Current Projects chat and miscellany

In the countryside there's less car-exhaust dirt (and more cow-exhaust dirt) in the spray from the road so it's less of problem. London definitely has it's own type of road gloop.

It's a shame no one makes decent 20mm (or 23mm for that matter) gumwall clinchers

They do:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-open-corsa-evo-sc-clincher-tyre/

It's a shame no one makes decent 20mm (or 23mm for that matter) gumwall clinchers.
Veloflex are fucking expensive and last about a week, and panaracers don't come skinny enough.

If Vittoria made gumwall Rubinos, I'd be all over them.

michelin classics come in 23. I've run one on the front and it's seemed fine. Don't try and skid on them though, killed one in a day

Change of tires meant change of where I ride, swapped 35c Ribmo's for 32c Challenge Grifo. Bike got very muddy after visit to Hampstead Heath :)
Definitely needs a lower ratio for off road.

They do:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-open-corsa-evo-sc-clincher-tyre/

The price puts me off... how tough are they?

If you want a tougher tyre go for something with lower tpi like the Panaracer or Michelin.

Gaz, this guy sells some NOS tyres, bought a pair of him and they're quite nice :), also 16 euro's for a pair isn't much ;d.
http://defietsenmaker.nl/index.php?item=cst-super-hp--tires-700x20c-_-brown_black&action=article&group_id=10000074&aid=920&lang=EN

Promenades are being collected on tues.
Just need a campag headset, set of brakes, a cog and some pedals and project fuckuglyloprogirlcruiser is go...
Can't work out if it's gonna be bitchin or a heap. Doubt it'll look quite as swish as the 3rensho upthread but def a fun little runaround.

The price puts me off... how tough are they?

I think they are very much like veloflex, amazing but not for everyday use.
I'm running panaracer pasela tgs in 23 on my everyday bike and they are pretty solid. Veloflex were hell. Ended up running two tyres on each rim to try and keep the punctures at bay.

I cant decide if ive just been incrediblymlucky or not with these luganos, i got 2 punctures the first day i used them on my BJ went out and replaced with gators then when i put the alan together i threw them on as temp tyres and theyve been rock solid for 6 months

Theyll get replaced when i get a new wheelset and these will stay on as winter wheels as the luganos were pretty alright in the wet

A bit off-topic, but I was amazed at how flexible the rubber is of my Veloflex tubs- which may well mean they have the lifespan of a mayfly, it is true, but they are the first tyres I've ever had that feel nice.

#rubberfetishinthemaking

You'll only be satisfied by dugast come the end of this year ;-)

I've been running a Veloflex Pavé on the back wheel of my fixed gear for a good three or four months, moved it onto the road bike with a matching front and I've not had any more punctures than GP4000s or similar tyres. They do get a bit cut up but in my experience they've not been as fragile as some people think.

After reading this page I just ordered two Michelin Classics, if I put them on my bike and it turns out they're not up to the task of leaning against the bookcase by my bed 24/7 I'm not going to be happy.

I've not used them myself but was put off by others that've tried them. You may have better luck.

Yes mate! This looks amazing.

^^tbh they should at least look ok and now I won't have to replace the more expensive tires on the bike I actually ride as I can just use the ones from the bike I don't

Protective rim covers.

;-)

^^tbh they should at least look ok and now I won't have to replace the more expensive tires on the bike I actually ride as I can just use the ones from the bike I don't

i've run one on the front of the beater for afew months now and it's seemed alright

Pretty much finished this thing now -

This is great, I would rather a slammed Pearl over the Jag though so the stem lined up with the bar angle.

I believe the stem was stuck.

Totally so. Was never my favourite look, the jaguar + anything, certainly not with a bull. But this particular setup suits me well - the fit is near perfect so I can't complain too much when I'm on it :)

Brakes sourced. Bb bearings and cables on their way. Summoning the courage to knife the saddle(have done it before).
Found a seatpost in the box with less setback which will do for testing, it's fucking long so taking it into work tomorrow to cut it down a tad and polish it up.

Have fixed rear wheel ready to go but still thinking this one might be better geared :/
Edit: just dibbed a geared rear wheel. Front and rear tubs on a beater is acceptable right?

Bit of an update on my Dodici Gara which I've decided to save from Rat-bike-dom...

Looked like this, then London kicked it's arse and ended up looking like this

Been riding around with the dent on full display, but as it's a sad sight I decided I wanted to fill it and either do a ghetto fade paintjob or just cover it with a sticker.

Anyway, a bit of Sylglas Plumber Fix two-part epoxy putty, a scalpel to shave of the excess and a file and we have this:

Not perfect, but will have another filing session tomorrow to try and get it bang on. I just don't want to overdo it and have to apply more putty.

It will be getting this chainset:

with a 111mm Campag Centaur bb

same Gran Compe laced to H+Son, Deda finishing kit etc, and will be sharing a front wheel with the Plum.

Also, destickered most of it!

kthnxbai

Yes Apollo! DIY reapairs/refurbs all the way...