Nick_K wrote:

shmoodiver wrote:righto kids, i has an avanti agressor carbon in the stand and it's rear brake has the resonance issues.... howls liek a pig... have faced the mounts, loctited all the bolts, even loctited the pads to the caliper... have also tried several rotor and pad combo's but i can't get it to shut the hell up...

help me obiwan you're my only hope

I had the same problem with a giant xtc crabon frame and a shimano xt brake. Ended up having to change the brake for another after trying everything else. Some brake and frame combos just seem to have resonance issues.

I'm sure this helps you in no practical way.

yeah xt on a carbon frame, sheppards have warranted the frame so it's a frame issue

musket wrote:Who is your contact?

I've no experience with Johnny, and want someone I don't have to try hunt down.

I don't really think it needs to be a "bike" builder. Just a competent welder who's not a munt.

Mr_Bob wrote:Jeff at Kiwi bikes,
Johnny Foster if you can track him down
I have a contact in Tauranga that can do it too

My contact has welded up an alloy frame - Doesn't do heat treating,
But welded a length onto a steerer for a customer of mine, - comes from a welding, fitting & turning engineering background, Based in Tauranga, I'll find his number if you want to get in touch with him
Does Dave Fisher(sp?) do any welding & fabrication work? - He's another possible vegas contact if you were looking for someone closer.

I don't believe Dave does. I'll get in touch with you if I can't sort something here.

Arrgh crap! Lost/ misplaced my bolt that attaches the cable to the 105 rear derailleur after snapping the cable. Think it may have rattled off down the street when testing out a 120mm stem on bike for fit, after I took broken cable off. Does this mean I have to get a whole new derailleur as I imagine you can't buy the bolt thingy separately?

Pretty sure that yes, you can buy it as a genuine shimano "spare part",
Your best bet is to take your old derailleur to your local bike shop and bribe them with beer/pizza/chocolate/lollies to have a rummage thru their parts bin for a second hand bolt

Cheers Bob! Thanks for that insight into a bike mechanics psychology Better get to the lollies bin and beer fridge at my local quick smart!

Yep, Mechanics are easily pleased with edible or drinkable consumables
When I wasn't working in a shop, I showed up around lunch with 4 pizzas and 2 bottles of fizz
(I''d just built up my bike a couple of weeks earlier in their stand) and wanted to say thank you to them, they were stoked.

Or, depending where you are, I think I have one in my bin of parts
(I'm in Tauranga)

Yes, I would strongly reccomend coke, or snickers bars. I'm becoming a protoge at my local one. so I have some good ideas on what to have 'spare' to please mechanics

Mr_Bob wrote:
Or, depending where you are, I think I have one in my bin of parts
(I'm in Tauranga)

Yeah I'll be doing the rounds on my little bolt finding mission tomorrow (in ChCh). Sure they'll have one somewhere...

Bike Mechanics, hear my call.

I've had a major insurance windfall as the result of my frame being destroyed. It's a sad thing to see it go that way (I loved it) but I'm starting to think instead of buying a new frame, I get my favourite steel one restored (I've got a lovely Gazelle here). With the sad and untimely demise of Ross Bee, I don't know who I'd get to do it.

Are there any high quality frame painters / restorers out there right now? If not, I'll just have to talk to the best local automotive / signwriting guys and see what we can do.

I don't know of anyone doing that style of graphic reproduction that Ross was doing, but why not talk to the Machine Skins guys locally, odds on what you want done is a bit different from their usual stuf, but their work looks to be highly detailed and top notch

They've done a couple of Helmets for Craig Pattle and the detail was awesome (all airbrushed from what I can gather)

39 - 25 versus 34 - 28

I am currently running a compact crank with 34-26 as my lowest gear (and I use it quite often). I've been looking at lots of new bikes and have noticed that pretty much all 53-39s only go to a 25 as the largest cog on the rear. My question is why?

Is it possible to put a 10 speed cassette on the back that has a range like 28-11 (wide steps I know), or is the limitation the standard chain length? Do I just need to toughen up (yup probably).

I know I want to keep the 11 at the high end, but don't think I am yet strong (or light) enough to tough it out in a 39-25 (42") gear compared to my current 34-26 (35") Ideally I'd like to end up with something like a 39-28 (38").

Depends slightly on what groupset you have. On the current version of Ultegra you can run 11-28 (and shimano makes 11-28) and it should work fine with Ultegra derailleurs. Wheras 105 is only rated for and comes in 11-27 at the back. So yes you can get 11-28 or similar.

As to why most come with 12-25 I'm not sure. I guess its considered a good middle ground in gearing maybe

just put a 42/52 on the front and run an 11-23 cassette and man up, you'll achieve maximum strength just as your knees blow out

I've had a 9sp ultergra mech run well on a 32-11, so that rating shit is just crap. I would just try to hunt down a 28t cassette, I'm resonably sure sram does one.