Search found 416 matches

by martinn
26 Sep 2023, 5:40pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Your favourite simple bike
Replies: 54
Views: 10885

Re: Your favourite simple bike

roubaixtuesday wrote: 26 Sep 2023, 4:30pm
martinn wrote: 26 Sep 2023, 4:14pm As someone is going to say it, it might as well be me.
I like riding my Fixed wheel commuter (Spa audax mono), no worries about what gear or cadence to be in. its Quiet (Now at least!) Has a hub dynamo, so lights always there, no wories about charging lights.
I can run upto 28mm tyres (the only thing I would like to change but constrained by the frame size)
Simple rim brakes, I can understand and make them work.
Simple bike, very little to go wrong

Martinn
Never come across those. Want one!

Wonder if the 60cm is big enough for my 6'4"?
Its is as good as it looks!

I am 5'11" and ride a 56cm, I could have fitted the 58cm. (I ride with a long stem 120cm) So the 60cm might fit you...
by martinn
26 Sep 2023, 4:14pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Your favourite simple bike
Replies: 54
Views: 10885

Re: Your favourite simple bike

As someone is going to say it, it might as well be me.
I like riding my Fixed wheel commuter (Spa audax mono), no worries about what gear or cadence to be in. its Quiet (Now at least!) Has a hub dynamo, so lights always there, no wories about charging lights.
I can run upto 28mm tyres (the only thing I would like to change but constrained by the frame size)
Simple rim brakes, I can understand and make them work.
Simple bike, very little to go wrong

Martinn
by martinn
26 Sep 2023, 4:07pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: ERE Research products- specifically tyres
Replies: 0
Views: 251

ERE Research products- specifically tyres

Hi all,

On my weekend bike, I like to run with nice rolling but grippy tyres. I am currently running Continental GP5000, and before that the GP 4000. Winters I used to change to GP4 seasons. I have tried other brands and types but I dont like them as much.
I tend to buy tyres when I see them on offer.
I came across ERE research the other day, and wondered if anyone had tried using their tyres, or other products for that matter, and what did they think of them?
They seem to get good reviews, but how much can you trust a review?
Appriciate any insights

(I know they are not the cheapest and on my commuter I use Schawlbe Durano double protection, but I dont really want to puncture on my way to or from work.)

Many Thanks

Martin
by martinn
20 Sep 2023, 10:21am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: single speed drive train noise
Replies: 15
Views: 900

Re: single speed drive train noise

When the drive train was noisy, all the bolts were tight, possibly overtight...
The Chainring is definatley 1/8th" I had that thought as well. I double checked.
I did think of flipping the chainring, (and probably should have) but was being stubborn!
Interesting that dirt was mentioned, I screwed them together both the normaly way, and the "reverse" way (Through the back of the nut) off the bike, and cleaned them up. eventially they came together with ease, BUT this was after I had already filed them down. I think these chainring bolts have now secured 4 chainrings.
I thought chainring washers migth be a "thing" but I think this is the route I will go down in future, along with getting another set.

Many thanks for the replies

BW

Martin
by martinn
19 Sep 2023, 6:49pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: single speed drive train noise
Replies: 15
Views: 900

Re: single speed drive train noise

Silence..... no noise

So one issue that i did have was that the new chainring, I could not get the Chainring bolts to tighten up no matter what I did.
So in the end, I filled a small amount off the "female" portion, and they now tighten up.
I was trying to work out if either the chainring bolts had stretched or the new chainring, is either marginally thinner, or the "counter" sunk areas are slightly deeper than the previous chainring.
Thoughts?

Martin
by martinn
17 Sep 2023, 3:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: single speed drive train noise
Replies: 15
Views: 900

Re: single speed drive train noise

After 2 commutes the noise returned, not as bad, but still annoying.
So I have replaced the chainring and rear cog. Without load, it sounds ok, so will try again tommorrow with load and see what happens.

I looked at the chainring I removed, and there does appear to be some very subtle hooking of one or two of the teeth. The rear cog looks pristine. I replaced the rear cog mainly as the teeth number on the front ring I got was different from the one that was currently on the bike.

What signs should i be looking for apart from hooking of the teeth?

many thanks

martin
by martinn
13 Sep 2023, 9:55pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: single speed drive train noise
Replies: 15
Views: 900

Re: single speed drive train noise

thanks all,

I have tried to listen, and I think, its coming from the front chainring.
I have fliped the chainring over, and its a little better
I have changed the tensison so its a lot looser than I would normally risk running it.
Putting a metal ruler against both the front and rear cogs, the chainline looks perfect.

