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Yeah, he was a fairly young lad (18ish and I'm 26) so I think at first he thought I was just trying to mug him for it or something. He was much more reasonable when I'd spoke to him a bit more though, seemed like a good lad really. Gave me his address and offered to show me to his house. Would be nice to get it back but like I say, I don't really need it and it was in fairly bad shape. Might just let it slide, I don't know.

Guys I need some advice please....

Yesterday whilst walking to meet a friend I saw someone on my bike! I couldn't beleive my eyes, it's been over a year since I lost it and I expected it to have been hacked to pieces now, but I saw someone riding it in pretty much the same state it was stolen in! (albeit with a little more rust...)
Obviously I apprehended the guy, told him it was my bike and at first he said it couldnt be cause he had had it for years. after talking to him a bit more he said that he'd moved into another house on Tiverton Road, the bike was in the house when he moved in and the landlord said he could have it with the property. The guy seemed pretty genuine, and as I had no evidence that it was actually my bike, I didnt want to just take it off him, so I asked for his landlords number, called him and arranged to discuss this further with him tonight.

The only issue for me is that I have no proof that the bike is actually mine, I dont have a photo or anything and I never reported this to the police (after having bikes stolen in the past, it hardly seemed worth it...)

Have I got a leg to stand on, or should I just let it slide and take it as a lesson learnt? I have since replaced the bike, so I don't really need it, but it's just the principle really... but am I likely to get a positive result when it's effectively his word against mine?

Thanks a lot guys!

You want the larger, "standard" size.

Awesome, thought that was the case but just wanted to check. Thanks a lot!

This is the kind of bolt you're after if you want to convert your rear brake to front, nut fitting.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tektro-tektro-shimano-pattern-70-mm-dual-pivot-brake-bolt-cr-mo-for-nut-conversion-prod24266/

I've not seen many people go for 606's solution, although I'm not sure why. Maybe the bolt on the (old) rear is so short that it barely comes through the front of the fork, which leaves you with a lot of force at the small overlap between the sleeve nut and bolt. Essentially you may end up with a similar problem to if you just put a standard nut on the inside of the steerer.

Thanks a lot, this is what I had in mind, it's nearly twice the price of an extended sex bolt though so I'll probably go with that! Yeah I think I've been relatively lucky as the front brake has enough thread on the bolt for a nut to get decent purchase, although I'd rather do this on the cheap, I'm not really prepared to sacrifice safety to save a few quid - especially with brakes!

I meant getting one of these (it'll involve drilling the forks though), rather than putting a nut inside the fork. Though if you get a nylock nut, I see no reason why that won't work.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/wheels-manufacturing-recessed-caliper-brake-bolt-m6-x-35-mm-each-prod29873/

I don't know why I hadn't thought of a longer sex bolt for the front caliper, this looks like a simple and elegant solution. Thanks a lot! :D

Calipers aren't expensive necessarily. Think before you remove steel from your frame. There's appropriate hardware out there.

Yeah, but they are more expensive than zero. This is a well documented method of installing recessed brakes on an older frame, I'm just querying specifics rather than asking for alternatives.

If you put your front brake on the rear, does the thread stick out enough for you to put a nut on it? If it does you could then put the rear on the front. This will involve drilling out the rear of the fork (easier than the rear brake hole), and getting an extra long internal bolt.

Yeah, it does, this is what I'm currently doing. Unfortunately I want to use both brakes, so this leave me without a brake for the front. Running the rear on the front isn't an option, as putting the nut inside the steerer tube simply isn't safe in my eyes.

Or, you could take the brakes apart and replace the bolts with longer ones, which'll work with the old-style frame holes.

Hadn't thought of this to be honest, this could be an option. Still means sourcing suitable bolts though, which could be tricky as there's not much clearance for the top arm over the bolt head, and again, it means buying stuff - I'd rather drill this and not spend money on anything (however cheap).

