[ebonho]

Originally Posted by promit

In terms of helmet, i saw some options with MIPS certification. Are they worth the extra cash? I currently have a basic fairly basic one, the one I got with Firefox 2 years ago. Doc, would love to hear your views on helmets. How to choose a good helmet.

MIPS is definitely worth the extra cash.

At a bare minimum your helmet should be of an EPS in-mould construct with the standard international safety rating.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/bicyc...ml#post4955224 (The Bicycles thread)

Here is my first helmet, which I still wear on my ACT ...

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/bicyc...ml#post3736571 (The Bicycles thread)

I like Giro and MET and Bell. Kask of course but very expensive. Lazer and POC are great lids too. Merida and Scott and Trek make helmets too. Decathlon sells two in-mould road helmets too, though the cheaper one looks quite dorky, both its front-on shape and the neon color.

Cheers, Doc

[Crankpin]

Hello,

After doing some research and trying to test ride some bikes, I got myself a Bergamont Sweep 3i. I was using an upgraded and fully refurbished Firefox Target which I had converted into a hybrid with almost everything new other than the frame.

However, the Firefox is a tad too small for me (it was bought 14 years ago) and I was looking for a proper sized hybrid cycle with only one requirement, less-weight!

The Sweep 3i comes in at 11.5kgs with the relatively basic Shimano FC-TY501 crankset with Altus derailleurs and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. The beauty of this bike is its frame (frame shared with the Bergamont Grandurance), tapered aheadset, the endurance fork and the BGM Pro hubs which come on this bike.

sharing some pictures! (apologies for the flash!)

[ebonho]

Take care of your bike, she takes care of you.

Taken the chain off for a deep clean and re- hot wax dip. Did it last before the States, and even though most of my riding has been indoors since then, a faint choon choon from the higher gears under lower cadence load was just begining.

Deep cleaned the crank and chainrings and front derailleur.

Deep cleaned the rear derailleur, jockey wheels and cassette cogs.

Amazing the amount of black that comes out of a drivetrain in degreaser soap water, even from a shiny clean waxed drivetrain.



Cheers, Doc

[amol4184]

THought I will share some feedback about the headlight I have been using : about 3 months ago, I bought the NiteRider Swift 500 headlight. On Sunday, the strap that attaches the light to handlebar broke! In the middle of the ride on a highway and flew away from the cycle onto the shoulder!

Funnily enough the strap broke NOT at the hole that I used to buckle but somewhere else.

Upon checking with the seller, the strap does not have warranty of its own nor it is covered under the main light and replacement strap is out of stock with them. In fact I don't even see it being sold as an accessory anywhere. Kind of surprising that such delicate consumable is not available freely. You have been warned.


P.S. After putting the comment, I am seeing even more tears in the rubber strap. So even with the least tension on the strap I doubt it will last long.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Taken the chain off for a deep clean and re- hot wax dip.
Cheers, Doc

Doc, how do you lube/wax derailleurs and jockey wheels when you wax chain? Separately lube with squirt?

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by shipnil

Doc, how do you lube/wax derailleurs and jockey wheels when you wax chain? Separately lube with squirt?

Yup , Squirt.

But very little. Even Squirt makes cleaning the chain a lot tougher than pure wax.

I guess it has some additives that are not just wax or water as they claim the concoction to be a simple water based emulsion of on the label.

Leave a sticky geasy sort of residue film on the top of the degreaser soap solution after washing and scrubbing the chain in it.

So need to be careful to keep it away from contact with the chain and contaminating it.

Pur the freshly waxed chain back on last night and recalibrated the trainer. Smoooooooth chik chik

Originally Posted by amol4184

P.S. After putting the comment, I am seeing even more tears in the rubber strap. So even with the least tension on the strap I doubt it will last long.

Attachment 2258464

The rubber seems to have become brittle. Maybe it's old stock. First time I'm hearing of this to be honest. Would you like to share where you bought the light from?

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by ebonho

The rubber seems to have become brittle. Maybe it's old stock. First time I'm hearing of this to be honest. Would you like to share where you bought the light from?

Bumsonthesaddle. I am surprised too since my assumption that it was one of the better made brands vis-a-vis Chinse ones sold on Amazon. Now searching my drawer of knickknacks and spares to devise a bracket :|

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Bumsonthesaddle. I am surprised too since my assumption that it was one of the better made brands vis-a-vis Chinse ones sold on Amazon. Now searching my drawer of knickknacks and spares to devise a bracket :|

You can simply duct tape the light in place. Or use the current base that is properly curved for the handle and loop a cut cycle inner tube (or auto O ring seal) over the front end, under the handlebar, and over the rear end at the back.

