The shape of things to come....

[bikeworkshop]

I've just found out that a bike mechanic will be at work in a weeks time and he is carrying out basic servicing with a recommendation report.

It's free to me though I assume the Company are paying. It's also too far for me to cycle to work but would it be wrong of me to book a slot, load my 1950 Bates in the car and tell him that the gear changing isn't very slick on my 4 speed sturmey archer and the brakes are a bit iffy?

I used to do the visiting mechanic thing before charities rushed in as a money- making enterprise.

I would often be recommending the customer spent some money on a decent bike and show how it would work out cheaper in the long run.

Latterly one local bike charity sent a "self- employed" mechanic who didn't know there was a different between a gear and brake cable.
And charged the business £160 for 2 hours...

Before the "Charity Bicycle Goldrush" you might have got an experienced shop mechanic, and it's still possible now, but mostly it's a tyre pumping, chain oiling, brake adjusting exercise, and plenty of commuters need that anyway

 

[bagpuss]

Well I have justed tried to buy a 1 inch threaded headset locally, not a chance .
I realise the demand isn't big for this size anymore. Hey ho , off to the internet.
The nearest was 16 miles away up the busy A6 . No issue normally but I have man flu . So riding up is a none starter.

 

[Glug]

They're also available on Amazon.
Tange Levin is £42 though, and only in 26.4.
But they will deliver.

2 of my ancient Holdsworths now have Tange Levin 27.0.

 

[bikeworkshop]

We carry them in stock, £12 to £40 maybe sell 10 a year, but because the big bristol shops won't have them, our demand is skewed.

 

[pigman]

Well I have justed tried to buy a 1 inch threaded headset locally, not a chance .
I realise the demand isn't big for this size anymore. Hey ho , off to the internet.
The nearest was 16 miles away up the busy A6 . No issue normally but I have man flu . So riding up is a none starter.

I might have some. So you want me to check when I'm home later?
I know for definite I have a Mavic

 

[bagpuss]

Thanks for the offer. The problem is it seems an odd ball size on the old Calton cobra I am fettling. The thread on the steerer is not 24 tpi . I have ran up a old lock nut from my junk box . No idea what it cam off. Maybe it's 26 tpi all very frustrating. I dropped a pm to spokesman to see if he knew ,and he had similar
If midlife, (Shaun) reads this he may know?

 

[Canuk]

I've been making an inventory stock of inch headsets, I'll basically buy anything Campagnolo/Tange/Shimano because stock is better than money! Right!? Luckily I've been able to buy a load of 25.4 headsets locally for between 10-40 euros. I think of it as an investment in my ridiculous 'steel only' future. Same with 9 speed kit. Buy it now, while it's readily available and still relatively cheap.

Because...

You will feel a right berk in 5 years time when you need it, and it is hard to find and 3 times as expensive as you expected. Eventually everything becomes obsolete (I'm already mourning the end of support for windows 10 this October) and if you have no contingency... Tough luck!

 

[bikeworkshop]

Thanks for the offer. The problem is it seems an odd ball size on the old Calton cobra I am fettling. The thread on the steerer is not 24 tpi . I have ran up a old lock nut from my junk box . No idea what it cam off. Maybe it's 26 tpi all very frustrating. I dropped a pm to spokesman to see if he knew ,and he had similar
If midlife, (Shaun) reads this he may know?

When carlton was owned by raleigh they might have used some raleigh steerer threads - might have used some anyway, or the fork is raleigh...

 

[chickendrumsticks]

I've been making an inventory stock of inch headsets, I'll basically buy anything Campagnolo/Tange/Shimano because stock is better than money! Right!? Luckily I've been able to buy a load of 25.4 headsets locally for between 10-40 euros. I think of it as an investment in my ridiculous 'steel only' future. Same with 9 speed kit. Buy it now, while it's readily available and still relatively cheap.

Because...

You will feel a right berk in 5 years time when you need it, and it is hard to find and 3 times as expensive as you expected. Eventually everything becomes obsolete (I'm already"ear mourning the end of support for windows 10!? this October) and if you have no contingency... Tough luck!

Win 10!? Still using 7 despite multiple "warnings".

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Win 10!? Still using 7 despite multiple "warnings".

I'm one of those :right berks"