Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Freewheeling => Folders => Topic started by: woollypigs on 06 August, 2008, 02:14:27 pm
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(http://lh4.ggpht.com/woollypigs/SJmi2EhuhYI/AAAAAAAACqg/SDIgSqiH6-s/DSC03131.JPG?imgmax=512)
I have now ridden it in London, the Pyrenees and on a long hilly ride, and it is one of the best rides I have had.
After a little getting used to that everything happens so low to the ground, and the twitching handling, it just flyes. I have never ridden a folder before and it have been many years since I was on 20" tyres.
Cycling in London's traffic it is fast, responsive, comfy and light. It comes in at 10.4kg, but I do not feel it at all. Because of the 28" to 125" gear range, that just changes double fast, nothing different with the 3 hub gears that are like the 3 front rings. With it fancy handle bars and stem you can easy find a position that suit you.
It have a longer distance between the wheels, which makes the ride much more like a "normal" bike. Climbing up on the steepest part of the Tourmalet the front wheel never came off the ground, and I never had the twitch that you can have with a smaller wheel and going up hill at low speed.
Descending is fast and fun, I can't say that there is anything different compared to a "normal" bike. That is off course when you have gotten used to its handling, but that is the same with any bike.
The only things I had to change on it ...
Handlebars: I had to add some Bar Phat as the handle bars that is on it is too thin for my liking.
Brake pads: The ones that comes with it as a standard don't even bite, so I put some Koolstop and they have stopped me on the fast descents in the Pyrenees.
Seat post: Since I'm 6'4" with an inside leg of 35". The seat post that come with the bike is not long enough even though the web site states that it fits a 6'4" person. So I got a seat post from a Dahon Vitesse which also have the normal seat clamp and not the new seat railing thing, and that is just the right length.
And of course riding it in France you will get of plenty of people looking at you and asking you questions about it.
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Kewl! 8)
Imagine how much faster Tommy Simpson would have been on a Dahon ;)
great bike, and I'm impressed you've taken it up such hills without too much difficulty. Testimony to ride & rider.
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Yeah!
On a much less impressive climb (Wrynose Pass), meet, errr, my Helios P-8. riding the 25% downhill that followed was great!
(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p278/ZeFrenchie/Cycling/Holiday_July_2008_Wrynose_071.jpg)
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Peli's bloody shiny these days, isn't she?
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(http://lh4.ggpht.com/woollypigs/SJmi2EhuhYI/AAAAAAAACqg/SDIgSqiH6-s/DSC03131.JPG?imgmax=512)
(http://www.bosphorus.f2s.com/tourmalet.JPG)
:)
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Wolly's road's steeper than yours, MV ;)
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MV : did you ride down the other side ? We did it was well fun and fast :)
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Yebbut it's not red!
*Jealous of Bow.
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Why doesn't the hub suspension screw up the brakes? Dahon claim 12mm of travel.
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MV : did you ride down the other side ? We did it was well fun and fast :)
Onna Brommie ?
You must be f'in joking ;)
I've offroaded it, but high-speed cornering isn't its strength. I reckon I'd be hanging on the brakes so hard I'd blow the tyres off.
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Why doesn't the hub suspension screw up the brakes? Dahon claim 12mm of travel.
I donno, I was thinking the same but the model I have do not have this, so I can not see it to believe it.
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I won't say 'told you so' about the rim heat, but it took a pretty extreme hill on a very hot day to do it, so I am impressed...
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MV : did you ride down the other side ? We did it was well fun and fast :)
Onna Brommie ?
You must be f'in joking ;)
I'm glad I didn't write that; I would have been accused of being partial! Me?!
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"Chutney Ferret" would be a better name, given that it's slinky and climbs fast ;)
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Hi there
I've just bought a 2008 Speed Pro TT and the brakes are ordinary, I see you've replaced the stock pads on yours with Koolstop pads, I too would like to replace mine, which Koolstop pad did you get to replace the stock ones, I hear the salmon coloured ones are good but which version "Eagle 2 etc??? Enjoyed your post.
Cheers
Jimbo 58
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Why doesn't the hub suspension screw up the brakes? Dahon claim 12mm of travel.
