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Search: Posts Made By: Retro Grouch
Showing results 1 to 50 of 349
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09-04-22, 02:18 PM
Replies: 47
Views: 1,689
Posted By Retro Grouch

What counts as a bike? If you have all of...

What counts as a bike?

If you have all of the components but they aren't assembled, is that a bike? If it just hangs in a garag but never gets ridden, is that a bike? If you have everything...
09-04-22, 10:31 AM
Replies: 38
Views: 1,627
Posted By Retro Grouch

1. Tell your son to get a genuine Shimano or...

1. Tell your son to get a genuine Shimano or Campy quick release. The aftermarket quick releases that have the mechanism obviously exposed don't grab nearly as tightly.
2. To tighten a QR hold...
07-02-22, 01:39 PM
Replies: 134
Views: 7,360
Posted By Retro Grouch

I've had several individuals tell me that I...

I've had several individuals tell me that I should get off of the road while it was copulating.
05-23-22, 10:31 AM
Replies: 12
Views: 807
Posted By Retro Grouch

Fenders protect you from tire splatter. ...

Fenders protect you from tire splatter. Mudguards protect you from tyre splatter.
04-17-22, 02:21 PM
Replies: 17
Views: 1,136
Posted By Retro Grouch

My general advice for new riders is to ride any...

My general advice for new riders is to ride any bike around for a while to see what they love and what they would change about it.

I suspect that same advice would apply to you. Ride to work...
04-15-22, 06:33 PM
Replies: 40
Views: 1,729
Posted By Retro Grouch

GoJo. Get the kind without the pumace if you can...

GoJo. Get the kind without the pumace if you can find it. Simply slather it on and hose it off. Takes about as long to do as I spent typing this.
03-30-22, 10:47 AM
Replies: 8
Views: 824
Posted By Retro Grouch

Don't expect an aftermarket set of fenders to fit...

Don't expect an aftermarket set of fenders to fit without modification.

When I had my shop I eventually reached the point of pricing aftermarket fender installations on a time and materials basis....
03-29-22, 07:41 AM
Replies: 34
Views: 2,075
Posted By Retro Grouch

I don't think you should overthink this. What do...

I don't think you should overthink this. What do you think reasonable for people to expect from you? Don't think you have to provide services that you aren't experienced in providing.

"First,...
03-25-22, 07:49 AM
Replies: 22
Views: 890
Posted By Retro Grouch

At the end of the day there's this: You have no...

At the end of the day there's this: You have no obligation to make him happy. He earns his living by making you happy.

That's what he's already tried to do. He tried to make you happy by...
02-27-22, 09:01 AM
Replies: 177
Views: 6,554
Posted By Retro Grouch

My regular response to any cyclist on the side of...

My regular response to any cyclist on the side of the road is to ask if they have everything they need.

I've been on the opposite side of the fence too. Ten years ago, while I was laying on a...
11-28-21, 02:25 PM
Replies: 74
Views: 4,173
Posted By Retro Grouch

Rolling resistance is real, but it's easy to...

Rolling resistance is real, but it's easy to overstate it's importance. Once you get over about 15 MPH, aero drag is what is holding you back more than everything else combined. If you want to go...
11-23-21, 01:58 PM
Replies: 19
Views: 1,717
Posted By Retro Grouch

I use a milk crate. Holds everything and is...

I use a milk crate. Holds everything and is nicely ventillated.
11-12-21, 04:16 PM
Replies: 31
Views: 2,570
Posted By Retro Grouch

I had some bikes that I had a sentimental...

I had some bikes that I had a sentimental attachment to. I couldn't stand the thought of haggling with some yahoo over the value of a piece of my life. Ultimately I donated mine to a group who...
11-11-21, 09:11 AM
Replies: 27
Views: 1,911
Posted By Retro Grouch

The last time that I broke a chain while on the...

The last time that I broke a chain while on the trail I discovered my Park chain breaker had lost it's pin. I lowered my saddle and "flintstoned" four miles back to my car.
10-29-21, 03:24 PM
Replies: 38
Views: 1,527
Posted By Retro Grouch

Assuming everything else is equal ......never...

Assuming everything else is equal ......never mind.
10-12-21, 09:47 AM
Replies: 88
Views: 7,916
Posted By Retro Grouch

An interesting question: We live in a digital...

An interesting question: We live in a digital world in which an ordinary guy can measure things like drive train drag with pretty good accuracy. Once you can measure it, there are always going to...
10-12-21, 09:11 AM
Replies: 29
Views: 1,497
Posted By Retro Grouch

Sometimes I feel like the last analogue guy who's...

Sometimes I feel like the last analogue guy who's been trapped in a digital world.

