What Have You Fettled Today?

[Drzdave58]

Put on a pair of Kenda 26x400 tires like new i got for $5 ea.

 

[annirak]

Substantial cursing as I tried to remove a stuck bolt from the chain stay bridge that was holding in the old mudguards. I eventually cleared it with visegrips. Then I had to work out how to make the rack compatible with the new mudguards, which was far more complex than it should have been.

New mudguards are on now, and it's much nicer not being sprayed in the face with mud.

edit: Also installed spikes on Mrs. Annirak's bike, in anticipation of tonight's freeze. Discovered that the spiked tyres are 30mm and her tubes are 35mm. What a pain. New tubes coming later today...

 

[Andy in Germany]

Currently on the stand.

I think the frame was filled with lead: It's nearly tipped my stand twice.

Plenty more waiting my attention...

 

[annirak]

Had a slow leak yesterday. From the rear tyre, of course. I de-tensioned the belt, disconnected the cable for the hub, dropped the wheel out, got the tyre off, inspected the tube... and couldn't find a puncture. Or a hole. Or anything. I bumped the valve stem and it looked a bit funny. Tried twisting it a little... turns out the blasted removable core had self-loosened! I could have fixed that with half the faff!

 

[DCLane]

Some more work on the DBS Winner:

- New inner and outer gear and brake cables.
- New brake hoods.
- New chain.

Some adjustments to be done in the daylight, then bar tape plus minor other jobs. Photos at that point.

 

[Jameshow]

Not got it yet a Ridgeback rapide 500ex.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17552906...tixoXeJTeO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Anyone know anything about them??

 

[buzz22]

A quick ride last night on my Giant CFR to give the new GP5000's a go- wow. They feel great on the road and are well worth the money.
One issue that reoccurred was with the front derailleur on this bike. I converted to downtube shifters so needed to convert the front derailleur to one with a longer arm.
The female thread in the derailleur was stripped so the cable would not hold tension- hopefully I've fixed it with a 16mm M5 bolt, some washers and a nyloc nut.
Fingers crossed.

Before

After

 

[Andy in Germany]

Finally finished the main work on Middle Son's commute/touring bike. The luggage rack is a temporary affair until a better suited one turns up; I wanted to make sure the lights worked, and the rear light fits onto the rack.

I'm now wondering if the frame is a bit small. I'm 158cm and tend to set the saddle quite high; on the other hand, Middle Son is a bit taller than me.

I'll see what Middle Son thinks when he rides it; I've got a "plan B" if it doesn't work.

I needed to get something from the local DIY store so used that as an excuse for a slightly longer test ride.

 

[DCLane]

Not got it yet a Ridgeback rapide 500ex.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17552906...tixoXeJTeO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Anyone know anything about them??

Not much, but mid 90's and Ridgeback make better frames than people seem to realise; I ride my 400km+ audaxes on a Ridgeback Platinum. I like how the seller's mentioned the parts needed but not *why* the rear derailleur's tied round the quill stem.

Rather than on the 'fettled' page you might get a better response on the 'Vintage & Classic Bikes' section.

Good purchase though; it didn't come up on any of my searches so you must've offered & bought it quickly

 

[Jameshow]

Not much, but mid 90's and Ridgeback make better frames than people seem to realise; I ride my 400km+ audaxes on a Ridgeback Platinum. I like how the seller's mentioned the parts needed but not *why* the rear derailleur's tied round the quill stem.

Rather than on the 'fettled' page you might get a better response on the 'Vintage & Classic Bikes' section.

Good purchase though; it didn't come up on any of my searches so you must've offered & bought it quickly

£40...!👍

 

[Solocle]

£40...!👍

Mine was £60, although it probably could do with some TLC. Just used as a commuter... mostly.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Not got it yet a Ridgeback rapide 500ex.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17552906...tixoXeJTeO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Anyone know anything about them??

This is what happened to 'Rapide' later: Rapide
I bought an RL3 frame maybe 10 years ago to transfer components from my tired 'Blue Ribble' to use as a winter bike.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Steel bars, for when you need that extra power:

Oddly, and contrary to my expectations, the plastic bottom bracket collar came off easily.

 

[DCLane]

This is what happened to 'Rapide' later: Rapide
I bought an RL3 frame maybe 10 years ago to transfer components from my tired 'Blue Ribble' to use as a winter bike.

True. They then re-appeared as a Platinum range in 2020 - with mine being bought from that: I first had a silver one which was bought new, then a blue frameset bought from the Classifieds on here. The Rapide name moved to hybrids, now their Speed range that the Leeds universities offer to staff and students in a rental scheme.

For @Jameshow 's benefit they're capable bikes. This is mine in post-LEL spec after both brake calipers and a bottle cage broke on the event - with new bling Velo Orange brake calipers and bottle cages in polished alumnium. It'll be seen (hopefully) on various audaxes this year.

Anyway, that's all off-topic but should provide some fettling opportunities; hybrid, winter bike, commuter - which mine was originally, or long-distance event bike: it's capable of the lot.

 

[Sallar55]

Yesterday front brake lever was spongy, run new fluid thro better now, Magura is temperamental for bleeding compared to the Shimano XT stuff.