A couple of questions about modern bikes

Having just leapt into 21st century cycling, a couple of questions come
to mind.
Is there any special care that I should give the polymer brake levers,
carbon fibre forks and seatpin? Do solvents and oil affect them?
I'll know that I'm really converted when I stop reaching for the
downtube to change gear!
Roger Thorpe

Roger Thorpe wrote:
Having just leapt into 21st century cycling, a couple of questions
come to mind.
Is there any special care that I should give the polymer brake levers,
carbon fibre forks and seatpin?

The finish requires no maintenance.

Do solvents and oil affect them?

Possibly some strong solvents might, but I wouldn't worry too much. You
souldn't be in the habit of splashing gallons of oil and solvent all over
the place anyway. Less is more! Don't grease a carbon seatpost, btw.

I'll know that I'm really converted when I stop reaching for the
downtube to change gear!

I was still doing that occasionally five years after I removed mine.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" t wrote
I'll know that I'm really converted when I stop reaching for the
downtube to change gear!

I was still doing that occasionally five years after I removed mine.

Wierdly I recently found myself reaching with my thumb for the Sturmey
Archer 3-speed lever.
I haven't used one of those for 20 years.

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Roger Thorpe wrote:

I'll know that I'm really converted when I stop reaching for the
downtube to change gear!

Downtube? Pah! Yoofer terday, when I was a lad you took the wheel off
and turned it round to get the other gear...

- --
Guy

May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
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On Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:23:25 +0000
"Just zis Guy, you know?" wrote:

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Roger Thorpe wrote:

I'll know that I'm really converted when I stop reaching for the
downtube to change gear!

Downtube? Pah! Yoofer terday, when I was a lad you took the wheel off
and turned it round to get the other gear...

Luddite, what you want is one of them Osgear doodads.

In article , Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
Roger Thorpe wrote:

I'll know that I'm really converted when I stop reaching for the
downtube to change gear!

Downtube? Pah! Yoofer terday, when I was a lad you took the wheel off
and turned it round to get the other gear...

And you don't look a day over 105 :-)
http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.com/detail.php?id=4

In completely unrelated news, I was told by my wife at the weekend that
"this one is newer and better" is not an adequate excuse for buying a
fifth bike (Dawes Audax Supreme in Mike's Bikes closing sale for £450,
now sold - but it wasn't the ideal size, and those grapes were sour).
But I am allowed a new folder, since I have an answer to "what's wrong
with the one you have?" for that.

Today, a mail from HR at work about car parking says "so are exploring
seriously alternatives ... Cycle2Work ...".

Does anyone know if the usual £1000 limit on Cycle2Work type scheme
bikes includes VAT, or if you get to allow for that being reclaimed before
considering the credit limit? I suspect a Birdy City isn't going to be an
option.

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Rob Morley wrote:

Luddite, what you want is one of them Osgear doodads.

(Googles)

Ooh, interesting. That would look good on a Hetchins :-)

- --
Guy

May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk
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Alan Braggins wrote:

In completely unrelated news, I was told by my wife at the weekend that
"this one is newer and better" is not an adequate excuse for buying a
fifth bike (Dawes Audax Supreme in Mike's Bikes closing sale for £450,
now sold - but it wasn't the ideal size, and those grapes were sour).
But I am allowed a new folder, since I have an answer to "what's wrong
with the one you have?" for that.

Have you tried showing her the Newer and Better Wife, who allows
unrestricted bike purchases in return for continued provision of firm
male thighs in bed? No, perhaps we'd better not go there. It's on my
mind because I got complimented on having nice legs by a couple of
rather attractive girls today. Perhaps that's why my son has the
best-looking girlfriend among all of his mates.

- --
Guy

May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk
================================================== =====================
** Please see http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/wiki/Troll_code **
================================================== =====================
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On 10 Nov 2008, Alan Braggins wrote:

Does anyone know if the usual £1000 limit on Cycle2Work type scheme
bikes includes VAT, or if you get to allow for that being reclaimed
before considering the credit limit? I suspect a Birdy City isn't
going to be an option.

I believe it's what you pay back on the salary sacrifice that counts -
because the limit is related to the amount of credit given to you by
the employer. So it's 1000 after taking all the benefits your
employer offers you.

Your employer might put other limits on, of course.

regards, Ian SMith
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In article , Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
Alan Braggins wrote:

In completely unrelated news, I was told by my wife at the weekend that
"this one is newer and better" is not an adequate excuse for buying a
fifth bike (Dawes Audax Supreme in Mike's Bikes closing sale for £450,
now sold - but it wasn't the ideal size, and those grapes were sour).
But I am allowed a new folder, since I have an answer to "what's wrong
with the one you have?" for that.

Have you tried showing her the Newer and Better Wife, who allows
unrestricted bike purchases in return for continued provision of firm
male thighs in bed? No, perhaps we'd better not go there.

It's not practical anyway. My bike is nothing special, so finding a
newer better one is easy. My wife _is_ something special.