Slave

One of you lot told me "Image is everything, especially when you lack results." Maybe he subscribes to that theory. His "unusual looks will certainly attract more camera attention than if he was without those hideous face markings. And then again, some dudes just have more money than brains. (At a guesstimate, I'd say that it only takes 5 bucks in his case.)

JB. Cycling can be an ordeal when your equipment needs constant TLC. But, 'tis a labour of love this cycling thing. Spokes don't break all the time, but metal fatigue is something that happens to older geriatric rides like mine. I find that regular periodic maintenance carried out when something does need attention is far better than fixing heaps of things at some future date. One spoke that breaks means that all the others take an extra bit of strain, which in itself is not a problem for a short duration. Longer term problems arise if we don't attend to the problem sooner. I have not broken a spoke in about a year now, but went through a stage where one broke after the other and I ended up replacing quite a few. I guess it helps if you know what tension the things are supposed to be and this will save others from breaking. I guess being as heavy as I am also puts some extra strain on the spokes and since galvanised spokes only have a limited life span, they had reached the end of theirs. No, cycling is not an ordeal, it's when one spends more time fixing than riding that it becomes less fun. Besides, I like to potter about in the garage. Come winter, I'm going to pimp my ride. Total respray, regrease and replace bearings, and get the bike looking cool for my sub 3 attempt at next years 94.7. (At lease if I fail in my effort at this, I'll look good trying.)

I know it's a bit late for the application, but usually a broken spoke or two is not a biggie. You can usually ride a bit if the wheel is not badly buckled and it will not usually create any problems for you. It is however, advisable to replace broken spokes as soon as possible. I have purchased a bunch of extra spokes and replace them as soon as they break, if I am not out on a ride when they do let go. Will normally finish my ride and then do the replacements immediately I get back home. One of the reasons I prefer wheels with loads of spokes. (More even weight distribution).

Mods, can we please put up a poll on which is considered to be the best lube. I ride a roadie so I'd be interested to know the best lube formy ride, and I think one for the MTB types would benefit them. Thanks.

Nope. The bike would get zikked / swiped / jacked /stolen. Well, that's just like my opinion dude.

Once agin JB, thanks for that technically correct explanation. Far more effective than mine.

I changed my headset bearings, facing plates / cups etc a week ago. I used a mallet and chisel to get the facing plate off the fork. It is a very snug fit but I would not say it is "pressed" or "heat shrunk" on. Maken sure that you place the threaded end of the fork on a piece of releatively soft wood to protect the threads when doing this. I found it more tricky getting the new plate on though. Got to be very careful not to damage the new plate. So I inverted the old plate and tapped it into place using same mallet and chisel. Gently off and gently on. Patience is a good thing to have when doing this job. That sorts the bike now caqn anyone help me with the faulty wiring in the riders headset?

Have one of those barber clippers to trim the hair short first and then shave, but as I said, the jury is till in deliberation. Think I might do the shaving trick if I get to be really competitive. Otherwise I will proudly wear the few I have and my claim to fame will be that of a "non-Poser".

Yip, only saw that after I had made the post. Already suggested that it would be cheaper for him to visit his LBS. For those who plan on doing the same thing in future, take note of how you take it all apart and re-fit in the reverse order. Take pics with your phone camera just to be sure and never undo both sides of the cones, locknuts and spacers. One sideis usually enough to get all the bearings out. Be careful of the torque you use when re-assembling and that there is no play on the axle once it is reassembled. Wobbly wheels are not cool.

I have gone through the sameexercisea few times as I usually regrease my hubs, bearing and all that stuff at least once every two years. I am based in Alberton and will help you with the work if you bring me the bike. Otherwise, take it to your local bike shop (LBS) and they will do it for a fee.

