Search found 8 matches

by directdrive
1 Feb 2021, 2:24pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New tourer - 1x vs 3x
Replies: 85
Views: 4784

Re: New tourer - 1x vs 3x

Like another thread last week where someone was unsure what bike to buy, I think OP you are being encouraged in your confusion by some serious anoraks who will a) obsess over every tiny detail of chainline and gear spacing and b) just tell you to get a triple anyway.

I don't think this is a difficult question but it's been flogged to within an inch of its life. I don't know about anybody else but I'm baffled by these discussions of mathematically perfect shifting - does anybody seriously reel through all of these combinations in their head when riding? I go by feel and it's never been a problem.

The original question of this thread was answered pretty early on: for a new touring bike, no, 1x probably isn't ideal, 2 or 3 up front is better. If you're stuck between 1 and 3, get a triple. A mountain double or a mountain triple will both work fine. I wouldn't waste any more mental energy on it. 95% of people buying bikes don't either and are perfectly happy.

Christ, this forum.
by directdrive
31 Jan 2021, 6:40pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New tourer - 1x vs 3x
Replies: 85
Views: 4784

Re: New tourer - 1x vs 3x

Badgerjockey wrote:
When you say 1x doesn't have a place... etc - do you mean because of chainline etc? Or that my top end gearing is too low for descents and tailwinds?



Yeah, I mean, just personal preference, people can and should ride whatever they like. For me though, I want both a miniscule climbing gear and not to be spinning out on a flat road. If I went for a 1x system, the single ring I'd need to get the climbing gear I want would be too small not to be infuriating on the road, and vice versa. I'd imagine the same would be true for you if you're looking to ride any amount of tarmac.
by directdrive
31 Jan 2021, 5:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: New tourer - 1x vs 3x
Replies: 85
Views: 4784

Re: New tourer - 1x vs 3x

Tbh this may not be what you're after and I'm not sure whether your comments above rule it out completely, but I have just set my bike up with a 2x10. Wanted to ditch the triple, but also pretty firm in the belief that a 1x doesn't have much place on a bike that's going to be ridden loaded on the road as well as up the side of a mountain.

It's a lovely setup. I am using a Deore 24/36 crankset with a Sunrace MX3 11-42 cog, which gives a tiny little gear of sub-17 inches, and a perfectly adequate top gear of 96 (on 700x2.4 rubber). This is shifted by Deore triggers with an 11-speed SLX M7000 GS mech which works perfectly despite the 'difference' in speeds, although the Deore M6000 would be functionally the same. The capacity is only exceeded by 2 teeth so it's perfectly happy.

There are some bigger jumps in there than you would get with an 11 speed (or a smaller cassette), but the range is stellar and I think it hits the sweet spot for off-road touring. Another benefit is the significant price drop between 11 and 10-speed replacement consumables.

The whole lot also works out a good bit lighter than the bargain basement SRAM SX Eagle 1x12, which was my other main option.

In short, I was having some of the same thoughts, and wide-range 2x10 was my happy medium.
by directdrive
23 Jan 2021, 4:19pm
Forum: National Standard Cycle Training
Topic: IWGB Union Cycle Instructor Survey 2021
Replies: 3
Views: 9896

Re: IWGB Union Cycle Instructor Survey 2021

PH wrote:I'm not an instructor either, but I am a member on the IWGB.
It's a worthwhile organisation for anyone in the independent sector/gig economy.


IWGB is an excellent organisation. I was a Deliveroo rider just before they really got started, and I wish they'd been around in Bristol at that point. They ended up winning some really important victories on pay conditions and it would have made life a lot easier.
by directdrive
20 Jan 2021, 1:43pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Will America unite?
Replies: 42
Views: 1512

Re: Will America unite?

Lol, it's too far gone and too structurally-embedded for a sporting event to do the trick. No single president is up to the task, let alone Biden or any of the establishment Dems who are out of ideas beyond trying to re-run the Clinton presidency.

