Few more road bike Qs ...

[sylv]

- brake blocks: I have recent Ultegras on which the cartridges are replaceable. Can't find any Ultegra blocks only (just the block/holder lot), will those Dura Ace fit?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... &UberCat=0

- bar tape: got some swish ergomic bars, with shape for fingers when holding the bars on the middle straight: where to stop the bar tape, seems a pity to cover those? Also best to start applying tape from the top or bottom of bars?

- tyres: bike came with 23cs, when it's time to replace them are 21cs ok to ride on our nice uk roads?

Thanks [img]http://www.velovert.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/icon_tourne.gif[/img]

[Ian A4size]

blocks will fit ok i use them- most bars like that usually have tape put over them as they will get slippery with sweaty palms, as for tyres i use attack/force which are 22f 23r, there are poss a few sites dealing with tyre technology but i would guess 21s are quite a harsh ride.

[huw williams]

21s are harsh and can be a pain in the ass to change (especially during the winter when your hands are cold) steer clear Sylv, being an off road convert stick to your wides, I'm putting 25s on again this winter for sure!

[Elliot M]

you do tape from the bottom - otherwise the overlap goes the wrong way and catches on your hands if you see what i mean. pretty easy, keep an eye on how much is left as you wrap.

[Brett P]

23mm tyres have the least rolling resistance (apparently) & are a good balance between comfort & speed.

I leave the top part of my carbon RAMS un-taped (ok, i'm a show pony!) but cover ALL of my 'normal' bars.

Start the tape from the end of the drops with half the width over the hole. Work your way to the hoods & around towards the stem.

Others may disagree but I change my tape once a month & find this is the best way.

[sylv]

Sweaty palms, moi?

Alright, thanks all.

[Will]

Make sure you wear blue gloves when wrapping the tape!

[url]http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/bartape.shtml[/url]

[sylv]

THanks guys, i was looking (unsuccessfully) for articles like those last night.

[AodanH]

While we're on the subejct of road bike mintanance handlebars etc. ....

Does anyone know an easy way to change the brake cables on a shimano STI shifter. I've eventually managed to do this by removing the bar-tape and the shifter from the handlebar so I could get the wire into the small hole at the back of the shifter. Surely there must be an easier way to do this ?

[sylv]

I did it on mine, if you disconnect the cable from the brake, then pull the lever down and twist it at the same time (as for shifting), the hole should be exposed and you can then push the cable from the inside (give the housing some slack).

While we're at it, I'm debating which color of Conti GP 3000 tires to get: knowing that the bike is all ti grey/carbon color, I'm stuck between these (sorry I don't want ACC yellow ):

- black wall/grey skin
- black wall/blue skin (goes well with ti)
- blue wall/grey skin (bit OTT?)

with a preference for black/blue.

Opinions?

[img]http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/conti%20gp3000%2003.jpg[/img]

[Elliot M]

sylv maybe you shoukd look at the barnd new conti GP4000s - apparently they're doing one with metallic silver tread...

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... 4000.shtml

[Will]

the blue one gets my vote

by the way, i hope you are going to ride the bike, and not just hang it on the wall

oh, and parker international do cheap stuff, although you have to pay postage
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/P ... 7cece3cda7

[sylv]

I wouldn't expect anything else from you Will

I ordered my (blue) ones from http://www.bicyclerubber.com/acatalog/C ... _3000.html
£38 a pair including light tubes - postage free.

And, I've been on the last three clubruns, commuting everyday, and racing at Hillingdon next weekend - when are we going to see YOU out on your road bike?

[sylv]

..

[Marek]

Thats a good deal for the Contis with inner tubes. I have just ordered a pair from the Bicyclerubber.com site as well. Cheers for the link.

Marek....