Any question answered...

those aren't ti rims!

But these are:

are there any niche uses for steel rims?

Yes, bikes where low price is the driver above any other.

Vintage (i.e. proper) cyclemotors if DVLA are demanding dating certificates - the newest component is used to determine the age of the vehicle if you're wanting an age related registration, and all components have to be plausibly the correct period. Very much a niche use.

FWIW, all weather (leather faced) brake blocks seem to work better both wet and dry.

Is my derailleur MegaBent? Or is it "supposed" to be like that? The shifting has been a tiny bit off but really not that bad, which is why I'm not sure.

SRAM X9 Type 2.1, long cage, 10-speed.

1 Attachment

Your bike is missing a chain, adding a chain will help shifting.

@zmjones_ raised this point in the GBP thread: isn't it true that you can't mix MTB and road Di2 derailleurs? How does this work then?

Edit: Found this in the comments:

I stopped by the Shimano display to ask if Panasonic had cracked the code allowing an XTR rear derailleur to play with the road front derailleur; the rep immediately wanted to go see it. Shimano rep suggested the only way it was maybe possible was if they were running some sort of split system with two batteries. We asked the Panasonic guy if it works and he kind of smiled and nodded until we went to press the shifter buttons then he kind of shrugged and said something to the effect of, "no no just for display". Shimano rep took some photos and shook his head saying that this bike on display was going to cause a bunch of headaches with people wondering if a mixed Di2 system with a mountain rear derailleur and a road front derailleur (or vice versa) works now. Long story short, it doesn't.

You can match MTB and Road, not just XTR.

Edit: Or you can/could but only with a specific version of E-tube and only if you don't mix and match road front derailleur and mtb rear, but the article is 3 years old, so it might not be possible anymore at all.

https://www.cxmagazine.com/mechanical-monday-xtr-mountain-bike-di2-road-drivetrain-shifters

and only if you don't mix and match road front derailleur and mtb rear

That's exactly what's going on with that Panasonic. But as explained in the comments, it doesn't work.

Do clip on aero bars work with 3T Ergonova Pro bars given they have a flat bit in the top of the bars?

what are the forum approved not-shit canti brakes? Avid shorty?

That's what I put on the Pompino 6 months ago and would recommend them highly .

Is that the 6 or the ultimate?

Ultimate.
They're beautifully engineered, a bit of a procedure to fit and adjust, but I'd rate them as good as the Ultegra dual-pivot side pulls I have on a couple of other bikes.

Anyone know what the point of the Instagram URL parameter ?taken-by=xxxxxxxx is?

They could've just trimmed a mtb one and have a working bike. That's a bit shit actually.

user name goes after (=) for the one that has posted it.

OK - that makes sense as it's a link the poster sent to me by email.

So is it e.g. intended to tag shared URLs, so that clicks on those can be differentiated in stats somewhere within IG/somewhere else?

what are the forum approved not-shit canti brakes? Avid shorty?

All cantis are shit.

#CBAD ?

Ha ha

@Hulsroy weighs more than me and has recommended Tektro CR720 for my tandem. They are supposedly not shit, when set up correct. Cheap too.

Tektro CR720 are what I removed from the Pomp, and replaced with Avid Shortys.
While the Tektros are pretty good, the Avids are in a different league.
If you are looking at saving money, get the Tektros.
There are more effective cantis out there.

when set up correct

Ay, there's the rub. Long arm cantis are notoriously sensitive to set up. If you have a full time mechanic and a spare bike in the pits, they're great.

^ This.
Avids have a procedure which is a bit of a faff, but the result is a million times better than Tektros.

Avid does not offer much clearance tho. The Tektro are easy to set up and brake well. @Jon. help me out here. You like them as well right?