2 Quick Questions for ye!!

Home:Ballyhoura

Hi guys, I don't want to waste your time here but I have 2 quick questions for ye and hopefully someone can help me with them!

1. I got my bike adjusted for Junior Racing gear regulations. I went from a 53t to 52t front chainring. I also got rid of the 12 and 13 tooth sprockets on the rear so it is now a 14-26 cassette. The question is, do I need to adjust my chain length? Maybe the bigger sprockets will counter balance the smaller chainring, I don't know! Any opinions?
2. Next up, I got a cheap Campag Scirocco G3 wheel for use on my turbo trainer (€10). It came in a bad condition but I am trying to improve it myself. The hub is rubling/grinding, but it is the wobble from left to right that is bothering me (not a buckle or anything). After a bit of research, I believe it could be the cones on the axel that are loose. Is this an easy job or could I seriously mess it up (ie. better to take it to the LBS!)

Right so, any help would be great and I would really appreciate it! Cheers

Wez

For your first question, I'm unsure of what exactly you've done, but from my understanding it's dropping cassette rings (e.g. 10speed to 8speed). I think tension should be okay, that's what your rear derailer's for!

You might need to adjust the tension on your gear cable, it determines where your rear derailer lines up the chain to catch on the selected gear. I've heard that the problem only really lies with certain gear shifters, if they're pre-determined, maybe just avoid those rings? If you have the more traditional (older) selecter, it's progressive and can move to any position, then just adjust the tension on the gear cable to suit.

For your second, if your problem is the cone's, all you need is a cone spanner, as below..



You could prolly do with a service on your hubs, seeing as they're more than likely worn throughout! You can pick up little kits to do this, try ebay even!

Good luck!

Home:Ballyhoura

Well it was a 9 speed 12-26. The mechanic took off the 12 and 13 sprockets, and replaced them with a sprocket in the middle somewhere and a blank spacer at the end so it is effectively an 8-speed. I heard he should have got a specific 14-26 cassette for me (like I asked) but he said they can't be got! I must say, the person who told me this said they are actually very difficult to source (I would even prefer a 12-27 if possible). Anyway, a bit off the point. He adjusted the gearing mechanisms as necessary, but never changed the chain length. I haven't had any problems, but I am just wondering if he should have!

I relation to the wheel, it is only a wheel for an indoor trainer so I am not too worried about it, although it is a bit annoying. I am not willing to spend any money on it by getting a service/replacement. DIY all the way, but only if I get some help here! Cheers

short circuit

These are the cassettes which you might need to get it back to 9 speed

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shimano_HG50_9_Speed_Cassette/5360038343/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shimano_Ultegra_6500_9_Speed_Cassette/4000000901/

The wheel problem sounds like a hub & cone + bearings issue ...

If you have the spanners, there are tutorials online to help

Home:Ballyhoura

short circuit wrote: »

These are the cassettes which you might need to get it back to 9 speed

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shimano_HG50_9_Speed_Cassette/5360038343/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Shimano_Ultegra_6500_9_Speed_Cassette/4000000901/

The wheel problem sounds like a hub & cone + bearings issue ...

If you have the spanners, there are tutorials online to help

Thanks for that, neither of those cassettes come in 14-26 or 14-27. (I really need these higher/easier gears for the hills!!)

Ya, I had a look at the tutorials there, just wondering if I should give it a go myself or could I just mess it up?

Home:Ballyhoura

So nobody else has any help for me?

t0mm

Chain length is grand, but if you have a nine speed shifter on an eight speed cassette make sure you don't over shift or you might derail. If it's bolloxed anyway, you can't do anymore harm by having a go yourself, if you don't manage to fix it then take it to the LBS and get them to do it.