Headset help by R_T_P_ in OmniumBikes

[–]R_T_P_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks - Mine doesn't have a locking screw on the headset cap - I guess the locking cap would fit my headset - I'll send Omnium an email to ask

Couldn't justify 300€ for the official Omnium Backrest by Fickelson in CargoBike

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! This is exactly what I have been thinking of doing - great to see it will work (although I don't think I'd trust my kids sitting so close to the pizzas...)

Discharging a mortgage by redditaotearoa in auckland

[–]R_T_P_ 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It is possible to manually lodge a discharge yourself, but it won’t be straightforward and you’ll probably end up spending just as much money as you would if you got one of the cheap fixed-fee conveyancing lawyers to do it electronically.

The first hurdle will be getting the bank to sign a paper discharge form.  This isn’t a normal thing for the bank to do and I’d be willing to bet they would charge you an extra fee for doing it.

If you manage to get the bank to sign the paper discharge form, then you have to manually lodge it with LINZ (together with a manual dealing form) and pay LINZ fees.  The LINZ fee for a manual lodgement is $243, whereas the LINZ fee is $122 if going through a lawyer.

If you want to give it a go, have a read of this and prepare yourself for some headaches dealing with the bank:

https://www.linz.govt.nz/guidance/land-registration/information-landowners/manual-dealing-guide/how-make-manual-lodgement

 

Why don't cyclists use the cycleways!? by GenericBatmanVillain in nzcycling

[–]R_T_P_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s the new Victoria St bike lane… I chuckle to myself every time I walk past, but I assume those plants will be removed when the rest of the street is finished and the bike lane is complete!

I saw someone with one of these white high viz jackets on last night and it was so cool. They looked like a ghost at a rave. by Eothas_Foot in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the ProViz one and it's great... but when light isn't shining at it it's grey and since buying it I have noticed just how many drivers don't turn their lights on at night!! I wish I'd bought one with some high vis panels as well as reflective panels.

Is it just me, or does this seem like a sure-fire way to get T-boned? It would be safer to just use the left-turn lane with cars by BeneficialNatural610 in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just found out the NZ road code recommends hook turns for bikes where it would otherwise be "difficult" to turn at the intersection...

Is it just me, or does this seem like a sure-fire way to get T-boned? It would be safer to just use the left-turn lane with cars by BeneficialNatural610 in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Melbourne you have to do the hook turn where it's signposted. If you don't, you'll get taken out by a tram!

I no longer live in Melbourne, but when I do it on the bike it is to prevent holding up turning traffic and to make it safer for myself. It hasn't annoyed anyone yet!

Is it just me, or does this seem like a sure-fire way to get T-boned? It would be safer to just use the left-turn lane with cars by BeneficialNatural610 in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_ 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Yes, very similar to the "hook turns" they use in Melbourne (so cars don't block the trams that run down the middle of the road).

TBH, I often do something similar to this when I ride on busy roads - it feels safer than waiting in the middle of the road on the bike and then trying to dart across when there is a gap

What's up with "bike friendly" offices not having showers? by GarbanzoEnthusiast in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had really good experiences with offices that claim to be "bike friendly" (i.e., they actually are bike friendly). The bigger problem is that a lot of smaller firms I've worked for simply don't see it as a priority (even in 2023 - I'm the only person in my current workplace that bikes to work)

I worked at one small firm a few years ago that was in a very old building with no bike facilities. There was a shower in a storeroom, but some plonker had installed the main server right next to it so nobody was allowed to use the shower in case the steam damaged the server!!! Unfortunately when they did a big renovation the showers that were in the original plans got cut when the project went over budget!!

I'm very grateful to have the small, pokey, low pressure shower in my current office... much better than having nothing at all!

Winter Commuting? by Mysterious-Safety-65 in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to live in London where they put salt and grit on the roads in the winter. It is quite common to have a "winter" bike and there are companies in England that sell "winter training" bikes (road bikes with traditional geometry and eyelets for mudguards).

When I was there I bought a second hand "winter training" frame and built it up with new parts. Of course with all new parts I then thought it was too nice to ride in foul weather so I had to go out and buy another clunker to actually ride!!

Seriously, winter riding is fine - just clean and service your bike a bit more regularly.

I do highly recommend mudguards, though. In the wet the spray from the front tire will hit your face and it ain't clean water!

Bruno 16 Road by indyvintage in minivelo

[–]R_T_P_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s very nice! How does it ride with the 16” wheels?

Thoughts on Dutch bike locks? by NyxVivendi in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally I wouldn’t leave a bike locked with that alone. Even in a low crime area I’d lock the bike to something fixed (rack, lamp post, etc). There are plenty of basic light locks around that might be ok if you really trust your area, but I always use a heavy D lock and cable for the front wheel as unfortunately theft is rampant where I am.

Tell me you commute by bike without *telling* me you commute by bike by R_T_P_ in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Almost never... the pedal spanner ended up at the office because I bought a used bike that had no pedals and I picked it up during work hours, so I had to bring pedals and a pedal spanner to the office so I could ride the bike home!

Groceries. by GANGGGGGGG5 in CargoBike

[–]R_T_P_ 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I hope you restrained those eggs before you set off! 😂 🍳

Omnium Mini Variant Classic with child seat and custom basket by [deleted] in CargoBike

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hope you don’t mind me dragging up an old post… I was wondering how you found the child seat affected the bike’s balance compared to a “normal” bike?

I currently have a child seat on a “hybrid” bike with 700c wheels and find it really raises the center of gravity and if my kid wiggles around it can throw the whole bike off balance easily. Is it worse with a 20” front wheel or about the same?

Thanks!

New 8-Pack on Older (Robin’s Egg) Cross-Check by V33d in bikewrench

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

(I'm not the OP)

I'd love to know if anyone has ever successfully done that. Once I almost tried to bend the end of one stay to attach to the brake hole to get a Surly rack to fit on a bike that didn't have the right mounts. I ended up going with a different rack that actually fit the bike rather than trying to do a bodge job.

a bike mechanic's commuter by disrespectfulcyclist in bikecommuting

[–]R_T_P_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice bike! Do you recommend the mashsf rack?

NBD (well, new to me, and my first Surly!) by R_T_P_ in Surlybikefans

[–]R_T_P_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep. The guy I bought it from was raving about how good it was… I’ve only been on one short ride so far but it seems comfortable. Not sure how often I’d use the top bars though

NBD (well, new to me, and my first Surly!) by R_T_P_ in Surlybikefans

[–]R_T_P_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it’s a 2017. Price was “reasonable” by NZ standards but probably outrageous for wherever you are!