The General Bike Question Thread

DaveyDave

I've seen a few non maintenance questions in the maintenance thread, I've wanted to post a few non maintenance questions myself as I didn't want to start a thread for something minor so here we go.

General thread for random thoughts and questions might be useful?

Edit: ah, the Flamme Rouge thread seems to be off topic but still bike chat, so not sure how useful this thread may be. Could work if people want to ask general questions about what colour bar tape to go with or something :p

magicbastarder

sounds like you need a new bike.

DaveyDave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118021556#Comment_118021556

Always!

nicksnikita

Bar tape: black

gn3dr

Ok I'll start

Thoughts on this article?

https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/internal-cable-routing-has-gone-too-far/

gn3dr

Two other questions from me which kinds of bug me.

1. Why are there so many cranksets that you see for sale with "heel rub". I mean if your heel is rubbing off the cranks (even with overshoes) then surely your shoe or bike fit is an issue and it must feel brutal when cycling?

2. With the popularity of compact crank sets why are there so many bikes running cassettes with 30 or 34 sprockets. Where in Ireland would on a roadbike would you need gears that low.?

07Lapierre

All bar tape should be white. End of discussion!

07Lapierre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118032049#Comment_118032049

1. it doesn't take much rub to remove the coating off a crankset. The rear question is why do manufacturers insist on coating cranks instead of leaving them in their natural state.
2. it doesn't matter how low your lowest gear is...at some point you'll wish you had a lower one! :)

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118032049#Comment_118032049

Wouldn't agree with the second question - how many bikes do you see with a 53 or 52/11 highest gear. I'd say that is used much less often than a 34/32 or 34

magicbastarder

was just about to post the same. i couldn't tell you the last time i went full 50/11 but i've been known to wish for an easier gear while in 34/28 (my current lowest)

gn3dr

I'm rocking 52 x12 or 53x12 on two bikes and I'd use that much more (descending) than the 39 x 25 low gear. And that is despite being unfit and out of the game for years. The 39x25 I'd consider an "I've got the bonk" gear.

monty_python

Is there any way to fix this? I'm between jobs right now so cant afford to replace things.

I need the bike for a 30 min commute too 😢

IMG_20211017_193724.jpg

at1withmyself

A new tube from Halfords is only a few euro, easy to install

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118032564#Comment_118032564

take the bike up kilmashogue.

nicksnikita

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118033312#Comment_118033312

Have you tried screwing the small piece back in?

Otherwise, remove the tyre and tube, buy a new tube and install the tyre and new tube. €5 fix. You’ll need a pump also to reinflate.

Youtube will help if you need instruction on removal and fitting of tyre and tube

gn3dr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118033556#Comment_118033556

Don't know it ...just googled it.

Here's a better one in Kerry

https://pjammcycling.com/climb/3128.Short-Mountain-South

I have done it but not for a loooooong time.

but aside from the lower gearing which anyone might need occasionally, the cassette having this range surely puts an annoying gaps between gears?

monty_python

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118033615#Comment_118033615

I don't want to try screwing the small piece Incase it let's all the air out and I can't pump it up again.

Hopefully it holds pressure until pay day 😟

loyatemu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118033766#Comment_118033766

do you live somewhere very flat? I live in Wicklow and I use the big end of the cassette a lot. These days even the pros prefer to spin up hills than grind away in a big gear. Most people would struggle to get up any sort of steep hill in 39x25.

ARX

Why did triples fall out of fashion on road bikes? It seems to me that you can get a both a large range and close ratios with cheap components (eg a triple chainring with an 8-speed 12-25 cassette).

loyatemu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118037096#Comment_118037096

probably the same reason 1X setups have become more popular - less maintenance/complexity and less to go wrong.

I have a triple on my 12 year old road bike - it's fine. I can't remember ever dropping the chain or having to do anything with the front derailleur, and I spend 75% of my time on the middle ring. But I'd get more or less the same spread of ratios with a compact and a couple of larger cogs on the rear (my easiest gear is 30/28; on a modern bike 34/32 would be about the same).

gn3dr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118035660#Comment_118035660

I live in Kerry so no, not flat.

DaveyDave

I see higher end wheels (€1,000+) are almost all aero wheels from what I can tell. I'm not a climber so I imagine there's no point in going for something lightweight, just stick with aero?

gn3dr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118038029#Comment_118038029

I dunno, having tried a set of Cosmic Carbons that I bought 2nd hand this year, they can be a bit hairy in crosswinds especially when descending.

fat bloke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118023236#Comment_118023236

Absolutely bang on. The bike industry is gone bananas, poorly fixing sh1t that ain't broke to divert attention away from massive price increases and massive weight increases, while sneaking **** Claris groupsets onto 1100 euro bike builds with cable operated disk brakes.

Just like Giant sticking aero bars and deep section rims on everything so that you think 4000 euro is good value for 105. 😡😡