Are you really expecting us to take the word of some Shimano drone over the alpha-dog of this forum?

Actually did it more for self-entertainment than anything else...

Carry on :innocent:

Thanks for that.

Some relevant highlights.

One of Shimano’s main tech gurus, Nick Murdick

So it appears I was not hallucinating.

Facts shmacts.

What I don't understand is why everyone acts like the factory lube is made of unicorn blood, that is is completely unavailable to anyone apart from the guy who operates the lube machine in the Shimano factory in Japan. It must be commercially available somewhere.

Imma find it, package it and sell it at high end bike botiques, enough to do one chain for like $50.

Feeling a kickstarter coming on.

$50? Come the fk on. People already pay $140 for pre "optimized" chains. ( http://www.ceramicspeed.com/sport/products/Chains ) You should be able to get at least $200 for a jug of "optimal" lube

It's not that factory lube is unicorn blood or something beyond reproach. It really boils down to the fact that it's a new chain free of grit and dirt, and each part has been lubed pre-assembly insuring all of the spaces between the pins and bushings etc. have adequate lubricant. It's hard to get a used chain fully clean with a fresh application of lubricant to soak into every nook and cranny. Not that it's the end of the world if you don't, it's really just lube on a chain

But many people are saying that it is "far superior" to any aftermarket lube you can get.

I still say its nothing but Cosmoline Rust Veto 342. Some day when I have $39 to blow and nothing better to do I'm going to order a quart of the stuff, heat it in a coffee can and soak a chain in it to find out.

My grandfather used to have cans of cosmoline in his garage. Rolls of 25% silver solder, gallon cans of flux, jars of mercury, benzyne, all just laying around. For some reason he screwed a hose clamp onto the fender well under the hood of his car and used it to hold a glass bottle of carbon tetrachloride. I don't know why.
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I honestly cannot believe this is still being discussed.

Hey Scrod, how big are your thighs? I heard there is some dude running around here with 31 inchers!

damnit meant to put this in the ask scrod thread

Exactly Sheldon Brown already discussed this at length on his website, why would anyone feel the need to go against his word?

The ShelBroCo Bicycle Chain Cleaning System

I see a number of people who agree it's not necessary to apply additional lubricant to a new chain, but not much in the way of "far superior". Like I said before I think it has to do more with the chain's individual parts being lubed pre-assembly and being new, free of grit, not necessarily the quality of lubricant used.



Haha, that's awesome

Does anyone know anything about Lotto shoes? I found a pair in my size, locally on Craigslist. But I can't find anything about them at all. They seem to be a soccer company, and make lots of soccer products. But I can't find any information about their cycling shoes. Model is apparently "1000". Google yielded nothing.

http://i.imgur.com/9CgflO6.jpg

Real dumb question alert: I just popped my crabon wheel cherry ... but I'm not using carbon-specific pads (yet). I intend on getting some, but in the meantime, I'm using brand-spanking-new, never-before-used Campy Record brake pads (the ones that came with the calipers) which, obviously, were intended to be used with alloy wheels. Initial report is that the bike stops when I squeeze the levers, so there's that at least. Burning questions:

1) am I doing damage to my wheels?
2) what's the worst that can happen?

In theory, standard brake pads are made of rubber that is much too hard - and get too hot - for carbon rims and will eventually damage the sidewalls. Pads designed specifically for carbon rims will wear faster, but your rims will last much longer. Cork pads are also suitable for use on carbon but they suck.

You spent the money on carbon wheels, spend a little extra on the right pads.

I have experience with the shimano and enve carbon pads, both seem to be about the same.

I have heard good thing about the blue reynolds pads tho but haven't tried them.

Question about my seatpost. It's been slipping a lot lately.

http://i.imgur.com/2yqWSfg.jpg

It fell that much during an easy 9 mile ride, averaging 15mph. Just a casual stroll to get breakfast.

Yes, the seat post is the correct size. The clamp is tightened as tight as it can go. I'm wondering if the clamp is just getting worn out? I can't find any place that sells replacements, short of contacting Bianchi directly.

Doesn't look like the only person that's faced this problem either.

https://www.******.com/r/FixedGearBicycle/comments/2bdf7s/question_my_thomson_seatpost_keeps_slipping_on_my/

Clean all the grease off the post and from inside the seat tube. Use carbon installation paste instead.

Chime in @ C&V.

Why doesn't Chris King make 120mm rear hubs? Seems really odd.

http://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...rack-hubs.html

Because Phil Wood already does it better than they could.

I see.

Good to know! :thumb:

Been experiencing more than average post-ride pain in the outer-side of knee area (both legs) recently. Fitment issue or just regular strain? I have been going on longer, harder rides more frequently the past couple weeks, so it seems like maybe I've just been giving my legs a little more than they can handle on the new road bike.

If this pain is new to you, then it is likely due to something you just started doing. However, you changed two things recently, new road bike and increased effort. Pick the one you have the most control over the variables, and change it. In this case, effort level. Gives your knees a couple of days of rest, then if they feel normal ride at your previous effort level. If this does not bring back the pain, it is likel a fit issue.

Yeah, that makes sense. Leg extension is basically the same as my other bikes, haven't looked closely at fore-aft saddle position. It also has 172.5mm cranks as opposed to 170 and 165 on my other bikes, but I don't know if that would really have an effect here.