Recent content by xar1540

Thanks again alfeng. I bought this early 90's Deore LX crankset today on ebay for about $45 including postage. I cheated and sniped in the last 5 seconds with gixen.com. It looks to me to be in almost original condition. I'll need a longer 122.5mm BB to replace my 110mm BB evidently...

I think if you are riding a bike, you must accept the possibility that you will be killed. If you have dependents, i don't think it really fair on them for you to cycle on the road. Conversely, if you drive a car, you must accept the possibility that you could kill. A child could run out...

Thanks again alfeng. You had worried me for a while. I checked the Sugino square taper. It is JIS as is my 73mm W 110mm L BB. The BB may possibly need to be changed to 114 L. Another possible option is to order 2 titanium or stainless alloy chainrings that can be made to order from the US...

I'm looking at replacing my STX triple 22 32 42 175mm crankset soon. It has a 94 BCD (22 ring is ok) so i'm looking for a crank with the more common 110BCD. Is the Sugino XD-600 the only option apart from the low end current model Acera Shimano...

The mistake i've made in buying second hand bikes is getting bikes that are too old to easily get replacement parts for, so I'm the last person you should be getting advice from. That Diamondback has a 8 speed Claris drivetrain which is the lowest Shimano road groupset...

Definitely. When my cheap 10 speed was stolen 35 years ago, I replaced it with a $100 second hand English made Raleigh, complete with Brooks saddle and 10 speed Suntour gearing. That was such a nice bike and an incredible upgrade. It was a pain to replace parts though. The Diamondback gets...

The XT 10 speed chain worked well with just a couple of shifting issues over 200 kms that included a decent mountain range. At the end of one day i rode through a heavy storm that got a little grit on the drivetrain as it does here. Before riding the next day, I cleaned the chain with hose set...

Thank you again alfeng. The bike does ride well. The front shifter is working perfectly and the rear on very odd occasions when under heavy load. I'm working at increasing my cadence which will see me less dependent on the 11 tooth cog and reduce skipping. I'm actually surprised at how much more...

I should have mentioned that mental confusion was after riding in pre monsoonal heat of around 37 C (99 F) and suffering dehydration. In that sort of heat I'm drinking 6-8 litres of water and stopping every 10 kms (6 miles) or so.

Thanks for the reply alfeng. It is the wet season here in Thailand and the roads tend to be filthy with the chain getting gritty very quickly. That dirty chain really does affect the smoothness of the drivetrain, so I try to hose it down at least once a day or more if possible. As I said, I do...

120 kms or 72 miles is about my absolute limit. That is on a MTB with about 15-20 kilos of luggage on flat or low rolling hills, without a headwind. At the end of the ride I'll be exhausted to the point were I'd have trouble thinking properly. I'm 59 now, but 20-30 years ago, I'd do it easily...

I think the old chain was a Shimano CN-HG40.

I have a 1996 Trek MTB that has full STX componentry. I'm cycling through Thailand at the moment and carrying a full load. I had a HG41 7 speed 11-28 cassette and a new chain installed a week ago. It worked well. Around 300 kilometres later i had a bike mechanic fix a clicking sound in the...

I'm probably a rude cyclist in that I'll own the lane when i feel it's necessary and will quite happily take advantage of a driver's hesitation in taking his right of way by not making eye contact. Other cyclists rudeness? Riding too close and fast to pedestrians on shared paths. Moving to the...

Not much negativity at all here in South East Asia. Actually, where I am at the moment in Thailand, there is an apparent decree from the King for his subjects to cycle, in the Bicycle for Dad promotion. The drivers are not very good though. Cycling tourists seem to have a good chance of getting...