Search found 491 matches

by BigFoz
12 Oct 2018, 10:41am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Long Drop brakes
Replies: 5
Views: 485

Re: Long Drop brakes

To answer the above - Blocks are currently a mix of new Campag Centaur (front) and KoolStop (rear). I've tried a few variations, hence the mix...

Cables were brand new for the build, done less than 500miles and inners have been changed a second time in an attempt to improve.
by BigFoz
12 Oct 2018, 9:52am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Long Drop brakes
Replies: 5
Views: 485

Long Drop brakes

I'm running Tektro R359 long drop calipers with Campag 9spd Ergo levers on my Carlton Clubman (700c wheels in a 27" frame). in the dry, the brakes are OKish, but in the wet, I might as well not bother... Even worse that centre pulls on steel rims from my yoof.

From fiddling around what I can see is that by the time the lever is 1/3 back to the bar, both pads are firmly on the rim (Can't go more than this or brakes rub), but given enough force I can still turn the wheel. I can then pull the lever all the way to the bar (in spite of the pads already being on the rim!) and the calipers just seem to flex. Checked cables etc (they're virtually brand new and have the correct collars on the ends).

Is this just that the 359s are a bit flaccid and I'd do better to swap for a more expensive caliper? Or is there a fundamental leverage ratio issue between the Centaur / Veloce (Tried both) ergo levers and the Tektro calipers. At the moment I'm unable to run the bad weather bike as I can't stop it in bad weather!

Might be one for Bruce...

Any and all recommendations considered, but realistically there is a point at which multiple sets of new calipers become more expensive than the frame is worth...
by BigFoz
25 Sep 2018, 12:31pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Can road bike time trialling revive the TT scene.
Replies: 43
Views: 2629

Re: Can road bike time trialling revive the TT scene.

Recently returned to TTs, couple of weeks ago I rode the Tour of the Campsies TT, including straight up the Crow Road from the start. At 57, 97Kg, arthritic knee, that was not pleasant. Rode it on my 1983 Carlton Pro, with Tribars (and bell... :-) ) as I wanted the triple, just in case (and needed it). I didn't come last, had a blast. Riding the Tour of the Trossachs in 2 weeks - straight up the Dukes Pass. Will likely race the Pro again, leaving TT bike on turbo...

Just ride to have fun, if you're quick, cool, if not, also cool! I crawled up the Crow road wondering what I thought I was doing, but overtook everyone in sight on the way back down, clipping 75kph (It was wet so kept a bit in reserve). May have been one of the quicker riders coming down, likely the slowest going up. Carving the open corners coming down was epic. I knew there were 2 tight turns, but didn't know exactly where, so backed off to avoid launching through a barbed wire fence.

But fun? Heck yes. Did I need a plastic fantastic TT bike to enjoy it? Heck no.
by BigFoz
24 Sep 2018, 9:42pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: High end steel frames: are they worth it?
Replies: 106
Views: 11949

Re: High end steel frames: are they worth it?

I've (far too many) steel frames of varying quality and lightness. The 2 best are my 1995 Colnago Super Piu, which does ride sublimely. However, my 1983 Carlton Professional Mk 5 is my most ridden bike,heavier (not much...) than the Colnago it rides almost as well, slightly less lively / responsive feel, but still a joy. So much so that the Carlton is now kitted with modern components and a 3x9 drivetrain for Scottish commuting. Fabulous. The Colnago gets ridden in dry warm sunny weather only. Colnago builds up (Campag Record 9) at 9.3Kg, and the Carlton with its 3x9, pump and toolbag, at 10.2, so in reality, not a lot of difference.

I previously had a Colnago Master X-Lite, which built up with Record 9 came under 9Kg. Best eBay I ever did, bike with DuraAce £550, sold all the DuraAce for £450, built up with Record 9 spares, rode for 5 years (It was a size too small, and I eventually admitted it), stripped back down and sold Frame for almost what I paid for the whole bike! One day (When I retire?) I will get another Master X-Lite in the right size.
by BigFoz
24 Sep 2018, 9:21pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Custom 9 speed 12-32 cassette?
Replies: 32
Views: 3829

Re: Custom 9 speed 12-32 cassette?

All my cassettes are custom. I split every cassette into sprockets and make them up as I want. My TT bike for example, runs either a 12-23 9 speed, or a 12-14-15-16-17-18-21-24-27 for Tris which are generally more hilly. Reality is that even a 53/16 is going 42kph at 100rpm, and 53/12 at the same rpm is 56kph. I generally only use the 12 downhill as I'm getting a bit old now and my arthritic knee can't hack big gears / low rpm. Most of my other bikes are running 3x9s, with 53/39/30 and usually a 13-26 rear end, but with a modified midrange, I like that 15-19 single step mid range.
by BigFoz
28 May 2018, 9:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tightening Shimano Cassette lockring
Replies: 8
Views: 888

Re: Tightening Shimano Cassette lockring

I've no idea what hub / cassette - it's a seven speed. (Had to get the Sora 8speed working with this as the reason it came across was that it strangely chucked its chain going into gear #8.) Owner can't afford new 8 speed wheel. I guess it's possible someone has previously slapped 7 sprockets onto an 8, and that would explain the tightening and locking issue. I know next to nothing about what goes with what on Shimano - last time I had Shimano it was 600 range!

