Any question answered...

Only found the one square taper on their site

UN55 is there, but it's not linked from the standard menus
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/shimano/BB-UN55.html

cheers

Hmm. Must admit, I didn’t realise CK BB’s were quite that expensive....

A mate has just bought a CeramicSpeed BB, which was around £200 and is ridiculously smooth.

That's why I was asking about people's experience with the serviceability, as I could get a CK significantly cheaper 2nd-hand.

Second hand BB seems like a great opportunity to chuck money down the drain.

There’s nothing wrong with GXP bottom brackets. They used to be shit, now they’re not. Have had a couple years of daily use all weathers out of mine. Still spins free.

Wheels Manufacturing make a GXP bb without an adapter.
Much neater solution than all of those adapter kits.
You can also change the bearings when they are worn out.
Also a lot cheaper than Chris King.
Bought one myself but the Sram bb is still running smooth after months of use (in grim conditions).
I just put some more grease into the bearings.

There’s nothing wrong with GXP bottom brackets. They used to be shit, now they’re not. Have had a couple years of daily use all weathers out of mine. Still spins free.

This. I used to go through them like cheese, but my newest one has done a good 8 months, including some horrendous winter rides. Genuinely impressed.
(I still always have a spare in the shed though!)

Technically, so is buying second-hand hubs. The question is whether they're built for longevity or not.

Yeah, used hubs and wheel sets are risky too. I think the BB is more risky because they are more exposed and more likely to have been abused by poor installation (lack of facing, over pre-loaded, no drainage etc) and maintenance. It's more difficult to install a hub in a frame in such a way that just riding it will fuck its gubbins up.

If you want some CK bling to show off, get a headset so people can see it, or hubs so people can hear it and hate you.

Has the tour started?

yes

https://tiz-cycling.live/

Sweet thanks.

Nothing wrong with them, apart from costing double the Shimano equivalent, you mean. I fitted one to my summer commuter so will keep an eye on it.

Is there science in the length of cantilever straddle cable?

As short as possible? A specific length? Follow manufacturer's advice written in the thrown away manual?

(Not my picture.)

It partly depends on the action you want; as you lower the cable it gets spongier but stronger, if you raise it the action will be firm and immediate but require more hand strength to ultimately stop yourself.
The sweet spot is usually close to what the manufacturer recommends.

Thanks. Of course Sheldon (also) has the answer:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cantilever-geometry.html

Is there science in the length of cantilever straddle cable?

Yes, and that science is called trigonometry. As withered preaches, changing the angles affects the mechanical advantage, and the rate of change of mechanical advantage through the stroke.

Whatever the little triangle bit at the top is called, I’ve got some lairy blue ano ones I won’t use. If you want

Whatever the little triangle bit at the top is called, I’ve got some lairy blue ano ones I won’t use. If you want

I just got some Allen key ones, but thanks!

But blue annodised...
Allen key also

But blue annodised...

The only bike I have with blue in its colour scheme doesn't have brakes, otherwise I would have accepted.

Used to have the Lizard ones in blue!

If the moon is tidally locked (and I've no compelling evidence otherwise) then why does the moon have nights that are 14 days long?