I donno, I was thinking the same but the model I have do not have this, so I can not see it to believe it.
mine has the suspension hub and 12mm is a bit optimistic, it's more like 5 or 6 (perhaps the rest is 'sag' when I sit on it). No problems with the pads missing the rim.
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"Chutney Ferret" would be a better name, given that it's slinky and climbs fast ;)
IRTA 'stinky' and couldn't understand how a bike could be that...
;) ;D
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Why doesn't the hub suspension screw up the brakes? Dahon claim 12mm of travel.
I donno, I was thinking the same but the model I have do not have this, so I can not see it to believe it.
mine has the suspension hub and 12mm is a bit optimistic, it's more like 5 or 6 (perhaps the rest is 'sag' when I sit on it). No problems with the pads missing the rim.
Aren't the rims particularly deep to cope with the randomness of where the brakes my bite? I'm sure I noted that when I gave Tim's bike a test spin.
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Why doesn't the hub suspension screw up the brakes? Dahon claim 12mm of travel.
I donno, I was thinking the same but the model I have do not have this, so I can not see it to believe it.
mine has the suspension hub and 12mm is a bit optimistic, it's more like 5 or 6 (perhaps the rest is 'sag' when I sit on it). No problems with the pads missing the rim.
Aren't the rims particularly deep to cope with the randomness of where the brakes my bite? I'm sure I noted that when I gave Tim's bike a test spin.
mm - I have a 2005 Speed Pro - what woolypigs says about its plus points are all true. With regard to the suspension hub front wheel (which mine came with) my advice is to avoid. The benefit is small - you don't feel the loss of it (I changed my front wheel for a normal one) and the brake pads CAN miss the rim unless you are very very careful. Getting hold of spares for the rubber that lies inside this wonder is not easy and I won't go into the problems you will have if you ever need to change the bearings - which also seem prone to failure on that suspension hub.
I did have repeated problems with bust rear wheel spokes though that now seems to be over. Advisable to source spare spokes to take with you if you are taking the bike away.
A great fun bike and the Sram Dual Drive gear system is great.
So recommended as long as you avoid that suspension front wheel.
Paul
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Well I have now passed the 1200 miles mark on Chutney, and all I can say I love to ride the Speed Pro TT. Great fun, fast and I do not get any pain in my shoulders or my back when riding around, on long and short journeys.
The only thing that is letting this bike down big time is the rattling noise it makes, I have tried to tie down lose cables with cable ties and soft rim tape in hope to stop the cable outing rattling against the frame. Boy does the "talk" when going around town, but then again she is a woman :)
And then there is the tires "SCHWALBE Stelvio Light TIRE- dahon special edition", they have brilliant grip and are very fast. Not scared at all going around corners at speed and really lean in. But when it come to keeping the fa***es away they are no better than soft Swiss cheese with holes in then. Folding Bicycles and Folding Bicycle Accessories by Dahon (http://www.dahon.com/us/accessories/others/stelvio.htm)
A RaceGuard Belt provides puncture protection: it consists of two carcass layers, between which is sandwiched a virtually impenetrable rubber compound.
My arse !! Lost count on how many I have had (was it 2 or 3 over the weekend) the tires are simply cut to pieces, if they where in a different shape they would be a great sieve.
So yes do get this bike it is worth it, such a great ride. Just be prepared to get some different tires and brake pads, before you head out.
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Re the tyres.
I changed to the Stelvio non Special edition non folding tyre after my special edition (orange stripe) wore out - half the price but equally prone to being cut up.
Continental do the Sport Contact in this size - reputed to be (and matches my experience so far) far more puncture proof.
Lower pressure though and not as fast.
AND though I managed to get one on the rear wheel (so far performing well) I reduced my hands to a bloody mess trying to get one onto the front - it seems impossible, even though the size is correct.
So if you want to reduce punctures maybe use Conti on back.
Paul
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Sport contacts are deliciously P-proof, but feel very slimey in the wet.
