Search found 69 matches

by Mike McGeever
10 Dec 2009, 12:00am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: British Bottom Bracket tool
Replies: 9
Views: 767

Re: British Bottom Bracket tool

Do you have access to a vice?
Grip the flats in jaws of vice and start to unscrew by turning the frame.
Once loosed it should unscrew with a pair of pliers gripping one flat with jaws.
Apologies if I am preaching to the converted but!!
BEWARE!
THE RT SIDE , IF BRITISH, WILL BE LEFT HAND THREAD!
Not right to tight and left to loose!
With this bearing cup , turn rt. side clockwise to loosen off.
So just to make things really clear.
The left side is the right thread and the right side is the wrong thread.
Turning the bike upside down?
BEWARE!
The right side is now the right side and the left side is the wrong side!
Seriously, experienced cyclists have been "left undone" after turning bike upside down and not realised the effects.
So-- with the bike the right way up -any side -turn spanner (at 12 o'clock) forward to front to free cups off ;and rearwards to "Back" them off.
Hope this helps.
by Mike McGeever
9 Dec 2009, 11:02pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Total Beginner (Newcastle Upon Tyne) Needs Help!!
Replies: 20
Views: 2016

Re: Total Beginner (Newcastle Upon Tyne) Needs Help!!

pm me with your land line number.
Where do you live?
I'm at Whickham.
Mike McGeever Wearside Wheelers, Oxford City Road Club, Tyne Velo, AUK and of course CTC
by Mike McGeever
4 Oct 2009, 9:35pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Lights-Lumens, Lux, Watts, Candlepower...HELP!
Replies: 30
Views: 10453

Re: Lights-Lumens, Lux, Watts, Candlepower...HELP!

The AUK site has lots of good info about lighting.
They would wouldn't they, with all this long distance stuff.
And this being London- Edinburg-London year-max time 116.5 hours!
LTG Guru Francis Cooke sometimes does reviews in ARRIVEE the AUK in house magazine.
by Mike McGeever
8 Jul 2009, 1:35am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Fixing a damaged derilleur
Replies: 11
Views: 688

Re: Fixing a damaged derilleur

alishock wrote:The seat pin is not too badly damaged but after trying to wrestle it by force back into place I cannot do it. One of the sides only deviates very slightly from its supposed position from what I can see.

I have bent the derailleur bracket and am trying to track one down, any ideas? I can't seem to find a uk mongoose dealer who could have this part. If I can'tget it I guess I am up the preverbial creek.

Not totally; these awill be available.

have adaptor plare (circa 60''but do put ppicture on ammaso#
by Mike McGeever
1 Jul 2009, 5:42pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Why do my mudguard bridges break?
Replies: 8
Views: 1497

Re: Why do my mudguard bridges break?

That, very probably, is the reason why they are breaking!
Stainless steel, contains lots of chromium, very hard metal-look at the trouble some people have trimming excess from mudguard stays-try drilling it!!
More brittle than mild steel or aluminium.
On my aluminium RIBBLE I have snapped two rear bridges in three years as winter bike- about 6,000 miles total
I think maybe five in previous 43 years!
I suspect stiffness of alli frame a factor in transmitting road vibrations then bridge failing due to metal fatigue?
Did we not have a bit of bother with premature breakages when we first moved over to stainless steel spokes from "rustless" or chromed mild steel. Then they got the recipe right.
Bridge is just a piece of sheet metal that was probably originally manufactured for use as ducting or box's and not intended to be subjected lots of vibration as in this application.
Most bikes sold don't do the mileages club cyclists do so their bridges will last the lifetime of bike.
Sell 100,000 year and 500 club cyclists go to LBS once a year to get replcement ?
Not a problem to the trade is it?




Mick F wrote:The clip/bridge is tough stainless steel, I can't see how they could break.

