I've just noticed, I must stop putting my hot cup of tea on the arm of that chair.
No Ruddy Idea But Here Goes.
- Thread starter Serge
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the stupid one
Über Member
- Location
- NWUK
Alan offered those bars to me when I first got here, but I had already ordered some from eBay on his earlier recommendation. Top man, that Mr O. Anyway, I used bar tape first with grips at the ends, but recently bought some foam tubing which covers most of the bars. It's comfortable, and I like it. The stuff I bought was cheap from eBay, and already has an inner-tube patch on it where it's started to split at a bend, but I'm sure there's better quality stuff available, perhaps from wheelchair suppliers?
It’s a wonder you have got away with that one. 
Looking good - and yep, black bar tape for sure
I'm sure I saw on here somewhere some black bar tape with a coloured edge, but I'm buggered if I can find it now. I thought it was @JhnBssll's Bianchi but the photos I've found prove me wrong.Looking good - and yep, black bar tape for sure
Any ideas out there?
Here you go, this is the same as the stuff I used:
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Pro-Sport-Control-Bar-Tape-with-Bar-End-Plugs-and-Fixing-Tape_91469.htm
Seems they've only got black with white stripe available though at the moment, have a look on eBay maybe?
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Pro-Sport-Control-Bar-Tape-with-Bar-End-Plugs-and-Fixing-Tape_91469.htm
Seems they've only got black with white stripe available though at the moment, have a look on eBay maybe?
That's the beauty, thanks.
HobbesOnTour
Guru
- Location
- España
I think bells may be a cultural thing.....
I live in NL and everyone has a bell (except the racer wannabees) and they are used frequently and are not seen as offensive "Get the hell outta my way" signals, more of a polite "I'm coming up behind you".
Mind you, it depends how people use them. Some people ring, in what could be seen as an aggressive manner, others in a more polite manner.
It took me a while to get used to it at the start, but now I wouldn't consider it appropriate to cycle without a bell.
I remember touring in Italy and on the first day where there was a significant amount of normal roads getting very frustrated with all the motorists "blasting" me with their horns. Yet they always gave me lots of space? Then, I realised that what they were doing was less "blasting" but more "tooting" - they were letting me know there was a car coming up behind is all. Quite civilised, in fact! But my conditioning was that when a car honked the horn it was because they hated me!
I strongly recommend using a bell anywhere you come in contact with pedestrians - or slower moving cyclists. By all means follow up with a cheery "Hello" if a bell feels awkward, but the attitude needs to change on both sides - a bell is not an instruction, nor is it nerdy or childish.
By the way, that applies to racer wannabees too. I despise the b*stards who zip past me, way too close with nary a warning. I've got a heavy bike, loaded with panniers. Give me space!!
HobbesOnTour
Guru
- Location
- España
The order seems fine.
I think you're starting with the most difficult part - the fork & bearings.
I'll be very interested in how you do that.
(Not trying to scare you!)
HobbesOnTour
Guru
- Location
- España
The first two, I think will be the most difficult.
I can see the headset being frustrating.
The only time I removed a front derailleur I had marked its position before removal - but that's not an option for you. But lots of people do it all the time. It might take time, but it's doable.
The chain is easy enough to do. You have quicklinks? The issue is getting the correct length. Do you have a chain breaker tool?
As for the cables, a good cable cutter is vital! When I put new brakes & cables on mine, I just cut the outers to the same length as the old ones. A like for like replacement. However, I'll be redoing that job and using longer outers on the front (at the handlebars) to allow better manipulation of the cables around my handlebar bag.
My assumption is that a longer cable won't make any significant difference. If anyone has any objections to that, I'd love to know!
Thanks!
HobbesOnTour
Guru
- Location
- España
If you're obsessing about the colour & pattern of tape then you're obviously very relaxed!
A bell it is then, I'll just have to get over myself.
I have the chain breaker tool and some good quality cable cutters so no worries there.The first two, I think will be the most difficult.
I can see the headset being frustrating.
The only time I removed a front derailleur I had marked its position before removal - but that's not an option for you. But lots of people do it all the time. It might take time, but it's doable.
The chain is easy enough to do. You have quicklinks? The issue is getting the correct length. Do you have a chain breaker tool?
As for the cables, a good cable cutter is vital! When I put new brakes & cables on mine, I just cut the outers to the same length as the old ones. A like for like replacement. However, I'll be redoing that job and using longer outers on the front (at the handlebars) to allow better manipulation of the cables around my handlebar bag.
My assumption is that a longer cable won't make any significant difference. If anyone has any objections to that, I'd love to know!
I've been having a bit of a swot up this morning on fitting the bearings (whilst it's quiet at work) and I don't think it's going to be as tricky as I first thought. I'll be fitting the wheels to the frame and fork first so I can ensure the fork is sitting in the lower bearings properly before tightening, so slight change to the order there.
Good point about the cable outers at the front as I want to be able to attach a bar bag in the future. I love the look of the one made by Restrap. If I cut them long I can always shorten them in the future (a little more tricky the other way around).
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