Wheelcovers

[Ivor]

Right so today I fitted my wheelbuilder wheelcovers.... and gave them a go.

Firstly it looked like a no starter. Checked the instructions, removed the cassette, fitted the covers, reassembled, and b*gger. The swoopy rear stays of the pinarello rubbed against the aero cover. ho hum.
Ok tried fitting them to the old shimano wheels.. hmm why did I pay extra for ones to fit mavic wheels, seem to fit the shimanos just the same. no joy still fouled.

ok, one cup of tea and chocolate brownie later. and out with the dremel. modified the non-drive side cover to slip a little further in over the hub. and success! it fits and woohoo, wheel turns.

Right, out on the road. No new tyres yet though, where's Andrew... Still on old worn Race2's.

Anyway. so what's all the fuss about? No noticeable sound difference from the rear, bit of a rattle when the wheel crashes over the <sarcasm> silky smooth surface </sarcasm> of the surrey roads.

Went out for a 20 mile loop, nope mostly seems normal.... aha! above 25mph and it just glides along. gosh. very very nice.

so plus points:
1. cheaper than a carbon disc.
2. felt quicker above 25mph
3. looks awesome.

minus points:
1. getting up to 25mph
2. was fiddly to fit my wheel/frame
3. awkward to get at long stem valves through opening. (note to self, inflate tyres properly before fitting.)

Now where can I get some ACC stickers to put on it...

[Marky Mark]

Stickers for me too

[Snoop Doug]

Hmmmm

I had to enlarge the hole on the drive side otherwise the cover got sandwiched between the hub flangey bit and the nice new chorus cassette wot I bought (it's got an 11 on it ) and became a many geared fixed wheel . Trimmed off a couple of mill and woohoo - ticks along nicely. I'm using the metal screwy things at the moment (anyone using the plastic ones???) and I had a bit of a test today.....I notice that the wheel covers tend to drift so that the tyre valve disappears. Anyone else seen this (I haven't used the sticker to cover up the hole yet mind).

Also - for some reason my chain keeps stuttering off the 11 cog, I just can't get it to bite properly. Tried switching wheels and the 12 on my other ones works fine.....odd...? I'll take it to Pearsons tomorrow and see what they make of it.

Anyhoo - roll on Sunday

[Antloony]

[quote="Snoop Doug"]Also - for some reason my chain keeps stuttering off the 11 cog, I just can't get it to bite properly. Tried switching wheels and the 12 on my other ones works fine.....odd...? I'll take it to Pearsons tomorrow and see what they make of it.

Anyhoo - roll on Sunday

[Andrew G]

Snoop an 11 cassette uses a different lockring to a 12-up cassette so you'll have to get one of those if you're using your old lockring. Also how old is the chain? They can wear in with a cassette so if the chain has quite a few miles on it then it may not run as smoothly on a new cassette, would happen on more than just the 11 though, so it'll be the lockring if you didn;t switch it.

[quote="Snoop Doug"]I'm using the metal screwy things at the moment (anyone using the plastic ones???)

[carl f]

Orv-Any reason why you got the mavic built when you could have used your old shimano wheels?
Andrew-I'm thinking of ordering some of these wheel covers. I've got some very average alex rims wheels.will the rear not do for using the wheel covers with?
cheers
Carl

[Andrew G]

No idea Carl I don't have them. Richard Viney is your man for the wheelcovers.

They're becoming the new powertap

Be keen to know how you all get on with them though as I could actually see myself getting some of these in the future.

[Ivor]

[quote="carl f"]Orv-Any reason why you got the mavic built when you could have used your old shimano wheels?

[Snoop Doug]

[quote="carl f"]I'm thinking of ordering some of these wheel covers. I've got some very average alex rims wheels.will the rear not do for using the wheel covers with?
cheers
Carl

[quote="orv"][quote="Snoop Doug"]I'm using the metal screwy things at the moment (anyone using the plastic ones???)

[Snoop Doug]

It was the lock ring - I'd accidentally muddled two of 'em up. Can't tell the difference but - problem solved. As one door closes.....

I now can't get 9th gear to select . 1-8 and 10 are all AOK. The cable was a bit slack so I turned the adjusty nut on the end of the cable fully clockwise (then off a coupe of turns), loosened the clamp then pulled it taught with some pliers. Reclamped the cable and began to readjust the indexing by turning the nut a half turn anti clockwise at a time. No matter what I do to fiddle about with it tho I just can't get gear 9 to connect, the chain just skips right on over it. If I pee about with the adjustment too much all the other gears go to pot . For now I'm not too bothered.....but (yet again...) any ideas folks (other than hire a mechanic or take up skate boarding ).

My finger is pointing to the adjusty nut with which I've been fiddling. And yes, I do know that it says 9 speed on it but everything has been changed over to 10 except that bit.

Snoop

[img]http://i31.tinypic.com/mrz4lu.jpg[/img]

[Ivor]

[quote="Snoop Doug"]I now can't get 9th gear to select . 1-8 and 10 are all AOK.

[Snoop Doug]

Have tried two rear wheels to see if there are any problems - the cassette with the 11 is brand new, the other not but all teeth etc seem to be fine and all cogs on right way round and the like. The chain just jumps from 8 to 10 or 10 to 8 (on both)......I just don't get it Doubtless someone with mechanical savvy will twiddle something for me on Sunday and it'll all be fine.....I just wish my brain could figure this stuff out better.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

Snoop,
If you have 10 speed shifters and a 10 speed cassette, you need a 10 speed rear mech, the 9 one won't cut it. As you have found out, the cable pull is slightly different and will work OK, over shifting slightly on each of the first 8 until the limit is reached and it will jump over 9.

With an infinite amount of patience and minute adjustments, you can get it to just about work, but do yourself a favour and get a 10 speed rear mech.

I have a spare one if you want to try before you buy