Search found 155 matches

by esuhl
13 Jun 2022, 9:01pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Makes of disk rotor cleaner
Replies: 33
Views: 1499

Re: Makes of disk rotor cleaner

I'm no "bike expert", but I've been using Muc-Off Disc Brake Cleaner for years. It works really well... so long as the pads/rotors are rinsed off with water after using it. Given how little needs to be used, a can lasts me a few years.
freeflow wrote: 12 Jun 2022, 5:07pmThe first thing to ask back when someone asks for a recommendation for disk brake cleaners is 'why'. Disks should not need cleaning unless contaminated.
I usually only properly clean the pads/rotors/caliper/pistons when the brakes need bleeding -- once (maybe twice) a year. Not often, but not never... It seems to be worth it -- maybe the brakes pick up oil/grease/whatever from the road...?
by esuhl
3 Jun 2022, 10:36pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Gear cable housing (replace multiple sections with single length)?
Replies: 8
Views: 582

Re: Gear cable housing (replace multiple sections with single length)?

Tompsk wrote: 2 Jun 2022, 7:52am There are a couple of advantages of having less outer cable housing in any Bowden cable run

The first is that the outer compresses when the inner is under tension, less outer means less compression (the frame, which is resisting the compression between the braze ons, shouldn't compress!). This reduces 'spongeyness' in brake cables and inaccurate indexing for gears. Compressionless outer cables improve this.
Ahhh! I hadn't thought of that. Now it makes sense! :D

The bike with exposed cables is going to be my "fair weather bike", and the other my "shopping/all-weather bike". So... I think you've all convinced me that I'm just looking for a problem that doesn't exist.

Thanks everyone!
by esuhl
2 Jun 2022, 12:52am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Gear cable housing (replace multiple sections with single length)?
Replies: 8
Views: 582

Gear cable housing (replace multiple sections with single length)?

I have two pretty similar MTBs from 2010 and 2012. The gear cables on one are fully covered in outer housing (from shifter to derallieur). While on the other, the cable housing is in sections, with exposed inner-cable along the top-tube, seat-tube and seat-stay.

Does anyone know why bikes are designed like this?

------

I'm just about to fix/tweak the excessive housing lengths on the bike with exposed inner-cable. I was wondering if it would be "better" to just cut a new length of housing to cover the cable from shifter to derailleur...?

Presumably, the housing wouldn't fit through the braze-on ferrule holders, so it would look a bit silly, and require many ugly zip-ties, but... well...

Ignoring aesthetics, would it be worth it...? :?
by esuhl
22 May 2022, 11:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Best bit of cycle kit…
Replies: 14
Views: 1074

Re: Best bit of cycle kit…

The ONE bit of kit I couldn't live without is my Cateye BM 500G rear-view mirror (for flat-bars). It gives a surprisingly good view of vehicles approaching from behind, although it takes a bit of practise to quickly adust it to the perfect angle.

I was a nervous cyclist to beging with, and would often panic during unexpected overtakes. I also have a stiff back, and terrible eyesight (so I can't see beyond the lens of my glasses, and there's so much angular distortion at the edge of the lens that I almost need to do a full 180 turn to really "see" anything).

As a motorist, I'm used to knowing exactly what vehicles are around me, so nothing comes as a surprise. The mirror means I can do that on a bike. It only costs about £10, but without it, I wouldn't feel safe cycling on the roads.

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My Lifeline torque wrench + hex/torx key set gets used ALL the time. It's well-made and a worthy investment.

I don't have many cycle-specific clothes, but I LOVE my Gore windproof jacket, with detachable sleeves. It takes the bite out of the wind, but is well ventilated. Rain just beads off it. I've had it for quite a few years, and it still looks like new.

I have a few synthetic/polyester Primark jumpers with a zip-neck. They're cheap, breathable, and work well over a jersey (and under the windproof jacket, if necessary).

My Ortlieb Rear Roller panniers were expensive, but they're really strong and well-made, and spare parts are easily available for repairs.

