Cyclists - your experiences on the road

[Bletchleyite]

Apparently belt drive instead of chain drive is becoming more popular, the belt does not have to be oiled, so it can be kept cleaner, should last a long time. But a belt can not be used with a standard frame because it can not be split. There are a few (20) points to note when using a belt drive. I shall read them when I have a couple of hours.

I'm not clear why a belt couldn't be used with a standard frame, because you can remove the front chainring, crank and pedal to seat it, it's just bolted on though sometimes it requires a bit of "percussive maintenance" to get it to come off. However given how long the bicycle has existed in largely its current form, I can't help but see it as fixing a problem that doesn't really exist - if you don't want to lose oil from your chain and don't want it on stuff, just fit a chainguard.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Either the seatstay/chainstay or the belt would have to be hinged or split, because the belt, like a chain, loops through the frame. Breaking a chain to fit it is so easy.

In theory a conventional frame could be modified for use with a belt.

 

[JohnMcL7]

When I started to get into cycling again in 2011 I chose a belt drive bike as I thought it was a fantastic idea since I wanted a bike I could ride every day to work through all conditions. Initially I found it fantastic as it was quiet, smooth and needed almost no maintenance however eventually as more of the flaws came to light, I ended up giving up on the belt drive and now all my bikes are chain drive and derailleurs.

As mentioned above you do need a special frame for it, you need both a way for the belt to get through the frame and you also need a way to tension the belt as well through sliding dropouts or similar. It is possible to modify a frame to take a belt but it's quite a bit of work.

My main problem with the belt drive though was the lack of durability and after just two years of day to day use (only short distances), the belt started slipping and both the sprocket and belt needed to be replaced. I spoke with Gates who manufactured the belt and wanted to find out if this was typical or I'd been unlucky but despite boasting about the all weather capability on their site, they told me because I'd used the bike in cold and wet conditions I'd drastically reduced the life of the belt. I'd seen a couple of mountain bikers who'd gone with belt drive mountain bikes who'd also had the belts fail after a short life. I have a number of chain drive bikes including a day to day road bike and mountain bikes that are used all through winter in pretty awful conditions and the chains have lasted far longer than the belt.

The next problem is when the belt fails you're stuffed, there's no way to repair the belt to keep going and it's not easy or cheap to get the parts. With a chain if it breaks you can quickly and easily repair it with a quick link, if you need any parts you can usually get them easily from pretty much any bike shop. The belt also limits you to either single speed or hub gears, I know there's plenty that swear by hubs but I find some aspects of them a pain. Getting the rear wheel on and off is more difficult than a derailleur bike and any problems with the hub are more difficult to resolve, my first one developed a fault and getting it fixed meant getting the wheel off the bike and waiting for the repair. Derailleurs are more vulnerable to damage but they're relatively quick and cheap to replace, I've rarely had any issues with derailleurs and they give a wide range of direct drive gears.

 

[miklcct]

What's everyone's cycling goals for 2023?

I've had increasing targets for a single ride for the last decade or so but after completing my 2022 target it's not really viable to be going any further so I need something new to focus on, I'm feeling a bit aimless at the moment.

For commuting only, apart from one to two triathlons per year.

My usual commute now is 3 km between my home and a North London Line station where I park my bike at the station and take the train.

 

[TheBigD]

Well tonight on the bike was a first for me. Stopped by Plod and told off for having a red flashing light on the rear! Yes I know I shouldn't but I'm more visible with one.

 

[LowLevel]

Well tonight on the bike was a first for me. Stopped by Plod and told off for having a red flashing light on the rear! Yes I know I shouldn't but I'm more visible with one.

Is that not allowed then? I've always preferred cyclists to have flashing lights, they catch my eye better. Suddenly coming upon a steady little red light in the darkness is like trying to find a semaphore signal in the fog.

 

[TheBigD]

I think they are legal but you are must to use steady lights in urban areas I think.

 

[JamesT]

I think they are legal but you are must to use steady lights in urban areas I think.

They’ve been legal for about 18 years - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/2559/regulation/6/made

(h)a rear position lamp capable of emitting a flashing light (whether or not it is also capable of emitting a steady light) which is fitted to—

(i)a pedal cycle; or

(ii)a trailer drawn by, or a sidecar attached to, a pedal cycle;

and which, if it is a lamp which is required to be fitted pursuant to regulation 18, is capable, when emitting a flashing light, of emitting light to the rear of the pedal cycle, trailer or sidecar (as the case may be) of an intensity of not less than 4 candelas.”

I don’t believe there’s any difference in being in urban areas or not. If anything flashing is better in urban areas as they’re typically lit, so you need the flashing to stand out from from the glare.