Next time I have the bike over, I'll check it and reply - so far the finger + 1/2 turn is working with no issues, I took it out with a bagful of tools, did about 30 miles, worked perfectly, owner has since done a bunch of riding without issues, but I want it back to check a few things anyway - one of the spokes in the rear wheel was very iffy, big kink in it, but I didn't have a same length one at the time, so am intending to pull it, and get a a right length spoke, and retrue
by BigFoz
18 May 2018, 2:01pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tightening Shimano Cassette lockring
Replies: 8
Views: 888

Tightening Shimano Cassette lockring

Don't usually do Shimano, so applied my usual technique of doing the lockring up "good and tight", and the free wheel stopped working!

Have loosened it off and the freewheel seems to freeze around finger tight + 1/2 turn. What causes this, and is there a method I'm missing? Never had this with a Campag cassette. Is finger+1/2turn tight enough or will the thing fall apart under riding conditions? Bruce?
by BigFoz
28 Apr 2018, 8:59pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?
Replies: 28
Views: 3678

Re: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?

Ah, that is the main WoS TT course - start at the roundabout where the M8 becomes the A8, runs down towards Greenock. 10 and 25 courses. Regularly used on Sunday mornings. And compared the F1 series courses in North Herts / Beds / Cambs on the A1, it's very peaceful. Even though it's busy by Scottish standards...
by BigFoz
28 Apr 2018, 8:51pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Merino wool why so special
Replies: 64
Views: 13424

Re: Merino wool why so special

Merino special? nah, you want Yak wool which is even specialer...


Escorted Mrs BF to the Edinburgh wool show earlier this year. Fell in love with a beautifully soft and comfy hat. Which was just a joy to wear. Was going to get the kit for Mrs BF to knit for me (she's very, very good), then discovered the kit was £97. Though you did also get the £5 knit round needles with it... No way could I pay £97 for a hat, even if made from Yak & cashmere. But it was gorgeous and unbelievably nice to wear. I still partly regret not getting it...

I've been collecting merino bits now for a couple of years and am very sold on it. Comfy, warm, dry to wear. Today, in stonking 9C breezy but dry Scottish weather, I was out in merino base layer (endura baa baa) and my pure merino Carlton retro jersey, with shorts. No issues. Last week was out in same outfit in 14C and equally comfy.
by BigFoz
6 Apr 2018, 7:23pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?
Replies: 28
Views: 3678

Re: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?

Indeed the M77 ends at Fenwick, with some celebratory huge potholes, and goes back to being the A77, all the way down, so technically you wouldn't need to leave the motorway as it simply becomes the A77 at its end. If coming north on a bike, at the point it becomes the M77. there is a parallel A77 with a huge cycle track that runs all the way to Glasgow. Likewise you can follow the A77 all the way from Glasgow to Portpatrick if you wish, though the first 5-6miles is traffic light heaven.
by BigFoz
4 Apr 2018, 9:15pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?
Replies: 28
Views: 3678

Re: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?

BTW - meant to ask - why do you need to know? If taking a trip down that way, there are some epic rides (including parts of the Ayrshire alps ) slightly inland that would take you to the same destinations (Ayr / Girvan / Stranraer etc) and would be both a quieter and much nicer ride.
by BigFoz
4 Apr 2018, 8:58pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?
Replies: 28
Views: 3678

Re: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?

TomTom maps are adament this is classified as a Motorway status the whole way. When I sent them an email they explained that as its a 70mph road its a motorway.


Which goes to show that Tom Tom don't know basic road law... A motorway has an entire legal classification, whereas the default speed limit on a non Mway DC is 70 for cars, unless otherwise posted.
by BigFoz
4 Apr 2018, 8:55pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?
Replies: 28
Views: 3678

Re: Legally Can you Cycle on the A77?

Answer is yes. Though for most of the dualled bits and through Ayr, there is a good cycle path alongside (Which runs all the way up to Glasgow city Centre, though it's a bit confusing through Kilmarnock). The road however, is one I would avoid - it's fast, heavily used and lots of trucks that only just fit. It's the main route to Stranraer ferry, and it's narrow and nadgery past Ayr in lots of places. Maybole even has problems with room on the pavement between trucks. It's also subject to regular land slip closures past Girvan. Scottish highways dept needs to do something drastic with it.
by BigFoz
28 Feb 2018, 7:41pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: ISM Saddles
Replies: 14
Views: 3651

Re: ISM Saddles

I wanted to try them out on my TT bike. Took a few budgeted punts on eBay, and got one for £30. Lovely for the Tri position, not as keen when sat up. Does relieve pressure massively though.
by BigFoz
8 Jan 2018, 2:49pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Poor frame design?
Replies: 47
Views: 2644

Re: Poor frame design?

That chainstay smacks of little thought conversion of design for rim brakes. A number of small actions could have avoided the issue (Like welding to the inside rather than outside), but basically it just looks bodged and obviously doesn't clear larger feet. It's a mess.