Messages

1

The Bike Shop / Re: Brake pads

« on: October 20, 2015, 10:52:15 AM »

Like a lot of people, I've tried every pair I could get over the years.  Kool Stop Tectonics worked the best, and were the easiest to set up (They arent noisy even if you run them without toe in).  The only reason I don't use them anymore is because cartridge style pads make me nervous.  Since the pads are held in with just a cotter pin, I'm worried the pads will slide out of the holder if you use your brakes during a fakie trick or fufanu.  If you never do fakie stuff, then this isn't an issue.

http://www.koolstop.com/english/tectonic.html

Other than that, I would suggest any salmon colored pad from Kool Stop.   Supra's always worked well http://www.koolstop.com/english/supra2.html

At the moment I am running clear Elcats on one bike, and black odyssey's on another. 

2

Bike Gallery / Re: The Bikeguide Barcode build-off thread

« on: October 15, 2015, 10:42:34 AM »

Does 28-10 slam the back wheel?

I'm running 30/10 and one half-link which slams on my '15 Barcode (13.75).  The sprocket is a little worn which helps out.  30/10 w a half link is equal to 28/10 for the most part. 

A few years ago I had a S&M made SFA which had a 13.75 slammed rear end.  I tried 30/10 and 28/10 but could not get it to work.  It was just too tight. I think the fact that the sprocket, cog, and chain were all new had something to do with it.  I ended up running it at 14".

The 2015 Barcode is a hair under 13.75.  If you sand away the paint in the drop out slots, and make sure your chain alignment is perfect, you should be able to get 13.75 even with a new drive line. 

3

The Bike Shop / Re: Euro/Interbike 2015

« on: September 18, 2015, 01:23:30 PM »

After checking out some Interbike coverage, it looks like a lot of frames are moving to 13.2-13.5 chainstays.  Bikes like the Fly Fuego, Kink Solace, Cult Dak, etc.   Not that this is anything new, but I thought it was interesting since a lot of those guys mentioned in the past how they liked longer rear ends. 

A few years ago I really liked 13.5" , but with bars being bigger now I actually dont mind something longer.   

4

The Bike Shop / Re: Brakes on wide frames

« on: September 14, 2015, 12:50:21 PM »

Best brakes I've found for these wide frames/tires are the Odyssey Springfields with the clear pads. Better than the Demolition sealed bearings, better than the Evos I used to love. It may sound crazy since they're priced at $18, but the proof is in the pudding. Super low profile and the most tire clearance.

I've been riding BMX for a hot minute now and been rocking a rear brake for nearly the entire time. Sole reason I even joined BG back in '03 was to figure out how to get my brakes as dialed as possible, and subsequently, became a brake nut.

I'm currently riding an FBM Steadfast, 2.35" tire, set of Springfields, clear pads, Odyssey Monolever, Tree 44" cable with a black Odyssey Aerospace rim. Brakes lock up with one finger for all of my fufs, feel fantastic, and are the easiest to setup.

Thanks for the insight.  G noted in another post that Springfields were designed around larger tires.   For the price, they're worth trying out.

5

The Bike Shop / Brakes on wide frames

« on: September 14, 2015, 11:29:40 AM »

I have owned a couple of frames with wider rear ends to accommodate bigger tires.  Setting up brakes on these frames has been a challenge.  To make it all work, I have to run a lot of spacers between the pad and brake arm.  Otherwise the ends of the brake arms contact one another when the cable is pulled.  The bike I'm currently running is a FBM Angel of Death.

I'm not sure if it is the pad spacing, or the distance between the brake posts, but a lot of mechanical advantage is lost. 

I tried a few different brakes: Odyssey Evo II, OG Fly's, Eclat Unit, and a old Tektro.  In addition to the brake itself, I have tried the following pads:  Odyssey Slim By Four (both red and black), Dia Tech Green, Eclat clear, Ghost pads clear, Kool Stop Eagle II black, Kool Stop "BMX" in salmon, and Kool Stop Tectonics.

The best set up has proven to be the old Tektro with black Slim by Fours.  Even though its dated and flexy, the arms are longer which provides more leverage.  They still don't work great. 