Thanks for trying though guys!

I think I'm right in saying (and I'm holding the fort here til someone better arrives) don't drill your frame. Just buy the appropriate brake with nut and bolt attachment as opposed to the Alan key - recessed nut system you describe.

Cheers for the reply man, but I'm pretty sure I wanna run these brakes - I have them already, they are fairly decent dual pivot brakes, and drilling a hole is gonna be a whole (geddit?) lot less expensive than buying a new set of brakes.

I've read a lot about people drilling out their brake mounts, but the only problem is not being able to drill from the underneath!

Hi guys,

Just a couple of quick, simple questions for you...

I'm looking to go from fixed to freewheel, but there's a couple of bits I'm unsure on...

1. what size thread freewheel do I buy? I know in BMX there's "standard" 15-16t thread, and then a smaller "flip flop" 13-14t thread... which one will fit my fixed/free hub?

2. I want to add a rear brake, but my frame has the old style mountings where the holes are both the same size. It's going to be awkward to drill out the rear hole from inside the rear triangle due to the proximity of the seatstays and seat tube, but can I just simply drill through from the front and then use a washer over the front hole? This seems like such a simple solution to this problem, and I can't see why it wouldn't work, but I've never seen anyone mention it whilst searching the web, so I just wanted to make sure there was not a glaringly obvious reason why I shouldn't do this before I write off my frame.

Thanks for the help guys!

There are a million* threads about tyres on here.. search through some of them

*not actually a million

(for what its worth, Schwalbe tyres are great for London- a bitch to put on though)

Well thanks for generic "search" reply, like I didn't see that coming...

I actually did search, and didn't come across much that useful. Lots of for sale threads, this: http://www.lfgss.com/thread105137.html#post3543503 which is concerning fixed riders/skidding, and not a lot else. If I'm missing something, feel free to link to it.

Thanks for the suggestions also guys, much more useful. Keep 'em coming!

Hi guys,

I'm looking for some new tires for my commuter bike - 700c, preferably fairly skinny but not at the expense of comfort/my wrists...

I used to have a pair of Vittoria Randonneurs on my old bike (which unfortunately got stolen (the whole bike, not the tires haha)), these were nice but a little wide and hard as hell to get on/off the rim! The puncture protection was real good though, so once they were on, it wasn't too much of an issue.

Ideally I'm just looking for something similar, maybe a bit easier to pop on and off and maybe a bit slimmer. I've heard good things about Gatorskins, but mainly from guys riding fixed - I'm not fussed about how well they hold up for skids, I just want good puncture protection!

Any suggestions guys? thanks in advance!

what happened to the bike you were selling for £90? Would have snapped it up for that!

Looking for a beater to replace my bike which was stolen last week.

Preferably a road bike, but may be interested in a town bike too.
needs to be a large frame as I'm pretty tall (6'2")
aesthetic condition not really important, but needs to be a relatively decent ride.

looking to spend no more than £75, would rather not buy off Gumtree/eBay as there's too much stolen stuff on there and I don't want to perpetuate the cycle which took my beloved bike from me in the first place!

contact me at tom(at)miracledigital.co.uk

cheers.

Hi guys, I know it's a long shot but I just thought I'd post here in the hope of one of you guys spotting it.

My bike was taken from my back garden over Christmas, it's an old viking frame rattle-canned sky blue, black machined rims that were kind of v but not like the deep Vs you see all the time, black forks, pretty much everything else was black, tan/leather bar tape with orange duct tape on the bar ends (yes I know, it was an ugly bike, I don't know why anyone would steal it either).

It wasn't worth much, and I know I got off lightly compared to some people who have had bikes worth 10x as much stolen, but it was my transport to work and my primary form of exercise, I'd just finished getting it set up exactly as I wanted, and I would just really like to have it back, as I'm sure you can all imagine. Anyway, if you hear or see anything, please let me know, either on here or via email: tom(at)heavyrotation.co.uk.