Will see how commute goes tomorrow
by martinn
12 Sep 2023, 4:10pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: single speed drive train noise
Replies: 15
Views: 900

Re: single speed drive train noise

Hi Peetee,

I can certainly try, it only happens with load, but i can try to simulate that in a stand
Will get back when I have tried that
by martinn
12 Sep 2023, 2:44pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: H Plus Son Rims
Replies: 8
Views: 699

Re: H Plus Son Rims

Hi Geomannie

I havent had any direct experience of the TB14 rims, but have been using Archetype rim very happily for the last 7 or 8 years on various bikes. Its a nice rim, and seems to last well, in my experience.

I have seen the TB14 rims on other bikes and they look very nice, and havent heard of any negative comments.
I would probably send an email to Spa.

BW

Martin
by martinn
12 Sep 2023, 2:35pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: single speed drive train noise
Replies: 15
Views: 900

single speed drive train noise

Hi all,

I have ridden fixed for a few years ow, and can normally sort out most issues however, im not sure where to start on this one.
im running andel chainring, and rear cog. Pearl izumi chains. My chan streched, so i replaced it. Its now its very noisy under load.
So somthing is not correct.
Where would you start?
Chainset is probably aound 18 months old, and i have replaced the chain once before.
I was thinking of flipping the chain ring over to see if that made any difference, but I dont think that I can do that with the rear cog, as it has an intergral spacer (Thats how I would describe it).
I dont think this is the bottom bracket or the rear bearings, (SA hubs) as they seem to run smoothly.
What would you replace or try next?

Many thanks
Martin
by martinn
25 Apr 2023, 10:52am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Small crack in an alloy crank
Replies: 29
Views: 1722

Re: Small crack in an alloy crank

:oops: Guilty as charged, yes the crank was dirty on the inside

I rode it yesterday on a slightly longer communte than normal (Or probably sensible). Previously, I had an annoying squeek, that I couldnt find the source of. I just thought it was the chain, as it made a similar sound when it was getting round to requiring replacement.
It was gone yesterday. I think I know what the noise was now....

I never thought about the cranks taking more abuse, but reflecting its obviously the case as you do have to stadn and push much harder more of the time.

Any thoughts on what cranks last the longest? I brought Andel (The flutted ones) as i thought they looked nice, but would also be functional.
Do compnents in general on a fixed just get more hammered, is it because they are out in all weathers and if used as a commuter, dont get cleaned after every ride, (Or possibly once a month is good enough?).
My front brake (Tektro) is having problems releasing, I wondered why the commute home felt so hard!

I did try to take some photos, but my skills with a camera are not the best, and dont really show the crack very well.

BW

Martin
by martinn
23 Apr 2023, 3:24pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Small crack in an alloy crank
Replies: 29
Views: 1722

Re: Small crack in an alloy crank

So replacement arrived Friday, fitted yesterday, and with the crank off I was able to examine it in greater detail. The crack was more clearly seen once off the bike with significantly more extension, evidenced by a faint mark on the surface on the rear side of the crank which was dificult to see.
So the moral of the story is that although it didnt look too bad initially, once off the bike, and cleaned up it looked a lot worse!
by martinn
18 Apr 2023, 8:44pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Small crack in an alloy crank
Replies: 29
Views: 1722

Re: Small crack in an alloy crank

Thanks for the replies.
I was of the opinion that riding on it was a bad option, but wanted to confirm that I wasnt being paranoid.

to the bin with it

Many Thanks

Martin
by martinn
18 Apr 2023, 5:45pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Small crack in an alloy crank
Replies: 29
Views: 1722

Small crack in an alloy crank

Hi all,

How much of a crack would you trust in a crank before you stopped riding on it?

I have a Andel chainset, and on the drive side I noticed a small crack on the outer surface. Looking down the side of the crack it has depth of about 2mm, and being 5mm on the other surface. Its at the end nearest the chainring, and is where the crank changes shape.
I have riden it home from work, not much choice, there is no give, sound or any working signs. Is it likly to sudenly let go?
I have ordered another crankset asa precaution, but slightly disappointed as it only about 3 years old about 5000 miles.

Thoughts?
much appriciated
Martin
by martinn
18 Apr 2023, 10:03am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Campag 11 speed inter-compatability
Replies: 7
Views: 741

Re: Campag 11 speed inter-compatability

Update for this thread just in case anyone else has the same questions.

I bought a NOS Athena triple rear derailleur, which does indeed have a longer cage.
I used an Centaur 11 speed 11-32 rear cassette.
Using a Chorus 11 speed chain
The front set up is a 52/36 NOS Athena chainrings. (I found this on sprockets UK site)
The shifters are I believe 2015, and have the thumb changer angled downwards

If you set this up as per the way campag recommends you set up their systems, it works very well.
Its close to being maxed out, and i didnt remove any links from the chain, and after 2 months is shifting flawlessly.

So that should give me at least another 3 years before the front ring wears out again and I need to try to source another.....

Martin