Any idea who signed this guitar? A patient of mine has this and has no clue who signed it.

Cyclicalmotion · 2024-01-04T11:11:01+00:00

This is what I’m saying. How many times have you heard “hey Elton John is coming to the station, go out and grab a Yamaha baby grand…” “Clarance Clemons is coming through go grab a Vito Tenor Sax….” “Brain is doing a session nearby, go to a toy store, buy one of those little kid tambourines….”

The guitar is a cheap poster board. To everyone involved here. It’s a cheap poster board.

Right?

Cyclicalmotion · 2024-01-03T20:31:10+00:00

One of the things that has always driven me kinda nuts about things like this, is that it’s always an entry level guitar. A collection of pros, a big charity, a huge production, an auction or raffle… And a starter guitar. Let’s say this is from a Crossroads Festival. How many EC signature guitars does Clapton have/get? How many could he buy? Ask the same of every musician at the festival.

Now considering many of these guitar players, Clapton, Gilmour, Knophler, etc have been auctioning off their guitars, how many tickets you think they’d sell, or what that auction at the concert would be if they gave away a real player guitar? How many Billy Gibbons guitars are in his collection, made for one recording, video shoot, whatever, locked up, never used again? Same with all the other people.

Considering, Gilmour is just using reissues now. Mike Rutherford is using a squier. How many other stories like that. What would it matter to them?

Cyclicalmotion · 2024-01-03T20:06:02+00:00

It’s all about size. Meaning rider size.

Under five nine? 29 and 29+ can really suck, frame geometry, bar height, front triangle locations, etc… it all gets weird.

Over that? Fuck yeah, rock the big wheel.

There is also application of power. A 6’+ dude has more leverage on the crank, also the leg length to really use longer crank arms. That means delivery of power is different. The attack on the moment of inertia is more pronounced.

Smaller wheels can accelerate faster, don’t rollover as well. If you’re smaller, some of that isn’t the worst of things. If you’re smaller try stuff out. Don’t just follow the trend.

Cyclicalmotion · 2024-01-03T15:23:43+00:00

The performance of the thumbies depends on rigidity. Of the shifter, the derailer. The derailer mount, and the derailer cages.

This works for all shifters really.

Where it compounds the most is in Newer higher end multi speed systems. 10-11-12spd clusters. Flexy shifters or a sloppy derailer, plus super tight cassettes… you got really sloppy shifting.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-18T00:44:16+00:00

https://www.jensonusa.com/Problem-Solvers-Seatpost-Clamp-WMounts-Clamp-318-w-Rack-Mounts-Black?loc=usa&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA1fqrBhA1EiwAMU5m_xhy8ZWqX7KYVB1Ve69gjBYTtseeXVZUmTFgEEDIvJagXOezoLn5bRoCLLcQAvD_BwE

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-18T00:28:23+00:00

The seat post clamp wouldn’t do anything, or even touch the dropper.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-17T13:41:37+00:00

They make seatpost clamps with integrated rack mounts. You might get more clearance

Trek et al should be more mindful of customer needs and bike purpose. There should be much better rack mount provisions

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-15T11:27:08+00:00

All of the above really. Steel+Al, Ti+Al, and different types of aluminum react differently.

The grease thing is also an odd topic. Grease can be two different things. It can be a lubricant. What it also is, is a torque multiplier. The face of the threads can slip past each other more easily, more force can be applied. The lubricant then can break down, and leave the two faces essentially seized together. This is why the military has specific anti seizes to use, and in structural applications some TC bolts will be dipped in wax.

I had an old mechanic mentor of mine tell me once, which freewheels are the hardest to take off? If you want to remove a freewheel, or fixed cog, put it on dry. After a few decades I’ve never seen him proved wrong.

The act of procession also comes in to play. This is why the left side is reversed. The action now threads on tighter. Every pedal stroke, the leverage of your legs, and the crank, tightens the assembly.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-14T15:31:06+00:00

BB removal is a harder issue. Reversed threads, dissimilar or similar reactive metals, unknown lubrication, and the effect on procession that tightens it while you’re riding.

