Jan 14 - bicycle maintenance

It was about time.  All I had done with the True North was assemble it after PBP, hadn't even given it a ride until last week.  I'd been using the Litespeed for my local rides.  On my last local ride I used the TN and also used it on the 300k pre-ride.

Ugh.  Everything was so dirty and I really needed to swap wheels and check tires.  I discovered that not only had I been using the Cyclops rear wheel (it has the ANT+) but it had an old Schwalbe tire on it that was significantly cut up.  I have no idea how it survived the 300k except that the route is a relatively clean one, very little road trash.  Lucky !  I was carrying a brand new tire with me as a spare but am happy that I wasn't mounting that in the dark and cold somewhere.

So, I put a new tire on that wheel and then decided to swap the wheels between the Litespeed and TN, putting my "normal" rando wheel back on the TN.  That necessitated a cassette swap, since the White Brothers wheel (that's who makes the hub) had a 12-27 on it to match the Dura-ace rear derailleur.  That RD, by the way, doesn't shift down onto the smallest cog.  Even with no tension on the cable and adjusting the stop appropriately, the spring is shot.  I think that I'm going to setup the Litespeed with the same RD as the TN, making wheel swaps easier.  I'm so used to the 11-34 cassette that I might as well have it on both bikes.

Swapping wheels meant also looking at the tire on that WB wheel -- it was pretty much shot too.  Although it was my current standard Continental 4-season 28mm tire, it was very well worn and likely about to start flatting regularly.

The front tires on both bikes were in good shape; almost looking new.

I also went over my parts stock and, having moved some of the wood from the dock work out of the way, was able to clear some working room on that side of the garage.  I'd purchased some additional tires on special in the fall and was well stocked for 2016 -- even with mounting two, I've got seven in stock, including the new one in the front bag of the TN.  That should hold me for 2016 unless I have some early use destroyed tires. 

I've got to clear some space; it's almost time for eBay.  The Lynskey has to go even though it's an adequate rando spare.  I've got some unused parts -- a couple of Velo Orange racks, handlbars, seatpost -- and, of course, the Rolf Prima wheels.  Whether I'll get much for these items is moot - I won't use the former items and may never use the RP wheels. 

I've got lots of cables, a couple of bottom brackets, two spare RD's, one spare cassette, two spare chains.  Of these, I should probably pick up another cassette and another couple of chains.  Everything else should get me through 2016. 

I've been meaning to get in touch with Ti Cycles to talk to them about a replacement fork for the Litespeed.  That carbon fork has been through a lot, including two accidents.  Besides, I'm finding that it's an uncomfortable height. 

The Litespeed frame was so, so dirty.  It was coated with crap from many rides, rain and shine.  The 12-27 on it actually has some rust ... horror !  How embarrassing !  If I do change the RD, of course that will necessitate a new chain and mounting that spare cassette.   I'll have to pick up some more chains and cassettes, probably 3-4 chains and 2 cassettes.  I'll ride it as is for a bit, on local rides, as the chain still has a lot of life left.

I've got three used RD's, the only thing wrong with them being one of the pulleys not rolling smoothly.  I did pick up some replacement pulleys and will try to rejuvenate one of them; see how that works.  Perhaps I'll put that refurbished one on the Litespeed for local rides, try it out to see how it shifts. 

I've got some more used cassettes etc. that I should really toss.  They are really only for emergencies but I've been keeping adequate stock so I haven't had to mount used ones.

All this took a chunk of the day.  In the meantime, Jim got his bikes and car cleaned up from their travels through snow and salt.  The chains on their bikes need cleaning; I'll give him a hand with that today, while they are still here.  They tripped over to Sea Woods to check out their rental, which they move into tomorrow, Saturday.

I also checked out Paul's 300k revised route, finding the error in distances that had plagued the route being 0.9 miles both ways on SR40.  While I was at that, I setup the 200k gps route and loaded it onto my Garmin for tomorrow's ride with a 7am start; looks like good weather for that one, hope hope !

Sandy had a 6pm hair appointment and once she was home, we ate at the club.  

Today we are supposed to get thunderstorms and they pretty much surround us right now.  I got Cassie out for a walk yesterday and will do the same thing shortly, if it looks like I can get back dry.  If they clear through before the end of the day, perhaps I can take her to the island but that might be doubtful.

Jim and Sheryl are planning on visiting Jim's cousins in the Ormond Beach area mid-day and for lunch but will be back home (here) for dinner.

There's more but that's enough typing for now.  I expect that only Aaron would actually read all the bike maintenance stuff :).

Onward !