Today I did something to my bike thread...

CantGetNoSleep · 26-02-2023 7:00pm

Got a new commuter ready today. My first time commuting with a road bike in a while (previously I've used a Brompton, a Canyon Urban, or an e-bike) but I want to have the possibility to extend the commute home as the evenings get longer

Even though I have a nice fleet of bikes, I needed something new as they were all too nice to risk locking up if I stopped somewhere on the way home. So I was looking for something sub 1000€ and ideally sub 500€. First choice was to put together a Genesis Croix de Fer but that was difficult due to Brexit duties on any frameset.

I came across this neglected Triban RC520 and got it for 400€. 105 11-speed and TRP HY-RD hybrid disc brakes). Added a rack (35€), a bottle cage with built-in toolkit (12€ but a gimmick which I won't use as it doesn't look solid enough) and a set of mudguards which I had lying around. Chain still needs a good clean

I want to change the wheels and tires (probably lowest end DT Swiss or Mavic running 35mm tubeless - not the easiest to find QR 6-bolt disc wheels these days) and the mudguards that are on it are just a placeholder until I do that, but happy with what I have now and hopefully will end up under 600€ for the final set-up

Tomred13 · 26-02-2023 8:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120291326#Comment_120291326

Hi cantgetnosleep

I have a set of mavic askiums in the garage, 10speed, 6 bolt, QR if you want them, looking for a hood home for them. No cost if you can pick them up.

Tom

CantGetNoSleep · 26-02-2023 8:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120291592#Comment_120291592

Thanks Tom - that is very kind of you. I live in the Netherlands so won't be able to take you up on your offer unfortunately

Tomred13 · 26-02-2023 10:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120291785#Comment_120291785

Ah, no problem. They are hard to find these days. Lovely build by the way..

MojoMaker · 14-03-2023 9:12am

Hi @Tomred13 If that offer was still alive and we were in proximity, I'd love to avail?

Have knackered OEM rear on my cx which I use for commuting and it's just that awkward 6-bolt QR design!

West Dublin here.

JMcL · 14-03-2023 3:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120355462#Comment_120355462

Do you know what type of disk brake you have? Are they cable operated or hydraulic (there's also hybrid cable/hydro like Tektro HyRd though these aren't very common)? Also when you say something doesn't feel right, can you describe it?

If the brakes are cable operated and there's no stopping power, then the cable tension probably needs adjusted, though I believe cable pull discs can be a bit finicky to adjust and do go out as the pads wear.

Hydraulics usually have self adjusting pistons don't have that problem. The may well need bled though in which case the brakes will feel spongy and lacking in stopping power.

Most of these, including bleeding, aren't too difficult to service yourself. That said though, given how important brakes are, if you don't feel confident about it then do go to a shop!

Tomred13 · 15-03-2023 12:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120356280#Comment_120356280

Hi @MojoMaker

Yup, that offer still stands. Happy for them to go to a good home and be used rather then gathering dust. I'm based around leixlip / lucan. Pm me for details.

Tom

Weepsie · 27-03-2023 12:01pm

Finally bit the bullet and got some gravel bars for the pinnacle. They're rather wide, but I appear to have nailed the positioning first time which I never do when fitting shifters to new bars.

Will tape up later on.

CantGetNoSleep · 27-03-2023 9:30pm

I gave my winter bike which has been a little neglected new wheels, tires, cassette, rotors and chain.

First time waxing the chain - fairly easy process (especially if you work from home and can get the cleaning steps done during a lunch break etc).

Went with 35mm slick tubeless tires - only went for a quick spin but they feel great so far. They probably won't allow me to fit a rear mudguard but might leave them on and use them for some longer days over the summer.

smacl · 28-03-2023 7:33am

Small thing for most here, but managed to remove and put on a new tyre on the bike yesterday without using levers for the first time. Followed a technique on a youtube video where the key points we get the tyre edges well into the rim and finish at the valve.

tonytiger81 · 05-04-2023 7:50am

Broke the adjuster screw when renovating a carbon frame recently.

Decided to have a go at replacing them so sourced the part in the UK, drilled out the rivets and replaced. Happy enough with the result

nicksnikita · 05-04-2023 9:16am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120442280#Comment_120442280

Tidy!

CantGetNoSleep · 05-04-2023 9:03pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120291326#Comment_120291326

New commuter has evolved and the parts from that Decathlon (which is possibly the best value for money bike you can find right now especially if you get it second hand) are now on a neglected Genesis Tour de Fer that I picked up for 730€. Total cost to me (including the 143 euros I gave to my mechanic due to being too lazy to index cables and size a chain or do up the bar tape) still under 900€ once I sold off the wheelset, frame and Shimano Sora touring groupset from the other bike.

Still need to decide the wheel and tire combination. Fulcrum Racing 6 but I haven't decided if I go for Schwalbe Marathon 35mm, or Panaracer Gravelking Slick 35mm tubeless.

Then I need to find a 150€ pub bike. I'm happy to commute on this and leave it in the office garage or outside the shops for 30 mins on the way home, but there are still places I won't leave it. Will also try a Litelok X1 angle grinder resistant lock!

Idleater · 09-04-2023 11:56am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119972129#Comment_119972129

Today I cut the steering tube albeit with a load of spacers so now all the parts are correctly put together.

Alanbt · 13-05-2023 9:00pm

Installed headset, cut steerer, had a nightmare with the tyres. Finished up for today wiping blood off the tan walls!

Anyway…

Waiting on bearings for the crankset before doing more.

what_traffic · 14-05-2023 8:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120593015#Comment_120593015

Love the pink shed, could ya take a pic of the bike with that grey concrete wall to the left in the background?

That is a beaut - that Colnago frame!

beggars_bush · 20-05-2023 7:18pm

Bike was left in to be serviced in bike shop this week.

When I went to collect it there was a big gouge in the paint on frame. The shop denied it happened when the bike was with them.

I know it was blemish free beforehand as I washed it and dried it off so it would be clean for them to work on.

cletus · 20-05-2023 8:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120621313#Comment_120621313

I think you're pretty much snookered, if the shop remain adamant that it didn't happen there.

Is there any chance that you have recent photos of the bike that would show that there was no damage?

Squidgy Black · 20-05-2023 9:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120621313#Comment_120621313

If it was me I’d probably go nuclear and name and shame everywhere, but realistically there’s nothing else you can do unless you took photos before hand of it that could show there was nothing

beggars_bush · 20-05-2023 9:07pm

I have photos from a few races and sportives..

I'm raging about it and the lad in the shop got very defensive about it

cletus · 20-05-2023 9:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120621781#Comment_120621781

Unless the photos are from the day, or maybe the day before, you dropped it in, then all they'll show is that the paint wasn't damaged on the day you took them

Alanbt · 30-05-2023 1:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120594903#Comment_120594903

Here you go.

magicbastarder · 30-05-2023 1:21pm

sorry, porn is not allowed on boards.

cletus · 08-06-2023 5:12pm

So, to round out this week's fun and games, bleed kit arrived today, and now both of my boys' bikes are operating the way any sane person would want them to.

Obligatory photo of work in progress