Every bike has 3 weights:
What the manufacturer says that it weighs.
What the owner thinks that it weighs....
10-08-21, 03:31 PM
Replies: 22
Views: 1,136
Posted By Retro Grouch

I've told my kids that boring is under...

I've told my kids that boring is under appreciated. It means that you don't have any badness staring you in the face.

Could it be that your 750 is just so perfectly balanced that nothing stands...
10-04-21, 08:19 AM
Replies: 26
Views: 1,766
Posted By Retro Grouch

There is no puncture proof. There is only...

There is no puncture proof. There is only puncture resistant. There are basically two kinds of puncture resistant materials that are commonly used in bicycle tires.

The first is a woven fabric...
10-03-21, 08:40 AM
Replies: 11
Views: 916
Posted By Retro Grouch

The trick is that you have to adjust the brakes...

The trick is that you have to adjust the brakes all the way down onto the rim brakeing surface. If the brake pads touch your tire, even a little bit, you are asking for a blow out.
09-26-21, 10:00 AM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,437
Posted By Retro Grouch

My trick is to loosen every single nipple until...

My trick is to loosen every single nipple until just 1 thread is showing. Then I gradually bring the wheel into tension by tightening every nipple by the same number of turns - maybe 2 turns at the...
09-20-21, 07:45 AM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,703
Posted By Retro Grouch

I'm not sure what exactly you are looking for,...

I'm not sure what exactly you are looking for, but there are a lot of vinyl sign companies that specialize in truck and store window lettering. They are able to scan and make vinyl stick on images. ...
09-14-21, 06:45 PM
Replies: 79
Views: 4,338
Posted By Retro Grouch

You're probably asking the wrong question. When...

You're probably asking the wrong question. When engineers talk about the strength of materials, they usually are referring to "tensile strength". Think about a weight hanging from a solid rod with...
09-14-21, 01:30 PM
Replies: 268
Views: 10,909
Posted By Retro Grouch

Some people are able to ride with a light heart,...

Some people are able to ride with a light heart, some ride burdened with worry, anxiety and an ever increasing load of tools and spare parts.

Some of my happiest bicycling memories date from the...
09-12-21, 08:07 PM
Replies: 28
Views: 2,074
Posted By Retro Grouch

You need to identify the cause of your punctures...

You need to identify the cause of your punctures and eliminate that cause. A common cause is tiny wires from radial ply tires. Those tiny little wires can be hard to find and, even once found, can be...
09-06-21, 02:48 PM
Replies: 14
Views: 1,272
Posted By Retro Grouch

Would that be "Pie are Square"?

Would that be "Pie are Square"?
09-05-21, 12:56 AM
Replies: 207
Views: 10,792
Posted By Retro Grouch

It matters. Bicycling is a tribal sport. For...

It matters. Bicycling is a tribal sport. For such a simple activity, there seems to be a very large number of tribal variations. The clothes that you choose to wear tell the rest of us to which...
09-04-21, 09:44 AM
Replies: 6
Views: 1,116
Posted By Retro Grouch

I once worked in a shop where somebody ( probably...

I once worked in a shop where somebody ( probably while taking inventory) combined containers of 14 Gauge and 15 Gauge nipples. It's good that I never found out exactly who did that.
09-04-21, 09:22 AM
Replies: 7
Views: 536
Posted By Retro Grouch

Off topic but I have a question about how you...

Off topic but I have a question about how you choose which parts bin part to use:

The "sock drawer" theory is to take the most worn but still serviceable part to use it up. Otherwise it stays in...
08-21-21, 12:48 PM
Replies: 21
Views: 939
Posted By Retro Grouch

I made one a lot like JoeTBM's about 25 years...

I made one a lot like JoeTBM's about 25 years ago. I cut the Schrader inflator off at the hose and clamped a Silca Presta chuck in it's place. I don't remember what it cost me, but it was way less...
08-06-21, 05:18 AM
Replies: 59
Views: 2,932
Posted By Retro Grouch

Actually, I've heard that "ssssss" sound while...

Actually, I've heard that "ssssss" sound while rolling my bike into the garage. It was a bitter/ sweet feeling.
08-01-21, 03:32 PM
Replies: 8
Views: 928
Posted By Retro Grouch

Any rear shifting problem that doesn't respond to...

Any rear shifting problem that doesn't respond to cable tension adjustments, the first thing I check is derailleur hanger alignment. Most times, that's the problem.
08-01-21, 11:44 AM
Replies: 6
Views: 538
Posted By Retro Grouch

In my experience the cause of a sidewall bulge...

In my experience the cause of a sidewall bulge has always been cut tire cords. I used to use Gatorskin tires all the time because I valued their puncture resistance. I rarely wore one out, however,...
07-24-21, 11:36 AM
Replies: 57
Views: 5,601
Posted By Retro Grouch

The break even point is around 15 MPH. That's...