Any chance of a photograph of your brake bridge?
by Mike McGeever
29 Jun 2009, 8:32pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mudguards
Replies: 10
Views: 5487

Re: Mudguards

Thanks for info.
It is almost six months since dr nosh? was helpful enough to spend some time replying to my query.
I was simply replying by saying thanks.
by Mike McGeever
26 Jun 2009, 9:00pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Mudguards
Replies: 10
Views: 5487

Re: Mudguards

Thanks for all of this.
Rear no problem.
Not possible to fit front stay fixings -disc brake locating bolts 90 degrees out.
Final solution made "P" brackets from plastic sleeved aluminiumelectricians cable clipping tape-February-so far so good.
Bent edge of bridge plate over strut brace and discretely located with cable ties-not a place to start drilling holes.
Looks tidy
by Mike McGeever
26 Jun 2009, 7:42pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Fixing a damaged derilleur
Replies: 11
Views: 688

Re: Fixing a damaged derilleur

alishock wrote:Hi,

This is my first post so please bear with me. I have a cheapish Mongoose moutain bike, its been a good servant but i fell off the other day and damaged the rear derailleur and bent my saddle. The saddle is made by WTB and appears to be about £40 to replace and I have a Shimano Tourney rear derailleur, I have seen it online for £13.

My question is does the derailleur have to be a like for like replacement (if so I want to try and fit it myself) and cosidering the bike cost me £60 off ebay but only £200 when new is it a false economy to repair it having already had to replace the front chainset and bottom bracket?

I am reletively new to all this cycling but have loved my bike of the last two and a half years and am undecided do i fix it or do i just write it off and go for a new one?


This cycling thing-it gets in your blood -like malaria does-sounds like your hooked!!
So now is time to start mending your own!!

Absolute maximum £15 to get you back on track-or road!!

First what is the problem with the saddle?
Bent?
Do you mean the seat pin, which supports the saddle clamp, or the saddle itself?
How badly is seat pin damaged?
Less than an inch deviation then we can fix it for nothing!
If it is the seat pin on a cheap bike then probably you will be able to *loosen the clamp nuts under the saddle allowing you to re-align the saddle.
But, before doing that loosen the bolt which locks the seat pin in the frame (usually referred to as the seat tube).
Now turn the seat pin so that the bent section lines up with centre line of you bike.
What you now have is effectively an offset seat pin.
*loosen etc-to now straighten up your saddle-you will need to move the saddle forward on the rails to compensate for the distance that your saddle is offset because of the bent seat pin.
If really badly bent get back to me I have very slightly bent old one; free- you pay postage.
If it is saddle and beyond repair kid brother has new, never fitted, Selle Royalle Gel saddle available but he is away on hols. at present.
Deraileur damaged?
Have a good look-I can't cos I'm a wrinkly and don't have digital camera-can you post photos?
With a cheap frame it is probable that the drop-out- the slot where the wheel spindle slots into has bent rather than the gear mech.
If so, let me know then I will explain how to straighten it-or your LBS for £5?
If it really is the rear mech, and I very much doubt it, then I have serviceable SHIMANO SIS mtb mech. if you need one.
Postage plus book of postage stamps.
My advice to you is to get a bike specific tool kit .
Maybe on e-bay or through cycling press .
by Mike McGeever
19 Jun 2009, 1:47am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: valve washers
Replies: 9
Views: 748

Re: valve washers

Cobble up tempory grommet till you can get selection box of "O" rings from Poundland, LIDL , ALDI which will probably last for rest of your life.
When I changed tubes as you are I called into my very friendly local garage and the gave me 6 suitable "O" rings for free.

mick skinner wrote:i'm putting pesta valve inner tubes in my mountain bike wheels. i need a set of the little plastic washers, because the valve holes in the rims are for schrader type, too big.

does anyone know of a mail order outfit that sells these? because i'll be a nightmare going from shop to shop explaining all that(already asked in decathlon and they don't have them).
by Mike McGeever
10 Jun 2009, 9:58pm
Forum: Lands End to John O'Groats
Topic: Return/Start transport.
Replies: 1
Views: 319

Return/Start transport.

