56cm XACD Titanium Commuting Hack - Cracked / Welded / Cracked / Welded - Ongoing project...

If you're suffering with ball pain, get stretching.

@Rodolfo The chainguard is only there because I am using a SRAM Red Black chainset with the chainring on the inside and I think it look worst without it.

And the wheels are 50mm crabonz.

@HoKe seem to be selling his Rotor Track cranks so I might buy them...

Be wary of the BCD, the spider might hit the chainstay if it's 144BCD.

@TM I haz no ball pain, I just wanted to see what these ISM saddles were all about so bought a Typhoon and a Prologue.

They are nice.

Good shout @edscoble. I didn't think about that.

I guess it will give me an excuse to get a new frame to fit the Rotors. I also have spare Wound Ups.

Which bars are those? Looking something similar for my commuter.

@BrickMan The bars are cheap Zoom 'trekking' ones, here is the eBay link, only £12.95 posted.

I have also created a Tutorial explaining how to remove branding (like the Zoom markings), it is located here:
http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/251045/

Perfect, I'll get a set of those, I would go for Mary bars but they are only in 31.8, and they sweep forwards first which would possibly increase the reach to much

Not so sure about those security bolts on a lonely front disc. I have the same ones and find it hard to torque them up enough..

@BrickMan I was in the exact same situation as I wanted black Mary bars in 26.0mm but could not find any. I ride Brixton-Putney so feel free to bump into me to see them in the flesh before you buy. They are good for the money.

@⑦up It work fine on mine with a torque key, time will tell...

Which bashguard did you use Vince?

@dan I have found a Shimano Alfine 45T chainring and matching chainguard on ebay.

£20 for the pair, brand new, posted.

I am running a 1/8th chain so it just fits without rubbing with the chain link facing inside.

ah ha.

Quick update.

I have fitted 700x35 Pasela PT and I am having clearance issues on the rear bridge - I need a longer chain as the one I have fitted was only 114 links long and, although used uncut, it doesn't allow me to pull the wheel back enough. I will have to get at least a 116 links one or even use 2 chains for more links...

I have found some Avid hydraulic brakes, I don't know much about hydraulic stuff in general but they look pretty sweet. All black with carbon levers.

I have also purchased a Thomson Layback seatpost, still missing the matching clamp.

Voila!

Woah, this thing is an affront to bike cycling!

However I fully acknowledge @vince's right to not give a shit.

@miro_o I am getting better / less worse at building bikes.

All my bikes have made it straight to anti - this one 'could' make it into the practical bike section!

Put the Avid brakes down and walk away whilst you can.

How is this a hack?

@Howard The brakes are Avid Juicy Ultimate - I will only be using the front one and it can only be an improvement on the current set-up.

@⑦up It rides really well and it is by far the most comfortable bike I own. Not the best looking bike but I have sailed through 200km in comfort. The wide Pasela tyres really make a difference absorbing all the tarmac imperfection.

I also have a set of mudguards to fit but I need to find a solution to work around the disc brake as they won't currently fit without spacers / mods. I believe @edscoble has the answer...

And for all the haters - here is a picture of the hack, basking in the sun:

Dude just bend the mudguard, will post tomorrow when I'm less drink, crunk, drunk.

Avid make awesome hydraulic, but we (mechanic) hate them.

What I mean is that this is fancier than my 'best' bike. When I think 'hack' I don't usually think Ti and 50mm crabon!

I must learn how to read properly...

Hack came from the fact that the frame was cracked and ended up not costing me much (before repairs).

All in the bike currently owes me circa £650

I also have a set of mudguards to fit but I need to find a solution to work around the disc brake as they won't currently fit.

Right, head clear, nice and sober, back to this.

Normally with hydraulic, you don't need to bend it that much as the caliper body is much smaller than a cable operated one that stick out like a sore thumb, I would advise bending the stay carefully with a vice, other have done some result like this;

The best solution I find that work flawlessly when I had a BB7 is simply getting a longer bolt and a long washer from Clerkenwell Screw, it's much more durable than it look;

edit - see below, can't link picture in Microcosm

If you can't be arsed trying to find a very long washer, then a threaded bolt with a couple of nuts work just as well;

1 Attachment

Christmas parts are ready to be fitted.

Uncut alloy risers, 80mm stem, Stella Azzuri 'bio' grips, Avid Juicy Ultimate disc brake with carbon lever.

To be fitted!