Crappity crap crap

[johnridley]

I said earlier today that the gravel roads were wrecking my bike. I had a weird noise today, and this evening I found the cause.

Broken axle.


I've sort of wanted to build a new rear wheel anyway; I used too narrow of a rim last time. Now the question is whether to stick with the ancient freewheel technology that the bike has now, or switch to a freehub/cassette. It looks like I can get a 7 speed cassette, so that should still work with my shifters. If it gets to the point where I needed to build a new wheel AND replace the shifters and derailler and maybe other stuff, it might get to the point where I'd just look at getting a new bike. And honestly, I've been riding for a few years now, and at this point I pretty much know what I want in a bike, and it'd be steel and probably $800 or so, unless I find something nice used. And I don't really want to spend $800 right now, but if I'm looking at putting $300 into a $300 bike, it might be the best decision.

Time to go shop for parts. I'm betting I can put together a new rear wheel for maybe $120 or so.

Comments

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Hrm, looks like I'll be moving to the newer freehubs. For one thing, it's pretty much impossible to buy a freewheel compatible hub anymore. For another, there's not that much price difference, and one of the big advantages to freehubs is that it moves the bearings out to the outside of the axle instead of the drive-side bearing being set in about an inch, so there's much less strain on the axle.

Also I can stay with the existing components (index shifters) by installing a spacer and then a 7 speed cassette.

I was looking at just replacing the axle, which I could do for about $15, but the cones are pitted. That means the cups probably are too, and the balls. Anyway it looks like I can put together a new rear wheel for about $120, and it'll be significantly better than what I had before.

[c0nsumer.livejournal.com]

Do you know what kind of hubs you're looking at getting yet?

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Probably whatever Shimano I can get for cheap. This was probably a $10 hub and it lasted 15K miles. A freehub design will be more durable due to the outside bearing placement so anything will be fine. I'd like to stick with Shimano since Sheldon says they hold the patent on the freehub design and not all other manufacturers have the sturdy bearings they do.

Looks like I'll have to pay $40 for a 530 at AEBike.com. I'd just be getting a new rear; I just built a new front wheel last fall when I switched to disc brakes. Honestly it looks like I will wind up spending as much for the spokes as for the hub, since I'm really sold on DT double butted spokes. If I cave and use Wheelsmith spokes, I could cut $20 off the cost, but I don't think it's worth it.

Unfortunately Shimano gets uptight about internet orders on their components, so I will probably have to try to buy it locally first, though I may just call up AEBike, see if they have it in stock, and use it as an excuse to go over to Kalamazoo this weekend and take the family to the Air Zoo.

I may have to get some stuff from Nashbar too; I need a 4.5mm spacer to put behind a 7 speed cassette on an 8/9/10 speed hub, and I need to actually FIND a 7 speed cassette; Nashbar has theirs and SRAMs. I don't know if Shimano even makes a 7 speed cassette.

[c0nsumer.livejournal.com]

I'm really starting to see what you were saying about getting a new bike... Maybe it is that time?

If you were to get one, any idea what you'd get / build?

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Honestly, the more I look into this the confuseder I get. I just talked to Jeff at Dexter Bike and he pointed out to me that I could just buy a built wheel for $75 or so, cheaper than the components, and then destress and retension the spokes myself to make it sturdier. Turns out that in order to get what I really want (/need): 36 holes, double wall rim, I haven't found anything less than $100, but that's still about the same price as buying the parts.

OTOH, I might just drive down to the Ann Arbor reuse center and find me a nice project bike, and ride my wife's bike for a while. I'd like to build a commuter around a frame with horizontal or slant dropouts so I could go to an internal hub at some point.

[erikvolson.livejournal.com]

Yeah -- you broke the axle, you know you have fatiuge problems. Don't gamble. Freehubs are such a better answer anyway that it's worth buying even if you had to swap the shifters.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Well, except then I'm approaching a majority of the value of the bike (if not exceeding it). At that point I'd probably just put a new axle in it for $12 and sell the thing for $50 on craigslist and buy a new bike. Hmm, that's not a bad idea...

[kevinnickerson.livejournal.com]

Is the new wheel then usable as a spare on the theoretical new bike?

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Yes, I suppose so, though I've never needed a spare wheel before. It would be nice to have two sets of wheels in the winter, there are a lot of days that I don't need studded tires and they are a real drag.

[madtechie2718.livejournal.com]

Damn, that's pretty bad, and you are not exactly a heavy chap!

My wear and tear problems are far less of a problem that yours.

In fact the overwhelming amount of wear and tear on my bike is the appalling state of the 1/4 mile of road around the hospital, compared to the few miles needed to get here and home again.

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

Ouch! Hope your replacement goes/went well.