CycloX and Fixed Hubs
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URL: https://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=3381
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Topic: CycloX and Fixed Hubs
Posted By: Yowie
Subject: CycloX and Fixed Hubs
Date Posted: 10 November 2009 at 4:19pm
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Any tips for a cyclo cross virgin? (maybe should have posted this in Beer and Pies...) http://www.flickr.com/photos/27473075@N03/4092389543/sizes/l/">  -note, the basket is not attached to the back. 150mm cranks, 34x16T fixed (when I get to fit those) Weight: TBA |
Replies:
Posted By: Wyndrake
Date Posted: 10 November 2009 at 6:16pm
Yes. Finish off the assembly by this Sunday morning and rush down to Chard in South Somerset and join in with the other virgins at Holyrood Cyclocross. Nothing too onerous, just a series of events starting at 10.30am, aimed at introducing the sport to newcomers. There is an 'expert' catagory race too. PM me if you want more info.
Alan
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Yowie wrote:Posted By: fards
Date Posted: 10 November 2009 at 9:34pm
Fixie for a novice crosser, that's pretty brave.. Seriously I'd do it singlespeed for 1 race to get used to the techniques before going fixed, but admittedly I've never raced a fixie, so my opinion might be a bit biased and based on ignorance. I have raced singlespeed though.
2 suggestions from me. Don't throw up in front of spectators (cyclox racing is that hard) try not to get lapped by the female british champion after just 3 laps... It's not that embarrassing honest :D** ** hey I wasn't last by a long long way |
Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 11 November 2009 at 1:59pm
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Thanks, I am all set to race on the same day 15th Nov in Bristol. Western League Round 8 at Conham River Park. Said to be flat, with the slightest of hill, somewhere. 34x16 looks to be perfect. 34x14 will get me to the venue. Practicing my mount, dismount and bunny hopping on every trip to the shops... Short cranks give plenty ground clearance, but make the saddle higher so on/off is harder. The pedals happen to be Powerplay SPD/flatties incidentally. I well recommend http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk/public/index.php/product/PEPW10.html">  |
Posted By: Wyndrake
Date Posted: 15 November 2009 at 6:15pm
So, how did you get on?
Down in Chard our CycloX event was Glorious Mud in even more glorious Sunshine.... YouTube film will go up (kreemblender) after 25th November...
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Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:36pm
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Absolute blast ! Was a really technical course with hardly any open riding. Lots of trees, stumps, roots, rocks, walls, dips, corners, grass, leaves... oh and the mud. I started at the back of the pack and could make good progress especially in the twisty parts where I was pushing between features. Then the mud started to build and I was clearing out more than once a lap, sometimes 3 or 4 times. Started to carry a stick around with me! Crashed twice on mud. Guys on MTB were having no better luck with the v-brake wire. Would have made better progress without the mud problem but I've got some ideas to fix it for next time. Placed 34th out of 42 finishers. Anyone got a 1" threaded fork with canti bosses for 700c? 531? I'm going to cut out the cross piece between the chain stays too... http://www.flickr.com/photos/27473075@N03/tags/cyclox/">  p.s. Many dérailleurs unshipped by the way!   |
Posted By: jes@gcre
Date Posted: 15 November 2009 at 10:46pm
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Marshalled at the Mallory Park Cyclo X today.
Got to say it did look fun but I am not sure my bad back could cope with the getting off and running bits! Also, only owning 1 bike means I like to keep it nice for smooth roads and nice weather
 Lots of mud.
Apparently there are several different kinds of mud as well.
Wet mud, clingy mud, dry mud, mud that won't jet wash off, mud that is caused by lots of people jet washing bikes in 1 place... ------------- Racing is life... Anything which happens before or afterwards is just standing around waiting to race.... |
Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 4:15pm
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Have to agree, experienced the other end of the mud spectrum last Sunday where we had a complete drenching and chocolate-spraying session. No problems with the bike this time having new fork and with it being fluid mud anyway. Completed a 50 minute race in 25th place out of 42 this time :). Can't wait to improve on that at the next one. This is getting to be too much fun. http://tinyurl.com/ykqjh4b - Snaps (splats?) (before the weather became Biblical). |
Posted By: jes@gcre
Date Posted: 05 December 2009 at 9:29pm
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I am starting to think I need a cross bike... ------------- Racing is life... Anything which happens before or afterwards is just standing around waiting to race.... |
Posted By: NickM
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 9:32am
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I understand that lots of places can be gained by being very good at getting on and off while in motion (something I have never been able to do with any confidence)... and that many crossers are too reluctant to get off and run when doing so would be quicker. Good luck! Don't break anything! |
Posted By: jes@gcre
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 11:17am
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Cyclo cross pedal car on the drawing board.
