So..... cycling - Page 13

LeperousDust · 19-08-2010, 07:56

Yeah that's pretty much standard really

Make sure you get good use out of it though, i see so many "unused" mountain bikes cycled round by people buying them on work schemes or because they think they'll use it. Waste of money if you won't get a ssecond hand commuter if so.

I'd suggest a second hand mountain bike but its a minefield really to someone new, and i'm not about to start looking for you

I do suggest going to your local bike shop talking to them and at least trying on different bikes for size guides though

Jonny69 · 19-08-2010, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe 90

Any tips on where to find the best bike now?

Freecycle

Seriously though, I see a lot of people spend big money on their bikes on other forums and I know they are taking it a bit too seriously and not having the fun/£ that it deserves. Best thing to do in my opinion is to think about what you want out of it and maybe get a cheapy second hand one to see if that's what you want. Then you're not £600 out of pocket when you decide you wanted a road bike rather than a mountain bike.

Back in my project log I got some cables from Wilkinsons last night and fitted up the drop brakes with suicide bars. Old school or what! Rode it in this morning in one gear so I can pick a ratio for my single speed. Looks like the cogs at the back are on a freewheel which makes the swap a lot easier

Jonny69 · 25-08-2010, 13:04

Went down to the garage and took some pics for the project logs...

The Raleigh isn't looking much different:

In fact I've changed nothing since I first rebuilt it apart from a few tweaks. I came off the RSW and hurt my wrists so I've got the handlebars cranked up so I can hold the sides. I know it's all a bit Chris what's-hisface but it turns out I really like this riding position so they are staying in that position and only look a bit strange because of the white brake hoods. Come to them in a minute...

New tyres all round. I went for these Michelin Pro 3's at extravagant expense but they are excellent, slick, loads of grip and shaved over 300g in weight:

I mentioned the brakes. Well I've never been happy with the manky white hoods, the blue anodised finish and one of the lever mechs is missing the plastic piece on the front. With the all-black look they really stick out like a sore thumb:

I managed to score some Shimano 105 SLR aero levers in fab condition and bought some new black hoods:

For the price of these I could have actualy just bought some brand new Tektro aero levers, but these SLR's really are the nuts. They have cast alloy bodies with proper bearings and the movement is solid and smooth. Can't wait to fit them up with some black cables, a long awaited well deserved upgrade for this bike

Onto the Viscount. This has really turned into a late 70's period build. Retro frames are all the rage in London right now, so anything vintage alloy, Shimano or Campagnolo is going for silly money on eBay. Luckily, all the sought-after stuff is 80's and early 90's, which leaves me to scoop up the cool looking late 70's bargains for my bike

The plan was to keep the frame and fork, which are pretty, and work around that. I was thinking of swapping the wheels because they aren't very straight, handlebars to alloy drops, brakes to bare alloy drops, single speed, alloy seat post and new saddle.

It's sort of gone to plan apart from a few things. This is what it's looking like so far:

Alloy seat post is hiding under there. Really light unknown-make alloy drop bars are cranked up slightly with Weinmann bare alloy drop brakes and suicide bars:

My commute is uphill all the way in and downhill all the way home. I tried it in one gear but couldn't do it, then I couldn't get the freewheel to come undone, so chose to keep the 5 gears at the back! It's a 5-speed screw-on freewheel, so not like the modern cassette setups:

I've already got rid of the smaller ratio at the front to tidy things up and I'm going to lose the nasty black plastic derailleur that's been put on at some point and swap on this nice old Huret one I got cheap on eBay. It's technically not as good as a Campag or a Shimano but it'll look right, do the job and cost 99p rather than £30+ for the more popular brands:

Those of you with the better eyes may have spotted I've got some toeclips on the Raleigh. I'm keeping my eye out for some alloy pedals that can take toeclips and I've just been trying them out on the other bike to see whether I get on with them...

Yeah, I know. Metal toeclips with no straps. Scene. I've been hanging around with the fixie brigade in central London too much etc

I do have straps:

I don't think I'm liking toeclips to be honest. They don't fit well and are uncomfortable so I might not use them after all.

And that just leaves the saddle and some bar tape to find. I'd quite like brown leather all round, but to be honest it's going to be a matter of what comes up at the right price. I was tempted to go for a Charge Spoon saddle and matching bar tape in brown, but I've got to be careful not to let the budget run away. So far it owes me less than £40 with a bit of spannering and grease and that's it. Expensive saddles and fashionable bar tape could nearly double that

Jonny69 · 25-08-2010, 17:33

I got bored and put the Huret derailleur on. Never changed one before so it was a bit of a faff but it's on and it works. Set the chain length, limits top and bottom, took it out for a test ride and it's ready to roll.

IainB · 25-08-2010, 18:53

Love the Shimano 105 stuff

Back (a long time ago) when I was a wee lad of 14/15 I used to save all my money up for thatstuff.....helping out in the workshop at Charlie Coles in Dunstable helped....aah the days of building up a rim from scratch

Jonny69 · 31-08-2010, 12:10

I did Critical Mass on Friday night and rode the Viscount back to Kent from St. Pauls in central London. Have to say it rides very nicely now, despite losing a rear brake block on the journey. They needed replacing anyway...

Jonny69 · 01-09-2010, 13:20

Aw, these were too pretty to not have...

