Installing cleats isn't rocket science. Turn the bolts until they are tight - and don't forget to grease them.

New drivetrain parts are often loud.

Re-wrapped the bars and now they're golden. Thanks for the tip. The way they were talking, it sounded like you dasn't stretch it at ALL. So I had it on just barely tight enough to hold in place. And it was nice and plush and luxurious, but not very durable.
Now I snugged it up and wrapped it like you would with other bar tape and it's much less plush feeling, but much more solid. Thanks again.

Scrod, how tight do you have your Nitto bar plugs? When I installed mine, I followed your pro tip and put just a tiny dab of dish soap on them for easier removal... but when I was trying to tighten them down with the allen key, they reached a point where they would just spin and wouldn't tighten anymore. They're in there and not going anywhere but I thought they would be more snug?

After a day or so the soap will dry and you'll be able to tighten them a little more without them slipping.

is .6mm too much extra meat to keep me from using a 26 clamp bar like rb021 with a 25.4 stem?

Thanks. I was just making sure because I thought I read somewhere that the screws aren't supposed to be on tight.

then your cleats will shift after you mash on the pedals, then your knees will hurt.

Scrod, FSA Orbit-X headset... or Velo Orange Grand Cru headset? (I think you've used both if I recall the PedalRoom info correctly)

Fwiw if you reaaally wanna be anal about it, most cleats are spec'd at 4 or 5 nm.
Yep.

Sorry scrod, tonight was uneventful. I'm bored.

/notscrod

In all honesty, you should take an actual measurement of the parts. It may be less of a difference (or more) than you think.

I've never used a Grand Cru but they look pretty nice.

Oh my fault. I thought I saw that you used a Velo Orange headset of some kind. I like their stuff.

I guess what I'm getting at is - does it matter? For street FG riding, are headsets basically all created equal if you spend $40-$50 on one? My stock headset is rusting on the outsides and the topmost piece (under the stem though) is deteriorating and no longer forms a good seal. So I know it's time for a new one. Just don't want to waste money on something I won't even notice.

FWIW - I consider the Orbit X to be the best "mid-grade" headset I've found. The overall design is good, the bearings are really smooth and the lower seal doesn't let any grime get inside.

Dear Scrod,
Are you sexy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrodzilla

Always.

scrod...got some paul racer mediums for additional clearance to run 28c tires (running front and rear)....front is fine, but for the rear, brake pads are seated at the lowest point in the brake, and only getting about 1mm of rim showing between pad and tire.

is the thinking, if it's not touching then it's fine? or is that too close?

I dont have the bars on hand, just saw a set on CL i was thinking about, but i will measure my stem when i get home to see if it gives me any wiggle room

Thx dudes

It will be fine - as long as your rim is perfectly true all the time.

Hey man, I am in the market for a new frame in the near future and I thought that I would get your thoughts.

I saw the pics of the pink Dodici Gara frame. Are you riding that build? How long have you been riding it? How do you feel about it?

I ride the mostly smooth streets of So Cal regularly, and I am considering this frame because I want to try an aluminum frame that does not have pursuit geo. I do mostly long rides, 45-60 miles, and enjoy slow climbs. I do want something with comfortable road-like geometry, although I am pretty lean and flexible. I have really fallen in love with the aesthetic/appearance of aluminum frames opposed to steel frames.

How well do you think that this frame will suit me? Do yo have any concerns about quality and/or warranty stuff with Dodici? I ask because I don't many of them on the streets, and there doesn't really appear to be any shops in So Cal selling them much.

Thanks in advance for your time man, really appreciate it.

hey Scrod, how's the ride on a Pake French 75?

That pink Dodici Gara is all mine.

It just arrived last week and I've only put about 60 miles or so on it but it fits me perfectly (as custom frames should) and I am incredibly pleased with it. The Dedacciai Fire 7003-AL tubeset is incredibly stiff without being harsh like a lot of lower-grade aluminum frames and actually rides a lot more like a steel frame when it comes to road vibrations and whatnot.

I have a feeling you're not seeing too many of them around because they are - for the most part - custom made in Italy. The ones available here in the states (distributed by Leader) are still pretty nice but they're nowhere near being the same frames.

No idea. I'm itching to build one up though.

fwiw, I have a 26 in 25.4 stem. The clam fits the curve fine, but the is a wider gap in the clamp, my bolts could use another 1/4" or so. Functionally, I have had no issues, either flex or slippage.

would love to know... the kilo TT frame i CL'd last year is dying and i'm really sold on how my caad10 rides, so i'm interested in the idea of riding fixed w/ an AL frame and carbon fork.... maybe a 2013 project...

maybe.

Flex and slippage are a non-issue. The faceplate on the stem can crack, like so:



But hey, they're your teeth.