Psychotext
Member
You've made a huge mistake. He may hunt you down and grind your bones to make his bread.
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Bicycle age
- Thread starter elrechazado
- Start date
jakonovski
Member
My fatbike has a 32-32 granny gear. I don't know what they were smoking when designing the drivetrain. Luckily I have a spare 10 speed XT cassette and a 42 expander ring lying around, so I just need a derailleur and some cabling.
Christoff Yurievich
Member
I swear, my boss cannot be trusted to do anything. I've had to put out so many fires this week for him and they just keep coming...
Anyway:
And I just realized I should have taken a picture of the up and down alignment...well, it's currently 6 am and there's not enough light. I'll do that when I get home.
Anyway:
As you can see, there's wear on the inside of the pulley.
And way more than the recommended gap here.
And I just realized I should have taken a picture of the up and down alignment...well, it's currently 6 am and there's not enough light. I'll do that when I get home.
Psychotext
Member
Well the bike fit was pretty cool. Both of the shop owners ( http://bwcycling.co.uk/ ) are ex world cup level XC mountain bikers so we had absolutely loads to talk about. Up until recently one of them was training Danny Hart, which is kinda crazy too.
All the changes he made for the bike fit made sense given what he was showing / telling me. Will pick a nice day and go for a pootle to see how it feels.
Nice plus was that he checked me on some physio aspects too, and I've got some glute activation exercises to help me out.
All the changes he made for the bike fit made sense given what he was showing / telling me. Will pick a nice day and go for a pootle to see how it feels.
Nice plus was that he checked me on some physio aspects too, and I've got some glute activation exercises to help me out.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
Was thinking of buying parts for my 97 Cannondale so I could make it a town bike, mainly a shorter freaking stem. Turns out it's impossible to find stems under 100m for those old Headshock forks. I kind of just want to make the thing into a grown up BMX bike but parts are going to be a PITA
jakonovski
Member
Bought proper fatbike tyres (Schwalbe Jumbo Jim Snakeskin). 0.8" wider, 600g weight off the bike. I like this kind of upgrade.
Psychotext
Member
Don't tell Mascot, but I'm thinking of taking the road bike out in the morning. :O
Didn't realize there was a community thread!
GAF, help! I can't seem to locate this information anywhere.
I'm not a bicycling enthusiast, I just like to go on rides here and there, but my current rims are for some reason digging into the valve of the innertube cause them to rupture, so I was going to get some new wheels.
I have a Rock Creek Transit bike:
http://www.performancebike.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/mProduct4_10551_10052_1102119_-1_
The Wheel set spec says:
Rims: Alex Ace-17 double-wall, 32-hole alloy trekking; Hubs: Alloy, for 6-bolt rotor
The tires have this for the measurement:
42-622, 28 x 1.60, 700 x 40C
Now based on what I'm finding, tire measurements don't exactly have a one-to-one relationship with the size of the wheel itself.
But based on the wheelset spec from the product site, I can't seem to figure out what it is saying, and I've even checked the Alex Rims site, which doesn't even have the Ace-17 listed anymore.
TLDR: I don't know what wheels/rims to buy based on the information I have
GAF, help! I can't seem to locate this information anywhere.
I'm not a bicycling enthusiast, I just like to go on rides here and there, but my current rims are for some reason digging into the valve of the innertube cause them to rupture, so I was going to get some new wheels.
I have a Rock Creek Transit bike:
http://www.performancebike.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/mProduct4_10551_10052_1102119_-1_
The Wheel set spec says:
Rims: Alex Ace-17 double-wall, 32-hole alloy trekking; Hubs: Alloy, for 6-bolt rotor
The tires have this for the measurement:
42-622, 28 x 1.60, 700 x 40C
Now based on what I'm finding, tire measurements don't exactly have a one-to-one relationship with the size of the wheel itself.
But based on the wheelset spec from the product site, I can't seem to figure out what it is saying, and I've even checked the Alex Rims site, which doesn't even have the Ace-17 listed anymore.
TLDR: I don't know what wheels/rims to buy based on the information I have
Jimmy Savile continues to claim victims from beyond the grave.
Can you explain this in more detail? It might be something really simple (like over-tight lock rings). It'd be a shame to spend hundreds on new wheels without proper investigation. Photos would help.
Psychotext
Member
I had my mountain biking disco slippers on. You'd have approved.
