Current Projects chat and miscellany

Got my new Raleigh up and running smoothly today. Replaced gear and brake cables, cleaned, greased, changed chain for a new sram one and replaced handlebars from the 3ttt ergo shape ones to these ITM more compact drops and added squishy colour matching pink Cinelli goodness.
That's the cheap bits out of the way. I need a flatter saddle as this Vetta is literally a pain in the arse. After that some better flat pedals and it's done for commuting duties

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Really liking the track training bikes, that concept is something that started my CAAD5/Capo build:

@TM @Rik_Van_Looy Are you both running fixed or ss though? I ask as had a hairy moment yesterday spinning furiously in a wet Richmond Park whilst going down hill. Felt the back wheel step out and resisted the urge to squeeze the front brake. My heart swings to having a freewheel in wet conditions although for the legs it's less of a workout.

TM's is single speed, and I can attest to it being a lovely bike to ride and a lovely looker too.

^^ A rear brake is sometimes nice on wet descents fixed if you're legs are toasted.

SS is safe, but boringly so (on the road, IMO etc).

Is it possible to convert a Khamsin disc. How?

Khamsins were produced in two types. One type just had a freewheel option, the other type had a freewheel option but also threads for a cog and lockring on the other side. For the latter type there was a metal cover included to cover up the threads on whichever side you weren't using.

Don't know any specifics about converting one, sorry :) (mount a track adapter onto the freewheel threads?)

Up till recently I've only ridden fixed or road, fixed mainly brakeless, but with an ongoing knee injury and a spinal fracture in march I've been trying out singlespeed, it's not bad, definitely a benefit for smooth pedalling as I got lazy riding fixed all the time. Ratio is 47/16 ss since changing cranks over, could do with a 17 or 18t freewheel, but I'm going to trial this as the commute is pretty flat and the 42/16 was mega spinny.

I am also looking forward to going full Scoble and riding fixed with two brakes in the near future, I just really need to get some bottle cage mounts riv nutted on to make it perfect.

definitely a benefit for smooth pedalling as I got lazy riding fixed all the time.

Yup - one of the greatest lies in the fixeh-world is the smooth pedalling part.

TM that Argos looks strong and purposeful, especially for winter. Can it clear a 28c?

Here's my GT now - That's a Minoura Gamoh King Front Basket if anyone is wondering.

That is so awesome. How did you mount the rack? I read somewhere it would mount to the brake studs, which your frame clearly hasn't?

Don't want to put guards on till I have to though as I'm sure they will take some fun out of it...

That's me fucked then.

Luckily my GTB's fork has eyelets and is drilled for a brake. Simply bolted it to the eyelets then used a brake housing bolt + any bolt to act as the bolt of a brake calliper. They also come with a QR/bolt on 'makeshift' eyelet which goes on your axle if you haven't got eyelets, so initially all you need is a brake hole.

Oh so they mount to the brake hole not to the canti studs?
That makes more sense then, thanks.
lovely rack. I need one of these.

Recommendations for 28C commuting tyres for winter and mudguards to fit them for my Bob

Will be used fixed but with very minor skidding so something thats not going to die from skidding once, but generally don't skid. Currently on gators which just suck too much in the wet.

Schwalbe Delta cruisers are a sturdy tire with a bit of tread. They come in 28mm with gumwall.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Schwalbe-Delta-Cruiser-Tyre-GUM-WALL-700x28c-town-bike-/201002243560?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2eccaad5e8

Schwalbe Marathon Supremes: good grip in the wet, reflective sidewalls, not too heavy, puncture protection seems okay. Hard to get on and off though, can't do it without tyre levers.

Threaded tyres on wet tarmac is a lie - go with the GP4000S as this test proved and go with the 28c version

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/road_tyres/attack%20force/Resistance%20Fighters.pdf

GP4000S are great tyres but they are expensive. I quite like the Michelin Pro4 Endurance tyres I've been riding recently. Only come in 25C max but there's lots of rubber on them, should last ages (barring a sidewall cut or whatever).

Love the Argos by the way TM. Crabon Record levers always look awesome on two-brake fixed/SS but R600s/DA 7402 would suit yours I think.

Continental GP 4 season is now also available in 28mm. I used those tyres (not the same pair obvs) for about 10.000k without 1 puncture.

Paselas and Ribmos seem grippy so far. Maxxis Refuse were good but seemingly impossible to get hold of now.

Current build changed most bits now apart from a new chainset, shifters and brakes.
Initially a cheap buy probs swap the frame out next year once all the components are up to
scratch.

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black paselas I think i'll go for. £20 ea aint bad

Just remembered, the ones I've been using are their PT or TG ones