Cycling UK Forum

Here is a link to "Mind the Gap" by Chris Juden

http://www.ctc.org.uk/resources/Magazine/200505044.pdf

I don't have a Ridgeback Flight 04 but if you Google "Ridgeback Flight 04 geometry" you can get some figures for your 60cm frame. The wheelbase minus the chainstay should give you a rough idea of the distance from bottom bracket to front axle. If you sit on a bike and take measurements you...

I could be wrong, but I thought that two dissimilar metals in contact, in the absence of an electrolyte, will not undergo galvanic corrosion. So, if the joint between the metals is dry, then in the case of aluminium in contact with steel, the aluminium will not corrode.

I suppose given that headset cups are an interference fit, any grease you put in may well get displaced as the cups are inserted. Also, because the metal surfaces are "tightly" held together by the interference fit there is very little chance of water ingress to cause corrosion. This could...

Most headset manufacturers give installation instructions on their websites. I would check these to see if grease is recommended.

If you really want to use the DX seatpost then why not use a 27.2 to 30.2 shim (from chain reaction cycles). OR 27.2 to 30.0 - depending on the exact size of your seat tube. It is the exact thickness of the shim that is important and if you use a shim with a slot down its length it will easily compr...

I use vaseline. It seems to be pretty harmless. I also like the way some of it plugs the tiny gap where the shank of the spoke enters the spoke nipple, sealing the gap and preventing water getting in.

I have an old levin headset and the balls in the retainer both face upwards. I have a new one as a spare and the balls in the retainer both face downwards! The design of the retainer appears to have changed. Careful examination should reveal their correct orientation or just use loose balls with no ...

It could be that on cleaning the bike something (bike cleaner or lubricant) has got into the friction mechanism. I did have a similar problem and had to strip down the
mechanism and wipe off anything that might interfere with friction between the surfaces.

Going back to the original problem of broken spokes. Stainless steel can suffer from crevice corrosion, especially when salt is present. The spoke / nipple interface could provide an ideal environment for this to occur. See http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=95 Incidently, I also use vaseline...

I've used V brakes with drop bars and Tekro levers and was also slightly disappointed with the return action of the brake levers. I also used the top hole on the brake boss to get enough spring tension in the brake return springs. I checked for free cable movement and it all seemed OK. So, I resigne...

I had similar problems - so I thought. It turned out there was play between the quill stem and the steerer tube which showed when I vigorously rocked the bike with the front brake on! Another source of play is the front brakes themselves. I would suggest ajusting the headset with the bike in a stand...

I had the same problem and found it very annoying! I did not want to use excessive force on the seatpost bolt. So, I purchased a seatpost clamp (30.0 mm) and a seatpost shim (27.2 to 30.0mm) and cut the shim to fit inside the seatclamp. This extra clamp was then tightened around my existing seatpost...