Search found 62 matches

by Boogaloo
20 Aug 2019, 8:26pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: ... the easiest way to lower the gearing on a 3 speed Brompton?
Replies: 6
Views: 748

... the easiest way to lower the gearing on a 3 speed Brompton?

I'm looking into this for a friend who recently bought a new 3 speed Brompton and feels the gearing to be too high for him.
From searching the forum I think I have established that it has a 50 t chainring on a 130mm bcd crank. If so this could be pretty easily reduced. I could lend him a 42 for example but mine are track rings for 1/8 chains. I'm guessing the Brompton has a 3/32 chain?
Alternatively we could try a larger sprocket but I assume there is a limit to what will fit. Did I read 15t is the biggest?
Can I make gear inch calculations just like I would with any other bike or Is there anything I should know about Bromptons that would complicate things?

Many Thanks
by Boogaloo
9 Jul 2019, 7:44am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cracked headtube - Any point in claiming against warranty?
Replies: 9
Views: 1136

Re: Cracked headtube - Any point in claiming against warranty?

Good news.

The shop returned the bike to Ridgeback who have honoured the warranty and offered a replacement bike. Unfortunately the Meteor model has changed considerably since the original bike was purchased and is not really suitable but my friend has opted for a different model and paid the extra. She's a very happy bunny.
by Boogaloo
26 Jun 2019, 6:51pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Bar tape in hot weather
Replies: 29
Views: 1817

Re: Bar tape in hot weather

I find cheaper electrical tape does this even over here (UK).
I now use 3M which is much better but I haven't tested it in very hot temps.
by Boogaloo
10 Jun 2019, 1:06pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Spa ti touring frame.
Replies: 23
Views: 2315

Re: Spa ti touring frame.

iandriver wrote: Did the planet X spinatchi what ever rip off thing with the shifters


What's that then?




Lovely looking bike!
by Boogaloo
6 Jun 2019, 8:43pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cracked headtube - Any point in claiming against warranty?
Replies: 9
Views: 1136

Re: Cracked headtube - Any point in claiming against warranty?

Well she's picking the bike up tomorrow and will return it to the shop together with receipt soon after.
I'll let you all know the outcome.
by Boogaloo
4 Jun 2019, 8:42pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Cracked headtube - Any point in claiming against warranty?
Replies: 9
Views: 1136

Cracked headtube - Any point in claiming against warranty?

A friend has a 10 year old (approx) Ridgeback hybrid and whilst giving it a look over I spotted this...

IMG_20190604_185709260.jpg



Obviously I have advised against riding it. The question is what may have caused it and would there be any point in taking it back to the LBS where it came from to claim against a warranty?
Whilst the bike may be over 10 years old (just) ?? it's hardly been ridden and knowing her it has never been abused. She wouldn't even ride off a kerb!
It still has the original tyres on it.

The cynic in me says that there will be some get out despite a possible 'lifetime' warranty.

Anyone have any experience / opinion?
by Boogaloo
10 May 2019, 5:21pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Walking shoes
Replies: 25
Views: 1756

Re: Walking shoes

Mountain Warehouse are pretty cheap. Won't last long if you walk 20 miles a day but will be fine and instantly comfortable for occasional use,
Next level up might be Cotswold Outdoor. Loads on sale on their website and you can order them to try on in your local branch.
by Boogaloo
3 May 2019, 12:41pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: SP dynamo hubs - narrow flange spacing
Replies: 32
Views: 1959

Re: SP dynamo hubs - narrow flange spacing

Thanks for the responses. I feel reassured and will avoid wheelies and parking it in one of those concrete slot type bike parking things!
by Boogaloo
3 May 2019, 10:00am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: SP dynamo hubs - narrow flange spacing
Replies: 32
Views: 1959

SP dynamo hubs - narrow flange spacing

I'm considering one of these as they seem to be relatively inexpensive and light. Certainly compared to my Son 28.
However they do seem to be very narrow with 50mm between the flanges. Has anybody seen this as a problem?
A quick look at my other front hubs and they are somewhere around 65 - 70mm
I'd be building a 700 rim brake wheel.

