Ask the experts

[Dee Hubbs]

Any idea why Jenson sells regular and Shimano-specific chainrings for the OneUp Switch system? I thought the point was to eliminate system-specific chainrings.

One is just an older model. Before Shimano Hyperglide+ 12 was released, their ring was designed to work with 9, 10, 11, and 12 speed (only SRAM 12 existed at this point).
Once Shimano Hyperglide+ 12 speed was released, OneUp redesigned the ring to work with 9, 10, 11, and both Shimano Hypergilde+ 12 and SRAM Eagle 12 speed chains.

Any thoughts on Switch versus a Shimano direct mount?

I'd go with a direct mount. How often will you really changing rings? For me its extra weigh, and extra crank bolts to mess with. Its not that much harder to pull off your Shimano cranks and change the direct mount chainring (if youre not changing a ring often).

[mall walker]

Besides weight, is there any noticeable riding difference between cranks? Not the ring, just the actual cranks. Same question for stems.

[HAB]

Besides weight, is there any noticeable riding difference between cranks? Not the ring, just the actual cranks. Same question for stems.

Apart from some really shitty cheap stuff that's notably flexy, no. It's weight and bling.

[toast2266]

Besides weight, is there any noticeable riding difference between cranks? Not the ring, just the actual cranks. Same question for stems.

For cranks, you're not gonna notice a riding difference (other than the cheap stuff HAB referenced), but there are some functional differences with chainring compatibility and bottom bracket specs (mainly bearing size, which is related to bearing durability).

[mall walker]

Alright cool, thanks

[Dantheman]

Shimming a 30.9 dropper post to work in a 34.9 seat tube--bad idea or totally fine?

[teledad]

Shimming a 30.9 dropper post to work in a 34.9 seat tube--bad idea or totally fine?

I've been running a 31.6 dropper in an old Scott frame that takes 34.9 and it's been fine. I'd use a real shim rather than a coke can though (I have the Cane Creek).

[Dantheman]

Hah, yeah, definitely not going to DIY a 4 mm shim. I've gone 30.9 to 31.6, but 0.7 mm is a lot less than 4 mm, and it's a fancy brand new carbon frame. More googling shows that Specialized makes one that was approved for use in all their 2020 carbon frames, so I assume it's fine in a 2021 model.

[toast2266]

Shimming a 30.9 dropper post to work in a 34.9 seat tube--bad idea or totally fine?

I've done 31.6 to 34.9 without issue. I don't see why the extra .7 would matter.

[nickwm21]

Any suggestions on which app I should use to access and download trail and topo maps like the Nat Geo Trails Illustrated maps?

Gaia


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[jm2e]

Anybody have a broken Saint/Zee caliper? I cracked a piston because I'm a stupid hack and have always used hex wrenches to push them back in (until now, I guess). All I need is one little bitty piston. But I'll give you good beer money for that paper weight that's dribbling mineral oil all over your parts bin.

And yea, shimming a dropper post is no big deal. Doing it now. Sometimes need to crank down on the seatpost clamp a bit more. Problem Solvers has your....... solution.

[LC]

Anybody have a broken Saint/Zee caliper? I cracked a piston because I'm a stupid hack and have always used hex wrenches to push them back in (until now, I guess). All I need is one little bitty piston. But I'll give you good beer money for that paper weight that's dribbling mineral oil all over your parts bin.

€10-15 for aftermarket pistons (eBay/AliExpress) if you don't find a spare caliper.

[Toddball]

Anybody have a broken Saint/Zee caliper? I cracked a piston because I'm a stupid hack and have always used hex wrenches to push them back in (until now, I guess). All I need is one little bitty piston. But I'll give you good beer money for that paper weight that's dribbling mineral oil all over your parts bin.

Yes, but mine has the same problem as yours. Going on a ride now but I will look at it when I get back.

[jm2e]

Yes, but mine has the same problem as yours. Going on a ride now but I will look at it when I get back.

Haha, perfect! Either yours holds together and the report is; "They do just fine with a silly little crack!", or one of us throws in the towel and Frankensteins a caliper back together while the other bites the bullet and buys a replacement!! Win win!
Edit: Probably should have put this in the "What Have You Broken On Your Bike Recently" Thread.

[Toddball]

Haha, perfect! Either yours holds together and the report is; "They do just fine with a silly little crack!", or one of us throws in the towel and Frankensteins a caliper back together while the other bites the bullet and buys a replacement!! Win win!
Edit: Probably should have put this in the "What Have You Broken On Your Bike Recently" Thread.

I went ahead and put my caliper story in the "what have you broken on your bike recently" thread: https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...18#post6302118

Let me know if you want the caliper (and the lever?), I've had a replacement installed for a while and I don't anticipate trying to fix this one.

[El Chupacabra]

Neighbor wants help with removing and reinstalling internally routed brakes - he's changing frames. I've only ever installed new (empty) brake hose through a frame. What should I do about fluid in the existing hose? Drain before removal/ installation? Or just tape up the end?

[simple]

There is so little fluid in a bicycle brake line you can just drain it and fill an old contact case.

[rideit]

If you are concerned you can just thread in an appropriate screw into the line.
But I wouldn’t stress over it too much.

[El Chupacabra]

Thanks. Was concerned about DOT brake fluid spilling inside carbon frame.

[rideit]

Aha, yes, the dot thing is worth thinking about. I would still thread in a screw or bolt that has a head that doesn’t exceed the hose diameter by much.

[Dantheman]

Aha, yes, the dot thing is worth thinking about. I would still thread in a screw or bolt that has a head that doesn’t exceed the hose diameter by much.

As an alternative, or as extra insurance, use a dissecting needle to purge the fluid from the last couple inches of the line. If you do that nothing will leak out. The diameter is so small that as long as the caliper is still connected the fluid won't drain even if it's completely upside down (thumb on straw effect).

eta: Stupid internal routing. Turns swapping brakes between frames from a 15-minute job into a >1 hour job.

[rideit]

Well stated.

[El Chupacabra]

Aha, yes, the dot thing is worth thinking about. I would still thread in a screw or bolt that has a head that doesn’t exceed the hose diameter by much.

I like this idea - will try it. I don't have a syringe (with needle) I could use for pulling out fluid...

[Dantheman]

I don't have a syringe (with needle) I could use for pulling out fluid...

No need for that, just a dissecting needle or some other skinny thing to displace the fluid.

[tgapp]

okay experts, i just discovered iCan cycling from the gravel thread, and they seem to have INSANELY good deals on FS carbon fiber bikes. like an enduro bike with 150mm of travel, X01 group, carbon wheels for $4.5k. what gives?? why aren't these bikes more popular? seems like an insanely good deal - i'm just afraid that if i have to ask, i already know the answer...