kudude

fyi, the Velocity equivalent to the HED Belgium (C2) is the A23. Looking for somewhere to buy one locally.....not holding out too much hope.

mattm

Late to the discussion, but no Open Pro?

zzzwillzzz

yep, late. looking for wide rims, open pros don't fit the definition

kudude

also for $80 I think I can find something I like better. I've got wheels with OP rims, and they're fine (I did kill one on a pothole, but that wouldn't have been nice to any rim).

JohnKScott

I figured this would be a good place to ask this as I am a bike mechanic dummy.

Getting a new wheelset. Will get a new cassette. Saw a good deal (I think) at Performance for an Ultegra 11-25 cassette. I currently am running a 105 12-27 that came with the bike and compact crank (50/34). It's time for a new chain anyway, so new chain too.

So the question. I plan to use the old wheels as backup/wheel pit wheels. Any issues swapping back and forth with the different cassettes? I don't think they are that different to cause an issue, but just want to make sure.

umd

Depends on how worn they are

ZeCanon

Quick way to find out. Put the new chain on with the old cassette and see if it works. If the old cassette has more than a few thousand miles on it, it may be too worn and you'll get skipping/jumping/crap shifting/chainsuck/gremlins.

JohnKScott

Cool. Thanks. I actually put new chains on semi regularly anyway (I know I've seen debate about this). I'm thinking it will be ok. Hope I don't find out the hard way (especially a chain suck). Maybe somewhere down the line when I have recovered from this purchase (psimet wheels w/ powertap) I will cough up for a new cassette for the old wheels that matches.

Appreciate the thoughts!

caloso

It's true. I tried to get a few more miles out of a (very expensive) Red Powerdome(tm) cassette and the chain skipped so badly at a stoplight that I nearly went down.

kudude

didn't you go down at some sort of traffic calming device anyway

fwiw, dunno if the OPs question was geared more this way, but you should be able to use the same chain length on a 25 and 27 cassette, unless the chain was REALLY tight on the 25. Since you're putting on a new chain, size it for the 27 and you are good to go with cog sizes for both.

mollusk

Perhaps this?

kudude

ah. now I'm torn. I'm putting the wheel on this bike:



which is a Redline frame from the EARLY 90s (complete with XTR canti's. When's the last time they made those?).

I'd like the 23mm rim, but I'm going to have to order it. Seems like I could pick up a lime green aerohead, which would be pretty sweet. Maybe this is no longer a 41 refugee post, and should just go to the 41..........

caloso

I'm not sure if you're being snarky, but does anyone know if Midol would really work? I mean, and not turn me into a chick?

Flatballer

Definitely won't turn you into a chick. It's just acetaminophen (Tylenol), caffeine, and Pyrilamine Maleate (antihistamine). I think the caffeine is to counter the drowsiness of the antihistamine.

So basically, pain killer with a little bit of antihistamine. Not sure what the antihistamine is for, possibly to reduce swelling, not sure.

carpediemracing 

Was thinking the same thing, minus the chick part.

First I was like, "Heh." Then "Hm." Then "Hmmmmmm."

Ingredients help. If it said "40,000 mg of sodium" that would have been interesting.

mollusk

Hey, I was being snarky.

But if it really works and turns out to be cheaper than Nuun (that "kind of", but not always, works for me) I will do it. Hell, I already shave my legs.

JohnKScott

perfect. Thanks!

Ygduf

For EC I have an apex derailleur on my main bike. That means I have a Red rear derailleur off the bike that's in need for serious cleaning. Safe to submerge, or no? Any random cleaning tips?

ericm979

I wouldn't submerge the bearings. Stuff usually gets past the seals and if it does it'll never get out again.

I just disassemble the cage and wipe off the gunk with rags/paper towels. Maybe spritz on some WD40 as a mild solvent.

echappist

i'd use mineral spirits (chief ingredient of prolink gold) & just clean the grime off of the pulleys

Bob Dopolina 

Pull the bearings out of the cage, remove the seals and soak the entire thing in solvent.

Hang to dry.

Then you can soak it in a light oil if you want.

Hang to drip dry.

Wipe it clean. Shine it up. repack the bearings and put the seals back in. Reassemble. Ride. Repeat as needed.

It ain't rocket surgery.

BLR_0719

I'm starting my race career next season, and there are a lot of crits around that I'm interested in. I'm not too keen on the idea of destroying my current bike, which seems to be a fair possibility in these cat5 races. At this level, will I be hurting myself by picking up a beater aluminum bike to start racing these crits on?

Blackdays

Just race what you have.

shovelhd

A second bike is a luxury. I don't know what your budget is, or what you already have, but you will need the following at a bare minimum:

At least two full team kits
At least two sets of wheels with cassettes, preferably one a lighter race set
At least one road cassette with climbing gears
A top quality helmet
A good set of gloves
A high quality pump
A box of pins
At least two sets of tires plus tubes
A good set of glasses, preferably with changeable lenses or photochromic (my preference)
A spare derailleur hanger if your frame uses one
A slush fund for torn seats, bar tape, broken brifters, derailleurs, team kits, bent wheels, etc.

Depending on what you have, that can easily add up to the cost of a spare bike.

carpediemracing 

Not that it's too important, but what bike do you have?

Crashing doesn't mean a broken bike, even if it's carbon. And little things that have nothing to do with crashing can destroy even a "strong" bike, like a broken derailleur taking out a seat stay, etc.

cdr