Pedal Power Thread

When I first got on my bike after 5years I hated the saddle, you can see it in my pictures further up this page. I didn't know how I rode it before my forced break from riding but now I find it nice and comfy now that my muscles have gotten used to it again and built up a bit more, like what Mark said. I was considering buying a more padded saddle but I'm used to this one now and I like it.

I've advertised my Ransom frame for sale now. I don't use it enough to justify having a full sus. I've always preferred hard tails and I'll take them anywhere others would use a full sus. It's also too big for me, because it's a full suspension and it's higher up than a hard tail, when the saddle in the correct position for riding I can't even touch the ground. I'm only a short arse:rolleyes:
 
Thing is i will never use it often enough to become acclimatised too it.
 
cambsno said:
Thing is i will never use it often enough to become acclimatised too it.
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Thing is saddles are like a nice pair of leather shoes. If you don't wear them often enough to bed them in and/or build up thick skin they rub like a b****r.. :D

Sure you could get a nice squishy pair of slippers but you can only shuffle around at a snails pace.. :D
 
I felt like using the kids nappy cream after the first time on a bike in 5years:rolleyes:
 
I think about 7-8am ride for me tomorrow morning...
am thinking about cycling to Hyde Park get some rest and head back

my last trip to central london finished with an accident...maybe this time will be more lucky ;)
 
got a raceface NW ring coming from the states - should be here
by the end of the week.

heading to glentress at the weekend
 
cambsno said:
Any recommendations for a comfy saddle? My road bike i bought last year is lovely but the saddle is too damn uncomfortable. Did just 6 miles the other week and for the next day or 2 I felt like I have a bruised bum!!! Saddle is a proper road one (i.e. hard). Am assuming that getting a comfy saddle will help a lot?
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I have an Intake Volante Gel Saddle on my MTB that I ride to work every day without any bike shorts and have to say it's comfy. On my Road bike I've got the bog standard Specialized seat that came with it but shorts make a huge difference on that. I've never used anything other than normal Aqueous Emollient cream when I do a 40 mile plus ride
 
went 1x10 this morning - will eventually go to a small cage rear when I can afford one


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don't think they work with 9sp do they? got no thoughts of using one though - jump between 15-19 not great then the jump between 34-40. I don't climb anything that needs such a low gear - would rather walk lol
 
unless you are wanting to shift a lb in weight then I'd not bother. I found I wasn't actually using any other ring so it didn't make sense for me to keep the extra bits


neil_g said:
Do they not? Not really read too much into it. I'll be sticking 2x9 then
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MY bike a Commencal Ramones hardtail and couple played with photos, would of uploaded some more but files too big :)
 
MR Foxx74 said:
MY bike a Commencal Ramones hardtail and couple played with photos, would of uploaded some more but files too big :)
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Looks a nice "do it all" hardtail. Where did you get those rotors? Wouldn't mind some myself:D
 
CaveDweller said:
Looks a nice "do it all" hardtail. Where did you get those rotors? Wouldn't mind some myself:D
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Thanks :) they came with the brakes which are Gusset Hydraulic get them quite cheapish now. but can get rotors like thator other designs on ebay depends on colour and size you wanting.
 
Nice I'll have a look. I've built up a new hard tail after selling my full sus. I built it quickly on a budget so I had more spending money for my holiday next week but when I get back I have a nice big shopping list for it :D
 
Before:


and during... gave it a good sand down to bare metal and resprayed it at work. Many new parts to be fitted after my holiday.
 
The still make them yes, but not the Dr J. I used to have one before and I loved the way it rode. I managed to get this one for £30 and source down some new adjustable dropouts for it which they still make.
 
OK guys need some input.
I've now reached 12 months of cycling on the boardman and have put about 1500 to 2000 miles on it.
To celebrate its 1st birthday I was greeted with a crunching sound half way through today's commute home.
On closer inspection when off the bike and spinning the rear wheel the sound is coming from the hub but isn't as loud. So I guess the sound gets louder when weight bearing.
My initial thoughts are bearings.

How I easy is it to strip down a rear hub and put new bearings in? I'm happy to give anything a go myself now that I have a big box of essential bike tools.
 
I'm after some help please!
I've got a fair amount of lateral play in my rear wheel so I'm fairly sure that the bearings are shot. I'd quite like to have a go at the job myself, so can anyone tell me:
- Is it easy enough for someone with reasonable ability to do?
- What tools will I need?
- What parts will I need? (is it just new bearings and grease? Or cups? or cones?)
- I may have been riding with dying bearings for quite a while (not too sure how long) what other parts might that have knackered? I don't want to start the job and then find that I need a bunch of other bits as well cos I need by bike everyday other than the weekend.

