Introducing my new Club Tour

[Slammin Sammy]

Congratulations, Chris! Your CT looks great. Building your own bike is a very satisfying experience.

My Trek 520 is green with fine metallic gold flakes and gold lettering. I've gussied it up with gold cages, a honey B17 and bar tape. It looks too good to sell, even though it's now surplus to requirements (Attila the Nomad now takes pride of place). I run it out occasionally, as it's a beautiful and smooth bike.

I'm also using Marathon Supremes (700c x 35) on the Trek (Duremes on the Nomad), and they are superb!

Happy Riding!
Sam

[FrogPrince]

Just got in from a very wet ride. I find it very difficult to start off a ride in the rain but if the rain starts when I'm out so be it. We are having lots of floods here in the South West UK at the moment. The people complain but my New Raven doesn't seem to mind a bit. 

[jags]

 Me to just in from a very tough 20 miles, tough because i'm not doing to much cycling these days.  cant really blame the weather as i meet loads of cyclists when i'm out in the car.
the weather is wet and windy lotes of flooded roads.anyway i'm all fed and watered now feel good so now to put feet up and watch an auld cowboy on tv 

mudguards are great   

[Chris M]

Seems we all have the dreaded rain at the moment...

nztony; good luck with the Nomad and hopefully you'll get a few dry days soon.

Slammin Sammy; thanks mate and you're right; there's definitely a sense of satisfaction to be had by building your own bike up. I'm also keeping my old Trek 7.3FX and will build it back up with the original 8 speed parts that came with it. I only had about 500 miles on it before converting to XT so it should be as good as new although I may need new wheels.

Well, the rain finally stopped and I managed to get out for a test run just to make sure everything was running ok:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/424524483

I need to get it on the stand again tomorrow, the front mudguard has a very slight rub that is only heard when on the bike. I also need to look at the bottom bracket/cranks/pedals, there's something not right in that area; a slight creak and 'gritty' feel through the pedals. It's a new Hope Stainless bottom bracket and new Nuke Proof flat pedals. I think it may be the crank bolts as I only tightened them to 12Nm, the bottom of the suggested 12-15Nm. Nothing I'm too concerned with anyway.

Here's the bike enjoying a rest outside The Tower of London while I'd stopped to see if I could adjust the mudguard:

[Danneaux]

...the front mudguard has a very slight rub that is only heard when on the bike.

Hi Chris!

I notice you used the bottom boss to attach the front mudguard stays using the SecuClip. If the rubbing problem persists, you may wish to try attaching it to the next boss up, where Thorn do theirs. This will shorten the length of the stay and stiffen the 'guard considerably, especially on a bike with 700C wheels, which are larger in diameter than 26in. You would of course need to trim the excess length of stay.

An added advantage of the upper mount (especially if the SecuClip is not used) is the radius of the stay/'guard is greater than the radius of the wheel. This means if wet leaves or other debris jam the tire/guard, the 'guard will try to rotate in an arc that takes it away from the tire.

If the stays are attached at the lower point, any jamming will cause the 'guard to rotate forward and draw it down into the tire, making the jamming worse. The SecuClips will allow the stays to pop loose in any event, but using the upper mount would allow you to safely do away with them, resulting in an even stiffer mount and while still preventing a jam-stop.

The photos below show the difference and reasons why on one of my bikes that is closest to your Club Tour in design, with red lines standing in for the stays, "sized" properly for each mounting point.

Hope this helps. So glad you got out for a ride on your wonderful new bike!

All the best,

Dan.

[Chris M]

Thanks for that Dan, it does look a lot safer that way. Hopefully I'll have it all sorted tomorrow and will change the stay position to the upper boss. I'm assuming the SecuClip just pulls off the stay? My mudguards came with them already fitted. I already had to trim the stays as there was quite a bit sticking through; Dremel to the rescue!

Chris

[Danneaux]

I'm assuming the SecuClip just pulls off the stay?

Yep! Fortunately, the stay is in one piece.

You've done a terrific job on the build, Chris; much-admired by me.

Best,

Dan.

[Chris M]

Yep! Fortunately, the stay is in one piece.

You've done a terrific job on the build, Chris; much-admired by me.

Best,

Dan.

Thank you kindly, Sir.

[Chris M]

Well, the mudguard stays have been adjusted and mounted to the upper boss, I've cut the stays down but left a bit extra just in case it's needed. A ride around the block and they seem fine now. I'll get the dremel out again next weekend and tidy up the ends a bit.

I was still getting the noise from the pedal area despite tightening the cranks and pedals. Back on the stand, I removed everything and nipped the bottom bracket up a touch more. Another ride around the block and the noise was still there, I'm getting worried now. On the way back I changed to the largest chainring and everything ran smooth, down to the bottom chainring and still no problems. Putting it back onto the middle chainring and the noise is back...don't know how I missed it last night but the inner side of the cage is rubbing slightly on the chain, but only on the middle chainring. I put it back onto the largest chainring and went for a spin around Regents Park...can't believe how smooth the bike feels. I can only describe it as having driven an old van for years and then changing to a top end car. I came home with a smile just enjoying the feeling.

I'll have to fiddle with the front derailleur on the way to work tomorrow but at least I know it's nothing to be concerned about. Happy days!

Chris

[jags]

CHRIS I WOULD LAY A POUND TO A PENNY THAT CLICKING IS COMING FROM BOTTOM BRACKER BEARINGS.on my sherpa i had the same set up but i got the b/b faced beore fitting outer bearings never had a problem, but on my look kx light i went throgh 3 sets of bearings so check them out.
i could be wrong usually am but no harm checking.

[Chris M]

Cheers jags, I'll have a look at the front derailleur and if the noise still persists will go back to the BB. It's a new Hope stainless BB so wouldn't expect it to be faulty. I had the frame BB faced by SJS before they sent it out, if it is the BB it has to be something I've done wrong though not sure what as I pre-loaded the bearings correctly and have checked them again today.

Thanks mate.

Chris

[jags]

 ;)no worries good hunting.

[phopwood]

Looks good Chris, there is something very satisfying about your own personal build.  You know and are responsible for every inch, and if it goes wrong you can fix it.  You should be proud.

Just out if interest how did you cut the mud guard stays, mine still need cutting back after 15 month  .

All the best.
Peter

[Chris M]

Looks good Chris, there is something very satisfying about your own personal build.  You know and are responsible for every inch, and if it goes wrong you can fix it.  You should be proud.

Just out if interest how did you cut the mud guard stays, mine still need cutting back after 15 month  .

All the best.
Peter

Thanks Peter, you're right about feeling satisfied by building your own, I learned quite a bit too which has to be a good thing.
I cut the mud guard stays with a Dremel 3000 using a SpeedClic cutting disc:

http://www.dremeleurope.com/gb/en/ocs/product/6076/349/dremel%C2%AE-ez-speedclic:-cutting-wheels/dremel%C2%AE-ez-speedclic:-metal-cutting-wheels-5-pack.

Hope that helps.

Chris

[sg37409]

I cut mine with a dermel too, it can melt the mudguard a wee bit.