Current Projects chat and miscellany

thanks guys, i was wording it all wrong, no wonder.

Restrap Horizontals win!

Strong as heck. Super comfy.

http://restrap.co.uk/shop/

Diagonal Straps suck :/

Restrap Horizontals win!

Strong as heck. Super comfy.

http://restrap.co.uk/shop/

Diagonal Straps suck :/

...

Just warning people...

Fair play, some people like them and swear by them.

Much prefer horizontals myself, but its preference.

When i pull up in the strap it just feels awkward with diagonal straps, even worse when i skid

Munchh, dunno if this is what you're thinking of, or just something new to think about, but have you looked at any of the Salsa Bars?
They do some nice flared out low drop (110mm, thats the shallowest bars I've seen yet!) bars with plenty of room in the center tops.
Plus, the flared out angle of the drops means they should be far more flexible, the hand positions should be better and more usable. -

When i pull up in the strap it just feels awkward with diagonal straps, even worse when i skid

You know you put your foot in loose, then twist it to use these properly?

Apols if stating the obvious.

You know you put your foot in loose, then twist it to use these properly?

Apols if stating the obvious.

but the applied force neccessary for braking will make your heels twist outwards due to the direction of the straps.

thats my experience with powergrips.

Hmm, just fitting a new headset and the upper race is loose, I can pretty much push it in.

Now I've read this thread about different standards in size but the bottom race went in as normally, needed quite a bit of force. Has somebody knackered the top of the headtube? I wouldn't have known unless I went to replace it so how much of an issue is this?

It's only a cheap Stronglight A9

Munchh, dunno if this is what you're thinking of, or just something new to think about, but have you looked at any of the Salsa Bars?
They do some nice flared out low drop (110mm, thats the shallowest bars I've seen yet!) bars with plenty of room in the center tops.
Plus, the flared out angle of the drops means they should be far more flexible, the hand positions should be better and more usable. -

yeah they look good i hadnt seen them, i'll check them out. thanks.

...

I did wonder about that, ive used clips and horisintal straps, but not sure about the diagonals? But as the 50/50's dont have a reflector horisontal it is.

OOOH!
ive seen home made versions of these (fo polo i think) but never one off the shelf!

Anyone used one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mountain-Bike-Dual-Cable-Brake-Lever-Single-One-Hand-Braking-Double-Pull-Tandem-/230832276486?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item35bead0406

Polo forum >>>>

Swap it for your M3.

Seems like a fair deal to me...

Hmm, just fitting a new headset and the upper race is loose, I can pretty much push it in.

Now I've read this thread about different standards in size but the bottom race went in as normally, needed quite a bit of force. Has somebody knackered the top of the headtube? I wouldn't have known unless I went to replace it so how much of an issue is this?

It's only a cheap Stronglight A9

Highly unlikely to be the JIS 30.0, ISO 30.2mm issue if the lower cup fits and the upper doesn't.

Were you replacing an existing headset?
if so, does the original cup still fit snugly?
if you put a vernier across the cups and see if they're different sizes that would be a good starting point and would tell you if Stronglight are to blame!

Otherwise, you might have a flared headtube - caused by heavy usage or hamfisted cup removal.
Sounds marginal though so you'll probably get away with a bit of JB Weld between cup and headtube! (applied at your own risk!!!)

The main problem, (other than frame stress) is that you feel your forks wobble if you use a front brake.

Seems like a fair deal to me...

Sweet.

I am building my very first fixed gear bike and already have a 700c wheelset, cinelli drop bars, specialized stem and saddle and post. I am considering getting a specialzed langster frame and forks. basically i was wondering if there were any real reasons not to buy this frameset/any reccomendations on why i should buy this frameset!
any recomendations for other parts i may benefit from at affordable prices will also be greatly welcomed :)

also i would be thankful if anyone has any suggestions for any other frames i should consider buying, my budget for frame buying is up to around £100. I have only previously been scoping the classifieds here and obviously fleabay in that price range

second hand is more than fine btw

Highly unlikely to be the JIS 30.0, ISO 30.2mm issue if the lower cup fits and the upper doesn't.

Were you replacing an existing headset?
if so, does the original cup still fit snugly?
if you put a vernier across the cups and see if they're different sizes that would be a good starting point and would tell you if Stronglight are to blame!

Otherwise, you might have a flared headtube - caused by heavy usage or hamfisted cup removal.
Sounds marginal though so you'll probably get away with a bit of JB Weld between cup and headtube! (applied at your own risk!!!)

The main problem, (other than frame stress) is that you feel your forks wobble if you use a front brake.

Must be a dodgy headtube I think, the old one slips out too. I've coke canned it for now, we'll see how we get on. It was very snug so hopefully it will be ok.

Famous last words etc

I wouldn't worry about it too much - back in the 90's when we were all dirt jumping on XC bikes it happened all the time - everyone used coke cans and/or JB weld to keep their headsets in and carried on jumping.

I seem to recall there was another even more brutal way round the problem - you make a series of impressions around the leading edge of the bearing cup with a centre punch (preferably one of those spring loaded ones used for stealing car stereos as they're easier to control) - this causes the effective outer diameter of the cup to increase.
If you're really feeling brave I've seen it done on the top or bottom face of a headtube!!!

Epoxy it in.

I am considering getting a specialzed langster frame and forks. basically i was wondering if there were any real reasons not to buy this frameset/any reccomendations on why i should buy this frameset!
any recomendations for other parts i may benefit from at affordable prices will also be greatly welcomed :)

Unfortunately you're on a site for enthusiasts, so for some of us our idea of "fairly cheap" could be somewhere north of £300-400!
I'd keep an eye out for Surly Steamrollers, good solid frame and forks in steel, and better than the Langster.
Although, saying that, the steel Langster's would probably be in same ball park.
I would tend to leave the cheaper alu frames alone, they're gonna be uncomfortable and not likely to survive much.

• waits for someone to correct him *