Help!! Idiot with push bike needs assistance.
Discussion
Having volunteered to do the London to Brighton bike ride, and receiving confirmation of my space this week - I thought it was necessary to go and buy a bike today.\
Not wanting to spend too much money since I have no idea if it will ever be used again after this day, I settled for a Saracen Ventura2 for me, and a Carrera Crossfire for the Mrs. Bought from Halfords, rode around the car park, before trying to get the bikes on an old car cycle carrier. When they wouldn't fit on the carrier that I had (is that normal by the way? Are they not all standard size?), I had to resort to quiick releasing the front wheels on both bikes and then got them home.
This is where it all went wrong - and I am sure you can all guess what came next - after putting the front wheels back on neither of them spin! The breaks are locked on (pads not discs).
I have looked and tried to adjust, but with no luck. When I used to have push bikes around 15 years ago, i'm sure there were not as many screws and bolts to play with!
Can anyone point me in the direction of an idiots guide to set the breaks up on the bikes, as it seems that I am going to have to get used to this, if I want to transport the bikes anywhere.
Any advice most welcome!
Thanks
Not wanting to spend too much money since I have no idea if it will ever be used again after this day, I settled for a Saracen Ventura2 for me, and a Carrera Crossfire for the Mrs. Bought from Halfords, rode around the car park, before trying to get the bikes on an old car cycle carrier. When they wouldn't fit on the carrier that I had (is that normal by the way? Are they not all standard size?), I had to resort to quiick releasing the front wheels on both bikes and then got them home.
This is where it all went wrong - and I am sure you can all guess what came next - after putting the front wheels back on neither of them spin! The breaks are locked on (pads not discs).
I have looked and tried to adjust, but with no luck. When I used to have push bikes around 15 years ago, i'm sure there were not as many screws and bolts to play with!
Can anyone point me in the direction of an idiots guide to set the breaks up on the bikes, as it seems that I am going to have to get used to this, if I want to transport the bikes anywhere.
Any advice most welcome!
Thanks
Hi there,
With V brakes :
Normally you pinch the brakes in and pull the cable out (pulling the rubber cover back) and then pull the wheel out.
Have a look on the Park Tool website:
www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp
They have the essentials up there.
the following article deals with V-brakes/linear pull type brakes:
www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=21
With V brakes :
Normally you pinch the brakes in and pull the cable out (pulling the rubber cover back) and then pull the wheel out.
Have a look on the Park Tool website:
www.parktool.com/repair/byregion.asp
They have the essentials up there.
the following article deals with V-brakes/linear pull type brakes:
www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=21
Edited by rameshuk on Friday 6th April 21:42
Thanks for the quick response - read the article and I know where I went wrong.....
I never pulled the breaks in when I took the wheel off, I just released the breaks, and must have pulled the cable tighter when doing it. Looks like I have a day of trying to get them to the correct settings!
I never pulled the breaks in when I took the wheel off, I just released the breaks, and must have pulled the cable tighter when doing it. Looks like I have a day of trying to get them to the correct settings!
Fats25 said:
Thanks for the quick response - read the article and I know where I went wrong.....
I never pulled the breaks in when I took the wheel off, I just released the breaks, and must have pulled the cable tighter when doing it. Looks like I have a day of trying to get them to the correct settings!
I never pulled the breaks in when I took the wheel off, I just released the breaks, and must have pulled the cable tighter when doing it. Looks like I have a day of trying to get them to the correct settings!
Setting up V-brakes take approx. 15 mins for a novice, 5 mins if you know what you'r doing!
Like you said earlier, things have moved on, but they haven't all got more complicated!
Parrot of Doom said:
You've bought a bike with the intention of doing a rather long ride?
If I were you, I'd get practicing. Every day. Without fail.
Otherwise you won't make it 5 miles.
If I were you, I'd get practicing. Every day. Without fail.
Otherwise you won't make it 5 miles.
I'd agree with this 100%. That kind of distance should not be underestimated. Even if you and the wife are regular gym bunnies, and physically in a good state of fitness, I wouldn't fancy attempting that mileage without some training and having completed similar mileages before hand.
pdV6 said:
Sore arse, anyone?Indeed - I went out last night for the first time in a couple of months and only did about 6 miles - and me bum bones are a bit sore today - so I'd hazard that a complete novice will be almost crippled after 10 times that
by god do those Trek Carbon hardtails beat you up
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Wednesday 11th April 09:19
mat205125 said:
Parrot of Doom said:
You've bought a bike with the intention of doing a rather long ride?
If I were you, I'd get practicing. Every day. Without fail.
Otherwise you won't make it 5 miles.
If I were you, I'd get practicing. Every day. Without fail.
Otherwise you won't make it 5 miles.
I'd agree with this 100%. That kind of distance should not be underestimated. Even if you and the wife are regular gym bunnies, and physically in a good state of fitness, I wouldn't fancy attempting that mileage without some training and having completed similar mileages before hand.
