[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[1066familyman]

Good work moto, you've caught on quickly!

Do you reckon someone does a line in bizarre regional kits from far flung parts?

I'd be tempted to shell out on a Nigerian jersey to go with my couple of Nigerian football tops. Not so sure one exists though as every African race result I've ever seen on PCS has never included any Nigerian riders

I might have a look now though nonetheless.

Edit: Should have done my homework before posting. There is a Naija one after all and it isn't half bad



Ghana's one looks the business though!

 

[Motogull]

http://shop.knightsofmobay.com/Mens-Raglan-Jersey_c17.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Nigeria-Flag-Sleeve-Cycling-Jersey/dp/B00EWSDP7G

 

[1066familyman]

http://shop.knightsofmobay.com/Mens-Raglan-Jersey_c17.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Nigeria-Flag-Sleeve-Cycling-Jersey/dp/B00EWSDP7G

Nice one Moto. Saw the first site already but never thought to check Amazon. I like the look of that long sleeved one.

 

[Stat Brother]

Finally got around to picking up Charly Wegelius' - Domestique, book yesterday that SB kindly gave me as a fantasy prize a while back.

Really enjoyable read so far. Will pass it onto 1066 mini(m) next.

Thanks again SB

T'is ok.

As said I thought it was an excellent read.

 

[Hamilton]

If you are looking for a base for the Yorkshire Grand depart then you might be interested in this.

http://annishillfarm.co.uk

It's a nice ride over the hills to the route.

 

[Motogull]

I want to post the other one really.

[tweet]402520666446233600[/tweet]

 

[Stat Brother]

The 'other one' did make me laugh, but Bozza will smack the back of our legs.

 

[Motogull]

Okay, own up.

[tweet]403228912672448513[/tweet]

 

[strings]

Good morrow, Gurus of cycling.

As I have mentioned before, I am currently using a borrowed steed. A 1984 Raleigh Quasar (please don't laugh). When I borrowed the bike off my brother, he mentioned that he only tends to use one gear. I now know why - only two gears actually work. Whilst it isn't my bike, I'm still keen to get my noble steed back up to some sort of working order.

Therefore, I wondered whether you could tell me, how much would you expect to pay at a local bike shop to have the gears re-wired? I can see the problem with the bike - the wires are in all kinds of mess - They aren't even threaded through the correct holes (I'm sure there is a better technical term than holes, but never mind). I don't want to get ripped off, especially considering the age of the bike.

In other news, I will be getting a 'entry level' (I hate that phrase) road bike of my own very soon. I just want to make sure the quasar is in full working condition too!

 

[Motogull]

Get some quotes. That way you'll find out if anyone is over charging. Or have a mooch on youtube, DIY and gain a skill.

 

[Stat Brother]

Obviously its almost impossible to answer.

If I said £20 will do the job you might end up cross, esp if yer man has done x,y,and z, and is only charging you £40 for £50 of work.

As the bike is old and knackered already wouldn't eBay, YouTube and a Phillips screwdriver be the better option.
Nothing to lose, I guarantee its not as difficult as you think, and certainly not as specialised.

 

[1066familyman]

Good morrow, Gurus of cycling.

As I have mentioned before, I am currently using a borrowed steed. A 1984 Raleigh Quasar (please don't laugh). When I borrowed the bike off my brother, he mentioned that he only tends to use one gear. I now know why - only two gears actually work. Whilst it isn't my bike, I'm still keen to get my noble steed back up to some sort of working order.

Therefore, I wondered whether you could tell me, how much would you expect to pay at a local bike shop to have the gears re-wired? I can see the problem with the bike - the wires are in all kinds of mess - They aren't even threaded through the correct holes (I'm sure there is a better technical term than holes, but never mind). I don't want to get ripped off, especially considering the age of the bike.

In other news, I will be getting a 'entry level' (I hate that phrase) road bike of my own very soon. I just want to make sure the quasar is in full working condition too!

