Got a Halfords

John Hearns said:

I've joined the uk.rec.cycling club. Got my TdF 100 from Halfords yesterday.

The Mile End branch in London have two left.

It is very yellow - but as people admired the colour it is mellowing on me. Of course, it is
perfect stealth yellow and I'll have to fit radar reflectors to be seen on the roads. Its a
nice bike - rides different from my mountain bike, but I think I'll get used to it. The
Halfords guys did a quick service on it too. Does anyone have a link to a page on how to adjust
caliper type brakes?

I've always found caliper brakes the hardest to get right. There's an article here: <URL:
members.aol.combrake.htmOpen ↗ > but it doesn't give in my opinion enough detail, and I
could not find an article on Sheldon's site.

Quoted message said:

Also recommendations on SPD pedals would be nice.

Any SPD pedals are nice, but if you aren't used to them the kind which have SPD on one side and a
plain platform on the other may be a good 'training pedal'. Later on, on a road bike, you will be
happy with single-sided SPDs. Shimano make perfectly good ones and aren't expensive; I haven't tried
any of the clones.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simonOpen ↗ Ye hypocrites! are these your
pranks? To murder men and give God thanks? Desist, for shame! Proceed no further: God won't accept
your thanks for murther -- Roburt Burns, 'Thanksgiving For a National Victory'

John Hearns said:

Does anyone have a link to a page on how to adjust caliper type brakes?

D'you know make & model?

Instructions for most dual-pivot road bike brakes (which I guess your bike has) :
www.parktool.com/repair_help/howfix_dualpivot.shtml

Let us know details if there's any particular difficulty you'd still like help with.

Quoted message said:

Also recommendations on SPD pedals would be nice.

I can't recommend any paricular spuds but don't forget there are plenty of other systems out there
as well: eg. Time and Look.

~PB

"John Hearns" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Does anyone have a link to a page on how to adjust caliper type brakes?

parktool.comhowfix dualpivot.shtmlOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Also recommendations on SPD pedals would be nice.

I'd recommend double-sided mtb pedals, either M515 or M536. These will allow easy entry and the
ability to wear shoes (mtb ones are fine, nuts to the style police) that you can walk normally in.
This is based on my own experience of using Look road pedals and various models of mtb spuds. I'm
currently mostly using A515 road pedals that accept the same cleat as mtb ones as a concession to
style (new bike) and they are more awkward than neccessary to clip into. (Looks are better than the
A515s but are incompatible with mtb stuff and make you walk in a seriously strange way or on your
[censored] if the surface is slippery).

My 2 scrotes...or is that groats?......

Pete

Peter B said:

neccessary to clip into. (Looks are better than the A515s but are incompatible with mtb stuff and
make you walk in a seriously strange way or

"Walk like a duck shoes" as Mint Sauce one had it.

Sigh - has Mint Sauce gone to the great barbecue in the sky?

"Simon Brooke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've always found caliper brakes the hardest to get right.

Nah, canti's are the worst - so many degrees of freedom. I hate them. Of the ones I have experience
with, maguras are my favourites.

cheers, clive

Simon Brooke said:

I've always found caliper brakes the hardest to get right.

Dual pivot calipers are dead easy. Only one mounting bolt and they stay centered; there's not a lot
to do with them. Older/cheaper single pivot sidepulls can be tricker to keep working right.

~PB

John Hearns said:

I've joined the uk.rec.cycling club. Got my TdF 100 from Halfords yesterday.

Took mine for it's first spin today (all the way to the paper shop and back).

First impressions were that compared to my 531 tourer, it feels very light and responsive. Had a bit
of difficulty getting the seat height right. When I sat astride it and raised the saddle to a height
that only just enabled me to get my toes to the ground, it turned out to be about an inch too low
for effective pedaling. I must compare BB heights with my tourer.

Handlebars also felt a bit of a stretch (I must have short arms) compared to my other bikes. May
have a look for a shorter reach stem. Already ditched the pedals for some SPD shimano thingies.

Gear changers are nice. Beat the pants off of anything I've had up till now.

On the whole, impressed with the value for money. Will be slightly less embarassing for the
ocasional duathlon than my tourer (with all its mudguards/lights/carriers/bells/tassles in the ends
of the handlebars, playing card in spokes etc). ;-)

Tim
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Tim Downie said:

Handlebars also felt a bit of a stretch (I must have short arms) compared to my other bikes. May
have a look for a shorter reach stem. Already ditched the pedals for some SPD shimano thingies.

Handlebar position seems OK for me. Bars a bit wide for me though - I like holding my hands
closer together.

Once I've gor SPDs on it, I think the next thing to change will be the saddle. Comfortable at the
moment, but who knows on a long ride.