As trendy as they are, Samba's work really well with straps and BMX pedals

Seriously, WTF!

Scrod, do you grease where the handlebar is clamped by the stem? On my old Bontrager stem I had a shim that was then clamped by the stem and if I didn't grease it then I would hear creaking. Just got a new ritchey stem and it won't clamp down tight enough to keep the handlebars from moving. Should I add a beercan shim or not use grease?

I never grease but will occasionally use a drop or two of light oil (Tri-Flow or similar) when the clamp is tight to stop a creak.

As I mentioned, I wear the shoes I wear at work. Another reason I went the BMX pedal route was I didn't think it mattered as much what shoes I wore. Obviously I was wrong...

Thanks, I'll give that a shot after work.

in my mind, you are everything wrong about everything.

Dear Scrod, I haven't really been to a bike shop to see a mechanic since I was a kid, and I'm curious how tipping etiquette works with your bike mechanic. I ordered some pedals and clips, and I don't have a pedal wrench (and my 15mm crescent doesn't seem to fit), so I figured I'd go by the LBS (Rapid Transit in Bucktown, Chicago incase anybody has some local insight?) and ask a wrench there to install them.

I've done some reading and it seems like a super mixed bag, everything from beer to food to just giving him a few bucks to just tossing some cash in the tip jar.

What would you do? I feel weird about beer or food because there could easily be dudes in the shop who are vegan, or straightedge, or underage. Money is appropriate, but it's a big enough shop that maybe they can't accept the tip due to some kind of policy, or it could just cause undue stress between the buncha mechanics working?

Is there anything wrong with just outright asking the mechanic if they have a tip jar or if it's appropriate to tip him a few bucks?

As long as someone pays the shop labor rate - which is $1 per minute in my shop's case - there's really no need for a tip. If it's something small that only takes a minute or two (like installing pedals), and he doesn't charge you, throwing the guy a few bucks won't hurt. Food or beer is a good gesture if you know the guy and what he likes - but not everyone drinks or eats the same things and because you don't already have some sort of relationship set up with the shop/the mechanic, a cash tip will most likely be the best way to go.

A really old guy whose bike I often work on who we call Rumpelstiltskin (his name is Russell Stiltson) always brings a fresh batch of brownies or cookies whenever he comes in, but I've known him forever.

Awesome, thanks for the insight. Yeah, it'd be much less of a dilemma if I already had a relationship established with the people there, but I imagine there isn't a better way to start one than getting off on the right foot.

As an addendum to my question, am I being silly not just buying a pedal wrench and doing it myself?

A pedal wrench is a good thing to have.

What pedals are they? A lot of pedals can be installed using a 6mm allen wrench.

It's a 76 Motobecane Grand Touring, I'm replacing my dad's old Look clipless pedals with some MKS road pedals and VO clips. Just something clean and tasteful to get me riding while I ponder a potential FG conversion. The crank and BB are original to the bike if that helps.

Pardon, MKS Sylvan road pedals. Brainfarted on the model. The old pedals are apparently made by Forte, but are Look style. I do recall my dad saying he needed a pedal wrench to install them.

Gee, thanks...

Take a look at the back of the pedal spindles - I know you can install all Sylvan models with an allen wrench and every Forte pedal I've ever seen has that option as well.

you could always pick up a Park single speed wrench for your tool box....its too heavy for everyday carry but its a nice shop tool
http://www.parktool.com/uploads/thum...32_430x390.jpg

I have a 2005 specialized langster and am thinking of replacing the fork with one that would have a little less vibration and maybe be a bit lighter but still be able to squeeze in 28c tires. What would be a good fit that wouldn't cost a fortune? I am fully willing to shop the ebay/craigslist used market, just don't know exactly what I should be looking for.

I need a Windsor update.

Scrod, can you pull strings and get me Fyxation Rodeo Pursuit 31.8 bars in white? :p

Not unless "pulling strings" involves sending you a can of white spray paint.

dear mr. Scrodzilla,

when (if?) you build a radial spoked front wheel...do you place the spoke ends at the hub facing inwards or out?

thanx...

How much is a can of Retrogression spray paint?

Nothing to report. I'm actually thinking of selling it.

It's super nice and I love it but it's going to cost too much money to build it up the way I want it and I've got a lot of other things going on right now.

$1600

Paypal on the way

:lol:

But actually, do you know of any bullhorns with a drop that come in white with a 31.8mm clamp diameter? Or should I just suck it up and shim it.

I don't but will put a bug in Ben from Fyxation's ear next time I talk to him.

Muchas Gracias, I love their bars, just can't sacrifice aesthetics for a minor improvement in functionality.

Scrod, can you ban Nagrom until he takes non-potato pics of his new plastic road bike?