Cycling UK Forum

Mick - Very re-assuring to know its not just me!
Beaky - Well Sherlock, i'll try to remember that for next time!
Thanks guys, Joff.

SORTED - spent the morning in the workshop swapping chainrings, then had cranks off and on again all to no avail - Then the light went on, my front mech is fitted to brazed on lug with a slot in it to allow vertical adjustment, what i didn't realise was there is also a small amount of horizontal movement, loosened the allen bolt and rotated mech outward by a smidgen(technical term) - no rubbing! Must have knocked it slightly when taking off chain originally.
Whats the saying about not seeing the wood for the trees!

Hi Mick and Reohn, Went out for a ride again today, rubbing only occurs when chain is on big chain ring and smallest rear cog. I am using the correct SRAM link (Gold). The Link is fractionally wider than the chain, but on closer inspection (Frustrating ride stopping to adjust every 1/2mile) that is the symptom not the cause - as i rotate the crankset slowly i realised that the chain was ossilating from side to side as oppose to running true, so totally impossible to adjust front derailleur so as not to rub on one face or other. So next question why? As far as i can work out there are three poss causes - worn/bent bottom bracket - there is no noticeable play at all in the bottom bracket and its runs quietly so don't think its that, the other is a slightly bent chainring, will take off tomorrow and lay on a plate of glass to check for trueness, i will also fit another chainring from a friends bike to double check. The third poss is the crankset not sitting square on the axle, also unlikely but a poss i suppose, was thinking of undoing crank arms and rotating both by 90 degrees.

I have measured the chain and whilst obv slightly worn (poss to form a bend sideways in the chain but only over a long length) the rivets still line up on 12"

Thats where i'm at now, all advice welcome, thanks, Joff.

Hi all, am having probs with my 9speed chain - Took it off last night to give it a clean, Shimano Durace chain so had to open a link as it hadn't been off before (new bike), Cleaned, rinsed, lubed and re-assembled using a SRAM powerlink.I then noticed rubbing on the front derailleur when on outside chainwheel and smallest cog, strange, was silent before! adjusted derailleur a fraction and the chain started rubbing on the other side of the derailleur! lots of tiny adjustments and head scratching followed. Finally turned crank v slowly to see if it was always rubbing in the same place - it was - the Powerlink! Has anyone else come up against this, and if so what's the solution? My setup is Ultegra (6500 i think) 9 speed double groupset.

Thanks, for info, looks the 605 will do me fine, Joff.

Hi, Thinking of treating myself to a Christmas present; could someone please clarify the differences between these two for me.
From what i can work out the only difference is that the 705 has the ability to be wired up to a Heart Rate monitor and Cadence unit, or am i missing something?

Thanks, Joff.

Just wrap top tube in a piece of pipe lagging - available from any plumbers merchants, as long as the Carbon doesn't rub on metal no prob.
These racks work fine on sloping top tube bikes - the bike just sits at an angle thats all - just check ground clearance under rear wheel, kirbs etc.
Someone mentioned Ladies frames - just put one arm under the rear triangle rather than top tube.

Hard to answer this as not familiar with Ultra Galaxy setup and depends on what size bag you want.
If you order from CR or Wiggle at least you can can send them back no probs. if they don't fit - postage can start to add up though if you do it too often!

Is the Ultra Titanium framed? if so how have you found it?

Mountain bike eminently suitable because of comfort and gears. Make it easier on yourself by fitting slick road tyres, Shwalbe City Jet are cheap (normally around a tenner), pump up to 85 psi and have good puncture resistance. 60 -70 miles a day and you're there in about two weeks!

Enjoy

Dave,

Good on Yer!

Please ignore advise about 21st men unable to do Lejog, Instead read Tom Vernon's books, "Fat Man On A Roman Road", "Fat Man on a Bike" etc.
Sure lugging 21st up a hill isn't easy......but thats what gears are for, You'll obviously need a triple front with a 32 back (or even a 34). I Cycle regularly with a 17st+ buddy, I'm about 11, he rides a triple, me a double, i beat him up hills, he beats me down, we've both done 200k in a day, both equally Knackered - No diff there! Few things other people have already mentioned that i'd def. agree with; get miles in, as much as poss, long spins get your legs used to it and your bum used to the saddle. SADDLE - vital you have a saddle you're comfortable with, lots of people who do long tours use Brooks leather saddles, and for a very good reason, they're comfortable, AFTER the saddle (or your bum- opinions vary on this) has been broken in. I assume you're not out to break records so 60 a miles a day, 30 morn, 30 aft should be easily achievable, even if you only average 10 mph, thats only 3hours morn and 3 hours aft.....No prob.

Enjoy and keep us all updated!

I'd me more inclined to get a comfortable saddle, and try to avoid the pot holes. As on a previous post, i also put one on a hardtail mountain bike i use for touring, didn't like it at all, seemed to be either too stiff to do anything or like riding a pogo stick.In fairness it was only a cheap one, so maybe you'll get a more positive response from someone else.

SRAM 9speed links (Gold Coloured) work with most 9 speed chains, not just SRAM ones. Campag C9 chains are certainly a very nice looking chain (all Silver) and my ones lasted very well, but i think they are being phased out now, as Campag has moved on to 10 and 11 speeds, notice CR are no longer stocking them anyhow. SRAM 991 is similar to the C9 in being all silver, (Nickel plated as is C9) and mine works v well on shimano gears. Have heard good reports about Wipperman chains too, their equiv would be a 908, but i've no experience of these myself.

Stuart,

Just had a look at the Panorama and the Voyage on Evans website. No idea what age the Panorama is that you are looking at, but if it is all in good condition and works well would be well worth an offer. Both of the Ridgebacks would be better for long distance touring than the Dawes, because as others have mentioned, that's what they are designed for. The Dawes is more of an Audax bike - fast day rides carrying very little luggage (not normally more than a little saddlebag). If the Panorama falls through for whatever reason, would be worth comparing the Voyage with the Dawes Horizon and Kara-Kum, both touring bikes bikes around the 700 mark.

Let us all know what bike you get, and good luck with LEJOG!

Mick,

Will have to give them a try when my Gatorskins wear out, will my love affair with them come to an end!

Mick,

Just read the thread about your "off". Shame the Solicitors have backed down, Very impressed the tyres both stayed up, What were they?