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Better bike rides
Mar. 8th, 2007 11:07 amAs previously told, my new chain was skipping which means my rear gears are trashed because I left the chain on too long. I'm just going to use an old chain until the whole thing breaks.
Tuesday night I pulled all my old chains off the wall (there were about 5 of them hanging up there). I picked the one that was worn the least; I figured it would probably still be worn enough to not skip on the worn rear gears, but would increase the time before the rear gears started wearing even more.
I cleaned that chain (about 6 or 7 times, hot water + dish soap in a soda bottle, shake well), then lubed it with my teflon+wax spray. I wanted to use automatic transmission fluid, there are people who swear that stuff's magic, but I don't have a proper dispenser. I guess I'll buy an oil can or something on the way home tonight. Last night I was too pressed for time.
Anyway, once all the dirt and rust that was holding it tight was washed away, that chain was REALLY loose. Actually that's good; it shifts really well and doesn't complain when I have to run a more extreme cross gear than I'd like due to my front derailler being stiff. It did skip a little for about a mile yesterday, but then stopped and has been good since.
My toes are still getting cold, but I think what I'm going to do is to get Performance to replace the neoprene booties I bought last year (actually 2 years ago); I bought size 11s since that's what they said I needed to fit over my shoes; no way would they fit. Then last year I found out that they will replace unused product for free if the size is wrong, so I had them exchange for size 12s. I COULD get those over my shoes if I really sat down and took 5 minutes to do it, but I don't like that. So I think I'll do it again, and try for a size 13 this time. Or maybe even 14.
Those things look really warm; they're fleece lined neoprene over my regular shoes, and they're high top. Wish I had them already but it should only take a week or so. So I expect the weather to permanently warm up in, oh, a week or so.
Tuesday night I pulled all my old chains off the wall (there were about 5 of them hanging up there). I picked the one that was worn the least; I figured it would probably still be worn enough to not skip on the worn rear gears, but would increase the time before the rear gears started wearing even more.
I cleaned that chain (about 6 or 7 times, hot water + dish soap in a soda bottle, shake well), then lubed it with my teflon+wax spray. I wanted to use automatic transmission fluid, there are people who swear that stuff's magic, but I don't have a proper dispenser. I guess I'll buy an oil can or something on the way home tonight. Last night I was too pressed for time.
Anyway, once all the dirt and rust that was holding it tight was washed away, that chain was REALLY loose. Actually that's good; it shifts really well and doesn't complain when I have to run a more extreme cross gear than I'd like due to my front derailler being stiff. It did skip a little for about a mile yesterday, but then stopped and has been good since.
My toes are still getting cold, but I think what I'm going to do is to get Performance to replace the neoprene booties I bought last year (actually 2 years ago); I bought size 11s since that's what they said I needed to fit over my shoes; no way would they fit. Then last year I found out that they will replace unused product for free if the size is wrong, so I had them exchange for size 12s. I COULD get those over my shoes if I really sat down and took 5 minutes to do it, but I don't like that. So I think I'll do it again, and try for a size 13 this time. Or maybe even 14.
Those things look really warm; they're fleece lined neoprene over my regular shoes, and they're high top. Wish I had them already but it should only take a week or so. So I expect the weather to permanently warm up in, oh, a week or so.
