Bernie2

Many thanks Eddie. I think I am ok for the time being but I can think of various items I may need in the future, especially as Sakura E-bikes no longer exist and will bookmark the magazine for when I might need it.

Hello Dave. Yes, it would come in handy as a spare for my front brake and I would be very happy to compensate you for the postage, packing and your time. Rather than post my address on the forum, I could phone you to exchange addresses but here again, would you want to display your phone number on this forum? I really don't know the implications of doing either but perhaps you can let me have your views as to how we could do this. If it gets a bit too complicated, I am happy to call it a day. PS. It took me about 40 years to convert to metric but I still talk in inches!!

Many thanks to all of you who responded to my post. I thought you might be interested to know that I have found a source supplying tandem brake cables, albeit 1.8mm thick, which is near enough as far as I am concerned and so I leave you a happy bunny. Thanks. Bernie

Thank you Croxden but unfortunately the firm that made Sukura Bikes are no longer in existence and I have not been able to obtain any information about the bike, nor any parts info. However, I will contact Cable - Tec to see if they have one that might meet my spec.

If I cannot find one from normal sources, I'll certainly try that Gridtr. Many thanks

Many thanks Jhruk. The website did not state the cable's length but I will phone the firm tomorrow to see what it is. If this one is not the right length, they may well stock the 2100mm, so I am getting closer!!

That was very nice of you DC and your offer was much appreciated but I need one about 82" (2100mm)

Many thanks EMO Rider - If I don't come up with anything definite, I will look out for Tandem Cables.

Hi Everyone. I am about to replace the rear inner brake cable on my Sakura bike. The existing cable is approx 2100mm long and 2mm in diameter but I have searched the internet and my local bike retailers and I just cannot get a cable 2mm thick. They all vary between 1.2mm and 1.5mm. I assume the extra thick cable supplied by Sakura was due to the weight of the bike which is over 40 kilos with tools and locks etc plus me @ 80 kilos and I am wondering if anyone knows where I can get the thicker cable, preferably in stainless?

Many thanks James. I thought you might be interested to know that I decided to read a few previews on the SKS before I bought it and it would seem the "Air pressure reduction button" is a waste of time, as it does not show a reading when you are trying to reduce the pressure via the button. You have to remove the gauge and then re-apply it to find out if it has reduced the pressure to the set psi, so I would be back to square one. I have an excellent footpump which I keep at home, so all I need is a reliable gauge for my puncture bag. I have decided not to take a chance and buy one online but will visit my local cycle stores and try their gauges out until I find one that leaks air pressure the least. Roll on Summer!!

Many thanks for all your replies. Just as a matter of interest to you, I have decided to go for KirstinS's suggestion of the Evans Cycle SKS Air Checker which seems to meet my requirements. This is mainly because (a) It has a swivel head which makes it easier getting it between the spokes and most importantly, (b) I can set the desired pressure on the gauge, overpump the tyre ,then apply the gauge and it will reduce to pressure to the desired level , similar to the garage air pumps. However, if anyone has had an adverse experience of SKS Air Checker, I would like to hear from you before I actually buy it online ! Once again, many thanks all of you. - I did not expect so many replies in the time it took to eat my lunch!!

Hi everyone. My tyres take a pressure of between 45-65psi and having got rid of my old car and now cycle everywhere, I use the same pressure gauge which I used very effectively on my car tyres. However, on my bike tyres, it is a completely different animal as it allows too much air to escape every time I check the pressures. No matter, how careful I am in applying the gauge, which is the simple pencil shaped chromed metal type, it results in my losing more air than I have pumped in and I find this very annoying. Although it is very accurate, it is only calibrated up to 50 psi and I just cannot find one that is designed for cycle tyres. My query is :- (a) Do they make a pencil type gauge similar to my car one but especially for bike tyres with a higher psi limit and a narrower aperure/nozzle that hopefully restricts the amount of air loss. If so, where can I get one please. And (b) If not, can anyone recommend a good digital one both accurate (within reason) and practical to use but not too expensive, as I only need one for pressures up to 65psi max. Any advice would be most welcome

Hi Flecc. After my last reply to you, I tried to think of an alternative to the beach ball/cushion idea and then a bolt of lightening hit me - why not use pipe insulation which is extremely light but strong enough to take the weight of my bike. I found out that B&Q do a 1 metre length with a 22mm inner hole with 25mm all round insulation, although all I need is 2 x 6" sections to cover the grips. Although the 22mm is a bit small to slide over the grips, if you open up the split section, it clips over them very tightly. All I have to do is swivel the bell and gear changer under the h/bar which means the 25mm insulation is more than enough to protect the plastic electrics cover including both grips - the cost just £2.60. If I need to raise the h/bars any higher off the ground, all I need do is to cut another 6" section, divide them in two to use as packers. The whole kit weighs just a few grams and will easily go in my panniers. I just thought I would pass this on to the Forum members who like you, took the trouble to respond to my original query. Thanks, all of you for your help. Bernie

Hello John. I am sorry to be a party pooper this afternoon but the mechanism that holds the handlebars to the front upright is encased by the plastic electrics cover and I would not want to dismantle it to get to the nuts. However, as I replied to Fleccs post, his idea of an inflatable cushion or a couple of beach type balls partially inflated might be better than nothing, so I intend to follow that idea, unless something else turns up.

Hello Mike. I have a bell on mine also but but I would hate to rely on it to rest my bike on when messing around with a puncture. So far the best idea has come from Flecc with his balls (no comment please) or some form of inflatable cushion which I am going to look into.