Re: Which bike: Edinburgh Bicycle Trailfinder v Courier?

[Peter Clinch]

David Marsh wrote:

> I'm not sure I understand what difference the slightly larger wheels
> make, or is it just that you travel that little bit further for each
> turn of the pedals?

There is slightly less rolling resistance, with a tendency to roll over
imperfections rather than get stalled behind them or drop into them.

Having said that, the difference between a 26" and 700c, all else being
equal, is not terribly large and it's basically a non-issue for most
practical purposes (or nobody would use 650s on triathlon bikes, for a
start). OTOH, a 26" wheel is stronger, which can come in handy on
impromptu MTB trips

> I guess, ultimately, everything bar the frame is replaceable (and
> doubtlessly will be, in due course)

The frame is replaceable too... (quite handy for my old EBC tourer, as
they replaced the frame FOC 5 years after it went out of guarantee!).

> so components can be upgraded as
> they wear out, just as long as more basic components don't wear out
> /too/ quickly, though.

Well, there's worn out and there's /really/ worn out. You've got a good
few years before the transmission starts skipping unless they're made of
a particularly soft type of cheese...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Peter Clinch]

David Marsh wrote:

> Ah. Why is there less rolling resistance, though?

Better ability to roll over rough but real roads /is/ rolling
resistance, at least as far as I'm concerned. Beyond that you could
argue that when the rim is travelling at a given velocity then the hubs
on a smaller wheel will have to move quicker which might be an issue of
some minor significance. But I doubt most people notice.

Alex Moulton demonstrated that a small wheel with a high pressure tyre
and decent suspension is up to the standards of bigger wheels in most cases.

> Mmm, but then you get into metaphysical discussions as to whether it's
> still the same bike any more!
>
> My current bike is still the same bike I had in 1991, honest, except the
> only parts that date from then are the handlebars... ;-)

That old tourer, now donated to a pal, had rear rack, handlebars, brake
mechs, seatpost and derailleurs/levers from the original. But it was
still *my bike*!

> How cheese-like is a Shimano Tourney mech?
> Although, indeed, I can always upgrade it later..

It's relative cheese, but it isn't a ripe brie on a hot day. Should
change gears for a good long while if you keep it cleaned and lubed (the
gears on that old EBC tourer were 6x2 SIS, very much nothing fancy, but
they're still going okay after 15+ years).

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Tim Hall]

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 15:26:08 +0100, David Marsh
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Mmm, but then you get into metaphysical discussions as to whether it's
>still the same bike any more!
>
>My current bike is still the same bike I had in 1991, honest, except the
>only parts that date from then are the handlebars... ;-)
>
>
Same here, except 1981 rather than 1991.


Tim

 

[Chris Malcolm]

David Marsh <[email protected]> writes:

>Anyway, it'll soon be time now to head up to EBC to do some testing..

They've thoughtfully provided cobblestoned road surfaces nearby

If trying fatter tyres, such as on a hybrid, for the first time, take
a pump so you can deflate and inflate to find a good cobblestone
compromise. IMHO on Edinburgh's cobbled streets that makes a big
difference to what is a comfortable speed. And now they's stopped
supervising the thugs who "repair" the roads it makes quite a
difference elsewhere too

--
Chris Malcolm [email protected] +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]