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

Type 17 · 11-02-2018 6:47pm

Jockey wheels - are the BBB Rollerboys any good?

Decent tyres do make a big difference, but correct pressures are as important, no matter how bad/good your current tyres are.
If your current tyres are 'good', but you don't feel the comfort/grip/confidence, try a page like http://www.dorkypantsr.us/bike-tire-pressure-calculator.html before changing them.

Weepsie · 11-02-2018 7:01pm

Type 17 wrote: »

Jockey wheels - are the BBB Rollerboys any good?

Decent tyres do make a big difference, but correct pressures are as important, no matter how bad/good your current tyres are.
If your current tyres are 'good', but you don't feel the comfort/grip/confidence, try a page like http://www.dorkypantsr.us/bike-tire-pressure-calculator.html before changing them.

Don't know about the BBB ones, but I've some tacx ones in the post for my SRAM rival derailleur.

Wishbone Ash · 11-02-2018 10:19pm

Milk_Tray wrote: »

do upgraded tyres make much of a difference? ....

A difference in what way - speed/rolling resistance, puncture resistance, grip etc. ??

07Lapierre · 12-02-2018 11:54am

Milk_Tray wrote: »

do upgraded tyres make much of a difference? Hearing a few people mentioning grand prix 4000's and they are a 'must have',... are they really worth getting a set ?

I have Conti GP4000 on 3 bikes and i love them. Ive been using them for years and i rarely get punctures (when i do get one, it's usually a sign that the tyre needs to be replaced)

If your happy with your current tyres, dont change, but if your looking for a recommendation, then Conti's won't disappoint.

CramCycle · 12-02-2018 1:32pm

I was using my Rapid Robs at a little above 20psi. Pumped them up today to 40psi. An interesting but fun commute where it was alot more bouncy but on occasion a sensation came through the saddle that I am pretty sure I would have to pay good money to get done by someone else :pac:

Milk_Tray · 12-02-2018 2:08pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

A difference in what way - speed/rolling resistance, puncture resistance, grip etc. ??

Speed, & grip Id be most interested in

LollipopJimmy · 15-02-2018 12:06pm

Anybody know if 105 levers operate perfectly with Ultegra derailleurs?

I want to move my Scott Speedster from Sora 9spd to 11spd. I have Ultegra 6800 Derailleurs and brakes and was going to pick up 105 5800 for the rest given the price difference and this being the bad weather bike.

Weepsie · 15-02-2018 12:13pm

There is no reason they shouldn't.

Get In There · 15-02-2018 11:45pm

My new bike has tubeless tyres. I'm a little bit unclear what needs to be done if I get a flat mid ride? I ordered tubeless sealant at the time of ordering the bike but i'm afraid i'm not sure where it comes in? Feeling rather silly posting this question!

CramCycle · 16-02-2018 10:33am

Get In There wrote: »

My new bike has tubeless tyres. I'm a little bit unclear what needs to be done if I get a flat mid ride? I ordered tubeless sealant at the time of ordering the bike but i'm afraid i'm not sure where it comes in? Feeling rather silly posting this question!

I think the idea is that if you keep pedalling, you may lose pressure but it will seal the puncture and you can continue on your way.

steamsey · 16-02-2018 11:50am

The idea behind tubeless is that it'll seal small punctures and you can reinflate with pump. If you get a flat mid ride, pump. If that doesn't work throw in the spare tube you carry when you are running tubeless tyres

Wishbone Ash · 16-02-2018 1:33pm

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Anybody know if 105 levers operate perfectly with Ultegra derailleurs?...

They do - I have 105 shifters with an Ultegra RD on one of my bikes.

Icyseanfitz · 21-02-2018 4:19pm

looking to get a 160mm 27.5" fork at the moment, came across this lyrik rtc3 on ebay. Anyone with a keen eye tell me what year it is? looks to be a great deal (as long as customs dont kill me)

Thinkingaboutit · 22-02-2018 10:21am

There are likely a few Youtube vids, and first of all, what I can find out from taking a close look, but is unjamming one fork/cleaning, lubricating the other (switch missing, but even with a improvised one, it's still remains locked) on a Trek Marlin a reasonably easy job? I probably want to renew, clean and lubricate both to a good standard.

Thanks

CantGetNoSleep · 23-02-2018 11:31am

I picked up a cheap bike that is maybe one size too small and the frame looks to be a generic copy with stickers put on, but has nice finishing kit, Mavic Ksyrium wheels in great condition, a 9sp Tiagra groupset that also looks well looked after.

I'm thinking of picking up a frame like this one
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/cube-attain-frame-black-n-green-n-grey-693133

and switching the components over.

I know I'd need a new press fit BB - would the rest of the components fit? Would I need a new fork etc.?

Is this a stupid idea? I can do basic maintenance - indexing gears, setting up brakes etc but I've never swapped over a full groupset or done a build myself

gaffmaster · 23-02-2018 2:45pm

My first thought is... try a longer stem? Could save you a few quid and a lot of hassle.

On the other hand, if you have the time, I say go for it! You'll need some specific BB tools and stuff, but if you get stuck you can always get your local bike shop to help out.

Don't forget to factor in the price of bar tape / cables and outers / seatpost (if different diameter) etc.

CantGetNoSleep · 23-02-2018 3:17pm

gaffmaster wrote: »

My first thought is... try a longer stem? Could save you a few quid and a lot of hassle.

On the other hand, if you have the time, I say go for it! You'll need some specific BB tools and stuff, but if you get stuck you can always get your local bike shop to help out.

Don't forget to factor in the price of bar tape / cables and outers / seatpost (if different diameter) etc.

