Yeah that’s just a few of those tools you mentioned.
I have a torque wrench already, and a pedal spanner, but yeah not some of those other things. Tools have opened me up to a whole new line of things I didn’t even think I could spend money on related to cycling.
Might be worth checking inhttp://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/shop/accessories/tools/1302 instead.
…don’t I want Park Tools? 
FWIW cycling deal is where I got my torque wrench from, works fine.
Also a more tech question. My thought is if she ends up enjoying this I’ll put a much better Groupset on it. But I’m confused as to how compatible bottom brackets are. It has a UN26 Shimano BB, can I fit say a 105 in the same slot?
I think I have one Park tool, the rest are generic and seem fine.
You could buy one Park tool for eleventy billion dollars, or a complete generic toolkit for the same price ;)
Yes, any current Shimano crankset will fit what you have, which is a standard 'BSA English threaded 68mm' BB shell.
Your Giant may be a 30mm press fit shell or similar though.
Okay so there's different kinds of BB but you can shove any crankset in it? That's what I can't figure out (or Google effectively) is if one is dependant on the other...
As standard, Shimano road cranks have a 24mm shaft which fit into there BSA 68mm bottom brackets, which then fits into a BSA 68mm threaded BB shell of the frame
Yours wifes bike has a tapered BB and crak setup, which also fits into a BSA 68mm threaded BB shell frame.
So you could install some SRAM or FSA cranks/bb yes.
SRAM offer BB30 and BB68mm for their cranksets. So many BB standards out there its ridiculous.
Having said all that you can get adapters to run anything with just about any other standard to make it more complicated.
EASY.
Tip, always buy a quick link (a few bucks) whenever you get a new chain, it'll enable you to take the chain off/on in seconds.
Also invest in the chain breaker for initial chain sizing/length.
Thanks I was wondering about those quick links. They seem a great idea, but I wondered if there was a performance trade off. If you are using them that is good enough for me!
Would also be very handy for cleaning to get chain off completely fast.
Also cycling deals looks a good site that wasn't on my list. Might have to drop in this week. That truing stand for $45 looks good option.
NEXT QUESTION
So I can’t find a big 8sp cassette. I’m looking for like 29-30 teeth but the road cassettes I’ve found only go to about 26. But there’s some 8sp MTB cassettes – would these work?
Yep should be fine as long as the RD can handle that range.
Yes, I've got MTB cassette on my bike, and bike shop people love telling me it's not right, but it works fine.
However, the RD issue can be that the largest rear cog is so big that the RD jockey wheel shifts across into the side of the big cog instead of swinging the chain below it. But since you have the bike you should be able to work out how much clearance you have to the top RD jockey wheel when on the lowest gear now. Also you might be able to get a longer hanger for the RD anyway to make it lower.
Suggest you get that stuff sorted with the old chain, before putting new chain on as length needed might change.
The other option for easier climbing is to put on a smaller inside chainring. Have you thought about that?
Yeah but I figured the cassette would be easier/cheaper to swap than the cranks.
Still haven’t picked it up yet. Once I’ve got it I’ll get an idea what needs to be done.
Out on arvo recovery, was passed by one of the blokes that I rode with yesterday. Happens to have a GoPro and Fly6 on his commuter. Subsequently, here is me catching a free lift :)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0VbU3RIuNsEVWpEeGQzdFhZT2s/edit
Out on arvo recovery, was passed by one of the blokes that I rode with yesterday. Happens to have a GoPro and Fly6 on his commuter. Subsequently, here is me catching a free lift :)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0VbU3RIuNsEVWpEeGQzdFhZT2s/edit
Haha ... new rule 1. If you're not wearing Blitz strip it didn't happen.
Yeah but I figured the cassette would be easier/cheaper to swap than the cranks.
Still haven't picked it up yet. Once I've got it I'll get an idea what needs to be done.
My inner chainring is separate from cranks (as is big ring). In fact I can swap over the inner ring without even removing cranks. But I suppose the new integrated units have made that harder and taken away that option.
How do I set a reserve on eBay??
EDIT: Nm, reserves can't be set on eBay Aus, have to list item as a minimum desired price instead.
I'll just go back to talking to myself now ;)
Try Gumtree, plenty of bikes sold on there too.
Suggested gathering of the Blitz jerseys ...
On the hill at Mt Buninyong, Ballarat for Sunday 11/01/15 mens road race nat champs. Evans v Porte v Gerrans (& OGE) mark 2.
I haven't been before but on TV this year looked like there were plenty of cars and BBQ set ups on the hill, not sure what time they close the road though. I've got a van with a fridge and can put up awnings off the side and out from the tailgate. I can even sleep in it overnight if I have to.
It's a 10km loop course so riders keep going passed (12-15 times) with more damage being done on hill each time. Should be awesome. Obviously easier for Victorians though.
Details from last year, not necessarily same this year though.
Already committed to the TDU :)
Is Evans actually racing the Nationals? Not that he could really win it, but imagine taking the national jersey and retiring a month later, seems wrong.
Woo Buying a new bike this week.