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It's called a chainset, get one that's the same as your current one as you will be used to the current gear ratios etc. Also, you will need a new chain, as thats probably whats worn the chainset out in the firstplace. Oh, and sorry to be the bearer of bad news, if your chain has knackered your chainset, it most certainly has also fucked your cassette (the rear cogs). All of the above need special tools to change, although they are not actually that difficult to change. It will cost in the region of £60 or £70 to get sorted. Add another £30 if you fancy buying the tools and having a go yourself. This will be a good lesson in the need to spend £10 once or twice a year on a new chain, as when they stretch they start wearing down the cogs irregularly and cause the problems you have been having. +1 on the puncture proof tyres |
The cycling thread • Page 6
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mattigan 1,428 posts
Seen 6 months ago
Registered 17 years ago -
angeltreats 2,601 posts
Seen 1 week ago
Registered 15 years agoI badly need a new chain. Mine has gone rusty and looks disgusting. And I think I need a new chainset too. It doesn't like changing down through the gears anymore at all (although it's ok changing up). I've got it booked in for a service on 27 Feb, I'm dreading what they're going to make me fork out. I've had the same chainset (and chain, and everything else apart from brake pads and inner tubes) for about two and a half years 
(Sorry, I didn't read your post very well Caligari, or I'd have realised you meant a chainset.)
I've looked at those tyres btw, I could do without forking out £50 for a new set of tyres but if I thought they'd work... I hear they're pretty hard to fit though and I'm a weakling, I can barely prise a tyre off with a set of tyre levers to fix a puncture. -
caligari 17,956 posts
Seen 2 months ago
Registered 20 years agoThanks for all the help, guys - I really appreciate it. .gif)
I've actually just had a [link=http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=47">new rear cassette fitted along with a -
caligari 17,956 posts
Seen 2 months ago
Registered 20 years agoAngel - I don't work for them, but I'd say buy ANY parts you need from Chain Reaction Cycles - they're far cheaper than the other online stores (Wiggle, Winstanleys etc).
I actually paid a fiver or so to get my local bike store guy to fit those tyres for me - but they really have been worth the extra cost. -
mattigan 1,428 posts
Seen 6 months ago
Registered 17 years agoThe tyres do work if you are just on the road, it's possible your old tyres are just worn out (they dont last forever), if you aren't sure about fitting them get the cycle store to put them on as part of the service, you should also get a tin of aerosol lube, (I like the dry stuff, £10 lasts ages). Give your chain a squirt every week or so, you will be amazed at the difference it makes, especially when you've got a rusty chain! -
angeltreats 2,601 posts
Seen 1 week ago
Registered 15 years agoI do lube my chain (missus!) every week or two. It's just old and knackered.
The tyres really don't look worn at all. For the last year or so they've done fifty or sixty miles a week, much less before that.
I've been looking to see how much they would be but I can't find the right size. Mine are 700x37 but they only seem to have 700x35 and 700x40. I don't actually know what any of that means though. And they seem to have road tyres or mountain bike - I have a hybrid, that's road tyres isn't it? -
mattigan 1,428 posts
Seen 6 months ago
Registered 17 years agoAs you shop around,you will find that there are some stores who seem to specialise in certain parts and not others, although CRC are good sometimes they are dearer, and once you know what you are after, Ebay will become your best friend for bike bits. -
mattigan 1,428 posts
Seen 6 months ago
Registered 17 years ago700 is the wheel size they go on (standard road wheels), the other number is how 'wide' in MM they are when inflated, narrower = less rubber in contact wtih the road = faster but slippier, wider, the oppsite. Either of the ones you quoted would do. I prefer Continental Gatorskin tyres but there are loads of different puncture resistant tyres out there.
But I currently have Vittoria Zaffiro all white tyres though, because I am a tart! -
generica 4,279 posts
Seen 3 years ago
Registered 15 years agoDoes anyone here ride with Critical Mass (if that is the correct way to put it)?
It is a very interesting experience where on the last friday of every month hundreds of cyclists gather at the south bank for a mass cycle around london. I haven't been in quite a few months due to the weather, and I imagine other people have done the same, but I plan to go on a ride or two in the summer. -
angeltreats 2,601 posts
Seen 1 week ago
Registered 15 years agomattigan wrote:
700 is the wheel size they go on (standard road wheels), the other number is how 'wide' in MM they are when inflated, narrower = less rubber in contact wtih the road = faster but slippier, wider, the oppsite. Either of the ones you quoted would do. I prefer Continental Gatorskin tyres but there are loads of different puncture resistant tyres out there.
But I currently have Vittoria Zaffiro all white tyres though, because I am a tart!
Ahh! Thanks
That Critical Mass thing seems a bit weird - what's the point exactly? I cycle round the city every day, I wouldn't want to do it unless I was actually trying to get somewhere. -
mattigan 1,428 posts
Seen 6 months ago
Registered 17 years agoMe neither -
caligari 17,956 posts
Seen 2 months ago
Registered 20 years agomattigan wrote:
It's called a chainset, get one that's the same as your current one as you will be used to the current gear ratios etc.
