KonAaron Snake 

Let's call a spade...a lot of us are not people who keep up to date or are aware of the latest trends and products. I've been really wowed the past few days by products I didn't know about, but really wish I knew about sooner. I'm sure all of us use and know about some lesser known products and solutions that would benefit the community as a whole and I thought a thread to discuss them might be useful.

Seat collars with built in eyelets for fenders. HOLY COW, what a great idea! This simple solution is a much better anchor than the clamps I've used to attach racks to seat stays in the past and I had no idea they exist!

Surly eyelet clamps...they look like hose clamps, but they're MUCH stronger and more firmly affixed to the stays than the clamps I've used in the past. They aren't the prettiest and look a little industrial, but they sure are effective and better than the other alternatives I'm aware of for bikes without eyelets.

Tektro RL530 levers...want to run v-brakes with drops? This is the best path forward (at least without using brifters). I LOVE this braking power and really like the modulation. Hood feel is terrific!

Water bottle boss mounts - Clamp them anywhere for an easy to access water bottle cage.

rhm

Could you google up some images, to illustrate what you're talking about? I mean... just starting at the top... What's a seat collar, and how do you attach a fender to it?

I'm not being argumentative, honest! I just don't follow.

brockd15 

Maybe he meant a seat collar with eyelets for racks? Like this...
https://www.bikebagshop.com/sunlite-r...mp-p-1146.html

noglider 

I'm sure he means seat collars with fittings for a rack, not for fenders.

OTS 

I searched the Tektro RL530 levers and the pictures were hood-less brakes. Would like to check those out also if possible.
Thanks

not_me

Think he meant Tektro RL520

https://road.cc/content/review/12339-...le-drop-levers

Roll-Monroe-Co

Anything from Problem Solvers, though I guess these are not obscure.

Mounting adapters for tubus racks, particularly these stainless p-clamp-type-clamps that seem perhaps more secure, sturdier, and better quality than hardware store, rubber-coated/jacketed steel, and come in four sizes:

KonAaron Snake 

Apologies for the poor post...I DID mean racks, not fenders and I did get the numbers wrong.

Don't work and post!

Lewis_Moon

Who makes nice ones? The Paramount only has one set and, being from the AZ desert, I'll need two.

KonAaron Snake 

I really like the ones from problem solvers, though I have some other generic similar ones that have have worked well too. I'll take a photo for you tonight.

lostarchitect 

I've been using the clamps from Velo Orange. Just basic little items.

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...age-clamp.html

AZORCH

Dang, I didn't know these existed either. This is pretty cool... I wonder if this would work as a support for a larger sized Carradice saddle bag.

noglider 

Minoura makes some useful things, like bottle mounts and the Swing Grip. You can't swing the Swing Grip, interestingly.

Drillium Dude 

If you're into restoring/beautifying your alloy components, you can't go wrong stripping anodizing off with this stuff:

https://www.jestcoproducts.com/index....d&productId=37

One 16oz. bottle will last for at least 6 months and do tons of parts:



Comes in a granulated form; mix in warm water, immerse part for 5-7 minutes and then remove residue under lukewarm water with 000 steel wool and SoftSoap.

You will be amazed how easy and mess-free this stuff is when compared to the old-school Easy-Off method

DD

Bianchigirll 

You mean the Paramount that was bare metal and is now being powder coated? Too bad you didn't have it painted most painters would have been able to add them to the frame.

Zefal used to make a bottle cage clamp out of nylon that wrapped around the tubes and was very secure. As mentioned Minoura makes single and double holders for on the bars, and behind the seat as well.


How many C&V bike really need a seat clamp collar? isn't that like a late '90s carbon and alloy thing?

Here is about 6 different ways to carry water. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...All-Categories

OH I almost forgot. Lemon Pledge, not plain pledge not enddust not store brand Lemon Pledge is great for a quick poish on your frame and your bare Ti! Merlin used to include a small trial size can with your frame BITD

Drillium Dude 

Thanks - I will have to try that; is it safe for chrome, too?

DD

roadrunner2012

Lemon Pledge attracts bees, so keep that in mind if you live where there are Africanized bees.

Lewis_Moon

Aw crap. I just removed the anodizing off an entire crankset with 320 sandpaper. I'm a twit.

Lewis_Moon

What can I say? I'm a cheap bastid and the powder coater does nice work..... I figured I could always add a nice set while keeping the frame "stock", so-to-speak.

Do you expect me to carry a water bottle behind my seat like a hairy legged, Speedo wearing triathlete? (place obligatory smiley here

Pledge was a secret weapon when I was racing in the '70s. Works as advertised.

Drillium Dude 

Me too, then - I stripped my first set of cranks the exact same way. Took about 4 weeks because I had to let the blisters on my fingers heal in between sanding sessions

Then I went the Easy Off route until a friend turned me on to Jestco's products. I've never looked back!

DD

conradpdx

Would be tough to go anywhere caught in a swarm of:




sorry couldn't resist

Ciufalon

Maybe this water bottle mount would work for you. I'd put a bit of inner tube between the clamp and the frame, but it seems like it might be good. There is also this one. And then of course, you could use this. I'm sure there are more solutions, but it just took a minute to find these.

michael k

cradom

I love the Zefal mounts, use them on my Sports Tourer. Unfortunately they only have very large ones. https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...84_-1___202545
Anyone have another source?

Lewis_Moon

I googled and googled and couldn't find any last night. Any European sources?