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So in an attempt to get better braking on Chutney, I cut down the generous Dahon cable routing. Front brake by 2.5" and the back nearly 6". I haven't tried it out on road yet, but there is clearly much less movement/give in the cable and it feels like it is "biting" much better. Tough while fettling around I found out that my front break cable was a little bit frayed.
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_I2koBEIwO7s/SXD0fgNhj6I/AAAAAAAAEWk/Vj_bpXDwXc0/s288/DSC03602.JPG)
And when I pulled out the cable it was like a cork screw ...
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_I2koBEIwO7s/SXD0fJf6-rI/AAAAAAAAEWc/4CFkO_knOlU/s288/DSC03600.JPG)
Never seen that before in my fettling career, after a little looksee I think I figured out what caused it. The cable outer is coming out of the handle bar and is going into the shifters at an sharp 90 deg angle with strait lines, not a rounded/smooth/curved angle. Which I also think is the reason for the fraying and some lack of braking power, I have to do some more fettling to see if I can get that routing in a softer/smother angle.
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Cutting the brake cables down did help, I got much better bite on my front and back brake now compared to before.
Bummer is that I have just seen the Speed Pro TT 2009 version and it have V-type brakes. Ain't it just so ...
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Update on mine.
The wonders and frustrations of this bike continue.
In Sardinia with it a few weeks ago and found that the bottom bracket had gone.
It's not done that many miles (and the bottom bracket on my cheapish Ridgeback hybrid is still going strong) at all - amazing.
Luckily a bike shop out there managed to fix it - they were a bit dismissive of the bottom bracket they found in there - replaced it with one from FSA.
So - on a bike not ridden all that much (it's very much a speciality job) I've had:
Several rear wheel spokes replaced.
Front wheel replaced to get rid of crazy suspension hub
Headset disintegrated
Bottom bracket gone
Still, it rides briliantly well, it does fold (handy for foriegn trains where they charge for bikes/need booking and also for chucking in friendly folk's cars) and I've had a fair lot of fun on it ...
If figure out pic posting will support woollypigs with a pic of it up foriegn mountains/beside the sea.
Paul
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oh bother, I think you have the model before mine since you got a suspension hub. Though it is not good with all these braking bits :(
Will be knocking on wood all day, as I would not like to have this when we are going to France this summer.
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The bottom bracket the Sardinian bike shop fitted appears to be this:
FSA Platinum ISIS Bottom Bracket
68 x 108mm ISIS
Chain reaction do it - from the price looks like a quality item.
Fairly standard apparently which suprised me.
The headset I fear isn't - if that went I think you'd be out of action for the duration of your hioliday - best to check the tightness frequently.
I guess the design of the Speed Pro just creates a lot of leverage on the headset since it is so low down.
Question for you: do you use a speedo on yours? I use a Cateye Wireless but keep having problems - distance between sensor and readout unit too far maybe.
Pic attached of Speed Pro on form atop a Sardinian mountain - those 21 Sram Dual Drive gears really are great - I did manage to get to the same point on my 5 speed Brompton though harder work of course and did run out of gears on the flying down.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/3409134598_3566887606.jpg?v=0)
Paul
oh bother, I think you have the model before mine since you got a suspension hub. Though it is not good with all these braking bits :(
Will be knocking on wood all day, as I would not like to have this when we are going to France this summer.
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I a buy worried about the.headset too but i'm 15 stone and have done 1500+ miles now in her and still going strong.
I can see that yours is the older model and therefore a lacking the extra 9 gears ;) I got 30 on mine an that bottom 28" was very needed in them lumpy bits in France.
I got a wireless speedo too, I think a cateye, and have no problems with it. Are you sure that your batteries are fresh?
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21 gears is fine on mine woolly - easier climbing than on my 27 gear Cannondale. And I like the fact that 7 speed rear cassette and chains are easy to come by, tough and pretty cheap. Who needs 10 speed?
Got up this
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3409578740_6ca8e5ac40.jpg?v=0)
without too much trouble (ok a bit of puff and sweat and cursing), climbing from a valley to Villasalto Sardinia, 1,500 feet in just 5km.
