Cycling UK Forum

Looking to get the GF a new(er) bike.

She currently has an old, bomb-proof Raleigh with a 3-speed Sturmey Archer hub in the back. Hub is reliable and easy to maintain (never touch it!).

The bike I'm looking at is almost new and has a SA 5-speed in the back. My question is....are the newer SA hubs as good as the older ones?

Not so easy....my friend is in Latvia......

A lady friend of mine asked me to find her a comfortable shopping bike so I'm looking at an old-fashoned type step-thru frame. I have no idea about what size would be appropriate for her. She's 5' 4" with a 28" inside seam.
Can someone tell me what step-thru frame size would be right for her please. I'm thinking 17" but I have no experience of the step-thru frames.

An update.....

I put a 32 cassette on the back and run a cheap KMC chain and everything works fine.

Thanks for that comprehensive answer. Anyone would think you knew what you were talking about....lol.

....and thanks to RogerThat for that info. I'll go with a 32 and not push to a 34....unless I can pick one up really cheap - just to try it.

One last question......should I go for a specific Shimano MTB chain? Or a cheaper KMC 73 or 93?

I will have the Shimano SLX HG81 on the back and Ultegra 6700 compact on the front, Tiagra RD & FD.

On CRC site it states the SLX HG81 should be used with a MTB chain, then it states it's for use with HG chains.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... prod126472

So Deore is not a different model...just another name for the HG62 & HG50?

Shimano recommends a road chain (4600) with the Tiagra cassette and a MTB chain with the HG81.....is that typical Shimano selling hype? Can I use any 10-speed chain?

Anyone tried a 32 or 34 cassette with a 10-speed Tiagra Rear Derailleur? I know it's only supposed to use up to a 30 sprocket according to Shimano...but it looks like it will at least take on a 32.......I'm not asking if it will handle the slack in the chain, but if it can handle a 32 or 34 sprocket without touching.

I have a road bike that I want to make more hill-friendly!

And if I go to 32 or 34 with my 10-speed Tiagra set up, which is the more agreeable cassette, an SLX or Deore? They are a similar price. I don't know what the technical difference is between them.

Thanks for all the replies.

I am thinking more about hiring a gite than B&B or hotel. I'd rather cook for myself....especially in France, where the cuisine is more over-rated than Shakespeare (that should stir things up a bit!), and I'll be with the GF so a bit of privacy won't go amiss. A typical French breakfast wouldn't get me 2kms down the street.......

Bourg sounds like a good option.....and I get the point about the motorway nearby to St. Jean. Probably not the quietest of valleys. St. Jean doesn't look so attractive on Google Street Maps. A week in each place sounds like a plan.

I realise May will be somewhat early and it'll be a gamble as to whether the weather will allow the high roads to be open then, but there will be less people and should be cheaper (I'm a Yorkshireman).
We're hoping to spend a couple of weeks in the mountains (for me) then 2 weeks in Provence (for her). Why not 'do' Provence first?....because I think 2 weeks on the plonk might affect my ability to climb rather large hills.
I intend cutting back on the beer, shedding a stone, and getting some mileage in my legs in the next few weeks...fit some lower gearing. ....then hit the hills, tick them off, then chill out for 2 weeks.

Anyway, keep the suggestions/info coming. It's interesting stuff, and I'm sure many others will benefit from it.

I'm hoping to head down to the French Alps in May and try climbing some of the famous mountain stages of the Tour de France....like Ald d'Huez, Galbier etc.
I understand a small town called Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne is kind of at the center of many climbs. Anyone been there/got experience of the town or the area? I'm thinking of staying there for a couple of weeks and try give myself a heart attack on the hills.

Thanks for that. Just what I was looking for!

Why couldn't I find that link.......

Ah...OK. That's probably why I couldn't see them in the CTC shop.....

Anyone know where I can get hold of a 'North Yorkshire CTC' jersey or shirt?

Whilst out today I saw another cyclist wearing a long sleeved jersey with 'North Yorkshire CTC' on the back (I didn't see the front). I've seen CTC jerseys before but not a North Yorkshire one.
Anyone know where I can find one?

Ahaa....I didn't know there were products available for this specific issue. Thanks for that. There's my solution I guess.

I tried a bit of duct tape...and surprisingly that wasn't enough grip..........

I don't want to put anything on there that will form a permanent bond as I might want to change shifters/brake levers someday.

Any tips for preventing bar-ends from slipping?

Bar ends are carbon, with alu clamps, on carbon bars so cannot tighten as one would on alloy bars.

I've tightened the clamps to the maximum torque recommended but they still slip when pulled. Any thoughts on what medium to put between the alloy and carbon to prevent slipping? Super glue is a bit drastic.......maybe some sort of rubber adhesive like puncture repair glue? I'm not sure if that reacts with carbon or not.....