Search found 1786 matches

by alexnharvey
5 Dec 2019, 7:07am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Supercommuter?
Replies: 121
Views: 24906

Re: Supercommuter?

I was running a fixed genesis day one for commuting until last week.

Dynamo lights. Nearly all bolts replaced with stainless. Some attempts at sealing it up. Waxed drive train. Xt rear hub with a bolt on sprocket filled with some semi fluid grease.

Gone to be replaced by a Surly cross check because I was underwhelmed by the mechanical discs and the stiff fork. Also likely to be fixed with most parts transferred across. Possibly using a front hub in the rear with the bolt on sprocket this time.

IMG_20190813_091326.jpg
by alexnharvey
4 Dec 2019, 7:15am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Amusing video about Cervelo being shoddy
Replies: 31
Views: 2937

Re: Amusing video about Cervelo being shoddy

You're now making stuff up to suit your argument. He makes custom ones and off the peg BBs but mostly a variety of BB adapters it seems. You don't have to buy a new unit from him when the first wears out. You just replace the bearings, which he sells, but they'rere a standard size. Which he discloses. That you can go and buy from wherever you like.

Few people buy custom when regular works. Iirc the story was that the customer and their lbs/retailer aren't able to make several regular BBs work correctly, customer buys off the peg Hambini one which they also can't get to work over a few iterations and then the measurement leads to making a custom part.
by alexnharvey
3 Dec 2019, 9:33pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Amusing video about Cervelo being shoddy
Replies: 31
Views: 2937

Re: Amusing video about Cervelo being shoddy

How can you fit bearings squarely in a shell that is not square, not aligned and not round?

He certainly labours his points but then it seems maybe not sufficiently for some.
by alexnharvey
1 Dec 2019, 8:00pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain Care
Replies: 82
Views: 7817

Re: Chain Care

The honey seller at the farmers market normally has some but recall thinking it was a bit expensive but not the exact price.
by alexnharvey
1 Dec 2019, 7:50pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain Care
Replies: 82
Views: 7817

Re: Chain Care

I bought a candle making wax pellet mix that had 10% beeswax from eBay.

I should also say that although rust is often evident on the chain after wet weather, it is not showing as worn on my chain checker (park tool). Whether that remains the case as gritting becomes more frequent is another matter.
by alexnharvey
1 Dec 2019, 7:12pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Chain Care
Replies: 82
Views: 7817

Re: Chain Care

fausto99 wrote:
Brucey wrote:
Tiberius wrote:ENTIRELY due to wanting to keep my bikes cleaner I have recently started to experiment with waxing my chains.....
Time will tell eh ??

I shall be very interested to hear how you get on. One of my concerns about this approach is that the chain won't resist wet weather very well and specifically that winter conditions in the UK might soon cause the onset of corrosion in the chain. I guess you will be finding this out; keep us posted.
cheers

The only time I tried this by melting candles way bitd, the wax mostly flaked off on the first ride and then went rusty. I never tried it again.

I now see from an "oz cycle" video on Youtube that you need to either mix your own from melted candles and Paraffin oil, or use a proprietary mix like "Molten Speed Wax", which has MoS2 and teflon suspended in it. Is it really the best thing since sliced bread? What are the pros and cons of both?


I use beeswax to make it a bit softer and stickier. I haven't tried an oil in the mixture. Does paraffin dissolve in it and soften it?

The pros are low friction, low gunk, relatively clean to touch (depends on the additives used), relatively environmentally friendly (depending on additives).

The main cons are poor corrosion resistance and breaking down much faster in wet weather.

For a while now I've been meaning to look at corrosion inhibitors that could be added andor an exterior treatment that could be reapplied to improve salt water performance.
by alexnharvey
30 Nov 2019, 1:23pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Wading depth and waterproof footwear
Replies: 27
Views: 1522

Re: Wading depth and waterproof footwear

Note well the risk of submerged hazards, potholes or open drains.
by alexnharvey
27 Nov 2019, 7:19pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Friendly Cambridge bike path turns into pole-wielding monster
Replies: 239
Views: 11199

Re: Friendly Cambridge bike path turns into pole-wielding monster

peetee wrote:Bollards or street furniture placed in the line of a highway, such as those highlighting extended curbs or traffic islands are lit or carry reflective panels. This is to ensure that they remain visible to traffic that may have reduced visibility due to weather or glare from oncoming vehicles. Why should it be any different on a cycleway?
It shouldn't.


Indeed they should. As recommended in the regulations posted earlier in the thread.
by alexnharvey
26 Nov 2019, 4:28pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Generator part of Shimano gen hubs has got wider?
Replies: 8
Views: 675

Re: Generator part of Shimano gen hubs has got wider?

It sure does. It's also a bit larger diameter (80mm flanges Vs 70mm) and they're wider set.
by alexnharvey
25 Nov 2019, 11:41am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Generator part of Shimano gen hubs has got wider?
Replies: 8
Views: 675

Re: Generator part of Shimano gen hubs has got wider?

I think you're right. Looks like the centrelock ones lose about 8mm in left flange spacing from the rim brake ones. Not sure about the 6 bolt ones.
by alexnharvey
25 Nov 2019, 10:49am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Calling Helios Tandem owners
Replies: 4
Views: 545

Re: Calling Helios Tandem owners

Yes, I put a child seat on the rear rack, the seat clamps on to the rack. The folding bike rack is a steel pannier rack for a 20 inch wheel folding bike. My 7 to child goes on the stoker position.
by alexnharvey
24 Nov 2019, 10:26am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Generator part of Shimano gen hubs has got wider?
Replies: 8
Views: 675

Re: Generator part of Shimano gen hubs has got wider?

It doesn't look any wider to me.

I presumed the lower ones were wide all the way across because it's cheaper to forge and machine them that way.
by alexnharvey
23 Nov 2019, 8:13am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Calling Helios Tandem owners
Replies: 4
Views: 545

Re: Calling Helios Tandem owners

Hi there. I use mine mainly for child carrying rather than lugging. I have the tern front rack to carry a little bit of stuff in front panniers. I got this direct from their shop as you will need a spacer anyway to fit it.

I use a folding bike rack on the rear. It required extensions to reach the seat post mounts as the Helios has longer stays and I think I also had to spread it a little. I attach a rack mounted child seat to it. Keeping the weight low is good advice on general for load carrying on bikes.

How old is the child?
by alexnharvey
22 Nov 2019, 12:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Building from a new frame
Replies: 18
Views: 1453

Re: Building from a new frame

Silver on BRG for me.