MXL used a 31.7mm dia top tube, which is just huge for a top tube on a steel road bike. I use this size for the top tube on my XL size mountain frames. That is why you can't get a new seat lug for your Merckx. If you can post up a pic of your cracked seat lug (I assume it's gone at the binder...

    Quote:   The trick is to make sure you ride it a few times in quiet surrounds and get used to the fact you must always keep pedalling - no matter what!

All I can say is that if mechanics have been drooling over it then I'd advise looking for a different shop. Since probably the late 50's any quality sport oriented bike has had alloy rims. This is not only for reasons of lighter weight and greater strength, but also of braking performance as I...

The Schwinn appears to have steel rims. That is your primary problem in improving braking performance. I wouldn't sink a lot (if any) money in to this bike. Just because it is old does not mean it's a 'classic'. If it's getting you from a to b then I'd call it good. It does appear to be in very...

    Quote:     I think you'll find a lot of people who ride singlespeed and fixed gear bikes have 'real' (by this I'm assuming you mean geared?) bikes as well and just prefer riding with one gear - for a variety of reasons. I have 7 bikes I use personally on a regular basis, only...

Hey Tamu - nice 69er - you might want to try a bit shorter fork though possibly. That looks like the OO 29er fork which is 470mm, if you use a ~440mm fork (26" suspension corrected) it will drop the front end a bit and make the handling much nicer IME. Sweet Jackson as well.    Glad you like...

oooooh - love the XO-1. That was part of the inspiration for my Peregrine frame...

Quote: It's currently on a 2000 GT Aggressor (great frame and fits me perfectly). I compared the forks and it looks like the Tora might be a centimeter or less longer than the original fork (some POS Suntour) from stanchions(?) to the bottom of the steerer tube. I don't think this will...

Quote: Originally Posted by intoflatlines I just got a good deal on a "new" '09 Rock Shox Tora 318 SE (spec'd for Performance Bike apparently - 100mm Solo Air, "Motion Control" damping/compression, lockout, adj. rebound, etc.) as a first fork upgrade for my bike. Thoughts? Also...

I'd be keen for this - London or Amsterdam seem like sensible options. Is someone taking on responsibility to get it together or are we still at pipedream stage? ;-)

Quote: Originally Posted by Coop For starters, check cassette, chainrings & chain for wear and if they're worn out, replace them. If they're good, go to the next step. Second, adjust your derailleurs properly (no use when everything is worn out, so check that first). Always a...

Damnation - just noticed this thread and I can't make it. Ah well, next year. Have a good one guys and girls....

the 'nago looks promising - we need more pics! Immacolata? Pedalhead - nice stable! Just noticed the UK meet link in you sig - unfortunately I'm booked that weekend (annual Chilterns 'cross ride...) otherwise I'd love to have come along...

Thought you guys might be interested in seeing my new cross bike for the winter. More pics and info here @kayodot - the Revolution bikes are very good value for the money. For your purposes I'm sure it'll be fine. Building your own (unless you go 2nd hand) is almost definitely going...

Quote: Originally Posted by thechungster ... surely you could have posted in here? Sorry, didn't see it until just after I posted this.