Nickey Line

An even better day is forecast I believe... I hope so as I'm leading the club run to the cafe in Ridgmont!

That's a very attractive little loco.

I'm afraid this is one option not open to you, as frames for disc brakes are built specifically for this braking system, with the necessary mounts for the callipers, and are also of necessity strengthened to resist bending/breakage. Modern rim brakes are, however, pretty good anyway.

Captain Sir Tom Moore country?

from Harpenden actually... otherwise known as... The Nickey Line There are pictures of the Ro-railer in use in a number of books on the line. I have two, both by Sue and Geoff Woodward... 'The Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead Railway - The Nickey Line' from Oakwood Press and 'Branch Line to Hemel Hempstead - The Nickey Line' from Middleton Press The first book also has a pic of a Ro-rail motor-lorry in use at Redbourn. Photos are copyright so cannot reproduce here...

Same here, I've always had small estates/hatchbacks that will take a couple of bikes, much better. I've heard a few horror stories concerning bikes on racks of one sort or another; driving into height restrictions and bikes sliding off rear racks into the road... Anyway, good to get out today, with the added bonus of NO WIND!! Not had that pleasure, it seems, for ages.

Have used these for years, excellent value, and last just as long as chains costing twice as much, and more...

A bit clearer if viewed from the other side... Commonly used in picture framing.

But you said... I'm confused!

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Use as jewellery?

Might be needing one of these soon...

IMO most off the peg bikes are over-geared for the general public, even though things have improved in recent years. Road bikes still often have the same gearing a pro or top amateur would use. Fine if as I said you're younger and fitter. Too much for most people. 'Then buy a tourer' will be the response, but actually, riding a quality road bike is a great experience, very different to a tourer, and with lower gearing you don't have to bust a gut. Most men of my age, and indeed considerably younger, would struggle to ride to the end of their street without getting out of breath on any bike, or worse still having a heart attack. I wonder how many bikes bought in lock-down are languishing in sheds and garages up and down the country... or appearing on ebay?

Fine if you're youngish and fittish... personally I prefer at least a 1:1 bottom gear. I think most posters on this topic would agree. Of course it also depends on the type of terrain one lives in. I think so-called 'road triples' as fitted to the bike in question have largely gone out of fashion.

Well yes... but the point being that the cassette supplied is a 12-26, which doesn't really give the wide range you're referring to. 9 speed cassettes are relatively cheap and easier to come by than say, 10 or 11 speed.

Beat me to it! Better than the Carrera, though I'd be inclined to change the cassette for something a little more forgiving, otherwise there seems little point having a triple chainset...

Ditto... colder in the afternoon than morning I thought. But... birds are singing, woodpeckers are drumming!

Not just bikes, spares too are in short supply. I had to do some serious hunting around last time I was after some bits...

I assume then that its a rear wheel motor. (Some Volt bikes use a Shimano system with the motor in the bottom bracket). I have a number of friends with a variety of electric bikes, Orbea, Ribble and Pinarello, all with rear wheel motors, and the cable has a plug and socket under a cover plate on the chain stay, secured by Allen key bolts. Once the plug and socket is disengaged wheel removal is the same as for a standard bike. Hope this helps, though it's possible your bike may be different...

Ah, perhaps I got my wires crossed! But certainly very dry in our part of the country... Doesn't stop the Hertfordshire lanes from being wet and muddy though!

Driest January since records began I believe...

Not quite! And very close to the Brambleton Model Railway Club's extensive outdoor 0 gauge railway... ...as well as the MIdland Main Line!

I might try some of those on my steel tourer...

This would suggest your cadence is far too low, assuming the bike has a standard 'compact' chainset of 50/34 teeth, and a smallest sprocket of 11T. This would give a top gear in excess of 120 inches in old money, which is very much a sprinting gear. Top gear on my main bike by comparison is just over 80 inches, which I can pedal comfortably up to about 24/25 mph. If I'm going faster, I'm going downhill, and no need to pedal! I know cadence is very much a personal thing, but pushing big gears too slowly is asking for knee trouble. Ideally you should be aiming for a cadence of at least 60 rpm. My average cadence is nearer 90...

A brief 20 miler for me today, taking in a local farm shop on the way. A cold and drab day, not much incentive to be out but I'm glad I made the effort. Did see a number of raptors as a bonus; a buzzard, a kestrel and several kites... there's a chap in Barton who feeds them, so there's often a few hanging around near his home.