Were you to be keeping the bike for the long term I'd definitely say buy the parts, watch some youtube tutorials and do it yourself. Cheapest and most satisfying way of getting your gears sorted, despite the inevitable frustrations you'll get along the way.

However, you'll need new cables and outers and, as I found out, a decent pair of cable cutters (no, a pair of pliers simply won't do the job). You'll have to weigh up whether you can justify the outlay, which will be governed I expect by how much of your own work you intend doing on your new bike. A decent pair of Park cable cutters for example will cost, but you'll have a quality tool for life. And if your local bike shop do the job then they'll probably put new cables on anyway.

I'd be inclined, for now, to go down the tinker with a phillips screwdriver/youtube route and see how many more gears you can get working. Then decide whether to buy new cables and do a proper job, leave it as is, or get the LBS to do it.

Good luck.

 

[strings]

Thanks - I've watched a few videos and had a play with my screwdriver set - I now have 4 gears!! I'll see how it rides before deciding what to do next. The problem with the youtube route, is that the videos feature newer bikes, which appear to have totally different gear selections - my gears are operated by two levers on the frame.

As I said, once I have ridden it on Monday, I'll decide where to go next...

 

[Stat Brother]

Thanks - I've watched a few videos and had a play with my screwdriver set - I now have 4 gears!! I'll see how it rides before deciding what to do next. The problem with the youtube route, is that the videos feature newer bikes, which appear to have totally different gear selections - my gears are operated by two levers on the frame.

As I said, once I have ridden it on Monday, I'll decide where to go next...

I'll pick this up later, but try searching 'downtube gears'.

 

[1066familyman]

Thanks - I've watched a few videos and had a play with my screwdriver set - I now have 4 gears!! I'll see how it rides before deciding what to do next. The problem with the youtube route, is that the videos feature newer bikes, which appear to have totally different gear selections - my gears are operated by two levers on the frame.

As I said, once I have ridden it on Monday, I'll decide where to go next...

Nice work - 2 extra gears already and 3 away pts in the bag for the Albion

 

[Stat Brother]

 

[Stat Brother]

Not a great deal of help, but it's a start.
I don't imagine the cables have been changed for yonks, definitely worth a go.

1066 makes a very good point re cutters.
I struggled something chronic with a good pair of wire cutting pliers.
Only when I popped to Wickes and picked up a £10 pair of 'proper' cutters could I do the job in 30 seconds.

 

[Motogull]

I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I quite liked not getting the synae dirty today, but it wasn't the same. Thought I was taking it easy, but time wise about the same as the last ride out on it 9 months ago. Defo want bar ends to do it again. Suffered with ring and little finger pins and needles for quite a while after the ride.

Keep going strings!

 

[1066familyman]

Not a great deal of help, but it's a start.
I don't imagine the cables have been changed for yonks, definitely worth a go.

1066 makes a very good point re cutters.
I struggled something chronic with a good pair of wire cutting pliers.
Only when I popped to Wickes and picked up a £10 pair of 'proper' cutters could I do the job in 30 seconds.

I searched high and low for some tutorial videos for downtube shifters and all combination there of. Nearest I got was the one you've posted here, which isn't quite what Strings could do with, although I did debate posting it for the music if nothing else.

Quite frankly I'm flabergasted that there appears not to be a single video on youtube dealing with adjusting downtube shifters. There must be millions of older racers still in use worldwide, so you'd think someone would have covered it by now. Unless it really is no different to adjusting modern day gears?

I suppose the principle is exactly the same on the front and rear derailleur adjustment, but getting the new cable tension just right on downtube shifters might be a bit trickier? On the upside, there's only 12 gears to adjust rather than a modern day standard of around 20.

Maybe IL or Pantani can come along and save the day for strings.

 

[strings]

Thanks for all your help so far. Help has come from a somewhat unlikely source, too. My Dad - who rode a similar bike back in the '80s. He has given me a few hints and tips - I'll watch the video from Stat Brother too. The more I think about it, the more I am determined to have a go myself. After all, the gears are already knackered - so it isn't as if I can ruin anything! (famous last words...)