Specialized Rockhopper Kid Carrier" v2, now with a Clydesdale fork is dead!

Still need to adjust the front brakes and sand the braking surface on the front wheel.

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Nice wall.

I’ve decided to swap the brakes out to ones with longer arms. The current ones just clear the rear tyre, with only a little bit more room on the front.

I’m also going to get some SKS Bluemel in 26” and 20” from Bike24. Looks like I can get both sets for about $100 posted to Australia. There’s no way I would fit mudguards under my current brakes, which is another reason why I’m swapping.

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Rode around the backyard with my son in the basket. He loved it. Couldn’t imagine doing on the road or anything though.

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is the bell not awkward to ding in that direction?

A little. I might flip it around, but the shifters also get in the way.

Rotate it downwards so it's upside-down?

It’ll hit the shifter under the bar.

Could you still reach the brakes/shifters if the bell was tucked inbetween the grips and levers? Otherwise maybe put it round a spacer on the stack?

I used to have it between grip and the brake lever, but then I changed grips. I might be able to do that again.

I can’t put it on the stem or spacer stack, because when my son is on the bike his legs get in the way.

My son has figured out how to get on his seat by himself. I just move the pedal and put the rear brake on.

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haha nice!

You were looking for a plastic crate right?
Just spotted these on Hema

https://www.hema.com/en-gb/hobby-leisure/cycling/bike-baskets-bike-panniers/bicycle-crate-recycled-30l---black-41110036.html

https://www.hema.com/en-gb/hobby-leisure/cycling/bike-baskets-bike-panniers/bicycle-crate-recycled---30-l-41120009.html

PS: dibs on the basket if you’re getting rid ;)

Thanks. Those crates look great, but I’m in Australia. I wonder if they’ll ship.

I’ll be keeping the basket. It would cost so much to post anyway.

Ahhh yes I forgot that! I’m sure they would, not sure it’d be worth it by the time it got to you (unless all other options are also crazy expensive?)

I just realised that I when I set the front brake up, I set the pads up like I would if it was facing the other way... Including the direction of the pads and the toe-in. Will rectify tomorrow.

So yeah, the above quote by me is incorrect. I should’ve left the brake pads as they were.

I have had heaps of trouble with the front brake shuddering and squealing. Because the brake is on the fork backwards, I set up the brake pads backwards, including the toe-in, so they were grabbing the wheel as it hit the pads (the pads were angled in at the back, not the front). I’ve been messing around with the toe-in and even tried different pads, but nothing. I even made sure my headset was tight. I just flipped the pads around so they’re in the correct way and the shuddering and squealing disappeared. I’m such a dummy. Just because the brake is backwards, the wheel still rotates the same way. It was doing my head in. I’ve set up v-brakes and canti’s on so many bikes and I could not figure out what was going on.

Stepped up my kid carrying game today. Picked up a Yepp Maxi off of FB Marketplace with rear rack and adapter for about $250 cheaper than new. Turns out the person bought it from my friends bike shop originally.

I wouldn’t have bought fluoro yellow (chartreuse?) if I was buying new, but for the price I’m not unhappy.

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I kind of like the fluoro :-) i have the black one and like it except for when daughter falls asleep. Would like to be able to recess the backrest to limit head dangling. Havnt been able to figure out how to protect that poor neck from that. Other then not ride/wake her up. Also — great bike you got there :-)

Yeah, I figured that would happen. To be honest I’ll be happy if I can get an hour or two of a ride on it. With the current seat he can only last probably 30 minutes before he gets restless.

I don’t hate the fluoro. Great for visibility.

Rear rack and seat fitted. The Azur rack is pretty average. Wouldn’t mind upgrading. I’ll see how I go with it. I’m not used to having that much weight on the back either, I’ve been riding with front loaded bikes for so long.

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Well the test ride went well, but it’s so weird after riding bikes with only front loads for years to have so much weight on the back. It’s going to take some getting used to. I’m hoping having some weight in the front basket evens things out.

Just remember not to swing your leg over and karate kick your own child in the face.

Replaced the freehub today. The original one had the edge snapped off, so the cassette couldn’t be tightened down properly and it would slip under pressure. I’m assuming that’s what it was anyway. If I had known it was as easy as undoing the freehub with a 10mm Allen key I would’ve done it a lot sooner. Hopefully it solves through problem. I also fixed the front derailleur so it shifts properly across all three chainrings.

The last few things I want to get are some mudguards and a bottom bracket mounted double leg kickstand. Two things I never thought I’d buy 10 years ago.

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This arrived in the the post yesterday. It was a very generous gift from an interstate friend. Looking forward to installing it. Hopefully it will be easier to put my son on and off the bike. Although yesterday he managed to climb onto the seat by himself while the bike was locked to a fence.

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Do you have a mounting plate for that? Or will you use the the clamp?

If you use the clamp, see if you can find additional protection for the frame. Without it this is what can happen to your chain stays.

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/14491376/

Essentially, the bottom half will chew through the paint and which allows rust. As the stands are OK, but not great for stability, it is also easy to over tighten the clamp and crimp the stays.