18 Wheels Of Steel Pedal To The Metal Mod Bus Mexico
Matt Dreher
Most repair shops service everyday commuter cars, pick-ups and SUVs. These vehicles have tires and wheels that are relatively easy to work with, so they don't require much in the way of features and add-ons. Such specialty tools are best left for working with aluminum wheels, run-flats and low-profile tires.
Some shops simply want a space-saver that performs basic tire changes quickly and safely. The R980XR is ideal for such environments. It installs closer to the wall than a tilt-back style machine would be able to, so it stays out of the way, and the included non-marring duck heads are perfect for a wide variety of wheels. It's hard to go wrong with this model as your primary machine or back-up to your more sophisticated model.
Each R980XR tire changer features the latest in design and wheel service technology, providing the best value and performance in its class. The powerful motor and gearbox work systematically at a controlled speed for easy tire removal and installation. Ergonomic controls are sensibly placed to minimize excessive reaching, walking or bending, resulting in more jobs per day and increased profits. Large storage trays provide ample space for wheel weights, tools and accessories on this tire changer.
Stainless steel and aluminum pneumatic cylinders are designed to reduce machine vibration and provide low-friction and long life operation. Internal end-of-stroke cushions are standard, offering extra cushioning at the end of each full stroke to reduce wear on seals, wear bands and piston rods.
The equi-dimensional shape of the hardened alloy steel mount and demount head features a micro-smooth tool head surface that glides tire beads during mounting and demounting procedures. In addition to the standard alloy-steel mount and demount head, we also include a rugged polymer mount/demount head with adapter that protects fragile tires and rims from metal-to-metal contact damage.
Industrial-grade, 45-micron, pneumatic control valves feature die cast and machined bodies constructed from zinc and aluminum. High-performance polyurethane seals and self-lubricating Teflon piston guides extend life of the tire changer and improve overall performance. Valve plungers feature muffled extrication ports that direct any dirt or contamination accumulated on the outside perimeter of the spool to be automatically blown away each time the valve goes into the release position.
A newly designed, maintenance-free gearbox features a large oil and grease reservoir that helps provide efficient heat dissipation and improved lubrication for longer service life. Internal baffles and a constant seating stress flange gasket assure positive, leak-free venting. The rugged gearbox enclosure is precision-milled for precise alignment of horizontal and vertical bases and features precision helical gears that operate much more smoothly and quietly than typical spur gear transmissions.
To keep your shop running as efficiently as possible, we include a range of wheel service accessories to accompany your tire changer. Necessary items, like a soap bucket and brush, plastic wheel protector kit with turntable jaw covers, bead-breaker blade boots and specialized mount/demount head covers will make your shop life that much better. A hardened steel tire iron and bead lever tool is included to assist with even the most stubborn tire change operations.
The drive-belt on the R980XR has convex sidewalls that evenly distribute wear. The drive-belt also provides belt support, letting your tire changer operate at full efficiency for years to come. Flex-bonded cords and flex-weave covers reliably fend off attacks by oil, heat, age, etc.
A 45 mm spring-assisted hexagonal vertical tool shaft and hardened-steel horizontal outrigger support arm maintain perfect position of the mount-demount tool head during all tire service procedures, greatly reducing the chance of tire damage.
An easily accessed, pedal-activated tire inflator immediately starts inflating tires when the ergonomically placed foot pedal is depressed. Meanwhile, a sure-grip clip-on valve chuck is attached directly to the inflation hose, permitting operators to inflate tires without ever using their hands, and an air pressure dump valve is integrated into the structure of the tire changer itself, enabling you to lower tire pressure with just the push of a button. This sophisticated design makes Ranger tire changers easy to operate in the most intense shop environments.
There are a vast amount of differences between a modern road bike and a retro road bike. These differences are found in materials, aesthetics, comfort, engineering, weight and performance. The bicycle industry has significantly evolved over the past 30 years, but is it all for the better? I wrote this article to present my thoughts on the many differences between them.
Special, nostalgic and surprising. Being an all Italian bike (excluding a few parts), when I ride it, it feels like I have taken a classic old Ferrari out for a spin. Sometimes I imagine myself as Eddy Merckx in an old video clip of the Tour de France. Even though this bike is 35 years old, the Colnago is still fast on flat terrain. Much quicker than I expected. In fact the Colnago is NOT much slower than riding my Cervelo (which features a lot more aero design).
