What Have You Fettled Today?

[Andy in Germany]

Washed the dust off the commuter. Main reason was the garage dehumidifier was full. Great having a reliable 90's MTB with Shimano LX and XT. Bomb proof, hardly ever needs more than a wash and oil. Should use it against the Russians.

I have a very similar commuter that runs like silk in all weathers on a deore/stx setup: I only really need it to ride from the station to work, but sometimes I ride all the way home on it because it's such a nice ride.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Reasons?

It's a right pain to set up: the front was so badly designed we had to remove the top frame mounting bolt to undo the bolt for the hydraulic fluid; several screw threads were not drilled straight, and it took several attempts to fill both the front and the rear. One mechanic said he never cuts the hoses on Alhonga brakes even if that means a long hose flapping about in the front of the bike.

 

[Punkawallah]

It's a right pain to set up: the front was so badly designed we had to remove the top frame mounting bolt to undo the bolt for the hydraulic fluid; several screw threads were not drilled straight, and it took several attempts to fill both the front and the rear. One mechanic said he never cuts the hoses on Alhonga brakes even if that means a long hose flapping about in the front of the bike.

Given the opportunity I replace the hydraulic brakes with cable disc brakes. 10% greater braking distance, but 100% less faff and the average user does not know any difference.

 

[sevenfourate]

After possible / indeterminable (Cheaper skewers tend to have some plastic internals at the Cam / Lobe mechanism point !!) issues with ‘clamping’ of the front wheel: I “invested” 🤣 in some new Shimano Deore items. Which my LBS advised have all metals internals. And are a proven, better clamping design. Worth it - at the expense of a few Grams.

They looked a bit sad / staid - in all Black upon opening them up and getting out of the wrapping last night: So I did the Paint Infill in contrasting White…….

 

[rogerzilla]

The bikes got covered in muck when the barn was re-roofed, so I've been cleaning them. This one (a pre-war clubman frame of unknown make) was resprayed, and a new fork built, by Argos 18 years ago. It's holding up well considering it's my bad weather bike.

The hub actually has AM medium-ratio internals. Nearly all AM hubshells are 40h, but AM parts except the actual planetary gearset can be swapped for AW parts made up to the 1980s, including shells, drivers, ball rings and the indicator/clutch arrangement, which is far less trouble in an AW.

 

[itboffin]

The bikes got covered in muck when the barn was re-roofed, so I've been cleaning them. This one (a pre-war clubman frame of unknown make) was resprayed, and a new fork built, by Argos 18 years ago. It's holding up well considering it's my bad weather bike.

The hub actually has AM medium-ratio internals. Nearly all AM hubshells are 40h, but AM parts except the actual planetary gearset can be swapped for AW parts made up to the 1980s, including shells, drivers, ball rings and the indicator/clutch arrangement, which is far less trouble in an AW.

That frame style looks a lot like a Mercian I had many years ago. Whatever it is it’s lush.

 

[itboffin]

Still battling with wheels and tyres, Goodyear Eagle deflated overnight so more sealant added, soapy water revealed the sidewalls bubbling, so a quick 10 mile ride….

Seems to be holding air at the moment.

Elite wheel with Pirelli road tyre also leaking around the rim bed, which is frankly astonishing given the insane tight fit.

I should just stick to DT Swiss and Schwalbe pro one combo, it just works.

 

[Elybazza61]

Still battling with wheels and tyres, Goodyear Eagle deflated overnight so more sealant added, soapy water revealed the sidewalls bubbling, so a quick 10 mile ride….

Seems to be holding air at the moment.

Elite wheel with Pirelli road tyre also leaking around the rim bed, which is frankly astonishing given the insane tight fit.

I should just stick to DT Swiss and Schwalbe pro one combo, it just works.

We used to notice in the shop when I was there that there are certain rim/tyre combos that just don't play nicely together and road stuff was the worst ; on the other hand for instance the Rene Herse on Stayer carbons and Pirelli on DT Swiss 531 are fine but they are 650b's and 42/45 sizes, anything 35c and below I just use tpu tubes now(ie GP5000 on DT rims).

 

[Oldhippy]

Today's fettling. Not bad if I say so myself.

 

[sevenfourate]

Yesterday and on the way home from work: the drivetrain didn’t feel quite right. So mid-ride I fettled myself off the direct route home - and instead opted for a route via my LBS.

Where we checked hangar alignment - noticeably off 😳 Test ride then showed no difference.

Gear adjustment - done to within a smidgeon of bordering on completely OCD. Spin up the road showed same issues…..

I said - Whack a chain on please’ - lovingly fitted, jockey wheels cleaned, gears adjusted (Again). ***Go on - have a guess ! You got it……no difference.

Can only be rear cassette now. Which visually looked FAR from terminal. Swapping it out sorted all issues instantly 🙄

…….last thing I wanted before next weekends Dynamo was a shedload of new parts. But just a casualty of the miles I’m afraid. So hopefully good - not bad timing !

 

[Punkawallah]

Hope you kept the old chain :-)

 

[Andy in Germany]

Yesterday and on the way home from work: the drivetrain didn’t feel quite right. So mid-ride I fettled myself off the direct route home - and instead opted for a route via my LBS.

Where we checked hangar alignment - noticeably off 😳 Test ride then showed no difference.

Gear adjustment - done to within a smidgeon of bordering on completely OCD. Spin up the road showed same issues…..

I said - Whack a chain on please’ - lovingly fitted, jockey wheels cleaned, gears adjusted (Again). ***Go on - have a guess ! You got it……no difference.

Can only be rear cassette now. Which visually looked FAR from terminal. Swapping it out sorted all issues instantly 🙄

…….last thing I wanted before next weekends Dynamo was a shedload of new parts. But just a casualty of the miles I’m afraid. So hopefully good - not bad timing !

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Did you measure the chain? My current employer has a policy that if a chain is worn over the 1mm mark, we will only replace the complete drive chain.

 

[sevenfourate]

Did you measure the chain? My current employer has a policy that if a chain is worn over the 1mm mark, we will only replace the complete drive chain.

Absolutely we did. The shop had a digital KMC tool which we took measurements from in a few places. It was more than it looked visually. Reading between 0.6 and just under 0.8mm

Crank had done and really did look ok. That would have been the 3rd chain on the same rear cassette. So unsurprisingly they didn’t like new chain and old cassette this time around ! So I only actually achieved 2 chains to 1 cassette ratio.

 

[Punkawallah]

Did you measure the chain? My current employer has a policy that if a chain is worn over the 1mm mark, we will only replace the complete drive chain.

Where I volunteer the ‘go to’ with a worn chain is to ride it with a new chain and see if it works - then replace the rest if it doesn’t.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Where I volunteer the ‘go to’ with a worn chain is to ride it with a new chain and see if it works - then replace the rest if it doesn’t.

That makes sense: the local volunteer organisations have the same policy but being a "Bike shop" our liability is different. Our Manager trained in the car industry, and he is very strict on quality control.