Current Projects chat and miscellany

^ slack ratio, nice wrap around stays

Setting up sti's is so easy.... download instructions from the manufacturers websites for guidance. Really far easier than you might think + its more satisfying to do it yourself + it doesn't cost anything. Nice bike!!

This. Did it for myself the first time recently and it was surprisingly easy. Followed the manuals to the letter and very pleased with the result.

^^ looks ace steve!

Thanks for the comments, all. It was very pleasing to meet up with Ron after all these years.

Setting up sti's is so easy.... download instructions from the manufacturers websites for guidance. Really far easier than you might think + its more satisfying to do it yourself + it doesn't cost anything. Nice bike!!

You're right and I'd probably have a go myself if that was all, but lack of tools for BB, properly adjusting headset... and they'll probably even do a better job than me on the cable routing and handlebar tape! It's cost me enough so far so I don't mind buying a little peace of mind as well.

risers and platforms for a bit more city comfort

Why have you got a duster wrapped round your top tube? Is it to keep the metal parts shiny at all times?

Hey, thought I'd share my current ride / project.
The frame is an old Condor Squadra (2000 model, I'm told). Recently put on the Campag zona wheels. I'm thinking of getting a new frame though, a track frame. I'd be nice to have horizontal dropouts, and do away with the tensioner!

ftfy.

@casasteve thanks for fixing my embed settings!

Before everyone shouts it, it would be advised to fit another brake.

Before everyone shouts it, it would be advised to fit another brake.

FIT ANOTHER BRAKE!

Just wanted to fulfill Furious's prophecy.

haha... ok. Well, I figure there's a bit of an overhaul for the bike on the horizon (see above comment about track frame) so with the track frame setup, this will mean going fixed, so once that's done, the one brake up front ought to cut it.

Still (and this is probably a totally noob question. I am a noob afterall.) Why would people be so adamant to run 2 x brakes on a freewheel bike. I've been riding this setup for over 4 years, and always felt like I've had plenty of stopping power.

Why have you got a duster wrapped round your top tube? Is it to keep the metal parts shiny at all times?

always locking to poles, don't want anti-climb paint ruining my top tube!

^^
the front brake only SS chat is a bit of a

on here.

Have a quick search

Flat pedals is an odd choice on such a bike to

Still (and this is probably a totally noob question. I am a noob afterall.) Why would people be so adamant to run 2 x brakes on a freewheel bike. I've been riding this setup for over 4 years, and always felt like I've had plenty of stopping power.

Weather you can control that stopping power when it is wet or your front tyre has enough grip is a debatable point.

The main reason I think 2 brakes are necessary is that at the moment you're relying on one cable to stop you.
Out of interest when was the last time you inspected your brake cable for fraying in your Condor?
In my time when I've worked in bike shops I've seen enough customers bring bikes in with sheared cables to give me enough doubt that sometimes they will fail (generally through poor maintenance), the last I saw was a guy brought his bike in to be assessed and repaired after he crashed into the back of a lorry when his cable snapped; it wrote off his front wheel, bent the forks and bent his handlebars not to mention his broken jaw.

Flat pedals is an odd choice on such a bike to

yeah, I usually run eggbeater pedals, but in the interest of keeping things safe over the winter months, swapped out for flats for the time being. The weather's starting to get good again now, so the eggbeaters will be back on soon!

Out of interest when was the last time you inspected your brake cable for fraying in your Condor?

I actually replaced the cable a couple of months ago, inner and outer, and check it pretty regularly. But yeah, I see what you're saying about about putting so much reliance on one cable. And that guy's story is pretty nightmarish! Still, when the track / fixed setup is on the go, I guess it'llbe hella stopping power in comparison.

And that guy's story is pretty nightmarish! Still, when the track / fixed setup is on the go, I guess it'llbe hella stopping power in comparison.

That'll depend on your ability to slow the bike down through the use of your legs and you gear choice.

I guess it is a bit like riding brakeless on a fixed gear, if you know what you doing and your experienced you would usually be fine, but they are times when a front brake would be useful, same with SS/gears and 2 brakes

I usually use my front brake on my road bike to, but the rear dose come in handy sometimes

What about a snapped chain when riding brakeless? Still only one failure required before you're in trouble. Granted, a chain snapping is less common than a cable, but I snapped a chain a couple of weeks ago (luckily on a fully disc braked up SS MTB).

I think Gabes snapped a chain as well, I seem to remember he had to bring himself to a stop via a rather painful ablative technique.

^^that's why brakeless = SS with 1 brake = stupid

Riding fixed I've had a chain skip off the 'ring once, even though chain tension regulary adjusted, going fast downhill, hit a little bump. It was wet and my front brake wasn't great. Not a good experience.

Tell us more Sumo

The Dasia isn't a project really. But the Kondor is Scoot's new bike. I picked up the wheels today, Miche Primato's on to Mavic MA3's, I've got some Cinelli Champion Del Mondo bars which will probably go on it and so it's just a nice chainset and stem to source now.
I need to work out if the BB is ISO or JIS taper first.