The Tester Approves thread (see first post)

Ah right, any reason for picking between them other than the shape of the top cap?

any reason for picking between them other than the shape of the top cap?

Matching the anodising on your hubs is the only reason to get Hope or CK, but in the context of this thread you then have to ask why you have Hope or CK hubs 🙂

The Hope top cap looks loads better too, so there’s another reason.

Hope top cap looks loads better

Better than what? I'm happy with my own top caps 🙂

Seems obvious but saddle with oval carbon rails requires a seatpost with oval clamp as using a regular clamp will kill me?

If so, what’s a good alloy post option?

They take the same rails but can only be top loading not side.

So a regular ‘top and bottom’ clamp is fine?

Should be provided the width between the rails are the same.

Great, thanks

Deeply unfashionable things now, but is there a TA'd skewer set?

Gxp BB, English thread - I've always just got basic BBs in the past but I've had 3 go creaky in a few months (one immediately after being installed as new by LBS).

Have I just been unlucky or is there a more durable model I should be going for? Not keen to keep changing them out so often...

Sounds unlucky, or something else going on. Anecdotal but used one daily for over a year and no issues 🤷‍♂️

is there a TA'd skewer set?

Ultegra or XT, depending on whether you want road or old fashioned MTB. The cheaper Shimano ones are fine too, it's just easier to find Ultegra/XT for sale.
Strictly speaking, no QR is #tester_approved for front wheels with disc brakes, and any generic all-metal one is good enough with rim brakes and vertical rear dropouts. Just avoid anything with a plastic cam bearing.

They are a shit design and if the frame drilling is skewiff you are double fucked.

I've had 3 go creaky

GXP shouldn't go creaky if the BB shell is within spec and properly prepared. I'm no great fan of the design, but if the frame is right the installation should be about the most idiot proof of the three common 24/25mm external BB systems.

The boutique ones don't offer any benefit over bog standard SRAM which justifies the price difference.

Hmmm, weird.

The first one I had lasted 2 years with no issue - since I got an autumn service on this bike at LBS, the one they put in squeaked after 2 days (they said it was faulty) and then the replacement for that started creaking now, about 3m later.

Could just be bad luck but frame should be ok / aligned unless something has happened in the interim?

Good to know the solution isn't a fancy (pricy) boutique BB tho

I need a seat clamp of unusual size.

GF's Chinese carbon 29er has a 31.6mm post. It's had a PZ Racing 34.9mm clamp for about 3 years but the threads on the bolt have failed. I measured the clamping surface again to check as I suspected the clamp was close to bottoming out.

The clamping surface has a diameter of 34.5mm, 12mm tall.

I've only found one option better than another 34.9mm-nomimal clamp, that being Miche's clamp on which is engraved "D34,6-35". I've never seen another clamp quoting a range, so this pleases me, but not as much as if the range covered the diameter I have.

Any suggestions?

Any suggestions?

Get a 34.9 in a #tester_approved pattern and some 0.2mm/0.008" shim stock. This is literally the best place on a bike to use a cylindrical shim, since it has no loads to take except the radial compression

By shim stock, you mean beer can, right? Or do I need to find brass?

By shim stock, you mean beer can, right? Or do I need to find brass?

Beer can too thin, get some brass or perhaps stainless steel

beer can, right?

Depends on the beer. Modern aluminum cans are about half the thickness required. If you can be arsed to cut two shims, then yes, go for it, at least as a temporary measure. I'd go with brass as an optimal choice between an aluminium clamp and a carbon frame, although it seems hard to get 8thou in small quantities at the moment.

That's where I wouldn't advise a shim. I've seen enough tribars change angle mid race without even relying on two mating surfaces to withstand torsional loading. Needs must where the devil drives 👿

do I need to find brass?

I've found enough 0.008" tinned steel in my shim cupboard to suit your needs. If you want it, send me you address and I'll put a stamp on it.

1 Attachment

PM'd, you're a star.