[RBW] Re: Black hole of mixing Campagnolo and Shimano
I recently did a Shimano/Campy blend on one of my personal bikes that I was selling to a friend on the condition that I could drop in a set of Centaur brifters onto a bike that had a 9-sp Dura Ace drivetrain and bar-end shift levers. Using a Shiftmate adapter, it turned out great, and he says that it shifts better than his other all-Campy bike. There was, however, a moment of doubt when we first got everything hooked up and tried out the Centaur lever. Couldn't get more than 2 or 3 good cog jumps in a row before the shifting would start to fail to hit the mark. My friend had been super careful to source the proper model of the Shiftmate adapter, but the actual unit that he received had absolutely no markings to identify the model number. So, with two engineers standing there looking at a stalled-out experiment, I did what I was trained to do. I took off the Shiftmate, removed the little pulley, turned it around and put the pulley in backwards, reattached the Shiftmate unit, and .. it worked perfect! It seems that a single pulley can produce two complimentary factors on either side of neutral, like multiplying cable pull by 0.95 or 1.05, depending on how it is positioned in the greater Shiftmate housing. It's likely that this was an assembly error at the factory, but putting an identifying mark on the critical component would help the QC function. So yeah, it all worked out great. But, if you have a problem, check that little pulley. Cheers, Tom Matchak Glen, NH On Friday, November 20, 2020 at 2:52:46 PM UTC-5 Damien wrote: > Hey all, hoping to tap your collective knowledge on this topic. I have a > pretty standard Albatross-Riv-Shimano set up on my Sam (Deore RD, Tiagra > FD, 11-36 9 speed cassette with Sugino triple up front, Microshift 9 speed > bar end shifters) and am *exploring *the idea of converting to drop bars > and using 9 speed Campagnolo Centaur shifters (since I love the way these > look and feel), potentially using a JTek Shiftmate 3. > > It sounds simple, but as with most things, I imagine it's not as simple as > it sounds. Before I start getting parts together for this mess, would love > to know if anyone feels strongly about this working well together, not > working well together, or if it's not worth the hassle and I just stick > with my Microshift bar ends on the drops. I figured that it would be nice > to keep the whole upright stem-handlebar-levers-shifters combo in tact if I > want to go back upright, and since I'm changing bar styles, why not > consider another option? > > Anyways, would love all of your thoughts on this, especially if you have > first-hand experience. Thank you all in advance! > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/32058599-29f9-4ff3-92c2-80ec27b07e07n%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Rear derailler hanger threading issues
Wheels Manufacturing makes an insert for replacing stripped derailleur hanger threads. Called a “Dropout Saver” or “Derailleur Hanger Saver”, it is widely available, at about $22 for a pair. You drill out the damaged thread with a 15/32” bit, slip the flanged and threaded insert into the hole from the back side, and attach the derailleur as normally done. Been around forever, works great. Cheers, Tom Matchak -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/390ab7d5-93e5-4ab4-b4cd-58c8456a0d25%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Patch makers
I'll throw in another recommendation for Falls Creek Outfitters. I'd also like to recommend an illustrator if you need help creating the patch's original artwork which will employ the amazing capability of Walter's machinery. For the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, my partner Marianne Borowski worked with illustrator Spencer Hawkes to create the artwork for the suite of logos, stickers and patch. Spencer, who is an avid cyclist, did a fantastic job in capturing the spirit of the project. He also handled the interface with Falls Creek, including a few design enhancements to the samples to make the final product perfect. The XNHAT patch is here. <https://www.flickr.com/photos/34156114@N05/48111260057/in/dateposted-public/> Find Spencer here. <http://www.spencerhawkes.com> I hadn't paid much attention to patch construction before observing this project, and frankly I was kind of blown away by the level of detail that is available from modern (CNC, I presume) embroidery machines. Makes me want to go see one in operation. Good luck with your upcoming project. Cheers, Tom Matchak Glen, NH On Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 9:41:49 PM UTC-5, J Imler wrote: > > I’m interested in having some patches made for a worthy cause. Would > anyone recommend a maker I should consider? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/17f5ff96-a6fa-4568-ab1d-3b316c54eb4b%40googlegroups.com.
