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Post by wheelson on Aug 27, 2022 13:15:13 GMT
I like the Bluemels and if you can find them , a good range of colours - I particularly like their logo/font. Last time I searched they were quite expensive though. They are 'correct' for a Viscount in that they were on the Aerospace 'AllRounder' model, so if they are good enough for Viscount then , they are good enough now. I also have the ESGE on my Viscount Deore tourer, and like the design on them and the integrated reflector. I have a pair of Bluemels, white, unbroken but stained and pretty bedraggled. I’ve used a spray paint designed for vinyl lawn furniture for other applications. Might this work on the Bluemels? If this is heresy please disregard. Best, John “wheelson” |
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389 
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Post by Jem on Aug 27, 2022 18:55:41 GMT
I'd be interested to see the outcome if you do that John. I never thought about spraying mudguards
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robt
Viscount
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Post by robt on Aug 29, 2022 14:01:27 GMT
1. I would really love to know which full mudguards you have on the bike on the left? 2. I notice the bike on the right has suicide brakes just like mine. Do you use any particular brake pads to make them any more effective? 3. "Yes, I know we’ve locked them up but I’m not letting these bikes out of my sight for a second!” Please let me know if I’m a winner. I accept cheques, postal orders, and even cash (subject to the necessary security clearance of course). 1. The mudguards on the A/S Sport are SKS Chromoplastic P45s (45mm width is just enough to fit over 700x32mm Panaracer Pasela tyres). Best current UK price appears to be from Tweeks Cycles, though they are also available via the ever-reliable SJS Cycles and others. I don't think that I had to cut very much off the ends of the stays to tidy them up over the 700x32s so, if you're still running original 27" wheels, the 45mm width may be a bit tight over 27X1¼ tyres - you might consider going up to the 50mm wide version. 2. On my Sebring, I'm using Clarks X-pattern road brake blocks, currently available (and heavily discounted) in the UK from Chain Reaction Cycles but also via Amazon & other retailers. I found that the only hope of getting the suicide levers and centre-pull brakes to function at all well is to get your wheel rims as 'true' as is humanely possible to eliminate rubbing, so allowing the brake blocks to be set a hairs-breadth from the rims, giving reasonable braking from the main levers and some (but still not much) braking from the suicide levers. Even this is only really achievable with alloy wheel rims. IMHO, Suicide levers with chromed steel rims are best left as an entertaining talking point, but should never be relied upon for slowing down, particularly if there is the slightest hint of moisture in the air. 3. If you have a Viscount and you've discovered this forum, you're already a winner! You'll find that none of us much enjoy parting with our money in any form! Welcome to the forum and best wishes, RobT. |
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Post by lowtechforever on Aug 29, 2022 16:33:15 GMT
Thank you very much Rob for the detailed explanation, as well as the links. I feel as though I've got my own personal shopper!
I still have 27" wheels and 27x1¼ tyres so will take your advice re 50mm wide guards.
My brakes work reasonably well with the suicide levers. By that, I mean I only ride the Viscount at fairly quiet times and have a reasonable amount of reaction time but I was just hoping to achieve a bit more braking power. I like your description of them as an entertaining talking point and will obviously put safety first when riding in busier conditions.
And yes, this forum is better than any cash prize!
Thanks again, much appreciated.
Chris
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Post by wheelson on Aug 29, 2022 17:13:02 GMT
Thank you very much Rob for the detailed explanation, as well as the links. I feel as though I've got my own personal shopper! I still have 27" wheels and 27x1¼ tyres so will take your advice re 50mm wide guards. My brakes work reasonably well with the suicide levers. By that, I mean I only ride the Viscount at fairly quiet times and have a reasonable amount of reaction time but I was just hoping to achieve a bit more braking power. I like your description of them as an entertaining talking point and will obviously put safety first when riding in busier conditions. And yes, this forum is better than any cash prize! Thanks again, much appreciated. Chris Shimano made a version of the suicide levers that were an integral part of the brake lever with a direct mechanical link internally. Heavy and hard to find but much better than the add ons. The modern “cross bar” levers work great and I have them on two of my modern (?) bikes. Good for us old timers who ride on the tops and hoods but still like the looks of a drop bar. Best, John (wheelson) |
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Post by lowtechforever on Aug 29, 2022 17:54:12 GMT
Hi John,
Thanks for letting me know about the Shimano version. I'll keep an eye out for it.
