April 9 2008

Another lovely sunny day and I have had a more ambitious ride along the seafront of 7 miles. The Felixstowe sea defenses are being greatly reinforced and seeing monstrous machines effortlessly picking up boulders weighing many tons and throwing them about, I was amused to think of the difference in power used by these behemoths and used by my little Panasonic.

Being able to get about so easily and pleasantly again I am beginning to plan a photographic album of some sort, and a seafront ride is likely to be one of the first candidates. A bicycle really is a perfect vehicle for a photographer, allowing one to cover reasonable distances at a speed which allows one to look around properly which one cannot do in a car.

My front tyre is still hard, and I am left wondering just how it came to lose all its pressure before. It obviously cannot be a puncture and so must be the valve. In the old days, one would have known that one must replace the valve rubber, but heaven knows what sort of valve is in this modern version.

I should have mentioned that I have reverted to the original saddle that came with the Agattu. I actually ordered a Brooks B-17 saddle but was informed there would be a delay of two months so I cancelled the order. It still isn't right, but I'm getting very much more used to it and it is certainly very comfortable in use around the town.

I switched the power off for a while and noticed what may be a little problem with the gears when starting off. There was some stiffness for the first few turns of the pedals, which I thought perhaps was due to the motor being turned before the drive from the pedals was released. It's nothing that matters, but perhaps of some interest in getting to know the bike.

Coming home a slightly different way I had a lengthy hill to climb. Not a steep one, but a good mile of it. I experimented a little and found that it was best tackled in gear 3. The last time I did this. I had used gear one and I'm tolerably sure that it was harder work. There is much to learn about the gears and the motor assistance.

April 8 2008

At long last a fine sunny day. Naturally therefore when I got the bike out of the shed I discovered that I had a puncture in the front wheel. I pumped it up hoping to get to the shop with it, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it stayed up, and has done all day. Since I checked the pressures and pumped up both tires yesterday I suspect that something went wrong with the wood's valve. Touching wood rapidly I have to say that I have always been extremely fortunate in not getting punctures. I don't think I can have had more than a dozen in the whole of my life which was once a very active cycling life indeed. I can never really believe that I once rode from Malvern to Ipswich, 180 miles, in one day. Nowadays I couldn't manage to be driven that far in a car!

Being a little worried about the wheel I didn't go very far but greatly enjoyed a ride along the seafront. Very flat of course but there was quite a brisk breeze blowing in my face, and yet again I loved the sensation of being able to stick my tongue out at it! A sunny sparkling sea that was somehow full of promise for good biking weather to come.

April 7 2008

Snow showers again today and I haven't ridden at all. I'm a real fair weather rider nowadays it seems! Still spring must be on the way somewhere or other and I have many plans for rides and picnics then. Since my last post I've really done nothing but ride into the town and shop. The Agattu is splendid for that and the bikebins really come into their own for shopping.

I've learned that one has to insist upon one's space on the road. Riding close into the kerb in consideration for cars doesn't work as they then clip one so closely that one doesn't have any margin for safety. I'm spacing myself about two or three feet in from the kerb. I have noticed that many cyclists are lax with signaling. A casual wave of a hand for a couple of seconds just in from the shoulder seems often to be thought enough. Of course it isn't. One may feel a prat with one's arm straight out as one moves to the centre of the road to turn right, but that is what is definitely needed.

March 13 2008

A combination of being rather off-colour and atrocious bad weather have prevented me from doing very much on the bike for a couple of weeks. I have just ridden into town a couple of times more or less between gales. I have very little to record therefore but there are a few bits and pieces.

Concerning the sprung front forks first of all. Being conscious of my weight I have these fully tightened. They still have plenty of spring despite this, and if I press down on the handlebars they give quite readily and return noticeably more slowly. It's very obvious that they are well dampened in some way and are far from being a simple spring. When riding however I really cannot say that I noticed them having any affect. I haven't ridden over any obviously poor surfaces so perhaps this is not surprising, but I don't seem to notice any difference from any other bicycle that I've ridden. I did try riding gently down a low pavement curb and then I thought that I could feel a definite softening of the impact, but of course I was looking for this and may have imagined even that. So far then I have very little to say about the forks.

