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Just changing the pads to
Just changing the pads to Shimano cartridge pads makes a huge difference.
I fixed up my 40 year old
I fixed up my 40 year old Raleigh Record a couple of years ago, and it was remarkably easy. Basically you need to take it apart, clean, degrease and relube everything except the bottom bracket if you can avoid it, as those old cup and cone BBs are hard work best left to the LBS.The bearings were full of old dried up grease which I cleaned out. The original balls were flawless under the magnifying glass so they went back in with new grease. Getting the cones adjusted right is tricky but those old Raleighs had a fixed lock nut which has to go on the right (important). Tighten that cone down onto it and only adjust the left cone.
I chose to replace the rusty rims with new alloy rims, It was a faff rebuilding the wheels but by taking it slowly and carefully I got them round and true to within 1mm which was good enough for me.
The mechs basically needed a dismantle/clean/degrease/lube and then new cables and housings, new tyres and tubes, and a bit of car polish to bring up the paintwork and a bit of metal polish on the chrome.
I ended up with a cheap bike that rides beautifully because of the steel frame and 28c tyres. They’re not common anymore and will start more conversations than any new bike. I kept the downtube shifters too, they add a bit of range to the gearing though you get used to changing less than we do today.
Excuse the indelicate
Excuse the indelicate question, but how much do you weigh?That said, this is equipment failure in normal use and you should get a free replacement. Go back to the dealer and complain loud and clear (but politely).
Excuse the indelicate
Excuse the indelicate question, but how much do you weigh?That said, this is equipment failure in normal use and you should get a free replacement. Go back to the dealer and complain loud and clear (but politely).
Consider the Canyon Roadlite
Consider the Canyon Roadlite or Ultimate AL 9.0 which come with outstanding carbon seatpost and forks and are pretty well as good as aluminium comes at the moment. Note that the Roadlite has a more upright seating position than the Ultimate. There’s usually a handful on Ebay or you could go new from Germany if you prefer. I find mine as comfortable as the Bianchi Infinito over distances – if a little lower at the front.You can keep the Trek for winter/shopping/locking up outside pubs etc.
One thing, the tops are the most rigid part of the bars, the drops are the most flexible because there’s more material to bend between your hand and the stem. I’ve always noticed when I get in the drops the vibration goes and it’s a much calmer overall feeling. Of course, that might put more weight on your wrist unless you have the seat back – which also makes the seat more flexible.
Try Italian online shops.
Try Italian online shops. Most of them seem to have stock.
Anyway, the rim brake model is the one everyone raves about. You don’t _need_ disk brakes.
I notice you haven’t sold any
I notice you haven’t sold any on Ebay yet at the fixed price, so why not start them off at 99p and see where the market prices them. That will give you an idea whether its a good idea or not.An ebay search for “Keep Calm and” shows 696,172 results so as Joemmo says above, you’ve probably missed the market.
I ride 2 1/2 miles to work
I ride 2 1/2 miles to work every day in work clothes. It’s downhill mostly on the way there, that said I usually push the last mile and a half which is flat just for the fun of it. The trick is not to tuck your shirt in on the way in, so it doesn’t get crumpled, and not to ride too hard.On the way home it’s uphill and I go as hard and fast as I can sometimes taking a longer route just for the joy of riding. It doesn’t matter on the way home since the shirt goes in the wash and the trousers on the hanger as soon as I’m inside the door.
But really, if you ride to work the full 9 1/2 miles without pushing it you should be able to do 12-14mph which is about 45 minutes, not an hour, and that’s not even pushing it. Over the winter months you won’t tend to work up a sweat anyway when its colder. You’ll get to enjoy the uphill on the way home as the best gym workout you can get, and it shouldn’t take more than about 35 minutes if you hammer.
Sell it whole, it sounds like
Sell it whole, it sounds like none of the components are really high spec.
A bit of white spirit or
A bit of white spirit or methylated spirits will get the sticky stuff off.
I use the Endura neoprene one
I use the Endura neoprene one over my work shoes with flat pedals on my commuter. Impressed everyone at work, they went out and bought some. About £12 and never going to win a beauty contest but they keep your feet warm and dry.
Be careful, the PX Pro Carbon
Be careful, the PX Pro Carbon is quite a long frame, I followed their sizing and ended up having to sell the frame as it was just too long for me.
Well, a changeover like that
Well, a changeover like that would lose about 500g probably, but you wouldn’t notice unless you’d changed the wheels first. So, what he said.
Yes for 32 you’ll need a GS
Yes for 32 you’ll need a GS rear mech. The SS only goes up to 28t.You could swap out the chainrings for smaller ones, they are interchangeable now.
Bianchi Infinito
Bianchi Infinito CV:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bianchi-Infinito-CV-Shimano-Ultegra-11sp-Compact-Bicicletta-strada-Bianc-Tg-55-/151301211554?pt=Biciclette&hash=item233a4145a2
A few pounds over your budget, but a class leader.