There is a tool, called a derailleur adjustment gauge (photo below), made by Park Tool and other companies (less expensive, but just as effective) that you can screw into the rear derailleur mounting hole and use to check that the hanger is parallel to your rear wheel. Unless you work on bikes as much as I do, there probably isn't much sense in making that purchase; maybe just have your local shop take a quick look at it. This gauge will also only solve your problem if you have a steel-framed bike, as you cannot bend the hanger in place on an aluminum (metal is too brittle) or carbon frame. You DEFINITELY don't want to bend a hanger that is bolted onto the frame, as you can easily snap off the whole assembly and ruin your frame!
Discussion about bicycle repairs, restoration/upgrading and my miscellaneous pedalling adventures...
Monday, May 22, 2023
Italiano d'epoca, italiano moderno
There is a tool, called a derailleur adjustment gauge (photo below), made by Park Tool and other companies (less expensive, but just as effective) that you can screw into the rear derailleur mounting hole and use to check that the hanger is parallel to your rear wheel. Unless you work on bikes as much as I do, there probably isn't much sense in making that purchase; maybe just have your local shop take a quick look at it. This gauge will also only solve your problem if you have a steel-framed bike, as you cannot bend the hanger in place on an aluminum (metal is too brittle) or carbon frame. You DEFINITELY don't want to bend a hanger that is bolted onto the frame, as you can easily snap off the whole assembly and ruin your frame!
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Walt's Wonderful Wheels
My friend Walt has had some knee and back issues which will unfortunately limit his physical activity. He has decided to sell off his extensive collection. Stay tuned as I list more of his items.
1994 GIORDANA XL Super 54cm $1800
This bike, with paint in exceptional condition, has been built up as a single speed with Campagnolo Record and Chorus components and a set of Mavic CXP33 wheels. The frameset, assembled in Italy by Billato, is made of Excell Podium steel tubing from France and includes a Mondonico fork. View more pics here.
CRANKSET- Campagnolo Pista (170mm with 49t ring); BRAKE LEVERS- Tektro; BRAKES- Campagnolo Chorus; HEADSET- Campagnolo Chorus; HANDLEBAR- Cinelli 66-40; STEM- Cinelli 1A (120mm); SEATPOST- Campagnolo Aero; SADDLE- Selle San Marco Regal Girard; WHEELSET- Mavic CXP33 rims, Campagnolo Chorus front hub/Surly flip-flop rear hub with 20t cog and Vittoria Intrepid PRB Kevlar tires
2003 MERLIN Magia 52s (54.5cm effective) $3500
The superlight titanium frameset includes a Reynolds carbon fork and was built up with a Campagnolo Chorus carbon groupset and a set of Mavic CXP33 wheels. The frame features some wonderful engravings on the headtube and on the bottom bracket lug. See more photos here.
Campagnolo Chorus carbon 11-speed groupset, including: CRANKSET (170mm, 53/39t), BRAKE/SHIFT LEVERS- Avid SD 2.0; DERAILLEURS (front/rear) and BRAKES; HEADSET- Cane Creek IS; HANDLEBAR- 3T Ergo; STEM- ITM (120mm); SEATPOST- Campagnolo; SADDLE- Selle Italia Flite TT; WHEELSET- Mavic CXP33 with Bontrager Race Lite tires
Late-1990s TORELLI Nemo 52cm $1900
This Columbus steel tube frameset was assembled for the company by esteemed builder Antonio Mondonico. In fact, Walt met him at a tradeshow years ago and had Mondonico sign the top tube! The bike has been built up with Campagnolo Athena 8-speed components and a set of Torelli Master wheels. View more photos of the bike here.
Campagnolo Athena 8-speed group, including: CRANKSET, BRAKE/SHIFT LEVERS, DERAILLEURS BRAKES and HEADSET; HANDLEBAR- Cinelli; STEM- Cinelli 1A; SEATPOST- Campagnolo Aero; SADDLE- Selle Italia Flite TT; WHEELSET- Torelli Master with Michelin Race Lite tires
1997 VOODOO Wanga MTB 44cm/17in (fits someone 5'7"-5'8") $500
The Voodoo Wanga frame was custom made with Tange Prestige steel tubing, and the bike is fitted with high-end parts. See more photos of the bike here.
CRANKSET (170mm, 42/32/22t); SHIFT LEVERS- SRAM Gripshift; BRAKE LEVERS- Avid SD 2.0; DERAILLEURS (front/rear) Shimano Deore XT; BRAKES- Onza; HEADSET- Dia-Compe Aheadset; HANDLEBAR- Bontrager Titec; STEM- System 2 (135mm); SEATPOST- Bontrager Titec; SADDLE- WTB SST; WHEELSET- Mavic 220 rims, Shimano XTR hubs and 8-speed cassette with like-new Ritchey Z Max 2.1 tires1985 PINARELLO Montello SLX frameset 52 cm $725
Simoncini is a small family firm based in Tuscany, where they have been making bicycle frames and forks of the highest quality since 1949. This beautiful frame has been constructed with Columbus TSX steel tubing. See additional photos here.
Imported from the Netherlands, the frame has been professionally restored and looks like new! The company founded by history's most dominant pro cyclist has assembled this frame with Columbus SL/SP steel tubing. See more photos here.