Search found 165 matches

by niloc
4 Nov 2023, 3:34pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Quill stem play at top of head tube
Replies: 15
Views: 2437

Quill stem play at top of head tube

The quill stem of my 30 year old ATB has developed play at the top of the head tube. I have previously wrapped PTFE tape around the stem which worked for several years. But play is starting to again so I could rewind some more PTFE tape. But DAK if there is a more permanent solution? and DAK why this play is happening?
by niloc
10 Oct 2023, 5:32pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping
Replies: 25
Views: 2164

Re: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping

IME it is very difficult to ensure that rear discs/pads are entirely free of chain lubricant
So what would be the solution?
Periodic renewal of pads despite not being worn?
by niloc
10 Oct 2023, 4:51pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping
Replies: 25
Views: 2164

Re: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping

add 'possible contamination' to the list
I've just installed Kevlar at the rear and the brake seems much more satisfactory.
The old semi metallic pads were getting worse but I didn't think were contaminated so perhaps they were glazed
Time will tell?
by niloc
7 Oct 2023, 8:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping
Replies: 25
Views: 2164

Re: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping

That being the case, is a different pad type advisable for the rear?
I think I'll try Kevlar
by niloc
6 Oct 2023, 5:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping
Replies: 25
Views: 2164

TRP Spyre disc rear brake poor stopping

I have TRP Spyre disc brakes with Tektro RL340 levers. The front brake is quite powerful. But the rear brake is underwhelming. I am using TRP semi-metallic pads. DAK why the rear brake would be so poor? The rear pads have little wear and still have 1.8mm left after 3000 miles. Would a different pad material help? Or any other ideas?
by niloc
17 Aug 2023, 2:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: TRP Spyre disc brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 1930

Re: TRP Spyre disc brakes

Mainly roads
by niloc
17 Aug 2023, 1:16pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: TRP Spyre disc brakes
Replies: 23
Views: 1930

TRP Spyre disc brakes

On my Spa Elan I have TRP Spyre disc brakes with Tektro RL340 levers. They seem reasonably ok and have done about 2500 miles with minimal pad wear. But I have to readjust the front pad clearance every 400 miles or so which is rather a nuisance. DAK if this is normal or is something amiss?
by niloc
9 Sep 2022, 1:26pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Claris front mech
Replies: 1
Views: 188

Claris front mech

I am about to install a Claris front mech FD-R2000 because I like 8 speed. Shimano suggest that the cable should route around a pin before being clamped under the plate and fixing bolt. But surely this would put too much stress on the cable. Any comments please?.
by niloc
31 Jul 2022, 6:10pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Stuck seatpost!
Replies: 33
Views: 1946

Re: Stuck seatpost!

Been there, ammonia worked for me
What strength ammonia? and did you just drip it in from the seat lugs?
Did you have to dis-assemble the bike?
by niloc
30 Jul 2022, 7:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Stuck seatpost!
Replies: 33
Views: 1946

Stuck seatpost!

While trying to identify the cause of an annoying click I have regreased my saddle clamp and was about to check the seatpost. It is an alloy seatpost in a steel MTB frame. Unfortunately, despite being greased, I have found that it is stuck in the seat tube. I have slightly prized the frame coupling apart to apply some penetrating oil and am hoping! and assume that it not the cause of the annoying click.. But does anyone have any useful suggestions how to loosen the seatpost, which are likely to work?
by niloc
16 Nov 2021, 7:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Deore Hub Maintenance
Replies: 8
Views: 523

Deore Hub Maintenance

After slight adjustment of my Deore LX front hub it has very very slight play at some points of its rotation and no noticable play at most other points while in the forks. I adjusted for very slight play off the bike, before tension in the forks but it is now better to just adjust for no play off the bike? The hub has done just over 1000 miles.
by niloc
9 May 2021, 3:13pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Best pads for TRP Spyre cable brakes?
Replies: 2
Views: 1469

Best pads for TRP Spyre cable brakes?

I would like to know which (semi-metallic) pads are considered best 'allround' and recommended for TRP Spyre mechanical brakes (with Shimano rotors)
by niloc
11 Apr 2021, 6:21pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Broken Chain
Replies: 36
Views: 1822

Re: Broken Chain

What speed chain?
by niloc
25 Mar 2021, 7:25am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Slipping seatpost
Replies: 68
Views: 5542

Re: Slipping seatpost

Agreed it won't be as strong as the Surly, but it will be stronger than most others due to the design. But an expensive risk to find out it's not enough to cure the problem. I hope that Surly continue the design and that the current unavailability is a temporary supply issue because it is a solid solution to a common problem. It would be great if they made them in more sizes too!


Surly have told me they have stopped production on the Constrictor seatpost clamp. There are still some in stock elsewhere in the US but the stockist is no longer shipping to the UK due to BREXIT

Are there any equivalent 30mm clamps?
by niloc
19 Mar 2021, 5:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Slipping seatpost
Replies: 68
Views: 5542

Re: Slipping seatpost

In my experience the Surly Constrictor is likely to be the best solution, but I think you might not be able to find a retailer that has one in stock in that size.


Correct - - this size is currently unavailable. So is there an equivalent?
Or would a mix of grease and gripper paste be better. Or should I abrade the anodised finish?