Things I've learnt from commuting

[SimpleDom]

I have a time set. 31 min from office to home. That is the time it takes with the motorbike on good days.

 

Realized yesterday that running 1Bar of pressure in a tyre is not enough. Took a turn and tyre moved way to much. Scared the pee out of me.

 

Now at home busy with my new tyre, but the b***ch will not seat on the rim. Tried everything. Going to blast it with CO2 now.

2 little tricks that will seat ANY tyre with a floor pump.

 

1. Rub the beading on both sides with a bit of dishwashing soap on your fingers. Not too much!

2. Take the valve core out and seat the tyre, then replace. This step is usually not required for MOST tyres, but does help for those very difficult ones.

[Cois]

Just blasted the thing with CO2, seated in no time.

Will remember those tips. Thanks

[Cois]

Just blasted the thing with CO2, seated in no time.

Will remember those tips. Thanks

[schizo]

My commutes ends up being my interval training and my Saturday ride becomes my LSD rides to recover from my commutes

I'm finding the same thing, this morning my legs were burning and it felt like I was going sooo slow and just thought it was because the legs didn't have time to recover.. When I checked my ride afterwards I see it was one of my fastest.. 

[SimpleDom]

This is cute. Designed specially for commuting:

 

http://reductivist.com/product/ringtool/

 

http://red55.reductivist.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_38-Jan.-14-15.10.jpg

Features:
-Bottle-cap opener
-3mm Hexhead
-4mm Hexhead
-5mm Hexhead
-6mm Hexhead
-8mm Hexhead
-Flathead Driver
-Phillips Driver
-Torxhead T25 Driver
-Spoke wrench for 130” (3.30mm) nipples
-Spoke wrench for .136” (3.45mm) nipples
(nipples vary greatly between manufacturers so may not fit your setup perfectly)

[Gandalf]

This is cute. Designed specially for commuting:

 

http://reductivist.com/product/ringtool/

 

http://red55.reductivist.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_38-Jan.-14-15.10.jpg

Features:

-Bottle-cap opener

-3mm Hexhead

-4mm Hexhead

-5mm Hexhead

-6mm Hexhead

-8mm Hexhead

-Flathead Driver

-Phillips Driver

-Torxhead T25 Driver

-Spoke wrench for 130” (3.30mm) nipples

-Spoke wrench for .136” (3.45mm) nipples

(nipples vary greatly between manufacturers so may not fit your setup perfectly)

So flippen cool!!

[jimmycool]

This is cute. Designed specially for commuting:

 

http://reductivist.com/product/ringtool/

 

http://red55.reductivist.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_38-Jan.-14-15.10.jpg

Features:

-Bottle-cap opener

-3mm Hexhead

-4mm Hexhead

-5mm Hexhead

-6mm Hexhead

-8mm Hexhead

-Flathead Driver

-Phillips Driver

-Torxhead T25 Driver

-Spoke wrench for 130” (3.30mm) nipples

-Spoke wrench for .136” (3.45mm) nipples

(nipples vary greatly between manufacturers so may not fit your setup perfectly)

 

And most importantly it can be used as a ninja star to repel attackers!

[ScottCM]

First commute ever to work with a road bike this morning, man oh man what a difference. The cars are way to close for my liking, think i will get back on the MTB as soon as its fixed.

[Cois]

 :'-(

Took the bike off the bike rack in the garage.  Fitted the rear wheel and felt play on the wheel.  Lots of play on the wheels.  Like in, cycle with them and they will get you killed.

So had to take the motorbike to work.  Now I have to take the bike to the LBS in Eloff to get it fixed.  Well, guess that it is time.  Just weird.  When I cycled the last time, the wheel felt fine.

 

Maybe a good time to replace the free wheel and check the chains and sprocket again.  Just hope the chain is still fine.

Edited October 14, 2014 by François Marais

[Cois]

First commute ever to work with a road bike this morning, man oh man what a difference. The cars are way to close for my liking, think i will get back on the MTB as soon as its fixed.

First time was like that for me as well.  Scared the poo out of me some times.  But now getting used to the traffic.  Just the odd bastard that will try to take you out now and then.

[ScottCM]

First time was like that for me as well.  Scared the poo out of me some times.  But now getting used to the traffic.  Just the odd bastard that will try to take you out now and then.

 

i will never understand their logic. i mean there are two lines sometimes and yet the prick will drive as close to the cyclist as possible even though there isn't anyone in the second lane.

[Cois]

i will never understand their logic. i mean there are two lines sometimes and yet the prick will drive as close to the cyclist as possible even though there isn't anyone in the second lane.

One thing I can almost bet my balls on:  They will be on some form of communication device.

 

Had this morning that an idiot in his Toyota Hilux drove over two lanes.  Why?  Because he had a phone in his claws.

I wanted to kick him a dent in his bakkie, but I know.  Idiot behind wheel on phone will kill motorcyclist without thinking twice.  Why?  Because he is a 20 something prick with a company paid bakkie and less brains than a jellyfish.

[DJR]

I saw one the other morning driving in the slow traffic and eating a bowl of serial at the same time!    

[johanpre44]

 :'-(

Took the bike off the bike rack in the garage.  Fitted the rear wheel and felt play on the wheel.  Lots of play on the wheels.  Like in, cycle with them and they will get you killed.

So had to take the motorbike to work.  Now I have to take the bike to the LBS in Eloff to get it fixed.  Well, guess that it is time.  Just weird.  When I cycled the last time, the wheel felt fine.

 

Maybe a good time to replace the free wheel and check the chains and sprocket again.  Just hope the chain is still fine.

Why not fix yourself?

 

What kind of hubs? Shimano?

 

I had a bit of a niggle with my bike, front rotor rubbing and no matter what I do regarding adjusting the position of the caliper it just continued. Eventually had the front wheel out to inspect the hub (fulcrum with sealed bearings), opened and cleaned all the parts nicely and adjusted the play again. No more rubbing rotor!

[Cois]

Why not fix yourself?

 

What kind of hubs? Shimano?

 

I had a bit of a niggle with my bike, front rotor rubbing and no matter what I do regarding adjusting the position of the caliper it just continued. Eventually had the front wheel out to inspect the hub (fulcrum with sealed bearings), opened and cleaned all the parts nicely and adjusted the play again. No more rubbing rotor!

Think I fixed it, but the CenterLock rotors are a bit of a schlep to remove.

Jip, Shimano hubs.

The locknut on the gear side is loose. Want to have a few things replaced on the bike, so worth the trip to the LBS. Just got the SS bike ready. Not ideal to use the road bike, but more fun than the motorbike. Seems that all the f-nuts were released this week...

[johanpre44]

Think I fixed it, but the CenterLock rotors are a bit of a schlep to remove.

Jip, Shimano hubs.

The locknut on the gear side is loose. Want to have a few things replaced on the bike, so worth the trip to the LBS. Just got the SS bike ready. Not ideal to use the road bike, but more fun than the motorbike. Seems that all the f-nuts were released this week...

Same tool for cassette lock ring and centre-lock rotors, very good investment for DIY service.