Specialized Tarmac S-Works SL 4 2012

[khdroberts]

Hey vladt, cheers for that - thanks for the compliment!

Sad to say, it's not me on Sunday morning doing road (at least, not the mt eliza ride) - must be some other big bugger with good taste!

I'm more likely to do the hills - beach rd is great (and fabulous to have right in our back yard) but I like hills! Odd, I know, for a big guy.

Hope you're enjoying your SL 4 - they're awesome!

Now, if I can just diagnose the creaking that appears to be coming from the BB (don't all creaks appear to come from the BB?), I'll be a totally happy camper!

[ThePullMan]

Hey khdroberts! Would you mind taking a few snaps of how you have positioned your light? You are using exposure right? the way you have positioned it seems pretty interesting. Cheers!

[khdroberts]

No worries - I'll shoot some today and upload them when I get back from my ride.

It's actually a new mount from Exposure (yep, that's what I'm using - for the rear at least) - it's a cradle that mounts to the seat rails! Utterly brilliant and one of those 'why didn't I think of that' type things.

[RichTheRoadie]

Love the frame colour, but those tyres have to go!

Is this new Exposure mount available to buy separately? Annoyingly I didn't know about it before I left the UK (where I was a manager in an Exposure dealer!), but I'd love to get my hands on one - it sounds like an ideal option.

[khdroberts]

Rich-Ti: sorry, the tyres stay! I like 'em!

Yes, the saddle mount is a genuine Exposure product that you should be able to get from any good stockist. What is your current location? I might be able to point you in the right direction.

[RichTheRoadie]

Thanks - I'm in Sydney now.

[khdroberts]

Well, both Competitive Cyclist and Wiggle have them. Alternatively, you could give Total Rush in Melbourne a call (that's where I bought mine): (03)9421 0070.

Failing that, the Aussie importer is Bike Box (www.bikebox.com.au) - give them a try; they're bound to be able to provide you with a local stockist.

[khdroberts]

Rich-Ti: Here's the close-up shots of the cradle for the Exposure Flare:

[vladt]

No probs at all mate.
The colour is seriously catchy

hmm, interesting point about the BB creaking, in fact I thought I also had the BB creaking issue. Long story short, it was the seat post that was creaking.
So as a guess, check your seat post and see if it needs some extra lube -

The tall guy I see on Sunday morning rides is indeed riding black Z1 in rapha gear so I thought it might have been you.
Heading out to the hills on sunday?

[RichTheRoadie]

Rich-Ti: Here's the close-up shots of the cradle for the Exposure Flare:

That's neat, thanks!

[khdroberts]

No probs at all mate.
The colour is seriously catchy

hmm, interesting point about the BB creaking, in fact I thought I also had the BB creaking issue. Long story short, it was the seat post that was creaking.
So as a guess, check your seat post and see if it needs some extra lube -

The tall guy I see on Sunday morning rides is indeed riding black Z1 in rapha gear so I thought it might have been you.
Heading out to the hills on sunday?

Nope, I knew it wasn't the seat post. I'm an OLD hand at diagnosing creaks on bikes and that's the first thing I check - get out of the saddle and see if it's still making the noise. It was.

I pretty much knew what it was without having to do much investigating: loose cassette. That's not the first time that a loose cassette (not snugged down quite firmly enough with the lock-ring) has caused creaking that sounds like it's coming from the BB. The chain warps as the cassette moves and the whole thing transmits through to the BB - probably because it's the largest air cavity on the frame and so it makes a good sound chamber I guess.

Hope to be heading to the hills this weekend - 120 - 140 k trip. Should be fun!

You'll know me when you see me on my Z1 - she's candy purple with white panels : can't miss it really!

Have a great weekend.