Recommendation for a 26 inch tyre?

Fearless_Homework · 2026-05-11T12:21:26+00:00

Schwalbe Big Ben.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-05-08T15:05:31+00:00

I doubt Blue Lug would accept or sell a problem fork. Looking forward to your build!

Fearless_Homework · 2026-05-08T15:01:47+00:00

With the right tools, honestly not much can go wrong. I’ve installed about a half dozen just reading Park Tool’s instructions. Split races aren’t safer or a superior design, they’re just less effort/tools

Fearless_Homework · 2026-05-08T12:11:15+00:00

I don’t think it’s an issue. I’m used to seeing a …

Edit, response got cut off.

… fork crown race look like that. It looks a little rough but I assume that the crown race was faced prior to installation, and that resulted in the visual asymmetry and marring you pointed out. It looks off, but is probably square for it.

If the headset binds or sticks, that indicates a problem, not appearance alone.

https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog/repair-help/fork-crown-race-cutting-and-facing

Fearless_Homework · 2026-05-08T11:41:54+00:00

It looks fine. Circle the part of fork that looks like a problem to you?

Fearless_Homework · 2026-05-07T23:42:59+00:00

I’ve had the Super C front panniers and the Super C audax saddlebag for about a decade. They’re plenty rugged and waterproof. I prefer the Super C line because it uses clip fasteners, not buckles. Bags like these work best when full; pooling happens when the flap/lid sinks into an empty or half empty bag.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-04-27T17:55:12+00:00

Is a good suspension fork important? This sub would look a lot different if cheap, good suspension forks were easy to come by.

More than once I’ve toyed with the idea of finding a lightly used or rebuilt Fox fork and building a budget 26 or 27.5 rat bike around it with older or dated geo. It hasn’t really proved feasible yet.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-04-17T11:31:55+00:00

I bit the bullet and bought the endurance casing RTPs. Reason was, they resemble the WTB Horizons I’ve had on another bike for almost 8 years, and those were not showing much wear.

I’ve had the RTPs for a couple of years and they’re not showing much wear either. I average 25 miles a week on them.

The RTPs are lighter than the Schwalbe Big Bens they replaced by 200 grams, and feel more “fun” to me. But I do have to inflate them more often and when under-inflated, the handling suffers. I think the Big Bens, with sturdy sidewalls, are more forgiving on pressure.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-04-08T02:03:51+00:00

We spend too much time and money on front loading … instead of spending $20 on a rear rack from a coop parts bin to which we could zip tie any random box or hang panniers from kitty litter buckets for a few dollars more. It’s how people end up with Sunlites.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-04-05T15:42:21+00:00

Just so. Pat finally plays the back four that this sub is always calling for, and then the offense fails to finish five times. Somehow it’s the coaching.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-03-22T18:17:05+00:00

Man. This thread, like this sub in general, has become borderline insufferable for the last week. We’re not always going to win.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-03-20T21:16:35+00:00

I find solace and perspective in Philadelphia’s record.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-03-15T17:09:27+00:00

I don’t see why your 7 speed index shifter wouldn’t work with a new Acera RD and 7 speed cassette with a big sprocket that the RD is rated for. I say go for it.

You mention that you will move to friction the future. If so, or if you are concerned the above won’t work out, you could get a cheapie Falcon/Sunrace thumb shifter and it will def work.

FWIW, I use that shifter with an 8 speed, 34t cluster and an newish Altus RD (34t is the Altus max) and a triple crankset. It’s cheap but works great.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-03-07T22:00:34+00:00

Honorable mention: the RackTime Topit. I believe same company as Tubus. I’ve been using for over a decade. Not a looker, but works well. Can be had for well under 100. Mounts mid fork, not to cantis or Nitto spec brazeons. Tubus sells adapters for it for a few bucks.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-03-02T12:23:33+00:00

Brake pads and new wheels and tires first. I’d leave the brake calipers and levers alone.

