Cycling UK Forum

Thanks Brucey, I will take the frame down to Rourkie's and see what they can do. Individually, the cups go in easily; it's just the whole assembly that goes tight. Shimano units must have a bit more tolerance than Campag. Ian

When I try to screw a Campag Centaur cartridge BB into my 531 steel frame the spindle goes tight (doesn't spin freely, is really rough) even before the cups are fully home. In my modern Aluminium frame they go in fine. Shimano spindles go into the steel frame without trouble. I assume that the threa...

I am going to repaint a really nice 531ST frame. I need to take the old enamel paint off first. Nitromores has no effect; what do you recomend? Would caustic soda do it?

The website says that these won't work with campag, or with non-replacable drop-outs. Any idea why not? Ian

In this year's 12 hour championship, and in the lead-up, I used "Bottom Butter" on my important places. I would thoroughly recommend it as an anti-chaffing agent. I bought it from Boots. ( I covered 224 miles and was the best in the over 60's category). Incidentally, I used to buy my Lucoz...

Thanks Brucey, I have a variety of spindles in my spares box, so I'll see what fits best. I will be using an 8 speed chain. By the way, I did once crack a TA crank by tightening it onto a spindle with the wrong taper, so I am anxious not to repeat this. Ian

Greetings Earthlings. Years ago, Stronglight cranks fitted on ISO (campag) taper spindles; then at some point they changed to JIS. I have some Escapade cranks, and also some Stronglight 80s. So, in terms of tapers, what fits what? Can I sneak in another Question? What front changer, ancient or moder...

No special prep is needed, just a clean surface. Good luck, Ian

From an art shop you can buy Windsor and Newton Professional Gloss varnish. Make sure you get gloss, not matt or silk. I bought mine from Jespers. It works well and sprays on evenly (comes in an aerosol can) costs about 7 quid. Ian

Greetings Earthlings: What's the difference in size between 26" Mountain bike rims, & 26" (650c) road bike rims? Which has the larger diameter, and by how much? Ian

Here's a bit of a puzzler: 2 years ago I fitted BB7's to my winter bike; dead easy to fit and adjust and no problems since. So good in fact that my mate, Sam, asked me to fit some to his new bike. The problem is that after a few miles of riding, the pads on the front caliper gradually tighten themse...