Edit - Holy shit Robert (was just looking through some GAF member rides)... this climb looks fucking ridiculous: https://www.strava.com/segments/7324005
Edit - Holy shit Robert (was just looking through some GAF member rides)... this climb looks fucking ridiculous: https://www.strava.com/segments/7324005
Christoff Yurievich
Member
My wife got a performance coupon for a tune up so she took it in while I was at work yesterday without telling me. Whatever, guess she was tired of waiting for me.
Told her to ask about the pulley and the b screw. Both are fine, apparently.
I know for a fact the screw is set wrong because I unscrewed it a couple turns the other day to check out what it actually does. And their response for the pulley wear? "The pully isn't under enough strain to wear it down so you're fine." What? It has wear on it. I can see the wear, there is a distinct groove on the damn thing so, again, what?
This must be what it's like for people who work on their own cars when they take it to a mechanic for something that's just a little beyond them: You know they're full of shit and it makes you not trust anything they say.
Told her to ask about the pulley and the b screw. Both are fine, apparently.
I know for a fact the screw is set wrong because I unscrewed it a couple turns the other day to check out what it actually does. And their response for the pulley wear? "The pully isn't under enough strain to wear it down so you're fine." What? It has wear on it. I can see the wear, there is a distinct groove on the damn thing so, again, what?
This must be what it's like for people who work on their own cars when they take it to a mechanic for something that's just a little beyond them: You know they're full of shit and it makes you not trust anything they say.
Psychotext
Member
Don't get me started on that shit. I know how to do pretty much everything bar truing a wheel (and I could learn that but cant' be arsed because it's tedious)... but I'm a seriously busy guy, so I'd rather take my bike to a shop and just have them sort out what I need.
Except... there's not a single shop near me that I've tried that hasn't fucked something up that I've asked them to do at one point or another. It's crazy frustrating.
Except... there's not a single shop near me that I've tried that hasn't fucked something up that I've asked them to do at one point or another. It's crazy frustrating.
Psychotext
Member
Other side isn't it? There should be a little cap that you take out, and then once you've taken the crank arm off you just hit it through no?
Unrelated, do you play at Dewstow?
Unrelated, do you play at Dewstow?
Psychotext
Member
Entirely depends on your gearing, though electric would sort of indicate you had assistance...
It was off. I have no problems crusing throuh it with the 1000W motor on
.Psychotext
Member
So yeah, it sounds like the same sort of problem I have when bikepacking. Some hills are just insanely hard with a heavy bike.
Difference is, I have many gears at my disposal.
I suggest you try it with a normal bike then judge yourself.
Difference is, I have many gears at my disposal.
I suggest you try it with a normal bike then judge yourself.
Darth Pinche
Member
OK, how the fuck do I get these old XTR cranks off? Are these self-extracting mofos that I have vague memories of twenty years ago?
I'm fucking stumped!
You need a crank extractor tool and one that works with octalink bottom brackets. If you use a crank puller for square cranks, it may not work.
Christoff Yurievich
Member
You reminded me that my wife tried to take a square taper crank off with the octolink extracter...stripped the crank arm. Luckily it didn't strip all the way, just about 1/4 of the threads, and also lucky it didn't strip the extracter.
Yup. I'm running out of local shops, and this one was in Portland about 45 minutes away.
Yup. I'm running out of local shops, and this one was in Portland about 45 minutes away.
It's the same the other side, all fixings are down the centre of the crank.
Slade is pretty much in Dewstow, so yeah. A lot! It's my go-to local ride. Why?
Thanks for the clarification. I thought it was a self puller. Park Tools have some good videos but it wasn't clear which puller to use. Hopefully my LBS has one.
frontieruk
Member
I feel like a wimp, bicycle GAF.
On my commute, there's a very steep road about 100M long that I failed to climb! My bicycle is fixed gear, electric and considerably heavy, but I still wanted to give it a go
Is this normal? Or I'm indeed a wimp?
I on the other hand set the 2nd best time on a hill climb on strava tpday, feels good to be going faster the. The Jimmie's on a hybrid in MTB gear lol
Psychotext
Member
Ha, no... I saw the golf clubs and wondered where you played. I used to be a member of Dewstow, which is why I asked.
outunderthestars
Banned
So yeah, it sounds like the same sort of problem I have when bikepacking. Some hills are just insanely hard with a heavy bike.
