Matt's old bird

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks Jags. I am away from home until Monday but will take a closer look at your suggestions. By having the light on the handlebar I do use one hand position.
I usually have my cateye speedo on the  T bar and that still leaves a space there.
But the present position of the bar bag stops me putting the light on the other side of the T bar.
I'm never too old to try something new and as you say, I can always put it back to the old way.

[rualexander]

.... They make 1 cm wide spacers if you'd rather get the job done with fewer but I don't think it matters outside of aesthetics and your set-up looks fine anyway.
....

Spacers can now be had in larger depths, 24mm and 48mm also available from SJS. http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-alloy-headset-spacer-w-internal-bore-1-1-8-inch-prod27562/

[JimK]

Here is another gadget you could use to raise your light if you want to regain that gripping spot on your handlebars:

http://www.topeak.com/products/xtras/barxtender

[Matt2matt2002]

Nice idea.
I have their extra bottle cage mount that I use on the T bar in the summer.
I'll give this some thought.

[John Saxby]

you can see my Old Bird standing in sand thrown up from the beach.

Just love that photo, Matt!

[Chris M]

Looks like a great area to be cycling in Matt, the bike looks the business as well.

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks Chris & John.
Yes, a nice looking bike indeed.

Any thoughts on what to do with the hole in the forks?
I don't plan to fit a light there. I guess that's what it's for?

[Danneaux]

Any thoughts on what to do with the hole in the forks?

Either a 5mm stainless-steel bolt or one of those little black rubber plugs would full it nicely.

I don't plan to fit a light there. I guess that's what it's for?

Yep.

Best,

Dan.

[Matt2matt2002]

Another day at the beach.
Semi retired life can be tough at times!

Today's ride coincided with another high tide. Quite a bit of the sand deposited on the Esplanade /  broad-walk had gone but a few spots were still too deep to ride through.

Waves were high and a couple of brave folk were out surfing.



New tube bag fitted underneath the saddle. Carries a tube and multi-tool and thin gloves.
Bar-bag has tire levers pump and patch kit.

What do other folk carry and where on the bike? 20 mile rides - from home to home in a day - not full touring.



Rubber band on the bar? Using an Altura bar-bag. Closes by friction but pops off over rough ground. I threaded a thin bamboo 8 inch rod through the loops on the bar bag lid. Then the rubber band slips around one end and keeps things shut tight. Easy enough to slip off when required.

Anyone else use rubber bands? I never travel without a couple. 101 uses. 



Must polish that bell.

All the best folks

Matt

[in4]

Great photos Matt and brilliant weather for a seaside jaunt. What is that pink object underneath your saddle?

[Matt2matt2002]

My new tube bag. Holds a spare tube, multi tool and thin latex gloves

[Danneaux]

What do other folk carry and where on the bike? 20 mile rides - from home to home in a day - not full touring.

Hi Matt! My, you're getting some outstanding photos; thanks so much for sharing them on the Forum.

As for the contents of my Nomad's underseat bag, here's the list...
• Spare tube
• Glued and glueless patch kits. I prefer glued, but sometimes the glue has dried out or I need to go in a hurry, so....
• Thorn eccentric tool.
• Multi-tool
• 2pr nitrile gloves
• Schwalbe tire pressure gauge

Same thing I carry on full tours so I don't have to dig through the panniers for the full kit when usually all I need is the stuff for common repairs.

Your new underseat bag looks very good, Matt.

Best,

Dan.

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks Dan.
The under seat bag is a little on the small side.
Bought it half price in lbs. I'm a sucker for a bargin.
I can't fit tire levers in. But then I carry my pump in the bar bag.
Thorn eccentric tool?
Wassat?
Matt

[Danneaux]

Thorn eccentric tool?
Wassat?

Hi Matt! It is a smallish and very handy/potentially vital tool included with each new complete Thorn bicycle. They come in several flavors, depending on model/Rohloff gearbox configuration (internal vs. external) and whether your bike has S&S couplings or not. See this page: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/find.asp?site=&name=thorn%20eccentric&page=1&geoc=US

Mine looks like this: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-3-in-1-bottom-bracket-eccentric-tool-for-73-mm-shell-raven-bikes-prod12076/?geoc=us Includes a fixed pin wrench for turning the BB eccentric, a 15mm spanner for the BB securing bolts or pedals, and an 8mm box wrench for manually shifting an EX gearbox should the cable(s) break.

Best,

Dan.

[Chris M]

Blue skies and surfers in Scotland! That semi-retirement certainly does look tough Matt, you have my pity Great shots again.