Every time I get on the bike I am amazed yet again at how superbly well the front wheel is built. I have never before had a front wheel in which no slightest wobble of any sort can be detected. But really this front wheel rotates like a fine gramophone turn table would once have rotated. Derby cycles have obviously fully mastered, what I suppose is still rather an art, of spoking bicycle wheels.

I am also still astonished at how smoothly the bike rolls. When I first read Flecc's review I didn't quite understand what he meant about the bike being free rolling. Surely a bike either has free bearings or it doesn't have them I thought. But how wrong I was. Of course my weight represents quite a bit of inertia but even taking this into account it is astonishing how far the bike will roll with no imput on a flat road. Again I have never known anything like it. I had no idea how much difference various tires could make in this respect. The perfectly smooth contact surface of the fitted tires obviously does make a very large difference - one which on a long ride must represent a considerable saving of effort.

Feb 23 2008

When I began this blog, I had rather pictured myself as writing to it every day, after assorted rides out. However it hasn't quite worked out like that. It is after all the middle of winter and for most of the time the weather has not been conducive to lengthy pleasure trips, and the every day rides about town have not seemed worthy of record. I do still expect to be writing accounts of pleasant picnic trips when spring arrives.

I am growing stronger, although not at the rate that I've had rather hoped for. But I realise now that I was expecting far too much. It is quite enough that I can now ride for half a dozen miles without my legs falling off at the end of it. And I have actually lost a few pounds in weight. Unfortunately what is required is the loss of a few stone! But I'm sure there is much to come.

I could easily have written an eulogy of TauTag daily. I don't know when I have been so delighted with a new thing before. And she has of course bedded down in several respects. I believe that the Pedelec unit is now running even more smoothly, and I have noticed that it no longer wants to take off at junctions with the mere weight of my foot on the pedal. The brakes also, as splendid as they were a right from the start, have definitely become even smoother.

My saddle experiences have been less happy alas, and I have now ordered a Brooks B-17 leather saddle, which from past experience I am more or less certain will suit me well. I have been impressed by the fact that the sprung seatpost has not objected to my weight and works very well. I have of course tightened it to the maximum as I have the sprung forks. I shall have more to say about these forks another time.

I sold another Agattu a few days ago (where do I apply for my commission I wonder) when a gentleman admired TauTag as I was unchaining her from a post. I had to work very hard to prevent myself from rapturising over her, and point out carefully that although the cost of recharging was virtually nil, the battery life was definitely limited and the replacement cost very high. But none of this deterred him and he spoke of contacting the supplier right away. I don't know him but if he does get one I'm sure we shall quickly become acquainted.

Reading Tony Fleccia's account of his Qbike I have bought the same small black battery horn that he uses. I hope never to use it, but the occasional antics of odd cars are unbelievably foolish. And I may say that it is not elderly drivers who are at fault in this respect.

Feb 13 2008

She's called TauTag. A nice Germanic name and I like the sound of it. It's good to have named her at last.

With a bit of fiddling about I managed to pop rivet my old saddle together this afternoon and to my surprise it looks as if it might work. I only rode about the town as it's half term and we have our grandson to see to and Mary was out.

I've also sorted out the bike bins into the best possible set up for them. They won't be as easy to take off and put on as they are designed to be but after all I have plenty of time. I tried out the lights again briefly this evening and was much impressed again. I love the hub dynamo which seems so simple and elegant one wonders why bottle types ever existed.

Here are pics of TauTag. I shall update them quite often.

http://www.axst45.dsl.pipex.com/bike/tautag/

Feb 12 2008

A period of consolidation during which I have written nothing. But although there has been nothing noteworthy to record I have still greatly enjoyed myself. I have pottered about the town a good deal and have taken one or two rides out a little further. On one of the rides through Falkenham and Kirton I covered 10 miles which is further than I have done for many years, and further than I had expected to do as yet. I am gradually getting stronger and more used to riding but my legs are still decidedly rubbery after a trip. I have now covered just over 100 miles which is further than I had expected to do as yet, although it doesn't sound very much.

