'97 Explosif Build - Updated 11th August '09

[wadsy]

Up-date!

Spent a fair amount of time today swapping the Pace RC36's from my SC Superlight to the Kona, changing the travel from 100mm to 80mm en route!

I can now swap from the RC's to the P2's as required as I fitted the same crown race to both forks

The Superlight now has a set of Marzocchi Marathons on in a very similar grey to the frame, so works well I think

Pics to follow.....

 

[wadsy]

Pics

Raises the front by about 20mm, so not too bad.

 

[wadsy]

Up-dated

 

[FluffyChicken]

The forks do look nice on it .

 

[wadsy]

Todays Efforts!

Today involved a fair amount of 'faffing' about :roll: Swapping and changing between different chainsets and bottom brackets, fitting syncros seatpost and black headset spacers.

I thought the Middleburn chainset (below) looked good with the XT mech and silver control tech post, but would probably require a silver stem? and a different BB I think as it's non compact drive and I couldn't seem to get it to work? :?

Anyway, this is how it ended up today...

Thoughts appreciated as I'm still undecided and as confused as ever! :?

Cheers

wad

 

[FluffyChicken]

As the RaceFace crank has naff looking black rings with silver ends, the XTR looks much better. The rings just do not go for me.

Which one rides better ?

What was the problem with the bottom bracket for the Middleburn ?

 

[wadsy]

As the RaceFace crank has naff looking black rings with silver ends, the XTR looks much better. The rings just do not go for me.
Which one rides better ?
What was the problem with the bottom bracket for the Middleburn ?

XTR chainset and BB is now on my Superlight as it has other XTR kit on. so much chopping and changing!

Slightly off topic...

I suppose I could look for silver rings for the Raceface cranks or a compact drive middleburn set-up (would give lower ratios as well 42/32/22) at the moment they are 46/36/24 on the RS1/2 cranks.

I think as the Middleburn cranks aren't compact drive I would need a BB with a longer axel to allow correct set-up and chainring clearance. I'll see if they have any info. on their website.

Cheers

 

[FluffyChicken]

...
I think as the Middleburn cranks aren't compact drive I would need a BB with a longer axel to allow correct set-up and chainring clearance. I'll see if they have any info. on their website.

Cheers

Compact, none compact should have little to do with bottom bracket length. It's the profile of the arms that matter.
Only the frame determines if you need to go a touch longer for front mech/chainstay compatibility.

Chainrings are always in the same place.

M900 = 107-113 length standard rings
M737 = 107-113 length compact rings
same profile crank arms. (super low profile in Shimano talk)

 

[wadsy]

...
I think as the Middleburn cranks aren't compact drive I would need a BB with a longer axel to allow correct set-up and chainring clearance. I'll see if they have any info. on their website.

Cheers

Compact, none compact should have little to do with bottom bracket length. It's the profile of the arms that matter.
Only the frame determines if you need to go a touch longer for front mech/chainstay compatibility.

Chainrings are always in the same place.

M900 = 107-113 length standard rings
M737 = 107-113 length compact rings
same profile crank arms. (super low profile in Shimano talk)

The chainsets that worked (XTR and RaceFace) are low profile, the Middleburn are not (see pic above) I tried the Middleburns with a 110mm bb and a 114mm one without much success. I presume it's the non-low profile causing the problem then? :?

 

[FluffyChicken]

I discounted the XTR as that uses it's own bottom bracket, not sure what the RaceFace uses.

Current Middleburns (RS7/ use 113 length, but look to me a lower profile.
The next step up in profile for shimano would be 122.5mm, which is the good old standrd for tripple chainrings.

Hopefully somebody else can join in this conversation
but
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... 2208434dad

So the irony of Middleburn, is design them light and make you use a long bottom bracket (if the RS2 length there is correct) placing the weight on another component.

So if you have a cheap 122mm bb hanging around, pop it in and find out.

.... aka stick with the RaceFace and mock hang the middleburn ring on it o see what it looks like for a picture.
Then ask opinions or see what you like.