones) but it is a bit fiddly so I've left them on right through to Spring.</p> <p>This winter I'm using 25c tyres and there is even less clearance, to the extent that there's a fair bit of noise from the rear guard in particular. But I've got a dry bum and it's a bit of extra resistance training over the winter, so I can live with that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1587&page=4#post-55774 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:54:12 +0000 crowriver 55774@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nice trip out to Aberdour today with Spokes riders. Stunning views across the Forth, sunshine, not too cold, not much wind. Good meal in a hotel restaurant where the dining room is a former ship's cabin from a vessel which used to ply a route to Australia. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5216#post-55773 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:50:14 +0000 chdot 55773@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Think word 'tram' has been left out. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5216#post-55772 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:43:10 +0000 kaputnik 55772@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@roibeard - how would they be lost? I assume when the idea says "extend off-road transport" it means for walking and cycling, not for 4x4s!</p> <p>But I for one am all in favour of remodelling the West Approach road as a key cycling route! Why we need a section of dual carriageway that leads to a city centre we're ostensibly trying to discourage cars from has always been beyond me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5216#post-55771 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:41:45 +0000 Roibeard 55771@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ Kaputnik</p> <p><em>12. Extend the off road transport network by using the previous suburban rail routes. Will this be popular with walkers and cyclists? (I'm not sure what this means, nearly all of them are already foot/cycle paths to some degree, my comment)</em></p> <p>I think he means this will be unpopular due to the loss of cycling and walking routes.</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5216#post-55770 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:00:44 +0000 kaputnik 55770@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Seeing as it's just a random assemblage of often contradictory (and on the odd occasion, seemingly pointless) ideas, I've tried to pull out the ones that might improve (or otherwise!) cycling in the city;</p> <p>1. Improved signage to make safer for pedestrians, cyclist and motorists<br /> 2. Reduce the need to travel to work, shops and work within walking distance – keep Edinburgh compact through brown field development<br /> 3. Extend 20mph speed limits<br /> 4. Cycling – upgrade cycle paths<br /> 5. Extend dedicated bus lanes (= car free lanes, my parenthesis)<br /> 6. Proper separated Cycle Lanes on roads<br /> 7. Pedestrianise Princes Street from Waverley Bridge to West end.<br /> 8. Enforce cycle lanes to see they are kept clear<br /> 9. Extend bus priorities by simple traffic management measures (= cycling priority? my parenthesis)<br /> 10. Strict enforcement of delivering mixed use development that permits greater use of walk/cycling for home to leisure (education, health)<br /> 11. Council needs to use the powers it already has to enforce better quality of workmanship, quicker reinstatement on utilities who dig up roads<br /> 12. Extend the off road transport network by using the previous suburban rail routes. Will this be popular with walkers and cyclists? (I'm not sure what this means, nearly all of them are already foot/cycle paths to some degree, my comment)<br /> 13. 20mph speed limit city wide, to make it better for walking/ cycling and safer<br /> 14. Extend tram/light rail from Roseburn to Granton using old rail tracks<br /> 15. Institute a bike rent scheme/safe cycle lanes/dedicated cycle lanes<br /> 16. A council subsidised LPG car conversion scheme to get the cars that do use the city to be greener. Zoned by post code, nearer the city centre, better subsidies.</p> <p>I left number 16 in as an example of one of the more hair-brained ideas as all it seems to be is subsidising people to keep driving, parking and being completely attached to their cars in the city centre.</p> <p>It will be interesting to see if this can be worked up into a coherent Labour policy for improving transport in the city, of it will just remain a talking shop. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55769 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:23:46 +0000 kaputnik 55769@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The SKS raceblades can be very annoying if you have the short ones as they tend to rattle off the brake caliper, making an 'orrid rattling sound. Not having used them, I can't vouch for their performance.</p> <p>The Road Racer II offer advantage of being pretty long, and are bolted together from a number of different segments, to allow you to change the layout to suit your bike. They are pretty close to a full guard, but of course don't wrap around the sides of the tyre so spray still gets out. Fairly easy to mount on most layouts of bike, basically its just bits of rubber band and the guard stays are curved so you can fiddle about to get the perfect angles. Will mount on most bikes with all but the tightest clearance between wheel and stay/fork and tyre and brake caliper. Removable quite quickly so long as you're happy constantly snipping the cable ties and replacing them. There's a clever feature on the rear guard, which is an extended section on the right side that keeps the spray out of the derailleur. Once they're set up, you really don't notice the little brushes, which are really just there to keep the guard floating off the rim (rather than to clear any obstructions off it)</p> <p>The Raceblades are made form far more substantial plastic, akin to what chromoplastics are made from. The Road Race are made from something much flimsier and more flexible. It is certainly weaker and less tough, but actually helps in moulding the guard to the correct profile and it doesn't make much noise as it rattles about as it must flex rather than jar.</p> <p>Neither are remotely as effective as a "proper" guard, but they're fine for road spray, they're main purpose is to keep the spray down to an acceptable level for group riding I would say, you still get wet legs and bum eventually when using them for longer rides and bike still gets filthy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5015&page=4#post-55768 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:29:38 +0000 gembo 55768@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What do you call a Frenchman in sandals? Philippe Flop.</p> <p>Not the optimal footwear for cycling in. