RussJ

Just taken delivery of two Rambletta suspension bikes mainly for use when touring with our caravan. We plan to load them into our car and are looking for storage bags to avoid sratches etc. Plenty on eBay and Amazon but none appear to be deep enough to accommodate the Rambletta which I measure as about 45 deep when folded although the website says 35... Has anyone come across a suitable bag? All help gratefully received. Russ

I was really looking to modify my bike rather than buy a new one..

I have owned a Kakhoff Pro Connect since 2011 and been very pleased with it. However., as the thread suggests, I'm having problems with my wrists and thumbs and finding the bike increasingly uncomfortable. I need to find a way to make the riding position more upright to take some of weight off my wrists and an alternative gear shift for the Alfine 8 speed. The standard stem is a Concept adjustable and I guess I need a shorter one to bring the bars further back. I believe I can convert the Alfine to a twist grip change but not sure. Can anyone give me some advice or come up with better ideas (other than using the bus!)? All help gratefully received. Russ

I have an Allay Nomad on my Kalkhoff and have found it to be really comfortable. They do womens versions too! Russ

Kalkhoff Pro-Connect Disc 8 for me - truly the Mercedes of eBikes! Not the cheapest but well built and superb quality. Russ

I have fitted telescopic type suspension seat posts in the past and found them to be better than nothing but only just... This time round I used a parallelogram type on my Pro Connect Disc 8 which is far more effective. I bought a Suntour post for about £30 and find it far more comfortable than the telescopic one. The only thing that you need to get used to is the slight rearward motion when you hit a bump... Russ

Just thought I'd post an update... 50 Cycles sent me a replacement spoke as promised (thanks guys) and I fitted it this morning. The hub fitting was easy. All you have to do is slip a thin screwdriver into the slots around the hub on the chain side. Gently lever outwards working around the hub and the fixing ring will come loose. It then gives enough clearance to pull out the old spoke and insert the new. No need to take the wheel off or remove sprockets etc as I'd feared. Pulled off the tyre near the nipple and lifted the tape to remove old one and fit new. Could have reused the old one if the spoke hadn't broken off flush with the top of the nipple. Thanks again to everyone for their tips and info. Russ

Hi Guys, Many thanks for your quick responses and useful info. Sods Law dictates that its a chain side spoke that snapped! I will have a chat with the workshop before attacking the hub though. Russ

Just noticed that I've got a broken spoke on the rear wheel. 50 Cycles are sending me a replacement but I'm not sure how to unhook the hub end of the old spoke. It looks like all the hub fixings are covered by plastic plates. Do these just pry off to reveal the hole? The spoke has broken within the nipple so presumably I have to take the tyre off to get at that end? Its a 24 spoke wheel which if I remember correctly has caused problems in the past but I thought that had been resolved. I hope its just an isolated incident... Russ

Having had several Mercedes over the years, one thing I can say for certain is that they don't do anything for "FREE"! Russ

There aren't many (any?) electric bike shops in and around Norwich that I managed to find so I bought on recommendation from this forum and other research on the net. I live about 8 miles from Norwich and have a Kalkhoff Proconnect Disc 8 which you're welcome to come and have a look at and try out. As far as I know, we will be here in late August so, if you're interested, suggest you PM me nearer the time and we'll sort out a meet. Russ

I added it to our lawn tractor tyres years ago after a succession of blackthorn punctures. Never had a puncture since. Following my flat last week I bought a bottle and "Slimed" mine and the wifes bikes to hopefully give some protection. I suppose it is an act of faith in some ways but in my view worth a punt. Russ

Ticking noise - problem solved! I spoke to the guys at the 50 Cycles workshop and they suggested a change of pedal. I was a bit sceptical but agreed to try. I swopped them with a pair from my wifes bike and set off this morning. Bliss-no more clicking! 50 Cycles are sending me a new set today under warranty - thanks guys. The originals weren't loose in the crank and spin freely without obvious play in the bearings so I don't know why they made the noise - I'm just delighted to be cycling quietly again. Russ

I prised out the plastic end cap on both pedals and added some oil last night but today the click is back with a vengeance. Running out of ideas now so it looks like its off to the LBS for me. The disc noise seems to have gone though, perhaps a little bit of grit got caught in the pad? Russ

Sods Law intervened on the day I posted when I picked up a puncture 6 miles from home. Fortunately I was able to call in the cavalry in the guise of the missus with our estate, so avoided an hours walk in the pi**ing rain! Didn't get a chance to work on the bike till yesterday when I fixed the puncture, "slimed" both wheels and worked my way through most of the suggestions to get rid of the annoying ticking noise. Nothing was obviously wrong or loose but this morning when I set off all seemed quiet again so I thought I'd fixed it by nipping up bolts etc. No such luck. After about a mile the noise returned along with a tinkling from the front disc. I'm pretty sure its drive train related as it stops when I dont pedal. It also seems to be louder when I push hard on the right crank so maybe the suggestion re lubricating the right hand pedal is worth investigating further. I'll have a look tonight. Can't see what I've done wrong with the front wheel though. Had to take it off to get the bike into our Saab but when I refitted the wheel it makes a tinkling noise which stops when I touch the brake. Sounds as if the disc is just slightly touching the brake pad(s). Not sure if there is any adjustment on these?