Something For the Weekend…

Returning from the midlands, major roads and motorways characterised by convoys of caravans, accidents, expiring cars and frayed tempers, I decided it was time to catch up with a few little jobs.   

Routine maintenance is part and parcel of riding. However, some things can get overlooked. I’d noted some chain skipping under load-often when climbing in the small ring. Closer inspection of Denise’s cassette revealed some subtle, but tangible wear-especially at the mid-range.

I’d a fresh ten speed 12-28 Microshift “in stock”, so rustled up the Feedback Sports Cassette Pliers Feeback Sports Cassette Pliers | cycling-not-racing, cassette remover, 24mm spanner, grease. The cassette released without much effort, although while still doing its job, the Oxford Mint Assembly Grease Oxford Mint Assembly Grease | cycling-not-racing was beginning to wane. I was more perturbed by the orange taint adorning the quick release skewer. A reminder to inspect and re-grease more frequently!

Self-flagellation complete, I added some Zefal Pro II Grease Zefal Pro II Grease | cycling-not-racing to the skewer and XT freehub body, slid the cassette into place and snugged down to 40nm.  Straightforward, although the hub is a 9/10 speed, meaning the lockring’s threads “started” can be trickier. Wrestling everting into submission with a beefy zip tie, then introducing the lockring tool bypassed the faff.  Shifting issues resolved. Good practice is to replace the chain too.

Given the existing KMC was just below .25 on the chain checker, I took the gamble and it paid off. Closer to .5 and I wouldn’t hesitate to retire. Lots of factors influence chain wear- weather conditions, maintenance, lube choice and riding style. I’ve been feeding the fleet’s chains wax lubes since April, which has meant minimal maintenance, save for removing any loose excess and topping up.

Lubes are one of those things capable of sparking intense debate. I like waxes during spring, summer and early autumn, since they run clean and tend not to attract dirt. However, they do require surgically clean drivetrains. I’ve heard stories of waxes sitting atop factory chain lubes and ultimately locking in grit and grime, consuming components at an alarming pace. Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner Muc-Off Chain Wax Cleaner 500ml | cycling-not-racing is very effective, as is Motoverde Drivetrain Cleaner Motoverde Drivetrain Cleaner | cycling-not-racing, NZero Bike Degreaser NZero Bike Degreaser | cycling-not-racing. Bike wash concentrates, including Squirt Bike Cleaner Concentrate SQUIRT BIKE CLEANER CONCENTRATE | cycling-not-racing and Weldtite Bike Cleaner Concentrate Weldtite Bike Cleaner Concentrate | cycling-not-racing

Most wax lubes lack an oil component, which can result in corrosion, should wet conditions strike-especially off road.  

Chain gauges and checkers are arguably slightly different things and it’s not just semantics. Chain checkers give a very precise figure of chain wear, chain gauges give a simpler, visual cue. The latter, though arguably less precise are relatively inexpensive, simple to use and will recoup their modest investment very quickly. They also make lovely Christmas stocking fillers, if you’re struggling to find something for the cyclist(s) in your life. Nickle-plated auction site specials start at around £2.50.   

1400 miles from a bog-standard ten-speed chain is typical for me, although I’ve exhausted a couple at 780miles during a particularly harsh, grotty winter. Horses for courses, I feed chains middleweights during winter, since they’ll last longer and protect against corrosion-especially off road. Weldtite All Weather Lube is definitely one of my favourite wallet-friendly options. Weldtite All Weather Lube | cycling-not-racing I’m also fond of its wax counterpart Weldtite Wax Lube | cycling-not-racing

Paired with the 175mm 36x26 rings gives a range between 24.4 and 78.8 inches. Closer to that found on older cyclo cross rigs and crucially, well-suited to. Longer term, when the Tiagra mech finally turns sloppy, I will consider a long arm version and a 12-30-tooth cassette as a bailout, or trailer winching option. Talking of trailers, I'd been looking for a second hitch for my long -serving Yak Homage for some time, but without success.

Then, while having a casual wander around the web, I found one for less than £15. I wanted to couple the trailer to Denise and Ursula, without the faff of switching skewers. No 3X on the horizon. Aside from the additional complication and slight weight penalty, there’s unnecessary overlap. Then of course, a 48, 46 or even 44 ring isn’t going to see much use, save for zooming downhill, or powering along pancake flat roads. Then again, were one offered at the right price and the 2x10 be worn beyond a certain point, temptation may strike…

Staying with drivetrains. I prised off the dust caps and discovered these Wellgo 823 had grease resembling congealed chip fat. Roughness and a faint squeak being obvious distress calls. I pumped a generous splurge of Peaty’s Speed Grease PEATY'S SPEED GREASE | cycling-not-racing into the bearings. Dust caps reinstated, pedals installed I introduced a hairdryer on high heat to traffic the thinner viscosity grease deep into the pedal’s inner sanctum. Given five minutes, the Wellgo were almost buttery smooth and silent.  

A simple trick that will extend the life of other budget models which aren’t necessarily intended to be stripped and overhauled. 10W/40 motor oil will have much the same effect sans hairdryer. I do mean a couple of drops, mind. Otherwise you’ll find oil oozing out everywhere, which could be ruinous to nice flooring and domestic harmony.

Michael