This is what my local 'bike guy' has written down for me (I actually managed to find the piece of paper):
Shimano FC-M341 Bllk 48T Squire Taper (I'm guessing he meant to write 'Square').
The only problem is that I can't find this exact chainset on Wiggle or CRC. :s -
mattigan 1,428 posts
Seen 6 months ago
Registered 17 years agoThat particular chainset might be discontinued TBH as I've had a look and it can't be found anywhere, however, any shimano chainset should be ok as long as the biggest ring is a 48t (48 tooth) one. The square taper bit just refers to the hole in the middle where it slots onto the bottom bracket axle. There are several different ways to fix chainsets onto a bike and you need to make sure you get the correct one, so make sure the hole is a square one!
TBH if thats all you need then you could be better off spending the £10 on a crank puller tool and doing it yourself as replacing the chainset is one of the easiest things you can do on a bike, before you decide to have a go yourself though, make sure you will be able to get the pedals off. As sometimes you need a pedal spanner (thinner than a normal one - also £10) for this job. -
caligari 17,956 posts
Seen 2 months ago
Registered 20 years agomattigan wrote:
That particular chainset might be discontinued TBH as I've had a look and it can't be found anywhere, however, any shimano chainset should be ok as long as the biggest ring is a 48t (48 tooth) one. The square taper bit just refers to the hole in the middle where it slots onto the bottom bracket axle. There are several different ways to fix chainsets onto a bike and you need to make sure you get the correct one, so make sure the hole is a square one!
TBH if thats all you need then you could be better off spending the £10 on a crank puller tool and doing it yourself as replacing the chainset is one of the easiest things you can do on a bike, before you decide to have a go yourself though, make sure you will be able to get the pedals off. As sometimes you need a pedal spanner (thinner than a normal one - also £10) for this job.
Thanks again, Mattigan! -
mattigan 1,428 posts
Seen 6 months ago
Registered 17 years agoOh, and bear in mind that the left pedal undoes clockwise! That one caught me out big time the first time I tried it... -
coastal 5,432 posts
Seen 2 days ago
Registered 15 years agohalfords once made a bike with threads the same rotation on both pedals.
every mile down the road.... clang, one less pedal. -
caligari 17,956 posts
Seen 2 months ago
Registered 20 years agocoastal wrote:
halfords once made a bike with threads the same rotation on both pedals.
every mile down the road.... clang, one less pedal.
Please tell me that's true! -
pistol 13,018 posts
Seen 8 years ago
Registered 19 years agoangeltreats wrote:
No idea, sorry, but I thought I'd share that I've had four punctures within two weeks. I'm starting to think I have a mad stalker who's slashing my tyres.
What sort of tyres do you have, and have you checked that the puncture isn't in the same place each time?
I've just changed the tyres on both my bikes and they have puncture protection.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/race-lite-hardcase-tyre-ec001737 -
pistol 13,018 posts
Seen 8 years ago
Registered 19 years agocaligari wrote:
Angel - I don't work for them, but I'd say buy ANY parts you need from Chain Reaction Cycles - they're far cheaper than the other online stores (Wiggle, Winstanleys etc).
I actually paid a fiver or so to get my local bike store guy to fit those tyres for me - but they really have been worth the extra cost.
+1 for Chain Reaction. I've used them many times and they are very good. Also buy from Wiggle and Evans mainly. -
PinkSpider 3,349 posts
Seen 4 weeks ago
Registered 17 years agoYeah, check the tyre. I got through three innertubes before I realised their was a small nail still on the inside (which I'd somehow missed). -
pistol 13,018 posts
Seen 8 years ago
Registered 19 years agoangeltreats wrote:
I do lube my chain (missus!) every week or two. It's just old and knackered.
The tyres really don't look worn at all. For the last year or so they've done fifty or sixty miles a week, much less before that.
I've been looking to see how much they would be but I can't find the right size. Mine are 700x37 but they only seem to have 700x35 and 700x40. I don't actually know what any of that means though. And they seem to have road tyres or mountain bike - I have a hybrid, that's road tyres isn't it?
The 37 bit is the width and I tend to use 700/25C's or 700/23. -
angeltreats 2,601 posts
Seen 1 week ago
Registered 15 years agopistol wrote:
angeltreats wrote:
No idea, sorry, but I thought I'd share that I've had four punctures within two weeks. I'm starting to think I have a mad stalker who's slashing my tyres.
What sort of tyres do you have, and have you checked that the puncture isn't in the same place each time?