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5210#post-55767 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:25:22 +0000 Nelly 55767@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Uberuce, I like your crazy mindmapping posting technique :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55766 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:24:44 +0000 Uberuce 55766@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I say leave it alone - you already have a good stable of functional bikes for all weathers, so you might as well indulge yourself and leave that lovely frame as a fair weather prettiness device. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5210#post-55765 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:20:24 +0000 Uberuce 55765@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What got me riding was:</p> <p>1) My friend Kerri. She bikes and encouraged me to do so.<br /> B) I'd just had both my knees give out quite dramatically, which put an end to my weightlifting hobby. I needed something else to keep fit.<br /> Fourth) My sister's road bike had been hanging up in my flat for years, unridden. I say hanging up because it's literally true - the previous owner was a mad keen cyclist and had built a rack in the box room to store his half dozen bikes. I didn't know anything about bikes at the time, but I'm pretty confident I'd drool over them now.<br /> A) My route to morning job can be done along the Union Canal and then on the Broomhouse path, and my route to afternoon job is on quiet back streets. I no longer use the canal route since it's about a third longer, but I doubt that I've started if it wasn't for that easy ride.</p> <p>I'm pretty confident that A is the biggest factor. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5210#post-55764 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:06:12 +0000 sallyhinch 55764@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>yeah, you're right, I suppose I meant another way to be a 'cyclist' as opposed to just someone who gets around on a bike. Whatever that means! Too much deep thought for a sunday morning. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55763 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:54:24 +0000 Tom 55763@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've tried both. The Crud Road Racer Mk2 are easier to fit and much longer. But they are more easily broken. With both kinds the clearance is minimal but it is possible to set them up without rubbing. The Crud Road Racer Mk2 are better in this respect as they have little brushes which prevent rattles. If mud builds up to the extent that it's fouling the tyre you can stop and press the guard against the tyre to clear it off. I don't take them off so I put black tape around the fixings which stopped them from being shaken out of position by our wonderful road surfaces. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55762 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:41:07 +0000 Nelly 55762@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>+1 for what instography said - however 4mm clearance is nothing (esp if bouncing up and down the lunar landscape roads of edinburgh) and they might still sound like they are rubbing / scratching.</p> <p>After various mudguard experiments, I have concluded that only full SKS with a good flap are really fit for purpose - and also, £40 seems very expensive for a semi-bodge, could 'almost' get a used steel frame for that and put SKS guards from Bike Station (cheap as chips)on ! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5066&page=2#post-55761 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:56:34 +0000 chdot 55761@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/6821678995/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6821678995_e35a96ce16.jpg"></a></p> <p>"<br /> Transport hit as snow sweeps in </p> <p>Snowfalls of up to 16cm (6in) cause disruption to transport, with motorists warned to be aware of ice across much of Britain.<br /> "<br /> <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16892848" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16892848</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5015&page=4#post-55760 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:23:29 +0000 Tom 55760@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>DaveC: <em>"Nah. thought it was Eindhoven, but not where I thought it was."</em></p> <p>Says "This photo also appears in Global Cycle Chic: Barcelona (Set: 286)" It's on the Passeig Maritim, by the sea.</p> <p>On Google Maps: <a href="http://g.co/maps/v7ztm">here</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5205#post-55759 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:43:46 +0000 Instography 55759@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've got a pair of bog standard pedals (plastic platform) sitting in the garage that have never been used. Came attached to a new bike. I replaced them without them ever turning. Yours if you want them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5145#post-55758 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:37:49 +0000 Darkerside 55758@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah, order was the first thing I checked! Definitely their mistake not mine (for once). All good - I'll post it back and they'll refund the postage. I have tried to persuade myself otherwise, but the small really is too small! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5205#post-55757 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:26:07 +0000 lionfish 55757@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks all, I'll take cb's suggestion first. I might just pick a cheap 2nd-hand-pair at the bike station when I next go in.</p> <p>Dave: They do look nice, but they'd put the rest of my bike to shame. Although only £12... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55756 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:15:07 +0000 amir 55756@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have Raceblades. I bought them in preference to the Crud´s because they are quick to pop on and off, which is good for my intended use. They work okay but of course not as good as full SKS guards. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5066&page=2#post-55755 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:10:10 +0000 chdot 55755@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Probably</p> <p><a href="http://m.androidzoom.com/android_applications/traffic+cameras+london" rel="nofollow">http://m.androidzoom.com/android_applications/traffic+cameras+london</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55754 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:07:34 +0000 crowriver 55754@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Sounds good. Thanks for sharing your experience. Just need to check I've got 4mm clearance. Should have, but must check with an allen key or something before ordering guards... