Mechanics and Fixing Any Questions Answered

TBH I never measure a chain over the split link as I figure it's not an accurate way to check wear, I doubt it's a problem though. The wear is mainly on the rollers and they'll be as worn as the rest of the chain over the split link.

Absolute conjecture here, but split link pins are probably a looser fit so they can be pushed in by hand (rather than driven in/out by a chain tool.). Could explain why a new one would appear to be "worn"?

Sorry, to clarify, this was a used quick link that a bike jumble seller had artfully repositioned inside the packaging.

And look. I'm not too cut up about it. It's a £3 part. It was just petty.

Thanks for this, managed to pick up an SKS pump head for £9 and it fits onto the hose perfectly. Replacement rubber gaskets are widely available for just £1.50 so I'm well pleased with this.

What's the longest rear mech that can be paired up with a 10spd 105 shifter?

are you after using a wide range cassette or a wide overall gear range?

I think 9 speed Shimano MTB has the same pull ratio as 10 speed road so any 9 speed or earlier Shimano mtb rear mech would work.

*Conclusion: A 9-speed rear derailleur can work with a 10-speed cassette, but only if the following conditions are met:

The shifters have to be designed for road biking and made by Shimano or Campagnolo. The system can include components only from one of the brands. Mixing cannot be done.
The brake-shifters and the rear derailleurs shouldn’t be from the Tiagra 4700 and RX400 series.*

https://brainybiker.com/will-a-9-speed-derailleur-work-on-a-10-speed-cassette-detailed-explanation/

But you could also just achieve the same goal with a roadlink

Worth a try! Cheers @fredtc
Who wants to sell me a 9spd Shimano MTB mech? XT would be grand...

I got a shimano SLX derailleur somewhere if that's fine. PM an offer, will need postage unless you're in Manchester

Would I be able to use a 1-1/8th fork made for a frame with internal bearings (Dolan Pre Cursa) on a frame which uses external cup headsets?
I'm confident that should be fine but I'm new to threadless set-ups so just double checking!

Yes. Just make sure that if the crown race is removable from the fork, that you use the one from the headset in the new frame you'll be mounting it to.

Hi! Could anyone advise if I can use the 10/11 speed campagnolo cables (like these https://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-ultrashift-gear-and-brake-cable-set) with a 9 speed record titanium shifters please?

The allen key hole on my crank cap has rounded, best suggestions for getting it out?

Smack in a torx bit?

Is it a cap covering a bolt or the bolt itself?

Lever it out with a flat head screwdriver, or smash it to pieces and pick out the remains.

This

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Ah, it's a preload bolt so no smashing it. Assuming you've loosened off the pinch bolts on the side the hammer in a torx key is worth a go.

T40 torx might help (assuming it's a 6mm hex)
Otherwise slotting it and using a large flat head screwdriver

Cheers chaps. Thankfully it had rounded AFTER changing my bottom bracket. So it'll hold until I feel like dealing with it.

I don't have a torque wrench. When tightening aluminium square taper cranks to the bb axle, how critical is the right amount of torque? Previously I've fitted square taper by just tightening as much as I could, but I've read that could be bad practice. What did people do in this situation before torque wrenches?

We had the genuine Campag peanut butter spanner where I worked (in the 70's), there's not a whole lot of torque you can get with that tool lol. Do it tight, ride around the block a few times and check it's tight.

Thank you midlife. I'll keep my eye on it for the first miles when I fit it. 👍

Is using a 160-220 pm to pm adapter ill advised? For a front fork, there is clearance for the rotor.

Although I have found adapters to enable it they don’t seem to be that readily available. Wondering if there is a reason for that.

Previously I've fitted square taper by just tightening as much as I could, but I've read that could be bad practice.

Who said that? Crank it hard with a big tool is the right way

I think it was on this video
and in the comments there is an obsession about 'the right torque'. (He is fitting a carbon crank, even though that isn't in the title).