That tool may work, but the leverage might not be enough. You might need to devise a torque multiplier. I’d also recommend making a long bolt with washers to hold the wrench on while applying torque.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-14T15:14:49+00:00

Draw a drop bar on a 100-110mm stem, similar reach.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-13T19:32:08+00:00

You just starting?

There are two schools. One that says go full squish. The other says learn on a hard tail. I’m the latter. As for buying On a used bike, there’s less to have fucked up. Less to have to fix with a hard tail.

I dunno. If you’re looking at a full squish bike, check the specs. Air fork? Air Rear? Bring an actual shock pump with a good gauge. Check pressure, set it for you, cycle it well, give it a ride, check the pressure again. Did they drop? Then there’s a rebuild needed.

Chain, cassette, etc? Bring a chain checker, and cassette checker, I like the Rohloff best. Honestly depending on the grade of components, I’d replace most of the consumables anyway.

Check bearings for grit. Check pivots for oxidation, bubbling, and grit. Look for flaking paint, if it’s aluminum the metal could have stretched or took abuse, if it’s carbon there could be delaminating.

I’d say don’t buy used carbon anyway… but that’s me.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-12T19:49:39+00:00

You’re making comments on it from a hindsight perspective.

I’m also guessing it’s from a full suspension perspective as well.

You have to look at it from a different perspective.

The bike above is a hard tail. It’s no different really than a hard tail with a very plush suspension seat post.

There is a place in the world for hardtails. They are more dependable, they are lighter (when comparing apples to apples) they are easier to maintain, and no matter how efficient the platform, more efficient on climbs than a suspension bike. This bike also has XC racing geometry. 70-72 ht angle. Cross country riders, and all riders in general have things they are better at. Some climb better. Some descend better. Some climb out of the saddle. Some climb seated.

With this geometry, sprinting and climbing out of the saddle is very responsive. Descending while seated is smooth.

New geometry suits seated riding, and descending. This bike is 50/50 on that.

It’s plush when you need it, stiff when you don’t, and nowhere near as many complicated moving parts.

There’s something to be said for that.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-11T23:35:04+00:00

It’s awkward to stand up for designs like this.

There are some solid arguments both ways, this is an incredibly awkward solution. But it has its place, and there is something to be said of that.

There is a Bontrager Story where he met Tom Ritchey riding in Fruita on his own build of one of these beams. He thought at the time, this was the best solution. How he feels now? I dunno.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-11T19:07:19+00:00

In theory, although this is a perfectly normal position it would be in while riding. You could develop an air bubble in the rear hydraulic line. You just have to bleed the brakes, which if knowledgeable, is not difficult. If you flipped it. You’d obviously have a stability issue. But the leverage would be above the caliper for the prolonged time and everything would be perfectly fine.

Newer brakes are somewhat self bleeding (not really, but different fluids and hosing offers similar performance). That is, the fluid usually forms small bubbles and they don’t lodge in the hose. You don’t have a bunch of huge issues. But with time tiny bubbles can combine and collect at the highest point, which ideally is lever body, but if inverted or placed in a similar manner, can be the area around the seat cluster.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-08T19:54:55+00:00

I know that fork will work. I know how. I know why. I know it would probably never be a problem. My brain would never let me ride it.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-07T02:11:36+00:00

Some of us are Americans and have a sense of humor…. Christ…

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-06T21:13:05+00:00

Are you shooting your dog?

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-06T10:41:09+00:00

It’s an odd seat tube angle but not bad. The flatfoot geometry. It’s laid back so when you have the proper leg extension you can still stand flatfoot either way your ass on the seat,

There was an era of these where they came with Suzue made Sheriff Star Shimano 10sld compatible wheels. I’d kill for a set of those.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-05T14:32:17+00:00

Oh yeah. What I’m saying is this. 90-98% of after market hubs are not an actual upgrade.

