Forum CycleChat Cycling Forum

Locally I’ve seen a nice carbon road bike for sale, it’s from around 2012 and appears to have had little use. What is the cycle chat consensus of using older good condition carbon frames as a daily? Who’s still riding a carbon bike they got back 10-15 years ago? I’d obviously give it a thorough inspection before riding, just looking for people’s experience in general. I’m used to riding and looking after 20-40 year old steel and 15 year old aluminium bikes but carbon is a new one for me.

I've got a bit of spare cash and rather than buy yet another motorbike I'm thinking of some new (vintage) hi fi. Probably starting with either a Linn or Garrard 401 turntable.

Wow, 6042km in under 2 weeks! https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/...ins-sets-record-time-for-riding-across-europe

Hello all, I have recently brought two identical Mid price point folders ( second hand but mint condition) Originally for me and Mrs Badger to use mainly on gravel tracks around a local Forest, Canals and other off road routes plus the main purpose which was for me to fit some exercise into my long commute by leaving my car part way into my commute and cycling too and from it. This would have been off road and would of saved me 8 miles of driving on my commute so wouldn't have added too... Read more

Doing a cheap build up and these 3 can be bought brand new for around £300. I’m wanting lighter and the SRAM is lighter of the 3 but the other two are bullet proof.

If I bought a 105 groupset from AliExpress would the parts be fake? Would I get hit with import tax or extra VAT fees? Anyone with any experiences?

Harsh things have been said of my maintenance scheduling. 'HAVE YOU NO SHAME?!' is one that comes to mind. But I think on the whole I keep a pretty beady eye on things, and make sure everything's tickety-boo, well....just took a look under the saddle, and I suspect it might be a tad sub-optimal: Now, I don't think it's as bad as it looks, but what if I'm wrong and I put rust dissolver on it and it all falls to bits? Maybe the rust is the only thing holding it together... Read more

The (t)rusty 2008 of awesome economyness goes in for its M.O.T. and service on Monday. It's slightly irksome as my new Dacia Jogger HEV is on order and the 2008 has been agreed as a trade in. Nevertheless, I need to keep using the 2008 in the meantime so I have little choice but to MOT and service it. Anyhoo, time for the traditional MOT wagers. Will it pass or fail? What advisories will it earn? How many fifties will I need to leave on a plain envelope on the drivers seat? Place your... Read more

Morning Looks to be a fine day ahead. Hardly any wind, no cloud. Local café today as Café in the sticks is shut for hols and I've too much tinkering to do. Coff, part 1.

Can anyone recommend a bike shop in Marseille that offers a bike packing service for air travel

As the years have dragged by I've increasingly seen the appeal of older, nicely-made stuff, over arguably technically-superior modern offerings. As such going slowly on a really nice vintage tourer appeals far more than smashing it on a modern plastic racer, and I've long-ago accepted that were the right bike to come up at the right place not-too-far-away then I'd turn a blind eye to the bike embargo. A Raleigh Randonneur has always been top of the tree; ideally a 3x7sp 531 model in the... Read more

Always a mistake getting attached to things. Anyway, for visitors we acquired a Raleigh Sport 300. Described as a 7000 series aluminium rapid transit. Well, that's what the sticky labels say. Cleaned it up, got gears working and the brakes acceptable. Then I rode it, it's quite nice, light, handy. I paid £65 for it , is it worth spending a similar amount on? New chain, brake shoes, cables, cassette? Wheels and tyres are good. Saddle a bit scruffy. Now it would be nice to know more. The... Read more