Good Day Yesterday ...

Mark W said:

Note to self : must get new bike for Christmas - something suitable*
for distance rather than bridlepath ... something that reaches more
than 26mph in a tail-breeze free wheel descent of Marston Hill (down
from Cranfield in the direction of Bedford).

MW

* suggestions welcome, budget is "under a grand with trimmings", and
"moderately robust" would be good. Saw a Claud Butler Dalesman in an
LBS recently - that sort of thing ...

What do you mean by "suitable for distance"? Do you mean loaded
touring, i.e., several days away from home with your goods and gear
loaded on the bike, or do you mean long, fastish day trips with just a
few essentials on board? The Dalesman you mentioned is more suitable
for the former; the latter might call for something more like an "audax"
bike such as
http://www.byercycles.co.uk/bikeprice_01-%2012-%2005/bikeprice01-06/08.html

--
Brian G

Quoted message said:

What do you mean by "suitable for distance"? Do you mean loaded
touring, i.e., several days away from home with your goods and gear
loaded on the bike, or do you mean long, fastish day trips with just a
few essentials on board? The Dalesman you mentioned is more suitable
for the former; the latter might call for something more like an "audax"
bike such as
http://www.byercycles.co.uk/bikeprice_01-%2012-%2005/bikeprice01-06/08.html

--
Brian G

That's the sort of thing - also quite local. Think I may have to pay
them a visit ...

Mark W said:

Note to self : must get new bike for Christmas - something suitable*
for distance rather than bridlepath ... something that reaches more
than 26mph in a tail-breeze free wheel descent of Marston Hill (down
from Cranfield in the direction of Bedford).

I'll have to try that one - last week's fastest stretch was from
Milton Bryan down to Eversholt (and the slowest was Marston up to
Lidlington .. I haven't made that one without getting off yet).

-adrian

I just cant get my head around what decent bikes cost now. I am 63 and
been at it since 16. Circumstances in life, i.e. raising family, lost
interest, illness and all the other annoying contingencies of life
meant periods off the bike. I am so thankful I never got rid of any of
my frames or equipment.

After doing lunch now I am off out for two hours on my beloved
'skip' - frame, wheels, triple chainset, tyres, tubes. brakes - well
just about everything lovingly rescued and brought back to life after
they were cruelly cast asaide by uncaring owners. The frame is a
Hetchins - a little beauty with original paint work - they just don't
know.

Hi,

archierob said:

I just cant get my head around what decent bikes cost now. ...

Quoted message said:

After doing lunch now I am off out for two hours on my beloved
'skip' - frame, wheels, triple chainset, tyres, tubes. brakes - well
just about everything lovingly rescued and brought back to life after
they were cruelly cast asaide by uncaring owners. ...

When I decided to build up a fixie recently, I was concerned that it
would cost quite a bit for something I might quickly decide was
NotForMe. I thought it would be worth trying to convert my old Carlton
(25" frame hack) and was very disappointed when the drive-side
chainstay collapsed a week or so after getting it running as a
singlespeed. It's not like it owed me anything but I was sorry to see
it go.

I was then delighted to find that I could pick up a 531 frame (choice
of several) on eBay for a few tens of pounds.. I used to dream of such
things in my yoof...

A bit of fettling later (do kids still fettle these days?) and presto-
beautiful black fixed-gear commuter bike with a short wheelbase 531c
frame (Marlboro): weighs about 20lbs with lights & mudguards... and a
joy to ride!

Amazing.

Cheers,
W.