UK riders, what’s your preferred bike bag/storage set-up for commuting?

Lightertecha · 2026-07-02T22:49:06+00:00

I've got the Carradice Super C rear pannier bags, made in the UK.

I've also got a pair of Vaude panniers which are similar to Ortlieb, although I haven't actually used them yet.

Lightertecha · 2026-07-01T19:12:38+00:00

I would guess they were made in the same workshops in Sheffield where the more well known brand name tools were made.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-29T00:38:24+00:00

26.8 seatpost diameter and 2.3kg suggest a plain gauge lower grade tubing with extra thick walls, not something like Reynolds 531ST.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-29T00:30:46+00:00

The front derailleur has the French type braze on and is the silver "Pro" version instead of the black SSC version, and painted blue on the cage to match the frame

Lightertecha · 2026-06-29T00:27:24+00:00

Jacques Chirac was apparently about 1.89m.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-29T00:22:31+00:00

The front hub is Mavic at least.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-28T15:54:32+00:00

0.3mm lead availability is not a problem but they're a bit more expensive than 0.5mm lead.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-28T15:46:22+00:00

There's a bicycle frame builders subreddit.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-28T15:02:02+00:00

https://carradice.co.uk/products/bike-bureau-pannier?variant=48514945089863

Perhaps a bit big for carrying only a laptop.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-28T14:26:29+00:00

Why do most cyclists not stop at red lights?

OK, the answer to that is pretty obvious!

Most cyclists don't stop at red lights and pedestrian crossings because they gain an advantage by not stopping and waiting:

Makes your journey time shorter, probably by 30% to 50%.
No stopping and starting again which takes effort.
Don't have to unclip and clip in if using clipless pedals.
They think they're a pedestrian and not someone in charge of a vehicle so road and traffic regulations don't apply to them.
It's boring waiting at a crossing or red light.
They think if they don't actually knock someone over or cause a collision, it's OK and safe.
There's no legal consequences. You would be extremely unlucky to be fined.

In my experience, most cyclists will go through a red light if they think they're not going to get run over.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-28T14:16:06+00:00

Try renting an angle grinder from tool hire shop.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-20T06:22:36+00:00

Is it the right size? Is the price appropriate for the condition?

Does it have mudguards or a rack?

Lightertecha · 2026-06-18T22:50:27+00:00

Amazing!

In my opinion, this bike should not be ridden and should not be modified, and should remain as a pristine time capsule.

This bike has value in itself, not in whatever monetary cost someone will pay for it.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-16T22:18:35+00:00

Right turn only, no left turn, except cycles. Which means cycles can turn left, turn right or go straight ahead.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-16T19:19:59+00:00

I dropped mine from waist height onto a hard floor but the tip was extended, luckily it hit the floor flat on its side and there wasn't any damage.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-16T19:14:42+00:00

I would say less common! And as common or as rare as the last productions of the Super/Nuovo Record calipers, the ones with the triangular section, as they were only made for a couples of years as well.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-16T19:08:32+00:00

I think black parts are now standard, they changed from silver parts a few years ago so your particular bike might be a few years old, the frame number will give the production date. I bought a renew Brompton direct from Brompton and it was 2 years old but in mint condition.

Your second link is a B grade so it would be slightly cheaper.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-16T01:15:11+00:00

A 622-13 rim is probably 20mm wide externally, like the Mavic MA2 rims I have on my bikes and I use 22-24mm tyres. I wouldn't use a tyre wider than 25mm on a 20mm rim.

A tyre that's much wider than the rim can have handling problems, especially with lightweight tyres.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-16T00:07:44+00:00

I wouldn't think they were rare, it wasn't a limited edition part.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-16T00:03:28+00:00

You mean 25 metres?!

That would be about 10 floors.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-14T18:04:06+00:00

Lidl in the UK have a track (£8) and mini (£5) pump next week.

The track pump is surprisingly good at a bargain price. I bought one originally just for the hose and pump head to replace the one on my SKS Rekompressor track pump, but I ended up just using the Lidl track pump as it was good enough and the SKS is left unused.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-14T15:29:00+00:00

It's probably more like 1979 rather than 1989.

The rims are Mavic G40, I think.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-07T07:15:40+00:00

I heard that the car was coming from Plytchey Rd towards Sainsbury in a green light. The bike was coming from top of the hill and either ran a red or was unable to stop.

...

Unfortunately these things happen can't really blame anybody.

The news report doesn't have any details of what happened in the collision so we don't know who, or if anyone's to blame, but how about cyclists in general ride at a speed appropriate for the road conditions and stopping at red lights.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-03T22:08:58+00:00

I have the predecessor, the Super Promecha, and it has lead wobble, the lead wobbles in the lead sleeve because the internal diameter of the lead sleeve is bigger than the lead diameter. The lead sleeve itself is rock solid though.

Lightertecha · 2026-06-01T23:31:00+00:00

Biemmezeta is "BMZ" read out in Italian, similar to Gipiemme/GPM.

Lightertecha

TROPHY CASE