Give me a lever#

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:34:34 +0000

The Eagle is back together in fixed format and I have successfully ridden it around the block without falling off (and mostly without forgetting to keep pedalling). The gear train is a little noisier than I expected, I think because the chain rattles a bit - I can hear it when I spin the cranks by hand but it's inaudible over the rattle of the front mudguard when the bike is on the road. Chainline is, as near as I can see it, straight. I don't think the lockring is as tight as it should be, but I don't plan on skid stops anyway. I hope the cranks are tight. I continue to live in fear of pedal strike.

Pictured here after the removal of all the derailleur-related paraphernalia (at least, all that does not require a hacksaw to get off) and application of Brasso on some of the bits I thought ought to be shiny bits. Replacement handlebar grips still on the agenda, but I'm waiting to see what I think of the front brake (I have spare aero levers in a box somewhere) before I start retaping anything

48x16 on 622-23 wheels (that's 700 x 23 in old money) should be about 78 gear inches (sez Sheldon ) , but it doesn't feel like hard work.