I am pleased beyond measure with the Agattu which really is everything that I had hoped for. The Pedelec system that I was a little dubious about initially, has turned out to be quite perfect for me. Being without a throttle to think about has turned out a great pleasure. I simply pedal and the complicated electronics work everything out for me. It would be very easy to become blasé about the assistance, and I switch the power off from time to time to remind myself of just how good it is.

Rather small things continue to give me so much pleasure. The brakes for instance are very much better than anything that I have ever had before. Smooth progressive and powerful it is hard to see how any thing could be better. Similarly the gears are a great delight. They are perhaps a little low but this actually suits me perfectly and the range is sufficient for me very seldom to be in top. When I first understood how things work with the chain constantly moving, I thought what a waste it was not to have dérailleurs, but I had underestimated how very useful the ability to change down whilst stationary would be. Cruising to a halt at junctions without any thought of gears, and then being able to slip down is so very relaxing in town.

The saddle saga continues, and although I have found that the range of adjustment is greater than I had at first realised it still does not suit me. It's a big soft comfortable device which is very sensibly sprung underneath, and feels fine when one first gets on, but later very definitely does not feel nearly so good! It is certainly a waste for me on this lovely bike and I shall have to change it but as yet have no idea what for. Brookes saddles always served me very well years ago and perhaps that may be the best way to go. We shall see.

We have had several days of truly glorious spring weather which have of course been quite perfect for cycling. I am now completely confident in my ability to get eventually fit again, and the large investment in this bike which I was far from sure about, has turned out very well indeed.

In summary then the bike simply oozes careful design and refinement everywhere. All the cycle parts are strong and sound, and, which is not always the case nowadays, work.

Enough - I shall now ride out into the sunshine and perhaps have wonderful things to report on this evening.

4:00 pm.

The new prop stand arrived by the midday post and is fitted and OK. I daresay few people will have actually noticed the repair lashup but I did and it's really good to have my new Agattu pristine once again thanks to Lloyd of 50cycles.

Prop stand

I have been wondering whether the prop stand on the Agattu puts rather too much strain on the frame fitting for one to feel comfortable about it. The wringing stress at the end of that quite long lever must be very considerable. It's a great convenience to have one of course but not at the risk of damage to the frame. I wonder if I could get a double legged stand which would not present the same problem. I have been looking on the web but all that I can find are quite crude looking things. Something else to be considered.

Later - with the usual tremendous help from pedelecs forum, I've discovered that a nice looking double legged stand is available, but on inspecting the bike it's clear that there is no room for it to be fitted. In fact there is no room for anything at all in that position. It will have to be the same stand refitted when 50cycles send the new one, and I shall have to use it very carefully remembering the twisting forces on the frame. That means no use with full panniers I suspect. Which of course is just when it is most needed. Not a tragedy but nonetheless a shame.

Wed. Jan 30 2008

A pair of Bike bins in black and silver arrived this morning from the chap advertising on ebay and very smart they look. Unfortunately they are not a perfect fit on the Agattu as the carrier is not a flat plane on its outer surface. One arm sticks out and spoils things and although one can work around it to some extent it's a shame that the lovely simple fitting is compromised. It's hard to understand how the maker thought this strut sticking out was a good idea.

More palaver later as I tried to check the tyre pressures and pump them up. Nothing seemed to fit and nothing would read the pressure. Fortunately I found eventually that the pump of the car emergency starter would work with the Shraeder valve converter and both put air in and check the pressure. The good people on the Pedelec Forum tell me that what I have are wood valves, and they agreed that they are a confounded nuisance. Still at least I shall be able to keep the pressures up now, and would want to use the electric pump in any case.

I went into town a couple of times to do a bit of shopping and the bike bins worked very well although being rigid they do rumble a little on the back.

