Any question answered...

They're actually called 'thunderpants' but everybody's too embarrassed to use the proper word.

Phone Brixton Cycles? They probably know someone

but for srs, do I moan at the shop or is it user error?

I don't know, what did the shop do? Build it for you? If so then maybe. Do they like you? They might help you.

This kind of crap is always impossible to sort out, just ends up the blame being passed between shop, frame builder, user in some dumb circle.

Why doesnt my shiny new freewheel extender thread onto a specialized 3 spoke

Poor QC on the part of the manufacturer. They should test with a plug (SPNK) or ring (Specialized) gauge at least every tenth one off the lathe, and change the threading insert when they get out of spec. What they've actually done, in all probability, is not buy a gauge (they are expensive, even more so for cycle threads which aren't run of the mill for gauge makers), not change their threading insert often enough, and not check any of them. This approach is one you can get away with when doing short runs on free-cutting material with industrial grade thread fit tolerances. If you've been unlucky, you've got the last Specialized hub and the last SPNK adapter. The hubs will grow as the tool wears, and the adapter will shrink. Eventually you go past the tolerance band, and a little past that (about 0.0008" or 20μm past the ends of the standard tolerance bands for 1.375"×24TPI) you get zero clearance.

Either that or something is just damaged or contaminated and you can fix it by ordinary "preparation for assembly" processes like cleaning and deburring.

Whos bike was this?

4 months late and probably answered since but it was @psee I think?

so - overexcited use of reflective tape all over my winter commuter and i now want to remove - whats the easiest way to get rid of the sticky residue left behind -- finger nail and hot water?

Maybe veg oil or soap for residue.

Furniture polish spray

! you mean like Pledge?

Bikefix on Lamb Conduit Street.

whats the easiest way to get rid of the sticky residue left behind -- finger nail and hot water?

Attach something stickier (that is residue free) on top the residue, then remove. Packing tape sometimes works, or just regular sellotape.

Attach something stickier (that is residue free) on top the residue, then remove.

That doesn't sound right, but I don't know enough about residue to dispute it.

It will work if:

bond between stickier thing and residue > residue and component, &
bond between backing tape and stickier thing > residue and component, &
bond between stickier thing and component < bond between backing tape and stickier thing

(the last one is for the areas of the component where there is no residue but the stickier thing contacts, and is usually true because the component is often dirty and has no inherent stick, whereas residue has some inherent stick)

I used acetone (nail polish remover) to get sticker glue off my carbon rims. Tester suggested the best way was D Limonene followed by isopropanol alchohol although I had neither to hand at the time.

Probably similar to the stuff that's in car body degreaser / de-tar stuff, auto-glym etc.

Probably similar to the stuff that's in car body degreaser / de-tar stuff

Exactly the same in many cases, but buying d-limonene from your chemical supply can be cheaper.

Good shout. I ponied up for the auto-glym stuff on the recommendation of the invisiframe guys.

the auto-glym stuff

the tar remover? any good on general road film/grey murk on light frames?

Dunno, get some and try in a hidden spot. As above, it can't be too awful for paintwork or lacquer because it's recommended for prep cleaning frames, but I'd still be cautious on something cherished.

Thanks for the answer. I checked the extender with a new bottom bracket cup and it fits perfectly. So it is the wheel that is off.

I then "chased" the wheel thread with a steel bb lockring and I can fit the extender now.
so maybe it was oxidation/dirt on the wheel.

Reasonably nice 1" ahead stems - why so hard to find?

EDIT: I know why

EDIT EDIT: I'm really asking someone to provide a magic link to the secret 1" ahead stem online superstore

You need the stayer/Hulsroy custom stem...

I have a 1" threadless fork, I've just used a shim to use a standard 1 1/8 stem.

I like syntace 26.0/25.4mm stems. F99, F139 (I think). They for 1 1/8" but very sleek profile so with shim still look good on old 1" steerers

I need to replace the washers that came with my track hubs. The hubs are the kind that have a hex nut to hold them in place, and the washer that came between the track ends and the hex nut was an unusual size. What kind of thing am I searching for? These Phil Woods 'dome washers' fit the bill, but they're £££