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ok thanks - the outer pieces were new, but after cutting them (with proper cutters) they didn't look that clean. I couldn't find my file at the time so made the hole good(ish) with a bradawl and just stuck them on. Maybe need to do some rework...

While installing new bars yesterday, I took the opportunity to fit a rear brake due to being crap at back-pedal braking on the rear.

I am using standalone tektro cross top levers front and rear. Although the front brake is sharp and effective, the rear feels well spongy and doesn't really do the job.

From searching various websites, I can't really solve thie issue, but suspect that the cause of the problem is that the cable outer to the rear brake is split in two due to the design of the cable stays (?) on the frame, i.e. there is a short run of outer from the lever to the front couple of inches of top tube, and then it ends and the inner continues along most of rest of top tube, then a new outer section resumes and carries the inner to the brake.

As these work differently to regular brake levers in that they seem to 'push' the cable outer rather than pull the inner, is the splitting of the outer likely to be the cause of the bad braking?

Solution in my mind is drilling through the cable stays on the frame so the outer will fit through in one single piece?

any thoughts or experience on if a single outer run will improve it before i hit the shop?

Thanks

Simon

thanks for the input very reassuring

now i've seen the depth and breadth of experience that people here have with cycling related law, I was also worried about my daughter getting in trouble with the law, she rocks a single speed (freewheel), no back brake, flat pedals, no rear reflector. The bike wsa sold to her like that by a retailer, with stickers on it proclaiming compliance to BS6102(?) but i'm wondering how they could have claimed that. I also know that she makes a habit of riding on the pavement. regarding the issues with her bike I hope to resolve these when i get a new bigger bike for her next year for her 6th b'day

as my commutes are getting dark now - i wanted to tap the wisdom of anyone out there who may have experience with police enforcing pedal reflector part of law.

i have sylvan mks track pedals with no reflectors -do the police actually bother about this (Assuming i am generall well visible)?

i understand there is exemption for bicycles manufactured prior to 1st OCt 1985 - which mine was, although only the original frame and fork remain so does this still count?

finally completed this conversion of an old (30 years or so) Dawes 10 speed road bike tonight. not sure about the bars myselk, liked the look of them initially but now not so sure, and also decision was made without thinking about things like riding position and comfort etc which are probably imporant considerations. Still have the old drops , might clean them up.

looking forward to another one

testing

thanks for all the feedback. feeling better now. In fact I have MKS Sylvan trac kpedals with clips on it - i became suspicious of the bb height being a potential problem because the clips when hanging down on underside of pedal do not clear the floor.

See how i get on, then will probably look at switching to clipless narrow pedal if is is a problem. Have not rode cliples before but how hard can it be.

fork thing sounds useful as well thanks braveeagle3.

i got hearing aids from NHS 5 years ago due to accelerated decrepitude (of hearing) and they (St Marys) have always treated me amazingly and give me new improved models (for free!) when i go for assessments each year. They post me batteries when I need them too. Love them.

thx for the reassurance. will try that.

from my recent experience in a conversion, I made the decision to go with 3/32" transmission (and I really don't remember why) - but i subsequently found that this was quite limiting in terms of availability of sprockets and even more so in chainrings where i was already limited by having to find something with right teeth and right bcd for my cranks

next time it will be 1/8" for me

thanks hippy - but bear in mind this is likely easier said than done for me rght now...bu i'm sure i can get the hang of it.

Could also look at restoring the original wheel set (27") with a fixed hub to give a bit more height also (albeit only 4mm i think), + higher tyres, and maybe i can find a suitable 160 or 165 crank to go with it (but by the time i've fucked around with all that I might as well buy a frame)!

damn i'm just starting to realise that my first fixed gear cnversion project which will be completed this week after several months planning and execution is a FUBAR.

Old 1970's Dawes Windsor road bike, don't know frame size, BB height 250, 170mm cranks, on 700c x 25 tyres :(

Not ridden fixed before - now realising I'm quite likely to get a pedal strike and fuck myself up a bit the first time I go around a corner (and worse, embarass myself in public)

Maybe not even a 165mm crank swap can save me. Looks like I will now have to replace the only part of the original bike that remains. Anyone recommend a good affordable frame?

At this point I should also say that of all the guides I looked at relating to conversions (and there were many) I NEVER ONCE saw anyone mentioning this pitfall (and wasn't clever enought to think of it all by myself...)