Cateye computer is Micro or Micro 10 (costs around £35) and I think I'm on the limit of its operational distance - 70cm. May see if can move sensor a bit further up. Maybe better change to a VDO wireless for just £15 which apparently transmits over about 100cm. Gone off Cateyes - often tell you more than you need, for price of spare kits for you can often get an entire kit and unit from other brands.
Anyway - straying off subject - got an attack of the words after months off YACF.
Will follow your Speed Pro experiences with interest.
Maybe we should compete for highest thing climbed? May get it to 658 metres before the summer.
Paul
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Can't remember the model but the price sounds about right, will check model and distance when home tonight.
Well by the end of July I will for sure be up and over the 2114meters in France just like last year.
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well if that's metres and not feet I give in already.
Congratulations.
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Update on mine.
The wonders and frustrations of this bike continue.
In Sardinia with it a few weeks ago and found that the bottom bracket had gone.
It's not done that many miles (and the bottom bracket on my cheapish Ridgeback hybrid is still going strong) at all - amazing.
Luckily a bike shop out there managed to fix it - they were a bit dismissive of the bottom bracket they found in there - replaced it with one from FSA.
So - on a bike not ridden all that much (it's very much a speciality job) I've had:
Several rear wheel spokes replaced.
Front wheel replaced to get rid of crazy suspension hub
Headset disintegrated
Bottom bracket gone
Still, it rides briliantly well, it does fold (handy for foriegn trains where they charge for bikes/need booking and also for chucking in friendly folk's cars) and I've had a fair lot of fun on it ...
If figure out pic posting will support woollypigs with a pic of it up foriegn mountains/beside the sea.
Paul
I had my ('04 model) Jetstream XP serviced back in January- first full going-over it's had since I got it just over a year before. And funnily enough, the BB was shot as well...and the creaking I'd been putting up with turned out to be a hairline crack in the frame hinge (?!!!!). It's done a pretty big mileage though, so I'll put it down to wear and tear. Only £280 all in (including the rear shock service)...still a lot cheaper than the '08, let alone the '09 EX....!
And then the Cadenza (also second-hand) needed one of its hinges replaced as well....
Hopefully they'll both be OK for a while!!
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Another update.
Piddly thing maybe but this bike sure seems to like playing with your loyalty.
Saddle is an IBeam type - unconventional mount. Advantages supposed to be lighter weight and increased and easier adjustability, but I can't say that I've ever found problems with conventional rail-mounted saddles.
So, lack of rails meant I couldn't just buy an extra £5 mount for my faithful Topeak seatpack but had to buy a special one using straps. Now I find that the bit of the saddle mount these straps have to pass through has, for no discernible design advantage, got a very sharp plastic edge.
So the saddle has sliced through one strap completely and the other one is almost gone.
Like some people, I fear this bike is so clever it's stupid.
And very good fun in small doses but you could never rely on it.
I'm not altogether suprised that they discontinued in the UK the touring version
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Well since I got my Surly LHT (http://www.woollypigs.com/2010/06/the-long-haul-trucker-ruined-my-bicycles/) I have not used my Dahon from 2008.
I have tried to modify the brakes to get them to work better, with some results but that made folding bad, can be done but the cables bends a bit too much.
I have worn out the thread on the left hand (leg) crank arm.
There is a crack in the frame, even with the right amount of seat post in the frame, I have always been at the upper limit of the recommend weight. So the frame is gone.
Tyres, well do let me go there ...
The other day I talked to a fella who had the 2010 model. The v-brakes made for better breaking but because of the fold, the cables has to run further which causes the breaks not to work as good as they could. The frame has been strengthen around the seat post down type area, which clearly tells me that they had a problem with the older models. And even the new tyres are crap.
But that said with some changes, e.g. shorter cable run for the brakes and some better tyres, this Speed Pro TT is a great ride and fast as any other road bike.
So mine is up for sale mostly for spare parts as, any offers over £250 welcome. £250 is what I hear the SRAM Dual Drive II is going for second hand.
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//Like some people, I fear this bike is so clever it's stupid.
Woolly's post made me take another look at mine.
Bit above could be confusing.
I meant some people can be so clever they can be stupid.
Often thought that of a few New Labour folk, but they aren't as much fun as the Speed Pro on its good days.
