Comments on: Rimmed & shafted http://www.sampablokuper.com/2009/05/02/rimmed-shafted/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:32:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: sampablokuper http://www.sampablokuper.com/2009/05/02/rimmed-shafted/comment-page-1/#comment-2253 sampablokuper Mon, 11 May 2009 12:40:35 +0000 http://www.sampablokuper.com/?p=674#comment-2253 <p>The new wheel arrived, but unfortunately, it has no sprocket. To move the sprocket from the old wheel to the new one, I will need a locknut remover.</p> <p>More unfortunately, my local bike shop staff say that without me bringing the wheel in for them to see, they can't tell me which of the many locknut removers available is the right one for the Piccolo, because <a href="http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk/fisheroutdoor.html" rel="nofollow">Dahon's distributor in the UK</a> don't make the specs readily available, even to Dahon stockists.</p> <p>Double grr!</p> The new wheel arrived, but unfortunately, it has no sprocket. To move the sprocket from the old wheel to the new one, I will need a locknut remover.

More unfortunately, my local bike shop staff say that without me bringing the wheel in for them to see, they can’t tell me which of the many locknut removers available is the right one for the Piccolo, because Dahon’s distributor in the UK don’t make the specs readily available, even to Dahon stockists.

Double grr!

]]> By: sampablokuper http://www.sampablokuper.com/2009/05/02/rimmed-shafted/comment-page-1/#comment-2122 sampablokuper Thu, 07 May 2009 20:06:19 +0000 http://www.sampablokuper.com/?p=674#comment-2122 <p>Oh arr.</p> Oh arr.

]]> By: Christian http://www.sampablokuper.com/2009/05/02/rimmed-shafted/comment-page-1/#comment-2048 Christian Tue, 05 May 2009 18:35:09 +0000 http://www.sampablokuper.com/?p=674#comment-2048 <p>No, I went to a rural comprehensive full of unpleasant Young Farmers ...</p> No, I went to a rural comprehensive full of unpleasant Young Farmers …

]]> By: sampablokuper http://www.sampablokuper.com/2009/05/02/rimmed-shafted/comment-page-1/#comment-2014 sampablokuper Mon, 04 May 2009 19:57:08 +0000 http://www.sampablokuper.com/?p=674#comment-2014 <p>While I'm glad someone got the joke, I'm a bit disturbed that it was you! I think perhaps someone's been spending a bit too much time in WBB whatever-it-is ;)</p> While I’m glad someone got the joke, I’m a bit disturbed that it was you! I think perhaps someone’s been spending a bit too much time in WBB whatever-it-is ;)

]]> By: Christian http://www.sampablokuper.com/2009/05/02/rimmed-shafted/comment-page-1/#comment-2013 Christian Mon, 04 May 2009 19:46:50 +0000 http://www.sampablokuper.com/?p=674#comment-2013 <p>Ah now if you were looking for a new bike, I could point you very favourably in the direction of the Pashley Princess, which has never caused me any such problems. The website wold have me believe that this is because it has been "hand lugged and brazed" in the home of Shakespeare since 1926, but I happen to know it is because a) I don't ride it and b) all I ever wanted it to do is look pretty, which it does marvellously!</p> <p>Also, bicycle innuendo? Tittering trouser-clipped helmet-haired cyclists wave their allen keys with glee ... dear oh dear.</p> Ah now if you were looking for a new bike, I could point you very favourably in the direction of the Pashley Princess, which has never caused me any such problems. The website wold have me believe that this is because it has been “hand lugged and brazed” in the home of Shakespeare since 1926, but I happen to know it is because a) I don’t ride it and b) all I ever wanted it to do is look pretty, which it does marvellously!

Also, bicycle innuendo? Tittering trouser-clipped helmet-haired cyclists wave their allen keys with glee … dear oh dear.

]]> By: sampablokuper http://www.sampablokuper.com/2009/05/02/rimmed-shafted/comment-page-1/#comment-1933 sampablokuper Sat, 02 May 2009 15:23:26 +0000 http://www.sampablokuper.com/?p=674#comment-1933 <p>Incidentally, I think the rear end problems all stem from the fact that 16" wheels - which the Piccolo has - are very rigid, and the cromoly rear triangle is, because it is so small, very rigid too. Since the Piccolo's seat post is nearly vertical, it's not able to do much to absorb vertical shocks. (Compare it to Bike Friday's astonishing <a href="http://www.bikefriday.com/airglide" rel="nofollow">Air Glide</a>!)</p> <p>This means that the stresses on the rear wheel and the parts of the frame around the rear triangle are great; great enough to break them, or to turn a little bit of wear - as in the case of the rim - into a failure.</p> <p>Many of the more highly-regarded bikes with 16" wheels have longer rear triangles, or rear suspension, or both. If I were in the market for a new 16" wheel bike, I'd be looking for those features, to minimise the chances of mechanical failure of the rear end.</p> Incidentally, I think the rear end problems all stem from the fact that 16″ wheels – which the Piccolo has – are very rigid, and the cromoly rear triangle is, because it is so small, very rigid too. Since the Piccolo’s seat post is nearly vertical, it’s not able to do much to absorb vertical shocks. (Compare it to Bike Friday’s astonishing Air Glide!)

This means that the stresses on the rear wheel and the parts of the frame around the rear triangle are great; great enough to break them, or to turn a little bit of wear – as in the case of the rim – into a failure.

Many of the more highly-regarded bikes with 16″ wheels have longer rear triangles, or rear suspension, or both. If I were in the market for a new 16″ wheel bike, I’d be looking for those features, to minimise the chances of mechanical failure of the rear end.

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