Forum Replies Created
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This is a good instructable
This is a good instructable on building a tool although the Sealey one I linked is probably cheaper and you can stand on the handle if it’s particularly stuck (not an issue in your case).
https://www.instructables.com/Seized-Bottom-Bracket-Removal/
I bought a Calibre Two-Cubed
I bought a Calibre Two-Cubed during lockdown which bore little resemblance to the spec listed on the website and was a lashup of various low-end Shimano MTB drivetrain parts. I guess the average buyer wouldn’t have noticed but I did and they gave me £100 back which made it even better value than it already was.
Looks to be a perfectly good
Looks to be a perfectly good commuter. Voodoo bikes are usually pretty good and well thought out for our riding conditions. Huge clearances, external routing, space for rack and guards, what’s not to like? I had a Bizango for a while which was a great intro to MTB for me.
A couple of things spring to
A couple of things spring to mind.
Firstly, and I’m sure this is the case because you mention pedal direction, the drive side cup tightens anti-clockwise and the NDS conventionally clockwise.
Second, try unscrewing the drive side slightly, does that then let you fully screw in the NDS cup? If so then back out the NDS side a little and tighten both sides alternately. If you happen to have two BB tools then you can do it simultaneously.
Certainly you have the right replacement BB as the dimensions printed on it match. When it comes to square taper to a certain extent the axle length isn’t a factor in whether it will fit – for example fitting a longer axle merely moves the cranks/pedals further apart which can help reduce heel strike on chainstays or simply with comfort/efficiency. That probably accounts for the difference in what you found fitted vs what was listed in the specs by Halfords. It will be down to supply chain issues probably and simply what was available at the time. If the old BB NDS lockring is metal then you can probably use that instead of the nylon/plastic one. I far prefer them as they’re less likely to strip. Getting one of these tools if you’re regularly working on ST BB’s is well worth the reduction in risk of stripping either splines or knuckles.
Go very easy with the nylon
Go very easy with the nylon/plastic lockring on the non drive side, they’re very easy to strip. A square taper BB with a locator pin can help or if the tool you’re using has spanner flats you can clamp the tool through the BB using a wheel quick release.Assuming you’re running
Assuming you’re running Shimano bear in mind they make the 1x specific FC-RX810-1 chainset which might help with chain retention. It’s 11sp and Ultegra-level in the lineup. 46T or 44T optionsManufacturing defect, send it
Manufacturing defect, send it back for a refund. Could be any number of reasons. Inconvenient but it won’t take long to fix.With the saddle I noticed two
With the saddle I noticed two things – one it really does need the full 11-12Nm of torque applied otherwise it will creak, and two the front adjuster has already rubbed against the inner edge of the cutout. A bit surprised by that, whilst I run my saddle 0.5 degrees nose down I wouldn’t expect it to come into contact with the knurled adjuster.
As to the bar I can’t tell the difference either and I’m usually pretty sensitive to minor cockpit changes. I’m finding it really comfortable, particularly the skinny tops. Noticeably less hand numbness. It hasn’t solved it but it’s better.
Mudguards going on tomorrow.
Well, the Revolt Advanced
Well, the Revolt Advanced gets pretty close to being an N=1 bike.
Swapped it over from the stock Giant wheels and Crosscut knobblies to something lighter and GP4000s and its plenty agile enough for my needs. Back to back test on same route and it was 1.4 mph faster.
I was a bit concerned by the bar (particularly the width) but the backsweep helps there and it doesn’t feel wide. I usually ride 42cm bars but Giant put 44cm on the M/L Revolt. Drops very accessible and noticeably compliant – I ride a lot of cattle grids on my usual circuits so I’m probably better placed than most to notice it. I loved the D-Fuse stuff on my old Defy and it’s better on the Revolt, probably because the shorter seat tube means I’m running with more post exposed.
One thing I’m not a big fan of is the GRX rear mech, it was much more fiddly getting wheels in and out compared to Ultegra 6800 on my old bike. Even with clutch switched off it was hard to get everything lined up. Perhaps Froome has a point! It might must be that I need to learn a new technique, I’m used to working with thru-axles so its not that.
