Tiger,

I have a few of the Bell aluminium cages with a rubber strap that clamps the bottle.
Adjustable for different size bottles.
Bought in the USA, but ot seen here or France.

I would gladly sell one if inetested.

paul.r.davisAThotmail.co.uk

I agree with Tom.

Here is a link to a light-weight solution, but you may cry when you see the price.

http://store.comcycle-usa.com/Cassettes-and-Chains-24130/Cassettes-24131.aspx

PaulD.

I am running 325g Kenda Klimax Lites (1.95″ claimed but never!) on a Ti hardtail, with 83g Maxxis Fly tubes, but not without some pinch-flats on rooty/rough trails.
On a full-susser I am running 465g Kenda Kharisma Lites (truly 1.95″) with 124g tubes and had no pinch-flats.
I have a few 550g Kharisma Lites (2.1″ claimed but unverified) waiting to replace some 1.95″ Nevegals (approx 620g) for summer use.

All of these Kenda Lites seem to be end-of-life models….why?

PaulD.

nickf,

It’s an old DN6 steel frame.

I was told it was a 15″ on the advert, but when I saw it, I knew.

I currently have more seatpost than frame…it looks odd but rides OK.

Seatpost is the nearest thing to some flex/suspension, after the tyres!

I can mail a picture, but not figured out how to add one here.

paul.r.davisAThotmail.co.uk

Mine is under 21lbs.

It is a 13″ Inbred frame that weighs 2,100g with 1,220g forks.
The rest is single-speed with V-brakes and no frills.
Very light saddle, pedals, tyres and tubes.
I did say no frills….there’s plenty of thrills as well as a bone-jarring ride coupled with the uncertainty of V-brakes in the gloop.
Not an all-year-round bike, but something different when I want a change.

PaulD.

Pete,

I have fitted Magura Odin rear shocks in both directions and it made no difference to the functionality.

This was for ease of access and some protection from the filth.

Do not bother with a Lizardskin to protect the shock…it merely stores and hides the mess and corresponding corrosion.

PaulD.

CG,

I use Shimano SPD A515 single-sided on my road bikes.

I have a spare pair you can buy for £10 (or just try out).

They use regular (recessed) SPD cleats.

PaulD

The 3992-13190, 191 and 192 are all OK for Shimano 9-speed mechs.
I personally would not pay the extra for the ceramic bearing models.
I would remove the rubber seal and fully pack them with grease before fitting tho’.

PaulD.

Stanfree,

Just get a £10 pair of BBB jockeys from Dotbike and the job is done.

Under half the Shimano XT price and highly rated….you need to go XTR to get a cartridge bearing Guide Pulley!

http://www.dotbike.com/p/3992

PaulD

Have you considered buying one of these at under £6??

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34653

The 121mm axle would move your chainline out by 4mm (with Deore, LX or XT) which is no problem if running single speed.

PaulD.

RV,

CRC have the LX 9-speed dual control levers at £18 a pair.

Shifting using just the lever is light if your cables are clean.

I would remove the extra thunb pusher to remove any temptation.

PaulD

awesom-o

Get some of the BBB for £15 from;

http://www.dotbike.com/p/3992

These have sealed cartridge bearings which will outlast the SRAM offerings. Bearings usually outlast the composite wheel material.

Shimano below XT has sintered bushes that wear rapidly, XT has a ceramic upper guide bearing with lateral float and a sealed cartridge tension lower. XTR has 2 sealed bearings.

PaulD

CG,

The K-Edge is the device I mentioned to you.
Jon has one and we await his comments/winning recipe.

The new Stickler extension trail in Swinley is truly excellent…I hammered it both ways and look forward to next time (possibly Monday).

PaulD.

Robodan and Captaindanger,

2min to 2min28sec is in the Labyrinth, using the left+left run.

We did ride it in the fast group, but the video does not convey the gradient very well.

PaulD.

Hi there.

YGM.

PaulD.

Mine arrived middle of the week….going on very soon.

PaulD.

Rob,

Thia is the item.

Consider the 34T instead of the 36T to ensure you nail the problem and get better shifting.
You may have to move the front mech down a little, but make sure it does not hit the chainstay.

Price for 34/36T looked the same.

I have a spare used 38T Black Guide Ring which I would sell, but it is not the right one for your situation.

PaulD

Rob,

Sorry for the delay.

The SLX 36T does have ramps and pins, evident on the Shimano Tech Drawings and the Merlin advert.
I think it will pick up same as your current ring.

If you cannot space the rings further apart, then consider an e-13 Guide Ring, which someone on here reckons shifts well enough without the pins and ramps.

PaulD

Rob,

A 34T will alleviate the issue a small amount, but I would look at the chainline and see whether it is possible to move the crankset outboard by 2mm. Otherwise, if there is room, put washers to move the 22T inboard by 1mm.

I would set a 3×9 gearset with the middle to be inline with the 4th largest sprocket, not 5th. I would set a 2×9 with the larger ring inline with sprocket 5, not 6/7 if ‘centralised’.

This is because the lower gears have most torque and need the chain to be as near straight as possible.

PaulD

Phil and CG,

Thanks for providing a group to follow me round Swinley.

We had a super ride and a cracking pace (at times).

Trails were running very well indeed.

Looking forward to the videos….15 minutes of fame, etc.

For those interested, we often ride on Saturday mornings, starting between 0800 and 0900 by mutual arrangement.
Mail me (see profile) if interested.

PaulD

OW,

XT HG93 chain should be fine, unless there is more wear than you know on the cassette. If so, it will simply skip on the worn sprockets with any new chain.