The break even point is around 15 MPH. That's the speed at which aero drag passes all other factors combined that are typically holding you back. As you accelerate beyond 15 MPH, aero drag becomes...
07-20-21, 02:24 PM
Replies: 30
Views: 1,766
Posted By Retro Grouch

I used to take two sweat bands with me. One to...

I used to take two sweat bands with me. One to wear and one to hang out to dry on my handlebar.

I have found the ultimate solution but you might not want to hear it. Since I started riding...
07-19-21, 03:37 PM
Replies: 5
Views: 623
Posted By Retro Grouch

What kind of hair spray did you use? I've always...

What kind of hair spray did you use? I've always used AquaNet and never had a problem. I've been told that cheaper hair sprays were more effective and AquaNet was the cheapest I could find.

That...
06-27-21, 12:49 PM
Replies: 28
Views: 2,523
Posted By Retro Grouch

What does it look like where the shift cable...

What does it look like where the shift cable attaches to your front derailleur?

Many Shimano front derailleurs have a little finger in the path to where it attaches to the derailleur arm. It's...
06-25-21, 09:26 AM
Replies: 44
Views: 2,812
Posted By Retro Grouch

That's what I think too. There's lots more to it...

That's what I think too. There's lots more to it than just tire width and air pressure.
06-24-21, 08:08 AM
Replies: 56
Views: 4,276
Posted By Retro Grouch

In the end, all that a wheel truing stand does is...

In the end, all that a wheel truing stand does is to provide a stable place to measure from.
06-08-21, 06:43 AM
Replies: 24
Views: 2,598
Posted By Retro Grouch

I guess Mrs. Grouch and I qualify. We're in out...

I guess Mrs. Grouch and I qualify. We're in out upper 70"s and riding Catrikes.

My advice is to visit a recumbent specialty shop and plan on spending at least a half day. There are MANY...
06-02-21, 08:55 PM
Replies: 15
Views: 1,360
Posted By Retro Grouch

Dan Burkhart would be my first choice for any...

Dan Burkhart would be my first choice for any other wheelbuilding advice you find yourself needing too.
05-29-21, 08:47 AM
Replies: 14
Views: 3,193
Posted By Retro Grouch

Ideally you'd like for the spokes to be tangent...

Ideally you'd like for the spokes to be tangent at the hub end and radial at the rim end. Spokes that are too close to radial have been known to pull the rim flanges apart. Spokes that are too...
05-28-21, 02:40 PM
Replies: 13
Views: 864
Posted By Retro Grouch

Good luck with that.

Good luck with that.
05-13-21, 02:57 PM
Replies: 30
Views: 2,354
Posted By Retro Grouch

Which one appeals to you more? Try to negotiate...

Which one appeals to you more? Try to negotiate the price downward and just buy it.

My personal recommendation is to do the least You can to get it rideable and just ride it. The value in owning...
05-12-21, 01:54 PM
Replies: 3
Views: 630
Posted By Retro Grouch

"Perfect" is for people who think digitally. I'm...

"Perfect" is for people who think digitally. I'm more of an analogue kind of guy.

If it was my bike, I'd bolt up what I have, take it out for a ride, and not worry unless I dropped the chain. My...
05-11-21, 08:36 AM
Replies: 5
Views: 464
Posted By Retro Grouch

Doesn't take much of a gap. The way it shows up...

Doesn't take much of a gap. The way it shows up is semi-frequent rim side inner tube punctures. Your new tube may puncture right away but it more likely will wait until you are 30 miles from home.
05-10-21, 02:03 PM
Replies: 31
Views: 2,510
Posted By Retro Grouch

Once you get above around 15 MPH, air drag...

Once you get above around 15 MPH, air drag consumes more power than everything else combined. The faster you go beyond 15 MPH, the more significant air drag becomes. If you want to ride faster,...
05-04-21, 01:49 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 4,663
Posted By Retro Grouch

I've always done it with the heads of the pulling...

I've always done it with the heads of the pulling spokes facing out. I also lace all of the heads out spokes on both sides first because that's much easier.
05-03-21, 01:29 PM
Replies: 54
Views: 23,706
Posted By Retro Grouch

The more confidentally someone answers this...

The more confidentally someone answers this question, the less confidence I'd have in their answer.
05-02-21, 03:45 PM
Replies: 28
Views: 3,334
Posted By Retro Grouch

How thin can you slice the baloney? The...

How thin can you slice the baloney?

The marketing folks at Shimano have the responsibility to extract the maximum amount of money that each bicycle user is willing to spend for every component. ...
Showing results 1 to 50 of 349
 


 
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