Current Projects chat and miscellany

^That now seems to be one of the best ideas out there.

The only thing is the looks won't work with a retro bike.

or a sram apex large range rear cassette/derailleur with compact double

That mean I need to spend a lots more to aquired such set-up, surely recommending me a Shimano Deore derailleur with 11-32 would be idea especially when you can get downtube shifter for it?

Secondly - it got a six speed 14-28t freewheel, so not only I'd need to get new cassette, shifter, derailleur, chain, but also a new freehubs wheel to make it work.

It's cheaper just to replace a crankset especially when it can work with existing groupset.

I don't know much about road bikes, have only been riding them for a few years but I can't really see much of an argument for anything other than a compact double with a 11-28 to suit me in the UK.

I'm the best part of 13.5st and a pretty weak climber as many of you know and can honestly say that I've never missed having a triple. Then again, I've never riden with a loaded bike. I'm sure a granny gear is very welcome when you're carrying a load.

At the end of the day I am probably a bit like you.... I'll do what the fuck I want with my bikes. BUT if there is one thing that this site has taught me is that the cycling orthodoxy tends to be the cycling orthodoxy for a good reason. The times when I have done things different and ignored the cycling ordothoxy I have usually ended up realising that I was wrong.

Kinda, such set-up weren't uncommon back in the 50's (give or take) especially in randonneur/brevet, so I wasn't trying to be different, just following an old trend that worked well at the time before triple become popular (and now double is coming back).

I only become interested in having such set-up after using a triple during a long ride, I find myself shifting back and forth from the large and middle chainring, and drop to the granny for hard ascent (Yorkshire), I realised the best course of action is to simply find the perfect large chainring, and keep the granny for hard ascent.

example of a 1950's bike with similar chainset (it even got threadless stem);

With all due respect Ed, you are a lot fitter than you were back in July in Yorkshire and have a lot more miles under the belt...I wouldn't be surprised if you'd be powering up those hills on a double compact now...

Thing is Dan, I like to spin, you like to grind, the 50/34 were perfect for grinding, but not for spinning.

I notice how low your cadence were when you were climbing in Yorkshire, and you look rather comfortable at that cadence.

Yes but I ended up with a double ankle injury and six weeks off the bike.

I'm gradually....gradually....learning to spin. I'm up in the 90s on long rides on the flat now. I've yet to give myself a run out in the hills...hopefully I'll be spinning a little bit better next time.

example of a 1950's bike with similar chainset (it even got threadless stem);

Interesting.

I asked in any questions ages ago how on earth the quill/threaded system got thought up before ahead/threadless. Looks like it was around before I thought it was.

All I can think of is that the market demand it, despite being inferior to threadless steerer, also it's a lots more flexible to adjust the height without spacer and the like.

(don't worry, mdcc_tester will come soon to get my comment straight).

I never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Ed on the small double vs triple debate. For his proposed riding the smaller double makes a lot of sense. Lugging a load, even a light one, up a hill is a lot more pleasant if you've got the gears for it.

The only issue is the size of the jump between rings, personally I'd run a 46/34 set up as that gives a good range of gears and a sensible jump. 50/28 is going to go wrong at some point, probably when you least want it to.

repaint finished .. still look after a takhion handlebar or else im gonna use cinelli LA.84 for the bars ...

@ 53:18 ratio

Freewheel no rear brake? I hope this isn't the finished shot

Oh dear, I think it is...

Well, never done this setup before. Just been testing the dropout spacing atm. I've got my doubts about the skewer and its ability to keep the wheel in the place.

If you have any tips how to make sure the wheel keeps in place, please feel free to advise....

I do want to run a freewheel setup.

Why the doubts about the wheel staying in place? Have you taken it for a test ride and had a problem?

Just in case you were not aware, it is HIGHLY preferable to run a front and back brake on freewheel. The overwhelming consensus amongst cyclists is that is dangerous to do otherwise.

I am aware that it's preferable to run both brakes. However, the places where I plan to ride this bike, there's hardly any traffic at all. This will be my Sunday drive when going out for a spin with my girlfriend. Won't be speeding at this one, I've got other bikes to do so.

I do however understand your concern. I thought your remarks were about the installation of the rearwheel. Again, feel free to advise me when needed.

Unless of course you're nuts like me and hard a hydraulic front only! :D

Its your health and your decision.

So why the concern about the wheel staying in place?

Not sure actually haha. Just because I've never done this kind of setup before.

I run a Alfine hub on one of my mountainbikes but this however is a bolted one, as well as the wheel installation on my downhill bike. This gives me a bit more trust than a regular skewer I guess.

or a sram apex large range rear cassette/derailleur with compact double

I have this, it is spot on.

Not sure actually haha. Just because I've never done this kind of setup before.

I run a Alfine hub on one of my mountainbikes but this however is a bolted one, as well as the wheel installation on my downhill bike. This gives me a bit more trust than a regular skewer I guess.

I stand to be corrected by the many more knowledgeable forumengers on this thread but as long as you have the skewer properly fastened you should have little concern with running that set up.

Ah thanks. I'll just go out for a little testdrive and see how it goes. :)

yeap single speed should be fine as long as the skewer is tight.

get another brake though.