I hate the garish branding of my budget MTB. So I covered it in 3M Scotchlite 580 reflective tape -- mostly black (which reflects white). It's survived for years with little damage (just a few nicks), and in the dark, the bike glows when you shine a light at it! It definitely improves side-visibility.
by esuhl
22 May 2022, 8:02pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?
Replies: 11
Views: 622

Re: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?

iandriver wrote: 22 May 2022, 3:48pm My 9/10 speed Mavic hubs always needed a spacer, regardless of 9 or 10 speed cassette. My Shimano Hubs never did. It's not uncommon for the spacer to stay with the hub. Just go with it and fit the spacer where needed without worry.
Brilliant -- that all coresponds with the table I saw. Thanks for the confirmation. :-)
by esuhl
22 May 2022, 1:28am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?
Replies: 11
Views: 622

Re: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?

keyboardmonkey wrote: 21 May 2022, 7:54pmRight, so they are both old MTBs, but one has a rear wheel with a new(ish) freehub. Fun and games.
I don't know... The bike with the 11-speed(?) hub is a 2012 B'Twin Rockrider 8.3 I bought off eBay. Everything on it seems original -- even the inner-tubes and tyres.
keyboardmonkey wrote: 21 May 2022, 7:54pmI have a 10-speed set up on a *road* bike that has an 11-speed wheelset (I would have hoped you could have swerved a similar problem with your old MTBs). The road cassette is 6700 Ultegra that comes with its own spacer - as does the 11-speed freehub for when a less-than-11-speed cassette is fitted. So I have *two* spacers for that set up. :shock:
Crumbs! Why do bikes have to be so complicated?! Every job I eyeball as a "ten minuter" takes three days of swotting up on arcane standards and trying to figure out what I'm dealing with! :lol:
keyboardmonkey wrote: 21 May 2022, 7:54pmHope all goes well for you :)
Thanks! I think it all makes sense and everything fits together perfectly again. :D
by esuhl
21 May 2022, 6:27pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?
Replies: 11
Views: 622

Re: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?

Ah... I think I've figured it out. I came across a table at the end of this article:
https://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/Cassett ... _3257.html

It looks like SRAM 9 or 10 speed cassettes don't require a spacer on a SRAM 9/10 hub.

But on an 11-speed hub, they both require a 1.85 mm spacer.

So... I guess one set of wheels has a 9/10 hub, and the other 11.

:-)
by esuhl
21 May 2022, 4:21pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?
Replies: 11
Views: 622

Re: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?

Thanks. I thought that was how it was supposed to work, but... I just tried putting the 9-speed cassette on the other hub and the gears are loose. Adding the spacer from the 10-speed hub seems to fix this.

I don't want to do anything stupid, but... I guess it doesn't really matter so long as the gears are compresed together and don't rattle...?
by esuhl
20 May 2022, 8:27pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?
Replies: 11
Views: 622

Re: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?

keyboardmonkey wrote: 20 May 2022, 8:15pmI imagined that the OP is keeping the cassette with the correct transmission, rather he’s swapping the wheels between bikes, so no need to reset/respace anything. But I could be wrong, of course.
Yeah -- that's the idea. Swap the wheels, then swap back the cassettes. So each bike has different wheels, but the same cassette it started with.

So... it sounds like the hubs themselves are the same width?

The x10 cassette has a ~1mm spacer behind it. So I'd keep that behind the x10 cassette on the new hub...?
by esuhl
20 May 2022, 7:33pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?
Replies: 11
Views: 622

Swap 9 & 10 speed cassettes?

I have two (very similar) old MTBs, and want to swap the wheels from one bike to the other (and vice versa).

One bike has a 3x9 drivetrain, the other 3x10. Can I just swap the cassettes between them...?
by esuhl
27 Aug 2021, 9:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rear mech hanger replacement??? Rockrider 8.3 2014 MTB
Replies: 4
Views: 345

Re: Rear mech hanger replacement??? Rockrider 8.3 2014 MTB

esuhl wrote: 23 Aug 2021, 11:23pm Of the thousands of mech hangers available at GearMechHanger.com, I scrolled through small handful, and the one below LOOKS identical (I think?). Is this the right one:

https://gearmechhanger.com/epages/95001 ... oducts/D69
Phew! It arrived today, and I'm pleased to say that it IS the right one! :D

Thanks again!
by esuhl
26 Aug 2021, 9:08pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Measure/identify seat-post diameter...?
Replies: 12
Views: 898

Re: Measure/identify seat-post diameter...?

NickJP wrote: 26 Aug 2021, 12:12amVirtually all seatposts have the diameter engraved on them...
Ahhh!!! The old bike's seat post has "29.8" engraved on one side and "29.8/350" printed on the other. It's 350mm long, so 29.8mm must be the diameter! :D I'll have a look at the other bike tomorrow and see if I need verniers.
esuhl wrote: 25 Aug 2021, 11:22pmOld bike: 29.8mm dia. (paper) // 29.0mm (spanner)
^^ It looks like paper was a bit more accurate than twine! :lol:

Cheers :-)
by esuhl
25 Aug 2021, 11:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Measure/identify seat-post diameter...?
Replies: 12
Views: 898

Re: Measure/identify seat-post diameter...?