We're seeing the fallout from the 2008 crash still playing out. Wealth inequality is skyrocketing. There is a huge gulf in quality of life and in income between rural and urban areas. Racial inequality is baked into the system. Climate change will tear large swathes of the country to shreds. All of this requires massive structural interventions into the economy that neither party is willing to countenance. The GOP, however, is showing its willingness to flirt with fascism, channelling the massive amount of rage and resentment into authoritarian and discriminatory backlash against minorities and intellectuals. The Democrats have no answer to this - the best they can do is cling onto the dying liberal orthodoxy that worked for the briefest period after the Cold War.

I don't think the US is headed for 'civil war', but I think we'll see an uptick in the militia and right-wing insurgency movements that were about in the 90s. Biden will apply a very weak brake on America's decline but will come nowhere near to stopping it.

Most of this also applies to us, by the way. Hold on to your hats.
by directdrive
19 Jan 2021, 3:50pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: <£400 bike
Replies: 53
Views: 3274

Re: <£400 bike

You are overthinking this. Not helped of course by the presence of many seasoned cyclists in this thread who have too many opinions and are nitpicking over details that aren't really that relevant to you, from what you've described. Everyone here thinks the perfect bike is a 1975 Dawes Galaxy with cotton bar tape and a dynamo light, so take it all with a pinch of salt.

£400 is not going to buy you anything amazing. So yes, if you want something reliable and capable, spend more money.

That said, doesn't mean it's not worth it. Cheap parts that wear out can be replaced and upgraded as you go. If you want a mountain bike, get a mountain bike. You'll still be able to ride it on tarmac.

That Calibre Cutter looks better than all the other ones you posted, which all look a bit rubbish. If you can stretch your budget, something like this would be perfect: https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/voodoo/voodoo-bantu-mountain-bike---20in-445851.html In all honestly, £500 is going to get you a lot more bike. That extra £100 is going to go very very far indeed.

There are a few other Voodoo bikes you might look at; also check out the Vitus Nucleus from Wiggle.

Failing that, £500 will also get you an entry level Trek Marlin or similar from a local bike shop that will be a bit more basic, but come with servicing and again be a half decent upgrade platform. The Suntour suspension fork on a £500 bike isn't going to spontaneously explode, neither is a basic Shimano Tourney drivetrain.

All of this assumes that you can find the bikes in stock, but there are plenty of options even then.
by directdrive
18 Jan 2021, 3:54pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: SRAM GXP BB
Replies: 18
Views: 905

Re: Shimano 105 BB

Would bet that it is the BB. Shimano Hollowtech units are not known for their longevity. 10 years is way past their expected service life assuming it's been ridden semi-regularly.

You will be after a 68mm BSA (English threaded) Shimano Hollowtech bottom bracket. Other brands are available but Shimano is good for cost vs. quality. I'd recommend this: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-bb-r60-ultegra-6800-bottom-bracket

Cheaper ones are available but from what I understand, Ultegra/XT level BBs are the sweet spot. My experience of Tiagra/Deore level ones is that they die very quickly indeed. This is still a consumable part but will be slightly better quality.
by directdrive
9 Jan 2019, 1:45pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Does anyone still use down tube shifters?
Replies: 75
Views: 6390

Re: Does anyone still use down tube shifters?

TrevA wrote:I'm still pondering on the braking and gearing combo for my Spa Tourer. I have 9 speed Tiagra STIs currently, but they aren't compatible with vee brakes and I've not been impressed with the cantilever brakes on my previous bike. So I'm thinking, new vee brakes with specific brake levers and reverting to down tube shifters. I'm not a huge fan of bar end shifters.

You still seem to be able to get Dura Ace 9 speed down tube shifters for reasonable money. Would they be compatible with a Deore 9 speed rear mech?


In response to the original question and notwithstanding the downtube shifter love-in: why not keep everything you've got and get some mini-Vs that are compatible with road levers? Planet X has the Tektro 926AL at £11.99 a pop, a straight swap for cantis. Cheapest and easiest if you want to keep STI levers.