Tonight was gonna be my first Birmingham Critical Mass too... I'm so fucking gutted!

Thanks guys.

army and navy stores usually do some cheap stuff
not definate but they usually do

Thanks didnt think of this one, is there much point in getting any specifically built for cycling? they seem like there would be a few decent modifications that make it worth getting cycling ones, ie slimmer lower leg, reflective strips, higher back

i got some cheap ones from soccer sports for about 6 quid, they piss in at the seams tho so unless you have guards buy a decent pair as theyll last years

thanks, yeah id rather spend a bit more on some and get some that arent just trousers made out of PVC or something shite haha. I'm not adverse to spending £30+ on a pair if thats the best option and they will last me, just wanted to check if there's any anyone's seen online or something for a bit cheaper or whatever.

I have been thinking about this too.

1. you get what you pay for. £7.50 waterproofs = bad fit, will fill with sweat and be vile and stenched within days. would not bang.

2. HTFU and go in your shorts legs are waterproof by nature and dry very quickly.

3. £30 odd well spent.

hmmm shorts is actually an option, especially seeing as it hasnt really been that cold recently, apart from the odd day or two. only thing is, they wont protect me from the spray up the back, but I guess the best solution for that is a mudguard really!

Cheers guys!

Hi guys, I'm looking for some cheap waterproofs, specifically trousers, although I might consider a full set if they are cheap and worthwhile.

Basically, I need something to bike to work in, I only commute about 3 miles and the weather hasn't been too bad lately so something lightweight will suffice, just need protection from showers and all the shit that the road sprays up my back.

Anyone got any suggestions, or even places to start looking? Price really is the key factor, everything I've seen in online bike shops is £30+, I bike to work to save money, I can't justify £30 on some plastic trousers I'll wear for an hour a day.

Thanks for the help in advance guys!

spot on, ill take the black ones if thats cool, PM coming your way! thanks.

cheers mate, looking for a pair really though. Unless anyones got a front on it's own? unlikely I know haha

you in London sheathy? i'm Birmingham based unfortunately, that's why I'm looking for posted. Cheers for the offer though!

thanks for the offer mate, ive got a pair of 105's i can have for £20 posted... honestly was looking for something a little cheaper than that, I guess I should just go for them! cheers.

any chance you would take £15 posted on the 105 brake calipers please?

No worries if not, but don't ask, don't get :)

ah man I just posted a wanted for brakes :( can you let me know if no one takes them, 34765th dibs.

Just realised the items I have offered for trade make me look like a massive hipster, I'm not, promise. they are just the things I have that come to mind whilst I'm at work.

Maybe this will work to my advantage, hipsters hate brakes, maybe they want to get rid of theirs in exchange for some garish parts.

Hi guys...

Looking for a set (F+R) of brake calipers... colour unimportant, would be nice to get some in decent nick, medium drop, looking to spend around £15 (unless someone has something nice for cheap).

Just looking for something for a work bike - no fancy groupset stuff needed, something off an OTP bike will be fine, as long as they work.

I have a pink charge bucket available for trade also, used a bit but no signs of wear and tear, could possibly dig out a few other bits and pieces if anyone needs anything specific. Also got a houndstooth toptube protector if anyone wants that horrible thing.

Cheers!

2) Shimano 3300 brakes, black. Nice blingy carbon QR tabs, and some bubbling beneath paint. £15 posted.

I'll take these if you still have them in a few days and Owenh doesn't get back to me about the brakes I was supposed to be buying off him, and possibly a seatpost if there's one there the right size for my frame, which I need to measure!

How bad is the bubbling? any chance of a picture?

1. Noname brakes from a langster, the front one's sticking, needs some greasage. £10
   
   
   

You still got these? you willing to post pleeeeease? dibs if so - I really need some brakes, converting my fixed to single speed and that's all im missing now!