David9694 wrote: 25 Aug 2021, 10:36pmAre you sure you and your twine have measured the new seatpost correctly?
slowster wrote: 25 Aug 2021, 10:16pmA small strip of paper would be better for that than twine.
Now you mention it... using twine wasn't one of my best ideas... Paper sounds much more sensible. :)

Ohhhh! :shock: I think my previous measurements were absolutely bonkers! :oops: :oops: :oops: Let's try again. I measured with paper, and with an old adjustable spanner with 1mm marks up to 29mm...

Old bike: 29.8mm dia. (paper) // 29.0mm (spanner)
New bike: 31.7mm dia. (paper) // 31.0mm (spanner)

That sounds a lot closer to what I'd expect, but still pretty inaccurate.
Jdsk wrote: 25 Aug 2021, 10:04pmYes, many of us use those cheap digital callipers routinely in the workshop. They'd be fine for this.
Thanks! Is it best to get digital calipers, rather than the old sliding-rule style...? I'll use them so rarely I'd need a new battery every time!
David9694 wrote: 25 Aug 2021, 10:36pmI’ve also got a collection of Ebay seat posts because ‘suck it and see’ seems like the only way with this.
Oh, no!!! Haha! I have a hoard of different stems of different lengths and angles that I've accumulated via the "suck it and see" method! I don't want to do the same with seat posts! :lol:
David9694 wrote: 25 Aug 2021, 10:36pmI find you get minor variations up and down and round and round a post if you put the calliper on, and heaven knows about the depths insides of the seat tube - the reamer evens things out at bit there.
So... probably best to keep the seat post in the new bike and not go "looking for problems that don't exist", then...? I'll concentrate on fixing up the old bike, then...

Thanks everyone :-)
by esuhl
25 Aug 2021, 10:03pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Measure/identify seat-post diameter...?
Replies: 12
Views: 898

Measure/identify seat-post diameter...?

I have two mountain bikes, and I want to replace the seat posts with longer ones. So... how do I accurately measure/identify the diameter of the seat posts...?

----

I've roughly measured the circumferences with a bit of twine (+/-1.5mm?), and calculated the diameters (+/-0.5mm?):

Old bike: b'Twin Rockrider 8.1 2010 (seat post circumference = 100mm // dia. ~31.8mm)
New bike: b'Twin Rockrider 8.3 2014 (seat post circumference = 115mm // dia. ~36.6mm)

But there seem to be a lot of different post-size "standards". I'm not sure my measurements are accurate enough. :?

I've seen you can buy measuring cones... but none go up to 36mm. Or vernier calipers... but there are so many available. Would cheap calipers like these be "good enough":

Vernier caliper £7.43 on Amazon
Digital vernier caliper £22.95 on Amazon

---

The old bike (~31.8mm) split round the top of the seat tube, so I REALLY need a longer seat post to have any chance of making it safe (after a bit of welding, and retiring it to short/slow local trips in the village).

The new bike is actually fine... The seat post is safely inserted, and perfectly snug. I guess I'm just worried about the same thing happening again. But if the tolerances and measurements are so precise, and the seat post I have fits so well... maybe it would be safer to leave that bike as it is...?

Cheers :-)
by esuhl
24 Aug 2021, 3:06am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Rear mech hanger replacement??? Rockrider 8.3 2014 MTB
Replies: 4
Views: 345

Re: Rear mech hanger replacement??? Rockrider 8.3 2014 MTB

Eyebrox wrote: 24 Aug 2021, 12:02amLooks the right one - but cheaper (and returnable) direct from Decathlon, whose website maintains it's in stock.
Thanks... It looks like that one has been cast, rather than CNC cut (which I'd prefer). But... it really does look the same as the one on gearmechhanger.com...
Redvee wrote: 24 Aug 2021, 1:27amOne thing I learned when looking in the past is don't give up if looking for bike make and model gives no results, it might be time consuming but look through all hangers listed.
Thanks... There are SOOOOO many hangers!!! I did look at quite a few, and found many that were similar. I stopped because... I really think this is the one. And I really can't bear to scan through another few thousand images!

If I zoom in on the hanger I linked to, and hold my old one up to the screen... and squint through one eye... I can't see any difference.

Ahhhhh... I've just ordered one. Fingers crossed, eh? :wink: