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I need bi

19:22 / 22.10.03

i have a 'new' bike.
its blue.
its in bits.

i used to be a little more 'in the loop' as it were, but it has been AGES ince i owned a real bike, one with gears and brakes and a height more suited to my stature.

so.
do any of you lithers have massive product knowledge?
do any of you know the correct settings for front forks, specifically marzocci XC ones? do you hae any way of knowing how i can tell what year they are from, and what they may need after a wee while off the road?
any websites that sell parts, and give advice?
i am also in need of a crank (FC-MC16), or maybe just the bolt that holds it to the bottom bracket if the fatigue isnt too serious. do you know anywhere that sells old bits like that?

so far all i can find online are shops that want to tell me all about the latest gear and the best stuff to buy, no one will tell me how to patch together an old piece of shit into a new and shiny beast of burden.

also, a good bike lock reccomendation would be nice.
is the 'new york' lock from krypto still the mack daddy?
is there one that electrocutes unauthourised users?

gotham island fae

19:30 / 22.10.03

Nice sextuple bi reference in the timesig, 'sik.

Bikes are like magickal, legendary creatures to me, though I grew up on one. They run away. But then, I guess I've never had that magick lasso of truth that is a good lock and CHAIN.

So, no help on the technical, but I LIKE BIKES.

19:40 / 22.10.03

one needs three chains to ride the rough city streets as far as i am aware.

for:
1)holding the wheel and making it spin when you pedal
2)stopping the BadMen stealing your faithful friend when you stop
3)throwing at fast escaping buses and taxi cabs who have decided that to fuck with you is easy sport

23:17 / 22.10.03

Just take it to your local bike shop, especially the forks. If they've been off the road for a while they'll need a top up of oil. You'll probably have to book a time because it's something that takes a little time. The shop should also be able to tell you what year they were made.

It's good to have someone give your bike the once over every year or so, doubly so if you ride it in the rain a lot. Your bike will definitely appreciate having bits tightened, loosened and adjusted.

Locks are tricky. If someone wants your bike, they're going to take your bike. I've seen very expensive bikes with the frame cut because the lock was too tough. Having said that, a good krypto u-lock and some common sense about where you leave it should do you. Remember about quick-release bits like wheels, seats, lights, speedos, etc and you should be okay.

23:53 / 22.10.03

What the hell do locks and chains have to do with bikes? Locks and chains are for mayhem and nothing else! Except sex.

02:28 / 23.10.03

i can do everything myself except the forks... is that realy hard? is it worth the cash alone?

i ask because cash is the main concern in this venture.

00:53 / 24.10.03

I've never tried to replace the fluid myself, so I wouldn't know where to start. Maybe ring some bike shops and ask how much they'd charge?

Have a look or post on usenet: alt.mountain-bike; rec.bicycles.tech; rec.bicycles.misc.

01:45 / 24.10.03

SWEET!

i almost feel bad now about calling you to arms just so i can defend my HEFFYWATE CHAMPEEN title.

almost.

04:22 / 24.10.03

what-eva!

Just make sure you get those shocks adjusted nice and firm, big boy!

14:38 / 24.10.03

Where are you, toksik? I've a funny feeling you're in Scotland, but in London loads of the local cycle clubs run bike-fixing things once a month - you turn up and get help from people who know what they're doing. You don't need to be a member. And I'd imagine there must be similar groups in most cities.

For London, have a look here for a list of local London Cycling Campaign groups. Most have web sites of their own where you can find out about what they're doing.

18:34 / 24.10.03

Are you near any public universities? The ones in my neck of the woods all have bicycle co-ops where folks can trade/swap/sell bikes, parts, offer advice, help fix that which is broken, etc. Might be worth a look and you'd probably save $.