Search found 183 matches

by djoptix
7 Sep 2016, 2:49pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Expanding foam in a carbon frame?
Replies: 31
Views: 2696

Re: Expanding foam in a carbon frame?

The new one is probably noisier because it's lighter? - less mass = easier to excite = more noise...?

Either that or the glue in the old frame is different to that in the new - I don't know much about carbon frames but I imagine the glue it's laid down in would be the deciding factor.

Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if putting expanding foam in it split the tube from the inside.
by djoptix
2 Sep 2016, 9:23am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Which 9 speed mechs for top touring performance?
Replies: 27
Views: 2068

Re: Which 9 speed mechs for top touring performance?

meic wrote:Looks like your request for a simple answer is doomed to failure! :lol:


Oh, you noticed that too? :lol:
by djoptix
30 Aug 2016, 4:25pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Which 9 speed mechs for top touring performance?
Replies: 27
Views: 2068

Which 9 speed mechs for top touring performance?

For my Raleigh Randonneur, built up in a fast tour/audax style. I'm using 9 speed STI levers. I just want some decent mechs that will operate with no fuss. Looking at the vast array of options makes me want to stick pins in something.

I'm using a 32-42-52 chainset and 12-32 rear cassette.

Please, someone tell me what to buy, preferably with links :)
by djoptix
30 Aug 2016, 4:21pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rim Vs Disk? Why not Both?
Replies: 46
Views: 2629

Re: Rim Vs Disk? Why not Both?

I've wondered about twin brakes on the same wheel before but rejected it as a silly idea... even for me.

However, what I do quite like the idea of is a rim brake "handbrake". I am definitely a convert to hydraulic discs for normal riding, which means that at the back I've got canti mounts doing nothing. My plan is to fit a V-brake to them, clamping on the rim (no braking surface but no bother), operated by a thumbshifter mounted on the top tube.

Should stop the bike doing that annoying running-away-and-falling-over thing outside cake shops 8)
by djoptix
26 Jan 2016, 6:55pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)
Replies: 27
Views: 2680

Re: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)

b1galus wrote:http://www.shandcycles.com/bikes/stoater/


Super cool, but very very much too expensive...
by djoptix
25 Jan 2016, 3:39pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)
Replies: 27
Views: 2680

Re: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice - and the not so helpful :)

Stewartpratt wrote:If you happen to be tall, drop me a PM.


Stewart - thanks very much for the message - I'm still considering it. I'm concerned that my skinny fork might look silly on it. I'm going to be in London a bit over the next couple of months - I'll message you either way.

JaccoW wrote:How about a Specialized Awol expert frame?


Super cool, but a bit expensive.

rmurphy195 wrote:I have one of these http://www.condorcycles.com/collections ... c-frameset


Super cool, but a bit expensive...

Chiz wrote:Any use? £399 is their SRP


TEH SEX. I loooooooove Genesis. Still a bit expensive, but after the Disc Trucker that's a great option.

Heltor Chasca wrote:Similarly, red canoes are quicker than green ones.


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by djoptix
19 Jan 2016, 4:04pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)
Replies: 27
Views: 2680

Re: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)

Si wrote:
breakwellmz wrote:This sort of thing?-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231277328320? ... EBIDX%3AIT


Looks interesting but looks like it's not got lower rider mounts on the fork. Not a total deal breaker but very much a preference on a tourer for me.


I agree - a lot of the time I ride with only my front panniers on (I like to be able to keep an eye on them :) ) and lowriders are a must. In fact that's why I replaced my standard Kaffenback fork with the CdF one.
by djoptix
19 Jan 2016, 4:04pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)
Replies: 27
Views: 2680

Re: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)

stewartpratt wrote:If you happen to be tall, drop me a PM. I have an unused Cube Touring RF frame for sale, but it's 62cm. It's also aluminium, but that's no bad thing for what you want it for and at this size, and the price is good :)


PM sent.
by djoptix
19 Jan 2016, 1:30pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)
Replies: 27
Views: 2680

Re: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)

I had spotted those RSP frames, but they're only a disc fork and I'd like the disc on the back too :)

Disc Trucker is a great suggestion, thanks. Probably £320 is about the top end of my budget to be honest - I dare say I could make something back from selling the Kaffenback, as it's one of the swap-out ones which are quite rare.

£1100 is a bit too much in one hit for me, even though I'm sure one could make a good chunk of it back selling the bits.
by djoptix
19 Jan 2016, 10:21am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)
Replies: 27
Views: 2680

Recommend (or sell!) me a touring frame (disc 700c)

Good morrow CTC people. I've got a Kaffenback with a Genesis CdF fork which I really like, apart from one issue. The rear triangle is just a bit short. With the tyres I want to use (Pasela Tourguard 32), it means that I've had to cut a bit out of the mudguard so that it fits round the derailleur. A bit silly really for what's meant to be a do-everything frame.

At some point I'd like to upgrade a bit, and sort out this rear triangle issue too. Any recommendations? I've considered the newer Kaffenback frame but it looks very short too.

