Show us what you did today, thread

[epicyclo]

You've deliberately damaged two frames just to fit a belt drive. A belt drive that needs to be bought at a predetermined length as they cannot be cut to length for not a huge advantage over the old school chain system which can be cut and adjusted in length. Thats determination and a well padded wallet for you ...

Nah, it's just Magic Arithmetic at work. Simply buy the right combo of belts and cogs, get to work with a hacksaw and drill, and you're away.

No risk to the frames if you do the job right.

As for no advantage, you're probably right. I did this because I wanted to test modern belts to see if they were up to scratch yet. I've been fiddling with belts from way back, starting with V belts on a roadster frame (crap idea ), and synchronous belts from about 1995.

However the side benefit of a clean drivetrain that is silent is pleasant.

I reckon a fully enclosed oilbath chain is the gold standard.

 

[dyna-ti]

I reckon a fully enclosed oilbath chain is the gold standard.

Met an old chap at a bike stand doon the barras at the early bike station stand. He had done just about that. An ex engineer he'd lined the bike(Raleigh i think) with thin hoses to all points regularly being lubed and all fed bat to one small valve where he pumped in the oil. It was pretty remarkable to see and i mind it didnt look too obtrusive.
Looked like he'd kept the paintwork clean with an oily rag as it gave it an old steam engin look

 

[clubby]

Have to say that I'm quite taken with my Alfine 8. Took a few miles to free up in the lower gears but feeling really smooth now. Gear range is a slight compromise, you can have to set it up for either low or high, not both, but between gear jumps aren't too bad.
Tempted by the 11 speed, but have heard it's not as reliable and range isn't extended too much, just smaller jumps.

 

[zigzag]

Do you notice the extra weight out back? I've been Alfine curious for some time...

 

[clubby]

Do you notice the extra weight out back? I've been Alfine curious for some time...

Only when you have to lift the bike over a fence etc, then the bike feels very rear heavy. When riding, it feels like any other normal bike. Complete wheel wise, I reckon it's about the same as my fat bike rear, but there's none of the sluggish gyro effect that it has. I think that's because all the weight is in the hub and not round the edge.

 

[Jamiedyer]

Sounds pretty good Clubby, Ive been curious myself about an Alfine.
If I manage to get my Big Dummy this year I was thinking of setting it up with an Alfine 8.
Interested to hear your thoughts on it as time goes on.

Jamie

 

[dyna-ti]

Alfine curious :?



Today, today whats on today.
Same as ever. Still hawin' and havering. Should it be a 650b build ?, or a 29er, or stick to 26" as theres no new frame/forks/wheels involved.
Need to think
eg Got pair of nice new purple floating rotors 180/160, now i find the Pace carbon fork is limited to 160mm so out shell for another 160 @£45
Buy a 26" pace or go the whole expensive hog and , effectively start the build from scratch.Which could mean a 27.5" pace plus probably a mincy crc special frame
Go the 27 1/2 before ordering the purple pro 4's :? more outlay as ive nice 26" rims here and that means another ton to add.Plus the building.

A horribly expensive process.

Jamies choice - 8 or 11 Something to be said for that, for sure

 

[jonthefish]

Re:

Quiet lately due to knee issue. On the assumption that knee will recover before any other bits pack in or fall off I've started a winter project. Frame from Retrobike (thanks Fritz) and ebay triple butted : ) forks. Intent is to use what other bits I have so far as possible. First mock up tonight.

 

[velomaniac]

Re:

I like the idea of the Alfine hub too but I like the idea of the Falbrook NuVinci hub even more. Any gear you like between the upper and lower stops. An almost CVT style transmission for a bicycle.

 

[clubby]

Re: Re:

Quiet lately due to knee issue. On the assumption that knee will recover before any other bits pack in or fall off I've started a winter project. Frame from Retrobike (thanks Fritz) and ebay triple butted : ) forks. Intent is to use what other bits I have so far as possible. First mock up tonight.

That aluminium? Tubes look quite chunky for steel.
Never owned a Kona, but do find myself searching eBay/gumtree occasionally for them. Missed out on a Lavadome for under £100 last year, it went in minutes.