I do this anyway for my lights to keep them steady and prevent them moving with bumps on the road. I use rubberbands, but a cut tube would be tighter and stronger. Experiment.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by amol4184

Bumsonthesaddle. I am surprised too since my assumption that it was one of the better made brands vis-a-vis Chinse ones sold on Amazon. Now searching my drawer of knickknacks and spares to devise a bracket :|

I have had straps breaking on cheap lights/accessories purchased from Amazon and Decathlon in the past. I guess now we can add BOTS to that list - could be old stock or really the product quality isn't that great.

Ironically, some of Chinese accessories that I got from Aliexpress long ago are still going strong.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

I have had straps breaking on cheap lights/accessories purchased from Amazon and Decathlon in the past. I guess now we can add BOTS to that list - could be old stock or really the product quality isn't that great.

Ironically, some of Chinese accessories that I got from Aliexpress long ago are still going strong.

I've never to date had a Ali Express Chinese strap break. These straps are designed to be tugged hard and tight again and again thousands of time. I've seen screw-on bases go bad. Or the hard plastic screw tightened clamps break sometimes if you over tighten (or the screw slips). But never these straps.

[Sebring]

Dont fret. I use Loctite glue specific for rubber to put these together. They emerge stronger than original. Have had success every time, (especially on a very expensive GARMIN GPS watch strap). I trust only LOCTITE brand glue for hard core and critical applications

Originally Posted by amol4184

THought I will share some feedback about the headlight I have been using : about 3 months ago, I bought the NiteRider Swift 500 headlight. On Sunday, the strap that attaches the light to handlebar broke! In the middle of the ride on a highway and flew away from the cycle onto the shoulder!

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

I have had straps breaking on cheap lights/accessories purchased from Amazon and Decathlon in the past. I guess now we can add BOTS to that list - could be old stock or really the product quality isn't that great.

Ironically, some of Chinese accessories that I got from Aliexpress long ago are still going strong.

BOTS otherwise is good (nice assortment of products and fast shipping) but this particular brand could be a problem. If old unused stock is causing such breaks there is no chance these straps would survive harsh weather here once put to use.

Just like you, I also had good experience with eBay and AliExpress stuff..including cheap electronics. Best thing about those is if they break you don't feel bad because you don't expect much in the first place. May be I should give them more credit now

Originally Posted by ebonho

You can simply duct tape the light in place. Or use the current base that is properly curved for the handle and loop a cut cycle inner tube (or auto O ring seal) over the front end, under the handlebar, and over the rear end at the back.

That is a good idea. Only weak link that I can see is that the curved base is also same rubber as rest of the strap but its much thicker. Let us hope it doesn't give up easily.

Originally Posted by Sebring

Dont fret. I use Loctite glue specific for rubber to put these together. They emerge stronger than original. Have had success every time, (especially on a very expensive GARMIN GPS watch strap). I trust only LOCTITE brand glue for hard core and critical applications

Good to know! Would it hold when the strap is in stretched position continuously? I hardly take the light off so it will be tense for months at end.

P.S. Is it Loctite 495? I am not seeing rubber specific glue on their website.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by amol4184

That is a good idea. Only weak link that I can see is that the curved base is also same rubber as rest of the strap but its much thicker. Let us hope it doesn't give up easily.

The base is not under tension. It just sits securely over the curve of the handlebar and prevents the light from tipping forwards or backwards with the rubber grip provided.

This (rubberbands) is a tried and tested method for expensive lights by BRM boys, so that like in your case the light does not fall off at night ... in such a case not only will it likely be lost/destroyed, it will also probably signal the end of the brevet for the rider.

So even with perfectly working straps, this is a good idea as double-safe security.

[Fillmore]

Originally Posted by amol4184

THought I will share some feedback about the headlight I have been using : about 3 months ago, I bought the NiteRider Swift 500 headlight. On Sunday, the strap that attaches the light to handlebar broke! In the middle of the ride on a highway and flew away from the cycle onto the shoulder!...

If the Loctite does not do the trick, as a temp fix you can even bind the broken strap link with those plastic tie cables. Now a days they come in black color also.

[Brigadier]

Was wondering if anyone here uses cyclo-computers? I ride for 45 minutes to 1 hour 4-5 times a week. I know its not much. But still I would like to keep a check on how am I doing. I use Strava and apple watch too. Was thinking about a cheap cycle computer, so wanted to ask how is this? XOSS G+ ?

https://www.amazon.in/XOSS-Speedomet...41&sr=8-2&th=1

Will add the sensors later. On official site of XOSS its quite cheap at around 2.5k or so. They say they have worldwide shipping. Any idea how much customs will I have to pay, should I decide to buy from official XOSS site?