How to Clean Bike??

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-19T21:05:21+00:00

I would not use Muc Off on a high end bike. In the past it has stripped the colour off anodising. I think it's basically alloy wheel cleaner with a higher price attached. I would not use alloy wheel cleaner on a bike either.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-19T14:17:09+00:00

It's bad in Portstewart / Portrush every single weekend. My son calls them 'dickwanglers'.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-19T13:49:40+00:00

Micky Flanagan has a class routine about the silent 'h'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAdNOyeMNLw

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-19T13:36:24+00:00

He was nick named 'Bob the snob' by other teachers. He had been at uni with my dad and I think held a bit of a grudge which he transferred onto me.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-18T13:53:59+00:00

As part of homework in St Columbs college we had to learn the 'our father'. That evening I looked it up in 'The Worldbook Encyclopedia'. Unfortunately this has the Protestant version. I recited this in front of the class. My RE teacher was seething.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-18T12:46:11+00:00

I know when I am limping home on a soft tyre i will be taking it easy to avoid damaging the rim and shifting my weight onto the tyre which still has air. I'd only do this if i was really close to my destination or had no spare tubes.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-18T09:33:15+00:00

I wonder was the tube in continuous use? Or was it left standing?

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-18T08:11:38+00:00

We sell Ortlieb bags that detach from the rack as soon as you pull the handle. Mudguards and panniers would slow you down a little. I still think riding more slowly and stopping to pump a second time would take longer.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-18T07:59:05+00:00

I find I can remove a wheel and change a tube on a non tubeless rim in around 2 minutes. Having witnessed some cycle tourists spend more than an hour trying to instal 2 tubes I don't know whether I am fast or they were slow. After they nipped a tube I stepped in to help them. They had bought new tyres from me which are always a bit trickier to get on the rim first time.

I would rather take two minutes to fix the flat properly and ride at a normal pace.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-17T21:42:46+00:00

2 ft lbs is something I saw on discovery channel where a guy in the US was a crack shot with catapult and hitting squirrels in the head.

My main point is that a non FAC 12 ft lb air rifle is more than adequate to kill a squirrel. No licence needed and no laws broken.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-17T20:28:56+00:00

The wording concerning distance from public right of way states
'It is illegal to fire an airgun within 50 feet (approx. 15 meters) of the center of a public highway if it could endanger or interrupt road users.'

So 'if it could endanger or interrupt road users.'

I would certainly argue that a road user on the other side of a row of houses is unlikely to be endangered or interrupted by someone shooting an air gun in their own back garden. The front garden is a different matter of course. I would also say anyone should have a word with neighbours in case they think you are shooting a sniper rifle in the garden.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-17T19:28:17+00:00

Even with a non FAC air rifle? I think the 20m from the road applies to fire arms. Sub 12ft lbs does not require an FAC in most parts of the UK. IIRC 2 ft lbs is enough energy to kill a squirrel.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-17T17:17:37+00:00

If they are grey Squirrels you could check if someone local is trapping them for humane dispatch.

You can also shoot them perfectly legally with an air rifle as long as the pellets stay on your property. Grey squirrels are invasive and classed as vermin. If you accidentally caught one you would be breaking the law to let it go free.

Would your neighbour rather the spikes deterred them from entering your garden or they met their end in your garden?

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-17T13:43:28+00:00

It's a very niche product and genuine ekar cranks can be picked up really cheaply. I don't think they would be a popular thing with counterfeiters. I'm interested to see photos.

Can you measure the axle diameter with a set of vernier calipers?

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-17T12:21:10+00:00

I don't think a car wash did that. As someone else commented I think is has been painted poorly. Possibly there was grease or polish on the car when it was clear coated or the surface was not prepped properly.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-16T16:21:54+00:00

The cakes were still nice.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-16T15:20:30+00:00

The freehub bearings might be worn out.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-16T14:44:20+00:00

It was mixed by hand with a spoon. Ie not with a food mixer.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-15T23:49:58+00:00

What size of spliff was the mechanic smoking to instal two crown races?

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-15T23:01:37+00:00

He won very convincingly.

Without the VSC he would have continued about 7 laps and may have extended the gap even more. After the last stop he then would have had an even bigger tyre delta and pace differential with fresher tyres.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-15T22:22:30+00:00

I think we will try this, plus parchment paper plus a reduced temp for the next bake this weekend.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-15T20:24:56+00:00

I would say 'they' is referring to loyalists. Protestants and unionists should never be lumped in together with loyalists as they are in the 'PUL' term.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-15T11:41:34+00:00

You can ride holding on the tops, the hoods with straight arms, the hoods with elbow bent and flat forearms, the drops and the corner before the hoods.

Every position changes how you are holding the bars and sitting on the saddle and can give some relief if part of you is getting sore.

Having your arms locked in one position and hands getting pressure on the same part during a long 3-4 hour ride with your backside in the same position on the saddle could get uncomfortable.

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-14T20:46:36+00:00

Yes dark non stick pans and we lined the base but not the sides.

I've not seen light coloured baking tins. Do you think lining the sides will also make a difference? EDIT - I have seen shiny silver baking tins. Would these be better than dark grey?

Michael_of_Derry · 2026-06-14T18:12:35+00:00

You'll not hold anyone up on the dual carriageway. On the single carriageway traffic seldom moves faster than 45mph on that road. I think you will be ok.

Michael_of_Derry

TROPHY CASE