V-Brakes grabbing question

[FastFreddy2]

Thanks

They look almost identical to the original zoom suspension forks I took off. The problem is the motor rubs against the forks. I need the fixing to be inline with the inside of forks to take hub motor without rubbing

I had this very problem with some 20" forks (as detailed elsewhere). It wasn't an insurmountable problem.

Frankly, you must love your bike to be using something so old. That's fair enough, and good luck to you.

I have acquired newer, and I'm tempted to say "better" bikes for surprisingly little money. I have one in the garage right now, I think I paid £40 quid for. Looks new, though it isn't. It's a Triban and looks something like this....



Mine came without the rear rack, and is grey. It also has 28" wheels. Cost me £40 or £50.

New disc wheels, also bought from someone on Ebay dumping them, £10. Disc brake system, £20. Eventually, it's going to get a rear hub motor, because if needs be, I can move it to another bike more easily than a mid drive. I've also shelled out on a newer set of air forks .....

(I chose this bike, because I like high chainstays.)

My point is, unless you are looking after your bike because it's loved, there are safer, more easily adapted bikes out there, for not much money. You would be starting off with something that would cost less than the immediate remedial work you have to do with what you have already.



This likely won't be in your home town (Bath) and won't be the right size (16") but it's an example of what is available. Disc mounts front and back (the fork is fitted backwards!) Suspension fork .... And the right head tube for any fork combination you might want.

 

[Wayners]

@FastFreddy2
I've been looking for another bike but they fetch too much money or not what I want.
Couple of Carrera bikes local to me for £185 and £195 but both medium frames but I want a large.
Another old hardtail about 15 miles from me for £125 that is a large, but it's not looking good to convert with a rear hub. I think the aluminium frame looks too thin plus I bet bits will need replacing.
I'm looking on eBay. Gumtree ect but most bikes are overpriced for second hand or wanting work done as rusty.
Large Carrara in good condition for £150 id jump at it!
Missed one large Carrera only used inside on rollers for £120 last week on gumtree. Seller had multiple inquiries to go look. I'm not surprised.
My current bike I've spent £160 ish on plus £370 for hub kit. It's becoming a labour of love though.
I looked in local bike project at the second hand bikes but most are too small for me and nothing under £500. Bikes new start at £220 ish but I worry it's poor quality like my current one.
Luck of the draw if you find something good but cheap like £40. I've got little chance of that though.

Anyway. End result will be a good bike. Just been cleaning it. I ride every day Vs bus so it will pay for itself, plus I'll know how to fix it because I built it.

 

[AndyBike]

I'm thinking new brakes first?

See if you can pick up a pair of 2nd hand on ebay. I'd recommend the early Shimano M600, or even XT Parallel push if you are feeling spendy.
Of all the parts on the bike the brakes are the most important to your safety and wellbeing. It's not really an area you should be looking to save by buying cheap.
I'll see what I can find....

Heres a good deal(Notice the 12 watchers, something you always get on good kit)

Shimano LX M600 V Brake Set Front & Rear | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Shimano LX M600 V Brake Set Front & Rear at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

XT M739 here.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[FastFreddy2]

Anyway. End result will be a good bike. Just been cleaning it. I ride every day Vs bus so it will pay for itself, plus I'll know how to fix it because I built it.

That threaded 1" suspension fork I left the link for, will solve a number of problems, and it's a good price.

The Triban I bought is a large. I'm in Hertfordshire and had to drive to North London to collect it. I looked off and on nearly 20 years to acquire it, although I'd only been looking seriously for a year. It was originally offered for sale on Ebay, not Gumtree, (which has something of a reputation for being used for selling off stolen bikes). Mine was offered by a chap who buys batches of stolen/recovered bikes at police auctions. Some are worth money, some less so, and in his mind, this was a 'less so'. I would have paid over £100 for it. A complete bike, although it came with standard hubs so I couldn't use them for a disc setup.

Almost everything you buy for a modern bike, is transferable. In your case, the age of it means that unusually, the front forks are not, which is why I have encouraged you to acquire a different frame, or at least a disc setup at the front of your bike. Used frame are cheap, especially something 20 years younger than what you have, yet still 20 years old.



This frame has a mount for a rear disc too.



I am not "lucky" with cycling, or anything with two wheels. I've fallen off every motorbike I've ever owned, and the last time I went over the handlebars of my Kona, was only a week ago. For safety reasons, I gave up on rim brakes when I got fed digging handfuls of mud out of the rear brake of the Gary Fisher Kaitai bike I rode circa 1999. In my opinion, rim brakes have some use in the dry, and in every other circumstance, are easily surpassed by discs.

I suggest you consider joining Freecycle (which in case you don't know, has nothing to do with bikes, and more to do with recycling.) I would place a "wanted" ad for an MTB or road bike if you prefer, and see what comes out of the woodwork. My belief is, people hoard stuff because they don't have the heart to send something they have fond memories of, to the tip. Donating something to someone who will make good use out of it, is a much easier decision.

We have a neighbour who is using my partners old bike to get to work every day. I had done some repairs to the neighbours bike, but it was becoming obvious, that £79 purchase had come to the end of its useful life. The bike we offered had been stored in our garage at that time, for 11 years, and possibly a few more years in our previous residence. It had given good service and deserved better than being tossed in a skip. The current owner, is very very happy with it. I am sure there are many more bikes waiting for a new home, just like it.

 

[matthewslack]

As @FastFreddy2 says, placing a wanted ad is way more effective than waiting.

 

[Wayners]

Just looked at local Freecycle and wanted MTB adverts up already.
3 mountain bikes for £40 local on eBay but no suspension.
Would be useful for parts I guess especially v brakes plus wheels

 

[FastFreddy2]

Just looked at local Freecycle and wanted MTB adverts up already.
3 mountain bikes for £40 local on eBay but no suspension.
Would be useful for parts I guess especially v brakes plus wheels

My experience of Freecycle suggests advertisers don't often pull posts even when they should. I wouldn't worry about "the competition". Advertise. It's free and you have nothing to lose.

State your general age, (go for the sympathy vote), and mention your need for some form of daily recreational exercise - via a bike. Mention you are scared to ride on roads, and you intend to travel along unchallenging trails, along canals, and around lakes, hence the need for a bike with front suspension. All this might be true anyway, but no need to mention the money spent on the hub motor. You're not in a criminal court where you are compelled to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. You are looking to give a home to a bike someone doesn't use, from someone who has an unused one they'd quite like to go to a new home where it might be cherished. If you have other transport or access to it, try council recycling centres. They might have something of interest at a price you can afford. The bikes they have for sale were gifted to them, so ANY money they make is a bonus, plus it costs money to actually recycle anything via a furnace. If the prices at the recycling centre seem a bit steep, ring up one of your local councillors, and tell them you have an interest in a bike, but can't afford the asking price, but what you afford is .....