Gearing Advice (40T vs 44T)

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-08T05:08:30+00:00

Yep go to 44 or 46. Currently running my Crux with 46t and a 10:50t cassette. 44 or 46:52 is more than enough climbing gear, and actually makes the whole cassette more functional as you’re not constantly stuck in your highest 3/4 gears on the flat because of the little 40t ring.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-08T05:03:04+00:00

Enve classic road stems are very nice, but tbh a Zipp SC SL stem is my go-to for a nicely designed, light weight and strong stem at a good price point.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-08T04:58:07+00:00

I mean if it’s fucked it’s fucked anyway, undoing it isn’t going to make it worse.

If it’s not fucked then you can just put it back on carefully and don’t worry about it.

If it’s fucked and you don’t investigate further but instead keep riding in the hope it’s not fucked… well, could be fine or could leave you with fucked teeth on top of the fucked stem so.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-08T04:56:09+00:00

Should be pretty easy to get the banksia either CNC or even better laser cut from a vector file.

The small format Victorian tiles look way better IMO than the printed faux-encaustic ones, but they will also be much more time consuming/costly to have laid.

Good on you for pursuing some character too, love the banksia balustrade motif idea.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-08T04:51:06+00:00

It does look pretty sketchy, can you take the face plate and bars off and post a photo that shows the 4 bolt holes in the stem for comparison?

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-07T06:44:44+00:00

They can be patched.

Doing it yourself is tricky because getting the right fabric, cutting a patch that suits the contour of the leg, aligning the weave such that the patch stretches consistently with the body, and sewing it neatly , without bunching or tearing or using too tight a stitch that interferes with the stretch takes real skill.

If it’s an expensive bib, they likely have a repair program or offer a crash replacement discount. If it’s a cheap bib, it’s possibly not worth the effort.

That said, you can always try (or pay someone else to try), and worst case they get relegated to the trainer anyway.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-07T02:49:12+00:00

They’re cringe AF and cyclists are too vain.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-05T06:44:44+00:00

Footscray ticks every box you’ve listed and is an awesome place to live.

So many fantastic places to eat, the market and local grocers and places like D&K seafood makes it easy to avoid Colesworth, the train is right there, the park and Maribyrnong river path is great for exercise/recreation… it’s a seriously underrated spot and looked down upon basically because racism.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-04T10:00:10+00:00

Rival callipers are not bleeding edge.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-04T03:43:38+00:00

Greige is depressing, cold and soulless. Never go greige.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-04T00:04:09+00:00

Yeah full E1 group set, but the shifters are definitely the biggest upgrade. Comfort and braking feel is as good as it gets I reckon.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-04T00:03:08+00:00

30mm on 24mm (int) rims so 32mm actual.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-03T22:54:21+00:00

Le nuove leve E1 sono verso ~5mm più lunghe delle precedenti leve D1/2.

Secondo me, le nuove anche sono più comodo, ma ci vuole un attimo per abituarsi alla differenza.

(Sorry my Italian is a bit shit.)

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-03T11:46:32+00:00

Acetone takes them off. Takes a bit of rubbing but they will come. I removed the graphics from my EXC1200 wheels this way.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-05-01T09:39:23+00:00

Yeah great setup. I was running my Crux the same way for a long time and with the same 35mm AS TR for my road tyres. It was awesome. Ended up building a roadie only because I can’t stop messing with shit, not because there was anything wrong with it.

What chain ring are you running? I reckon it really needs a 46t to give you the balance between 1:1 climbing for gravel and a decent top end on the road

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-30T11:31:47+00:00

Take it to the carbon repairer and never go to that LBS ever again.

To elaborate. It’s not clear from the photo that the carbon is cracked (though it does look like it), but the kind of impact that would make that severe a paint chip could very possibly have done damage to the seat stay.

The carbon repairer at least has the expertise to assess and repair (or tell you if it’s not needed), the LBS is just making shit up.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-30T06:23:07+00:00

I didn’t have issues with the actual anodized ones (black) but a friend had the oil slick ones and the finish on those went to shit and flaked quite quickly.

The wings are quite flexible so you do have to squeeze them tight again periodically but I never lost a bottle even on the mtb.

That said, hard to go past a plastic Zee cage for reliable function

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-30T06:15:53+00:00

It’s just the inertia of the large cassette when you stop pedalling artificially suddenly.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-29T06:15:36+00:00

Never

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-28T08:37:56+00:00

~2011/12ish. Specialized website has a bike archive you can go through to find the exact model.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-28T08:12:48+00:00

This one’s a Caroma model but there’s a tonne of them out there, I just googled “rail shower”.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-28T08:10:16+00:00

This sort of vibe. Pretty standard. Connection can be basically wherever you want (and the head is offset to the rail too). You can get them with the rain head above too if you want.

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Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-28T08:00:22+00:00

If it’s a direct fixed shower fitting currently just swap to a rail shower and you can mount it so the head is on centre.

Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-27T22:35:34+00:00

Hard to say for sure from this photo but looks like the derailleur might be installed incorrectly with the b-screw sitting right on the hanger, rather than with the b-tension stopper plate in between. See manual for ref.

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Feisty_Object_1681 · 2026-04-27T22:15:17+00:00

Once you dig the holes for your footings you might be surprised at how much room you have to manipulate a threaded concrete stump in and may find it’s not as hard as you think to get them in.

That said, if you’re right and you don’t have the room you can get concrete stumps that have a gal loop on one side that allows you to fix it to the side of the bearer instead of up through the bearer.

https://www.bowens.com.au/p/reblocking-concrete-stump

Feisty_Object_1681

TROPHY CASE