Thanks - yes looks like seat post might not be standard, and I worry about running into problems with the BB and headset. I'll take it for a long ride tomorrow and decide then, it's a 52cm when all my other bikes are 54 so it might be just about doable (the saddle needs to be lowered too, whoever had it before must have been taller than me)

CantGetNoSleep · 27-02-2018 10:22am

Me again - I got a pair of Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels on a second hand bike I picked up. They are relatively new (I'd guess less than three years), with a Shimano 9-speed cassette. What are the chances I can just swap a 10-speed cassette on?

27-02-2018 10:50am

I assume it's got 9 speed shifters to match? I've never actually tried to use a 10 cassette on 9 speed shifters, would it just ignore the top or bottom of the cassette? Chain could be an issue too.

CramCycle · 27-02-2018 11:02am

If it is as Enfalide says, you have a 10 speed cassette lying around and want to get moving quickly, alas no, AFAIK, different spacing. One or two gears will work OK but the rest will just rub like crazy, jump up and down, and be a general pain in the hoop. Cost you alot more in the long run.

Unless we are both wrong, you want to take the wheels off and put them on a 10speed bike and put a 10 speed cassette on, in that case they should be fine if they are less than 4 years old

CantGetNoSleep · 27-02-2018 11:36am

Sorry should have been clearer. The Mavic wheels are on a 9-speed Tiagra bike at the moment - I have another ten speed bike but the wheels are a bit knackered - I'd like to swap over cassettes, put the 10-speed cassette on the Mavic wheels, and use these on the 10 Speed bike (so shifters etc. are ok, just worried about spacing / the hubs being ok for 10 speed)

CramCycle · 27-02-2018 11:50am

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Sorry should have been clearer. The Mavic wheels are on a 9-speed Tiagra bike at the moment - I have another ten speed bike but the wheels are a bit knackered - I'd like to swap over cassettes, put the 10-speed cassette on the Mavic wheels, and use these on the 10 Speed bike (so shifters etc. are ok, just worried about spacing / the hubs being ok for 10 speed)

That should be fine, you may need a spacer for the 10 speed, which may already be on your older wheels. They are cheap enough to get if you don't have one.

8valve · 28-02-2018 3:45pm

all mavic hubs manufactured for the last 5 years can take 7/8/9/10/11 cassettes, according to mavic, whose wheels we sell in work...just use spacers accordingly.

for those of you reeling in horror at how someone could manage with only 7, 8 or 9 sprockets on a cassette...I like to use modern wheels on old steel racing bikes as part of neo-retro restorations...best of both worlds.

Old school cool frame with reliable modern mechanicals.

Type 17 · 28-02-2018 4:29pm

8valve wrote: »

...for those of you reeling in horror at how someone could manage with only 7, 8 or 9 sprockets on a cassette...I like to use modern wheels on old steel racing bikes as part of neo-retro restorations...best of both worlds.

Old school cool frame with reliable modern mechanicals.

Damn straight - I work in a bike shop that sells & services mostly commuter and "around town" bikes, and our biggest-selling cassettes are 8 & 9 speed, with plenty of 7 (& some 6)-speed freewheels being fitted each week too.

CantGetNoSleep · 01-03-2018 11:13am

Thanks guys for the help - I'm assuming they are less than 5 years old as they look it, and I have older Ksyriums from 2010 or so which have different decals. Having looked it up I'll need two spacers - a 1mm Shimano and a 1.75mm Mavic one (which was already on with the 9-speed cassette but broken). I've ordered both so should get it done in the next few days.

LollipopJimmy · 01-03-2018 11:44am

I needed a spacer and Eurocycles had them in stock. The guy charged me a euro for a couple

CramCycle · 01-03-2018 11:49am

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

I needed a spacer and Eurocycles had them in stock. The guy charged me a euro for a couple

+1 eurocycles are quite good for such things, and one of the few bikeshops that seem to hold such stuff in stock.

triggermortis · 06-03-2018 8:37pm

My latest project is to juggle the groupsets on two bikes. My commuter front mech has given up totally (broken spring) and is an old Sora triple, with thumb shifters.
My winter bike has a truvativ crank and tiagra shifters.
I previously replaced the bottom bracket on the triple - easy enough to ID as there was a number stamped on it. The winter bike BB has no markings. Both bikes are hollowtech external bottom brackets, so is a reasonable enough assumption that I can leave each BB where it is?
I intend to put the winter bikes groupset onto the commuter and replace the parts on the winter bike with upgraded Ultegra/105 parts.
I could just see if the cranks I have will physically fit onto the other bike, but this would leave me without a bike short term. I don't have all the parts I need yet, although if the cranks do swap over, I could do 80% of one swap.
I can measure the external width of the bottom brackets tomorrow, which should give me a better idea before I dismantle anything, but was wondering if anyone would have an answer to give me something to think about while I'm in work..

magicbastarder · 11-03-2018 7:55pm

i've seen a couple of aldi stores with 3in1 motorbike chain specific products - a cleaner, a lube, and a wax. worth a punt for a bike? or do they have to worry less about crud getting on the chain?

Type 17 · 11-03-2018 8:19pm

Not suitable for bikes - motorbike chains run at much higher speeds, so their lubricants are "anti-fling", and the whole bike runs much faster and generates much more wheel-spray, so they are much thicker and water resistant - however, on a bicycle chain, they act like treacle and attract loads of dirt, and are really hard to clean.

I get them into the shop for service now and again, and it's like dried glue (and the owners think that the chain is still lubricated, because the outside of the links is still encrusted, whereas in fact the inside of the chain, where it counts, is dry and the chain is often worn out).

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

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