Cycling UK Forum

Yeah I'm camping too. I'm doing it on the cheap so I aim to camp wild most of the time and find campsites every couple of days to freshen up. I'm looking to do 100/120km a day so you can do the maths as to how long it will take I don't have a time limit - just going to see how I get on.

On Friday 13th July I'm setting off from Portsmouth - Le Havre on a tour to Venice. I'm heading south to visit my mother in St-Amans-Des-Cots where I will then head down to the Med and make my way over to Venice. Anybody else in the area? It'd good to have some company from fellow biking tourists.

I really don't know what the problem is. I took it to my local mechanic and he made the issue a little better but he also seemed as confused about it as I did. In the end I phoned Spa and they told me that for a flat bar setup the only FD that they found that worked with their XD2 chainset is the Shimano Alivio top swing. This is a little disappointing considering I asked them before purchasing the chainset whether my FD was compatible and they said it was. They have on the other hand been very helpful with other issues.

I'm not going to change it yet but instead live with the problem and buy a new derailleur when I'm in France if need be. This might be worth bearing in mind though for other people thinking of building themselves a flat bar tourer with an XD2...

Yeah the problem is the chain not shifting onto the small chainring! A right pain in the buttock. I'm setting off around Europe on the 12th July. Thanks for the help guys. I'll get on the case with some of your suggestions and let you know how it goes...

I'm using Shimano Deore Rapid Fire shifters and LX FD-T661 Down Swing front derailleur. It says it is compatible with chainrings with 48teeth and optimized for a chainline of 50mm. What is a chainline?

Does anybody know off the top of their head whether the Spa XD-2 triple chainset (24/36/46) and the Shimano Deore LX front derailleur are compatible? I was told by Spa before purchasing both that they were but after hours and hours of tinkering and I cannot get them to work together properly.

Here we go!

Thanks

It was around £1400 by the time I paid for extras I didn't budget for like grease, lube, cable outing, tools etc.

I've just built myself a Surly Long Haul Trucker from the frame up Here it is...

I initially had 114 chain links but went to my LBS and got a couple more to make 116. I've tuned all the gears and taken it for a test ride to the pub already There's a couple of things left that I need to do but that requires a hacksaw so I'll have to wait. It is a mighty fine ride! Pictures to follow shortly...

I am having trouble getting the non-driveside crank onto the spindle. I had to buy a crank remover tool today. My chain is also 2 links too small which is annoying so it will be another trip to my LBS in the morning. Apart from that the build is flying along!

Frame faced already and I got my LBS to install the headset and square taper BB. Some may say this is cheating but like I said previously I am building this bike so as I know how it all works and how to fix it in the eventuality of any problems, and I know how to insert headset cups, clean the bearings, etc already so I'm not too worried. I just didn't have the tools to do so Likewise that is why the tyres are already on the wheels (as well as to protect them in transit after order).

I start building today

The time has come my fellow bike enthusiasts. The frame is here, the components are here, the excitement begins!

As I have mentioned in the past I am going to write a build diary of the bike from start to finish as well as film the process and make a little video of how it all comes together. I've never assembled a bike before so it is going to be a big learning curve for me. My two main reason for building it myself are firstly because I can't buy the setup I want as an off-the-shelf ready made item and secondly I need to know how to fix any potential problems whilst out in the sticks miles from a mechanic.

Here is a picture to get you all interested. Come back soon and wish me luck!

Good buy huh? I can't wait to use it!

Woah man, that is like, well scientific.