The Cervelo features a fantastic spread of gear ratios, as well as a relatively close increments between the gears. You can sprint flat out or ride up a big climb without needing to change a part. Top of Page.
Cable routing has also changed considerably. On the Cervelo, the gear cables travel from the handlebars, down inside the down tube and out the bottom bracket where they move over a nice slippery plastic cable guide and onto the derailleurs. On the retro bike, the gear cables travel (externally) a shorter distance to the underside of the bottom bracket, however there is no slippery nylon cable guide here, the steel cables travel straight over the paintwork and quickly wear a groove in the paint and begin years of eating a groove into the steel frame. Not the smoothest (or quietest) shifting experience. One quick fix is run the cables through 2 small pieces of plastic tubing just under the bottom bracket.
Modern road bikes feature a sloping top tube frame (compact) whereas the retro bike features a traditional horizontal top tube frame. Both of these frames have an effective horizontal top tube length of 56cm, but looking at the 2 photos above, you can see the extra height of the seat post of the compact frame (Cervelo). The advantage of a compact frame design is that it provides a much greater amount of stand-over clearance. I have no problems positioning my body relative to the bottom bracket for pedalling on either of these frames, but stand-over clearance is a determining factor when selecting the correct frame size of retro frame. As mentioned previously, the Colnago has a shorter head tube which provides a lower front-end. A couple of points of interest.
2. Due to the brake hoods being positioned further forward and lower on the handle bars, I fitted a shorter stem on the Colnago to give me a similar riding position when holding the hoods on both bikes. The consequence of this being the tops of the handle bars are closer to me on the Colnago, but using the hoods and drops of the bars feel the same on both bikes. This fit issue is not related to the frame design, just the traditional placement of the brake levers on the handle bars. Modern bikes feature compact frame design which allows more people to fit standard frame sizes. Top of Page.
The main reason I believe these bikes feel smiliar on the road is because the Cervelo is equipped with modern wide rims that fit wider (25mm) tyres which require lower air pressure (90psi and I often ridden with less). The Colnago is equipped with narrow rims that fit narrower (23mm) types which require a higher minimum inflation pressure of 100psi (according to Veloflex). Quite simply, more air pressure and less volume makes for a bumpier ride. Any comfort benefits coming from that steel frame are being eroded by the higher tyre pressure required for these narrow wheels & higher pressure tyres.
In regards to noises, both of these bikes are quiet. I work hard to eliminate any clicks, creaks or rattles. The only noise from the Cervelo is the hum of the carbon rims. The alloy rims on the Colnago however are super quiet making it seem like the Colnago is a smoother ride than the Cervelo on smooth sections of tarmac. I try to avoid bumps riding either of these bikes. Top of Page.
The 3ttt Record 84 stem used in the Colnago is way more difficult to remove than a modern stem. This stem features a conical wedge that is pulled up into the stem as you tighten the stem bolt. This wedge effectively pushes the sides of the stem into the steerer to lock the stem in place. To force the wedge out of the stem so you can adjust or remove it, you need to loosen the stem bolt a little then gently tap on the stem bolt to push the wedge down and repeat until the wedge is forced out of the stem. The retro stems look elegant, but this stem is more fiddly to work with, however there was another design of quill stem that was supposed to be much easier to remove. Top of Page.
Bottom brackets (BB) are a very contentious topic for any cycling enthusiast. The majority of modern carbon fibre fames are designed to use some variant of a press-fit bottom bracket, whilst older bike frames are designed to use a threaded bottom bracket (with some exceptions). There will always be ongoing debate over which system is better. They each have advantages and disadvantages and everyone has their own preference based on their experiences with this component.
Undoubtedly the number one complaint about press fit bottom brackets is creaking. Whilst a press fit BB is a logical design for a carbon fibre frame (ie. not having to add a threaded shell to the BB area of the frame), the BB shell of a carbon frame must be manufactured to tight tolerances to ensure a snug fit for the BB cups and then the BB must be installed correctly. If these two criteria are not met, you will probably experience problems.
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