Mechanics and Fixing Any Questions Answered

I've popped them an email already, thanks!

How would you go about straightening steel forks that have had a quill stem that have been twisted when trying to remove a rusted in wedge/stem. The forks twisted with the holder bolt removed. Have tried twisting the forks back and all that happened is the wedge came free.

The forks are for a bobbin shopper, so replacements will be difficult.

Do they use a 1” headtube like the Raleigh twenty etc? And take a 20” wheel

Yes to the twenty inch wheel, and believe that the forks are inch as is usual for quill stems. But the twenty runs thinner hubs at the front.

Was thinking of the cheap suspension forks like sheldon browns twenty

I saw a nice set of forks on Ali Express

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNBxK0a

If you can’t find a replacement. Not sure but I suspect 1” sus forks for 20” wheel will be hard to find.

Edit- maybe not that hard. Bankrupt bike parts do one but I reckon it will be quite heavy / rubbish. And might change the handling if the a-c is off

Target Composites reckon I'm looking at a few hundred to repair that saddle, and their expert advice was to use it as a paperweight instead

Can't believe I came this close to owning an AX Lightness product, oh well

Are they alright to use with rim brakes?

Can you show how bad is the damage i might be able to help with that depending on the damage of course.

Is there any way to get regular MTB brakes/shifters onto bullhorns? Have a friend with flat bars who wants more hand positions (and skinnier bars) and I'm wondering about the feasibility of just transferring the existing brake/shifters over, given that bar end levers won't work with the V brakes she's got.

Would going at the bar clamp with a dremel to widen it out to 23.8 (I think?) be a bad idea?

It ain't pretty

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Would going at the bar clamp with a dremel to widen it out to 23.8 (I think?) be a bad idea?

Yes, you're taking a big chunk of material out of a safety critical component. A snapped brake lever clamp the first time you try an emergency stop isn't something you'd wish on a friend.

There are still plenty of varieties of MTB bar ends available for people who want alternative hand holds, or the ever popular German Lesbian Handlebars

if you find anywhere thats willing to do that could you let me know? I've got a tune komm vor in the shed with a slightly detached saddle rail I can't bring myself to throw out

Will do

Cheers thanks. Didn't think that brake lever clamps were exposed to much stress but you learn things every day!

Didn't think that brake lever clamps were exposed to much stress

Whatever force you apply to the lever is applied in an equal and opposite way to the handlebar. The lever clamp is what closes that kinematic loop

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Those BB threads are fine, but will offer some resistance. There is some confusion (double edges) in the first 3 threads though !

I'd advise that you take it to your LBS and have them chase the threads out with the Park Tool. I've made and used "thread chasers" and they clear a path, but don't remove the slight burrs that create the friction load.

If you are anywhere near Reading, just PM me and I'll do it for you.

If you are "Too Tall" then I'd bet (nothing personal) you are also "Too Heavy" for that saddle ;-)

There are a million vids about CF repair on YT, it's no black art any more; pun intended. And from my experience, which is mostly Motor Cycle parts, it's actually quite fun and simple.

Using good resin and mat it's a P-of-P to fix most cracks like that saddle, especially if you use some seal-ez bags and a vacuum cleaner !

If you are anywhere near Reading

Thoughts and prayers.

Thanks but at that price, the bike isn't worth proceeding with. Can buy a bobbin metric and use the 3 speed bits off the shopper or just let the mini velo shopper idea die.

Annoyed with myself as I did this.

Wasn't me that broke it, I'm under the weight limit

Yeah I know it's probably not hard to do, but for something that's worth £350 new, on the absolute edge of what's possible with carbon fibre, and in extremely close proximity to my arse, it's not the kind of thing I was to have a crack at (pun intended) with no prior experience

Makes sense, thanks!

Another brake related question, does it make much of a difference which side the cable enters a v brake from (i.e. cable pulling from left or right, with a right hand lever).

On a tour of the Welsh Marches and we have a pot hole v rim situation.....ride on or LBS for a new wheelset....?

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does it make much of a difference which side the cable enters a v brake from

Hard to see how it would make any difference

feel like I might have asked this here before, but is there anyone who still machines 10 speed freewheels for 11 speed cassettes in the UK?

is there anyone who still machines 10 speed freewheels for 11 speed cassettes in the UK?

Other way around surely? Somebody will be along shortly to name the bloke who machines 11-speed cassettes to fit 10-speed freehubs.