Off to jump on speed pro - some tape on saddle to blunt razorsharp edges (on underside I should stress) and seatpack repaired by a nice lady using some stuff obtained from a camping shop.
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ps
I also note that the hinge that holds the thing together has changed on the 2010 Speed Pro (I posted elsewhere on this).
It sure is interesting riding a work in progress.
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Woolly, sorry to hear about your woes with Chutney. A Pro TT is one of the Dahons I'd think about replacing my Jetstream with..but fortunately that's holding up OK. Apart from the (no longer replaceable) rear shock, which seems to have a few issues holding pressure these days, but it'll be OK with no air in. +1 for the tyres, shame the (superb) Durano Plus isn't available in 406.
Fhills: i-beams are indeed a pain. I have had a saddle bag on from time to time, fortunately didn't have your problems! Only real fix is to get another seatpost with rail saddle mount. The Speed Pro frame design changed in 2009, to include the new hinge. Dahons are always 'a work in progress' (for better or worse) because they're always looking for improvements. The downside is spare parts etc for older models can be a real pain to get hold of.
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In my experience, spare parts for Dahons new or old (well at least mine) can be a serious issue. May be about to get better with new distributor, I don't know.
My experiences with my Dale and Speed Pro have - finally - taught me the advantages of bikes with standard bits. You then still have oodles of choice with individual manufacturers of said bits, price points/engineering quality etc.
I've never been sure whether Dahon's constant changes are the result of mad boffins forever thinking "oo this new fangled bit looks exciting, let's chuck it on next year's model and see how it goes" or the purchasing department leveraging Dahon's massive buying power (world's largest maker of folders I think) to get good prices on sometimes too-clever-by-half bits - Dahons can definitely seem good value - the Cane Creek nice rubberised bar ends on mine cost a fair bit by themselves and the Sram dualdrive is also a pricy bit of kit.
StuAFF - I personally think you'd be barmy to buy a new Speed Pro. I think it's around £1,300. Mine (only 21 gears) cost about £580 I think as an end of line.
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Yeah mine was £850 and I would have expected better breaking and much better tyres for that. For some reason no one reported these issues before I got mine. At one point I was thinking that I had a bad one. But then I talked to someone who also had a 2008 model and he wasn't happy either.
And talking to the fella who has the 2010 model the other day at £1300 you would expect that the tyres would last a wee bit longer, though the breaks does sound better but not as good as you would expect v-breaks to be.
That said I have had some great rides on it, fast and fun it is.
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StuAFF - I personally think you'd be barmy to buy a new Speed Pro. I think it's around £1,300. Mine (only 21 gears) cost about £580 I think as an end of line.
Prices have gone a bit nuts...but no, I'm not going to buy one, unless the lottery numbers come up or the Jetstream dies.
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In my experience, spare parts for Dahons new or old (well at least mine) can be a serious issue. May be about to get better with new distributor, I don't know.
Older parts might actually be easier now- CH White (who handle online sales for Dahon UK) bought up all Fisher's parts stock when Zyro took distribution over. Home (http://dahonspares.co.uk/)
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It would appear that if you're buying a Dahon, you should go for last year's model. Big retailers like J E James, Winstanleys and C H White seem to discount the previous year's model significantly. My Dad got his Mu Sport for about half price.
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Another update on mine (though as per above mine is the flat bar 2005 model) - another (the second) headset has disintegrated.
New bit on its way - pretty sure that, one way or another, this is the last headset this bike will see - I tend not to see them as consumables.
Hope this isn't terminal.
Will report more when I know more.
I don't think Woolly minded me posting to here - might be interesting for any other folks with the Speed Pro in its various models/yearly revisions to share their experiences here since it has gone through a series of changes, er maybe improvements.
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I'm a long term (2005 IIRC) Speed TR owner and haven't really had any problems. In fact, it's pretty much my favourite bike.
But it uses too many one-off propriety components to rely on too much. I'm half expecting something to fail and it'll be consigned to the back of the garage for six months while I wait for parts.
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I'm a long term (2005 IIRC) Speed TR owner and haven't really had any problems. In fact, it's pretty much my favourite bike.
