keke

Another ride today.

Raised the handlepost about 2-3 inches with improvement in ride comfort. Moved the saddle backwards as well. Proud of myself today, tackled inclines with success. Huffing and puffing, legs burning but I made it! Really proud.

Trouble with shifting gears, still not quite right. Seems as if it shifts incompletely. When shifting up, I hear a (loud) clang as it shifts, then after pedalling some more, another clang as if it's another shift. Can't explain it. BTW, is it supposed to shift with loud clangs/bangs?

I seem to spin out easily too, is that a rider (me) or derailleur thing?

Had a roadie try out my bike and he was surprised, said it felt good.

keke

Hi guys, sorry for the gazillion questions.

Been thinking about a trigger shifter, would it work with the X-7 rear derailleur and is it worth the switch?

Seen this on Evans website.

chagzuki

Derrailleurs do clang somewhat, but it should be fairly instantaneous if properly adjusted. Best to watch online tutorials on how to adjust it yourself, it's not too complex.

You're bike is 8 speed despite being called x-7 or whatever it is, so nope.

keke

The Q&A at the bottom of the page suggests that it'll work with an 8 speed and I've seen some online pics that show an 8th speed in the window. The X4 trigger shifter is another alternative I guess.

I've watched some videos on YT regarding adjustment. Just need to get me some tools and free time..

What's your experience of trigger shifters BTW?

Thanks chagzuki, a mine of information as always.

chagzuki

Never really used them, for folding bikes I prefer grip shift types as they don't protrude and tend to be very light. Anything that juts out is more likely to get knocked when folding etc..
But my preference is probably heavily based on the fact that I'm using hub gears: with a twist grip you can spin through all speeds in one motion when stopped at traffic lights etc., not something you can do with derailleurs.

chagzuki

That shim didn't work after all, doesn't produce enough friction and the upper stem rotates under force. Perhaps the size up would do.

keke

Getting better in riding my wee little bike. Bought some Knog-like LEDs to be seen by. Realise that they're just that, "see-me" lights. Now that it's getting darker, will have to try out my lidl led bike light.

Have adjusted my handlebar height and it's more comfortable.

My frame latch hinge is playing up. Bike was stored in my car boot for some time and was surprised that it had come loose despite not riding it. Is this normal?

keke

Detailed pics of my handlepost hinge attached.

I believe it needs adjusting but I'm not sure exactly what to adjust.

After unfolding, it doesn't engage as the latch seems to come up once unfolded. Have to refold then unfold the handlepost whilst holding down the latch in the open position and finally closing the latch once the handlepost is up right. Hope I'm making sense?

Any help gratefully received.

chagzuki

You just need some light oil on the latch hinge/pivot.

keke

Rather noob question but what's light oil?

mulleady

A lover's lubricant?

chagzuki

Thin. Lots of people use Tri-Flow for that sort of thing. I can't use it as I'm sensitive to solvents.

But any oil will do.

fietsbob

A 10 w is lighter than a 30w, gear oil is 90w.. Old pick up truck trannys I got 120w
3 in 1 and sewing machine oil is less than 10w..

keke

Thanks.
So even automobile oil that's thinner than 10w would do?
Thought there'd be bicycle specific oil.

keke

Wandering around in Tesco today and saw 3 in 1 spray oil! £3.93 or so. Thanks!

keke

Will the 3 in 1 suffice as a chain lubricant as well?
Thanks.

chagzuki

Just about any oil will lubricate a chain. People discuss what makes the optimal chain lube endlessly in the mechanics section of the forum.
The key thing is to wipe the chain before applying oil, apply to every roller and allow oil to sink into the gaps. Then wipe off as much of the excess external oil as possible to prevent grime from sticking to it.

keke

Cheers chagz.

keke

Or rather, kicked/ankled my chain off!

Trying to get on the bike today and I think I brushed the chain with my ankle or something, put my full weight on the pedal to zoom off and almost fell over as it didn't move but the pedal spun freely.

Looked down and realised the chain had come clean off. Rather surprising as this hasn't happened before. Maybe I need a chain guard afterall? Can anyone pkease tell me where I can get one? CHWhite doesn't have the Sugino guard in stock.

Training.Wheels

Were you shifting? Perhaps you just need a slight tune on your derailleur. I'm pretty sure you don't need a chainguard since there is already a guard on the chainring. Also, sometimes sh*t happens; my chain comes off my p8 once in a long while for seemingly no reason.

keke

Hey TW, thanks. My (used) MuP8 actually came with the chainguard removed, have a naked chain ring..

Will look into tuing my derailleur, just too lazy to lug my bike upstairs as my internet connection (for videos) is horrible downstairs, LOL!

keke

After reading about seatpost issues on another forum, I might be slowly concluding that the mup8 might not be adequately sized for me.
My seatpost is already at or maybe very slightly beyond the max insertion mark and sometimes I struggle with pedaling, as if i could do with more height...

keke

Replaced missing handlepost QR. Works but too long. In hindsight, I should have bought a cheap QR lever from eBay instead of this Dahon part. Sure the cheapie would have worked without being this long:


Safety catch for handlepost hinge:


Overall:


Actually rode very briefly tonight, the hinge creak has disappeared! Can't explain it but the annoying sound not there tonight. Will ride more extensively to confirm but happy as Larry!