I've had a look at the Park Tools how-to on their website which makes it look (perhaps deceptively) straight forward.
 
TopBanana said:
I'm after some help please!
I've got a fair amount of lateral play in my rear wheel so I'm fairly sure that the bearings are shot. I'd quite like to have a go at the job myself, so can anyone tell me:
- Is it easy enough for someone with reasonable ability to do?
- What tools will I need?
- What parts will I need? (is it just new bearings and grease? Or cups? or cones?)
- I may have been riding with dying bearings for quite a while (not too sure how long) what other parts might that have knackered? I don't want to start the job and then find that I need a bunch of other bits as well cos I need by bike everyday other than the weekend.

I've had a look at the Park Tools how-to on their website which makes it look (perhaps deceptively) straight forward.
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what wheels are they? Shimano are nice and simple, cup and cone things, dead easy to work with (once you get the nack of actually adjusting them) - other types of hub have sealed unit bearings which if they're shot will need to be drifted out and a replacement pressed into place.

Either way, you'll probably need to remove the cassette - so that's a chain-whip, big spanner and a cassette spline tool.

Give us some Idea of what hub's we're talking about and we can maybe give you a bit more detail.
 
TheBigYin said:
what wheels are they? Shimano are nice and simple, cup and cone things, dead easy to work with (once you get the nack of actually adjusting them) - other types of hub have sealed unit bearings which if they're shot will need to be drifted out and a replacement pressed into place.

Either way, you'll probably need to remove the cassette - so that's a chain-whip, big spanner and a cassette spline tool.

Give us some Idea of what hub's we're talking about and we can maybe give you a bit more detail.
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They're just cheap wheels/hubs which came OEM on the bike (Revolution Courier Race Disc). I think they're these hubs: http://www.bikewagon.com/formula-dc20-front-mtb-hub-28h-6-bolt-gunmetal-grey

I actually replaced the cassette fairly recently (probably about the time the bearings got worse :oops: :$ I hope it wasn't something I did!). I made myself a chain whip (out of an old chain and some wood) to do that job, but I think I might buy one if I'm going to need to use it again!
 
TopBanana said:
They're just cheap wheels/hubs which came OEM on the bike (Revolution Courier Race Disc). I think they're these hubs: http://www.bikewagon.com/formula-dc20-front-mtb-hub-28h-6-bolt-gunmetal-grey

I actually replaced the cassette fairly recently (probably about the time the bearings got worse :oops: :$ I hope it wasn't something I did!). I made myself a chain whip (out of an old chain and some wood) to do that job, but I think I might buy one if I'm going to need to use it again!
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looks like they have the old cone style axles maybe? pop the rubber dust seal off and you'll need (probably) 2 skinny 15mm to undo the lock nut to access the bearing.

does the axle feel like it has play in it? if the bearings are okay you might just need to tighten the cone up.
 
had a look on the revolution site, they're quoting Formula DC20-QR's - which according to the formula brochure (http://www.formulahubs.com/upload/21397035969.pdf) uses cup-and-cone bearings. So, I reckon you're in luck (getting replacement bearings for cheapo OEM hubs can be a nightmare!)

frankly, you've already found the best resource, the park tools website...

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/hub-overhaul-and-adjustment is pretty much the definitive article on it.

I'd dismantle the hub, remove the bearings, clean all the balls, races, examine both for traces of damage, and replace with good quality grease, adjusting the play out whilst still keeping it free running. It's just a matter of "feel" to be honest - one thing is that half the time you'll have it what you think is perfect, then you tighten the locking nuts and it just starts making it run rough again, so you've to back off and try again. The good thing is, if the bearings are fresh and in good condition, trial and error won't hurt - just don't ride it until it's perfect. Turn the bike upside down and drop the wheel in the dropouts, not connected to the chain etc, spin the wheel and expect 30 seconds minimum of "rundown" - you should get this WITHOUT any discernable play side to side in the rim.

In short,Just fiddle with it until it's right - it's not rocket science it's just a bike.
 
In the end I had to take it to the LBS as it really needed doing but I didn't have time to get the parts :(
It only took them 30mins and cost <£20 so not too bad at all. They said that the hub surface was getting pretty old and corroded, so no sure how much longer the hub will last. I'll wait a few weeks and then start looking for a pair of new 700c disc wheels :) then I can keep the old wheels for winter with my spiked ice tyres.
 
neil_g said:
Ashton and co on his injury and the making of RBP2

Ashton (and co) on his injury and the making of RBP2

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Can't imagine how crap he must feel with not being able to carry on with his trials. He has a good positive attitude though and is pushing on.

Danny is a good mate of mine and he rang me not long after he found out. I was dead shocked at the time because I was meant to be going to that show with a few mates but kids came first with hospital appointments. Glad I didn't witness it in person.
 
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