What Have You Fettled Today?

[Gravity Aided]

Traded in my vaunted Electra Townie and Diamondback MTB for a 1995 Cannondale H-600, lighter, faster, better components. Drivetrain problems at shop proved to be chain misdirected through the derailleur, so I re-threaded the chain and Mickled well the same. I also adjusted derailleur cable tension and cleaned the frame. A little rust to remove, and some new cables will put us on the road to a great flat bar tourer. I will also try some low rider pannier racks for the front, as this is equipped for low riders, having braze-ons for the mounting bolts. Pictures to come.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Today's fettling completed the comedy of errors that has been the last four weeks for me . 4 weeks ago, I removed the large and middle front chain rings, chain, rear cassette and bottom bracket, in preparation for replacing them all. The only problem was that I'd bought the wrong middle chain ring! The crankset, which I'd replaced last year, only has 5 bolt holes, meaning that the small front chain ring bolts onto the middle chain ring, but I'd bought a middle chain ring without the 5 extra bolt holes to hold the small chain ring. After a bit of internet searching, and queries to the kind folk on CC , I ordered a suitable middle chain ring from SJS Cycles.

Two weeks later, it arrived, and eagerly installed all the parts: bottom bracket, front and middle chain rings, chain and cassette. Then more trouble arrived: I had major problems adjusting the derailleurs, and after much faffing around, realised that the chain was a link too short, which makes it very difficult to adjust the derailleurs so they smoothly shift between the middle and front chain rings. I'd run out of time, so decided to ride my road bike for a third week, and sort out the tourer's chain next week.

So last weekend, I tried put an extra link on the chain, learning a valuable lesson, which is to always leave the pin partly on the removed link, or it's damned near impossible to insert it onto the target chain. I broke a chain breaker finding this out . Giving up in disgust, I rode the road bike for a fourth week.

Yesterday, I inserted an extra link on the tourer's chain, and rode the bike down to a nearby bike shop, because two rear USB lights I'd bought there were missing a few pieces, so I had to return them to get replacements. Partway there, as I was putting a bit of pressure on the chain, it snapped and went flying I know not where, leaving my bike chainless . I walked the rest of the way to the bike shop, and got them to replace the chain for me.

Now my tourer is ready for the coming week's commute, finally! Riding the road bike has been nice, but it's not as well suited for commuting in mixed weather conditions as the tourer is: it doesn't have clip-on mudguards like the tourer, so gets very filthy in rainy weather, or when there's puddles around. Plus the tourer is more comfortable, has more puncture-proof tyres, and handles the bumps better, having 28mm tyres compared to the road bike's 25mm. It also has an AirZound horn, unlike the road bike. I'm also very fond of the tourer, having ridden over 70,000km on it over the 5.5 years since I bought it. These Vivente tourers are hardy steeds .

 

[smokeysmoo]

Adjusted my saddle very lightly nose down after my nads were complaining on today's ride

Also finally re-wrapped my bars with some nice new Sram bartape, in black of course

 

[gbb]

Been working for the last 7 days and still got 5 to go so no real desire to get out this weekend...but, a chance to clean and fettle.
Chain split, removed and cleaned, refitted with a quick link.
Rear wheel removed, axle out, freehub pawls greased (very light grease) so that will quieten down the Fulcrums a bit.

 

[Salad Dodger]

Mrs Salad's e-bike (which has not been used at all for quite a few weeks) has "died". I tinkered with it ineffectually today, then got on the interweb to locate some local bike shops. Will ring around a few tomorrow, to see if anyone can assist.......

 

[PeteXXX]

New bar tape wound onto the bars of the Defy 2.
New SPD-L pedals fitted to the Defy 2
Worn out cleats replaced with shiny new ones ready to get clipped into the new pedals tomorrow.

 

[G3CWI]

Both bikes cleaned. Jockey wheels removed and de-greased. Gears re-indexed. Changes to cassette on road bike to improve chain line. Chains cleaned, oiled and cleaned again.

Bike stand is one of the best bits of kit I have bought. Makes these jobs much easier.

 

[maltloaf]

Needed a new bottom bracket and my fsa one is £30. Spotted an offer of chain set including bottom bracket for £43 so took the opportunity to replace my fsa omega with an fsa gossamer.

 

[Poacher]

Decided it was about time to improve the braking on my old Holdsworth - I've had some cycle jumble Shimano RSX dual-pivots kicking about for a while, and they had to be more effective than the Dura-Ace single-pivots. While I was at it, the Dura-Ace brake levers with completely perished hoods could be replaced with some neater, albeit unbranded, levers to allow cable routeing along the bars. All went well; discarded the old bar tape, cleaned the bars and wrapped some new (to this bike!) tape of exactly the wrong shade of blue to complement the red, black and chrome frame.

Then, since it was such a nice day, I started to clean and service the old brakes and levers. When refitting the cable clamping bolt on the second brake, a slip of the hand led to the grooved flanged washer falling to the ground and unerringly finding the 1cm gap between the patio and a low garden wall pier, which has been the final resting place of so many small parts over the years. When it's just a standard nut or spoke nipple, I shrug and carry on. This was different - a highly specialised part, without which the brake was useless.