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5066&page=2#post-55753 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:00:42 +0000 DaveC 55753@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wow there is an iPhone app for watching webcams of road junctions in London! Wonders never cease. You could stalk your victim from the comfort of you're living room or on the bus if you have enough roaming data! Is there an equivolent Android app? Not for stalking you understand... I hardly know anyone in the 'Big Smoke' </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55752 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:59:43 +0000 Instography 55752@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I haven't noticed it at all. I'm not really sure what they're for. It would be nice if they swept crap off the rim but they don't. I think they stop the guard bumping off the wheel because the guards are so light and the stays so floppy that without the brushes they'd easily end up doing more rubbing than they do. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55751 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:52:47 +0000 crowriver 55751@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Aha! There is a SKS Raceblade Long product with what looks like flaps at the rear, but at nearly 40 quid is almost twice what the Crud Mk2 costs. I think they may have reviewed the long SKS rather than the short (useless) ones.</p> <p>How do you find this brush system on the tyres? Draggy? Falling off if too wet? Or just fine? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55750 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:43:43 +0000 Instography 55750@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have raceblades on my single speed. The clearance is minimal and the raceblades only just fit. It's so tight that if the tyre picks up a little stone or a salt from the road, I'll hear it scuffing on the inside of the mudguard before it falls off. </p> <p>I like them. The tails on the mudguards are really long which means there's hardly any spray off the wheels. There's a nice deep bit on the rear guard at the drive side that stops water spraying off the mudguard onto the chain.</p> <p>Initially I thought the fitting seemed a bit fragile but they'll been surprisingly robust in the months I've been using them. I can't say they're better than the Crud version but I'd recommend them. Happy to meet up if you want to see them fitted.</p> <p>Actually, just went to look at the ones I don't have and realised that those are the ones I do have. So, I've got Crud Road Racer Mk2 and agree with CTC mag. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3748&page=4#post-55749 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:42:49 +0000 Liz 55749@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yesterday's driving now...turned off the Old Dalkeith Road, aware of being tailgated and being followed on the turn, with the car breathing down my back mudguard, and I then do an immediate right...as I was aware of the car on my derriere stuck out my arm to show that I was going to turn right, and to stop them overtaking me, which is what I thought they might do, only to be given a loud parp...and the point of that was? One they should not have been so close in the first place, and probably due to that did not see my right hand indicating, but still had time to give me an indignant toot, and two had they tried to overtake me the consequences would have been too dreadful to contemplate because the car would have most definitely hit me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5215#post-55748 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:36:55 +0000 crowriver 55748@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ah, nice of you to offer. I'll be tea'd out then as my mum lives in Charlestown and I'd be sure to have a cup or three there... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5218#post-55747 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:35:44 +0000 crowriver 55747@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thinking of getting some 'guards for bikes with no clearance for guards' for the single speed. Read a review (in CTC mag I think) that claimed the Crud Road Racer Mk2 is better than SKS Raceblade. Certainly longer and cheaper, but that brush system... hmmm. </p> <p>Anyone got or used either of these products? Any good? Or shall I just wear poly bags on my feet and make shorts out of shopping bags? (Not serious about that last bit, in case you were wondering). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5215#post-55746 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:20:58 +0000 Instography 55746@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The great thing is it's a 20mph limit through the village so you can cruise up to the sign and still end up on the naughty step. There's another heading into Limekilns from the A985.</p> <p>(ps If you're heading this way, give me a shout and I'll make you a cup of tea). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5215#post-55745 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:01:56 +0000 crowriver 55745@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No longer Limekilns once you climb the cobbled hill (going West), it's Charlestown from then on. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5217#post-55744 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:59:55 +0000 crowriver 55744@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've a small collection of hats: I tip the lot of them in the direction of Tommy, who is no doubt still clocking up the miles in a better place. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5066&page=2#post-55743 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:55:59 +0000 chdot 55743@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chdot/6819141181/"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6819141181_6e7c735ffd.jpg"></a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5215#post-55742 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:50:48 +0000 DaveC 55742@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Crowriver! Damb man you are right. Its in Limekilns as you head east to the village center. We cycled past it a few weeks ago! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=5217#post-55741 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:48:16 +0000 DaveC 55741@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I followed a Twitter account a while ago who posted every day the distance route and time Tommy Goodwins completed on the same calander day. He must have been a machine to just clock up those miles day after day week after week. If I wore a hat, I'd take it off to him. Tommy Goodwin, what a man! </p>