Cheers
Chris
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Post by cusqueno on Aug 30, 2022 14:21:24 GMT
Shimano made a version of the suicide levers that were an integral part of the brake lever with a direct mechanical link internally. Heavy and hard to find but much better than the add ons. The modern “cross bar” levers work great and I have them on two of my modern (?) bikes. Good for us old timers who ride on the tops and hoods but still like the looks of a drop bar. Best, John (wheelson) I have a set of the Shimano suicide levers, branded as Dura Ace, one of the earliest DA components and matched with DA centre pulls. The levers are cleverly made and are much better than all the other suicide levers I've ever seen. Difficult to describe - I'll try to take a photo and post it - but the 'suicide' lever part acts directly on the brake cable, rather than indirectly through the other lever. The DA centre pulls are on my Viscount Corsair Mixte, the suicide lever brakes will probably join them when I get around to it. |
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Post by dracco on Sept 4, 2022 18:47:40 GMT
I've recently replaced the 28mm tyres on my 27x11/4 rims that I have on one of my non-Viscount bikes (1984 Raleigh Royal) with 32mm Panaracer Paselas. The 28mm tyres were OK with SKS chromopastic mudguards - although rather a tight fit, but the 32mm tyres unfortunately don't leave sufficient clearance for any mudguards at all.
On the plus side, the 32mm tyres provide a really smooth ride.
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Post by brianbutler on Sept 5, 2022 0:07:05 GMT
I've recently replaced the 28mm tyres on my 27x11/4 rims that I have on one of my non-Viscount bikes (1984 Raleigh Royal) with 32mm Panaracer Paselas. The 28mm tyres were OK with SKS chromopastic mudguards - although rather a tight fit, but the 32mm tyres unfortunately don't leave sufficient clearance for any mudguards at all. On the plus side, the 32mm tyres provide a really smooth ride. Are the rims actually 27" or 700C? I didn't think mm size tyres could be mounted on 27" rims.
Brian
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Post by dracco on Sept 5, 2022 10:57:59 GMT
Sorry for any confusion. My shorthand: the rims are Weinmann 27" x 1 1/4 and the new tyres are 27" x 1 1/4 (32-630). The new tyres replace the previous Continental Ultra Sport 27" x 1 1/8 (28-630), which were getting rather thin and puncture-prone. It's easier to use the metric size in quick posts because entering fractions of an inch means faffing around with special characters!!
My Viscount runs Schwalbe 700C x 25mm tyres (25-622) on Mavic MA2 700C x 25mm rims.
Since 1 1/4" = 31.75mm, I doubt whether the 0.25mm difference makes fitting very different between a 1 1/4" and a 32mm width. 1 1/8" = 28.575mm, so actually closer to 29mm, but since both the 1 1/8th andd 1 1/4 tyres fit on the same rims, I doubt that millimetres vs inches in tyre width pesents a fitting problem. Rim sizes (700C vs 27") on the other hand would not be mix and match.
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Post by franco on Oct 29, 2022 22:08:55 GMT
Hello everyone, apologies for not attending this year but I hope everyone enjoyed the day whatever they did. 🙂
Still under a physiotherapist for a damaged knee cartilage and getting there gradually.
What reminded me to call in was talking to a Bulgarian cyclist on Twitter this week about how great Viscount Aerospace are. Still spreading the word even if I’m not riding 😉
I hope you are all well and keep riding!
Best wishes
Franco
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