Full carbon road bike for 400 quid. What could go wrong?
Discussion
Went out yesterday round Argyll and have to say I was pretty impressed, nice ride, felt pretty solid and mechanically fine.
Only thing is I need some lower gears so I need to alter the cassette sizes, does anyone know the best way to do this, or have an idea on the biggest rear sprocket that the gearing can handle?
Current biggest sprocket is I think a 24 or 26, cant remenber which off hand, was thinking about going up to something in the 28-30 range.
Only thing is I need some lower gears so I need to alter the cassette sizes, does anyone know the best way to do this, or have an idea on the biggest rear sprocket that the gearing can handle?
Current biggest sprocket is I think a 24 or 26, cant remenber which off hand, was thinking about going up to something in the 28-30 range.
hornetrider said:
I might arrange some kind of courier as I'm in South Wales and things are a bit busy at the mo, but I'm up for that. Let me know.
Just to keep you updated. Despite waiting in all day yesterday, I've just had a text to say delivery will be today. My mate is going to call round tonight to try mine for size before deciding. He's a little taller than me you see.lukeyman said:
Just to keep you updated. Despite waiting in all day yesterday, I've just had a text to say delivery will be today. My mate is going to call round tonight to try mine for size before deciding. He's a little taller than me you see.
Cheers. I'm away camping for the BH so don't panic if I don't reply straight away - still interested 
thewhangie said:
Went out yesterday round Argyll and have to say I was pretty impressed, nice ride, felt pretty solid and mechanically fine.
Only thing is I need some lower gears so I need to alter the cassette sizes, does anyone know the best way to do this, or have an idea on the biggest rear sprocket that the gearing can handle?
Current biggest sprocket is I think a 24 or 26, cant remenber which off hand, was thinking about going up to something in the 28-30 range.
It's a 25. Assuming you've got some long ole hills up there! 11-28 should fit without needing a longer chain. Ignore the '29er' on this listing it, and any Shimano or SRAM 9 speed will work.Only thing is I need some lower gears so I need to alter the cassette sizes, does anyone know the best way to do this, or have an idea on the biggest rear sprocket that the gearing can handle?
Current biggest sprocket is I think a 24 or 26, cant remenber which off hand, was thinking about going up to something in the 28-30 range.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-hg61-9-speed-29er-...
30+ prob won't fit the mech and most likely need a longer chain.
You'll need a chain whip and Shimano lockring tool to take off and refit, or a fiver to your LBS.
It will definitely work with an 11-28 cassette.
It *might* be OK with an 11-30 if you wind the B-screw in, but you won't know until you try. If it does work I would be wary of crosschaining the big ring!
34-28 gives you a 31.9" crawler gear which should be enough for anything other than the Fred Whitton.
It *might* be OK with an 11-30 if you wind the B-screw in, but you won't know until you try. If it does work I would be wary of crosschaining the big ring!
34-28 gives you a 31.9" crawler gear which should be enough for anything other than the Fred Whitton.
Still waiting for mine from Homebase. Ordered it earlier in the week and was told Wednesday would be the delivery day. Nothing arrived so had a moan to customer service this morning and they are apparently sending me a £20 gift voucher. Was told it was out for delivery today (by City Link) but nothing yet and the tracking number they gave me just tells me City Link have it at their depot but doesn't show out for delivery :-(
Very difficult bike to get hold of but looking forward to it anyway when I see it ! ;-)
Very difficult bike to get hold of but looking forward to it anyway when I see it ! ;-)
TwistingMyMelon said:
34-30 is mental low, I said on another post yesterday that I have it as a lowest gear on one of my bikes, I went into it once on a 25% stretch of a climb in winter and found that motion generated from each pedal stroke was so low that I wasnt getting anywhere!
Horses for courses tho
Well you were getting there slowly Horses for courses tho
You can get 34/32 with a wifli mech and the right cassette. The advantage I find isn't in the ultra low granny gear (but it comes in handy during long audaxes etc or when I just cant be bothered) but in being able to use a wider range of gears in the big ring. Meaning front shifts are just not needed till you hit something very steep.
I seem to spend a lot of time in 50/30 on that bike
But like you say horses for courses and all that.
Mine has just arrived. While signing for it I noticed there was a ragged hole in the side of the box, knowing there's no option to exchange it for an undamaged one and fearing the worst I opened it up but everything appears to be fine. First impressions are great although not going to have time till later this evening to do some fettling.
TheLemming said:
Well you were getting there slowly
You can get 34/32 with a wifli mech and the right cassette. The advantage I find isn't in the ultra low granny gear (but it comes in handy during long audaxes etc or when I just cant be bothered) but in being able to use a wider range of gears in the big ring. Meaning front shifts are just not needed till you hit something very steep.
I seem to spend a lot of time in 50/30 on that bike
But like you say horses for courses and all that.
I fitted a 11-30 to my spare bike, put on a medium cage Sora mech and an MTB cassette. It'd take a 11-32 as well, but I thought a 34-32 would be OTT.You can get 34/32 with a wifli mech and the right cassette. The advantage I find isn't in the ultra low granny gear (but it comes in handy during long audaxes etc or when I just cant be bothered) but in being able to use a wider range of gears in the big ring. Meaning front shifts are just not needed till you hit something very steep.
I seem to spend a lot of time in 50/30 on that bike
But like you say horses for courses and all that.
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