Current Projects chat and miscellany

I'm happy changing my pedals to suit my use. If I wanted casual SPD's I'd save up and get the missions. as for your comments on vans:

• I've never skated.
  
• I've got big flat feet so never had any discomfort walking.
  
• I like the look of most Vans, there are quite a few which are ugly though. I've been very tempted by Emerica before, I really like the look of a lot of their shoes.
  
• Talking of Build quality I would totally agree with you in most cases, the canvas ones especially last like a wet tissue in a hurricane, but the leather era's I've got now have really impressed me. They haven't split or torn at all.
  
• As for cycling in them I was starting to get a bit annoyed with how thin the soles were, when using quill pedals they'd dig into my feet a bit. My new MKS pedals have total solved this problem now, very comfortable to cycle with soft soled shoes, after all thats what they are desinged for.
  As I said If I've got any serious cycling to I use my SPD's which are Shimano M182's. I find they stupidly comfortable, like slippers.
  
  

Fair play. Emerica shoes are good, always been pleased with them.
I like the idea of Bont shoes, which you stick in the oven for 20 mins then put them on and they mould to your foot shape and are still much stiffer than most other shoes. They only do road shoes though, not mtb ones.

They only do road shoes though, not mtb ones.

Not any more it seems
Bont Commuter 1's

Bont Commuter 2's

The Bont commuter-two shoe is of a Hand made monocoque composite base.
With its monocoque composite construction, 4.8 mm stack height and Bont’s proprietary heat moldable resin for fit customisation, the Bont commuter-two shoe is undoubtedly one of the best commuter shoes currently available.

those look like orthopaedic trainers.

ha ha!

nice one spotter. I didn't see them before.

can't find them for sale anywhere though.

I just found that too, maybe they're new for 2011? ask the distributors?
bont@triathlonconsultants.com

Have any of you used the Bontrager Mountain Bike shoes without clipless?
I have Silvan Track pedals and cages/straps. Been using some Gola trainers which looked like they had a solid sole, but the pedals dig in now and give me terrible foot cramp.

I was looking at swapping to Time Atacs or something, but not to sure on the whole thing at the minute. If I could use a proper cycle shoe though with a stiff sole, that might solve my missery; Just not sure whether the soles are really good to use with normal pedals...

Monsta you could just buy them and not use the cleats, as the attachment point is recessed in them it wouldn't effect the pedal. failing that maybe try some more comfortable platform pedals like I did, the MKS GR-9's come in silver too

or just go clipless cos it's 1,000,000x better.

or just go clipless cos it's 1,000,000x better.

this is very true

Have any of you used the Bontrager Mountain Bike shoes without clipless?
I have Silvan Track pedals

Race style MTB shoes and conventional pedals are not a great idea - the studs on the sole always seem to be in exactly the wrong place relative to the pedal cage plate, so you get an effect like an old school slot cleat but invariably in the wrong place, plus they catch on the plates when you're trying to pull your foot out of the toe clip, and the Velcro straps on top snag on your clips/straps.

blimey how much did that set you back?!

about 2k isn't it?

you profile says you're in Ireland, yet that picture is from a HK blog.

no you did not!!!!!111 where's t-shirt, cap, fanny pack etc etc?

does anyone have any experience with carradice bags? looking at the way they mount (3 leather straps) it looks like they might be quite easy to hit with the backs of your legs. are they?

I'm thinking about getting a Barley saddlebag as I'm quite keen to not have to use a backpack and most days I only need to carry my lunch and a t-shirt and jumper.

carradice bag + bagman or rear rack and you'll be fine.

Loved my Carradice bag, I have a big Nelson longflap (i think it was called) and the rear rack supported it, it's a wonderful feeling not feeling the weight on your back.

The bagman help move the bag away from your legs as well as adding stability especially around a corner, well worth getting.

Oh! get the longflap version - so much easier to tightened down oversized item.

omg

Wheels done. Thomson Masterpiece 27.2 x 240mm in the post. Need some Saint cranks and that's it.

Bikes make very strange bedfellows!

does anyone know where i can get a replacement mounting bolt for a dual pivot caliper? I've got a pair of tektro brakes which are nut fitting. One of the bolts is very long, probably for the front brake. I need the other brake to have a bolt of similar length.

I've found this
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tektro-tektro-shimano-pattern-70-mm-dual-pivot-brake-bolt-cr-mo-for-nut-conversion-prod24266/
but I'm unsure if it's the right thing and they seem to be out of stock.

The trike frame has now been drilled and filed to mount the wheels and brakes (well one at least due to bolt issues). will put mudguards on tomorrow evening and take some pictures.

^I believe you can also get those tektro convertor bolts at Spa Cycles.