Search found 162 matches

by GrahamG
3 Feb 2011, 12:31pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Carry Freedom Lollipop Hitch - improvement?
Replies: 37
Views: 6257

Re: Carry Freedom Lollipop Hitch - improvement?

My lollipop hitch broke after 2000 miles. It had tipped up a couple of times and seen some intense use but it was still annoying and left us stranded in France for a week. Nick did send a replacement, including a new prototype, but as a warning, the hitch shown in Mick's photos are seriously flawed.
by GrahamG
3 Feb 2011, 12:21pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bike bag storage in Santander
Replies: 15
Views: 2623

Re: Bike bag storage in Santander

I take it you're a fair distance from Plymouth then? Just checking as the ferry is a nice relaxed way of travelling.
by GrahamG
19 Nov 2010, 5:04pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bike parts swop in the Bristol area?
Replies: 8
Views: 1429

Re: Bike parts swop in the Bristol area?

It was a bit triathlon style bling! Not much doing whereas the mud dock is about 70/30 MTB/Road and often lots of old bits going for peanuts or even just gratis for karma points.
by GrahamG
13 Nov 2010, 12:34pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bike parts swop in the Bristol area?
Replies: 8
Views: 1429

Re: Bike parts swop in the Bristol area?

The one you're thinking of is the first saturday of the month outside Mud Dock cycle shop/cafe - it's free to trade, no entry fee and starts at midday. It's organised by big Mark of the Cheesy Riders.

Incidentally, there's one at Long Aston village hall in about 1 1/2 hours time (2pm) organised by BAD tri.
by GrahamG
30 Sep 2010, 11:43am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rigida Chrina ERD - which database is right (if any)
Replies: 36
Views: 8335

Re: Rigida Chrina ERD - which database is right (if any)

Just wait until you have them in hand - seriously, I have far too many spare spoke sets from being impatient and ordering before having the hub/rim to measure.

If you're using ambrosio/system-ex/on-one style budget fixed hubs then you are likely to need 292mm (rear hub, 32h, 3x) or 290mm for 36h. Unlike Mick, unless it's very close (<1mm) I tend to round down with spokes - nothing more annoying than having zero tension after going round with nipple driver and then having to do 3+ rounds with the spoke key before the nipples stop turning freely. Just my preference mind.
by GrahamG
28 Sep 2010, 1:41pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New opportunities with SRAM Apex
Replies: 1
Views: 485

Re: New opportunities with SRAM Apex

Nothing to stop you doing that with your campag set up in 8 or 9 speed flavour - just need a shiftmate or appropriate/relevant shimergo solution.

Edit - if you want 10 speed and/or SRAM shifters then you're quite right but I'm sure someone told me that front mechs were a different cable pull ration (according to the SRAM website) but might be worth a search.
by GrahamG
28 Sep 2010, 1:32pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bar tape on flat bars?
Replies: 7
Views: 2478

Re: Bar tape on flat bars?

My other half does - flats + big 'L' shaped bar ends. It's something we did on tour as it solved the problem of gloveless sweaty hands slipping around on her grips (Ergon - she never did find them especially comfortable).
by GrahamG
19 May 2010, 3:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Seatposts, layback, and a daft idea
Replies: 115
Views: 20362

Re: Seatposts, layback, and a daft idea

VO post wasn't quite enough for me using a B17 - the rails on this were/are ludicrously short.
by GrahamG
19 May 2010, 2:15pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Cheap way of getting to Slovenia and Croatia
Replies: 5
Views: 919

Re: Cheap way of getting to Slovenia and Croatia

That's a useful tip about the Friendship cycle route - we're aiming for Slovenia/Croatia (albeit from Santander on an extended three month european tour so no flying to worry about) so will have to look into that.
by GrahamG
19 May 2010, 2:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Seatposts, layback, and a daft idea
Replies: 115
Views: 20362

Re: Seatposts, layback, and a daft idea

rogerzilla wrote:
Gearoidmuar wrote:I'm 6' 2.5" and don't have my Brooke's saddles fully back on any of my bikes, and never had. ???


The problem is that all these modern Taiwanese touring frames have idiotic 73 degree seat angles. No problem with a 1950s frameset, where it was 70 or 71 degrees.


I think the real problem is that Brooks are still working to designs incompatible with modern bicycles - that strikes me as far more ridiculous than the fact that frame geometries tend to be slightly different to 60 years ago. I've got long legs and simply can't get a brooks far enough back on the seatpost (on a custom frame), funny how every other saddle I've ever tried hasn't posed a problem. The problem is the product; I've emailed Brooks about it but have yet to have a full response despite the initial acknowledgement email.
by GrahamG
19 May 2010, 1:55pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Can Tiagra Brifters fitted to bullhorn bars?
Replies: 5
Views: 1146

Re: Can Tiagra Brifters fitted to bullhorn bars?

Saw loads of bikes set up like this when in France recently - mostly more 'mature' riders so presumably to get the extra brake leverage (it was Provence so hilly!) but still having integrated gear shifters. Given how the gear change works, I'd imagine that shimano or sram are best suited for this setup.
by GrahamG
13 May 2010, 9:50am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Any useful extras or braze ons for a randonneur frame?
Replies: 7
Views: 992

Re: Any useful extras or braze ons for a randonneur frame?

I had a custom 'audax' frame made and there are a few revisions that I'd probably consider now:
1. Pump peg under the top tube. I had it on the seat stay and now have a very rusty blackburn frame pump from constant spray on dry days.
2. Fork lamp boss. I got a carbon fork but a part of me wishes that I'd gone for a steel fork (or one of each!) with a lamp boss on to save faffing with brake mounting brackets and potentially not having enough room under a bar bag.
3. Old fashioned horizontal dropouts. Given that it's a 'frame for life', I'm kicking myself for not doing this so that I could have the option of running a hub gear in future without the need for a chain tensioner.

Also a couple of very positive points that I love:
brake bridge and chainstay bridge tapped for mudguard fixing
loops on headtube for cables (preventing unnecessary cable rub).
by GrahamG
4 May 2010, 2:29pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Wheel Builder in Bristol or South Gloucs
Replies: 16
Views: 7950

Re: Wheel Builder in Bristol or South Gloucs

Should you decide not to build it yourself, Bad Ass Bikes (don't be put off by the name) is widely regarded as the best place to get bullet proof hand built wheels - they're MTB focussed and build for many local pros so standards are very, very high. They've recently moved and are now on Burrington Coombe. That said, I will also Dan Bool is a lovely chap and as a small independent outlet does not compromise on quality at all!
by GrahamG
30 Apr 2010, 3:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tektro CR520 Brake Set-up
Replies: 55
Views: 173627

Re: Tektro CR520 Brake Set-up

Thanks for this everyone - I stumbled across this thread before setting up my CR520's last night. Basically I'd put V-brakes onto a Surly LHT frame but no amount of fettling had them working to satisfactory standard with a drop bar set up (using V-brake drop levers), so I thought I'd just go for the best possible canti's. It was nice to just heed the advice from this thread and get them set up 'right first time'.
by GrahamG
30 Apr 2010, 12:17pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 26" touring tyres?
Replies: 11
Views: 3508

Re: 26" touring tyres?

I found some vittoria randonneur tyres in a 26x1.5 for £10 a pop in Decathlon - they seem pretty solid. Hope so anyway, they're off round Europe for three months in a few weeks time :D