So..... cycling

[Joe 90]

I hoping one of you guys might be able to help me... I've finally got round to figuring out what kit is on this bike.

I've ordered new tires, tubes, saddle & bar wraps today but totally forgot about the brakes. It really needs new brake blocks but I've no idea where to start. According to this it looks like my frame, and the brakes seem to be the Campagnolo GS's like listed there, but can you just get any old brake blocks?

[LeperousDust]

I don't know what works with what at all, but there will certainly be compatibles around. They're all much of a muchness based off the same idea in most cases. Different manufactures have slightly different implementations. This is really where I truly LOVE my local bike shops. I have 3 I know i can 100% trust with advice and info. The Bike Station, Bicycle Works, and Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op. If you have any decent shops near by i'd certainly be getting in touch with those first. I know for a fact The Bike Station by me are honestly like a shrine to old bikes and fixing up knackered old bikes and just keeping anything with wheels and pedals running. Jonny would be in HEAVEN there I tell thee! So whilst I can't help you, I would recommend finding a decent LBS

[Joe 90]

Thats my current plan, theres a small shop around the corner where I bought my first bike. Not been in since & quite interested to know if it's the same guy running the place! If it is I'm sure he'll know about a '69 bike!

[Jonny69]

It looks like it's got the classic rectangular rubber brake blocks like these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170749184405 or these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390316212485

That's good news because they are dead cheap compared to the newer aero style ones.

Have a shop around and get the cheapest ones you can find. They are all the same apart from the ones with a leather strip through the middle, which are better for chrome rims when it's wet, apparently.

e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230426890285

[Joe 90]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure they're like these but I'll have to try and take a closer look.

Thinking cheap - can you just replace the rubber pads?

[Jonny69]

You can with the older Campagnolo ones, but they are £££ compared to new non-Campag ones.

[Joe 90]

Right, my new gear arrived so I've been out & snapped a photo of the back brakes -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92166740@N00/6766990775

And any idea on the best way to take the saddle off with this bolt being so awkward!?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92166740@N00/6766992663

[LeperousDust]

Not really very detailed, but a nice read none the less :
http://www.instructables.com/id/Rest...Bike/?ALLSTEPS

One thing i'd say after a 10 second quick skim, is be careful with wd40, it's great for degreasing bike stuff moreso. GT85 is better used as lube (plus many other brands).

But i guess this will be a nice article

[Joe 90]

Very nice find, thanks. I'll agree with you, I've got GT85 in my bucket of cleaning gear.

The bike isn't officially mine yet, so I'm not making any major changes but its certainly looking 10 times better than when I brought it home for the first time.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwal...7626989973880/

It scrubs up nicely though but I have used almost two cans of degreaser on it now!



Before:


After:


I could do with widening the rear brakes if possible, there is very little room either side between the blocks & the rim.

[lostkat]

I haz a new bike

Since picking up what's become quite a prolonged running injury, I've decided that I need to find another exercise which strengthens my legs and compliments my running, whilst putting my knees under less impact. I can't stand being in the gym and would just much rather be outside doing my own thing. So I decided to spend a few months gym membership at once and have just picked up one of these babies from my local cycle shop. It's a bit of an upgrade from my Halfords bargain basement mountain bike and I can tell the difference immediately. It feels so light... and it actually changes gear when I ask it to

Anyway, a couple of things I need some advice on really...

Lights - I've got some cheapo ones, but given that I've had them about 2 weeks and already broken the bracket on the rear ones, I clearly needs something a bit more robust. I'm not going to be cycling tonnes at night and don't want to spend a fortune, but I do want to be see and to see where I'm going. What's the best I could get for £20? Oh and are those reflective thingies you can get for the spokes any good? They seem like they might look quite cool (adult spokey dokeys??? ) but I'm not sure if they'll all just fall off the second I go over 10mph.

Mudguard - Firstly do I need one? I'll most be doing road miles, but thought that a rear mudguard might stop any crap being flicked onto my back. If I do need one, what should I look for? Any recommendations? Prices?

Gloves - My running gloves are way too thin. I'm currently riding wearing a pair of leather gloves with a pair of fleece gloves over the top. Not ideal as I don't have much grip. Are there such things as windproof gloves???

Think that's about it for now. I've got enough reflective running gear to sink a ship and I have a shiny new helmet too (hurr). I'm sure I'll be back with a sore bum asking about saddles in the very near future, but these are my immediate issues!