Apologies but I disagree slightly. Im reasonably fit (play football and occasionally get to the gym) and I managed to ride the full length of the LTB in pretty good time without any training at all. Also, there are plenty of stop to get refreshments etc. As long as you are already pretty fit, and dont expect to win, you should be ok.
I am in no way saying that training isnt worth it though, i just dont think its essential.
sarkmeister said:
mat205125 said:
Parrot of Doom said:
You've bought a bike with the intention of doing a rather long ride?
If I were you, I'd get practicing. Every day. Without fail.
Otherwise you won't make it 5 miles.
If I were you, I'd get practicing. Every day. Without fail.
Otherwise you won't make it 5 miles.
I'd agree with this 100%. That kind of distance should not be underestimated. Even if you and the wife are regular gym bunnies, and physically in a good state of fitness, I wouldn't fancy attempting that mileage without some training and having completed similar mileages before hand.
I am in no way saying that training isnt worth it though, i just dont think its essential.
That comment will come back to bite you in the arse: literally. You will suffer, no matter how fit you are.
Using your analogy, every man and his dog would be doing biathlons otherwise!
I'm cycled all my life, however I wouldn't contemplate a ride of this length without first ensuring I have made sure that I have the miles under the belt recently...
I forgot all about this thread - but need to ask another stupid question, so came back to find it. Having read the thread, your comments are starting to make me sh*t it big time!
Let me ask the stupid question first - and then I will get back to the general fitness piece!
Stupid Question no.1 re setting up the V Brakes - took me about an hour for both bikes, but now are both working correctly and wheels turning freely. Thanks for the link to the site - it did help me out
Stupid question no. 2 - when purchasing the bike it was "setup" - brakes, gears, tyres pumped up etc. However when I went out for first ride a couple of weekends ago - tyres felt very flat. I have looked at the tyres and it has a pressure of 50PSI - to 75PSI written on the tyre. When I checked the pressure it was around 36 PSI. 50 seems a lot, and 50-75 seems to be a huge difference between the two! Is this normal? My motorbike is only 36PSI - 50 seems a lot - and 70 seems ridiculous. I have an electric pump that will keep inflating to whatever pressure I set - but I don't want to get to 45 PSI and the tyre blows! Hence me asking this stupid question.
Now getting onto the fitness - and the worry that you have put in my mind. As you can see from above - I went out for a 2 mile ride two weeks ago and that is it! (You can tell why I am worrying now!)
I used to be fairly fit - til June 2003 I played football 3 times a week, and although a little overweight was physically fit. In June 2003 I tore my cruciate ligament, and that was my excuse for no physical activity for 3 years - until I finally had a cruciate replacement in September 2006.
In the 39 months since accident I have put on 4 stone! Hence the L2B ride being an incentive to get fit alongside the physio I need to do to get knee correct. I have managed to get up to 15 K's on the gym bike - 3 times a week - and when I went out for a couple of miles a couple of weeks ago - I was fine - no breathing out of arse - I really enjoyed it (first time on a push bike for about 15 years).
Now you guys with more experience - and no doubt more fitness have got me worried - what do I need to be up to by June 17th? I know with marathon - you are supposed to do a 20 mile run approx two weeks before marathon - and then cut down to shorter runs. What should I be aiming for prior to the day?
Let me ask the stupid question first - and then I will get back to the general fitness piece!
Stupid Question no.1 re setting up the V Brakes - took me about an hour for both bikes, but now are both working correctly and wheels turning freely. Thanks for the link to the site - it did help me out
Stupid question no. 2 - when purchasing the bike it was "setup" - brakes, gears, tyres pumped up etc. However when I went out for first ride a couple of weekends ago - tyres felt very flat. I have looked at the tyres and it has a pressure of 50PSI - to 75PSI written on the tyre. When I checked the pressure it was around 36 PSI. 50 seems a lot, and 50-75 seems to be a huge difference between the two! Is this normal? My motorbike is only 36PSI - 50 seems a lot - and 70 seems ridiculous. I have an electric pump that will keep inflating to whatever pressure I set - but I don't want to get to 45 PSI and the tyre blows! Hence me asking this stupid question.
Now getting onto the fitness - and the worry that you have put in my mind. As you can see from above - I went out for a 2 mile ride two weeks ago and that is it! (You can tell why I am worrying now!)
I used to be fairly fit - til June 2003 I played football 3 times a week, and although a little overweight was physically fit. In June 2003 I tore my cruciate ligament, and that was my excuse for no physical activity for 3 years - until I finally had a cruciate replacement in September 2006.
In the 39 months since accident I have put on 4 stone! Hence the L2B ride being an incentive to get fit alongside the physio I need to do to get knee correct. I have managed to get up to 15 K's on the gym bike - 3 times a week - and when I went out for a couple of miles a couple of weeks ago - I was fine - no breathing out of arse - I really enjoyed it (first time on a push bike for about 15 years).
