Shimano Sora 3300 Chainset - Double

M532 Chainset + external Bottom Bracket

Advantages: built in external BB, good quality
Disadvantages: None

I bought this to replace the SR Suntour cranks and stock Shimano Bottom Bracket on my Trek 4300. A fantastic upgrade, extremely sturdy, nice stiff cranks, excellent machine work. And to top it off, no internal Bottom Bracket is needed. Something I dont think a lot of the adverts for the item make enough of. You don't need to bother measuring your spindle as you just need to remove the entire bottom bracket and fit the M532 with the inbuilt external BB. You will need additional tools to fit this, but they can be picked up relatively cheaply and you never need to worry about wearing out any bearings in the bottom bracket again. It took me 15 minutes to fit, simply remove your old cranks, remove the BB and slot this in place. It comes with various spacers to adjust the width depending on your frame size and once fitted it ...

KitsuneAndy 19.04.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Shimano M532 Deore 2 Piece Design Chainset, 9-Speed - 44/32/22T

Seeing Double

Advantages: Irene Jacob's performance and Kieslowski's direction
Disadvantages: Difficult to fathom

Having enjoyed 'Three Colours Red' starring Irene Jacob and directed by Krystof Kieslowski, I was delighted when a friend offered to lend me 'The Double Life of Veronique', featuring the same actress and director. Both Weronika in Poland and Veronique in France feel that they are not alone in the world. Both roles are played by Irene Jacob, so the two young women obviously look identical, but they do not know each other. Yet they have an inexplicable connection. The first part of the film focuses on Weronika, who leaves her father and boyfriend to go and stay with her aunt in Krakow. She is an extremely talented singer and soon wins a competition. Veronique visits Krakow and by pure chance photographs Weronika from a tram during her time there. Weronika sees her and notices the resemblance, but she is unable to catch Veronique's eye. I ...

denella 12.04.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Double Life Of Veronique (DVD)

Shimano Dura Ace Rear Mech (RD-7700-SS)

Advantages: Top of the range "bling" rear mech
Disadvantages: 9 speed "only", superceeded by RD-7800 10-speed version

I bought this rear derailleur to replace an Ultegra mech when upgrading my bike from 8 to 9-speeds (well, 16 to 18 speed really with my double front chainset). Apparently, this mech is also compatible with 8-speed systems, you just need to change the cable mounting position. Dura Ace is the name of Shimano's top of the range group of bicycle components, or "groupset", for road race bikes, and the 9-speed 7700-series was introduced to the public in 1997 after Shimano sponsored riders using Dura-Ace 7700 series equipped bikes in 1996. Year by year, it's been enhanced, and this review is of rear mech from the 2004 model year. For the non-bike-ophiles among you, the rear mech (or mechanism) is the device at the back end of the bike that moves the chain across the muliple cogs (cassette) on the back wheel to change gear - bigger cog ...

matt_fantastic 07.04.2006 (10.04.2006) · Read full review
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Review of Shimano DuraAce