Got some minor position tweaks to make and when funds allow I might swap to my preferred 165mm cranks, but that will mean a whole new BB and chainset. Unfortunately the Praxis cranks are OEM only and spares aren’t available.
As to the point of this thread, the mudguards are on order, hopefully easy to fit.
Clearly marked as paid
Clearly marked as paid promotion/sponsored so what’s the issue? Someone has got to pay for the site.
I’ve decided and bought a ’21
I’ve decided and bought a ’21 Revolt which is nigh on identical in stack and reach to the Defy, only differences being a slacker front end and ~30mm longer chainstays. Should arrive Tuesday. Giant offer a pretty much no quibble returns policy within 30 days so I’ll take advantage of that to test ride it. None of my local dealers still have ’21 models in stock so I couldn’t ride them and I wasn’t interested in the ’22 model because the geo has changed plus there are reports of cracking seat tubes. As far as any bike is a bargain these days it was a bargain – £1900 for a mix of GRX800 & 600 plus GRX400 hydro calipers.
If it proves comfy I’ll get spare wheelset and have one set up for gravel/winter (38mm tyres) and the other for pure road, probably aero carbon and running 32s.
Leaning towards Revolt
Leaning towards Revolt currently, unless a good used Defy comes up. Giant are selling off 2021 models (which have basically identical riding geo to a Defy, just a longer wheelbase) so they’re quite good value. The newer models have a different geo which is oriented to more aggressive riding with the flip chip in the short position. Hopefully be able to get to ride one in the next couple of days to make a decision
5-10% of the purchase price
5-10% of the purchase price of the bike. Probably around £100 minimum for a full day.
Interested to know what the experience is with an LBS or the factory-backed shops (Spesh, Trek, Giant etc). Do they let you leave a deposit and do a long demo ride?
I’m in the market for a Defy or Revolt but I’m between sizes and can’t decide which would best suit my needs. So that’s potentially 4 demo rides and a good three hours of time. Not sure how many LBS are interested in that level of customer service for a bike they’ll only make a few quid on. But it’s essential for me if I’m going to end up spending £3-4k on a new bike. There’s only so much you can determine from geo charts and reviews.
There’s also the element of sales pressure too, and some people might feel awkward about showrooming an LBS or wasting their time.
One of my local hire places does have the Revolt but it’s the ally version so wouldn’t be an exact demo experience. That would cost me £40 for the day.
Probably partnering with manufacturer’s marketing departments would be the way to go – I know road.cc did this pre-COVID a couple of times. It works really well for high-end kit and you could act as a broker for local dealers to ensure they don’t miss out on sales. Effectively you’re offering them pre-sales support.
For example, Zeiss run a hire program for optics (similar cost to mid-range bikes). Hire is free for a short period and for longer periods you get your hire fee back if you make a purchase. They also provide a discount voucher which can be spent with select retailers – I ended up getting a pair of £2k bins for £1600. And I chose Zeiss simply because I could demo them over a weekend for free whereas Swarovski and LEICA only offered that service at local dealer demo days which weren’t happening because COVID.
My LBS also ran demo days for certain brands which clearly they were being paid to do – as it was just Trek and not the other brands they sell.
Whilst you’ve got the space it does feel like it’s quite capital-intensive and you’ll also need mechanical support for the bikes, maybe have a chat with a local hire place to see how much. My local trail centre has about 50 bikes, and two full-time mechanics doing safety checks and adjustments. They flip their fleet every year which is good for finding a bargain.
Capital-wise you’re probably looking at 3 of each bike (S,M,L) or maybe 4 or 5 so you’ve got a couple of each of the common sizes. You could branch out into used bike sales too – there’s definitely an opportunity for a “bike supermarket” type approach. The trade is doing it to a certain extent (e.g cycletrade.com) but that market is ripe for disruption.
Nextdoor is a virulent forum
Nextdoor is a virulent forum for hatred. Twitching curtain dictatorsStill can’t decide whether I
Still can’t decide whether I should go Defy or Revolt! Sensible head says Revolt based on where I live but I really loved my Defy and regret selling it now.
