More thru axle woes.  I bought a cheap thru axle converter to change the front DT 350 hub to a 5x100 QR.  Cabonazza was right - there is too much lateral play.  Today I received the DT Swiss end caps but can't figure out how to remove the existing thru axle caps.  I pulled on them a little with some pliers but didn't want to screw up anything.

Help please.

For the record, in case anyone else runs into the same problem, the Shimano XT chain works just fine.  I was pretty confident that there were no issues with the chain line and the new chain confirmed it.  So, if you are going to run a Shimano chainring as 1X11, you might want to get something besides a SRAM chain.
I've never had an issue interchanging parts from the two manufacturers, until now.

Quote from: adbl on August 08, 2018, 11:33:57 AM

Quote from: woodsrider on August 08, 2018, 06:39:41 AM
I found one article that said Shimano and SRAM parts are interchangeable except for 11 speed chains.  I don't know.   I have ordered a Shimano chain to try.

I have had all kinds of chain issues in my riding past. The ONLY chain i will use now is the KMC X series chain. Not any of the lightweight ones either. All the lightweight chains give up too soon. Yes the standard X series chain is a little heavier but if you're counting that many grams then you should switch to road biking  And the KMC chains work well with all manufacturers. I've been pounding on mine for over a year now with no measurable stretch or shifting issues. I even use an oval chainring with narrow wide teeth.

FYI: Out of all the chains i have used the Shimano ones were by far the worst 

At this point, I don't care about weight or which brand -  I just want something that works.  Good info, thanks.

Quote from: carbonazza on August 08, 2018, 03:00:39 AM

Quote from: woodsrider on August 07, 2018, 07:22:10 PM
1) I ordered a set of wheels from Peter and specified thru axle for rear and QR for front.  Front wheel came with thru axle hub.  It's a DT Swiss 350 hub (15x100).  Will something like this work to convert to 5x100 QR? 
https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Release-Skewers-Adapter-Conversion/dp/B072MH2BZF/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HCEEK5PZX310ASHC0P4Z&dpID=31w4lsodwRL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

DT Swiss is making their own, although much more expensive: https://r2-bike.com/DT-SWISS-Conversion-Kit-FW-350-370-Disc-Brake-to-Quick-Release
The ZTTO gives me the impression the hub could have some lateral float on the axle.

Quote from: woodsrider on August 07, 2018, 07:22:10 PM
2) I am using a Shimano XT FC M-8000 chainring as 1x11 with XT cassette and derailleur.  I ended up with a SRAM PC X1 11 speed chain.  I have mixed Shimano and SRAM parts forever with no problems.  However, the chain will not ride on that ring.  Ideas?  It's not the chainline.

An 11sp chain of any brand will work. The problem is probably elsewhere.
Is the chainring new ?

All new parts.  The chain just simply does not want to mesh with the chain ring.  I found one article that said Shimano and SRAM parts are interchangeable except for 11 speed chains.  I don't know.   I have ordered a Shimano chain to try.

Quote from: carbonazza on August 07, 2018, 04:02:26 PM

Quote from: woodsrider on August 07, 2018, 11:43:59 AM
The play is within the dropouts, not between them.  It's like the axle is too small a diameter, causing a little play inside the dropouts.  Thanks for the link.

Is it the axle that is less than 12mm diameter or the drop out holes that are bigger ?
If the later, a new axle won't help.
Did you order spare dropouts with the frame, that you could swap ?

My calipers are a cheap digital set and I can't tell that there is a measurable difference - I can just feel it.  I did get an extra set of dropouts and they are the same.  It's not that big of an issue, especially in light of two new developments.  Maybe I can get some more help with the new issues.

