Any question answered...

Thanks for the offer of the 705 Neil, I might take you up on it. I was trying to rush myself into making a decision tonight as the 605 is £154 at Wiggle until tomorrow, but I'm not sure I'm sure enough yet. Especially with all this pro-800 talk ;)

You can always get them at http://www.handtec.co.uk/ for this price.

Where's the Shimano?

stem

That's a Record top cap:

Yeah I know, but that is not my frame or headset. That's the setup of a random person on the webz who has done the same trick.

My headset is FSA... something...

:-/

My headset is FSA... something...

:-/

Orbit IS, probably. There's an 8mm upper bearing cap option with complete headsets, but I can't find it as a spare part at the moment. Cane Creek parts will probably fit too if they come from the same type of headset - it will be 36/45 or 45/45 - and they are even lower

This slowtwitch thread has various suggestions

Thanks, that reply helps hugely.

It looks to me like 'IS-2' is what both FSA and Crane Creek are calling their 36/45 integrated headsets, and like you say, they're 8 and 5mm respectively. This thread was handy.

I'll check what bearings I have.

I don't really understand why they're not interchangeable. I want a new one on my bike to get rid of the branding.

Oh Henry...

You seem to spend more time making sure your bikes look right than riding them ;)

oi. I rode my bike today.

but yes. I need something to occupy me between cycling.

yes, that is called making me coffee

Oh Henry...

You seem to spend more time making sure your bikes look right than riding them ;)

this +1000

(((((^^virtual slap^^)))))

this +1000

I remember rolling up on a brand new track bike that I had riden to LMNH on its maiden voyage and the very first thing that Henry blurted out was "spacers don't match".

I was right though.

Seatpost lengths. Are they measured to the max line or the actual post length?

Following on from this. Does anyone know how long a 400mm post is from clamp to max line?

Typically 300mm, based on the 25% in the seat tube rule. There's a bit of variation in measurement, some posts are to the rails, some are overall to the top of the clamp and some (built-up designs) are the actual tube length with the head on top. Thomson 410mm post have different insertion lines depending on diameter, the 27.2 x 410 has a usable length of 334mm

I suspected that. I'm trying to design me a polo bike with a nice compact frame without getting all complicated. So the average usable length might be 315mm. I can deal with that.

You probably want to assume 290mm unless you want to spend loads on a Thomson

Yeah. I want it to be compatible with easily replaceable parts. Forks are of the shelf and everything else will be common stuff which isn't hugely expensive.

I was right though.

Why are you trying to sound like me?

i need some free webspace i can easily ftp stuff to and point a domain at. nothing amazing, just an externally available playground so i can test development stuff on iPads and Macs without pissing about.
Can anyone recommend some?

^^ I did not tell him he requires big tyres, a rack and mudguards.

I think the cane creek website has a database for finding what headset standard you have. Think there are two types, italian and standard, which have slightly different angles on the bearings.

I have this frame:

I want to effectively shorten the head tube by fitting a thinner headset piece than standard (between the head tube and stem). Much like has been done in this photo:

I believe the make of the headset in my frame is FSA but which of the headset standards? There seem to be quite a few.

^^ mixing shimano and campag? Recipe for disaster.

I have shimergoram. campag shifters+brakes, shimano deariller+cassette, sram cranks
works a treat!

Pfft, who cares if things match (apart from ocd) Easton post, Pro stem, ITM bars seem to work perfectly.

this kind of thing stops me sleeping properly