Cycling UK Forum

oh and another reason I'd really like to put campag on there is that her new bike is a Mercian and the Italian components would do the frame some sort of justice....

I'd really like to go with Campag as I've got it on my Roberts and much prefer it to the shimano that I'd had before but....

.... the bank manager (AKA Mrs Peawet) is more enthusiastic to save money for a deposit for a house rather than spend it on bike stuff. I've got the shimano gears on a spare bike and if I sell off all the older parts from this frame then I'm sure to at least look like I'm saving money.....!

The bike is actually her's and the only reason I'm doing this is that she has decided against the downtube shifters and much prefers the STi shifters on her old bike.

If anyone out there wants to swap our Gitane 1500 triple 52cm with full Tiagra groupset for a well cared for 8/9/10 speed campag triple group then feel free to get in touch!

Wow - thanks all for the replies, very helpful indeed!

I'm going to have a look at the various cost implications of the different options and then it's decision making time...!

At the moment, given what seems to be a hugely complicated alternative, I'm leaning towards taking a full Tiagra triple groupset off another bike and lobbing it on the new/old frame....

Is there no one that can help me.....?

Thanks for the reply - I'd hoped to find some 9 speed ones on ebay....

The basic maintainence of a bike I can do but I'm now devling into the murky waters of mixing and matching components.

Being well out of my depth I'm looking for some help....!

My current set up is....

TA Cyclotouriste triple chainset, 26/36/46
Shimano 600 downtube shifters
Shimano 600 FD
and its a 6 speed

I'd like to upgrade to some Campag ergo shifters - I was thinking 9 speed - obviously I'd have to get a new rear derailleur but I have a few questions before I start buying parts....

1. Can I keep the chainset and FD if I change to the 9 speed shifters?
2. if not will I have to go the whole hog and change the chainset and FD as well?
3. Will a 9 speed chain be OK on the current chainset?

I know I'll need some new wheels and possibly spread the rear OLN to 130 but thats all depending on what the good members of CTC might recommend...

I'm sure there are lots of things I haven't thought of and if you can suggest anything else I might need to do then I'm open to suggestions...

Thanks.

Peawet

ok so I've decided I like the one I have on my Roberts (am looking for a new rack for my wife's Mercian) but there is no makers name on it and I bought the bike second hand.

Any idea what sort of rack I have?

thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53036430@N00/sets/72157633527616974/

Thanks for the advice everyone.... now to save the pennies!

I'm in the market for a new rear rack and wondered if the good people of CTC might give their recommendations?

I'd like something of substance, not too heavy, solidly built and cheap as chips - easy!

Thanks in advance

Peawet

Splendid idea - I'd always wondered what that bolt was for!

Thanks for the advice I'm sure with a little adjustment it'll be grand.

I have a choice of two different brakes for my (recently acquired from this forum...) Roberts Audax.

It came with some Shimano RX100 long drops but I have a pair of much newer and shinier Shimano RH-650 that I could put on.

Positives for the RH-650 are the newer design - so presumably better at stopping you....? But they aren't as wide as the RX100s and when I close the front brake the mudguards move a little. It doesn't make them rub but it is slightly annoying and it doesn't happen with the RX100s.

Are the RX100s much worse than the RH-650s at stopping you?

Which should I choose to keep?!

Thanks for your help

Update....

I found this

[url]http://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=12604&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
[/url]
and it seems to have done the job.

Just to check - the ratcheting is when you pull the shifter down towards your feet and no ratcheting when you put it up towards the bars, correct?

Now then why do I have two washers left over....!

Gentlemen and women,

Feeling that the latest offering from Shimano was just too pricey I decided to invest in some downtube shifters from the 'bay....

All fine and one side at least (I didn't check the other) was ratcheting merrily. Then I took them apart to clean them up.....

Obviously this has led to my new/old shifters not working, or at least not working consistently - I've just tried them and the left one ratcheted once and is now back to not doing!

Is there anyone who can help me - better still is there anyone in SW London that can have a look at them and tell me where I'm going wrong!

Thanks!