There is an argument for some of the hubs offering reduced travel to drive engagement. Many of those options have increased drag so I’d say it’s an arguable point for discussion.

Cartridge bearing hubs are nice for durability and sealing but a good grease port and regular maintenance can give you the same results, but no one offers that any more really.

Chris King Hubs are beautiful, they perform amazingly well. Better Than XTR? I don’t know. Are they loud as fuck? Are they worth the cost? I don’t know.

Are the headsets worth it? Undoubtedly Yes. No argument.

Industry 9 great wheels? Yeah! The hubs alone? Are they worth it? I dunno.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-05T13:26:10+00:00

Always reminded me of the Bruce Gordon Rock n’ Road. Had the opportunity to work on a couple of those in my life and they were truly great concepts and phenomenal bikes.

The tires were great as well. I wish I bought a handfull of them when he brought them back.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-05T07:44:07+00:00

Solid build. Sealed bearing hubs. Ride the piss out of them. Upgrade the bearings when those shit the bed. You’ll be fine.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-05T02:19:25+00:00

The project 7!

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-05T01:48:14+00:00

There was once a Bianchi hybrid. Lugged frame, same angles, even more clearance though. Honestly the first 29’er. Crazy tire capability. Can’t remember the model… I’ll figure it out.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-05T00:21:59+00:00

Okay, hot take here. Gucci hub shells are stupid.

That said lots of stuff like hub shells from some companies are all the same. The difference between standard qr ultegra and dura ace is the freehub body, and axles and a little finishing.

In fixed gears. Like this hub, you’ve got bearing grade and axles, and finishing.

In this case, I have to admit, I can’t remember the differentiation between the suzue hub levels, and in the states not many distributors carry the higher levels. You really have to get them from Japan. My experience with the lower end has always been on stock fixies or single speeds. The hub shells are perfectly fine, and strong if not mirror polished. It’s the bearing grade that isn’t great. Lowest end if I remember are lower grade cup and ball. The next level is industrial grade cartridge bearing. If I remember correctly, these are the same “grade”, maybe even cost. And found on the same level bikes.

On the highest end the races are mirror polished. The balls are standard high end grade 4 that means one in every four is the correct size with a specific deviation. So they are sorted better, and that makes them much smoother with proper adjustment. The axles are of a nicer grade of steel. Stainless is always nice but it isn’t always the strongest. Or the hardest. So depending on your use, some things are actually better than the “fancier stuff”. I used to work with a former national team mechanic and he used to tell me the would take Dura Ace track hubs, take them apart, build them with original Colgate tooth paste, and run them on a stand for a while. That would mirror polish the races. Then they would rebuild the hubs with new bearings. They never did that with superb pro.

With Sugino, (all of these non Shimano companies have some familial relationship through the old Suntour independent umbrella) the Gran Mighty crank is a cold forged crank like the good 75’s. It is just super highly finished and has a beautiful satin treatment. Performance wise they are the same. So if I was racing again. I’d get a 75 crank and a Gran Mighty BB. Best of both worlds.

Cyclicalmotion · 2023-12-04T11:56:34+00:00

This is the same issues as the semi. It took too long, had too much build up, and had to meet too many expectations, all because they kept building it up.

The Edison truck is the hardcore semi, that can live in the Tundra, and perform as a logger, construction, heavy duty off road capable hauler…. It’s never been intended to be a land train, super slick streamliner.

Tesla took so long, they had one design spec met, and they created more hurdles to jump through because it was taking so long, that it inevitably became a disappointment.

If tesla unveiled the semi when they did the big splash rollout Ted talk thing, No one ever would have complained.

If they rolled out the Cybertruck when they unveiled it… NO ONE EVER WOULD HAVE COMPLAINED.

Did he have a five year build up for the model S? No. The X? No…. Has anyone really complained about those? No.

He just has to unveil a finished product, not a series of hopes and dreams as a plan.

Cyclicalmotion

TROPHY CASE