I honestly can't see how the binder itself could be creaking. It's just a pinch clamp made from one piece of metal.

If you do try smoothing out the seat tube, be careful not to take off too much material.

Wouldn't one of those drum brake wheel cylinder hones work???........squirt some oil in the tube, hit it with the hone for maybe 1/2 second then clean oil and metal out. That should make everything pretty and round for a nice even fit.

A round wire brush on a drill works pretty well too.

Ah yes wise one....it would take a lot longer to remove to (too?) much material.;)

do 165 mm crank arms really help that much with pedal strike? I'm riding a vintage road bike conversion, so I would assume my bb is lower than say a track bike. Should I be concerned with the current setup of 170 mm?

I haven't had issues yet, but come fall I'll be back in Philly and riding considerably more. (now i'm mostly riding my hardtail on the local trails up here in CT)

Edit: and out of curiousity, what's your favorite lacing pattern? do you prefer matching or different front to back?

So update, I fixed the creak. It was the back edge of the seat tube, had a small uneven area where it would rest on and guess it was the culprit.

w00t!

Made all the difference with my 80s Europa - occasional strikes with 170mm, none with 165mm. She isn't ridden aggressively though and this result may be frame specific.

2 imm is nothing. I ride my centurion fixed and I've come close to striking but i pay attention to how i hit corners and its only when get i sloppy that i come close to striking. Just pay attention and you will be fine.

Just be careful when cornering and you shouldn't have any problems.

I don't really have a favorite lacing pattern but all the wheels on my own bikes are 3X. As far as matching wheels goes, I think a radial front looks great on the right bike.

Is the difference between 165mm and 170mm really 2mm now? I need to update my measuring devices!

It's the metric system Scrod, plays merry hell with traditional addition and subtraction. :)

170 ÷ 165 = 2 rite? haha

cool, thanks for the answer. maybe if I come across a cheap pair in 165 ill pick them up and test for myself.

I love seeing radial front on lugged steel cyclocross bikes.

Hey Scrod!!
I am deciding on what wheelset should i get.
was leading towards either Mavic Ellipse or H+Son Archetype.
For the Archetype having a BLB track hub should be decent enough right?
Kinda in a budget because im currently saving up for a full bike set and i ordered my LOW// frame.

LOW// Pursuit
Alphina Fork
SRAM Omnium 48T
Chris King Griplock Nothreadset
MKS Gr-10 w toeclips and cadence dbl straps
Thomson Elite, Thomson x2 and Thomson seatpost

will be reusing my saddle, cog, and handlebars.

Thank you for your time!!

Build certainly doesnt say "budget" to me

haha true that. but i dont have a choice. cause im left with the wheelset. previously i wanted to reuse my wheelset, but now im considering just getting a new one. regarding my timeframe for savings, i can just barely afford to get a new wheelset.

and my "budget" is only referring to the wheelset.

Ellipses are way overrated. Arechetypes to BLB hubs (which are rebranded Formulas) are the way to go.

thats the answer i was hoping for! Awesome!!

cheers
Gabe

Using Brooks proofhide on toe straps, yay or nah? I know it is intended for saddles but I figured it could help protect my straps from water.

Not unless you want them to break. The Proofide will soften the leather too much.

My experience is that straps only need to be used. Is that yours?

Yup.

Scrod whats your favorite kind of chain lube??
Also is it best to go with dry or wet?

I live in LA and doesn't really rain much.

The one I've been using steadily for the past few years is Finish Line Ceramic Wet.

Dry lube sucks.

I was drunk using my phone :|
Pressed wrong button damn it!

Hey Scrod, what would be the best wheelset upgrade? Archetypes laced to AC hubs, A23 laced to AC hubs or buy a complete Wabi wheelset?

Can/should you grease the threads on a track hub before installing a cog & lockring?

The Wabi wheelset are really nice, light wheels for the money but personally I'd go with the Archetypes. I know they're the "hot" rim at the moment but it's not unwarranted. They're awesome rims.

I need some bartape. Suggestions?

http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/a...610_221251.jpg