But it uses too many one-off propriety components to rely on too much. I'm half expecting something to fail and it'll be consigned to the back of the garage for six months while I wait for parts.
Lucky you Pancho. Do I take it that you mean the 2005 MODEL Speed TR? If so, I think that's just the touring version of mine isn't it? I know the wheels are different but I had the idea that they were essentially built on the same bike.
On parts you may well be in luck.
A lot of old UK parts are now handled by CH White.
https://sslrelay.com/s75353868.oneandoneshop.co.uk/sess/utn;jsessionid=154d70fdc5880ba/shopdata/index.shopscript
They are very good - I posted my views on them under retailers reviewsvery recently
C H White - folding bike specialists (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18099.0)
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Update.
CH White sent the new headset and were wonderful in answering questions by email and on the phone. I was also helped by a really nice guy on a Pacific island (I joke not - this is a Dahon and Dahon's dodgy support and poor information means that folks have to help each other as best they can) who took his own Speed Pro TT (2008 I think, like Woolly's ex) headset apart and sent me pics so that I didn't have too many worries opening mine up. This was particularly useful as someone on the Dahon Forum who I think has a business relationship with Dahon informed us that there is no exploded diagram in existence of said headset.
Bike rides fine again, though there is still slight play in the headset - I think I'll keep it running - best to be philosophical I suppose - replace the headset every now and again funded by savings on chains and cassettes - not many 7 speed bikes (3 x 7 Sram dualdrive) will ride so fast.
Oh and Dahon's support for its dealers is clearly as C***AP in Italy as it was of old in the UK - a disgrace.
But CH Whites are brilliant - if you have a Dahon and need bits, I'd get in touch with them.
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Mine is still on sale, need to figure out if it is worth asking Dahon to do the frame or just sell it for parts.
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I managed to get a new frame for the costly price of free :) It is the newer frame with reinforcement on the part where I broke it with v-brakes on the back.
Now I just need to put it back together and sell it.
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Good value. :thumbsup:
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Well done woolly - glad that you checked out the warranty situation.
If it's up for sale, clearly you have had enough of it though/moved on to the comfort of the Trucker.
Mine is still running - still great fun - the headset is doubtless wearing even as I type this.
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Chutney has left the building :(
I know she is in good hands near the seaside :)
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Chutney has left the building :(
I know she is in good hands near the seaside :)
That she is. Looking forward to getting her back into full working order ;D
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Time for a bump. Finally picked up Chutney from the LBS today (needed a new crankset which took a bit long to get hold of and then fitted for various reasons). Worth the wait? Oh yes. Here is my first riding impressions: 'Weeeeeeeeee' :)
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Worth the wait? Oh yes. Here is my first riding impressions: 'Weeeeeeeeee' :)
That was the same words I said on my first ride :) Happy riding on her.
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Yes, they are great fun.
And rather beautiful in odd kind of way.
Do keep us updated about how you get along with Chutney - we may be able to swap tips on keeping the things going.
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Freshly taken pic...Did 15.5 miles on it this morning. A few stops en route due to seatpost fettling (i.e. I had the clamp a bit loose!), so slightly slower than I'd have liked. Rolling average was, however, the same as a similar route on my Condor Squadra this past Monday :)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6058310509_8278db71fe_b.jpg)
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Looks great.
Different frame and latch than mine (in pics upthread) - do let us know how the headset fares.
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Looks great.
Different frame and latch than mine (in pics upthread) - do let us know how the headset fares.
Yup, as Woolly noted up thread, he got the 2010 frame (V-clamp hinge) as warranty replacement. Had a somewhat eventful trip to That London last Sunday. Riding back to Waterloo from Primrose Hill after a lovely afternoon, first, the chain not so much dropped as knotted. The chain keeper thing on the frame is broken, but hopefully will be able to source/bodge a replacement. I get the chain sorted with the help of a passing good samaritan. Set off again, two minutes later (if that) the front tyre got killed by a big chunk of glass! Despite lack of practice in dealing with punctures (first in nearly 6k of riding this year). I had a go doing the tube on the train, with the aid of another helpful chap, got the tyre off OK, eventually, but was PITA to get on again, just couldn't get the bead in on one side, so gave up and took it to the LBS. Money well spent, frankly. They had problems too :) Chutney's now wearing a Schwalbe Marathon Racer (I had a pair on the Jetstream for a while, barely run in, plus a spare still BNIB) up front.
