Any question answered...

Wellll, I don't want to sell it but I'm moving soon and it's the only bike I can justify selling at the moment. Just need the money and less stuff at a difficult time 😒
Cinelli CXSS 53cm

If I want to charge my laptop at work, using the USB-C socket (to save carrying the heavy mains adapter) what rating plug do I need to plug the other end of the USB-C cable into? I am trying to do this today, but using an iPhone plug it’s obviously not delivering enough Power to charge.

I didn't know, so asked a mate. He says

Depends on the laptop but 75W is usually plenty to run and charge normal laptops. Gaming and graphics rigs might need more juice.

Just plug it straight into the substation over the road eh?

It’s an HP Elitebook which I think is a “normal” laptop?

Thank you!

Yeah that’s normal. You’d know if otherwise because 1) it would be a massive and hefty [modern] computer, and 2) it would be ££££.

The USB-C charger for my HP Elitebook is 65W 👍

Thanks all.

65W is very common and will be fine for most. You might get away with 40W but I wouldn't bother unless you already have one.

You may (or may not) also need a different cable but you can pick one up for a few quid.

0.000000065 gigawatts

Second question: any recommendations for what I should buy?

(work will just tell me to use the mains adapter that was supplied)

Something branded but not too expensive is what I'd look for. Stuff like Anker or UGreen. Probably looking at about £25.

Nice one, thanks.

Depending on how much you travel you might want to spend a few more quid on a 65-75W international converter with USB A and USB C in addition to mains. That’ll sort your laptop at home and abroad.

I plan on getting one of the 120W Anker USB A/C chargers like this: https://www.anker.com/uk/products/a2148 for going to co-working spaces or UK trips.

For travelling I generally just buy a European power cable for the laptop power brick, something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/C5-EU-3-PRONG-CLOVER-LAPTOP-POWER-LEAD-CORD-CABLE-for-Laptop-Adapter-2-pin-/284228480558

And I have a couple of European/US style USB chargers: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126695123313 which can be useful for hotels/airports/trains/etc.

If I need to charge anything else (e.g. USB-C) when away I do so from my laptop.

Will riding a new chain on a cassette that previously had an old chain measuring >.75 on a checker cause premature wear? Or as long as it shifts OK, is it fine to use?

I don't think I've plugged anything in whilst travelling for years. It's all USB now.

I like this style of international one where the US prongs are built in, makes it a bit less likely I'll lose bits.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-65W-Fast-Charger-Ports/dp/B09X1H88VP

Not quite what was asked, but I often now take a UK multiplug extension on holiday.
That way you just need the one EU adapter.

With kids I'm already carrying so much shit this is minor.

W Anker

Lol.

Wow! That would save us all a load on our electric bills! I’m in.

What are you plugging in?

I have a 100W uGreen for my HP Z-book. Has worked great travelling in EU, Asia. Bear in mind if you get a 65W charger and your PC needs 65W, then it might not charge if you use other ports on the charger.

Yes, the new chain will wear prematurely.

Fine is relative. Supposing it shifts properly: If it’s a cheap chain and you want a working bike now, it’s fine; If you’d rather not pay for another chain soon and/or you’d prefer not to have a bike that suddenly stops shifting properly, then it’s not fine.

Advice for that level of wear is to get them both done together. A bit more money now for a lot less hassle and the same or more money prematurely down the line.

While you’re at it, have you checked the chainring(s)? If they’re gone, they’ll wear the rest prematurely too. Chainrings can be expensive enough that it’s worth buying an entirely new groupset, again depending on what you have.

Doing this without swapping the plug for an EU one seems an odd thing to do

[Edit: although yes you might use it with a different adapters]