Fahrenheit531 

Okay, yeah, mebbe I worded that poorly... it clearly has practical real-world applications.
But I said real-world reference. And the "arcane and traditional" roots -- using the diameter of a single giant wheel as reference point -- is hilarious. And a win for cyclists everywhere, functioning as our secret Masonic handshake.
So I stand by my earlier statement.
VIVA SEMANTICS!

FBinNY 

Yes, on the surface it seems kinda dumb. I agree but then we need to think about what would be better. GI has survived through over a century of chain drive for the simple reason that it works so well in the real world.

Fahrenheit531 

I'd suggest that on the surface is where it makes sense. It's just when you start wondering "what exactly does this number mean" that things get silly.

"Yeah, it's 72 gear inches. Absolutely rocks for my day-to-day."
"But, ummmm, 72 gear inches? What the hell is that?"
"It's means every time I turn the crank I'll go just as far as I would on a Radio Flyer tricycle with a 6-foot front wheel."
"SWEET!"

FBinNY 

While I know and have known for over 50 years what gear inches mean, I never think about that.

I just know from experience what 70 or 100 or 25 gear inches will mean in terms of being a match for conditions, ie. I can climb that hill in a 40" gear, or cruise along all day on my 70" fixed wheel.

So (to me) it's just a useful frame of reference an comparison that conveys all I need to know in one data bit. What it actually means doesn't really matter any more.

TimothyH

I'm thinking of a Wabi Lightning SE and swapping parts between that and my Bianchi Pista.

The Pista has Nitto bar and stem, Dura Ace brakes, Thomson Elite post, Fizik Saddle, SRAM S500 levers and Dura Ace crankset/bottom bracket. That would all go on the Wabi and the parts from the Wabi would go onto the Pista with the idea of selling it. Both have Wabi Sub 15 wheels so I would keep the new set on the Wabi.

The Pista is fun but it doesn't have braze on for bottle cages and the Wabi would be around 17 lb where the Pista is almost 19 lb.

One concern is the note on the Wabi page which says that they will not guarantee that any part will fit other than what they supply with the bike and that they should be called to see if they know of any issues. Both the Wabi and Bianchi have 68 mm BSA bottom bracket shell but chainstay clearance for the DA crankset on the Wabi is a concern and I'll probably give them a call if I do decide to order.

Thoughts or opinions would be welcome.


-Tim-

Carcosa

Although your chrome pista is one of my favorite pista's I've seen, I'd say go for it if you've got the time and money. Better steel, bottle cages and carbon fork would sell me (despite not loving either color).

TejanoTrackie 

That admonition from Wabi about using non-Wabi supplied parts is total bs. As long as a part is compatible with the dimensional specs, it’s gonna be ok.

TimothyH

Jeremy from Wabi replied:
-Tim-

sleepy

I got back an old steel frame that was out in the Sun for a while. Everything is fine, but the aluminum seatpost is stuck, the person who was using it is short, so it's slammed all the way down.
Tips?

REDMASTA

Dissolve it with caustic soda.

wphamilton

Times pi is the distance (inches) that the bike travels during one pedal cycle. Mechanical advantage.

It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with a Big Wheel or whatever, although that's how people understood it. "Back in the day"

Fahrenheit531 

Google "stuck seatpost bikeforums" then look for results from the Classic & Vintage subforum. We deal with stuck posts and stems all the time over there and your options are many.

phobus

I'd start by spraying penetrating fluid around the circumference of the seatpost/seat tube junction and letting it sit overnight.

bonsai171

If you can find a way to cool the seatpost, it should contract slightly and would help too. Maybe wrap it in ice packs.

Dave

TimothyH

An aluminum post in a steel frame is likely corroded. Ammonia will dissolve aluminum oxide corrosion as will Draino. The problem is keeping the parts soaked in the stuff. Bathtub? Plastic tub with the bike hanging upside down from the rafters using ropes? I don't know.

Use an old saddle to twist the post, not a pipe wrench or pliers.

As a last resort, cut the post off and use a compact hacksaw to cut the post in the bore. A coat hanger with the tip bent can be used to determine the depth of the post.

sleepy

I'm taking the frame to my buddy's garage this weekend. Hopefully I won't have to resort to any of those methods. I'd probably end up with the ammonia trick.

bonsai171

If you have a good chunk of seatpost sticking out, you can wrap it in duct tape, then clamp it in a vise. Turn the frame, and you may be able to get it loose.

Dave

bonsai171

Tim,

Have you looked at the BB specs? Wabi uses a 103MM wide BB, and Dura Ace is 109.5MM:

https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...bottom-bracket

If there is a concern about clearance for the crank, the 109.5MM Dura Ace BB will push the crank further from the frame than the 103MM would. Seems like there's a good chance it would work, but would depend on Wabi's frame tolerances.

Dave

seau grateau

BB spindle length is generally determined by the cranks in use, not the frame.

bonsai171

I wasn't asking what BB length to use, but pointed out that the Dura Ace crank will sit further from the frame than Wabi's crank because of the difference in BB width. Tim was asking about frame clearance with the crank.

Dave

TejanoTrackie 

You are confusing the frame bottom bracket with the crank bottom bracket. I’m sure Tim inderstands that Dura Ace crankarms require a different spindle and bearing assembly than say the Andel crankset that comes standard on the Wabi complete.

bonsai171

I was talking about the bb spindle width, not the bb shell on the frame.

Dave

seau grateau

...Right. The Wabi is spec'd with a 103mm bottom bracket because they put Andel cranks on them, not Dura Ace.

bonsai171

Which sits closer to the frame than the Dura Ace one would. That's the point I was making.

Dave

seau grateau

I see what you mean. Nevermind.