Difference is, I have many gears at my disposal.
I suggest you try it with a normal bike then judge yourself.
Speaking of bike packing: just found my next epic ride! Hoping to go next Spring on my new Specialized Sequoia.
http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/green-mountain-gravel-growler/
Aha..! Yeah, I used to play at Dewstow quite a lot (there and as a memeber at St Pierre, and the Celtic Manor) but I've not played for about a year. I can play for free at St Pierre now (one of our suppliers has block bookings every month which i can use whenever i like) so I really should dust the clubs down. Too busy biking at the moment!
I got those cranks off after sleeping on it. i remembered that the 'dust cap' is actually a self-extractor, so by putting this back in place the cranks simply wound off with the allen bolt. Sorted!
Psychotext
Member
Looks like a good trip. You should definitely try and get that done.
Yeah, to be honest I can't ever see myself going back. I'd much rather be mountain biking.
Tru dat.
Just gave the new bike its first 'proper' beasting today, up and down Cafall at Cwm Carn. It was absolutely beautiful out there with low autumn sun filtering through the mist in the trees. I didn't get any photos but my mate had his GoPro recording on some of the downhills so I'll see if can put a small edit together. Got a bunch of PBs as well.
Also got the BB removed from the GT with a BB spanner I bought about thirty years ago and used for the very first time today. NEVER throw a tool away folks.
I suggest you try it with a normal bike then judge yourself.
I tried again today with my shitty sub $200, 20'' wheel Chinese foldable, and I was able to climb it! But it wasn't easy, and it was very tired for the rest of the trip, which was still uphill but not nearly as steep. I didn't like that since this a relative common commute route for many cyclist.
Could it be that the small bicycle isn't that good? On even rows, this small bike feels considerably slower than my 70 pound solid steel electric bike (motor off, of course). Now, Im heavy guy, so I always worry that I'm going to break the thing since I'm above the stated weight limit, while I don't fear abusing my solid steel electric monster.
The reality is that any asshole can pedal up an incredibly steep hill with ease... as long as they have the gearing to do it. They say that back when the Tour de France was restricted to fixed-gear bikes, cyclotourists following the race would sometimes ascend the mountain passes faster than the professional racers did, so astronomical were the benefits of gearing correctly for the task.
We can't say much of anything about what your difficulties are without knowing the details. What is the grade, what is the inflated diameter of your rear wheel, how many teeth does your chainring have, and how many teeth does the rear cog that you're using on the climb have.
We can't say much of anything about what your difficulties are without knowing the details. What is the grade, what is the inflated diameter of your rear wheel, how many teeth does your chainring have, and how many teeth does the rear cog that you're using on the climb have.
Psychotext
Member
Lower gearing only helps up to a point. At the end of the day, there's a limit to how steep a climb you can get up (physics wise), and much of it will then rely on your bike's geometry (you need to keep weight over the front end whilst also stopping the rear tyre slipping out). More than that, if you're up near your max heart rate then there's only so much of that you can sustain before you absolutely need to stop. Sure, lower gearing might enable you to make progress on the hill, but you'll likely be going so slowly that you can't make it up the hill before you blow up anyway.
I appreciate, we're not talking about this sort of hill in this case, but I felt it was worth mentioning... and no-one is ever fitting gears like those in the vid to a normal bike as the bike will be all but unusable everywhere else.
Related, I'm definitely fitting a bigger cassette on days with serious hills as I'd rather put out my power at 90rpm than 60prm, even if it gets me to the top at the same speed.
I appreciate, we're not talking about this sort of hill in this case, but I felt it was worth mentioning... and no-one is ever fitting gears like those in the vid to a normal bike as the bike will be all but unusable everywhere else.
Related, I'm definitely fitting a bigger cassette on days with serious hills as I'd rather put out my power at 90rpm than 60prm, even if it gets me to the top at the same speed.
There's still some work to do tidying The Beast up (headset spacers, maybe repaint the forks, maybe repaint the wheels, lose the fork boots etc etc) but I'm getting close to mounting it on the wall. I've swapped the triple clamps back to the original Rock Shox for now. I can always remove them later if I prefer having a floating front wheel with no fork at all, but I do like the yellow against the black carbon. I've got wall sockets and stainless steel studding to mount the bike through the axles so it appears to float. I'm just trying to decide exactly where to put it.