I *think* it's just a saddle needed to complete the project now

LeperousDust · 01-09-2010, 14:52

I'm still lovin' this jonny

Jonny69 · 02-09-2010, 12:09

Wasn't sure if anyone was actually following this any more

Goose · 03-09-2010, 16:57

I am, massively. I sooo want an old racer now...

19-08-2010, 07:56	#121
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Yeah that's pretty much standard really Make sure you get good use out of it though, i see so many "unused" mountain bikes cycled round by people buying them on work schemes or because they think they'll use it. Waste of money if you won't get a ssecond hand commuter if so. I'd suggest a second hand mountain bike but its a minefield really to someone new, and i'm not about to start looking for you I do suggest going to your local bike shop talking to them and at least trying on different bikes for size guides though __________________

25-08-2010, 13:04	#123
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Went down to the garage and took some pics for the project logs... The Raleigh isn't looking much different: In fact I've changed nothing since I first rebuilt it apart from a few tweaks. I came off the RSW and hurt my wrists so I've got the handlebars cranked up so I can hold the sides. I know it's all a bit Chris what's-hisface but it turns out I really like this riding position so they are staying in that position and only look a bit strange because of the white brake hoods. Come to them in a minute... New tyres all round. I went for these Michelin Pro 3's at extravagant expense but they are excellent, slick, loads of grip and shaved over 300g in weight: I mentioned the brakes. Well I've never been happy with the manky white hoods, the blue anodised finish and one of the lever mechs is missing the plastic piece on the front. With the all-black look they really stick out like a sore thumb: I managed to score some Shimano 105 SLR aero levers in fab condition and bought some new black hoods: For the price of these I could have actualy just bought some brand new Tektro aero levers, but these SLR's really are the nuts. They have cast alloy bodies with proper bearings and the movement is solid and smooth. Can't wait to fit them up with some black cables, a long awaited well deserved upgrade for this bike Onto the Viscount. This has really turned into a late 70's period build. Retro frames are all the rage in London right now, so anything vintage alloy, Shimano or Campagnolo is going for silly money on eBay. Luckily, all the sought-after stuff is 80's and early 90's, which leaves me to scoop up the cool looking late 70's bargains for my bike The plan was to keep the frame and fork, which are pretty, and work around that. I was thinking of swapping the wheels because they aren't very straight, handlebars to alloy drops, brakes to bare alloy drops, single speed, alloy seat post and new saddle. It's sort of gone to plan apart from a few things. This is what it's looking like so far: Alloy seat post is hiding under there. Really light unknown-make alloy drop bars are cranked up slightly with Weinmann bare alloy drop brakes and suicide bars: My commute is uphill all the way in and downhill all the way home. I tried it in one gear but couldn't do it, then I couldn't get the freewheel to come undone, so chose to keep the 5 gears at the back! It's a 5-speed screw-on freewheel, so not like the modern cassette setups: I've already got rid of the smaller ratio at the front to tidy things up and I'm going to lose the nasty black plastic derailleur that's been put on at some point and swap on this nice old Huret one I got cheap on eBay. It's technically not as good as a Campag or a Shimano but it'll look right, do the job and cost 99p rather than £30+ for the more popular brands: Those of you with the better eyes may have spotted I've got some toeclips on the Raleigh. I'm keeping my eye out for some alloy pedals that can take toeclips and I've just been trying them out on the other bike to see whether I get on with them... Yeah, I know. Metal toeclips with no straps. Scene. I've been hanging around with the fixie brigade in central London too much etc I do have straps: I don't think I'm liking toeclips to be honest. They don't fit well and are uncomfortable so I might not use them after all. And that just leaves the saddle and some bar tape to find. I'd quite like brown leather all round, but to be honest it's going to be a matter of what comes up at the right price. I was tempted to go for a Charge Spoon saddle and matching bar tape in brown, but I've got to be careful not to let the budget run away. So far it owes me less than £40 with a bit of spannering and grease and that's it. Expensive saddles and fashionable bar tape could nearly double that __________________

25-08-2010, 17:33	#124
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	I got bored and put the Huret derailleur on. Never changed one before so it was a bit of a faff but it's on and it works. Set the chain length, limits top and bottom, took it out for a test ride and it's ready to roll. __________________

25-08-2010, 18:53	#125
IainB Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: May 2009 Location: South Beds Baby Posts: 143	Love the Shimano 105 stuff Back (a long time ago) when I was a wee lad of 14/15 I used to save all my money up for thatstuff.....helping out in the workshop at Charlie Coles in Dunstable helped....aah the days of building up a rim from scratch __________________ www.imc-racing.co.uk and www.djiainb.co.uk

31-08-2010, 12:10	#126
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	I did Critical Mass on Friday night and rode the Viscount back to Kent from St. Pauls in central London. Have to say it rides very nicely now, despite losing a rear brake block on the journey. They needed replacing anyway... __________________

01-09-2010, 13:20	#127
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Aw, these were too pretty to not have... I think it's just a saddle needed to complete the project now __________________

01-09-2010, 14:52	#128
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	I'm still lovin' this jonny __________________

02-09-2010, 12:09	#129
Jonny69 Noob Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Socialist Republik of Kent Posts: 5,032	Wasn't sure if anyone was actually following this any more __________________

03-09-2010, 16:57	#130
Goose The list is long, but distinguished Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Århus, Denmark Posts: 1,643	I am, massively. I sooo want an old racer now... __________________