Search found 1568 matches

by freeflow
18 Mar 2024, 12:27pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: How to Move saddlepack further back
Replies: 5
Views: 331

Re: How to Move saddlepack further back

Job done and working well. First attempt with an aluminium extender didn't work because of the limited space on the seatpost. Rummaging in my bits box turned up a forgotten cheap plastic extender which proved perfect for the job.
by freeflow
17 Mar 2024, 8:57pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: How to Move saddlepack further back
Replies: 5
Views: 331

Re: How to Move saddlepack further back

Ooooh. Guess what I'm doing tomorrow morning.
by freeflow
17 Mar 2024, 5:09pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: How to Move saddlepack further back
Replies: 5
Views: 331

How to Move saddlepack further back

I have a new saddle, a Selle SMP Nymber. Its vey comfy. Unfortunately, the seating area, with respect to the rails, is much further back than my previous saddle(s). Consequently, what used to be an occasion touch of the rear of my thigh by my saddle pack is now a constant rub. I have invested in a top tube bag (fits underneath top tube) which I'm not liking so I now need to investigate ways of moving the Topeak Saddle bag further back.

Suggestions welcome.
by freeflow
12 Mar 2024, 5:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Noisy freehub - quieten with grease?
Replies: 21
Views: 812

Re: Noisy freehub - quieten with grease?

I was recommended Superlube Synthetic Grease when I was using Royce hubs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Synthetic-Grea ... 71&sr=8-10

You will likely have to top up the grease every month or so as the grease will leak out due to overfilling (getting enough in to quieten the hub). I didn't mind this.
by freeflow
11 Mar 2024, 10:51am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: For Info: Rail lengths of Selle SMP Nymber saddle vs Selle SMP Trk medium saddle
Replies: 2
Views: 198

For Info: Rail lengths of Selle SMP Nymber saddle vs Selle SMP Trk medium saddle

In case it is of interest to anyone.
IMG_20240311_102519903[2].jpg
What is also interesting to note is how much further back the seating area is on the Nymber.

Please also note that the Nymber is a very expensive saddle.
by freeflow
8 Mar 2024, 5:22pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: Night p*nct*re scenario comes to pass
Replies: 23
Views: 939

Re: Night p*nct*re scenario comes to pass

Get a head torch. Makes like a lot easier.
by freeflow
6 Mar 2024, 1:30pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Belts and chains
Replies: 23
Views: 1180

Re: Belts and chains

Try a KMC ep1 coated chain. After 3+years and 20,000 km they still look like new.
by freeflow
6 Mar 2024, 9:55am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying
Replies: 39
Views: 1893

Re: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying

How many tyres do you reckon I would have fitted in 5 years at Spa?
Many more than a home mechanic fits to a family’s bikes in a lifetime would be my guess
I have huge respect for the knowledge and advice that you bring to this forum. Unfortunately I would still report that the new Martahon Plus tyres I fitted (on an occasion about 12 years ago) were almost as flat as a pancake, not U shaped, and that made them a real pain to fit.
by freeflow
5 Mar 2024, 9:09am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying
Replies: 39
Views: 1893

Re: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4
Thirteen years since me and Norman made that video in his garage....time flies!
I watched that video with interest. The observation I'd make is that the Marathon Plus tyre in the video was tyre shaped. The new ones I tried to fit were almost flat such that it was a heck of a job just to get the bead of the first side into the rim. I do remember that when I subsequently removed and refitted tyre for the purpose of replacing a broken spoke, things were rather easier and the tyre stayed tyre shaped , rather like the one in your video.
by freeflow
4 Mar 2024, 2:29pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying
Replies: 39
Views: 1893

Re: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying

I wonder if it's a question of technique as I've used Marathon Plus tyres for years ( on several different rims) and never had any issues getting them on or off.
In every distribution curve there is always one unexplainable outlier :D

My memory of fitting new Marathon Plusses is that is took the combined efforts of about 5 sturdy cable ties and several broken tyre levers before I was able to claim success. I'd not wish the follow up of removing such a tyre and then replacing it on anyone who is a puncture novice.

Likewise, patching tubes with rubber solution and decent weldtite patches requires some prior experience to do it efficiently and well. The Park tools patches are sufficiently good enough for get you home and more and don't really require prior experiece.
by freeflow
4 Mar 2024, 9:43am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying
Replies: 39
Views: 1893

Re: Choosing puncture resistant tyres on a new bike before buying

When considering puncture proof tyres you also need to consider the removability of the tyre for that rare occasion when you do get a puncture. For this aspect, marathon plusses are an absolute fail. If you are not removing the wheel you can't replace the inner tube so you need a good method of inner tube repair. Park Tools patches should be considered for this aspect.
by freeflow
10 Oct 2023, 2:43pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Time for a new front wheel bearing
Replies: 11
Views: 748

Re: Time for a new front wheel bearing

I don't think a lube port is necessary. It looks like I've just been unlucky. The bearing on the other side is absolutely pristine, the grease
around the ball bearings being perfectly clear.

@mig Thanks for the observation. I built the wheel myself and have used it (with its rear sibling) as my everyday riding wheels since it first hit the road on 20 Aug 2020 some 16,000 km ago.
by freeflow
10 Oct 2023, 12:56pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Time for a new front wheel bearing
Replies: 11
Views: 748

Time for a new front wheel bearing

Investigating an odd sound coming from the front wheel revealed the sadness below
IMG_20231010_121825[1].jpg
I'm quite handy at maintaining my bike. I recently had to replace a damaged headset which proved quite easy. How much more difficult would it be to replace the bearing in this hub? I'm assuming I can use the bearing press I got for the headset. Would a wideblade screwdriver be sufficient/ adequate for the bearings or do I need another trip to Amazon?
by freeflow
5 Jun 2023, 5:31pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Wheel truing - easier than I thought
Replies: 16
Views: 926

Re: Wheel truing - easier than I thought

Did you also check for roundness? Having the spokes at the same tension is not the same as having the wheel round (It should be but.......)
by freeflow
17 May 2023, 9:52am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Lubrication
Replies: 38
Views: 1828

Re: Lubrication

BarkerBrown wrote: 17 May 2023, 9:43am
freeflow wrote: 17 May 2023, 8:19am We can't help you I'm afraid ( :twisted: ). You failed to say why the other 1000+ threads on this forum regarding lubrication did not provide an answer. You also did not specify the other 100 criteria you want your lubricant to achieve other than actually lubricating your chain.
Apologies, I should have done a search: just so delighted to have found a great forum. Sorry for upsetting you.
No worries, just being a little facetious. When you've been in the forum for a while you will understand why.