all purpose gear thread

I can't even figure out how that would work!

if its what im thinking of, those let you shift gears while coasting right? i remember when i was a kid around 1980 a friend had a panasonic that could do that. when you coasted, the drive train kept rotating. weird.

yea, the chain keeps moving even tho yr pedals don't. it's supa-freaky

dudes, INSOLES

so i bought xc skiing boots yesterday (my ex-racer buddy is hooking me up w/dope skis/bindings/poles) and opted to throw in some superf33t insoles because my dogs are sensitive like that (at least in performance footwear ie my alpine boots). put them in my bike shoes when i got home just because there isn't any snow yet and it was like daaaaaaaaaaaamn

like noticeably affected my pedalstroke and everything---i could feel a mechanical difference in my ~hips~ it was crazy

superfeet are the absolute business but I don't have any for my bike shoes. I should get some.

srsly, i didn't think it'd make much of a difference, but wow

also, i am that dork that wears his bike shoes all day (shut up) and it actually made them totally fine for walking and everything, it was crazy

CRAZY

dudes
ok so i realize that clicking on a freewheel cassette when coasting is normal, but lately when i'm in one particular gear and pedaling there is this excellent "gaga-daga" clicking. so 1. why is this happening? and 2. should i continue to think it's cool or go to the bike stand and fix this mofo?

nobody got any ideas abt this ^^ ??

While pedaling? Trim your derailleurs, and stop riding in gears where the chain has to cross over at an extreme angle.

the angle is not extreme at all. it's the 15 tooth (3rd of 7) sprocket in back and the big one in front.
derailer in back is adjusted fine for the range of motion i need it to do . . .

i think naus is right, your derailler is not indexed properly. if you cant adjust it so it goes away, check the alignment of your derailler hanger. you can sometimes do it by eye, but it can be tricky.

i don't understand. i have no click stops in my shifters which would correspond to the index . . .
i am referring to this
maybe i am not explaining this adequately. the sound kinda reminds me of how a 3-spd clicks at different rates in different gears, but this clicking only happens on the 15 tooth sprocket. other gears are quiet when pedaling. hanger looks straight

Try adjusting the tightness of the derailleur cable - if it's gone a bit slack this usually shows up most obviously in the middle of the cassette.

Otherwise, "gaga-daga" isn't all that helpful so sorry if we can't pinpoint it! Make a recording?

Looking for a recommendation on saddle bags: does it matter which or are they all the same? Does anybody have a preference? Basically looking for something that can hold a spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, 6" adj. wrench, pliers, allen keys, house keys, and phone. It would be nice if it could hold a small pump too, but that's not essential as they can clip to the frame.

I'm looking to do more frequent, longer solo rides, and (esp. with it getting dark before 5 these days), would like to be able to have some confidence that I won't be stranded dozens of miles from home due to something that could have been helped with a basic roadside fix.

got SPDs and some decathlon road shoes for my xmas, woot!!!

kind of makes me wish I had an iPhone

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/12/pedal-brain-12-28-09.jpg

http://en.pedalbrain.com/home

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sidi-Wyoming-shoes-NOS-neon-fluor-46-47-klein-track-80s_W0QQitemZ260521693039QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Men_s_Athletic_Footwear?hash=item3ca84d8f6f

just wow

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/4174560711_6117ebd0cf_o.jpg

ok what workstand do i shot

I built one out of pipes, 2x4s, a PVC t-joint, pop rivets, two hinges, a clasp, and some pipe insulation foam. Works pretty good, cost like $40.

^needs to do this^

how heavy/what tools were required?

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=diy+bikestand&aq=f&aqi=g-sx2g-s1&oq=&fp=c26c79a56c95bda8

2nd hit looks good gbx

Not sure how much it weighs - maybe slightly more than my no-carbon road bike? As for tools I used a hacksaw, drill, rivet gun, and table saw plus the usual screwdrivers, pliers, utility knives, etc.

It's not super portable, but it's not permanently mounted or anything. It lives in my garage so I have room for it, but I'm going to take it into my basement to build up my brand new frame(!) next week and moving around isn't going to be a big deal at all.

As for tools I used a hacksaw, drill, rivet gun, and table saw plus the usual screwdrivers, pliers, utility knives, etc.

no, yes, no, no, yes, no, yes

http://i.imgur.com/vukRM.jpg
spokeless rear wheel dudes; hueg hub

oh shiiiiiiiit I own a workstand

get wrenchin, no more excuses for a non pristine drivetrain

gbx from here on out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ktTXjSqvJc

what about sloth

xp

http://blogmay.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/sloth_in_a_box.jpg
"get wrenchin"

ok, sloth!

I am move to a new level & I'm going to need some apparel, starting w/ shoes. I'm not sure what brand the pedals are, but can you guys tell by looking at them what *type* of shoes would be best & then whatever brand recommendations & such..

lube question: this thing has some dynamite components which, from the close-ups the dude sent me, appear to have been pristinely maintained. Would you guys recommend using White Lightening type lube? I've heard complaints that the cleanliness of that stuff is not worth what some would argue is a sacrifice of optimal performance. Whatever the case, I do not want to be the guy who grungifies this beautiful thing, even as a I ride the fuck out of it.

*about to move to a new level. someday I self edit.

those look like, er, LOOK pedals. you'll need a shoe with the three screw holes on the bottom - most do - and some new cleats. (you can get cleats that give you a little side-to-side movement, or ones that lock you in fixed.)

haitch wears the shimano R086, because a) it doesn't cost a ton, b) it is white, which makes it more PRO.

well, never mind about the pedals b/c ya, they are indeed part of a Look setup & the dude is going to keep them, so I'll need to get a whole set-up, which is prob for the best anyway tbh.

Hunt3r, haven't you said before that you hose down your cross bike and re-treat it with White Lightning?? I dunno, I tried it once for packing a (really old) hub and it wasn't anywhere near thick enough, had to pull apart and re-do. Maybe there are certain things it's good for?

oh no! its for chains only. for hubs/bbs/headsets i use the usual grease, i think its phils. sorry laurel

That makes so much more sense.

Any thoughts on Eggbeater vs. Speedplay pedals? I've narrowed my options down to these, as I am looking for a system in which the shoe is locked onto the pedal, but which also offers more fluid, open foot movement than old school toe-clip pedals.

i didn't like speedplay 'light action' pedals when i had them on my bike - never felt quite locked-in enough. i swapped them off for ultegra SPD-SLs pretty quickly. i think they are not recommended for racing though, so the other models in the speedplay range might lock you down better. they were really easy to get in and out of, though!

I wouldn't race with Eggbeaters, and after 60 miles or so I get hot spot issues, but for shorter rides and commuting they're brilliant.

The CB Candy pedals may be a good compromise though, more support for the foot.

http://outlier.cc/2009/12/winterweight_og_pant.php

pssst you can get these for $100 w/ the code WinterNAHBS

Sold to the overpaid fred in pittsburgh.

while we on the discount code tip:

http://www.rapha.cc/long-sleeve-jersey-09/

SLEEVE10 for 20% discount!

if I ever win the lottery, I will buy a piece of Rapha... maybe a cap.

do you think we should have a "Bike Deals"/Coupon thread? I like to shop off-season for killer dealz. y/n

do it