Has anyone found a brake that works well on wide frames?  Has any company talked about addressing this issue?  G ?



*Update*

As per some suggestions, I bought Odyssey Springfields.  The arms are a bit longer than other brakes which allows for better modulation.  I am running clear Eclat pads with decent sized spacers.  It's grabbing really well and I can lock up with one finger.  The arms don't seem to flex that much.  The only thing I'm worried about is the longevity of the brake spring.  At full pull its pretty maxed out since the arms are already far apart because of the wide spaced brake posts. 

6

The Bike Shop / Re: Anyone that remembers Nate Hanson Grips...

« on: December 30, 2014, 10:41:39 AM »

I had the Nate Handfulls back in the day.  They had to be about 34mm diameter.  Check out FBM double fisters.  They seem similar.

7

The Bike Shop / 22 inches

« on: March 31, 2012, 12:10:19 PM »

The bottom bracket height issue will be trial and error.  I have a 24 and the bb sits lower than the rear axle line (maybe 11.5 inches or something).  Pulling up and hopping take a lot of work, but once you lock in a manual it feels like you have a wheelie bar keeping you there.  I wish the bb was a little higher.

As wheel size increases, the bb should be more in line with the axle line.  I think 11.75 would be a good starting point for a 22.  

*I looked up the specs on Danny MacAskills frame and the bb is "+10mm" or about 0.40 inches above the axle line.  So thats a 12.4" bb height on a 24.  Just sayin.

8

The Bike Shop / 22 inches

« on: March 31, 2012, 10:18:37 AM »

you're right that bb height relative axle line does  matter on how quick the front end pulls up. BUT it also matters what wheel diameter. i've experimented with this several times.

see: http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=3369360#p3369360

imagine you   put some 16"s on your regular 20" bike, see how it feels. or even,the extreme case, let's say you put a couple of large roller-blade sized wheels in your regular 20" BMX frame in the same dropout spots you normally bolt down the axles.  the bike is going to pull up quicker becuase the pivoting around the tiny roller blade wheel's axle (3" diameter) is going to be very quick. if you were trying to manual on those tiny 3" diameter wheels, you would have to do really quick adjustments.... does that make sense?


btw, bean22"s  faction amero next to a custom 22" top tube STANDARD Trail Boss:


http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=3369360#p3369360

:dunno:

Those are some good points...especially seeing the Faction next to the custom trail boss.  I wouldn't mind trying 22's on my old TRLS 250 that has a 14.25 rear end and 21 inch TT.  

I also think that the current 20 inch bike isn't that far from a 22.  With tires being so big, we're pretty much riding 21's.

9

The Bike Shop / 22 inches

« on: March 30, 2012, 09:58:37 PM »

I've been reading the 22" discussions for a couple years.  I think they are a great idea and could possibly revive racing as a new class.  Anyone that has ridden a 24 at the trails knows they jump with less effort and offer a smoother ride...but they're a bit goofy.   A 22 would fill the gap and you could use parts from a 20 or 24.

Since most of the people buying 22's will most likely be over the age of 25, we can assume they have a higher income, and can afford to pay $40 for a tire (tire price seems to be the issue here).  I actually go through tires faster on my dirt bike than bmx bike, and they're $100 + .  

As G said, tires are the issue.  It would be smart of all the companies that want to participate in 22 inch bikes, to create a partnership, pool funds, and have tires made as one big group.  Then as numbers increase, they can break off and do their own thing.  Suzuki and Kawasaki teamed up to create a competitive 4 stroke motocross engine, so S&M, Odyssey, and Standard can come together to make an affordable 22 inch tire.

10

Bike Gallery / Bikes you miss

« on: May 27, 2011, 08:46:14 AM »

My 2007-ish Autopilot. Gave it to my cousin when I enlisted. Hopefully I'll be getting it back soon. Only change since is JC's instead of the Rubens.

edit- and Comets after the ASH's

The Autopilot was my favorite bike.  I usually buy a new frame, ride it for a little while, then put my Autopilot back together because I don't like the new frame as much.  it's happened about 3 times since 2006.  Best frame ever.

What size is that Autopilot that you have?