The Tester Approves thread (see first post)

I asked this question before and i believe tester recommended a cheap Shimano derailleur, acera or so

Sorry I meant for horizontal dropouts

horizontal dropouts

For actual horizontal dropouts, I had some made

If you're after a tug for track ends, take your pick from whatever level of #tartmode your budget supports. They all do the same thing, not all fit quite the same so you need to consider what track ends your frame has. The Generic Genetic ones are fine if they suit your ends. The actual #tester_approved device which I use on all my suitable bikes is the FireEye ASP because thumb wheel, but they're long since out of production.

FireEye ASP

This is what I remembered and googled to discover the same.
I don't really like those genetic one I found the bolts a bit easily bent with 'steet use' i.e. locking up etc
Maybe I'll get the MKS ones

I liked the ones used on my mini velo.

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pads for carbon rims now that the wiggle lifeline ones are available?

Campag calipers (from the 10-speed days)

Condor sell some blue carbon pads that look the same as the lifelines (and I'm guessing that Condor dont have a secret brake pad manufacturing facility round the back of the shop), otherwise the Campag's own or various SwissStop options.

I dont care about pad wear - so soft material that stops me wet or dry, and dont wear down the rim, is the priority

pads for carbon rims

I feel sure I've answered this before, but ask your rim manufacturer.

Reynolds will be quite happy to sell me a set of their pads for £60, which were no different to the £10 lifeline ones!

Aztec does generic carbon rim pads if you're on the Lifeline price point.

best bang for buck shimano hollowtech bb ? would i be looked at funny if i used a ultegra level bb on an mtb ? is there any reason not to use a road bb for an mtb or vice versa ? do the mtb bb's have extra seals or extra protection for the bearings ?

and finally are some made so that you can pop the seals out and re grease ? i've got a bb noise on my roadbike with a da hollowtech. popped the seals out and regreased but it's still making a noise. thinking about replacing.

is there any reason not to use a road bb for an mtb or vice versa ?

I've seen it suggested that the MTB ones might have longer threads in order to retain enough engagement when used with spacers on a 68mm shell. That shouldn't be a problem, but it might mean in some cases that you will need to tap the shell a bit deeper when using an MTB BB in a 68mm shell without spacers. There's no good reason to fuck about, so stick to road BBs for road cranks and MTB BBs for MTB cranks.

The #tester_approved quality level is Ultegra/XT, and they're both cheap enough that I can't be arsed to do anything but replace them.

Shimano road and mtb bb's are different dimensions. The cups of the road ones are 1mm wider
Useful info here:
http://www.tobiasfeltus.com/blog/the-burning-question-can-i-use-a-shimano-road-bottom-bracket-on-a-mtb/

You might have to mess about with some spacers to get the right outer width. Outboard widths differ, threaded sections are same length. Believe this tracks across some other levels in each lineup but don't have other bbs on hand to confirm.

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thanks all

Dear Tester,
Please can you help! I’ve kept up to speed on the latest research regarding chain lubrication and wear and can definitely say that the SILCA synergetic lube , although expensive , does pay as chains really do last much longer , for me. I have read your advice on chains and it has proven to be very useful , thanks!
Cassettes though - I think I have searched the thread correctly - and ready to be corrected-but is there a difference in wear rate between price points? Ultegra vs 105 vs Microshift? I think my Shimano basic hg400 cassettes in 8/9 speed seem some of the most durable but anecdata troubles me.
I have sleepless nights searching inter web but not enough google fu to find anything. Please can you help?

can you help?

No

I had that coming! Thanks anyway

You're really overthinking it, just put whatever lube you have and keep everything more or less clean and replace it when worn

Probably. Chain life has doubled with using new lube, so wondering about cassette wear.
Thanks

Guessing that'll be about double too if you're changing the chain when it's wearing to the same point, which is now twice as far.

Most effective way to prolong cassette (and chainring) life is to replace chains early.

whats the best option for a shimano hollotech bb tool. i have an older version but when i came to fit a new bb recently it seems the newer bb is a smaller size / diameter. i have the old tool and my lbs says you can get an adapter to fit inside the old bb remover or should i just buy a new bb tool that fits

are the adapters worth it or are they a bit fiddly. which bb tool should i buy? ice toolz / official shimano version or some fancy park tools one.

I used a plastic adapter in an 'old' BB tool for a while but it didn't fit very well in the tool and I never felt comfortable to put force on it when tightening the BB.
I got a Shimano tl-fc37 one now. You can put a torque wrench on it which is nice.

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• shimano-s-tl-fc37-fc-6800-hulpmiddel.webp

this looks well engineered and aesthetically pleasing , maybe it's made of cheese tho ?

https://www.vartools.uk/bb-tool-for-shimano-hollowtech-ii-sram-gxp-fsa-mega-exo-campa-cup-c2x36006335

bike tart have the shimano tool at £15 .... new standard is the mt800 bb right ? the older larger one is the bb52. just want to make sure i don't have a brain fade moment and just get the older sized one again ! it's difficult to judge the size via an online photo

https://www.biketart.com/products/shimano-tl-fc37-ht2-bbr60-tool?variant=40809701638323&msclkid=0f144e3370bc13d6a6182973f526d62f&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax%20-%20All%20Products%20MM&utm_term=2330414895375861&utm_content=All%20Products%20MM