Bike bringing a grin to my face with every ride. Poor old Jetstream only got ridden for 36 miles since November before I sold it (it was fourth out of four in the bike pecking order, just didn't feel right to leave it unused) . So far, nearly 90 on Chutney....:) Tweaked the bar position a little today, a little further forward so more like my roadie position now. Turn of speed remains most impressive!
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Mine didn't come with a chainkeeper, though the initial relatively regular chain drops I had on mine clearly showed that it needed one - typical Dahon - they clearly hadn't tested the thing much before putting it out. Now with a chain keeper added (slight bodge - I needed to use another of those metal hose clips with it rather than the one it came with) it's fine. In fact the bike now gives me far less chain/gear change issues than any other bike I have.
Yep, tyres can be an issue. Not with the bike at the moment - think it uses Schwalbe Duranos - tougher than the earlier Stelvios which cut up like no-ones business (see Woolly above) - I also have two Conti Contact Sports (I think they are that) - look like very good tyres but I couldn't get one on the front wheel at all - could just get them on my old back wheel but not on the new back wheel, even after reducing my hands to a bloody mess.
Glad that you are finding it fun - it is, amongst other things. I could try one of those descriptions a la women a la Swiss Tony (and doubtless any female owners could do a similar thing for the Speed Pro and certain men) but I'm not going to go there of course.
Yep, it goes like a rocket - quite possibly it has the maintenance schedule of your average rocket as well :)
Have fun
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Hiya... the rear brake cable on my 2010 Speed TT Pro snapped - at the lever end - this morning.
Does the panel know if these are standard cables or due to the length of the run and/or sideways exit I need a specialist cable?
TIA
Rich
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It is a normal brake cable for sti. Hope you weren't going to fast when it happened.
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Thanks Woolly.
Was going moderately fast in a downpour, but not as fast as when a jockey wheel collapsed and locked the back wheel on my MTB last week... I left a skid mark half-way across Swindon.
Cheers
Rich
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Ooh! Can I ask another question? I think I'm on a roll...
The stem on mine folds outwards... the hinge pin keeps working its way out - should there be a locking screw of some kind on the other end? There's a threaded hole that looks like it would take a flanged screw.
CH White told me not, but I don't understand why the pin keeps working out.
Ta
Rich
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Hmm don't know about that and don't have the TT here to look at. Give Fudge Cycles(Paddington branch) a bell and ask for Andrew, he might have an idea.
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Probably the thread locking compound isn't doing its job properly.
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OK, apparently not all stem hinges have a set screw on the 'other' end. The threaded hole is used as a puller/pusher for hinge pin removal. Might just need tightening.
Rich
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My 2010 TT Pro is sitting on the other side of the desk at the moment. There appears to be a domehead screw in the end of the stem hinge pin locking it in place - there isn't a threaded hole just a domed head which takes a 2mm hex key. I'm a little reluctant to start dismantling further at the moment though (I need the bike to cycle home on - and previous experience of the sort of exploratory stripping down of things to see how they go together suggests that I'll have a pile of bits on the floor and no transport tonight if I investigate further now)
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Slightly out of focus pic of the ends of my stem pin (best I can do using the phone)(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ZXy-mWZpkU/TmYup-olYwI/AAAAAAAAA48/lV9NPadCCjA/s640/IMAG0127.jpg)
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Completely missed this - apologies - due to a block at work. Thanks for the pic efforts.
I found a set screw in the end, so whether the bike originally had one or not it does now...
Meanwhile in other news: I've never seen another Speed TT Pro, and then 2 different ones on Temple Meads station at 8am in a week. Hi to the guy with the immaculate looking bike with yellow bar tape (clean - how do you _do_ that?), and hi to the older gentleman with a scruffy one - 2008 - this morning.
Rich