The Bicycle Thread

[Marmotta]

Don't really see the point in bicycle records if people aren't pedaling. Shows great balls, but not much of a physical feat.

I recently bought this budget bike: http://www.decathlon.fr/btwin-velo-r...d_8306479.html

Problem I'm having is that the front derailleur is really bad or just badly calibrated.

Do you think it's worth adding or changing parts on an entry-level bike or just invest in something more expensive? Hoping to do a Nantes-Exeter ride early next summer (about 280km), but neither me or the bike are in anywhere near good enough shape to do it just yet.

[wod]

Charlesr, you read my mind I was going to post that.

I have a question for you, how's the xt gears on your bike, asking about durability/wear rate?

Marmotta, what is the problem with the front d?railleur?

As you can easily tweak it if it's rubbing the chain or not shifting over the chainrings.

[charlesr]

Btwin is a decent brand, so the bike frame should be ok. As wod says, it should be easy to tweak unless it's bent. However.... Nantes to Exeter! Hardcore.

Recommend XT. Totally worth it. SLX is better value though, but I have no experience of it.

[wod]

Recommend XT. Totally worth it. SLX is better value though, but I have no experience of it.

XT is good but you be better off looking at road bike stuff for a ride that long Shimano 105, tiagra and upwards ultegra.

SLX is decent kit I've used chains and cassettes with good wear rates etc.

Charlesr, why I asked about xt, is the rear xt cassette has gone on my bike Friday night, two large sprockets on the alloy spider came loose, the rivets had sheared off.

Maybe i was unlucky, seems to be happening too much of late.

[speedlolita]

Bump from the past!

Finally getting around to getting a few new bits for my bike. Right now I'm only wanting some grips and some new peddles, on a moderate budget too. Any recommendations of parts and where to buy them?

[charlesr]

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/

Should have something for most budgets. I got my pedals from there, but they were ?115.... But for example El Plastique pedals for ?25.

[speedlolita]

Those pedals look the ticket. Might get some of those in lime green with grips to match.

[kryss]

With the massive overhaul of downtown Calgary and addition of dedicated cycle lanes to several of the main avenues through the core, I may be doing some more cycling soon. I just need to find a cheapish bike that won't set me back a grand.

[speedlolita]

Can't recommend a hybrid enough, been riding mine a year or so now and it has never missed a beat. Thin tyres but a sportier frame than a racing bike.

[Anpanman]

Bump from the past!

Finally getting around to getting a few new bits for my bike. Right now I'm only wanting some grips and some new peddles, on a moderate budget too. Any recommendations of parts and where to buy them?

Nice one, I've just got a new bike. Gone for another Cube.

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/

Should have something for most budgets. I got my pedals from there, but they were ?115.... But for example El Plastique pedals for ?25.

Can recommend this company, I got pedals for the new bike - ?130. Magnesium with Ti axles.
Really quick delivery with free stickers and Haribo sweets!

[speedlolita]

Another thing I need to do is learn to "fix" gears. Mine are out of alignment.

[charlesr]

YouTube will have that covered

[huxley]

Blimey its been ages since I looked at this thread. On the Paris ride it rained for two of the three days! But we made it.
We made just under 10k!
Cheers to all who donated (very late sorry)
I`ll try and get some pictures up soon

[speedlolita]

YouTube will have that covered

That's good to know. Will have a look at the weekend.

Just placed an order for these grips and the El Platique pedals in Lime. Pleased to see free postage when I was doing the transaction.

[charlesr]

Adjusting your gears will be as simple as twisting the adjuster on the gear unit on the bars (or if it's falling off the ends, turning the end stop screws on the derailleur)