Search found 3416 matches

by fatboy
12 Feb 2024, 6:36am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Alternatives to Shimano BR CX-50 Cantilever
Replies: 14
Views: 952

Re: Alternatives to Shimano BR CX-50 Cantilever

I use CR720s for front brakes but I use the suntour self energising ones on the rear (8.99 at sjscycles, but get new pads) as the wide ones foul my Carradice briefcase pannier. The are a bit of a faff to set up but I like them.
by fatboy
12 Feb 2024, 6:28am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Dynamo lighting deterioation
Replies: 9
Views: 512

Re: Dynamo lighting deterioation

In my experience the hub either works or doesn't but the lights can deteriorate; I had the same with a B&M IQ fly. These days there is a lot of electronics inside these lights which can go wrong.
by fatboy
14 Jun 2023, 5:58pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Brake compatibility
Replies: 11
Views: 791

Re: Brake compatibility

I never liked mini v brakes, they need to be set closer to the rim than I like. Cantis are good IMHO and you may find that new cables inner and outer and pads will transform the brakes.
by fatboy
18 Feb 2023, 7:08pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Sit on tag along trailer for twins.
Replies: 15
Views: 1091

Re: Sit on tag along trailer for twins.

I had one many moons ago, bought second hand off a work colleague and sold after several years of use for a profit (mine was an Adam's like in the picture). It was great fun but you need to be really confident and have good brakes. I found that flat bars worked better than drops.

If you manage to find one (I think that they stopped making them yeare ago) you will never make a quiet entry anywhere!
by fatboy
18 Feb 2023, 5:04pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Problems with down-tube shifters
Replies: 38
Views: 3594

Re: Problems with down-tube shifters

I have used newish dura ace downtube shifters and the front was different than plain friction; it's held on a spring rather than friction. Looking at the instructions step 1 is to install the boss cover so that the key bit points forward in line with the downtube. Second step is to add the lever (the image shows it pointing down as 90 degrees to the downtube). Then you turn it anti clockwise adjusting the bolt until the spring doesn't turn the lever. Then turn the shifter fully anticlockwise which is around 30 degrees. I have found this to work with a variety of front mechs without issue.
by fatboy
15 Sep 2022, 10:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Campagnolo 11 speed with Shimano Cassette
Replies: 5
Views: 671

Re: Campagnolo 11 speed with Shimano Cassette

After some fiddling I think I may have cracked it. I replaced one spacer with a 9 speed spacer, changed the 11t for a 9 speed and slightly twisted the plate (based on a suggestion from Brucey to do a sort of hubbub) and now it shifts well on the stand over the whole range of the cassette. Needs a ride in anger to check.....

I have done some reading on this and think that campagnolo cassette will work with Shimano mechs and shifters but not the other way around as to undershift is better than to over shift.
by fatboy
10 Sep 2022, 7:57pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Campagnolo 11 speed with Shimano Cassette
Replies: 5
Views: 671

Campagnolo 11 speed with Shimano Cassette

I have built up a new bike with Campy 11 speed shifters and mechs but (following advice on the web from Zinn and others) with Shimano 11 speed cassette and hub. This is supposed to work as the spacing is almost identical. However I can't get it to work over the complete 11 speed cassette leading me to think that they're not compatible after all. I can make it do 1 to 10 if I set the upper limit screw. It's clear to me that the cassette is slightly too narrow. Anyone got any ideas how to slightly widen the cassette or make the mech shift slightly less?
by fatboy
3 Jun 2022, 10:03pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Garmin Etrex 22x / 32x handlebar mount
Replies: 18
Views: 895

Re: Garmin Etrex 22x / 32x handlebar mount

Not nifty but I find it works fine. I usually manage to open the zip ties using a Stanley knife blade on the ratchet bit and can reuse
by fatboy
31 Dec 2021, 11:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimano dynamo hubs
Replies: 36
Views: 3301

Re: Shimano dynamo hubs

Having had more than one going open circuit with no warning I've given up on Shimano Dynamo hubs.
by fatboy
16 Oct 2021, 9:39pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tubing diameters
Replies: 16
Views: 1217

Re: Tubing diameters

Ceeway is the company that they seem to use. Additionally I have found an old Reynolds catalogue which gives butt information (unfortunately I have no idea what it means).

Regarding brakes I am fitting dual pivots. I know that it's unfashionable but I hate v brakes (mini and standard), prefer cantis and love dual pivots (I've got them on my current audax and my brompton). Need to choose the best sort.....
by fatboy
16 Oct 2021, 8:56am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tubing diameters
Replies: 16
Views: 1217

Re: Tubing diameters

Valbrona wrote: 16 Oct 2021, 8:21am I don't think anyone who runs those courses market them as 'an opportunity to build your ideal frame'. You get a standard kit and a chance to learn basic framebuilding skills.

Oversized frame tubes will of course require a set of oversized lugs.
Given the conversations and information shared it certainly isn't a standard kit of parts. But obviously there are limitations i.e. must he lugged and lugs can't be very fancy and no stainless steel etc. For me the opportunity to build a classic frame tailored to me is really exciting.
by fatboy
16 Oct 2021, 8:12am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tubing diameters
Replies: 16
Views: 1217

Re: Tubing diameters

Thanks for the really useful info and advice and (assuming they don't advise against) I will go for a traditional frame.

I will discuss brakes in detail and let them lead on material choice (that was already on my list). Also great to hear first hand that a traditional frame built there is good and that the course is good too.
by fatboy
15 Oct 2021, 8:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Tubing diameters
Replies: 16
Views: 1217

Tubing diameters

As part of my mid-life crisis I've booked myself on a frame building course (Bicycles by Design) and now I'm thinking details and I've got thinking about tube diameters. I'm looking to build an Audax style bike (28mm tyres, mudguards, saddlebag only, I've got touring bikes for more weight carrying adventures) and would like it to be traditional (the frame will be lugged), but I'm not sure how traditional!

I haven't riden a good traditional tubed framed bike (I had 70s BSOs but that doesn't really help) and have oversized 725 framed bikes. I guess what I'm interested in is what is different between an oversized frame and a traditional and why the thinnet tubes became obsolete? Any thoughts welcome
by fatboy
8 Aug 2021, 9:29am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimergo - latest news
Replies: 109
Views: 28079

Re: Shimergo - latest news

PaulS wrote: 11 Jun 2020, 12:12pm Thanks Nick. And my shifters have a "B". There's the difference.
Having just bought some 11 speed Athena "B" shifters and rereading this I took to measuring cable pull (not attached to anything) and get a pull of 2.6 per click (ignoring 11 to 10) which lines up with the Shimergo tables. I am now confused enough to just buy the correct mechs!
by fatboy
7 Aug 2021, 7:03pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Shimergo - latest news
Replies: 109
Views: 28079

Re: Shimergo - latest news

Does anyone know whether the same holds for 11s GRX and 11s campagnolo shifters as hopds for 10s. I think that it will but I'm getting confused!