Originally Posted by
EvilV
Outstanding. It's getting a real workout and looks supremely flexible as a simple transport solution.
Yours has one small bolt on either side of the steering pin and mine has two each side. Some claim the pin to be flexible and loose. Mine is totally rigid. Yours also has the exact tyre tread pattern as mine, but I don't have the red coloured information patch on the tyres. The remark up above about the bikes being put together by different factories out of the same parts bins rings true. I expect there is one factory producing plastic bits and selling them onto assembling factories. Likewise tyres and other bits like brakes.
LOVE the Brooks saddle though. Really classy. Some would say that's like putting lipstick on a pig mind you, but then I like pigs, so why not?
Did the Brooks saddle go on there in a straightforward way? It looks like the lower rails are far lower than the standard seat rails at the back.
I could have walked all those beer bottles over, or could have threw them in the car, but as a bike ride about 15 mins away, if that, this was the most ideal situation. none broke and with the extra-weight, the downhill sections were fun!
The pin being flexible.. well.. thats kinda a 2-sided story. the pin itself is solid. its fixed, and its not moving anywhere. however the size of the pin and how it fits the bottom-bracket tube is critical to the how much play there is in that bottom bracket tube. since that lower tube is getting all the torque applied to it, it does twist and move a little bit, affecting how cleanly the belt engages and disengages from the drivewheel. So, the pin doesn't move, however its size and fit directly relates to how flexy the overall frame is, since thats the only connection that could develop play. If the pin itself is loose from the front tube, it can be tightened down.
The tires you speak of on your bike are some chinese brand, i forgot which.. they have a 45psi limit I believe. I replaced my rear with a Schwalbe Marathon and the front is a Kenda K-west, both kevlar lined.
They are also both rated for 100psi. Changing over the tires to something that is 100psi is in my opinion, the best upgrade for the bike overall. resistance is dramatically reduced and the bike rolls along effortlessly.
The brooks saddle fits the bill, esp with the higher pressure tires. the small 305 wheels barely absorb any shock on their own. the rails fit the seat bracket just fine.. takes a bit of squeezing to get it on at the front of the rails, but after that, its easy. Again, raise this higher and although at first, the ride is increasingly twitchy, and u feel like u have a high center of gravity, after a few rides, you will find it feels far more effecient and much better posture.