Search found 85 matches

by Kenn
22 Aug 2013, 9:11pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Seat height - how complicated can it be?
Replies: 26
Views: 1862

Re: Seat height - how complicated can it be?

When I started cycling again after a long layoff I experienced a lot of front and side knee pain. Web research made me think my saddle was too low. I raised it as far as I thought reasonable - felt very strange at first but soon became fine. Then I raised it in 5 mm increments, getting used to the difference over a couple of weeks each time until I started to noticeably rock my hips and get some pain at the back of the knee which didn't go away, even after a few days of riding at the new height. Then went down 5mm. The seat is now much higher than I thought possible at the start of the process. I also moved the seat back quite a lot until the front of my kneecap was just over the pedal spindle with the crank forward horizontally. Also had to raise handlebars to reduce pressure on hands. After each seat raise it felt odd - but gradually improved. Knee pains have gone. Hill climbing feels easier and cadence has gone up.

A longer term plan is to move from 170 to 165 or 160 mm cranks and move the seat up by a corresponding amount to reduce knee bend at the top of the pedal stoke and increase cadence some more.

This is probably pretty basic bike set-up stuff for those with more know-how than me, but it was easy to overlook a poor bike fit until it hurt and the difference it made to the ease and pleasure of riding the bike was really surprising.
by Kenn
21 Aug 2013, 5:45pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Disc brake vs. canti's - quantifying the trade off
Replies: 43
Views: 4498

Re: Disc brake vs. canti's - quantifying the trade off

You could even put a disk on the back wheel and a canti on the front, giving some reliable braking in the wet while allowing you to use a less stiff fork.
by Kenn
20 Aug 2013, 8:20pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: new pedals
Replies: 7
Views: 1283

Re: new pedals

I use MKS urban platforms - easy to get in and out of the clips and silky smooth bearings. Not too heavy either.
by Kenn
14 Aug 2013, 10:00am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Campag ball bearings
Replies: 5
Views: 1120

Re: Campag ball bearings

simplybearings.co.uk stock grade 10 balls in this size.
by Kenn
9 Aug 2013, 8:22pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Other uses for puncture repair patches
Replies: 7
Views: 989

Re: Other uses for puncture repair patches

Many years ago I noticed that the rubber boot on the driveshaft joint of my Renault four had a small hole, allowing grease to exit and dirt to enter. Replacing it would have involved removing the driveshaft - too difficult for me and expensive from a garage. So, after carefully degreasing the area around the hole I used a bike patch and rubber solution as a "temporary" repair. It was still fine 60,000 miles later, despite flexing with every rev of the shaft. Your washing machine could be working well for years.
by Kenn
8 Aug 2013, 8:14pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: crank lenght 170 v 175
Replies: 20
Views: 4483

Re: crank lenght 170 v 175

Where did you find 140mm cranks? I want use 160mm to preserve my aging knees and find the choice pretty limited.
by Kenn
30 Jul 2013, 7:47pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: A steel convert
Replies: 48
Views: 4000

Re: A steel convert

Brian Rourke cycles TIG weld their Reynolds 953 framesets according to Robert Penn in his book "It's all about the bike" (I found this book to be a really enjoyable read). i guess that must be a fair way up the steel frame quality ladder.
by Kenn
28 Jul 2013, 8:24pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: A steel convert
Replies: 48
Views: 4000

Re: A steel convert

Brucey, reohn, thanks for all the advice. The point about soma frames having short top tube is noted. Higher bars are more comfortable these days.

Cheers!
by Kenn
28 Jul 2013, 5:24pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: A steel convert
Replies: 48
Views: 4000

Re: A steel convert

Thanks for the very useful comments.

