The "what bike bits have you just bought" thread Vol 2

[Kawasicki]

Nezquick said:

Kawasicki said:

I have the truly excellent Topeak Ninja P pump inside my seatpost. A spare tube in the downtube. Two Specialized Barkeeper end plugs that have integrated tyre levers. In my pocket I have a 4mm Allen key. It's a great lightweight setup, with no bag on the bike and no bulges in my pockets.

They're fantastic.
I'm going to measure my seat post this weekend and get a pump ordered as well as the Ritchey Barkeeper Tyre levers. Excellent ideas. Cheers for that.

No problem. Road.cc just gave the pump a bad review...which is weird, as I'm very happy with the performance. I don't expect a tiny pump to inflate tires quickly though! It does pump them up to a very high pressure with no hassle, even with my skinny arms!

[funkyrobot]

Picked this up on Saturday. It's a Ralieigh Mustang Sport gravel bike:



One annoying thing I have found is that the bracket for the front derailleur is huge and is butted up against the bottom bottle cage screw on the seat tube. This means that I don't think I can add a bottle cage to that part, meaning I only have one.

I'm planning on trying out some SPD pedals on this. Have some old Looks on the bike below and am willing to try something different. Apparently, SPD are quite good. Bonus is that I already have some half SPD, half flat pedals and some older SPD mountain bike shoes to see how I get on. Only had to buy a set of cleats.

The Mustang is my winter hack with mudguards as I already have a summer hack that I bought in Feb; this Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc:



This bike has been and is still a real pain. Bought it from an utterly useless bike shop (in Peterborough and named after a large local man made reservoir/lake) who after four visits, still didn't have things right on it. When I got it the discs were warped, the handlebar tape was hanging off, the headset was bone dry, the gears were totally fooked, the brake calipers weren't on straight and it makes a horrible clicking noise when pedalling hard. In the end, I gave up with them (they are about 20 miles away) and when I get the time (getting married this weekend), I'm stripping the thing down and attempting to solve the clicking noise myself. I have some old Look Delta pedals on it and the cleats in my shoes started squeaking recently. fking thing!

Annoyingly, I managed to scratch the the tops of the handlebars the other day where the hoods are chunky. Can see the bloody scrapes every time I look at it now.

Edited by funkyrobot on Monday 25th September 21:44

[HoHoHo]

funkyrobot said:

The Mustang is my winter hack with mudguards as I already have a summer hack that I bought in Feb; this Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc:



This bike has been and is still a real pain. Bought it from an utterly useless bike shop (in Peterborough and named after a large local man made reservoir/lake) who after four visits, still didn't have things right on it. When I got it the discs were warped, the handlebar tape was hanging off, the headset was bone dry, the gears were totally fooked, the brake calipers weren't on straight and it makes a horrible clicking noise when pedalling hard. In the end, I gave up with them (they are about 20 miles away) and when I get the time (getting married this weekend), I'm stripping the thing down and attempting to solve the clicking noise myself. I have some old Look Delta pedals on it and the cleats in my shoes started squeaking recently. fking thing!

I have the same bike and whilst I’m still a 8 month newbie on the road I’ve no issues at all with mine and it’s sweet as a nut. The odd noise but nothing some general minor maintenance doesn’t resolve.

London to Brighton last week, 47 miles again Sunday and it’s a great place to be.

Don’t lose faith just yet, hopefully it’s nothing more than a st shop building the bike on delivery.

[funkyrobot]

HoHoHo said:

funkyrobot said:

The Mustang is my winter hack with mudguards as I already have a summer hack that I bought in Feb; this Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc:



This bike has been and is still a real pain. Bought it from an utterly useless bike shop (in Peterborough and named after a large local man made reservoir/lake) who after four visits, still didn't have things right on it. When I got it the discs were warped, the handlebar tape was hanging off, the headset was bone dry, the gears were totally fooked, the brake calipers weren't on straight and it makes a horrible clicking noise when pedalling hard. In the end, I gave up with them (they are about 20 miles away) and when I get the time (getting married this weekend), I'm stripping the thing down and attempting to solve the clicking noise myself. I have some old Look Delta pedals on it and the cleats in my shoes started squeaking recently. fking thing!

I have the same bike and whilst I’m still a 8 month newbie on the road I’ve no issues at all with mine and it’s sweet as a nut. The odd noise but nothing some general minor maintenance doesn’t resolve.

London to Brighton last week, 47 miles again Sunday and it’s a great place to be.

Don’t lose faith just yet, hopefully it’s nothing more than a st shop building the bike on delivery.

Don't worry, I have faith. I have told my woes on a cycling forum and of all the people who own one of these, I seem to be the only one with a dicky example. It must be the shop as I am also the only one who bought it from a specific branch. Oh well, just need some time and I'm sure I can get it sorted. When I'm out on it, it does ride very well.