Tues, Jan 29 2008

I've been out a couple of times today but just on casual potters around the town. For this sort of thing the bike is quite superb. It's wonderfully pleasant to ride of course, but the extra urge definitely makes one feel safer, although I can't quite see why it should. Certainly getting away at road junctions and traffic lights that little bit faster is a great benefit. I think I'm probably doing the right thing in breaking myself in rather slowly. My legs are certainly getting stronger as I am aware of the process. Perhaps I can hope to do 20 mile trips with my camera when the spring really arrives in a couple of months. So much to look forward to.

No riding today

I've just been out in the car today (yuk - spit!) No riding at all. AND even the threat that I may have to do the same tomorrow! I don't drive myself and haven't for so many years that I've really rather forgotten what cars used to be like to drive. But I do at least remember that they were nothing like as simple as I now know they are from watching my wife drive our Honda Jazz with its incredibly simple and effective belt tranmission. Come along technology. You can do it. You have produced the Jazz. Now invent an entirely new battery that simply stores electricity in some sort of atomic sponge without using chemistry at all!

A pleasant email from 50cycles saying that they have the matter of my broken prop stand in hand.

Sun Jan 27 2008

My legs were distinctly rubbery this morning as I went out for a 4 mile potter around. I expect I shall get used to the Wagner (sic) saddle. For small trips around town like this, which after all the bike is probably designed for, it is a very soft cushioning affair. The weather was bright and the wind being brisk and cold didn't matter. Lovely views across the Deben estuary.
After lunch I rode out the other way down to the Orwell estuary. The wind had dropped and it was a perfect bright winter afternoon. I've covered 13 miles today and my legs are not so much rubbery as jellylike. All very pleasant.
There are two small points about the bicycle that are probably worth mentioning. I don't like the switch block on the handlebar. Perhaps my fingers are awkward but certainly when wearing gloves these switches are difficult to operate. A more serious thing that needs to be remembered is that the motor senses the chain tension, as Flecc explains in his analysis of it. This means that when one is stopped at a junction or traffic light one must be sure not to keep ones foot on a raised pedal as the slightest pressure on it means that the motor is fighting the brake. Of course it's perfectly easy to keep the foot on the pedal at the bottom of the travel, but difficult to remember if ones lifetime habit is different.

Sat Jan 26 - 2008

I've been busy at home today and have only put on another 6 miles. They were very pleasant miles ridden one way against a strong headwind thus showing the bike's capability yet again. The additional power comes in so smoothly and unobtrusively that one can almost forget it. It's a tiny point but I love the fact that the freewheel ratchet is in the chain wheel. This makes adjusting the pedals at traffic lights without having to move the chain amazingly easy.The repaired prop stand works perfectly well but doesn't look very good on an impressive new bike. I am a little surprised not to have heard from 50 cycles yet.

7:45 - I've just been for a quick spin through the town to test out the lights. I had expected the hub dynamo to be efficient and it is. The electro gubbins that keeps the rear light on for some time if one stops is very useful, at traffic lights a godsend.

So day two ends. But another failure alas - not of the bike but of my saddle. There was a crack and the base split from end to end. I finished on a wing and a prayer and must reinstall the supplied saddle in the morning. I don't blame the saddle too much. At 17 stone I test these things rather thoroughly.

First day

It's a bright chilly morning and I've already (at 10:30) covered 8 miles pottering about locally. There is a brisk wind blowing which has given me a good indication of how the bike will deal with headwinds and the answer is splendidly. The local hills which have been stealing my breath turn out to be small slopes, gentle gradients, mere nothings - and then I turned the motor off! This bike is just exactly what I wanted, and need. I'm going to really enjoy getting fit with it. Everything is solid and refined and the motor is so close to silent that one can forget it. One minor catastrophe, the prop stand has snapped in half. When it happened I thought I must have simply omitted to tighten a screw, and creaking down on my knees I spent 10 minutes trying to work out how the two pieces slid together before I realised that it had broken. The surface shows clearly that it was a faulty casting and I have contacted 50 cycles to tell them about it. My legs are feeling distinctly wobbly and I shall leave it now until this afternoon when I shall go as least as far again. Just off now to change the saddle.