Brucey - your comments on weight echo some of my own concerns about Thorn. I do need low weight and low gearing. I weigh 130 lb so bike weight is high in proportion. My shortest early morning run has around 2000 feet of climbing in 10 miles and starts with a 700 foot 1 in 6 to 1 in 8 climb out of the village. Longer runs have proportionally more climbing. On a heavy bike it is a bit dispiriting. Realistically at 66 years my climbing ability won't get very much better (although it's surprising how much easier that 2000 feet has become since moving here last Autumn).
Rim wear is also an issue with all these steep hills, which are mostly very narrow so only negotiable at low speed with constant braking in case of oncoming traffic. What issues have you had with disk brakes? I thought they were reliable these days. I like cantis and another option is to use 26" wheels with hardened rims, though I believe these can squeal a bit.

I also wonder whether it is really worth spending a lot on a Rohloff just for a winter/bad weather bike.

reohn -the Salsa looks very interesting. I especially like the look of the framesets for a custom buildup. I have also been looking at Soma frames, which seem somewhat similar, as a cost effective derailleur option. They make a cyclo cross derived frame which can accept disk or canti brakes. This would avoid making an irrevocable decicion on brakes and a brake and fork swap could transform a winter bike into a summer light tourer. I have never built a complete bike but it should be manageable with plenty of time and the range of info on the internet. Most difficult bit seems to be knowing which components are compatible.
by Kenn
27 Jul 2013, 10:35pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: A steel convert
Replies: 48
Views: 4000

Re: A steel convert

Brucey - thanks for the info. I didn't know about the difference in tubesets. The Mercian is a fantastic bike but the south Devon lanes in winter are almost MTB territory with potholes and drifts of mud and gravel - far worse than the Cornish lanes where I used to live. So i'm thinking about something more suited to these conditions than the 28mm tyres that the Mercian can take. I like the Thorn Mercury for its 853 frame, Rohloff hub, disk brakes and 40 mm tyre clearance. I can get a custom frame from (for example) Dave Yates that matches my needs but it's a long way to travel and Thorn are just 50 minutes away. I looked at a Mercury earlier this year and couldn't find any real problems. Thorn seem to have Rohloff integration and reliability pretty much nailed. My only possible concern is weight. There seems to be no flat roads here, my regular routes go over hills such as Halon or Mamhead, which are not trivial climbs now i'm in official senior citizen territory.
by Kenn
27 Jul 2013, 9:11pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: A steel convert
Replies: 48
Views: 4000

Re: A steel convert

There are valid arguments for welded frames. The lugs add quite a bit of weight and with modern welding techniques welded frames are probably more than adequately strong. I am taking a long hard look at buying a welded Thorn Mercury for bad weather use as an alternative to modifying the Mercian (which feels wrong for some reason). Welded frames can never look like Mick's work of art though!
by Kenn
27 Jul 2013, 8:54pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: A steel convert
Replies: 48
Views: 4000

Re: A steel convert

Sorry Mick - You beat me to it!
by Kenn
27 Jul 2013, 8:52pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: A steel convert
Replies: 48
Views: 4000

Re: A steel convert

To Mick F - That's a great example of the framebuilder's art. Is that a Vincetore or Vincetore special?
by Kenn
27 Jul 2013, 8:46pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: A steel convert
Replies: 48
Views: 4000

Re: A steel convert

My 1986 lugged Mercian has a lot of miles and the frame is as good as new. Mercian attribute the longevity of their frames to the open hearth brazing that minimises stress in the lugged joints. It's probably good for another 50 years. It can be repaired and tubes easily replaced. (I'm considering having it modified for Rohloff). The complete bike weighs less than 25 pounds in touring setup. The ride quality is great with 25mm tyres. What's not to like?
by Kenn
26 Jun 2013, 2:25pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Stupid motorist on club run
Replies: 42
Views: 3520

Re: Stupid motorist on club run

I take the same approach as honesty mentions, giving way when there is a wider bit or gateway in the narrow south Devon lanes, which causes a lot less stress all round. However, there are a few motorists who aren't willing to wait 50 yards uphill for the next gap and start beeping and tailgating almost immediately. Not sure what they expect me to do - disappear maybe - since cars brush against both hedges on the narrow bits.
These encounters certainly make me appreciate those drivers who do give way when they see me coming and those who wait patiently behind while I toil uphill. They fortunately seem to be in a majority in this area.