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the 'there's no such thing as a stupid question' bike maintenance thread

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Comments

  • #3962
    covey123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 469 ✭✭covey123


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    if it's this one, it officially has a max capacity of 42T. you can be guaranteed there's wiggle room built in though.

    https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/rd-gx-1-a1

    That's it alright,tbh I the only 42T cassettes I can find available at the moment are all high end, that 46T was a bit more wallet friendly so was considering that


  • #3963
    cletus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,607 ✭✭✭cletus


    nomdeboardie wrote: »
    That's the thing - not often enough to stock up in bulk on inner tubes, but not seldom enough to feel that splashing out on a new tube is trivial (at least in my current financial climate) :pac:

    ETA: Plus, there's the environemental guilt

    Buy a new repair kit, and try using a smaller patch. Make sure the rubber cement is tacky, almost dry, before applying the patch


  • #3964
    covey123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 469 ✭✭covey123


    covey123 wrote: »
    It's a Sram GX looks like it should clear a bigger cassette.

    So I recently got burned not looking up standards/sizes, would there be any issues with compatibility with the following;

    Cassette ;
    https://www.probikeshop.com/en/gb/sunrace-11-speed-cassette-csmx8-eaz-box-m/142272.html

    Chainring ;
    https://www.probikeshop.com/en/gb/funn-solo-96-narrow-wide-96-mm-11-speed-single-chainring-shimano-xtr-m9000-m9020-xt-m8000-4-arms-black/125112.html

    To fit XT rear hub and SLX FC-M7000-11 (BCD bolts are not equidistant on this crank)

    I'm assuming any brand chain will do?

    Would anyone have any info as to whether the chainring would fit the cranks?


  • #3965
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,290 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    nomdeboardie wrote: »
    That's the thing - not often enough to stock up in bulk on inner tubes, but not seldom enough to feel that splashing out on a new tube is trivial (at least in my current financial climate) :pac:

    ETA: Plus, there's the environemental guilt

    If you are around Dublin or Wicklow I will send you a Conti tube at cost, bought a 50 pack.


  • #3966
    Jeremy Sproket
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 430 ✭✭Jeremy Sproket


    Are Halfords bikes any good? I saw a good road bike for €250ish.

    They are easier and more versatile than a hybrid (I'm open to correction) and you can get up a higher speed easier. Should I steer clear of Halford's for bikes?


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  • #3967
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,290 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    There is nothing wrong with Halfords bikes, but to be clear, you didn't see a good road bike in Halfords for €250. You seen a superficially decent road bike for €250. It will however get you from A to B and for short distances be grand in the short term.
    If you want a decent road bike and halfords is your only option, you will need to boost the budget a bit.


  • #3968
    doozerie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,830 ✭✭✭doozerie


    nomdeboardie wrote: »
    The last 2 punctures I got have been in the inner tube product pictured below, and I've failed to patch them with the repair kit shown in the same photo. The patch goes on OK initially, but when I put it into the wheel-tyre and inflate it fails before reaching normal operating pressure. When I take it out and try inflating again I see a leak from a point on the edge. The first time this happened I tried repatching a couple of times before giving up and putting in a new tube. This time I knew it was futile to try again and put in another new tube. I know some people will tell me that patches are not meant to last, but I've had good results in the past. Plus, tubes are not cheap, and I don’t want to try bulk-buying online as I just don't get enough punctures to make it practical, assuming they have a limited shelf-life.

    Some possibilities about the patching:
    (1) The kit is crap (can't remember if I had used it successfully before the latest 2 attempts, though)
    (2) The patches and/or glue in it have passed their shelf-life (can't remember when I bought it)
    (3) Mechanical mismatch? Perhaps the patches are just too big for these skinny tubes, as patch diameter is greater than the width of the flattened tube (half-circumference), so they have to be 'wrapped' around awkwardly when applying, and maybe the overall curvature is too stressful when inflated (OK, now I'm just making stuff up)

    I'll have to get more tubes and repair materials, so any thoughts/recommendations welcome

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=554868&stc=1&d=1622745847

    PS - aploogies to the 2 people who replied above while I re-uploaded this!

    Are you using sandpaper to roughen the surface area of the tube where you are applying the glue?

    This works for me:
    * Use sandpaper to rough up a slightly larger area than the patch will cover.
    * Apply glue, smear it round with my finger to try to achieve a consistent thickness over the entire area.
    * When glue is dry to the touch apply the patch. Push hard on the centre of the patch and work outwards to the edges, pressing down hard as you go.
    * Leave it a couple of minutes before inflating the tube, otherwise the edges of the patch may pull away as the tube stretches.

