Numpty IM Bike Thread

I hadn't realised that eliptical rings caused knee problems... I've got a very old Specialised Mudhopper mountain bike in the garage (an 80's bike) that has eliptical front rings on it still.  How have the physics been sortout out....  nobody has touched my knees.

unrelated to the above... I am thinking of converting my TT bike to a roadie by changing the bars and brakes/gear levers....  apart from the fact that I am amazed at how expensive some of the components are has anyone else done this?  My TT bike is (a) expensive, (b) fits but (c) is compromising a bad lower back at the moment as I am getting too agressive on the bars (ie back level with the road)!  The plan is that putting drops on it will bring the hand position closer to me (it's already on a very short stem) and therefore give me more options when climbing and more comfort when just cruising.  Thoughts from the experts...

Could you get fitted for a slightly less extreme TT position by raising the front end. Plus whatever needs to be done with saddle height and position.

Component wise - FSA do some cheap alu bars and stems. Tape and cables are cheap; that just leaves the shifters. Try fleabay or Bikeradar classifieds. Good condition Ultegra and DA can go for less than £100 if you have time to find them.

Osymetric chain rings, the ones used by several riders including Wiggins for quite some time now, are not eliptical. They are sort of egg shapped with the corners squared off. According to this pdf they can help you to reduce lactate production and therefore should allow you to get off your bike with fresher legs for the run. I have no personal experience with them though and the front derailleur faffage does look to be a bit of a pain.

44 brings back memories of my first road bike a few years ago. I hadn't ridden in nearly 30 years and back then it was a Mal Rees gents 5 speeder.

Coach Bassos made the appropriate recommendations and I got fitted etc, went to pick the bike up from the LBS, it was on a turbo. I had absolutely no idea how to get on it. That look of utter incredulity on the LBS owners face! But do go clipless 44, it is the way forward, and at least you can tell us your clipless pedal incident tales from time to time.

Spesh Tricross has a 50 front and it is a triple. Not cheap though at around a grand

So is that the Tricross you have ordered? I have the single speed version. Basically bulletproof but I do get a fair bit of toe slap on that version, don't think it applies on the geared one.

Handles nicely and got lovely shallow drops on which I much prefer, comfort wise and aesthetically. And of course, those bar top brakes which are orsum

The toe overlap caught me out when I tried the SS Dustboy*. I guess once your moving properly it is not such an issue, rather than wobbling around a car park on a bike 17ft too big.

Just back from a quick spin around the woods on my home-made fixie MTB. Suicide hub with plenty of locktite 290. Corners were interesting, certainly makes you think!

*Turning circle 15 Nautical miles.

You got it around in 15? Bloody hell, takes me twice that! 

Fixie cornering on MTB LOL

Stanners - generally not, Gear change on aeros, brakes on cow horns. Takes a bit of getting used to - you have to be ready to change position off the aeros to hit the brakes 2 seconds before things go wrong! But its not that hard.

I've heard of poeple having the brake levers modified to control the gears as well - but cant see how you could have the gears on the aeros too - which is where you really need them!

I used to use muc off but it's too expensive. It does smell gorgeous though. I now use Fenwicks FS-1 diluted 1:10. Used neat it is a degreaser. Doesn't smell anywhere near as nice. i think Muc Off does work better but it's a bit of a rip off.

I bought a park tools chain cleaner http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/chain-cleaning-cm-5. This makes cleaning the chain after an off road ride very quick and easy. I just fill it up with the cheapest lemon cleaner i can find in Tesco (Daisy brand) and spin the pedals round. With my MTB I try to clean the chain even if i clean nothing else. 

After that it's a small tiny drop of oil on the inside of the chain at ever roller. Spin the chain a few times in various gears. Wipe off the excess oil.

Congratulations on your new ride!

I cant vouch for the quality of these (i am a total newbie) but evans run these: 

http://www.evanscycles.com/search?query=fix+it&x=0&y=0

Also there is tonnes of stuff on the web. Google Sheldon Brown - he has a ton of great info on how to do stuff. You tube is a good source of info too.