 

[TheBigD]

Interesting! Thanks for that!
Shame they aren't aware of the requirements. Not that I argued, I just turned it to steady and went on my way. Wasn't any hassle but hey ho!

 

[jon0844]

I thought you needed a steady light but could accompany it with a flashing one? I have both because I'd like a constant light to be visible, while the flashing aspect will catch the eye if the main one doesn't.

Same at the front, although at night I'll usually have only solid and have a flashing light in the day, again for catching the eye of other vehicles (or usually people).

 

[TheBigD]

I have a decent (1800 lumems) steady white light on the front, flashing red on the rear. Personally I dislike the flashing white lights on the front, not a fan of them when I approach one that's flashing, whether on my bike or in the car.

 

[Dr_Paul]

I've never had any problem from the Old Bill for having a flashing back light on my bike. I don't use the flash on the front light, as it is a fast strobe and would give me a migraine.

 

[Ediswan]

Well tonight on the bike was a first for me. Stopped by Plod and told off for having a red flashing light on the rear! Yes I know I shouldn't but I'm more visible with one.

The current position according to Cycling UK:
https://www.cyclinguk.org/lighting-regulations

Flashing lights​

It took until 2005 for the regulations to be amended to allow the use of flashing bicycle lights; the older type of battery lights in existence when the regulations were originally drawn up weren't able to flash. The 2005 RVLR amendment meant that it was now legal to have a flashing light on a pedal cycle, provided it flashed between 60 and 240 times per minute (1-4Hz).

The amendment also meant that a flashing light was approved, meaning no other light was needed in that position. And since BS6102/3 does not cater for flashing, approval is granted simply on the basis of its brightness (as specified above).

 

[Via Bank]

Well tonight on the bike was a first for me. Stopped by Plod and told off for having a red flashing light on the rear! Yes I know I shouldn't but I'm more visible with one.

They were talking nonsense, flashing rear lights are fine (as long as their flashing pattern is between 60-240Hz and they're at least 4 candela, about 25 lumen.)

That said, local plods seem to have strange ideas about what is and isn't OK. I once asked another cyclist to angle their (bright flasher front) light down because it was hurting my eyes and making it hard to see—he then got out his warrant card and proceeded to lecture me for (legally) riding without a helmet. "Don't dazzle, dip your lights" seems to have gone by the wayside it seems. This was on a protected track going into an unlit area of parkland, by the way—not exactly a "be safe, be seen" scenario that would warrant a flashing light to identify yourself as a cyclist.

 

[AndrewE]

That said, local plods seem to have strange ideas about what is and isn't OK. I once asked another cyclist to angle their (bright flasher front) light down because it was hurting my eyes and making it hard to see—he then got out his warrant card and proceeded to lecture me for (legally) riding without a helmet.

I might have made a formal complaint about that - or at least raised it formally through Cycling UK. Helmets are an irrelevant distraction. Unfortunately this might be the start of (yet) another conversation about the sort of people who go into the police - we have those discussions in our house anyway.

As a cycling (and occasional) motorist I am very aware of some cyclists' over-bright and undipped headlights...

 

[SCH117X]

Driving a flashing red on a bike is far more noticeable than a static. Same with yellow shoes/overshoes compared to black ones. On the bikes I use a Garmin Varia and consequently always have it on flashing red - my Garmin 530 should be able to keep the radar function working with the light off but hey its a Garmin 530 which IME has that many bugs its amazing it can actually give a speed reading.It goes into a loop of finding the light network and then immediately disconnecting from it.

Highway code rule 60 states

Rule 60​

At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.

The Highway Code - Rules for cyclists (59 to 82) - Guidance - GOV.UK

Rules for cyclists, including an overview, road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road.

www.gov.uk

The issue that can arise is when having two rear lights on and one of those should be static as two flashing lights can confuse an approaching driver as to the actual location of the cyclist.

 

[TheBigD]

Driving a flashing red on a bike is far more noticeable than a static. Same with yellow shoes/overshoes compared to black ones. On the bikes I use a Garmin Varia and consequently always have it on flashing red - my Garmin 530 should be able to keep the radar function working with the light off but hey its Gatrmin 530 whcih IME has that many bugs its amazing it can actually give a speed reading.It goes into a loop of finding the light network and then immediately disconnecting from it.

Highway code rule 60 states

The Highway Code - Rules for cyclists (59 to 82) - Guidance - GOV.UK

Rules for cyclists, including an overview, road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road.

www.gov.uk

The issue that can arise is when having two rear lights on and one of those should be static as two flashing lights can confuse an approaching driver as to the actual location of the cyclist.

