Cycling UK Forum

Interesting question I don't think I have ever seen an inch pitch freewheel despite far too much time spent hanging around cycle jumbles etc . Inch pitch fixed chainwheels were marketed up to the mid 60's and made by Campag (151PCD) TA (six pin fitting )and Williams ( C34 and B100) earlier ones were made by BSA and Chater Lea. Williams especially are very common at jumbles and pretty much unsalable

Inch pitiched fixed sprockets were made by Bayliss Wiley , Villers and I suspect others .

I have checked old catologues eg Holdsworth Aids, General Fitting company, Browns brothers etc ( frm 30's to 60's) and can find no ref to an inch pitch freewheel only frewheels in half inch pitch 1/8 asnd 3/16 ( carrier size) and later 3/32. So I would question if they were ever made.
Asking old racers the attraction of inch pitch there is a view it is stronger ( hence the use by track riders) but I am not sure if this is correct . Very popular in US track racing for much longer than over here inch pitch chains are very rare and expensive not an avenue to go down I suggest but they do look great !!!!

Depnding on how badly the thread is damaged you may be able to use an oversized bottom bracket cup. These were made by TDC for the purpose of using on frames with worn /damaged threads. They are identifable by the 0 marking. I still; have some of these both fixed and adjustable i think , if you want to give it a go let me know. Happy to let you try one for the cost of postage WR frames will have been very well built so perhaps you haven't compeletely wrecked the thread
Steve

Suntour haven't made new winner sprockets since they went bust in the early 1990's. Pity because they were a great freewheel system ie you could do 5/6/7 standard and narrow with the same bodies.
Not sure if you can only use these for the SA converter but I have a stock of NW sprockets which \ Iwould be happy to let use if the need arose

thanks guys you are right this is british size expressed in a different way ( I checked on frame and the cups fit OK)

Steve

Can anyone assist in identifying what these bottom bracket cups are for . Its an Ofmega stamped 34.8 x 24F.

Acccording to Sheldons Brown info its not English, French, Swiss or Italian ( 36 x 24)
Any ideas?
Steve

I have done this route twice this year and found the surface excellent. The A470 is tedious and your hardly see the river whereas the route on the west bank has wonderful views fo the curves of the Wye. the surface is good and I would say pretty much all rideable on a road /touring bike.

Its not all off road as basically the cycle route links up tp two dead ends roads

NB this is not the old coach road that runs from Rhayder to Cwmystwyth and is all tarmac now but despite the petrol fumes still an exciting crossing giving a sense of the vastness and remoteness that is the Elenydd( Cambrian mountains)

I'd recommend the New Inn in Newbridge as a place to stay and eat the have a bunkhouse and and do B and b very friendly people.

I have used a Nordlicht for the past few year ( est 800 miles at night). recently its started slipping in wet conditions. I have always used the rubber roller but am thinking of switching to the steel one.

Anyone have experience of the steel roller ? Any disdavantages ?
Steve.

PS Until the Nordlicht I used a Lucifer 800, superb never slipped just the odd ocassion it blew the rear bulb

Having just spent some time wardening Slaidburn YH ., Lancs ( on the CTC end to end route) can I offer some observations on LEJOG .

First of all the route from Chester to Slaidburn is not difficult cycling wise but is from a navigation point of view. the main problem is that north of Warrington the signs tend to point either west to Liverpool or east to Manchester when you want to go north. Careful route planning will save a great deal of time on this section. Also a number of people get lost around Blackburn where signage is very much designed to keep cars out of the town centre.

Slaidburn north to Carlisle, the hardest part is the first section to High Benthen over Tathem Fells . Pace yourself over this as the remainder of the day is easier.

Slaidburn the hostel is self catering but does keep a stock of food eg tins and cereal. The pub opposite ' Hark to Bounty' does excellent meals but is very busy Friday night when its a fiver a dish and wil do a full breakfast from 0800 if booked the night before. There are very good cyclist cafes in Dunsop Bridge 4 miles south ( which claims to be the centre of Britain) 0930 to 1630 and in Kirby Lonsdale which would make a good early lunch stop north .

Bikes : I was amazed given our weather as to the number riding without mudguards . Also the lack of low gears an inner cahin ring of 39 with a rear of 26 will not easily get you up hills especially if you are carrying luggage .

Riders: knee problems seem to be the most common complaint in some cases caused by a too high saddle or by lack of training. Also i would question if clipless area a good idea for the inexperienced rider

Hostel has a drying room and secure bike shed

As you are about halfway if you are taking it easy perhaps a rest day at Slaidburn would be worth considering. the village is owned by an estate and is a real time warp. Also there is great cycling around the area.

An easy ride would be to take the back road from Newton to Slaidburn it adds a couple of miles but scenically is wonderful with views of the Bowland Fells

I am currently researching the history of Resilion ( 1927 to 1960) for the Veteran Cycle Club ( VCC) whose main product was a cantilever brake.

IF anyone has any information about these brakes eg expereince of fitting using, catalogues, brake bits etc I would be very grateful. All contributions will be acknowledged and a copy of the finished article provided if required

Steve

Having just ordered something from Spa that arrived the next day I thought I would comment on what a consistently excellent service they provide. The are also very knowledgable

They may not be as hi tech as some others but their prices are very competitive. Apart frpm current stuff I have found them very useful for TA cycletourist and Strong light 80/99/100 chainrinsg bolts etc. . They seem to have every single ring size in the TA up to 64t useful for a small wheeled bike I asume.

Steve

TA cycletourist cranks( more properly the Pro Vis 5 and not made until the eraly 1960's ) use a 23 mm extractor the more usual size is 22. As has been said ealier Spa cycles should have these . Using the wrong extractor will risk ruining the cranks. Also check you have removed any washers whihc may have been fitted around the crank bolt
Steve

Yes they are all the same size but were not vacuum ( the first one of these was the TA Isol in the 70's) just made out of metal ( which gave a unpleasant taste to my palete . Another one of those items vastly over rated and sought after by ebayers.
Steve G

Why not stay at Dogloch hostel its on the Tregaron Abergwesyn rd about half way. Open all year book via the YHA see website elenyddwilderneshostels.com
Steve

Sadly the SYHA seem to be going the same way as the YHA closing the smaller remote hostels all these are well used by cyclists and create huge gaps in the network. One Scottish hostel which recently disappeared for the SYHA network has been saved its Craig in near Torridon which is now an MBA bothy well worth the effort to get to a real adventage acroos a boulder field no motorist here as the nearest road is 4 miles away

The good news is that many of the hostels closed by the YHA have been saved not just the two Elenydd hostels Tyn'cornel and Dolgoch ( see website www.elenyddwilderness hostels .co.uk) but also Earby , Alston, Wooler, Elmcott, Kirby Stephen Skiddaw House ( which has its own Trust)

I would question if the YHA and SYHA should keep their chariatable status which is to help all especially young people to enjoy the coutryside Quite how this is met by building hostels in London Edinburgh etc often at a huge loss

I must declare an interest as I am a Trustee of the Elenydd Hostels Trust

Steve

PS we are trying to keep our hostels open all year !!

One alternative to rechroming is painting with silver enamal. I have only found rechroming cost effective if you have quite few parts to do .

The chrome on Mafac brakes parts ( cable clamp bolt, pivot bolts and brake shoe holders, brake springs) is one of their only weak points. The quality of the chroming got worse with the passage of time eg Mafac brakes for the 50's is far better chrome than those from the 70's.
A useful tip if the stirrups are getting worn swap them over front and back


Steve ( VCC Mafac Marque Enth and general Mafac bore.)