Recent content by hamster

Recently I sold an M750 XT one (low band) which was fine for a 50T chainring in terms of the cage curve. Shimano had to build in loads of freedom for seat tube angles. 2T difference is nothing. There is something else wrong.

I'm happily running 44/32/22, with indexed front shifting and Shimano front mechs. I've run 44/29 and currently even 48/32 using a road mech. The only reason I went with road was that it had to be braze-on.

They will work with a huge variety of chainring sizes - I've used them with rings all the way up to 48T. The low-band type seem more tetchy and IME perform worse than high-band types. Set the mech outer cage when extended about 3mm above the large ring and you should be fine.

Wise words from @Tsundere . I would rather Kona finished than hung on as some name-only storebrand like Muddy Fox, These are difficult times for the business, not helped by Private Equity (I worked for a great semiconductor company that was smashed by greedy PE finance). But closures are...

I would replace them all and then true. Use Brass ones (which are plated so look silver) over aluminium ones which are fine until after two winters, when they will seize or fall apart. https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/nipples-spoke-accessories/

100% in agreement - modern MTBs are too niched and sub-specialised. The go-anywhere-do-anything allrounders have gone. That said, I'm puzzled why you then want a Gravel Bike. The geometry is almost identical to a mid-90s MTB so why not just buy one? You will also save a wad of cash.

Too much of a mishmash for me. I would want either: 1. As original, lightly tidied frame with patina and all period bits 2. Restored original, again being heavily faithful to detail (for example waterslide transfers instead of vinyl) 3. Retromod, restored old frame with modern drivetrain...

Also Halson Inversion forks for that matter... This is going the same way as fat bikes: initially they were sold as needing no suspension, the tyres did the job...then they added suspension. So Gravel Bikes were for smoother stuff than MTBs. Then they went to 2" tyres, now they are adding...

Lincoln is basic and nasty. £65 is its value as transport or for use as a boat anchor. Fine to ride daily and lock up at the station but no source of joy. Underrated brands which I think are well worth it are Dawes, Trek, Univega. Dawes especially often used really nice tubesets yet sell for...

Just a tip. For some reason people always take photos of bikes from the left. Take it from the right, this shows all the gears and stuff and allows any prospective buyer to better understand what they are getting.

Closest is Eindhoven or Duesseldorf, but Amsterdam not far either. But it's even better to take the Eurostar to Amsterdam and train - dead easy. If you've never cycled in the NL using the knoppunkt dot-to-dot system then it's a must do. Eurostar aren't taking bikes to Amsterdam at present as the...

Just a warning, a 17.5" Pine Mountain (Marin Sizing) is more like an 18.5".

I think I have the shim.

Pine Mountain, Eldridge and Bear Valley SE were the same. Similarly the Bear Valley and Palisades shared a frame. Below that they had some Hi-Ten or plain gauge tubing, this mix tended to vary over the years.

I've run Tektro R559s for 7 years now, really excellent with Campag Ergos. They even come with decent pads!