When I do strip it down (starting with the crank etc.), if I find anything ominous it's going straight back. Just can't stand the shop and don't want to give them anymore of my time or money.

Oh yes, I'll be learning bike mechanics as I go along. At least that will be beneficial.

[bakerstreet]

Don't understand what you mean by brake calipers not on straight? How the heck does that work?

What makes you think they aren't on straight?

Also, what makes you say the brake discs are warped?

Just get them to change the bar tape. Kit bar tape can super cheap stuff, so I would just buy some new stuff and pat for the shop to fit it FOC

Clicking? Well lots of bikes can have that. Try and new BB and see what happens.

[snobetter]

funkyrobot said:

The Mustang is my winter hack with mudguards as I already have a summer hack that I bought in Feb; this Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc:



This bike has been and is still a real pain. Bought it from an utterly useless bike shop (in Peterborough and named after a large local man made reservoir/lake) who after four visits, still didn't have things right on it. When I got it the discs were warped, the handlebar tape was hanging off, the headset was bone dry, the gears were totally fooked, the brake calipers weren't on straight and it makes a horrible clicking noise when pedalling hard. In the end, I gave up with them (they are about 20 miles away) and when I get the time (getting married this weekend), I'm stripping the thing down and attempting to solve the clicking noise myself. I have some old Look Delta pedals on it and the cleats in my shoes started squeaking recently. fking thing!

Annoyingly, I managed to scratch the the tops of the handlebars the other day where the hoods are chunky. Can see the bloody scrapes every time I look at it now.

Edited by funkyrobot on Monday 25th September 21:44

I have one of these as well, I use it all weathers and some gravel / canal paths, any creaking clean and grease headset first ( I know you said it's been done once), but I need to do it every 500 miles or so (don't know if that is normal?) and solves it every time. What I thought was a warped disc was solved by cleaning out a brake piston which wasn't retracting fully.

[Craikeybaby]

As winter is approaching I ordered some Muc Off wet chain lube. I also acquired some zip ties from work to refit the mudguard on my hardtail.

[funkyrobot]

snobetter said:

I have one of these as well, I use it all weathers and some gravel / canal paths, any creaking clean and grease headset first ( I know you said it's been done once), but I need to do it every 500 miles or so (don't know if that is normal?) and solves it every time. What I thought was a warped disc was solved by cleaning out a brake piston which wasn't retracting fully.

Thanks.

Interesting point re the headset. I'll do that first. Is it easy to do with the brake lines going through the front fork?

[louiebaby]

Craikeybaby said:

As winter is approaching I ordered some Muc Off wet chain lube.

This is about to be £3.49 for 120ml from Aldi, in store from Thurs. (They have a few other Muc-Off products going in too.)

[anonymous-user]

not the most exciting purchase by any means: Look Keo Grey pedal cleats

[snobetter]

funkyrobot said:

snobetter said:

I have one of these as well, I use it all weathers and some gravel / canal paths, any creaking clean and grease headset first ( I know you said it's been done once), but I need to do it every 500 miles or so (don't know if that is normal?) and solves it every time. What I thought was a warped disc was solved by cleaning out a brake piston which wasn't retracting fully.

Thanks.

Interesting point re the headset. I'll do that first. Is it easy to do with the brake lines going through the front fork?

Dead easy, I watched a GCN video first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pARonM0tFpM and was as simple as it looks.

[Zippee]

A retro clear crud catcher a Hope DH4 front caliper and 180mm lightning bolt disc
Not exactly state of the art but suits my Pace

[funkyrobot]

snobetter said:

funkyrobot said:

snobetter said:

I have one of these as well, I use it all weathers and some gravel / canal paths, any creaking clean and grease headset first ( I know you said it's been done once), but I need to do it every 500 miles or so (don't know if that is normal?) and solves it every time. What I thought was a warped disc was solved by cleaning out a brake piston which wasn't retracting fully.

Thanks.

Interesting point re the headset. I'll do that first. Is it easy to do with the brake lines going through the front fork?

Dead easy, I watched a GCN video first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pARonM0tFpM and was as simple as it looks.

Thanks.

I'll give that a watch. Bit nervous about doing due to over tightening the headset back up.

[Nezquick]

Had a Wahoo Kickr Snap delivered yesterday and set it up last night in the spare bedroom before having a quick blast.

First impressions - it's excellent. I managed to connect it to both the app and my Elemnt Bolt last night and both worked well. I'll try connecting to Trainerroad tonight I think and start on that to get some training in before I do an FTP test.

However, it's absolutely knackering to start with - I did around 30 mins on it last night and was literally soaked with sweat (I need a fan!). It seems to be much harder than riding out on the road but I'm looking forward to getting some training in over winter and improving.

