Search found 89 matches
- 30 Jun 2020, 12:46pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Saracen Tange MTB for touring - keep or ditch for touring and rough stuff
- Replies: 46
- Views: 1393
Re: Saracen Tange MTB for touring - keep or ditch for touring and rough stuff
Re: Bike stand. For maximum stability the bike stand/support should be as high as practical (and definitely above centre of gravity) on the bike and give the bike between 10° and 20° of lean. I always carry* a purpose made collapsible pole made from aluminium tent poles. This pic shows use of a hiki...
- 27 Jun 2020, 3:03pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: A new tourer (for a song)
- Replies: 31
- Views: 12000
Re: A new tourer (for a song)
The bike looks good, but where was the pic taken?
Knucklas Castle (remains of) 52.363766° N, -3.103393° W
Day 1 (travelling east to west) of the Trans Cambrian Way.
- 27 Jun 2020, 11:42am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: A new tourer (for a song)
- Replies: 31
- Views: 12000
Re: A new tourer (for a song)
My Subway 2 kitted out for seven day tour on Welsh bridleways. A fantastic budget bike.
- 12 Jun 2020, 11:53am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: To weld or not to weld, that is the question....
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1320
Re: To weld or not to weld, that is the question....
Does the crack at its current length and position seriously compromise the strength of the frame? Could this current crack fail suddenly and catastrophically, or would it likely just slowly extend? Would a small, 3/4mm hole at each end of the crack prevent the crack extending? Would I ride this know...
- 31 May 2020, 3:30pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: KISS
- Replies: 51
- Views: 2342
Re: KISS
My thoughts:
Pics 1 and 3: Life on the road.
Pic 2: Read too much sales literature defining must-haves.
Pic 4: Long term tourer. Multiple climates catered for.
Pic 5: Moving house.
Pics 1 and 3: Life on the road.
Pic 2: Read too much sales literature defining must-haves.
Pic 4: Long term tourer. Multiple climates catered for.
Pic 5: Moving house.
- 30 May 2020, 7:26pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: How to get mat finish? Suggestions please.
- Replies: 12
- Views: 460
Re: How to get mat finish? Suggestions please.
Success. I chose to use a piece of hessian sackcloth. Gentle but persistent rubbing has dulled the surface nicely. Some of the internal corners were a PITA, but overall I'm quite happy.
- 29 May 2020, 12:43pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: KMC chain link came undone
- Replies: 30
- Views: 1330
Re: KMC chain link came undone
I stand corrected.
All the authentic Shimano HG73 or HG93 9 speed chains I've ever bought never came with a quick link but always a joining pin.
It would appear as if Shimano only started making quick links (of the modern design, not for 6,7,8 chains) for ≥11 speed chains. Or am I wrong again
All the authentic Shimano HG73 or HG93 9 speed chains I've ever bought never came with a quick link but always a joining pin.
It would appear as if Shimano only started making quick links (of the modern design, not for 6,7,8 chains) for ≥11 speed chains. Or am I wrong again

- 29 May 2020, 10:05am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: KMC chain link came undone
- Replies: 30
- Views: 1330
Re: KMC chain link came undone
kwackers wrote:. . . It was a Shimano chain and I'd used their split link -
Shimano don't make quick links. Authentic Shimano are supplied with a single chain pin.
If you bought a 'Shimano' chain that included a quick link, it's very likely a counterfeit item. ebay is the worst source.
- 25 May 2020, 1:05pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: AVID BB7 MTN
- Replies: 8
- Views: 286
Re: AVID BB7 MTN
But is the new "BB7 MTB" calliper the direct replacement of my "BB& MTN"? Yes. I'm thinking that the pad may not be retained in place by the somewhat flattened pad retaining pin on the pressure foot. The pads are held in place by having their tabs properly located into the p...
- 25 May 2020, 11:35am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: AVID BB7 MTN
- Replies: 8
- Views: 286
Re: AVID BB7 MTN
There are dozens of listings on ebay and Amazon for BB7s. Just beware, the cheapest on ebay are often counterfeit.
Post a pic of the damaged part / area, it may still be salvageable. BB7s are, generally speaking, virtually bombproof.
Post a pic of the damaged part / area, it may still be salvageable. BB7s are, generally speaking, virtually bombproof.
- 24 May 2020, 6:47pm
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Crank Size Difference Help
- Replies: 4
- Views: 313
Re: Crank Size Difference Help
Hello guys. I'm thinking of buying a power meter on the left crank. But the thing is, my cranks are 170mm, and I can only find 172.5mm, do you think it's okay if I use 172.5 on one side and 170 on the other? Thanks. You'll definitely notice it for the first ride, not so much thereafter and probably...
- 18 May 2020, 1:51pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: How to get mat finish? Suggestions please.
- Replies: 12
- Views: 460
Re: How to get mat finish? Suggestions please.
I had in mind some sort of 'pickling' liquid. Not concerned if I get a slightly patchy result. It's the smooth highly polished finish that bothers me. Just doesn't look right on a well (ab)used mtb 

- 18 May 2020, 12:51pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: How to get mat finish? Suggestions please.
- Replies: 12
- Views: 460
How to get mat finish? Suggestions please.
I have a black aluminium stem with a highly polished finish. Any suggestions on how to mat this down, without damaging the paint* obviously.
* Probably anodised rather than painted.
Sharp edges and tight corners mean I don't want to try a light sanding in case I rub through to the base aluminium.
* Probably anodised rather than painted.
Sharp edges and tight corners mean I don't want to try a light sanding in case I rub through to the base aluminium.
- 14 May 2020, 11:21am
- Forum: Does anyone know … ?
- Topic: Slippery Mountain Bike SPD shoes
- Replies: 6
- Views: 494
Re: Slippery Mountain Bike SPD shoes
I had the same problem. My local cobbler sanded down the sole until smooth and affixed a new vibram sole. I was left to cut out space for the cleat.
Bit untidy but it worked, sort of. I wouldn't do it again.
Next time I'd just remove the cleats and use the shoes for cycling on flat pedals.
Bit untidy but it worked, sort of. I wouldn't do it again.
Next time I'd just remove the cleats and use the shoes for cycling on flat pedals.
- 14 May 2020, 8:21am
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Tandem Tyre Choice in 26 x 2.0 ?
- Replies: 79
- Views: 1990
Re: Tandem Tyre Choice in 26 x 2.0 ?
Mike_Ayling wrote:
. . . and 15-20kg of gear for credit card touring.
mike
Man! That's one heavy credit card
