I'm Transitioning
#26
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,567
Likes: 2,740
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
For the longest time I fitted 23mm to the front and 25mm on the back. The other day, well more like a month ago, I replaced the shredded 32s on my Jamaica Bianchi with all I could get - 38s. Wow, I am impressed but the 38s just made it, with little room to spare between the chain stays...


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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#27
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,495
Likes: 4,910
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Phil's grease for me....and a tub of red devil for BB threads and the like
I am running 28's, they work for what I ride and are max for the derosa I think I can mount bigger on the Miyata....but will wait until I do the Cino Heroica........ and have to wear out the tires on the nishiki before I play with anything new
I am running 28's, they work for what I ride and are max for the derosa I think I can mount bigger on the Miyata....but will wait until I do the Cino Heroica........ and have to wear out the tires on the nishiki before I play with anything new
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
#28
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,299
Likes: 6,552
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I don't care much either way with grease. They're all OK for me.
Wider tires are better for me. I use the widest tires I can fit. The narrowest tires any of my bikes has is 28mm. If you can fit those (or wider), try them. But be sure they are good tires or better.
Wider tires are better for me. I use the widest tires I can fit. The narrowest tires any of my bikes has is 28mm. If you can fit those (or wider), try them. But be sure they are good tires or better.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#29
Old Legs

Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 33
From: Mass.
Bikes: '80 Strayvaigin, '84 Ciocc Aelle-Shimano 105, '90 Concorde Astore /Campy Triple ,85 Bridgestone 500/Suntour, 2005 Jamis Quest, 2017 Raleigh Merit 1, Raleigh Carbon Clubman
I've been using white lithium grease for ever. Don't know why, maybe that's what the local hardware store has in small tubes . I guess, if your not spinning at 10K rpm, does it really matter ? I ride in drive conditions.
I've move from 21's in the early 90's to 23's . Now, all bike are getting 25's, with exception of one that came with 28's, my fav endurance bike. KB.
I've move from 21's in the early 90's to 23's . Now, all bike are getting 25's, with exception of one that came with 28's, my fav endurance bike. KB.
#30
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,495
Likes: 4,910
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
I associate white lithium grease with hardened white junk i have had to deal with when over hauling old bikes ......maybe this association is not correct......but it is there for me
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 143
Likes: 7
From: Hampton Roads
Bikes: Cannondales: '85 ST400, '86 SR800, '87 SM600
For the longest time I fitted 23mm to the front and 25mm on the back. The other day, well more like a month ago, I replaced the shredded 32s on my Jamaica Bianchi with all I could get - 38s. Wow, I am impressed but the 38s just made it, with little room to spare between the chain stays...




#32
Banned.
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 509
Likes: 37
Bikes: The Good Book of bicycling
grease? i use synthetic normally or whatever is laying around. the kind probably not toooo important, but using it is very important. kinda like oiling the chain, just find some oil and throw it on there. let it sit over night and wipe it off.
#33
curmudgineer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 113
From: Chicago SW burbs
Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here
Grease on heavily loaded bearings (which on a bike are the axles, bottom bracket, pedals, and bottom headset) should be judged not by how freely or long they spin with no load, but on the relative friction under normal riding loads, and in addition how well it prevents actual metal to metal contact and therefore wear.
Secondary considerations are how well it adheres to the surfaces, so that it can continue to do its job where it is needed rather being squeezed to the sidelines, and of course longevity, i.e. the ability to maintain its desirable properties over time and with environmental exposure.
Admittedly, these are not easy criteria to check, but are what really matter.
Secondary considerations are how well it adheres to the surfaces, so that it can continue to do its job where it is needed rather being squeezed to the sidelines, and of course longevity, i.e. the ability to maintain its desirable properties over time and with environmental exposure.
Admittedly, these are not easy criteria to check, but are what really matter.
#34
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,288
Likes: 1,170
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
At some point I started using Mobil1 synthetic grease. Good, bad, indifferent? Can't say for sure, but it works well enough for me and I believe it meets [MENTION=184345]old's'cool[/MENTION]'s very sensible criteria above. The odd pink color is a bonus. Or a freakish travesty. You decide.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
#35
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 290
Likes: 10
From: Greenville, SC / Asheville, NC
Bikes: '74 Raleigh Professional, '73 Raleigh Grand Prix, '84 Nishiki Medalist, '85 Gazelle Champion Mondial AB, '81 Peugeot Course, '79 Univega Gran Rally, '85 Torpado Super Strada
28mm is as large as I’ve gone on my 700c bikes. 25s seem to be a nice middle ground right now, although I have a bike i recently put 23s on. Anything less than 25mm is looking really narrow by comparison these days.
#37
I hate to be the finger wagger here, but i will be for a moment. I had a co-worker that was going through gender transition. I witnessed first hand how difficult and serious it was. It makes me cringe a little to see the light mocking of a serious and life altering procedure. I do understand humor and I am generally not a very serious or PC individual. That’s all. This forum is generally civil and I doubt any harm was intended.
Yeah, I cringed when I read the title. I make all kinds of rude jokes with my friends sometimes, but putting it in writing online is pretty iffy.
edit: note the title has been changed and previously included a word considered a slur.
Last edited by lostarchitect; 02-05-19 at 12:08 PM.
#38
Port




Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,167
Likes: 6,115
From: Boston
Bikes: 2022 Soma Fog Cutter, 2021 Calfee Draqonfly 44, 1984 Peter Mooney, 2017 Soma Stanyan, 1990 Fuji Ace, 1990 Bridgestone RB-1, 1995 Independent Fabrications Track, 2003 Calfee Dragonfly Pro

Phil's and Bullseye. I still have my Bullshot grease from the 80s and it still seems new. Still red. Still rad.
Fat tires are the bomb. I remember having 18mm Michelins BITD. Never going back.
BTW, that image is one I found doing a quick image search. I had to look very carefully, because it looks so much like it would be my own, right down to the stickers on the tool box.

Phil's and Bullseye. I still have my Bullshot grease from the 80s and it still seems new. Still red. Still rad.
Fat tires are the bomb. I remember having 18mm Michelins BITD. Never going back.
BTW, that image is one I found doing a quick image search. I had to look very carefully, because it looks so much like it would be my own, right down to the stickers on the tool box.
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Last edited by Rocket-Sauce; 02-05-19 at 09:43 AM.
#40
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,495
Likes: 4,910
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
michelin pro4 25 are as fat as other 28's i have used
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
#41
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 1,976
From: SW Ohio
#43
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,299
Likes: 6,552
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I just put 650b wheels on my Lemond. I don't have pictures yet. It's a tight-wheelbase road racing bike, with a titanium frame. The Pari Moto tires are 38mm wide. I don't know what pressures I like yet. Today I rode it with 30 psi in front and 40 in the rear. I think I can go down a bit in the rear, and I might want to go up in front. Fat tires are nice, especially when they're lightweight.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#46
Re; Grease.
I've used Lubriplate 130 forever.
It was developed during WWII to lubricate the M1 Garand.
Lithium based and NLGI grade 2.5 meaning a little less viscous than most general purpose automotive greases.
It's rated for a max temp of 170 F but maintains it's consistency at low temps (don't want a frozen rifle jamming) which is ideal for bikes.
Use very sparingly, it seems to have better surface adhesion than a lot of other greases I've used.
Oh, and yeah, 28's on everything but the commuter which only handles 25's with the requisite mudguards.
I've used Lubriplate 130 forever.
It was developed during WWII to lubricate the M1 Garand.
Lithium based and NLGI grade 2.5 meaning a little less viscous than most general purpose automotive greases.
It's rated for a max temp of 170 F but maintains it's consistency at low temps (don't want a frozen rifle jamming) which is ideal for bikes.
Use very sparingly, it seems to have better surface adhesion than a lot of other greases I've used.
Oh, and yeah, 28's on everything but the commuter which only handles 25's with the requisite mudguards.
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jtown
Bicycle Mechanics
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09-17-16 10:15 AM




The same way some 32" waist jeans aren't 32" anymore; they're like 33" sometimes 33 1/2" now. I really don't understand that.



