The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Short cage will only cope with a maximum difference of sprocket sizes, ie a close ratio cassette (12 - 23) at the back and a double front

Medium cage will cope with a big casstte ie 12 - 28 & probably a triple front chainring

Oh...erm what do I have?

2 rings at the front and 10 at the back...

Am starting to think that a carbon fibre bike is the wrong tool for my commute, am I right? It is in the garage in an unrideable state at the moment!

[maviczap]

What size is the biggest sprocket at the back? I'm going to guess at 23.

The carbon frame will be up to it, but will probably have a shorter lifespan than a steeel or alu frame

I think 25T?

Will I need a new derailleur hanger too?

[maviczap]

Sorry just read the spec, the short cage will cope with a maximum of 16 teeth on the front so 53 - 39 or 50 - 34

You'll only need a new hanger if the original one is fubarred

So a medium is what I need...hanger is absolutely fubarred the derailleur ended up facing skywards!!!

Will any hanger do?

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by krhall

Am starting to think that a carbon fibre bike is the wrong tool for my commute, am I right? It is in the garage in an unrideable state at the moment!

If you have fairly decent road conditions - ie not too many potholes etc, then provide its cleaned and maintained it should be fine to commute on.

However, if like me, the roads are cratered and really bad condition everywhere - may be worth contemplating changing and keeping the bike for fun weekend rides etc.

I tried Lily's Hybrid and with some of the road conditions even that was a nightmare to use. Therefore I now use my hardtail MTB. I have bought some semi-slick 26" tyres so still is quite quick. It has the added bonus that I don't have to swerve around potholes etc as can just go over them, plus the whole bike is more rugged so withstands the continual beating better than a race or Hybrid. Just my view though.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by krhall

So a medium is what I need...hanger is absolutely fubarred the derailleur ended up facing skywards!!!

Will any hanger do?

You won't have any issues with the medium.

You will need a new specific hanger for your frame. Its a Focus isn't it, so one for a Focus frame should do.

Originally Posted by maviczap

You won't have any issues with the medium.

You will need a new specific hanger for your frame. Its a Focus isn't it, so one for a Focus frame should do.

Guess what - rare as rocking horse poo!

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

If you have fairly decent road conditions - ie not too many potholes etc, then provide its cleaned and maintained it should be fine to commute on.

However, if like me, the roads are cratered and really bad condition everywhere - may be worth contemplating changing and keeping the bike for fun weekend rides etc.

I tried Lily's Hybrid and with some of the road conditions even that was a nightmare to use. Therefore I now use my hardtail MTB. I have bought some semi-slick 26" tyres so still is quite quick. It has the added bonus that I don't have to swerve around potholes etc as can just go over them, plus the whole bike is more rugged so withstands the continual beating better than a race or Hybrid. Just my view though.

+1 on that, I wouldn't use my road bike for the commute and use an old MTB with huge mudguards, looks cr*p but never have to clean it and use cheap 7 speed parts (though not poor quality) to maintain it. Still manage 15mph+ averages over an 11 mile commute on a bike that weighs 15- 20kg loaded.