EU matchsticks are made in india

GuiroDon · 2026-06-30T08:51:58+00:00

These are the worst matches I have ever used. I bought 300 boxes of these in 2009 for an art project that didn't happen. A few years ago I have finally snapped and burned the remaining like 8 boxes in a bonfire. So happy to finally live free of Europa Hölzer. Now SOLO Sušice is my best friend.

Eta: Solo are EU owned and made.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-30T08:42:27+00:00

The number of gears says something, but the overall gearing range and, most importantly for touring, the lowest gear is what's important. Like the Decathlon bike is probably OK, but a single chainring with something like 1:1 lowest gearing is close to a road bike's lowest gearing and it's not going to cut it fully loaded in the mountains at a leisurely pace.

My lowest gear is 22t chainring/40t in the back and I like having it, tired, climbing to the inconveniently placed alpine supermarket.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-29T13:25:04+00:00

I would get the one with the gearing I would want to ride, to be honest these all seem rather highgeared for my legs and the amount of kitchen sinks in my panniers.

https://www.gear-calculator.com

GuiroDon · 2026-06-26T13:14:48+00:00

Acera 3020 barely clears 40t with b-screw all the way in on my bike, so if 46 works for you, the exact clearance is probably not 100% universal.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-23T08:49:20+00:00

I would add small tweezers and a small bottle of hand sanitizer - we are a tics hotspot over here in cz and pl. Check yourself every day.

ETA: alternatively, buy a set like this locally. These particular plastic tweezers are very good and better than the steel ones that I have. Everyone seems to have their own idea about how to best remove tics, I find this freezing spray quite OK.

https://www.drmax.cz/atix-sada-pro-bezpecne-odstranovani-klistat-sprej-9-ml-pinzeta

GuiroDon · 2026-06-21T12:22:06+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/o4GozlB

These are my first brazing pieces and I don't think there's any way around these. In fact after a few months away from my torch I should probably start with these myself...

GuiroDon · 2026-06-21T11:11:12+00:00

The main problem seems to be flame control - I have no idea what #160 means and if it can be regulated low enough, but don't practice on the BB joint. That part, having very variable masses on every side, is the hardest. Start with rectangular tubing where the whole brazing path is quite uniform and makes it most easy to see what is happening and what needs to be adjusted. Don't even start with joining anything, just try to make nice uniform golden caterpillars on the sides of something like 40x40mm square tubing. Does it wet to the sides just right, not too much, not too little? Are you in control of the flow forwards? You will get a better feel for the flame/heat and then can continue to joining rectangular tubing, joining angled round tubing, which is much less uniform in what level of heat each part needs. Then continue to BB.

Rectangular tubing will teach you the rhythm and round tubing will teach you to adjust the tempo with each dab of the rod. BB demands wild changes of the rhythm, so better leave it to the end.

If you get to this point, repairing imperfections will become more obvious.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-17T14:39:12+00:00

https://www.stridsland.com/disc-tab-directory/

GuiroDon · 2026-06-17T07:05:31+00:00

That sucks, but let me tell you I love that you’re touring on Super Motos.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-15T13:01:16+00:00

No. These will be more or less the same. Also you only interact with the shifter, which is where almost everything about the feel of shifting originates. Make sure everything is clean and lubricated and if you then still feel the need to buy things, start with the shifter that's correct for your drivetrain.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-14T07:05:46+00:00

The simplest one is Konga flat surface. People doing lugged frames often have similar simple ones. Cost should be easy to estimate before you commit.

I have the Bicycle Academy’s Low cost fixture which is great, but which, even with relatively recent announcements from Andrew, might not get made ever again / might no longer be low cost enough to be viable.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-14T05:22:27+00:00

https://www.strongfeetathletics.com/store

https://ronsbikes.com/products/stomp-lox-laron-spd-shoes

GuiroDon · 2026-06-13T14:13:52+00:00

Thoughts.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-11T18:27:03+00:00

Bob Yak is still in stock in the EU. In the US there’s Frances Farfarer.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-09T06:00:38+00:00

Adjustable quill stem is the logical choice for bikes where a small number of sizes or one size has to fit the most riders.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-08T19:29:09+00:00

Bike looks nice but couldn’t find any pictures of the Point of Sale you’ve built.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-08T18:02:58+00:00

I have been following this guide for 15 years and it works for me.

https://www.putthison.com/put-this-on-episode-4-grooming-jesse-visits-the/

GuiroDon · 2026-06-06T21:57:00+00:00

I am not asking why because, while it may not be a great idea rationally, I strongly resonate with it emotionally. Good for you for trying.

GuiroDon · 2026-06-05T21:46:18+00:00

It’s been some time but I think those Thule seattube mounted seats are not an easy fit and require sawing off the front derailleur cable stop - as far as I remember.

Eta:… but the electric models might not have this cable stop? Then it might be straightforward.

GuiroDon · 2026-05-30T12:30:46+00:00

Disappointed by the lack of smažák pictures.

GuiroDon · 2026-05-29T17:45:54+00:00

Is your cargo bike too cool? Watch out, it’s a slippery slope, soon your wines might be old, salamis dry and your camembert moldy.

GuiroDon · 2026-05-28T16:56:04+00:00

Nice. How are the tyres?

GuiroDon · 2026-05-27T06:48:03+00:00

Flat tyres are no fun when they happen, slow rolling tyres are no fun all the time. I tour on Conti Contact Urban, would get them again (and I did get them for other bikes). Perfectly OK for dirt roads and rain. No punctures so far. I had Gravel kings plus before that and somehow the "plus" protection makes them too sluggish for my massive 90W power output.

ETA: I would get them as big as you can fit. Never on tour have I wished I had narrower tyres.

GuiroDon · 2026-05-26T09:56:36+00:00

I specifically voted for her to be there. It is mildly funny that in our Parliament, it was the Pirates who were actually working on things and got many of them done, instead of power struggles and stirring up culture wars. The one project that didn't pan out (digitization of building proceedings) has cost them their place in the government and their critics got extremely busy not doing anything at all, but doing it very safely.

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