Search found 882 matches

by frank9755
14 Sep 2021, 9:21am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Are you tempted by Speedplay?
Replies: 18
Views: 1248

Re: Are you tempted by Speedplay?

They are used by people who want a mid-foot cleat position as they offer the easiest way to achieve it.
Also people who want a lot of float. I first came across them 12 years ago on a CTC tour when an American rider, who threw his left knee out by almost a foot, used them for extreme float.

I switched to them a couple of years ago for the former reason. I can't say I love them but I've not worn out a set of pedals, or even cleats, yet.
by frank9755
2 Sep 2021, 2:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tandem hubs / Hope Pro 4
Replies: 11
Views: 612

Re: Tandem hubs / Hope Pro 4

iandusud wrote: 2 Sep 2021, 8:17am What is the rear dropout spacing?
Frame is 135mm and intended rims are 36 holes
by frank9755
2 Sep 2021, 7:24am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tandem hubs / Hope Pro 4
Replies: 11
Views: 612

Tandem hubs / Hope Pro 4

I was trying to get a set of Hope tandem hubs but it appears that Hope doesn't make them any more.

A person at Hope who answered my email enquiry suggested I use their Pro 4 hubs. These seem to be their standard mountain biking hub.

Is there any reason to doubt that these (solo) hubs would be OK on a tandem? FWIW its for day rides, touring with luggage, and not heavy team weight (c.150kg).
by frank9755
26 Aug 2021, 1:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Redshift stem rattle
Replies: 1
Views: 185

Re: Redshift stem rattle

Mine has always been fine, but I haven't tried to change the elastomers.
by frank9755
1 Aug 2021, 8:45pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?
Replies: 26
Views: 3374

Re: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?

gxaustin wrote: 31 Jul 2021, 5:42pm Are the idler wheels Shimano 11 speed? Could you have been given the wrong ones with wider spacers?
there is a 2.2mm maximum gap between the edge of my 11s chain and the cage (6800 Ultegra). The KMC chain is 5.9mm wide.
Unless they were in the wrong box, they were the right wheels.

I rode with them today and all was fine now I've got the bottom one oriented correctly.
by frank9755
31 Jul 2021, 1:56pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?
Replies: 26
Views: 3374

Re: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?

Thanks Mick!

It's surprising that there is enough room. I've just measured the cage width at 8.8mm for an 11 speed shimano chain at 5.4mm so, if anything, there is slightly less space than you have

When it was off, the chain was right up on the shoulder of the jockey wheel teeth, and maybe pushed it over slightly. I guess it must have done or there wouldn't have been room.

Looking at it again the cage is asymmetric, there is at least a mm more space on the is outboard side, where it was falling, so that will have helped a bit.
by frank9755
30 Jul 2021, 8:02pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Cycling after a heart bypass
Replies: 15
Views: 3879

Re: Cycling after a heart bypass

I had a bypass in June 2018. I was riding normally by the autumn.

I needed attention to four arteries. They decided that they would do keyhole surgery between my ribs to bypass one artery and fix the others with stents. A major factor was that I had a one year old daughter at the time and would not be able to lift her if I'd had a normal bypass but,this way, I could after one month.

I hadn't had any cardiac events beforehand, so no scaring to my heart muscle.

The operation and time in hospital was pretty rough but bearable. My complication was fluid around my lungs which had to be drained.

Afterwards I was pretty weak but strength came back quite quickly. The first few days I was walking slowly and struggling on hills. But it improved. I got on the bike about a week after leaving hospital. Very gentle, flat rides, heart rate no higher than 100. I improved quickly, and within a month, was able to push harder.

The drugs stopped my heart rate going as high as before, but I was able to come off them after about 6 weeks, then I could get above 150.

At that point I was getting pretty strong and, according to my cardiologist, benefiting from about 12% extra heart capacity from the replumbing.

I did a full audax season in 2019 and started the transcontinental race just over a year after the op. I managed to get to half way with everything going well before I had to drop out with shermer's neck.

I didn't have my breastbone cut so my recovery was perhaps a couple of months quicker than a normal bypass but I'd still expect you should be able to get back to where you are now by the start of next year, maybe even with a bit more power.

I hope the recovery continues to go well.
by frank9755
30 Jul 2021, 6:43pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?
Replies: 26
Views: 3374

Re: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?

OK, I think I've got it.

I looked at the jockey wheel and I had the right one at the bottom, but it was the wrong way round. I've flipped it and, a quick ride up and down the street with 20 shifts, and it is staying on.

I'll do a decent test ride over the weekend to check for sure.

Thanks everyone for thoughts.
by frank9755
30 Jul 2021, 6:14pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?
Replies: 26
Views: 3374

Re: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?

