Re: [CR]Bike mechanic insanity

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:03:44 -0500
From: "The Bike Stand" <smwillis@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Bike mechanic insanity
To: <wheelman@nac.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <50916.216.118.68.55.1138243433.squirrel@webmail.nac.net>
reply-type=original

Hi Ray, Bring it in I can put a small washer under the fixed cup to get you a little more room. And, do not tell anybody but we might be able to dimple in the right chainstay some too. Steven Willis The Bike Stand 1778 East Second Street Scotch Plains NJ 07076 908-322-3330 http://www.thebikestand.com


----- Original Message -----
From: wheelman@nac.net
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 9:43 PM
Subject: [CR]Bike mechanic insanity



> Wonder why more early bike mechanics have not committed suicide. I'll be
> first to admit that I am a novice at this but if every business was run
> like the road bike business was, there would be a lot more waste and
> expense then necessary. The lack of standardization always puzzeled me but
> I just took it with a grain of salt (what does that mean anyway?)
>
> Okay, I was working on a bike to install a triple TA crank and rings on
> it. First I needed a BB for the job and I used the W-DIH method. You know,
> look in the bin and see What Do I Have. Since I have several BBs I did
> some basic measurements and found one that came close. After installation
> I found that although the spindle was what I wanted the taper was not. The
> crank did not even make it half way to be seated. Out it came and now I am
> smarter so I go with one that seats better before I install it. Okay now
> install the cranks. Of course I installed the non chain side first. When I
> installed the chain side I noticed that there was still a huge gap from
> the BB to the crank. No matter, I will continue and give it a try. Took it
> for one ride and it rode like a pig. Chain alignment problems and ankle
> biting because of the extended crank. Out it came. Next I went to my LBS
> and told my tale of woe. We measured up correctly and found a spindle that
> should work. Installed it and all seems well. Nice close fit from the bb
> to the crank. Very much improved chain line so I thought I was all set.
>
> Well in trial shifts I noticed that the front rings shifted terribly
> (Using a Campy derailleur with a triple 26-36-46. It seemed that I could
> jump to the smallest and largest rings but could not get it to grab that
> middle ring. Explained this situation to my LBS who explained that there
> was to much a gap from the middle ring to the largest ring and he
> suggested making the middle more like a 44 and that would improve the
> situation. Well I got lucky on ebay and found another TA triple ring set
> and got it for a good price. Today arrived a 36-46-50 with the closer
> tooth combination that should work.
>
> I installed the new rings on the crank. Now mind you this is an exact
> switch of TA for TA. Same spindle and all. Now when I install the crank on
> the BB the smaller ring hits the frame. It was a good 3-4 mm away before
> but now it interferes. I am about to take out the bb again and go with
> another one. Sooner or later I will hit on the right combination but did
> not bank on this becoming my own version of rubiks cube.
>
> Ray Homiski
> Elizabeth, NJ