    I haven't used that particular repair kit but I suspect the glue doesn't vary much if at all between the various brands. And I've had success with various type of patches from multiple brands.


  • #3969
    doozerie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,830 ✭✭✭doozerie


    Brian? wrote: »
    I don't have any environmental guilt though, tubes biodegrade quickly enough.

    I really don't think that butyl tubes biodegrade quickly. If they biodegrade it all I expect it's measured in tens of years at a minimum (and I may well be out by a factor of 10, or 10 to the power of 10).

    I believe that latex tubes break down more quickly, but still not "quick" by any definition of that word that I recognise.


  • #3970
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 54,381 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    my garden pond is lined with butyl rubber. above or below the waterline, i believe it generally has a stated lifespan of 20 years, and that's a functional one regarding being a usable pond liner, and not an actual lifespan before it completely degrades.
    if it has a 20 year usable lifespan, i suspect the actual biodegradability is measured in centuries; albeit with the caveat that it's clearly not toxic as a rubber product.

    as i posted here last year, i bought a bike with an intact and functional dunlop inner tube made in ireland and i think it was 8valve who pointed out that dunlop closed their factory in ireland in 1984.


  • #3971
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 15,777 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    We're getting into half life territory here now.


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  • #3972
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 15,777 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    In Drogheda there is a factory that used to make perfume that now recycles tyres / rubber, so when you ride by you get the smell of rubber on one side mixed with the smell of coconut creams on the other from the biscuit factory but when the tyre place first started up you got a sickly smell of rubber and stale perfume.


  • #3973
    nomdeboardie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,205 ✭✭✭nomdeboardie


    cletus wrote: »
    Buy a new repair kit, and try using a smaller patch. Make sure the rubber cement is tacky, almost dry, before applying the patch
    Thanks. Cement was indeed almot dry. Don't think kit tend to have smaller patches, but ask in shop; I suppose I could trim them, but would lose any tapering on the edge, if that matters.


  • #3974
    nomdeboardie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,205 ✭✭✭nomdeboardie


    CramCycle wrote: »
    If you are around Dublin or Wicklow I will send you a Conti tube at cost, bought a 50 pack.
    Thanks CC, but I'll continue with the mostly-repair aspirations for another while :)


  • #3975
    nomdeboardie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,205 ✭✭✭nomdeboardie


    doozerie wrote: »
    Are you using sandpaper to roughen the surface area of the tube where you are applying the glue?

    This works for me:
    * Use sandpaper to rough up a slightly larger area than the patch will cover.
    * Apply glue, smear it round with my finger to try to achieve a consistent thickness over the entire area.
    * When glue is dry to the touch apply the patch. Push hard on the centre of the patch and work outwards to the edges, pressing down hard as you go.
    * Leave it a couple of minutes before inflating the tube, otherwise the edges of the patch may pull away as the tube stretches.

    I haven't used that particular repair kit but I suspect the glue doesn't vary much if at all between the various brands. And I've had success with various type of patches from multiple brands.
    Thanks. Yes - doing all that, except maybe the middle-outwards pressure - might have done that in the past, but the awkward wrap-around of the patch in this case constrained things.


  • #3976
    nomdeboardie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,205 ✭✭✭nomdeboardie


    doozerie wrote: »
    I really don't think that butyl tubes biodegrade quickly. If they biodegrade it all I expect it's measured in tens of years at a minimum (and I may well be out by a factor of 10, or 10 to the power of 10).

    I believe that latex tubes break down more quickly, but still not "quick" by any definition of that word that I recognise.
    magicbastarder wrote: »
    my garden pond is lined with butyl rubber. above or below the waterline, i believe it generally has a stated lifespan of 20 years, and that's a functional one regarding being a usable pond liner, and not an actual lifespan before it completely degrades.
    if it has a 20 year usable lifespan, i suspect the actual biodegradability is measured in centuries; albeit with the caveat that it's clearly not toxic as a rubber product.

    as i posted here last year, i bought a bike with an intact and functional dunlop inner tube made in ireland and i think it was 8valve who pointed out that dunlop closed their factory in ireland in 1984.
    Deleted User wrote: »
    In Drogheda there is a factory that used to make perfume that now recycles tyres / rubber, so when you ride by you get the smell of rubber on one side mixed with the smell of coconut creams on the other from the biscuit factory but when the tyre place first started up you got a sickly smell of rubber and stale perfume.

    And this is how I'm saving the world :D


  • #3977
    Brian?
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 23,065 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    nomdeboardie wrote: »
    And this is how I'm saving the world :D

    Seems I was wrong. Good for you my eco warrior amigo.

    they/them/theirs


    The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrants and aliens, the more you control all of the people.