I am involved with transport for group.
Anyone interested in options below.
Seats for two pax. plus bikes or lots of bikes and riders fly north Humberside/Teeside leaving Penzance am.friday 19th june.
Space for four riders and bikes leaving Tyneside am.thurs. 2nd of July for Wick.
by Mike McGeever
26 May 2009, 4:48pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Holdsworth frame
Replies: 15
Views: 2508

Re: Holdsworth frame

My old Holdsworth 1960's Mistral has been unused in the shed for last four years since it was last used as winter bike after role as "comfy "bike in 2003 PBP.
Can't see me using it again. Tyres and tubes are still ok.
£120 to include original campag seat pin, record strada chainset and record front and rear changers.
Resprayed 1999 and has metal head badge of course.
Anybody interested?
by Mike McGeever
4 Apr 2009, 8:06pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: of a good sun screen?
Replies: 9
Views: 565

Re: of a good sun screen?

P20- great stuff!
Put it on -in theory- hour before exposure; it then lasts all day.
You can swim or sweat through it without getting that horrible emulsion that forms with creams.
Made by RIEMANN Denmark -available airports and I am told "Boot's"
Expensive? I think I paid £12 for 100mL Bottle which lasts three weeks in France.
by Mike McGeever
22 Mar 2009, 7:33pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: TOUR OF FLANDERS-TIPS!
Replies: 2
Views: 387

Re: TOUR OF FLANDERS-TIPS!

Ride the event the day before (you might not get in now) much better experience than riding L'Etapes.
Great atmosphere!
When riding in that nice smooth bit for drains at the sides of the road beware of riders in front of you stopping to walk. Be prepared to jump across to the centre section cos at low speed you might not get your feet out!!
Did this ride few years ago-only did 150km not full 240 the pros ride but includes all the PAVE.
There were other shorter rides can't really remember but think 90 and 60 km for mountain bikers.
Four of us had great long week-end (also visited Theipval and other War graves) only small mistake was first using FORMULA 1-this was well out of Ghent then CAMPAGNILE in France. Well worthwhile to pay extra.
BEWARE IF DRIVING OVER PAVE OF RAISED CENTRAL SECTION.
Saw team car rip of sump-oil on top of wet cobbles -riders then going down like ninepins.
Be fair to the driver-see it at two places then settle in a bar!!
Hope you have as good a weekend as we did.
by Mike McGeever
6 Mar 2009, 11:38pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: 3 blow-outs in 20 miles, on new tyres and tubes.....why ?
Replies: 17
Views: 1029

Re: 3 blow-outs in 20 miles, on new tyres and tubes.....why ?

Just, moments ago, got back on line in time to read of your success.
However what I would have posted earlier is
Moving tyre?
Possible/ but I would think unlikely UNLESS tyre seriously under-inflated.
There is a lot of square inches of tyre wall on the rim at 45psi to keep tyre in place?
Just mark the wall with tipex or biro?
A old second-saver tip is to always have the tyre badge centrally alongside the valve (and also your computer striker) to find valve quickly in dark but in your case use as a clear indication as to whether or not tyre is actually moving round the rim.
Myself I have only recently got mountain bike and immiediately replaced Schraeder tubes with presta cos that's what my pumps fit.
I was concerned that smaller valve shank diameter might allow movement/eventual problems at valve base and have sleeved valve base with small "O" rings.
Anyone had problems with valve base failure from Presta in Schraeder rim?
by Mike McGeever
28 Feb 2009, 12:59am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: the advantages of joining Audax UK?
Replies: 17
Views: 2492

AUK --To Pay or not to Pay?

It's up to you Davebax.
Will you be the type of rider to fully exploit AUK, ride all local events and even buy a jersey from Impsport* but avoid paying to fund club ovrheads.
OR
Join-take an interest -even look to promoting local event because needed and someone has done it for you?
LEL 26th to 29th July. Wins field award-lookimn forward to scii and behore as