Recent content by bikey :)

Re: Nice build. First time I've ever seen a 3x1 drivetrain as well. Puts me in the mood to build up the 16" one I've had gathering dust for a couple of years, possibly as my first single speed.

Re: Nice build so far. I've got a 16" Lightning frame that's been gathering dust in a cupboard for a couple of years.

Re: A wildcard. Old 8 speed Suntour thumbies work well with a shimano mech on a 9 speed block. Less cable pull per shift. You can get all the gears too.

Re: Re: Depends on the builder. Mine run very straight and true and typically last until the rim walls have worn out.

Re: I've always just used the plucked tone of the spokes and the feel of the tightness of the turned nipples to judge relative tension. Are these devices a significant improvement this technique?

Re: I used to have one of those Reynolds K2 frames. They do ride well.

Re: Wishing I'd snagged this speedhawk for the build off.

Re: Beef drippings. :D

Re: The worst seat clamp I've ever used! The clamp used to slide back on its curved rail under normal use, pitching the nose of the saddle right up. No amount of tightening the 3 mm allen bolt was ever enough to hold it. I even had to replace the clamp assembly after one of the alloy components...

Re: That's a well-executed rebuild. Nice visual coordination and a good selection of classic Suntour.

Re: "You've just picked one up mate." "Well spotted pal. Ew! Bloody owners not cleaning up after their mutts."

Re: The overall cassette spacing is so close between the two brands that you shouldn't have any trouble. I do it the other way round with suntour mechs and shimano compatible cassettes.

Re: Yes. It's possible to repair dents in a rim, up to a point, depending on the size. I use the jaws of a shifting spanner to bend them back into shape.

Re: A real truing stand - very posh! I use the brake blocks as truing guides, with blobs of blue tack stuck on top to gauge roundness. For even tension, just ping the spokes and listen to the tone. :D

They always had the most comprehensive listings in the bike mags and were easy to deal with over the phone, back in the days before the internet was as big, when I was still in the business of upgrading and modernizing my ride, before I went retro.