Sort of cross between a pedal car and a land rover.
4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steer and folding up to fit into an army style bergen when you have to run. ------------- Racing is life... Anything which happens before or afterwards is just standing around waiting to race.... |
Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 07 December 2009 at 6:54pm
 I can't recommend them lowly enough for heavy use. 2x 6000 2RS and all's well again, but no refund, replace of even free bearings from the Bridgwater Bandits  ." http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-SJSC-SJSC-Double-Fixed-Large-Flange-Track-Hubs-with-High-Quality-Sealed-Cartridge-Bearings--36-Hole--Polished-Alloy-Finish-11137.htm - SJSC Double Fixed Track Hubs with High Quality Sealed Bearings - 36 Hole - Polished Alloy Product Code: 11137 " |
Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 24 December 2009 at 5:07pm
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More of same. 23rd/34. Ice mud and sticky mud in the warmer wooded area. As I mentioned elsewhere, cramp got me badly so I spent a while resting and watching other riders go past me... http://s757.photobucket.com/albums/xx213/haakon_haakonsson/SRC%20Cyclocross%20Conham%20River%20Park%2020th%20Dec%2009/?action=view¤t=DSC_2666.jpg - Snaps . I really must recommend cyclo cross for anyone getting a little dissuaded by the dankness of on-road conditions of late. Obviously we've had it mild down here, but it has enthused me no end when I might prefer to do utility+zero miles. Boxing Day 10 here I come . |
Posted By: milesj
Date Posted: 24 December 2009 at 10:49pm
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phil wood high flange won't seize up on you. I got mine from http://www.hubjub.co.uk/philwood/philwood.htm. Hope santa sends you some ;-) |
Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 25 December 2009 at 2:25pm
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Arbut, Phil Wood hubs also use cartridge bearings, so unless PW use much better sealed cartridge bearings, or they are shielded from the crud I can't justify the expense. The SJS hubs aren't shielded on the outside edge of the rubber seal (non-rotating seal) the inside edge (rotating edge between seal and race) is barely hidden behind an axle nut. Any further justification for a £135 rear hub? I did Xmas dinner yesterday, so today I have a day off and end up baking the mince pies etc anyway. Humbug. H. |
Posted By: milesj
Date Posted: 25 December 2009 at 10:07pm
1. From the Phil Wood web site "We specify the race tolerance, surface honing, ball diameter tolerance, bearing material, gap dimensions, and seal specifications. Standard bearings are 100% filled with Phil Waterproof Grease to ensure maximum durability. Any of our bearings with an “x” in the part number have seals that are as good or better than those found in the highest quality submersible motor and pump bearings." [Ref: http://www.philwood.com/products/bearings/]2. They are very shiny. And, have the words 'phil' hand painted in red in the middle of the hub body. What more could you want ? 3.Very important non-obvious benefit: Riding fixed rear wheel with mud guards is a really pain if / when you get a flat: the combination of track nuts, guards and a tight chain can mean that it is impossible to remove the wheel !. The usual solution to this is to mount the guards on sks chromoplastic secu-clips. However.... The phil fixed hubs do not have a through axle !: instead the lock nuts screw into the hub. This means (a) you can remove the wheel with an allen key (no more carrying around a big spanner to get track-nuts off) and (b) when you remove the lock nut screws the wheel just drops straight out - problem solved. |
Posted By: Yowie
Date Posted: 26 December 2009 at 1:31pm
So would I get the same durability as a PW hub by installing PW's spec of bearing? His site says in the Bearings section :-So, they're only $5.30 each. Any good UK retailers? That's the size that fits my SJS hubs. I find the PW site a little less than clear what size bearings they use in the actual PW track hubs... |