My criteria:

* 700c
* disc compatible
* full complement of mudguard and rack mounts
* I like steel (this is my do-everything bike - tow littluns in the trailer, long loaded rides etc)
* not silly money

Go!
by djoptix
15 Sep 2015, 11:31pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Brooks Team Pro restoration (well, more "tarting up")
Replies: 12
Views: 1841

Re: Brooks Team Pro restoration (well, more "tarting up")

Sit rep!

Few more miles on it, it's definitely getting better. And, weirdly, the nose is untwisting a bit, though I don't reckon it will ever go back to normal.

The softness is definitely right - i.e. I think that if I'd put neatsfoot oil on it, it would have sagged too much. Perhaps it would be OK to use on a hard, new saddle, but if you have an old one like this, I would definitely recommend dubbin/proofide and patience. It's holding its shape nicely, and I'm riding it with almost no tension on the bolt at the moment (when I'm off the bike, the bolt is actually slightly loose, but sitting on it takes up the slack).

It's getting a bit more of a shine, though it'll never look new. Will post some more pictures next time I get to ride in daylight (probably next May sometime). It's definitely as good as my B17 now, in fact I think I might sell the B17 as I reckon my sit bones suit the narrower saddle, or vice versa.
by djoptix
15 Sep 2015, 11:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Question aimed specifically at male cyclists!
Replies: 34
Views: 2712

Re: Question aimed specifically at male cyclists!

Let us know how you get on. I am long in the torso (when I worked this out it explained why I couldn't get frames to fit me) and have fancied bib shorts, but might give them a miss after reading this post!

I usually wear some el cheapo (Muddy Fox) tights with a pad, and ride a Brooks. No pain - but the tights are anything but tight.
by djoptix
10 Sep 2015, 12:02am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Brooks Team Pro restoration (well, more "tarting up")
Replies: 12
Views: 1841

Re: Brooks Team Pro restoration (well, more "tarting up")

You lot all take yourselves far too seriously.

I took it out for 10 miles or so tonight, it's really quite good. Any more sag would be bad so I'm glad I didn't do the neatsfoot oil.
by djoptix
9 Sep 2015, 10:46am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Brooks Team Pro restoration (well, more "tarting up")
Replies: 12
Views: 1841

Re: Brooks Team Pro restoration (well, more "tarting up")

Mick F wrote:No option on the poll for what I suggest.

My suggestion is to sell it and buy a new one.


Sorry about that, now fixed ;)
by djoptix
8 Sep 2015, 10:35pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Brooks Team Pro restoration (well, more "tarting up")
Replies: 12
Views: 1841

Brooks Team Pro restoration (well, more "tarting up")

This saddle came to me on a Raleigh Randonneur. The bike sadly belonged to the seller's husband who recently died. The saddle looked a bit past it but I thought I'd have a go at bringing it back to life.

Here it is as I got it. As you can see, it's flared out at the middle - not what a Professional should look like - and the top has suffered. If you look closely, although I'm not sure you can make it out on the photos, the leather has pulled back from the rivets both at the nose and at the rear. The top is pretty straight, without the well-worn "sag" look, and the tensioner bolt is a fair way out. I suspect it had got wet a few times, the previous owner tightened the tensioner to take the sag out, and then as it dried, the leather got super tight and started to pull away from the rivets.

It's not too bad, though, and there are no significant cracks in the leather, so I reckon it's salvageable. Plus it has those lovely big copper rivets, and copper rails too. Mmmm.

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In this picture you can see that also the tension created when the saddle dried (if indeed that's what happened) has caused the tension bolt to go a bit lopsided. This is because the leather on one side of the saddle is thinner than the other. I'm not sure there's anything to be done about this apart from fix it up, ride it, and hope that it wears back to normal again.

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First thing to do it to try and give it some shape back. You can do this by bathing it in warm water, then forming it to the correct shape and letting it dry.

Into the water it goes - what surprised me here is the amount of bubbles that come out of it, showing just how porous the leather is. It bubbled away for a couple of minutes on its own before stopping.

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After a while the water goes like this. Dirt? Dye? Corrosion? Probably all three.

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Then get it out and get it into shape.

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It will spread out a bit when it's released so you can make it a bit tighter than the shape you actually want to to end up as. Because the Professional is such a narrow shape, I tied it right in to the saddle rails.

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In this picture you can see how lopsided it's become.

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Nice badge, if a bit faded...

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...also some nice "Pre-Softened" script.

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After 24 hours, I released the zip ties - it's now taken on a much better shape.

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The surface shows some cracks, so it needs treatment.

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I might be imagining it but I think that with the tension released, the lopsidedness is starting to come out.

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So, what product to use? Options -

* Proofide. Expensive, therefore ruled out. Plus it's what the bearded residents of Shoreditch would buy and I have no truck with them.
* Neatsfoot oil, as recommended by Sheldon. The web is full of dire warnings about over-softening saddles so I might try...
* Dubbin. Cheap. Yay! Alleged not to give a very good shine, but nourishes leather nicely...

I started with a quick rub over on half of it, to show the colour difference.

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I also did the underside. I'm not 100% sure but I reckon I can still clean my teeth with this.

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Much dubbin rubbin later (about five or six goes over)...

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Not bad! Certainly getting there. It's still a bit hard, though probably not as hard as the as-new Team Pro I have in a box (which really is a bit of an bum hatchet). I'm also not keen on the colour. So what should I do now? Vote for the next move with the poll!