Search found 564 matches

by flat tyre
25 Jun 2022, 4:55pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 105 Cassette has trouble shifting from 3rd to 4th gear
Replies: 9
Views: 876

Re: 105 Cassette has trouble shifting from 3rd to 4th gear

Depending what 11 speed cassette you are using you may or may not need a spacer ring on the freehub. If you haven't fitted one and one is required (or vice versa), this could make the gears difficult to index correctly.
Some more information in this thread - viewtopic.php?p=1474807#p1474807
by flat tyre
22 Apr 2022, 10:05pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Are handlebars too low on modern bicycles ?
Replies: 51
Views: 3204

Re: Are handlebars too low on modern bicycles ?

As far as I'm concerned they are just about right. I mostly am on the hoods, but when descending at speed I use the drops. I find this is safer as far less likely to get my hands knocked off the handlebars if I hit a pothole. I have also suffered two crashes when descending at speed and escaped serious injury from the last one as being well down in the drops did a neat forward roll and avoided a face plant on the tarmac.
by flat tyre
30 Mar 2022, 9:34am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: GT 85 - What To Use It For And What Not
Replies: 84
Views: 5781

Re: GT 85 - What To Use It For And What Not

A little dab behind the ears keeps the mosquitoes away, and seems to make me attractive to the opposite sex.
by flat tyre
26 Mar 2022, 4:23pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Pedals creaking
Replies: 23
Views: 1533

Re: Pedals creaking

I had a recent creaking noise that was intermittent and seemingly in sync with the crank rotation. I initially thought it was something to do with the pedals until I inspected the bike and found that the rear quick release skewer wasn't tightened up properly.
by flat tyre
2 Feb 2022, 4:54pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Eight mile tailback?
Replies: 29
Views: 2229

Re: Eight mile tailback?

If he was driving in the alleged tailback, how would he know that it was a) 8 miles long and b) caused by cyclists?
by flat tyre
31 Jan 2022, 12:27pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Distinct clicking noise from bottom bracket
Replies: 21
Views: 2567

Re: Distinct clicking noise from bottom bracket

I had a noise that sounded similar to your description. My bottom bracket was the threaded type. What I found was that the threaded bearing housing on one side of the BB was coming loose after a few hundred miles. I fixed the problem by putting some blue locktite on the threads before tightening up the housing and it's been fine for 2,000 miles so far.
by flat tyre
9 Dec 2021, 1:37pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Nominate a good QR lever.
Replies: 19
Views: 1116

Re: Nominate a good QR lever.

I've got hex key skewers on one of my bikes. I had intended to get the ones with a security key, but I just know what would happen to the key when I needed it most!
The hex key skewers are cheap, provide a little bit more security than the standard QR and don't seem to make much difference to the time taken to get the wheel on or off, given that there is a certain amount of adjusting required to get the QR levers to tighten properly, so I'm thinking of fitting them to my other bikes.
https://www.halowheels.com/shop/compone ... ey-skewers
by flat tyre
6 Dec 2021, 11:24am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Custom made bikes
Replies: 8
Views: 655

Re: Custom made bikes

Another vote for Woodrup, I've had 2 frames built by them, very helpful and good quality product.
by flat tyre
4 Dec 2021, 4:11pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Worst personalized number plate
Replies: 213
Views: 13779

Re: Worst personalized number plate

I saw 1 8 TAX on a bloatwagon on the Isle of Wight (presumably "I hate tax"), as it was taking up some 75% of the road paid for by errr... taxes I suppose that the owner doesn't understand irony.
by flat tyre
29 Oct 2021, 10:16pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano Ultegra hydaulic brakes, levers excessive travel
Replies: 3
Views: 1719

Re: Shimano Ultegra hydaulic brakes, levers excessive travel

Thanks for the bleeding tips (if you'll pardon the expression!). I had another go and followed your advice including detaching the rear caliper etc. The brakes seem to be be much better now, hopefully they will stay that way.
by flat tyre
24 Oct 2021, 10:50am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano Ultegra hydaulic brakes, levers excessive travel
Replies: 3
Views: 1719

Shimano Ultegra hydaulic brakes, levers excessive travel

I've put ultegra hydraulic brakes on my latest bike. I've got a problem with the levers having excessive travel, right up to the handle bars before effective braking occurs. I've tried adjusting the free travel according to the Shimano manual but this makes little difference. I've also bled the brakes since installing them several times to make sure that the problem isn't air in the system, I don't think it is as the brakes bite firmly and both levers have the same feel. All the parts I've used (cables, fittings etc) are the Shimano items supplied with the groupset.
One action that seems to cure the problem is to take the wheel off and then squeeze the brake a few times so that the pads meet together. After this the brake lever is good and feels like it should do with only a little travel before biting. However, this only lasts a few rides before it is back to the old problem with excessive travel.
I'm just wondering if this is normal with Ultegra brakes of if there's something I've overlooked with the set up.
by flat tyre
21 Sep 2021, 2:39pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Transmission slipping
Replies: 9
Views: 569

Re: Transmission slipping

If you still have the old cassette, put that back on and try it. If it wasn't slipping before you changed the cassette but only slips with the new cassette then the chain should be changed as well.
by flat tyre
3 Sep 2021, 7:03pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Dolan bikes - experience with ?
Replies: 6
Views: 603

Re: Dolan bikes - experience with ?

I bought a Dolan Tuono frame from them, built my own bike up, lovely lightweight bike. Their technical support was very good.
by flat tyre
15 Aug 2021, 11:23am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Quality trouser straps
Replies: 12
Views: 958

Re: Quality trouser straps

Are there really people who still wear flared trousers? Oh hang on this is the cycling UK forum so...yes there are!
by flat tyre
30 Jul 2021, 10:58am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Feedback : 2 year old law junctions
Replies: 623
Views: 36166

Re: Highway Code revisions: Consultation open until 27 October 2020

NUKe wrote: 30 Jul 2021, 9:05am https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58021450
it looks like we won. this is a big step forward for cycle Safety
Don't read the comments on the BBC webpage unless you want to get depressed!