Consider a KMC chain instead of the snap-rivet-link Shimano as the quicklinks are convenient for cleaning and trailside removal.

At least your SRAM chain has only worn out; several friends have had SRAM PG9** chains fail on the trail….dud batch in 2008?

Earlier PC49/59 were all fine chains, without any issues.

You can join a Shimano chain with an SRAM or KMC link, but why buy 2 items?

PaulD.

Sefton,

I have a regular 160mm Hope 6-bolt IS rotor that is 104grams, plus 6x Torx25 bolts @ 2g each.

PaulD

Yet another +1 for the Topeak Hummer/Hexus tool, along with one extra Park Tool tyre lever….polymer will not damage a rim.

I also carry one of these Gerber Vise tools, recently on offer for £10 at Go Outdoors. Pliers and a knife can be very useful.

http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Vise-Mini-Tool-30-000017.php

For longer trips I add the NBT2 cassette removal tool…when you need it…it does the job in the field.

http://www.m-gineering.nl/nbtg.htm

PaulD

Frank,

Have a look at the Token Taper Roller Bearing BB, £25 on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOKEN-Taper-Roller-Bearing-Bottom-Bracket-Cups-/320665429174?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item4aa92624b6

PaulD

Had the Barbieri for 21 years and it is superb.

Worn out 2 sets of brushes (they used to be supplied with 1 spare set) and used petrol, diesel or white spirit mixed with hypoid 90 gear oil in it with no polymer degradation yet.

I pour the solvent/oil mixture into a bottle and leave to settle, then re-use it.

Top kit!

PaulD

I have a Mavic D521 rim which is 585g.

With a Deore M525 hub and plain spokes it weighs a meaty 1,340 grams.

Compare/contrast with WTB LaserLite hub, DB spokes and X317D at 863g.

PaulD.

daveho,

Looks as if you have a normal 9-speed Truvativ 32T behind the bashguard. See link below for specification used.

http://www.all-about-the-home.co.uk/charge-duster-8-2010-mountain-bike-4490-p.asp

This is 104mm BCD, so a regular Shimano Deore steel middle ring is good to go.

Middleburn slickshift hardcoat or Blackspire SuperPro if budget allows it.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5699

PaulD

Phil,

You have me leading the fast group but not on your lower list.

I will be there, no worries.

Did another recce yesterday at 0700 on a hardtail and it was running very well with very few wet patches.
Jump gully should be renamed the velcro test strip but all else was good.

I will recce again a few days before the ride.

PaulD

Ton,

I run 8-speed XTR on 2 hardtails and it is fine for me.
I have 12-32 cassettes (230g) and triple rings.
I am too weak to need a 44 x 11T top gear.
XTR 8-speed cassettes are excellent mudshifters and the chains clog and suck less than 9-speed.

Olly,

I have a Deore M440 and STX MC20 right 8-speed shifters if you are interested.

paul.r.davisAThotmail.co.uk

PaulD here.

Still planning on leading the fast group.

Went for a recce yesterday and all was well, apart from the temporary closures.

Labyrinth left-left is very damaged on the approaches to the berms, but it just slows you down…I was on my rigid SS Inbred and had trouble keeping hold of the bars!

Looking forward to it all immensely.

You can always reach me on paul.r.davisAThotmail.co.uk if necessary…I have not read this thread for many days.

Wallop,

If the bike needs a 68mm BB and you have a 73mm, you can fit it and have an apparent driveside axle length 2.5mm shorter giving a smaller (nearer to centreline) chainline.
If as is mentioned above, the bike needs a generous 115 or 118mm with the correct BB shell, then you will have chainring-frame clearance.
Try it and see.

Shimano triangular T25 bolts and the aluminium bridge-washers properly folded over a flat on the bolt is elegant and secure.
I use copper grease on the bolts and have never had a problem.
Years ago I tried stainless steel Allen bolts and loctite….yet another invention for the ‘Easy-Out’ kit.

Tim,

If the good and bad one are both Shimano it will be fine.

No direct experience or comment if another brand except most of my buddies with SRAM have had the stock lower seize regularly and have replaced them with BBB cartridge bearing ones from dotbike for approx £10.

PaulD

Al,

Have a look at this on the bay…

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/fsa-alpha-drive-mtb-crankset-175mm-isis-drive-/170598985246?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item27b87dee1e

I believe the bare cranks weigh approx 570g (I have a set).

PaulD

Guys,

Try a KMC Z610 Rustbuster at £6 from CRC.

So far it seems excellent on a ‘9-speed’ 32T and ‘SingleSpeed’ 17T.

I have also bought a KMC Z51 for an 8-speed winter bike at £8 from them.

PaulD

Yes….

No problem with a chainring rated for more sprockets than you have, just not always OK going the other way because of chain width.

PaulD

Phil,

I know the place inside out having ridden it intensively for over 10 years.

PaulD

Phil,

I would be happy to lead a fast group for you.

I can think of a couple of guys that would help me with sweeping this group too.

PaulD

Keva,

The dealextreme 900-lumen lamps are fantastic value but always get a bad review from people with vested interests. I have 2 lamps and 3 batteries that are over a year old and work fine.

Also consider one of these for commuting and dark lanes, but not offroad stuff. Runs for over 4 hours on full or nearly forever on strobe on 3xAAA alkalines. Do not use NiMH as capacity and voltage too low.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/flood-to-throw-zooming-cree-p4-wc-3-mode-led-bike-light-with-mount-3-aaa-26800

PaulD