Option 1 is in the half of the lounge where I veg in a massage chair, listening to music. I'd hang it where the Mario pictures currently are.
Option 2 (my preference, I think) is in the main half of the lounge where I socialise, watch TV etc. I prefer it here as I'd see it more. It'd be mounted a couple of feet higher than shown.
I need to decide quickly as my drill finger is twitching, but I have to sure as these are some fucking big holes I'll be putting in the walls...
Option 1 is in the half of the lounge where I veg in a massage chair, listening to music. I'd hang it where the Mario pictures currently are.
Option 2 (my preference, I think) is in the main half of the lounge where I socialise, watch TV etc. I prefer it here as I'd see it more. It'd be mounted a couple of feet higher than shown.
I need to decide quickly as my drill finger is twitching, but I have to sure as these are some fucking big holes I'll be putting in the walls...
Psychotext
Member
I think it fits better in the first environment, aesthetics wise, but that's irrelevant, if you like it in your personal room, that's where it lives.
TarpitCarnivore
Member
can we circle back to your audio set up
After a pot of coffee and further thought I've actually changed my mind and am going to put it in the first place. I think.
First snag during a test drill in the garage wall: my biggest masonry bit is about 1mm too small. I don't want to wiggle it to open the hole up so am going to canvass the neighbours for a bigger bit. Bah!
Nothing special at all. A Kenwood CD/MD system (yep - still rockin' MDs) and a Naim Mu-So QB (currently streaming some New York hip hop station, loudly).
This is true. I was visualizing a paved road, where in practice this rarely becomes a showstopper.
By contrast, this gravel hill...
...is just shallow and packed enough that people on skinny-tired road bikes sometimes get the silly idea in their heads that they'll be able to keep the bike moving.
I'm not sure what you mean. Are you referring to the situation where the rider tries to hold a pedalable cadence by cranking out a ton of torque, basically compensating for the gearing by doing an epic sprint up the hill? Lower gearing allows you to keep smooth pedaling going at lower power, and lower powers are much more sustainable; if someone can maintain 400W for one minute, chances are they can do 200W for more than 120 seconds.
Only if you constrain yourself to a typical drivetrain. Throw some planetary gears here and there, or maybe just stack two derailleur systems, and you could make it work.and no-one is ever fitting gears like those in the vid to a normal bike as the bike will be all but unusable everywhere else.
Might be a tad on the inelegant side, though.
D:
was below 50f for first time in about 8 months yesterday and my poor 128lb body was ill-equiped in the beginning. at first stop light was shivering so much that i had forgotten which side i had unclipped and leaned to wrong side only to fall over with bike on top of me. some people had a nice laugh....
Same thing happened to me earlier this week, same reason. A woman walking by just gave me a dead look and walked on. Really fucked my knee.
Psychotext
Member
Nice!
That's really cool, Mascot!
Was out today for the first time in two weeks, and climbed one of those hills that I have to dismount for because it's so bloody steep just before the top. ALMOST made it this time, had to get off for the last 10 meters. That's 30 meters less walking than last time. But I got something for my struggles: somebody has suddenly built a nice vantage point up there, complete with bike stand!
Was out today for the first time in two weeks, and climbed one of those hills that I have to dismount for because it's so bloody steep just before the top. ALMOST made it this time, had to get off for the last 10 meters. That's 30 meters less walking than last time. But I got something for my struggles: somebody has suddenly built a nice vantage point up there, complete with bike stand!
Oops. I did, of course, mean 32 at the front.
outunderthestars
Banned
Mounted. Happy with that.
Awesome space. Is that a stereo in the center?
Yeah, ancient CD/MD/cassette (!) Kenwood midi system with old-skool iPod plumbed in, and a Naim Mu-So QB for streaming. My stereo is getting more attention than the bike. WTF, Cycle-GAF??!
Christoff Yurievich
Member
Love the bike. I had an MD player many moons ago, it was pretty awesome. Especially when they finally let you put mp3s on the disc. I'd still have it if it weren't for ipods.
Rode my bike today for the first time in like two weeks. Man my hamstrings hate me.It shifts beautifully though so I guess I can't fault the guy too much. Doesn't hurt he replaced the cable and put new housing on as well. Apparently there's water in the housing? Guess I know what my dead-of-winter project is.
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