N+1 - sometimes it makes sense.

[TheLemming]

So far this week, my good road bike is down with a large gash in the tyre (I'll chance a repair when I get time. Its been suggested that supergluing the hell out of it and a patch of inner tube on the inside should do it)
My mountain bike is in the shop awaiting warranty repairs on a cracked chainring (parts delays mean I might have it for the weekend)

So the old road bike I've been promising I'll get rid of is still soldiering on, uncleaned for weeks, unmaintained for longer.

Selling this one has now been cancelled indefinitely, I've been convinced that running around in the winter on a bike that cost less than a new crank on my new one is really a damn good idea and without it I'd have been bikeless (again) as the other two always seem to throw a strop at the same time :-)

Happy to be riding a Carrera TDF that's slightly too big for me, running 2300, with insanely high gearing - if the alternative is not riding at all!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Errr, it always makes sense. Sorry you've had to suffer mechanical failure to figure it out. It's God's way of making you see the light where previously there was dark.

[itsnotarace]

Superglue is fine for small nicks in the tyre but its far too brittle for large repairs. You want this stuff for anything bigger

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquaseal-Urethane-Repair-A...

[TwistingMyMelon]

Good work, you might realise you are just as quick on an old bike as your new one!

If its too big try a shorter stem, only £20 for a cheapo

Gearing insanely high? isn't it a 52/39 with 25 up back? Should be fine, I prefer a double and 25 cassette, unless I was riding through the Lake District!

[DrMekon]

Indeed. This is for sale. Wife insisted I sell it before I got a new winter bike. It is advertised on the web, and I have had some offers, but they are too low, obviously. New winter bike has arrived. However, what I want to happen is that she forgets and I get to keep it. It's tucked right at the back of the shed behind a tandem and a trailer. After all, who knows when I might need a tourer with every possible mounting point and the capacity to run 700c x 42mm tyre. I might need to ride across Europe at short notice, and then where would I be? Madness to get rid. Madness.

[TheLemming]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Good work, you might realise you are just as quick on an old bike as your new one!

If its too big try a shorter stem, only £20 for a cheapo

Gearing insanely high? isn't it a 52/39 with 25 up back? Should be fine, I prefer a double and 25 cassette, unless I was riding through the Lake District!

I've set a couple of pbs on it but I'm normally that fraction faster on my new one - its a hell of a lot nicer to ride though!

I'd left the stem and a few other niggles and just upgraded tyres - the standard fit kendas were horrific (/heavy, low grip, no p%%&%%re protection etc) due to the upgrade path being "buy new bike".
As I'm keeping it until a CX comes along, then it may get stem and wheels :-)

"Insanely" might be a little bit of hyperbole, but it is a 26 cassette and pushing that is quite hard work. (Need bigger legs! :-) )

[S10GTA]

TheLemming said:

it is a 26 cassette and pushing that is quite hard work. (Need bigger legs! :-) )

[shouldbworking]

I must be losing my bike mojo, cyclescheme renewal is up and I'm not going to order anything.. no point replacing the half dead road bike just before winter, especially when I have the cross bike.

[skibum]

I've always been an n+1 bike owner, but fear that I am starting to lose control. At the beginning of the month I owned 4 bikes. After an eBay binge session I am in danger of owning 7 by the weekend... Frames, forks, wheels and various components bought and on their way to me. I fear I may have over done it... But, but, they were a bargain... and I havent got one of those...

[TheLemming]

skibum said:

I've always been an n+1 bike owner, but fear that I am starting to lose control. At the beginning of the month I owned 4 bikes. After an eBay binge session I am in danger of owning 7 by the weekend... Frames, forks, wheels and various components bought and on their way to me. I fear I may have over done it... But, but, they were a bargain... and I havent got one of those...

Surely frames don't count? :-)

(Totally didn't smuggle a Boardman pro carbon race prepared frame into the loft for a spring rebuild.... Not only was it a bargain but its the right size and mines a little big.... )

[TheLemming]

itsnotarace said:

Superglue is fine for small nicks in the tyre but its far too brittle for large repairs. You want this stuff for anything bigger

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquaseal-Urethane-Repair-A...

Any idea where I might get something similar retail? Need this back on the road for Sunday (my first 100 miler).

[TKF]

TwistingMyMelon said:

you might realise you are just as quick on an old bike as your new one!

Wash your mouth out!

Think it but never say it.

[TwistingMyMelon]

TKF said:

TwistingMyMelon said:

you might realise you are just as quick on an old bike as your new one!

Wash your mouth out!

Think it but never say it.

Tis true, admit it!!! :P:P:P My defence is I am "consistently" quicker on my best bike, yet "can" be as quick on my 2nd/winter bike, but takes a lot more effort!!

But I have a strange situation where my best bike cost less than my daily rider!!

[itsnotarace]

TheLemming said:

Any idea where I might get something similar retail? Need this back on the road for Sunday (my first 100 miler).

Local diving shop will sell them, or a hardware store maybe, or pay for next day delivery on Amazon

ETA, if you fail to find one, get a patch kit and use a patch on the inside of the tyre - no need to glue in place, it will hold it providing the tear is not massive

Good luck on your century, remember to pace yourself for at least the first 30 miles and keep reminding yourself to take on fluid and food.

Edited by itsnotarace on Thursday 24th October 16:32

[TwistingMyMelon]

itsnotarace said:

TheLemming said:

Any idea where I might get something similar retail? Need this back on the road for Sunday (my first 100 miler).

Local diving shop will sell them, or a hardware store maybe, or pay for next day delivery on Amazon

ETA, if you fail to find one, get a patch kit and use a patch on the inside of the tyre - no need to glue in place, it will hold it providing the tear is not massive

Good luck on your century, remember to pace yourself for at least the first 30 miles and keep reminding yourself to take on fluid and food.

Edited by itsnotarace on Thursday 24th October 16:32

I'd buy a new one and patch the old one up as a spare, if I was doing my first century, not worth the hassle or the pissed off sighs from your ride mates.

Having said my mate had a puncture and a split tyre the first mile in of a 80 miler, right in the middle of Soho! I bodged it with insulating tape, job jobbed. Two years later we are on a ride, we hear hissing, find he has a puncture, not only that he never bloody changed or properly fixed the tyre and my bodge held true for 2 years of London comuteing.

[TheLemming]

itsnotarace said:

Local diving shop will sell them, or a hardware store maybe, or pay for next day delivery on Amazon

ETA, if you fail to find one, get a patch kit and use a patch on the inside of the tyre - no need to glue in place, it will hold it providing the tear is not massive

Good luck on your century, remember to pace yourself for at least the first 30 miles and keep reminding yourself to take on fluid and food.

Edited by itsnotarace on Thursday 24th October 16:32

I was about to edit my post to add "obviously diving shop, doh!" But I've been beaten to the punch.
The interwebs tell tales of failed sidewall repairs, I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to risk it for the same of 30 quid.... Might put the 25m Gators I've got stashed in the shed on....

PS
I really can't admit to several new strava pbs today on my old carrera tdf... On climbs...
The chase mode on my new garmin is a great motivational tool! :-)