I don't have a rear red deflector, nor do I have amber pedal reflectors (I use clip on shoes/pedals) so I obviously wasn't meeting the requirements, but nothing was mentioned about that.

All my cycle clothes are bright colours (think lime green lycra, or maybe not!) though so no problem being seen.

 

[Ediswan]

I don't have a rear red deflector, nor do I have amber pedal reflectors (I use clip on shoes/pedals) so I obviously wasn't meeting the requirements, but nothing was mentioned about that.

Complaining about a flashing rear light but not noticing the lack of a rear deflector (sic) is just plain odd.

Pedal reflectors are a relatively little known and much ignored rule. It would be a surprise if police did spot that.

 

[adamedwards]

Flashing lights make sense as they attract attention and the big problem when cycling is drivers not seeing a cycle as they simply don't see a small steady light. As my daughter found out when hit by a car driven onto a roundabout right in front of her. Fortunately a low speed colision and she was ok. (She was in high viz and wearing a helmet and the street was lit, so no excuses for the driver who was sent on a retraining course.)

 

[Techniquest]

Well within an hour or so, I expect to feed back from only my second ever cycling abroad experience. It will be interesting to see how it goes, I'd have liked to do a longer ride but I'm having to settle for the local bike share scheme. Wish me luck all!

 

[telstarbox]

Ride it like you stole it!

 

[Techniquest]

Well I had 3 rides on the local bike share system in this horrible city of ill repute, and despite being nervous about it to begin with I had a good little tour. Sadly the weather has gone too rubbish for cycling, and my sightseeing tour has been cancelled due to the bad weather. So I'm not in a very good mood, I didn't want to visit this city in the first place but I made the best of it so that I never have to come here again. If I could, I'd be on tonight's flight to London instead, or I'd fly back in the morning to make the most of the nice hotel.

All will be revealed in the trip report!

 

[Haywain]

All will be revealed in the trip report!

Including which city it is, or could you at least include that small detail here?

 

[Techniquest]

Including which city it is, or could you at least include that small detail here?

Sorry, I should not have been so vague! This city is Las Vegas.

 

[AM9]

Sorry, I should not have been so vague! This city is Las Vegas.

i agree, it was rubbish for me, so false. The helicopter ride landing in the Grand Canyon was great though, as was seeing a 96 car freight from the hotel room.

 

[Techniquest]

i agree, it was rubbish for me, so false. The helicopter ride landing in the Grand Canyon was great though, as was seeing a 96 car freight from the hotel room.

Funnily enough, I saw a long freight train go by not too long ago from the hotel! I was meant to do the canyon today too, that was the whole point of coming to Las Vegas. I actually put some thought into calling the BA Holidays helpline and asking them if I can be moved to an earlier flight. I'd even be willing to pay extra to a certain amount for the privilege, and the idea would have been carried out if I wasn't in a good quality hotel!

 

[AM9]

Funnily enough, I saw a long freight train go by not too long ago from the hotel! I was meant to do the canyon today too, that was the whole point of coming to Las Vegas. I actually put some thought into calling the BA Holidays helpline and asking them if I can be moved to an earlier flight. I'd even be willing to pay extra to a certain amount for the privilege, and the idea would have been carried out if I wasn't in a good quality hotel!

See the note about the pinball hall of fame that I've added to your report. It might be of interest and it's incredibly cheap for the US.

 

[Techniquest]

See the note about the pinball hall of fame that I've added to your report. It might be of interest and it's incredibly cheap for the US.

I just saw that, could be worth a go. I have literally all day to fill in Las Vegas tomorrow, so anything will help!

The attached image is a screenshot showing one of the more relevant ads I've seen, considering this is a cycling thread, and it is for a Spanish cycling holiday company.

 

[Bald Rick]

On my ride this morning, I was overtaken by cars on blind corners no fewer than 6 times. On three occasions there was something coming the other way, with resulting cutting in / cars coming the other way having to stop / horns blowing / me making the standard European sign language for a cocktail shaker.

5 of the 6 times the offenders were Nissans, two of which were taxis. I’m afraid that does nothing to amend my view of Nissan drivers.

The 6th was a Fiesta, in a particularly stupid place. There was another car behind, and although I didn’t look I stuck my hand out to stop that driver from overtaking; he did indeed wait until it was safe. And it was an X5, from Herts traffic police, who promptly went after the Fiesta

 

[AndrewE]

The 6th was a Fiesta, in a particularly stupid place. There was another car behind, and although I didn’t look I stuck my hand out to stop that driver from overtaking; he did indeed wait until it was safe. And it was an X5, from Herts traffic police, who promptly went after the Fiesta

That's a welcome development... a police car! and even better that they went after the Fiesta. Not sure it will be enough to get SWMBO back out on the road with me though...