I've just changed the tyres on both my bikes and they have puncture protection.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/race-lite-hardcase-tyre-ec001737
Dunno what sort, but the punctures are in different places (it's been three on the back wheel, one on the front). I can't find anything inside the tyre at all, but that doesn't mean I haven't missed something... -
pistol 13,018 posts
Seen 8 years ago
Registered 19 years agoangeltreats wrote:
pistol wrote:
angeltreats wrote:
No idea, sorry, but I thought I'd share that I've had four punctures within two weeks. I'm starting to think I have a mad stalker who's slashing my tyres.
What sort of tyres do you have, and have you checked that the puncture isn't in the same place each time?
I've just changed the tyres on both my bikes and they have puncture protection.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/race-lite-hardcase-tyre-ec001737
Dunno what sort, but the punctures are in different places (it's been three on the back wheel, one on the front). I can't find anything inside the tyre at all, but that doesn't mean I haven't missed something...
I would suggest it might be time for some new tyres. They don't have to be bald to cause punctures and it may be that the rim of the tyre is rubbing. Get someone to check the tyres if you're not sure but my guess is it's time to replace them. Especially as both are getting punctures. -
angeltreats 2,601 posts
Seen 1 week ago
Registered 15 years agoYeah I'm sure you're right. I think I might get some of those kevlar jobbies. I can fix a puncture, but given that when I'm cycling I'm either on my way to work, on my way to uni, or on the way home from one of the above and it's probably 9pm, freezing and I'm in Dalston or somewhere equally lovely, I'd rather not have to stop to sort it out. -
pistol 13,018 posts
Seen 8 years ago
Registered 19 years agoangeltreats wrote:
Yeah I'm sure you're right. I think I might get some of those kevlar jobbies. I can fix a puncture, but given that when I'm cycling I'm either on my way to work, on my way to uni, or on the way home from one of the above and it's probably 9pm, freezing and I'm in Dalston or somewhere equally lovely, I'd rather not have to stop to sort it out.
Yeah, know what you mean. Hazzards of cycling I'm afraid...gif)
I did a 50 mile training ride today on my own, and I'd hate to get a puncture that far away. I usually take a spare tube with me and a CO2 cannister. Tiny little thing and if needed it'll get my tyre up to the right pressure in one press of the button. Great when you're in a hurry. -
pistol 13,018 posts
Seen 8 years ago
Registered 19 years agomattigan wrote:
700 is the wheel size they go on (standard road wheels), the other number is how 'wide' in MM they are when inflated, narrower = less rubber in contact wtih the road = faster but slippier, wider, the oppsite. Either of the ones you quoted would do. I prefer Continental Gatorskin tyres but there are loads of different puncture resistant tyres out there.
But I currently have Vittoria Zaffiro all white tyres though, because I am a tart!
Vittoria are good tyres and I've used them before. I'll probably get a set when the winter's over. -
caligari 17,956 posts
Seen 2 months ago
Registered 20 years agomattigan wrote:
Oh, and bear in mind that the left pedal undoes clockwise! That one caught me out big time the first time I tried it...
Sorry for bugging you yet again Mattigan.
Rather than simply buying the chainrings, should I just splash the extra on a decent crankset?
This [link=http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20679">Shimano XT looks pretty good, as does the -
polar 1,098 posts
Seen 10 years ago
Registered 17 years agocaligari wrote:
Buses are really getting on my nerves. So much so that I'm going to start cycling to work. Four miles isn't THAT far, is it? :s
Anyway, I know we've had a few 'bike purchasing' threads in the past, so I thought it was about time for a fresh one.
Any tips on where I can pick up a bike for a decent price (pref. online)?
I'm thinking of going for a hybrid bike (half MTB, half road bike) - any idea if they're any good?
4 miles really isn't that much at all. You should be able to do it in around 20 minutes. As for hybrids, I got a Specialized hybrid bike around 4 years ago and it's been great. It's much easier to cycle than a racer and it's much quicker on the road than a mountain bike. -
angeltreats 2,601 posts
Seen 1 week ago
Registered 15 years agoI do 5 miles in about 25 minutes, it would be quicker but it's a very congested and stoppy-starty route with lots of busy junctions. It's about 7 or 7.5 miles home from uni and that takes 25 minutes too but it's a far quieter route, with next to no traffic at that time of night. -
polar wrote:
caligari wrote:
Buses are really getting on my nerves. So much so that I'm going to start cycling to work. Four miles isn't THAT far, is it? :s
Anyway, I know we've had a few 'bike purchasing' threads in the past, so I thought it was about time for a fresh one.
Any tips on where I can pick up a bike for a decent price (pref. online)?
I'm thinking of going for a hybrid bike (half MTB, half road bike) - any idea if they're any good?
4 miles really isn't that much at all. You should be able to do it in around 20 minutes. As for hybrids, I got a Specialized hybrid bike around 4 years ago and it's been great. It's much easier to cycle than a racer and it's much quicker on the road than a mountain bike.
That post was from around this time last year.
edit: wow, it was from November 07. :-o
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