Any question answered...

O rly? ok ta, seemed a bit rudimentary but I'll just ride it anyway

Weirdly my compressionless cable housing won't fit into the shifter body (Tiagra 4700).

I've trimmed some of out the outer to make it so it can fit into the hole in the shifter (there is a small cable shaped hole it should go into - a different brand cable works on the other shifter), but that seems a little naughty. Likelihood of death?

Here's a pic of what I mean:

1 Attachment

What we reckoning

Don't fit a carbon post :-)

Set screws have been used to retain circular things in holes pretty much since the invention of threaded fasteners, and people are still doing it because it works. There are tarty ways to make it a more elegant method (flats on the shaft, separate thrust pads between the screw and the shaft), but a simple single flat point set screw can take a surprising large amount of both axial and torsional load to shift. Most of the friction actually comes from the cylindrical contact between shaft and bore, which will be over about 270°; the set screw just pulls a small section of the bore away from the shaft in order to create the necessary hoop stress to be reacted by radial pressure of the bore on the shaft.

Is putting a fork with 20mm longer A2C going to ruin handling on croix de fer 2015.

Didn't realise fork was carbon dropouts too and concerned over putting pelago rack and luggage on inserted eyelets, have a steel p2 fork but it's longer:

Advice needed adapt! @edscoble @edscoble @edscoble

Hi everyone, sorry couldn't figure out where else to ask...
So finally considering switching toeclips -> clipless (never ridden clipless before)
Will switch pedals on Specialized AWOL commuter, then fixed gear, then road bike
Have my eyes on Specialized Recon Mixed Terrain shoes (purely aesthetically), but as far as I can tell, the are SPD compatible (MTB- 2 holes), and not for SPD-SL (road - 3 holes). Now, MTB pedals should be OK for AWOL as it's almost MTB anyway, but what about fixed gear and road? Anything stopping from that combo?
Also, will take any other advice on cycling shoes with similar looks. Thanks!
(Strangely, no cycling shoes thread, apart from the one updated 2 years ago)

which size you need? 58cm herehttp://forums.roadbikereview.com/general-cycling-discussion/stack-reach-sworks-e5-geometry-measurements-167679.html

56cm :(

what about fixed gear and road? Anything stopping from that combo?

Many people have used MTB shoes/pedals for road, including fixed, and most of them haven't died.

Ok thanks. What is the difference then? I mean between SPD and SPD-sl? Why did Shimano have to devise new stuff for the road?

Puff! Just subtract 2cm everywhere :)

go and look at them in a shop, then you can understand how they work. SPD are good for MTB use and fine for road use, whereas SPDSL are better for road use but terrible for MTB use, so go SPD for your first pair if you plan to ride off road at all

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/fitness/bike-fit/pedal-system-best-133105

One advantage is 2-hole means a small cleat that can be recessed into the sole. Never ridden 3-hole, I imagine it's the same but stronger for moar power. And you have trouble walking.

Why did Shimano have to devise new stuff for the road?

The main benefit of road pedals (SPD-SL, Look Keo etc.) is the wider platform, which stops your foot from rolling from side to side. The longer platform also distributes pressure more evenly along the sole, although with road race shoes being sold on sole stiffness that tends to be moot. If your feet don't roll and your soles are stiff, SPD is fine for road use. Shimano's first go at road clipless (after a period of licensing the original Look design) was an SPD, e.g. PD-7410

SPD is recessed into the shoe so you can walk in them and generally has a bit more side to side, also the ability to clip in even when the system is full of mud b/c the SPD system has holes for the mud to come out. The SPD-SL has less side to side generally than the SPD system but this does depend on which cleat you choose to use (I personally use the blue cleat which is medium). SPD is double sided which makes getting into it easier than the SPD-SL.
I've used SPD on road, fixed and off road and its sound for all. I do now use SPD-SL for road and track because it is stiffer and better for power transfer

Ok great, thanks guys

Cheapest Shimano SPD pedals and bob your uncles.

Spend your money on decent shoes.

2^nd Cheapest Shimano SPD

ftfy. PD-M540 is worth the extra couple of quid over PD-M520

ftfy. PD-M540 is worth the extra couple of quid over PD-M520

What's the benefit?

Also worth noting that you can get multi-release cleats for SPDs, which allow you to roll your foot out as well as pulling your heel out sideways. They're quite useful if you're new to clipless and want to be able to get your foot out in a panic. I've never moved away from them TBH.

I should just start PMing you in the future. Cheers
On another unrelated note, I know its half way through the year now so I'm talking about January time, is there any point in buying a race license or should I just find some events that don't require one so I can have a go?
I want to try a few different types of event to see which I like more, short TTs, crits, road circuit etc

What's the benefit?

Better axles/bearings/seals

I should just start PMing you in the future

You really shouldn't. Some people do, and I have to tell them with varying degrees of politeness why it's a bad idea. By asking questions here, even if you're expecting me to answer, there several benefits over a private conversation. When I give the wrong answer, somebody else will point it out, and when I give the right answer strangers from the future will benefit and they won't have to send me PMs

Well TT's don't require any sort of licence, you just need to be a member of a club affiliated with the CTT to take part in an Open event (where you submit an entry a few weeks beforehand). I believe the LFGSS.CC club is and is also free to join. I don't think Club TT events (usually turn up on the evening) even require you to be a member of a club.

I don't think Club TT events (usually turn up on the evening) even require you to be a member of a club

Not all of them, check with the promoting club whether they have registered the event as "Come and Try It"

Notwithstanding that, join a club.

Thanks for clearing that up. IRT 'Interclub' TT's - Are these restricted to members of certain clubs?