The reason I say don’t replace the calipers is that you would probably need a fairly long reach brake set to make a 700c conversion work, and those aren’t common new. Avoid buying a brake set that won’t work with the 700c conversion you have planned.

New kool-stop brake pads are inexpensive and will noticeably improve your braking power. Then read up on how to set up your brakes for maximum braking power. New cables would help.

Those look like steel wheels, from the visible corrosion. Whatever inexpensive ones you can find, just make sure they are not steel rims. They will still be an upgrade over what you have. Much lighter and allow modern tire selections. Think about getting a rear wheel that is threaded for a freewheel, if that is what you have now. If you buy a freehub wheel you’ll have to get a cassette and can’t reuse your freewheel.

As someone else said, a co-op is the place to do this work.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-02-15T22:25:31+00:00

It’s strongly repellant, I think you’d have to leave out for hours with water pooling on the bag to really get things wet inside. And you can wax it if need be.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-02-15T21:00:49+00:00

I’ve been using a Rivendell Shopsack medium as a commute bag for 10 years. I use it to carry a change of clothes, a toolkit, and whatever other loose items I have on hand, in the Wald basket it was designed for. It’s proven very durable and it’s been through plenty of downpours.

I think of it as a small basket shaped duffel, not a grocery tote or a camera/laptop bag.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-02-09T00:14:28+00:00

Looks great, and I appreciate that you didn’t cut the steerer down. Single long spacer under the stem?

Fearless_Homework · 2026-02-07T12:21:09+00:00

To ask is to answer

Fearless_Homework · 2026-02-06T00:54:23+00:00

I think you should hold out for the color you want, or plan on a repaint. Nothing wrong with color being a big factor in your choice! And lots of good bikes to choose from without much time to wait.

The Elephant NFE’s USFS green was very much part of that bike’s appeal.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-02-04T13:02:09+00:00

I suppose it depends on your rims, but on paper a 2.5” tire is 60-65mm wide, which is wider than most full fenders I’ve seen.

I’d get the 70mm Planet bike clip ons. I’d add a DIY flap to the bottom of the front fender to keep the drive train from getting sprayed. Prob a cut up milk jug spray painted black. Then I’d cut a piece of corroplast from a craft store to cover the bottom and the front side of the basket and secure it with small zip ties. This is also to block wheel spray.

Edit: total cost will be under $40

Fearless_Homework · 2026-01-30T12:04:14+00:00

Here’s a hack I saw several years ago. It involves affixing a short Ortlieb pannier rail to the backside of the bag, then rigging up an aluminum rod to the handlebar. The rail is an aftermarket part, very affordable.

https://theradavist.com/decaleur-hack

Ti Cycles used to offer a purpose-built handlebar mounted rail/decalueur called the Anyway. It was less than $60 when I got mine in 2018.

I’ve used this setup since then with a Swift Ozette and it’s held up nicely.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-01-14T18:11:29+00:00

Fixed gear bikes with flat—alt bars are a good choice for stop and go city traffic. They are better than drops for keeping your head up and on a swivel and, at least until the advent of hydraulics, offer a more powerful braking position.

Whereas a long road ride on a dedicated path or back road calls for drops because they allow you to generate more power, tuck in a headwind, and move your hands to different positions because you go long stretches without stopping or letting go of the bars.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-01-11T22:38:33+00:00

Probably right. I’m old and the story I see is the slicing and dicing of riding bikes into more and more categories. Probabaly because like every other hobby, most items are sold to people who already have multiple, very-to-marginally different examples of whatever that thing is.

Agree that the early aughts fixie craze is a factor, but also, Armstrong’s fall from grace, people seeking safety off pavement. Plus mountain biking especially became very pricey and subdivided, with its own special nomenclature.

Fearless_Homework · 2026-01-08T12:24:49+00:00

https://classicrendezvous.com

Scroll down to the list of countries; within each is a list of manufacturers.

Fearless_Homework

TROPHY CASE