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The Cycling Chat Thread

If a bicycle chain is REALLY knackered, how would it be if I lubricated it with grease ? :hmm:

Actually I think it may not last my few remaining weeks of commuting.
I certainly wouldn't risk it on a long run ...

I think it may be a cue to replace the derailleur too - then at least I will have a spare.
I have chain and cassette, just need to locate a 38 tooth middle sprocket - I may have to settle for a 36 ...:hmm:
 
gentlegreen said:
If a bicycle chain is REALLY knackered, how would it be if I lubricated it with grease ? :hmm:

Actually I think it may not last my few remaining weeks of commuting.
I certainly wouldn't risk it on a long run ...

I think it may be a cue to replace the derailleur too - then at least I will have a spare.
I have chain and cassette, just need to locate a 38 tooth middle sprocket - I may have to settle for a 36 ...:hmm:
Click to expand...
Is it a 4-arm chainring? They are only available in 36t now (Shimano ones anyway).
Grease is for bearings and seatposts. Don't use it on your chain, it'll just pick up dirt and the whole thing will be crunchy and awful.
 
weepiper said:
Is it a 4-arm chainring? They are only available in 36t now (Shimano ones anyway).
Grease is for bearings and seatposts. Don't use it on your chain, it'll just pick up dirt and the whole thing will be crunchy and awful.
Click to expand...
It's already awful :D
I used to have a can of linklyfe from when I owned motorcycles ... :hmm:
 
gentlegreen said:
It's already awful :D
I used to have a can of linklyfe from when I owned motorcycles ... :hmm:
Click to expand...

Awful how though? I mean why not just give it a clean and put some chain lube on it. Grease and other heavy lubes are really worse than nothing in many ways, all you're doing is making a nice abrasive paste.

Oh and for derailleur you could just get some new jockey wheels.
 
Cid said:
Awful how though? I mean why not just give it a clean and put some chain lube on it. Grease and other heavy lubes are really worse than nothing in many ways, all you're doing is making a nice abrasive paste.

Oh and for derailleur you could just get some new jockey wheels.
Click to expand...
I give it a good clean every 100 miles.
I've lost track how many miles I've done on the chain and cassette as it covers illness in 2018 and 2019 and this year's lockdown.... But it's only the pain of getting stuff delivered at the moment that's made me put up with it so long.
I think it skipped a couple of teeth today.
I've considered investing in ceramic jockeys, but SRAM X4 is basically consumables.
 
gentlegreen said:
I give it a good clean every 100 miles.
I've lost track how many miles I've done on the chain and cassette as it covers illness in 2018 and 2019 and this year's lockdown.... But it's only the pain of getting stuff delivered at the moment that's made me put up with it so long.
I think it skipped a couple of teeth today.
I've considered investing in ceramic jockeys, but SRAM X4 is basically consumables.
Click to expand...

From what I read the consensus on ceramic jockeys is 'basically pointless' anyway. The durability advantage is massively oversold because, sure, ceramic bearings done well in the right application, great. But done inconsistently and using a steel race, not so much. Then there are touted gains from engineering tolerances and sphericalness... Very, very marginal and debatable whether they apply at all given the low speeds and lubrication of bike components.

Yeah I can see how at £20 X4 you may as well just swap out. Can't you just order a derailleur and chain? Haven't noticed any problems with deliveries, although some bike parts can be thin on the ground.
 
Kind of want some Hope jockey wheels now... :oops:

49794-00-d-80331.jpg
 
DownwardDog said:
Worse.

I'll probably regret asking this but why don't you buy a new chain?
Click to expand...
I have a couple knocking about - and cassettes - it's the lack of a replacement middle chainwheel that's slowed me down - that and it not being easy to receive deliveries at work or at home - I'll see if I can get a new chainwheel and derailleur delivered to the local mags bags and fags ( ...and vapes and fake cannabis buds) ....

It was telling that when I transferred all the gubbins to my new frame, I felt obliged to take a link out !
It really is more suitable for a bath plug now ...
 
Bike club bikes for kids just got here. I've only had a chance to look at the tadpole which was a reconditioned bike and not very impressed at all. They've touched up the orange paint job in a different shade of orange, the bell is fucked up so it can't be rung but the spring's all stretched so he could hurt his hand playing with it, caps are missing off the inner tubes and the headset is really grindy. I'm sure I'll find more wrong later. If I was doing up a bike I'd be ashamed at that. At over 80% of the price of a new bike I'm feeling a bit ripped off. Might send them both back (though kids would probably murder me in my sleep).
 
gentlegreen said:
I have a couple knocking about - and cassettes - it's the lack of a replacement middle chainwheel that's slowed me down - that and it not being easy to receive deliveries at work or at home - I'll see if I can get a new chainwheel and derailleur delivered to the local mags bags and fags ( ...and vapes and fake cannabis buds) ....

It was telling that when I transferred all the gubbins to my new frame, I felt obliged to take a link out !
It really is more suitable for a bath plug now ...
Click to expand...

