Success...full brake service completed

felix.london

Full service of both brakes - changed oil, installed new pads & bedded them and in not a bike shop in sight! 8)

...not as daunting as I thought it would be

Next step - shortening chain (as LBS put on one that was too long :evil: )

Anonymous

how are you measuring the chain, are you sure it actually IS too long?

felix.london

Used a measuring test/technique on Park Tools.

Basically put it on the smallest front ring and the smallest rear sprocket

1/ I have a sagging chain

2/ the chain is in contact with the top pulley wheel

3/ if I pinch out (wrong term I'm sure) 3 links the chain has some tension and there is a good gap between it and the top pulley wheel

Will remove two links and check it. Don't have a chain splitting tool but will go back to the shop that put it one tomorrow and buy one and take the bike to show them

I did notice after I collected the bike (and paid €40) that the chain was slapping the chainstay a lot more than before but didn't take it back cos I presumed they know what they were doing :roll:

Anonymous

Curious, I've never heard that before. Standard measurement is to stick it round the biggest sprocket and biggest chainring, not including the rear mech, and add a link or two.

cooldad

Sounds like a slightly vague method to me. Big/big sounds a lot easier.

felix.london

Park tools seems to recommend small-small to check if chain is too long and big-big to check if chain is too short :?

cooldad

Presumably some logical explanation, but it's beyond me. Can't see what difference it would make.

Anonymous

The difference is that "fitting" over the large large is a pretty precise way of doing it. "Too slack" is a judgement call, and people's judgement is inconsistent.

cooldad

I meant why they would suggest a different way of measuring too tight and too loose. I agree on the big/big way, makes more sense.

Anonymous

Oh, yes, I see what you mean. It either fits, or doesn't, yes.