11:30 - Just put another 4 miles on going down to The Ferry (Deben estuary) in lovely brisk conditions that are so good to be riding in. The wind is very brisk and dead in my face coming home but it didn't matter. Neither did a gradient which I have been accustomed to walk up. I begin to suspect that I shall have little use for the modes. It will either be Mode 1 or off as conditions dictate. The brakes are superbly gradual and powerful. I've never understood the need for disk brakes on bicycles but perhaps I am missing something. Annoying not to have the prop stand but there could be much worse teething troubles. My Body Geometry saddle is so much better for me. The Agattu saddle is a quality affair with transverse springs below and gel in the right places, but it didn't do for me whereas my own, which is a much less sympathetic looking job, suits me well. I suppose bums vary as much as people.

5:45 - I did have a little ride this afternoon and have put 14 miles onto the clock altogether today. I now ache in lots of places but pleasantly. I'm not saddle sore but I think I've always been lucky in that way - I can't remember ever being so. The battery was only down one light of course but I've charged it nevertheless and all five lights have just gone off. I really hardly know how I'm going to do the full discharge that is recommended at first. I can't ride all those miles that's for sure. Perhaps it isn't that important. I have an instinctive feeling that keeping it topped up all the time is more important for its life. And it will need to live - 500 charges at £250 = 50p a charge! That would really make for dear riding and I'm hoping it's very much of a worse case scenario.

8:45 - I've just spent an hour with the bike in the kitchen, giving the prop stand a splint with a bit of rod and a hefty bandage of duct tape. It's working well. Not the first time duct tape has come to my rescue and I don't suppose it will be the last.

I haven't heard anything from 50cycles yet. They are busy people of course.

The arrival

My new Agattu didn't arrive until half past three and having expected it at lunchtime I spent the afternoon twiddling my thumbs. Then a huge lorry arrived and a vast cardboard box was unloaded. I spent some time in puzzling how to open this before I realised that it was possible to open just the ends and use a front wheel to wheel the bike out. Having enjoyed my first sight I quickly screwed on the pedals grabbed an Allen key, adjusted the handlebars, and there it was ready to go. Better read the instructions I thought, only to discover they are all in German. Luckily one big one in English with details of the battery and motor operation so I was able to safely take the battery off and put it on to charge. Then into the saddle and off round the block. The 57 cm frame is plenty big enough for me and my first impressions are of a big stable machine that feels wonderfully safe and is a pleasure to ride. Rather heavier than I had expected but my last bikes have been sporty affairs. I actually like the better stability. The handlebars are just right and there is a good deal more rake to the steering than I am accustomed to and this feels very safe. The gears are magnificent clicking smoothly up and down and are close enough to be very usable. Of course the road is perfectly level and there is no wind but I really feel as if I could ride this for quite a way. I don't think I'm going to care for the saddle. It's a big soft luxurious looking affair but I don't think I shall find it comfortable. This doesn't matter though as I have my body geometry saddle which I do know suits me perfectly. I suspect one of my first jobs will be to change it. It's now half past 7 and the battery is still charging. I really can't wait to try out the motor. I am very very pleased. This was a big venture and I already know that it's going to be a success.

Coming tomorrow!

50cycles phoned this morning to say the Agattu is coming tomorrow lunch time. Much much sooner than I had dared to hope. Really excited and already planning first rides. If only the weather will buck up a bit.

I shall be spending tomorrow morning setting up a power socket in the bike shed. Eventually I shall try to make small ramps over the 4 inch step in the door, so that I can wheel the bike in and out without lifting it.

I shall need to get a couple of big panniers but haven't decided which yet. Their primary use will be for shopping so they need to be big and fairly square. A pair of Poli plastic ones are going for a good price on eBay but I haven't been able to get a reply concerning the colour. I certainly wouldn't want anything gaudy, and I'm now a little unsure as to whether they would fit the pannier rack of the Agattu as they appear to need horizontal rail at the bottom. The big Dutch ones might be better but it's very difficult to get any accurate details from the seller. Such things are small details that will quickly settle themselves.

I intend this bicycle to cause a big change for the better in my lifestyle.

start

Just testing this blog which eventually will record my trips on my new Kalkhoff Agattu ebike when it comes.