Many thanks
Paul
by Boogaloo
11 Mar 2019, 4:08pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Truly Awful Brake Performance
Replies: 9
Views: 1185

Re: Truly Awful Brake Performance

horizon wrote:Interesting that you switched from "Brake" performance in your thread title to "braking" performance in your text. Obviously I'm being very pedantic here :D but isn't that at the heart of so many discussions about brakes? It isn't the brakes (or type of brake) per se but the whole environment that they operate in from cables and rims to adjustment and cleaning.

Agreed but the only variable here AFAIK is rims.
by Boogaloo
11 Mar 2019, 4:06pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Truly Awful Brake Performance
Replies: 9
Views: 1185

Re: Truly Awful Brake Performance

I was wondering about whether the pads might 'bed in' to these rims after a few hours. That may be what I end up doing as I really want to use this wheel.

Rims are not anodised. Just plain old alu surface. Interesting about the mould release. I think these blocks were used on another rim first but that was a cheap painted (?) rim braking surface that was gradually wearing away so maybe the mould release wasn't removed by the 'painted' rim??. Stopped pretty well though.

I will see if I can get some acetone.

Thanks
by Boogaloo
11 Mar 2019, 2:02pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Truly Awful Brake Performance
Replies: 9
Views: 1185

Truly Awful Brake Performance

I recently put an old but sound front wheel in my Cinelli and am puzzled as to why the braking is so poor.
The wheel is a used Veloce / Mavic MA3 which I had kept in the hope of finding a home for it and it would be perfect for this bike.
I fitted a tyre and rode it only to find the front brake was now hopeless.
The bike has Tektro RL340 levers and Veloce calipers with new pad inserts. Both have new cables and the rear is fully enclosed and works a treat on the new Kinlin rim I built up.

So my question is why is the front so bad? Having read a recent thread on a similar theme I have replaced the outer cable with some much stiffer casing and carefully filed the ends and ensured snug fitting.I rubbed the MA3 rim with wire wool and then alcohol. No better!

I then tried 2 other wheels ( CXP21 rim and TB-14 rims) and they are both much better.

The braking surface of the MA3 is marked but not particularly worn and certainly not concave but does have signs of light scoring.

My assumption is that there is something wrong with the braking surface of the MA3 but what can I do to improve it?

Any thought?

Thanks

Paul
by Boogaloo
29 Jan 2019, 3:19pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: What harm may be caused by leaving hub cones loose?
Replies: 4
Views: 966

Re: What harm may be caused by leaving hub cones loose?

Brucey wrote:
You should have the right side cone and locknut tight against one another and adjust the hub using the left side cone and locknut.


Is that left side looking down from seated position? I assume it's LHS for freehub wheels but what about flip flop hubs and front hubs. Is it more a case of choose a side and stick to it in future ?
by Boogaloo
29 Jan 2019, 2:30pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: What harm may be caused by leaving hub cones loose?
Replies: 4
Views: 966

What harm may be caused by leaving hub cones loose?

I appreciate that it's best to have them perfectly adjusted and try to keep mine as such but....

One of my wheels has a little play and I was wondering if any harm is done by riding it like this. It's too cold to contemplate adjustment at the moment! I'm not overly concerned as it's a basic unbranded track hub and it's not extremely loose but would be interested to know if any harm will come of leaving it for a while. Better loose than overtight??

Thanks
by Boogaloo
19 Jan 2019, 5:42pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Angle of drop handlebars - how to set?
Replies: 29
Views: 1589

Re: Angle of drop handlebars - how to set?

As far as I am concerned the bars should be set for comfort first. If you ride mostly on the tops it doesn't really matter about the angle. If you prefer riding on the hoods then angle and brake lever positioning are far more important. I think it's generally accepted that the bottom part of the drops should be angled parallel to the ground and that the brake hoods should be set horizontally providing a flat surface from bar to hood. Unfortunately bars differ in shape and people differ in what they find comfortable so I would say angle the bars to a position you find comfortable, It may be necessary to remove the bar tape to allow you to move the levers to a more suitable position. As suggested by pwa it can help to ride without bar tape for a bit.