Its Been 12 Months Since

[Deleted member 1258]

The man in the van rang my bell and handed me the big box containing my new Genesis Flyer. In that 12 months we've covered 3113 miles together. Until I retired at Christmas it was my trusty commuter, since the end of October last year its been my winter bike. I've also done a charity ride on it, with riding to and from the event I clocked up 67 miles raising money for the NSPCC. When I brought it I converted it to fixed, added a pair of mudguards, my prefered tyres and, after a bit of faffing about, a rear carrier, after a few weeks I upgraded the wheels with a nice set from Planet X and swapped the stock saddle for the charge spoon off my Pearson. Just before Christmas I replaced the knackered chain, bottom bracket and chairing, I left the original 3/32 chainring on the bike when I did the fixed conversion and the 1/8 chain chewed through it quite quickly, a couple of weeks ago I changed the knackered front brake blocks for new Koolstop Salmons. I've also got through a set of tyres, the front picked up a sizable cut just before Christmas, and the back started to break up a couple of weeks ago, that could have been due to pothole damage, just before Christmas I hit a pothole at pace and needed the back wheel truing afterwards. Its been a good year, the bike goes and handles well, and I've done some good rides on it. It seems a bit slow on the climbs compared to the Pearson I had before it, but the genesis is a little more stable on fast bumpy descents compared to the Pearson. Overall I'm pleased with it, its a lovely bike and I've had a lot of fun riding it.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/i-love-it-when.175780/

 

[clid61]

Thats great. Im aiming to retire this year and if I get as much pleasure out of riding as you do i'll be happy

 

[13 rider]

A year ! Time for another new bike then Dave room for +1

 

[JPBoothy]

Hi Dave, I've had my Flyer about 8mths but haven't done anywhere near your mileage. Initially I bought it as a fair weather play-thing but soon realised that we don't get enough fair weather so dropped the tyre size down to be able to fit mudguards. I tend to use for shorter rides when time is against me (2 small kids & a non-cycling Wife), as I always feel that the I've worked harder in that short time. I decided to leave a set of Flat Pedals on it so that I can just jump on it for trips to the shops, pub or, for any other excuse that I can think of for a ride without having to faff about with my spd's. I like the simplicity of having no gears to think about, and I think the paint finish and welds are first class..

Have you had a problem with your rear brake cable not returning? I have changed the Inner + Outer cable/housing several times but the problem remains. The caliper is totally free and the problem definitely appears to be the cable sticking in the outer. I am starting to think that the bend may be a bit too sharp where it runs beneath the bar tape from the hood. Any thoughts?

 

[potsy]

Nice Dave

Got mine a month after you, done the grand total of 171 miles on it, nearly all single-speed with a handful of 'test' rides fixed side.
Originally was my commuting bike but recently has become my 'just popping to the shop' bike.

I changed the tyres to my preferred Schwalbes, added some Shimano XT spd pedals, mudguards were fitted before I collected it from the lbs, and apart from that it is all original.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Hi Dave, I've had my Flyer about 8mths but haven't done anywhere near your mileage. Initially I bought it as a fair weather play-thing but soon realised that we don't get enough fair weather so dropped the tyre size down to be able to fit mudguards. I tend to use for shorter rides when time is against me (2 small kids & a non-cycling Wife), as I always feel that the I've worked harder in that short time. I decided to leave a set of Flat Pedals on it so that I can just jump on it for trips to the shops, pub or, for any other excuse that I can think of for a ride without having to faff about with my spd's. I like the simplicity of having no gears to think about, and I think the paint finish and welds are first class..

Have you had a problem with your rear brake cable not returning? I have changed the Inner + Outer cable/housing several times but the problem remains. The caliper is totally free and the problem definitely appears to be the cable sticking in the outer. I am starting to think that the bend may be a bit too sharp where it runs beneath the bar tape from the hood. Any thoughts?

Not had that problem, I did find that the allen screw holding the rear caliper together worked loose, as did the lever, took about ten minutes to sort out, perhaps that needs checking on yours. I use clips and straps on mine.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Nice Dave

Got mine a month after you, done the grand total of 171 miles on it, nearly all single-speed with a handful of 'test' rides fixed side.
Originally was my commuting bike but recently has become my 'just popping to the shop' bike.

I changed the tyres to my preferred Schwalbes, added some Shimano XT spd pedals, mudguards were fitted before I collected it from the lbs, and apart from that it is all original.

View attachment 120817

So you've barely run it in then!

 

[JPBoothy]

Not had that problem, I did find that the allen screw holding the rear caliper together worked loose, as did the lever, took about ten minutes to sort out, perhaps that needs checking on yours. I use clips and straps on mine.

Hi Dave, that was worth a check but it wasn't my problem on this occasion. I have found and fixed the problem at last. I removed the end caps and examined all of the outer cable ends and discovered a very small burr which was catching the cable and preventing it from returning properly when the lever was released. A quick snip and file and good as new again ... Had a nice run out on it down the River Mersey section of the Wirral coastal path in the sun yesterday morning.