jfouellette

Since getting my Silverock minivelo, I’ve had this extra frame. I decided to use some parts I’ve accumulated. The New parts are the tires, handlebar, grips, extender, câbles and friction shifter. Used parts are The dérailleur 7 speed Shimano 105 short cage, Weinmann Zac BMX rim, Shimano free hub, origin 8 v brakes, mudguards, saddle and tube, front wheel, crank and ring (48t), brake levers, square bottom b.

Using a friction shifter is really different than the indexed one. You don’t rely on the number but rather how it feels.

3speedslow

Great idea!

always good to have another one around, unless space is tight. How does it ride with the new parts?

jfouellette

The good thing is that its a smaller size so space is less of a problem. Hum, smaller = more bikes…

I’ve ordered a new combined chain ring and guard from Litepro and an adjustable stem to improve my position. I’m also getting some wobble going downhill. This could be the wheels needing to be balanced. Other than that, it rides well.

GeezyRider 

Are wheel and headset bearings in good adjustment?

RCMoeur 

I used a ZAC on my Bike Friday for a number of years. They're good rims.

jfouellette

I ll look into that. Thanks

jfouellette

The LBS said the wobble was the rear wheel. They will correct that.

Fentuz

How are you getting on with the smooth hound recommissioning?

jfouellette

thanks for asking. I’ve used it regularly this summer and l’m very happy with it. The crack in the seat tube is stable so that seems to be less of a worry.

jfouellette

The LBS balanced the wheel and replaced the rim tape. The wobble is gone, all for ca$20. At that price I should get some of my other wheels looked at.

Fentuz

love it!

did you drill a hole at the bottom of the crack to stop further propagation?

Dockhead

Nice looking bike!

Are you happy with the gear range?

If not, you might consider adding a geared hub.

My bike has the SRAM Dual Drive which combines a 3-speed geared hub with an 8 speed cassette and derailleur. This works really well and gives a huge range of gearing. The Dual Drive is no longer made but I think there are some modern analogues.

jfouellette

The range is fine for my use in an urban area of mostly flat terrain. I have the same Hub made by Sachs, on my Bike Friday. That 3 speed hub replaces a front derailleur system.

jfouellette

I realised my LBS didn’t install the rear wheel correctly. I purchased from him a new old stock 20 inch wheel with a Shimano 7 speed freehub. My red Lombardo minivelo has an OLD of 130 mm, and he pushed the wheel in the rear dropouts without removing one of the spacers of the hub. It was fitted for OLD 135 mm. This was forcing open the rear. I found the tech drawings for the hub and it was designed for 130 or 135 mm by removing a spacer. The LBS didn’t even try to understand this. He just pushed hard! That is incompetence. So, I removed the spacer and the wheel fits perfectly now. Luckily no damage was done. I obviouly question the tech. Knowledge of the owner. Good thing the he recently hired a real bike mechanic.

Fentuz

I did something like that when I 1st built the smooth hood, I got a frog bike wheel because they were 50% the price of the Dahon using the same type of rim and the same hub. I noticed the spacer was for 135 (10mm spacer) and fitter the 5mm spacer from a brahen dahon wheel. It "worked" for a bit but the braking was bit rubbish as the Wheel center was offset by 2.5mm. I took the wheel to a wheelbuilder who redished the wheel properly and the baking is normal now.
That wheel is now on my helios because lighter than dahon kinetix comp wheel.