Thanks for comments and questions

It's Ultegra 6870 Di2: I built the bike up in 2015.

It happens on the workstand as well as if I ride it.

It's not the hanger (as mentioned in the OP): I changed it and it made no difference. The old hanger I took off was perfectly straight.

So looks like two possibilities:
- The cage could be bent but I don't know how that happened, and I'd rather rule out other possible causes before I mangle it!
- I may well have the wrong wheel on the bottom as I recall they both looked the same to me when I changed them (my error, not LBS!). I'll investigate this. However, the problem started before I changed the jockey wheels (it was why I changed them), so suggest the cage might be more likely....

I'll report back when I've had a look at the jockey wheels.
by frank9755
30 Jul 2021, 3:56pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?
Replies: 26
Views: 3374

Re: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?

You wouldn't think there was space for it to go to the side.
Here is the 'on' picture

Image

But riding just a few yards with a few gear shifts, and it is back running alongside.

Image

It's 11-speed chain and mech (Ultegra)
by frank9755
30 Jul 2021, 10:37am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?
Replies: 26
Views: 3374

Chain going beside rather than round lower jockey wheel - why / how fix?

My chain keeps coming off the lower jockey wheel and running through the cage beside it rather than on it.

I noticed this a few months ago and replaced the jockey wheel, which was very worn, and assumed that it would fix it. Maybe it did or maybe I didn't look closey. Either way, I notice the other day that it is happening again.

I went to the LBS and they suggested that I change the hanger. I did, but it is still happening. Within a couple of minutes of me putting the chain back on the jockey wheel it will have slipped off, especially if I shift a couple of times.

It's not clear what is going on. Nothing looks massively out of alignment but it must be or it wouldn't keep happening. The cage could have got bent, but I don't know how as I don't recall any incident.

I've ordered another set of new jockey wheels as simpler than messing around with the cage and maybe the ones I fitted have had issues - but not massively confident that they will fix it.

Any other thoughts / suggestions?
by frank9755
30 Jul 2021, 10:28am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Road bike with 40T cassette (cont.)
Replies: 9
Views: 495

Re: Road bike with 40T cassette (cont.)

Interesting, and good to know about the RISK.

I've had success with a 40T using a Wolf Tooth but that was with Ultegra Di2. This sounds like a better option if / when I want to put ever-lower gears on my other bike.
by frank9755
8 May 2019, 11:02am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Recommended Cantilever Brakes
Replies: 29
Views: 3109

Re: Recommended Cantilever Brakes

AMMoffat wrote:which is the best option, Avid Shorty, Tektro CR710 or Tektro CR720


Not used Avids but have just fitted a set of CR710s and been very impressed with stopping power. Seem significantly better than CR720s, which I have on two other bikes.
by frank9755
6 Feb 2018, 7:29am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: cycling in brittany - any recommendations ?
Replies: 14
Views: 6620

Re: cycling in brittany - any recommendations ?

maxbike wrote:
frank9755 wrote:I'm thinking of one of the places we stayed right out on the Western edge - a village called Kersaint.
We were actually in a very nice, family run hotel where we were to have a wonderful dinner in the evening and the best croissants we had ever experienced for the following breakfast.


I'm trying to find this hotel in Kersaint, has anyone visited it and can give me a reference...? Thanks.


Just looked it up and I reckon it was this one:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hostellerie+du+Castel/@48.549352,-4.707067,17z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x4816ae25056be66d:0x40ca5cd36e56b20!2sKersaint-Plabennec,+France!3b1!8m2!3d48.472186!4d-4.373712!3m4!1s0x48169eaec6cbc315:0xbbdebb19f1990f56!8m2!3d48.5491005!4d-4.7066291?dcr=0

It was pleasant back in August 2008. I recall that the guy carried our tandem inside when it was raining. It had a wheel lock on, so it must have been awkward. But things change in 10 years!
by frank9755
23 Sep 2012, 8:06pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: winter cycling shoes
Replies: 60
Views: 18307

Re: winter cycling shoes

Coming back to this thread three years later, the weather is turning again and thoughts turn to cold feet and hands.

I've been using Shimano winter boots and they have been OK but not quite enough even though, in cold weather I've combined them with merino socks, chemical toe warmers and neoprene overshoes.

The overshoes definitely do make a difference. But I made the mistake of getting boots that were not big enough. I went up one size from normal shoes but that means there isn't enough room for more than one pair of wool socks and it gets a bit cramped with the toe warmer in as well. If they are too tight, circulation gets affected and more socks hinder rather than help.

So I've decided I need a bigger pair. I've done more searches and the ones that seem to show up best for warmth are the Lake ones. Therefore I've just ordered a pair of Lake MXZ302 boots, two sizes bigger than my normal size. They were £160 but if they work, they will be worth it!