With the aid of a Tesco 3w led torch, I could see the washer and tried to retrieve it with an old spoke, but only managed to dislodge it to somewhere out of sight. Now beginning to become more than a little frustrated, I fetched a large hammer and bolster chisel from the outhouse and attacked the concrete of the patio to try and widen the gap. Tough stuff, that concrete, and I had little effect short of burying the washer under some more debris. Straightening up, I cracked the back of my head on the overhanging capstone, lifting it slightly from its pillar (it was already loose, thank goodness).

Right, that's blumming it! In a fit of pique, I set about demolishing the pier, course by course, until I could see and reach the washer. Now I just need to buy some cement and builder's sand and revive my long-forgotten and decidedly mediocre brick laying skills. The long-suffering Mrs Poacher was unexpectedly understanding - I suspect she may want the wall refashioning, rather than just rebuilding as it was.

 

[PeteXXX]

Decided it was about time to improve the braking on my old Holdsworth - I've had some cycle jumble Shimano RSX dual-pivots kicking about for a while, and they had to be more effective than the Dura-Ace single-pivots. While I was at it, the Dura-Ace brake levers with completely perished hoods could be replaced with some neater, albeit unbranded, levers to allow cable routeing along the bars. All went well; discarded the old bar tape, cleaned the bars and wrapped some new (to this bike!) tape of exactly the wrong shade of blue to complement the red, black and chrome frame.

Then, since it was such a nice day, I started to clean and service the old brakes and levers. When refitting the cable clamping bolt on the second brake, a slip of the hand led to the grooved flanged washer falling to the ground and unerringly finding the 1cm gap between the patio and a low garden wall pier, which has been the final resting place of so many small parts over the years. When it's just a standard nut or spoke nipple, I shrug and carry on. This was different - a highly specialised part, without which the brake was useless.

With the aid of a Tesco 3w led torch, I could see the washer and tried to retrieve it with an old spoke, but only managed to dislodge it to somewhere out of sight. Now beginning to become more than a little frustrated, I fetched a large hammer and bolster chisel from the outhouse and attacked the concrete of the patio to try and widen the gap. Tough stuff, that concrete, and I had little effect short of burying the washer under some more debris. Straightening up, I cracked the back of my head on the overhanging capstone, lifting it slightly from its pillar (it was already loose, thank goodness).

Right, that's blumming it! In a fit of pique, I set about demolishing the pier, course by course, until I could see and reach the washer. Now I just need to buy some cement and builder's sand and revive my long-forgotten and decidedly mediocre brick laying skills. The long-suffering Mrs Poacher was unexpectedly understanding - I suspect she may want the wall refashioning, rather than just rebuilding as it was.
View attachment 41779

Good job matey! And just think of all the extra useful bits to retrieve as well.
No wonder Mrs P was happy.

 

[PeteXXX]

No walls to demolish, just a pre ride lube and a post ride clean for the hardtail today..

 

[Gravity Aided]

Promised pictures from post # 2592. I added trekking bars and some new cabling, as well as frame, handlebar, and seatpost bags. I also changed pedals and added miles on the bicycle.

 

[HLaB]

Nothing major, put tri bars on the bike last night and a new bar plug to replace the one I lost in Flanders

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

In true fettlin' style I have yet to actually start on the problem that has had me out fettlin' all day...

But in the meantime, the bike has been stripped, wheels & spokes washed, new tyres put on, rear brake calliper removed, cleaned & replaced, jockey & pulley wheels removed, washed, deemed warn out and put back on (no spares), rear cassette removed, cleaned & put back on, chain removed, cleaned & put back on, and the bike washed to (almost) an inch of itself life...

I shall now start on the right STI lever problem that caused me to start this work in the first place.

In the meantime, here is a picture of the bike (apologies for the quality, it seems my camera phone also needs some fettlin' - I can see condensation on the inside of the lens

View it whilst you can - tomorrow I am back on the commute and it won't stay this clean for more than 100 meters if that!

Edit: don't tell my OH but the front STI lever issue was a 30 second fix. WD40... one look inside the STI lever told me all I needed to know... rather embarrassing really! But on the bright side of things, I can change gear again so I'm happy.

 

[Easytigers]

In true fettlin' style I have yet to actually start on the problem that has had me out fettlin' all day...

But in the meantime, the bike has been stripped, wheels & spokes washed, new tyres put on, rear brake calliper removed, cleaned & replaced, jockey & pulley wheels removed, washed, deemed warn out and put back on (no spares), rear cassette removed, cleaned & put back on, chain removed, cleaned & put back on, and the bike washed to (almost) an inch of itself life...

I shall now start on the right STI lever problem that caused me to start this work in the first place.

In the meantime, here is a picture of the bike (apologies for the quality, it seems my camera phone also needs some fettlin' - I can see condensation on the inside of the lens

View attachment 41849

View it whilst you can - tomorrow I am back on the commute and it won't stay this clean for more than 100 meters if that!

Hi SatNav,
Also have a Triban 3...looks like you changed the crank...what did you change it to and did you have to replace the BB (and was it expensive???)?