1) I ordered a set of wheels from Peter and specified thru axle for rear and QR for front.  Front wheel came with thru axle hub.  It's a DT Swiss 350 hub (15x100).  Will something like this work to convert to 5x100 QR?
 
https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Release-Skewers-Adapter-Conversion/dp/B072MH2BZF/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HCEEK5PZX310ASHC0P4Z&dpID=31w4lsodwRL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

2) I am using a Shimano XT FC M-8000 chainring as 1x11 with XT cassette and derailleur.  I ended up with a SRAM PC X1 11 speed chain.  I have mixed Shimano and SRAM parts forever with no problems.  However, the chain will not ride on that ring.  Ideas?  It's not the chainline. 

Quote from: carbonazza on August 07, 2018, 07:50:29 AM
I would firstly check if your hub is 142mm wide.
If not, maybe did forget a shim somewhere(eg: between two cassette cogs, or a hub end-cap, a shim inside the freewheel, etc. ) ?


This is a good axle a lot here are using: https://r2-bike.com/DT-SWISS-Thru-Axle-RW-RWS-12x142-mm-E-Thru
You can order a couple of nuts M12x1.5 too in case you loose one: https://r2-bike.com/SHIFT-UP-Nut-M12-for-Shimano-E-Thru-Thru-Axle-12-x-142-mm

The play is within the dropouts, not between them.  It's like the axle is too small a diameter, causing a little play inside the dropouts.  Thanks for the link.

Quote from: 325racer on August 06, 2018, 09:58:43 PM
Yes, there's some slop.

When the China axle no longer held I replaced it with a DT Swiss.  I could not find a threaded hanger, but the DT Swiss but hold in place much better than the China one.

Which DT Swiss axle did you get?  Thanks

CS-057 - There is a little slop between the thru axle and the dropouts - not much, but it is there.  I'm using the thru axle that Peter sent with the frame.  I've been out of the game a while and this is my  first bike build with a rear thru axle.  Is this normal?   

Also, is there a threaded hanger that will fit this frame?  I don't care for the exterior nut and the little set screw.

I ended up just getting the bolts as straight as possible and putting an allen wrench on them.  One was stiff the whole way but felt like it was in line with the threads.  The other was hard the whole way but made up.  Not really happy about the poor quality but I guess that's the trade-off for the big $ savings.

Quote from: samroy92 on August 01, 2018, 03:47:10 PM

Quote from: woodsrider on August 01, 2018, 03:08:56 PM
Building up a CS-057 frame.  The bolt holes for the rear brake caliper are making me nervous.  I can't start the bolts by hand to tell if they are starting straight and I don't want to force them.

Any ideas?

Maybe put some oil or grease on the bolt and hole so that it can move easily, so as to not strip it.

Tried that already - didn't help.

Building up a CS-057 frame.  The bolt holes for the rear brake caliper are making me nervous.  I can't start the bolts by hand to tell if they are starting straight and I don't want to force them.

Any ideas?

Thanks. 

I have a new fork with a 1 1/8" steerer tube that I plan on putting on a CS-057 frame, which has a tapered head tube.  I ran into a similar situation a few years back and got a crown race adapter but can't remember any details about where I got it or what brand the headset/race were.  I've seen the Problem Solvers version but it is a 2-piece contraption and is $40.  Jenson USA has simple conversion races by Chris King and Cane Creek but I'm not sure if they will work with the headset that is supplied with the frame.  Maybe I should just get one of those 2 headsets/conversion races to ensure a nice fit.

Any ideas?   

Regarding shipments from China, what is the best payment method for consumer protection?  Some vendors only use paypal, with 4% fee.  Is PP better than credit card for protection?  I think there is at least one that takes Amex.

Also, there is a recent post asking about additional taxes and tariffs for Chinese goods shipped to US.  The question was never answered, so I am hoping someone will address it here.

Thanks

It just so happens that, since my original post, I have done some more research and have pretty much decided on the CS-057 frame.  I have emailed Peter about some details and awaiting his response.   Workswell has been very prompt at answering all my questions but I had no idea about their issues.  Besides, the WW frame I was interested in has a 71 degree head tube angle, which I'm not crazy about.

Thanks for the responses and I will post updates.