Charge Plug

I tried reinflating in the hope it was a small one but no joy. I then cracked open my new toolkit i got with the bike to find it didn't include a spanner that fitted my wheel nuts.

Probably because road bike always come with quick release so spanner weren't necessary, until people start riding fixed wheel bicycles.

So why would a toolkit that came with the Plug itself not include a spanner for the wheel nuts if the Plug isn't fitted with quick releases as standard?

I don't think plug were supplied with topknots in the first place, sound like an aftermarket topknot.

Topknot - toolkit, fucking autocorrect.

Well, he did say it came with the bike, so I assumed that was correct--perhaps the shop threw it in with the bike purchase?

And that's an auto-correct classic.

Yeah the toolkit was bought separately from the bike. The wife bought me the plug for my birthday. The in-laws got me the tool kit.

Went around the independat bike shops but all they had were large heavy spanners for keeping at home. I did release that there probably isn't much demand for 15mm spanners because QR skewers have become so common, but if you have QR you also have to carry a cable. Think a spanner would weight less than that.

Anyway, Halfords of all places had a sheet steel spanner that does all common sizes up to 17mm for only £2.99. That's it sorted for next time.

There is demand for such spanners, but in most LBS or chain shop they don't tend to stock them, also they can be easily found in car shop rather.

Condor have a lots of them for you to decided over though, sorry I mean 'topknots'.

ive got a 15mm ring spanner in my bag, weighs the same as a pair of knog lights tbh, dont even notice its there apart from it chinging on my keys. you can put a decent amount of force thru it too, id go with one of them instead of a cheese toolkit

I keep the spanner which really doesn't weigh too much in my bag in the pen holder bit, know where it is then so I don't have to fumble around for it.

This is my charge plug set up for winter riding;

Very happy with it now. All the changes I'd like to make now are small ones, top cap, spacers, seat post collar, just to match the black theme going on.

Also I might think about some carbon forks in the new year, but for now this bike is perfect.

i like that, i want a few bits off santa for mine, slightly wider bars, shorter stem ie bmx jobby, a comfy seat and some decent levers
ive been looking at carbon forks aswell but cant justify them with a baby on the way

This is my Plug... Everything apart from the frame, and headset have been changed:

hey guys,

i have been riding the 2010 model for a year now (since last nov) and want to do some upgrades to lighten it up a bit so thought i'd pick your brains.

for the standard model are the hubs 120mm?

and im a bit sick of the deep rims tbh, any ideas for replacement 700/28 wheels as they're getting on a bit and have a few dinks

oh and i dont know anything about carbon forks, does anyone know the sizes for this bike or any experience with new carbon forks and this bike?

right thats my 3 q's.

first thing i did was change the stupid standard mustache drops to bullhorns. much better and the acceleration is great.

lol i have the same kitchen table and chairs as you spenceey

Deadmeat;

They are normal track hubs 120 on the rear.

As for a real decent wheelset I'd go for these; http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPOOPOMP/on-one-120mm-clincher-wheels-%28pair%29 I've got them on my plug ^^ lightweight and sealed bearings so you won't get crap clogging your wheels up this time of year.

Carbon forks as long as they are 1 1/8 you will be fine, (http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FOGUROAD/guerciotti-carbon-road-fork) these seem like a safe bet, unless you are confident in changing headsets you'd probably want a shop to fit them for you though.

I'd also recommend new tires to go with a wheelset they will make a huge difference.

P.S. Awesome table!!

Apologies for the arty shots.
This is my winter hack, '09 plugFS.

Aftermarket:
-swapped the headset for an FSA sealed one, no more rusted bearings.
-swapped out that shitty painted chain which lasted about 30 seconds, now running a bulletproof kmc bmx chain.
-bars cut, about 45cm. Shown here with Wethepeople grips, but have since been changed for black Velux cloth tape, which doesnt slip like grips.
-stock pedals went on day one, now dmrV12 with diagonal straps made from old seatbelts.

i love this bike, was my first intro to fixed, still riding it today.

Apologies for the arty shots.

Loving the arty shots...and the sticker!! Brilliant!

grips dont slip if you use petrol on them :D

grips dont slip if you use petrol on them :D

troll.

hows that trolling ? petrol melts the rubber a little and sticks it solid to the bar
ive just ordered some dirty harrys for my plug and dug out the old rolls to fit tmrw

Wouldn't it be safer to just use hairspray?

hairspray will let them slip again if water gets in, petrol actually melts the rubber a little so it resets hard to the bar yet you can still get grips off with a bit of screwdriver action

thanks spenceey,

think ill go for the glow in the dark rims. the kid inside me needs to get out i think.

and tron is nearly here so...

thanks spenceey,

think ill go for the glow in the dark rims. the kid inside me basement needs to get out i think.

and tron is nearly here so...

.

Hi all

Fantastic forum - I've been a lurker on here for quite a while, I signed up a few weeks ago and this is my very first thread!

I currently have a 2009 Aluminium Specialized Langster complete with carbon forks and seat post. I have a 15 mile round trip to work each day, and I ride to the shops on the weekend.

When our cycle scheme re-opens at work I was hoping to get a charge plug.

I have quite a few questions and I was wondering if anyone would kindly be able to answer any of the following:

I have tried a charge plug in small, medium and large, and I can fit on and ride all three quite comfortably. I'm 5ft 10". I was going to get a medium, but would there be any benefit in getting a small or a large frame? I've seen some people on here talk about riding smaller bikes - I was just wondering if there was any particular benefit.

Could I use the carbon fork and seat post from my langster in order to make the bike lighter and for a more comfortable ride? Or could I buy just the frame of the plug and use the parts from my Langster to finish it off?

I have seen a few second hand plugs for sale. Is there any particular benefit with buying a brand new bike? From what I've read, the Plug is pretty much indestructable.

When looking at a second hand bike, is there any way to check that it hasn't been stolen? I called up my local police station to ask them to check a serial number on a bike I had seen for sale on gumtree as it was quite a young person selling it, and they seemed to know very little about the bike - not even the size! The police station said they couldn't check, so I've been googling for an online database but can't seem to find anything.

Thanks for your help

Why do you want to switch from a langster to a plug? They're both entry level bikes.