Besides some classic comments and a few good guffaws, the jury is till out on the issue of shaving / using hair remover. I have not found a convincing argument one way or the other, so, I'm still foncused. Milky, you're so right, it helps to be prepared for a fall, but we don't plan on it. The skin on the legs, arms etc will grow again but the damage to an expensive toy is just not worth it. With modern meds today, hygiene is not the issue it once was, making shaving a notion of asthetics rather than being practical. (It looks good, chicks dig it etc.) I fell off my boyhood racer and many other bikes more than a few times so pain is no stranger to me. At the time, I recall not being able to tell if it was the pain from my skin being ripped from my legs or if it was the hair being ripped out at the roots. Pain is pain and far better to stay on the bike. Less damage al round. Fortunately, I am not a hairy person and this strangely enough, has nothing to do with testosterone levels. (I understan from some tests I had done many years ago, that mine is slightly above the considered "normal levels".) I will delay the shaving antics until I am more competitive and there is a distinct speed advantage. Pigs will fly over frozen hell before that happens so I'll just be one of the non-shavers. The pros and posers alike can thus relax when they see me line up at the start, safe in the knowledge that I will not be there to take the victory and glory from them. My somewhat hairy legs will slow me down too much.

Milky. When crashing at hi speed, there is so much pain from the tar burn and the skin being ripped off, that I find it difficult to differentiate between the that pain and the releatively smal amount of pain from the hair bing ripped out. I just cant see any logic in that argument. Of course I do stand to be corrected, but I try my damndest to stay on the bike. It's far less painful. Veet subject open: I would liken that to having deep heat rubbed into the rather sensitive area of da boys. Veet subject now closed.

I think I'll give Veet a bash instead of the blades. Maybe after that I'll have legs like the chicka that does the add.

Konfan, I believe that compared to a Brazilian wax, even childbirth is relatively painless. But, what is the relevance t how much leg you shave? (or do you shave the middle leg too?)

Right. If I believe that, I believe the Lions will win the Super 14 next year. Works! It will take some convincing. Oooh eina' date=' it hurts just thinking about that one. It looks gay. I'm a roadie but maybe it's just a phase I'm going through. I think she would look really crappy with hair legs. This is one of the illogical ones I have heard already. Cna't get my mind around this one.

FOFLMFAO at all of ya. Mampara is right, not with my curent bike. Phew, I get to save a few blades and many litres of blood for a while yet.

I'm not yet that serious type cylcist that I am debating whether or not to shave my legs, but I really want to know what the reason / logic is behind this passtime. I have heard several differing explanations, but they all seem illogical.

They come out of the oven, and then they have no hot-spots? Not surprised, the whole dam shoe will be one big hot-spot dude. And then after that heat, nothing will seem like pain any more. I told ya, running is safer.

It was my first one as well. Despite the fact that it was the easiest thing I have ever done, I still managed a DNF. Had to get my butt off the couch and go to church. I never watched a cycling event on TV before 'cause I still don't understand it all. Next year I plan to watch it from my saddle instead.

Turtlek. Now I am foncused. (Not to worry, this is pretty much a permanent state with me and it is very easy to foncuse me.) You put your 2.5 g shoes on, and then you put them in the oven. I think I'm going back to running. It's safer.

Tough break there Turtlek. My cousin, Barry the comedian, was right when he said you okes from Kepmton are tough. Did you seriously pay two-and-a-half gorillas for a pair of shoes you can't even walk in? Helluva marketing campaign they pulled on you.

Why are we all bitchin' about legislation. We should all go green and convert to cycling to work as often as possible anyway. This will help reduce carbon emmissions and ease the traffic problems. Why wait for some dumb politician to come up with other incentives. Our lot are far too stupid to think that far. Would I put my bike on a taxi? NO WAY. That's a sure way to get it destroyed. Those taxis are in such bad condition, I would rather walk than risk my life in one.

I had / have the same problem with my old Peugeot and have seen the problem on a number of other bikesas well. No matter how much toque I used to tighten the bolts, they would just keep on working loose. Other solutions I tried were new crank and bolts (nuts on my bike). Loctite was the only solution (no pun intended) that worked for me. Personally, I think that the bike manufacturers build this fault into the bike so we are forced to buy more spares and contribute to their bottom line. If this is not true, why don't they go back to older systems that actually worked. In the old days, cottar pins did the job and very seldom came loose or gave any problems.