Just go to a bike shop, buy a new chain and install it. If the fucked one snaps then your pods are going to look a pair of over ripe aubergines.
 
maomao said:
Bike club bikes for kids just got here. I've only had a chance to look at the tadpole which was a reconditioned bike and not very impressed at all. They've touched up the orange paint job in a different shade of orange, the bell is fucked up so it can't be rung but the spring's all stretched so he could hurt his hand playing with it, caps are missing off the inner tubes and the headset is really grindy. I'm sure I'll find more wrong later. If I was doing up a bike I'd be ashamed at that. At over 80% of the price of a new bike I'm feeling a bit ripped off. Might send them both back (though kids would probably murder me in my sleep).
Click to expand...


We went with the brand new one, something like £1 a month more than reconditioned...

Should tell them you're not happy, they'll probably send you brand new replacements.
 
Bahnhof Strasse said:
We went with the brand new one, something like £1 a month more than reconditioned...
Click to expand...
I was just trying to keep the price down slightly and thought there couldn't be much wrong with a balance bike, especially as it's a temporary stage before a pedal bike. Seems like the kid or kids who had it before thrashed the fuck out of it though. I've already had a moan at them and they seem quite helpful, have to take some photos and send to them.
 
my sons discovered my ebike and is borrowing it a lot getting fed up with punctures though gone through 3 inner tubes this month always the rear rather than the front bike grr just slightly more faff as you have to disconnect the motor.
road bike tyres just say no:mad::D
on the plus side made it up to 22mph on the level thats 2 miles over the speed limit
 
likesfish said:
my sons discovered my ebike and is borrowing it a lot getting fed up with punctures though gone through 3 inner tubes this month always the rear rather than the front bike grr just slightly more faff as you have to disconnect the motor.
road bike tyres just say no:mad::D
on the plus side made it up to 22mph on the level thats 2 miles over the speed limit
Click to expand...
Get some better tyres, 2 examples here that I've ridden, might have 1 every 1-2 years in my experience e.g. nail directly in

Commuter bike tyres - specialized Nimbus
Road bike tyres - Panaracer Race D -Evo 4
 
gentlegreen said:
I have a couple knocking about - and cassettes - it's the lack of a replacement middle chainwheel that's slowed me down - that and it not being easy to receive deliveries at work or at home - I'll see if I can get a new chainwheel and derailleur delivered to the local mags bags and fags ( ...and vapes and fake cannabis buds) ....

It was telling that when I transferred all the gubbins to my new frame, I felt obliged to take a link out !
It really is more suitable for a bath plug now ...
Click to expand...
If my recollection of your bathroom photos is correct, a mucky, worn-out bike chain could only improve the ambience :D
 
purves grundy said:
Anyone got some light recommendations? Front & rear for 50 quid or thereabouts... is that reasonable?
Click to expand...
I have these:

www.probikekit.co.uk

Lezyne Connect Smart 1000XL/KTV Smart Light Set

Buy Lezyne Connect Smart 1000XL/KTV Smart Light Set here at ProBikeKit UK - with great prices on bikes, components and clothing, and with free delivery available!
www.probikekit.co.uk www.probikekit.co.uk

Slightly over your budget but they’re good. The smart link feature sounds silly, but only having to press the one button to turn both on, rather than having to fish around under the seat is actually pretty cool. I also use the phone app to have a few different profiles set, one for daylight flash, one for nighttime city roads and one for unlit country lanes. Makes switching between them all a doddle, rather than having to do a myriad of button combinations.
 
I have these:

Cateye EL135 Front and Orb Rear Bike Light Set | Wiggle

Buy your Cateye EL135 Front and Orb Rear Bike Light Set from our Bike Lights range at Wiggle. £20.00. Free delivery available.
www.wiggle.co.uk www.wiggle.co.uk

They're very bright, easy on the batteries and have on/off switches. I have an extra no name back light which cost six quid that I bought because I thought the little cats eye one wouldn't be bright enough on its own but it is.
 
purves grundy said:
Anyone got some light recommendations? Front & rear for 50 quid or thereabouts... is that reasonable?
Click to expand...
I have these two. Last ages, USB chargeable lights are terrible IMHO.

Get Your Wiggle On | Cycle, Run & Outdoor Shop | Wiggle

Prepare to get your Wiggle on. We have the awesome gear you need to cycle, run, hike & swim from the world's leading sports brands. No excuses, LET'S GO!
www.wiggle.co.uk www.wiggle.co.uk

FWE Battery Rear Light - 40 Lumen | Evans Cycles

www.evanscycles.com www.evanscycles.com
 
magneze said:
I have these two. Last ages, USB chargeable lights are terrible IMHO.

Get Your Wiggle On | Cycle, Run & Outdoor Shop | Wiggle

Prepare to get your Wiggle on. We have the awesome gear you need to cycle, run, hike & swim from the world's leading sports brands. No excuses, LET'S GO!
www.wiggle.co.uk www.wiggle.co.uk

FWE Battery Rear Light - 40 Lumen | Evans Cycles

www.evanscycles.com www.evanscycles.com
Click to expand...


Not for bikes, but my dog walking torch is usb rechargeable and is so bright you can blind people with it. How would the way in which you get the electricity in to the battery relevant to how the torch works?
 
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