Current Projects chat and miscellany

Got a little project on its way, wanting white or polished wheels but am unsure of which to go for, any ideas? I feel bombarded with too many decisions & choices to be made, arghhhh!

Got a little project on its way, wanting white or polished wheels but am unsure of which to go for, any ideas? I feel bombarded with too many decisions & choices to be made, arghhhh!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=43287

Italian hub users:

Just fitted an EAI lockring, very high quality and a third of the price of a Phil/Campy.

Am I the only one who thinks this stays/ends arrangement looks more battleship than bicycle? The colour isn't helping!

The stays/drop-outs are definitely more utilitarian than pretty, but the whole idea with this build was to make something utilitarian/a daily commuter. Wanted a plain enamel rather than something metallic/flamboyant as it's more durable, but you're right it is a bit of a low key finish, I still rather like it.

@ polybikeuser that looks ace. Looking forward to seeing it built up. What wheels you building?

Rear wheel will be the S3X 3 speed fixed hub, probably with an open pro rim, will make do with a spare front wheel I've got until I can get my hands on the (aesthetically) matching Sturmey Archer HBT front hub which I'll probably also build up with an open pro rim. Will post pictures once its finished.

I've just had a pair of DA 7600 cranks delivered but they didn't come with crank bolts.
I've checked online but can't find anything DA other than Octalink. Did they make them and if not can anyone recommend decent bolts that I can buy in the UK??? I have found Hatta bolts for sale in the US but shipping is more than the cost of the bolts. Oh, I am running a Hatta square taper BB.

Just get some cheap 50p ones... Who cares if your crank bolts are DA?

can anyone recommend decent bolts that I can buy in the UK?

Forum sponsor is your friend, £1.49 each
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Shimano-Shimano-Type-Chromed-8-mm-Allen-Key-Crank-Bolt--Each-3455.htm

Don't really mind if they're not DA but as they're not an expensive item I would have got them if I could find them. Tbh I was worried that budget ones may shear or snap. However, on forum recommendation, I shall hunt out some cheapies .

Cheers, mdcc_tester. I had seen them but would like bolts without the dust cap as I have fancy aluminium dust caps that come with the cranks. I'm sure I can find these myself now that I am not looking for anything branded. It's basically just an M8 bolt that I need.

I've just had a pair of DA 7600 cranks delivered but they didn't come with crank bolts.
I've checked online but can't find anything DA other than Octalink. Did they make them and if not can anyone recommend decent bolts that I can buy in the UK??? I have found Hatta bolts for sale in the US but shipping is more than the cost of the bolts. Oh, I am running a Hatta square taper BB.

Did you get them from Alex Japon? I just got a set from him - and was stung by customs for about £35. Still cheaper than buying them over here, but annoying none-the-less.

Brixton cycles gave me some bolts (with dustcaps) for free, and actually sell them for sod all as well...

It's basically just an M8 bolt that I need.

It's an M8 screw with a non-standard head height, and the proper bike ones also have a slight rebate in the head (for hex head versions) or a large flange head (for socket cap versions and cheaper hex head variants). M8 screws from a hardware store will hold your cranks on, but will probably prevent you from installing the dust caps.

Just won this on Ebay; very excited....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320478161404&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCA:GB:1123

congrats, i was gonna try getting that, but couldn't afford it and found suming nicer. :P

you should defo switch back to original forks, and i'd go with chrome wheels, but thats just my opinion.

Did you get them from Alex Japon? I just got a set from him - and was stung by customs for about £35. Still cheaper than buying them over here, but annoying none-the-less.

Brixton cycles gave me some bolts (with dustcaps) for free, and actually sell them for sod all as well...

Got them from Rene @ Track Supermarket. They marked the cranks, a chain and chainring as a gift and I managed to avoid any customs at all. So cranks were $215 which I thought was reasonable. Will def use them again.

Yeah, I was waiting for a long while for Track Supermarket to get some more stock in - eventually I went for buydirectfromjapan - about the same price, maybe even a bit cheaper, but like I said, I was stung by customs...

congrats, i was gonna try getting that, but couldn't afford it and found suming nicer. :P

you should defo switch back to original forks, and i'd go with chrome wheels, but thats just my opinion.

First thing I'm going to do is stick the original forks back on. I've got a black Velocity B43 for the back, and am going to get a chrome 650c wheel for the front.....

They had Dura Ace crank bolts in condor last time I was there

found this for my build, not sure about it:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150407022066&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

only info on protek i can find is on:

http://www.cicliprotek.com/index.asp

and they seem to be quite a top end company. is this crank underpriced or have i missed something?

^ they look like cheese to me. for pure budget id go with

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NoLogo-Track-Cranks-165mm-48t-fixed-single-speed-BB_W0QQitemZ370320967968QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR?hash=item5638d98920#ht_815wt_1167

Italian hub users:

Just fitted an EAI lockring, very high quality and a third of the price of a Phil/Campy.

Picking up a Campag Record hub tomorrow, sans lockring, so useful to know. Thanks!

is this crank underpriced or have i missed something?

I think it's over priced at £30. Looks like a cheap RPM model also sold as FSA/Powerpro. Those hidden 5th bolt cranks are not like Campag ones where the 5th bolt goes straight into the back of the arm, they have a vestigial spider arm cantilevered off the crank and use conventional 2-part chain ring bolts. They are a big PITA the tighten fully, as you can't get a decent tool into the gap. I'd avoid them completely, unless you are particularly in love with the aesthetics, in which case £20 tops.

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@ mdcc_tester + MrLemon, good shout,

my current cranks are sugino messengers but they are on an old raleigh frame. they fitted on the old bb fine, but should i worry about mixing new cranks and an old bb? it seems to be running fine and they fitted on perfect but my mate was telling me that mixing new and old messes up cranks. i've checked sheldon brown, who seems to be ok with it, but would love some advice?

Cheers for the info youwillsoon. I'll give them a call in the morning to see if they're extortionate or not.

I've just had a pair of DA 7600 cranks delivered but they didn't come with crank bolts.
I've checked online but can't find anything DA other than Octalink. Did they make them and if not can anyone recommend decent bolts that I can buy in the UK??? I have found Hatta bolts for sale in the US but shipping is more than the cost of the bolts. Oh, I am running a Hatta square taper BB.

If you are (or someone else is) interested, I've got a few sets Dura Ace Titanium crank bolts available with integrated alu dust caps. NIB.
If you don't want to use these caps, the'll come off very easily.
For 8mm Allen key.

Same as these:

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and i'd go with chrome wheels, but thats just my opinion.

Explain please