[RBW] Re: Berthoud fender installation questions
Hi All, Lots of useful information being traded here. I see that, when trying to squeeze out the last bit of clearance under the fork crown, there's no love for the traditional daruma bolt/nut. I'd like to suggest taking a look at the PlugNut fender mount, which lets you create a flush-mount, centered, female M5 boss in the bottom of the steerer tube. Simple to install, secure, and designed to be compatible with brakes and racks that use the crown's center-mount hole. [image: PlugNut drilled for centermount brake or rack.jpg] The hex head machine bolt and thin washer that are used to attach the fender together create the least protrusion into that precious gap between tire and fender, and you could probably thin out the bolt head if you're so inclined. And, as opposed to the large dimple typically created to work with the daruma's big ole hole cover, the PlugNut works with a small, shallow dimple, which also helps out in the clearance department. The PlugNut is available now in the Velo Lumino web store. (www.velolumino.com) On the product page, you'll find links to an installation video, and to a cool clip of a destructive test showing how secure the PlugNut really is. Thanks for taking a look. Tom Matchak Glen, NH (Disclosure: I have a commercial interest in the PlugNut fender mount.) On Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 9:54:06 AM UTC-4, Lum Gim Fong wrote: > > Thinking of putting Berthouds on the Rambouillet for winter riding. But > have a couple questions. Let me know what you think based on your Berthoud > experiences, please.: > > 1. It is a 650b converted Ram with 42mm tires. Should I use 650b fenders > or 700c since this is a 700c bike frame? I like tons of clearance, so if > the fenders are too far away from tires, that suits me fine. > > 2. How do I pinch these 50mm Berthoud stainless fenders to fit into the > chainstays near the chainstay bridge? I know you can cut or mold aluminum > fenders to do this, but these Bertys are thick stainless. Can they be made > to fit, or are these types un-bendable? > > 3. Maybe I should just go back to 700 x 32c for the Ram and a narrower > fender would fit better? > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: Long(er) fender daruma bolts for basket/rack on Quickbeam
May I suggest that you consider the PlugNut fender mount, in stock now at the Velo Lumino webstore <http://www.velolumino.com/tm-plugnut.html>. This little nugget creates a secure M5 threaded boss inside the steerer tube, which is flush with the underside of the fork crown. It comes with an M5 bolt that is the length for mounting your fender, but you can obtain a longer M5 bolt at your local hardware store if you need to stack other stays (rack or basket) onto that anchor point. While the PlugNut was designed for maximizing tire-to-fender clearance in tight situations, adding a few mm of metal between fender and crown should be fine. In fact, you might be able to swap out the included thick leather washer and add your other stays without needing a longer bolt. >From the Velo Lumino product page, you can download the PlugNut installation instructions, which define the steerer tube conditions that are required for a proper application. Please read this before you purchase the PlugNut. Thanks for reading, and I'd be happy to answer any questions. (Disclosure: I have a commercial interest in the PlugNut fender mount.) Cheers, Tom Matchak Glen, NH USA On Friday, August 10, 2018 at 7:03:08 PM UTC-4, Tully Lanter wrote: > > I've got a gorgeous green Quickbeam sitting on the patio, recently arrived > from a fellow RBW member, ready to roll but for a basket and rack. > > Unfortunately there's just one eyelet front and rear, and mounting > anything to QR axles seems imprudent, if even possible. > > The fenders (Berthoud stainless) are currently in these > <https://www.benscycle.com/honjo-3-allen-key-mounting-daruma---5mm-stay---stainless/fender_part_honjo__707-203_707-203/product> > clever > daruma bolts, which are too short for the basket and rack stays (about 2mm > and 4mm wide, respectively). Longer daruma bolts seem like the most elegant > solution, but may not exist. Anyone know where to look? > > If something like the SKS clips > <https://www.rivbike.com/collections/fenders/products/sks-secu-clips-pair-27009> > were > compatible with Berthoud stays, that might be even better. I considered > good ol' P-clamps but am concerned (paranoid?) about mounting loads where a > frame wasn't quite designed for it. > > Open to other suggestions, of course! > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Introduction - Doug Shaker
Hey Doug, good to see you back in action in the group. Did you ever install that new fork on your Saluki? Tom Matchak Glen, NH -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Mixte frame design question
Yet another way to deal with the alignment of the dropped top tube and the mid-stays. Reynand style mid-stay attachment, no kink, just to swoop. http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/34156114@N05/11348445043/ That's a 60cm frame over 650B wheels. As others have pointed out, that's a pretty high hurdle to step over. Still better, however, than a big leg swing with a stiff hip. Cheers, Tom Matchak -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [RBW] Albas & Thumbies setup
Joe, Regarding the photo of the road lever/porter bar set up, it is just the camera angle that makes the brake lever travel space look cramped. The brake hoods slope down, much like MTB levers on a flat bar, so we are not viewing the plane in which the levers travel. I like a lot of modulation in my brake levers, and I have no problems with this set up. I should mention also that I have used this set up with the Velo-Orange Porter bars. Those bars have a slightly different curvature, which I find to be a little bit more friendly to this kind of set up. Cheers, Tom Matchak Glen, NH -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Albas & Thumbies setup
When I made the switch from drop bars to Albas, I wanted to leave as much bar space as possible available for hand positions. That meant using reverse brake levers and bar-end shifters mounted on Paul Thumbies located out on the curve. http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/34156114@N05/5954025945/ In use, however, I found that I wanted to have my hands on the front curves while climbing or descending. I have replaced the Albatross bars with porter-style handlebars, with road brake levers mounted out front. Once again, this leaves the most room for my hand positions. http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/34156114@N05/9146262436/ Cheers, Tom Matchak Glen, NH -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [RBW] Loving my Atlantis...let me count the ways
I have spent the past couple of seasons searching for an alternative to drop bars. I started with the classics (Albas and Moustache) but found these to be too wide or too convoluted. After lots of experimenting, I finally settled on classic Porteur bars, set up Moustache-style. http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/34156114@N05/9146262436/ I am using both the Grand Bois Elysees bar and the Velo Orange Porteur bar, both in the "flipped" orientation. I have the straight section angled down about 10 deg, and the brake hoods are sloped down to provide the lever location/sweep that feels natural for my hands. There are some very subtle differences between these bars, and I like the curve on the VO model just a tad more, but I am comfortable with either one. Porteur-style bars like these typically are set up with reverse brake levers or MTB levers and some sort of a thumb shifter, all of which limits the available hand positions. But the two models mentioned here take normal road bike brake levers and bar-end shifters, leaving the bar's sweep available for a range of hand positions. I also find that the forward position of the brake levers feels more secure and comfortable on a downhill. Cheers, Tom Matchak Glen, NH -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
Re: [RBW] Betty Foy and Red Brooks
DIY saddle and bar wrap color matching made easy. Why be limited to the colors offered by the saddle makers? http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/34156114@N05/8395437401/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