Now you guys with more experience - and no doubt more fitness have got me worried - what do I need to be up to by June 17th? I know with marathon - you are supposed to do a 20 mile run approx two weeks before marathon - and then cut down to shorter runs. What should I be aiming for prior to the day?
Fats25 said:
Bought from Halfords, rode around the car park, before trying to get the bikes on an old car cycle carrier. When they wouldn't fit on the carrier that I had (is that normal by the way? Are they not all standard size?), I had to resort to quiick releasing the front wheels on both bikes and then got them home.
Thanks
Thanks
By the way - I know where I went wrong here as well now! Saw another car with same carrier!
Fats25 said:
I
Stupid question no. 2 - when purchasing the bike it was "setup" - brakes, gears, tyres pumped up etc. However when I went out for first ride a couple of weekends ago - tyres felt very flat. I have looked at the tyres and it has a pressure of 50PSI - to 75PSI written on the tyre. When I checked the pressure it was around 36 PSI. 50 seems a lot, and 50-75 seems to be a huge difference between the two! Is this normal? My motorbike is only 36PSI - 50 seems a lot - and 70 seems ridiculous. I have an electric pump that will keep inflating to whatever pressure I set - but I don't want to get to 45 PSI and the tyre blows! Hence me asking this stupid question.
Stupid question no. 2 - when purchasing the bike it was "setup" - brakes, gears, tyres pumped up etc. However when I went out for first ride a couple of weekends ago - tyres felt very flat. I have looked at the tyres and it has a pressure of 50PSI - to 75PSI written on the tyre. When I checked the pressure it was around 36 PSI. 50 seems a lot, and 50-75 seems to be a huge difference between the two! Is this normal? My motorbike is only 36PSI - 50 seems a lot - and 70 seems ridiculous. I have an electric pump that will keep inflating to whatever pressure I set - but I don't want to get to 45 PSI and the tyre blows! Hence me asking this stupid question.
You've answered your own question there - 36psi "felt very flat".
Go by what the tyre says on the side of it. A rule of thumb might be to err towards the lower end of the range for off-road and the higher end for on-road use.
I usually run my tyres close to the max on & off road and (although I do pick up the odd puncture) I've never had a tyre "blow" except for one time when I tore a great chunk out of one on broken glass.
With new tubes you should not have a problem at those pressures but it does depend on terrain and what you feel comfortable with, I'd go upto 45/50psi and see how it feels, if you want to go faster, increase the psi. I like to run a slightly lower pressure in the front tyre but thats my preference, just play around 
I couldn't judge from this far away I know people who hardly do any exercise but seem to have some sort of natural fitness and I've known people who do lots of exercise in other disiplines get on a bike a flounder after a few miles. My opinion is that you should just get out there now, on a real bike and just see how it goes whilst keeping an eye on your knee - it may not be as other say the fitness that lets you down, but your comfort on the bike and a gym bike is useless for judging that.
I know people who hardly do any exercise but seem to have some sort of natural fitness and I've known people who do lots of exercise in other disiplines get on a bike a flounder after a few miles. My opinion is that you should just get out there now, on a real bike and just see how it goes whilst keeping an eye on your knee - it may not be as other say the fitness that lets you down, but your comfort on the bike and a gym bike is useless for judging that.Thanks for the kick up the arse I needed to get started with my training!
I have exactly two months today til the L2B ride - and I managed to get out and do 13 miles (according to AA Route Planner - will measure the route on motorbike tomorrow) in just over an hour tonight. Not the fastest - and I struggled with the hills - but I feel really good to get it done. A sense of achievement for me as I only started walking again at Christmas.
Going to try to get out every night whilst the weather is good - and gradually build the distance up.
Managed to get tyres to 70 PSI - and they have stayed at that measurement - front still feels very "spongey" but the bike does have front suspension even though I have turned it down as far as it will go. Think I just need to get used to it!
Again - seriously thanks for the kick up the arse that I needed - I feel so much happier now, I was really regretting entering this when I saw the comments earlier today!
I have exactly two months today til the L2B ride - and I managed to get out and do 13 miles (according to AA Route Planner - will measure the route on motorbike tomorrow) in just over an hour tonight. Not the fastest - and I struggled with the hills - but I feel really good to get it done. A sense of achievement for me as I only started walking again at Christmas.
Going to try to get out every night whilst the weather is good - and gradually build the distance up.
Managed to get tyres to 70 PSI - and they have stayed at that measurement - front still feels very "spongey" but the bike does have front suspension even though I have turned it down as far as it will go. Think I just need to get used to it!
Again - seriously thanks for the kick up the arse that I needed - I feel so much happier now, I was really regretting entering this when I saw the comments earlier today!
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