[smn159]

Kawasicki said:

russ said:

russ said:

couldn't resist

https://www.prendas.co.uk/collections/bib-shorts/p...

ordered on Wednesday night and arrived Friday morning , you cant say better than that !!

Let us know when you have tried them please.

Received mine a day or so after ordering and tried them on a 75k ride at the weekend. Bloody hell, what a waste of money! extremely sore arse after about 20k, with the main problem being that the pad just isn't wide enough or padded enough to provide adequate cushioning.

Maybe it's just me, but I have a pair of cheapo Muddy Fox shorts that are better then these. I wanted them as an extra pair for an upcoming trip to Majorca, but I'm not taking these! Have ordered a pair of DHB Aerons's instead.

[anonymous-user]

Nezquick said:

Had a Wahoo Kickr Snap delivered yesterday and set it up last night in the spare bedroom before having a quick blast.

First impressions - it's excellent. I managed to connect it to both the app and my Elemnt Bolt last night and both worked well. I'll try connecting to Trainerroad tonight I think and start on that to get some training in before I do an FTP test.

However, it's absolutely knackering to start with - I did around 30 mins on it last night and was literally soaked with sweat (I need a fan!). It seems to be much harder than riding out on the road but I'm looking forward to getting some training in over winter and improving.

Yes, you need at least one fan!

Also, remember to do a spin down calibration of it when it is well warmed up at some point and at fairly regular intervals thereafter

wahooligan!

[funkyrobot]

bakerstreet said:

Don't understand what you mean by brake calipers not on straight? How the heck does that work?

What makes you think they aren't on straight?

Also, what makes you say the brake discs are warped?

Just get them to change the bar tape. Kit bar tape can super cheap stuff, so I would just buy some new stuff and pat for the shop to fit it FOC

Clicking? Well lots of bikes can have that. Try and new BB and see what happens.

Brake calipers were on at an angle. The disc was running the plastic edge of the claliper.

Discs were bent and new ones were fitted after lots of complaining.

Bar tape was finally fitted properly after lots of complaining again.

I am going to look at the headset as a source of clicking to start with. BB will be after that if it doesn't work.

Not going anywhere near the shop I bought it from unless it's a major issue like a frame crack of major component failure. I'm sick of them to be honest.

[Dannbodge]

Managed to steal a bargain on eBay this morning.
New Tiagra 4700 compact chainset for £40!

[Zippee]

funkyrobot said:

This bike has been and is still a real pain. Bought it from an utterly useless bike shop (in Peterborough and named after a large local man made reservoir/lake) who after four visits, still didn't have things right on it. When I got it the discs were warped, the handlebar tape was hanging off, the headset was bone dry, the gears were totally fooked, the brake calipers weren't on straight and it makes a horrible clicking noise when pedalling hard. In the end, I gave up with them (they are about 20 miles away) and when I get the time (getting married this weekend), I'm stripping the thing down and attempting to solve the clicking noise myself. I have some old Look Delta pedals on it and the cleats in my shoes started squeaking recently. fking thing!

Annoyingly, I managed to scratch the the tops of the handlebars the other day where the hoods are chunky. Can see the bloody scrapes every time I look at it now.

Edited by funkyrobot on Monday 25th September 21:44

R/Land? The one by the smaller reservoir or the larger one a little further north?
I've had several issues with the smaller one getting some old Hope hydraulics serviced. Wrong seals fitted, next set were pissing oil before I even left the shop (they hadn't even checked they worked before handing back to me).
They are good for parts but service IMHO is diabolical

[yellowjack]

Aldi trip (or three) for me.

I bought a pair of 'Heavy Duty' Overshoes, some chain degreaser (Muc-Off too!) and chain lube, a pack of 4 CO2 cartridges, and some neoprene gloves.

I also grabbed the Cree LED front and rear light set, and a fancy rear light for my son's commute bike.

Sadly not a sniff of the combined rear light/camera at the Blackwater store, and I was there by 10.00 am on the Thursday morning.

For anyone buying the overshoes, I'd advise taking your cycling shoes in and trying the damned things on. I initially picked up the Medium, but then 'went up a size' to large as I have to with most cycling kit. They were so baggy I went back to swap for a medium, but no joy with those either. More like a wellington boot around the leg opening than a snug fitting overshoe. I'm a size 6 shoe, occasionally a 7, but I had to get a Small (size 3 to 5) in the end and they're still not as snug as I'd like. No issues with exchanges though as I made sure to try them on at home BEFORE taking them off the card.

I'm not entirely convinced about the neoprene gloves, as they feel massive around my fingers, and not very dexterous, but the idea of something that ought to keep my hands warm even if they get soaked really did appeal.