    Noam Chomsky



  • #3978
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,290 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    Deleted User wrote: »
    We're getting into half life territory here now.

    Yes Dr. Freeman


  • #3979
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 44,381 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    Brian? wrote: »
    Take off the cable and chain. Wd40 the spring in the derailleur and move the derailleur back and forward by hand a load of times. You should feel it free up.


    If it's already free and easy by hand. There is something broken and it needs to be replaced
    Bingo, thanks (& to MB also). icon14.png

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  • #3980
    Brian?
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 23,065 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    Seth Brundle wrote: »
    Bingo, thanks (& to MB also). icon14.png

    It loosened up nicely with some WD40 and a bit of wiggling?

    they/them/theirs


    The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrants and aliens, the more you control all of the people.

    Noam Chomsky



  • #3981
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 44,381 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    Brian? wrote: »
    It loosened up nicely with some WD40 and a bit of wiggling?
    It did eventually :)
    Just have to adjust it. Not getting a decent break inbetween online work meetings :(

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  • #3982
    MangleBadger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 746 ✭✭✭MangleBadger


    I haven't found an answer to this. If gear ratios match, is there any difference in being in the big ring versus the small ring?


  • #3983
    07Lapierre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,444 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    MangleBadger wrote: »
    I haven't found an answer to this. If gear ratios match, is there any difference in being in the big ring versus the small ring?

    Yes. Your better off in the big ring if possible, as there there is less friction/resistance on the chain compared to the small chainring. will you notice the difference while cycling? probably not.

    Pro riders usually put larger chainrings on their TT bikes...not to go faster but because it gives a straighter chainline (less friction) and they can use larger rear sprockets.
    There is also a trend towards larger/oversize jockey wheels on derailleurs too.

    https://www.wiggle.co.uk/ceramicspeed-oversized-pulley-wheel-system-10?lang=en&curr=EUR&dest=6&sku=100281986&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+All+Products&utm_medium=base&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI59Kk8Yf-8AIVKe_tCh2zoAA-EAQYASABEgICnfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


  • #3984
    Brian?
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 23,065 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    Brian? wrote: »
    I throw the tubes out and put in new ones. For the amount of punctures I get it's not worth my time repairing them.

    I haven't had a puncture in over a year, at a guess.

    Talk about tempting fate. I got my first puncture this year on the way home!!

    they/them/theirs


    The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrants and aliens, the more you control all of the people.

    Noam Chomsky



  • #3985
    Jeremy Sproket
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 430 ✭✭Jeremy Sproket


    CramCycle wrote: »
    There is nothing wrong with Halfords bikes, but to be clear, you didn't see a good road bike in Halfords for €250. You seen a superficially decent road bike for €250. It will however get you from A to B and for short distances be grand in the short term.
    If you want a decent road bike and halfords is your only option, you will need to boost the budget a bit.

    Thanks Cram.. I wouldn't know a good bike from a bad if it sailed through a red light* and hit me. I just want something to jaunt around on in the fair weather, yes I'm one of those fair weather cyclists.






    * I kid, I kid.


  • #3986
    nomdeboardie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,205 ✭✭✭nomdeboardie


    Brian? wrote: »
    Talk about tempting fate. I got my first puncture this year on the way home!!
    This little fella may not be around for much longer (different emoji menu when boards migrates to a new platform), so for that reason, and that reason alone...

    :pac::pac::pac:


  • #3987
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 54,381 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    my bike has started making an intermittent loud ticking noise under load, e.g. pulling away from lights or while climbing, seated or standing. am not looking forward to having to troubleshoot this.


  • #3988
    07Lapierre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,444 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    my bike has started making an intermittent loud ticking noise under load, e.g. pulling away from lights or while climbing, seated or standing. am not looking forward to having to troubleshoot this.

    My money is on wheel or freehub bearings.


  • #3989
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 54,381 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    any quick tests for that, do you know? i have zondas on it.


  • #3990
    07Lapierre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,444 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    any quick tests for that, do you know? i have zondas on it.

    Do you have another pair of wheels? Swap them and see if the clicking goes away.

    If you don’t have spare wheels, remove the cassette and inspect the bearings visually. It’s most likely the outer most freehub bearing.


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  • #3991
    nicksnikita
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭nicksnikita


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    my bike has started making an intermittent loud ticking noise under load, e.g. pulling away from lights or while climbing, seated or standing. am not looking forward to having to troubleshoot this.

    Disc or rim?


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