The Get fit club!

[Gregor-y]

I tried dismantling the STX "Rapidfire' shifters from my 94 Trek with no success. There are a lot of soft plastic bits in the ratcheding mechanism that just wear out and can't be reached. I bought a pair of slightly older Deore LX thumbshifters from craigslist and they're nowhere near as complex and look even more retro. Plus they can switch from index to friction like the bar end shifters on my normal bike.

[J4MIE]

Having been back out on my bike a couple of times recently, after hearing a few creaks and groans that weren't produced by myself, I fear that I'm going to have to read up about 'maintenance' as apart from oiling the chain and giving the whole thing a wash every few months (whether it needed it or not!) Ive not done a thing to it at all. I kept on hearing about brake pads that ran out every couple of rides but seem to be fine after a year - I guess I'm not going fast enough to wear them out.

I suspect that any part that I touch will end up with the same result as schmenke, is it more or less cost effective to take it into a bike shop?

[schmenke]

My new ride. Unfortunatley the weather is not cooperating . Wet and snowing since last night.

Kona Cindercone, aluminum, 27.5", Rockshox air, Shimano SLX. More than sufficient for my cruising .



I normally wouldn't have splurged this much on a bike, but like I mentioned, my company "fitness account" is reimbursing a good portion of it

Hopefully the weather improves tomorrow!

[Mark]

Having been back out on my bike a couple of times recently, after hearing a few creaks and groans that weren't produced by myself, I fear that I'm going to have to read up about 'maintenance' as apart from oiling the chain and giving the whole thing a wash every few months (whether it needed it or not!) Ive not done a thing to it at all. I kept on hearing about brake pads that ran out every couple of rides but seem to be fine after a year - I guess I'm not going fast enough to wear them out.

I suspect that any part that I touch will end up with the same result as schmenke, is it more or less cost effective to take it into a bike shop?

Washing: Spray all over with muc off and then hose it down. Pretty effective!

Chain and cassette: try some some spray on degreaser on the chain and cassette. Then hose off. Then get some chain oil and put one drop on each link and then wipe clean.

Other than that a spring service at the bike shop isn't a bad plan.

[Mark]

Last week I was on holiday in the North York Moors and tried a spot of mountain biking. Blimey it was hard work! I did a couple of practice rides when towing our two year old which was hard enough and the nerd day did a 20 mile off road loop. My legs were hurting 2 days later!

The previous week I had done 60 miles on my road bike and felt no effects afterwards

[janneppi]

My new ride. Unfortunatley the weather is not cooperating . Wet and snowing since last night.

Kona Cindercone, aluminum, 27.5", Rockshox air, Shimano SLX. More than sufficient for my cruising .

Good job! That should work for you for many years.

During my last mtb ride the free wheel stopped working properly on my bike, yesterday I finally thought that I'll take it apart and re lube it. Much to my surprise the cassette/freewheel body dropped to the floor when I took the axle quick release off.

The hub axle had broken in two.
After a quick search I discovered that i's a quite common thing with the Hope hub and Maxle axle.
A design flaw in the hub and a unfortunate axle shape.

[Gregor-y]

Any idea how many years or much distance was on the axle before it broke?

[janneppi]

The bike is 2011 model, it doesn't have that much ride in it, as also the the first owner was fat. In 2011 there was enough talk about it to make Hope switch to regular Maxle. I talked with bike dealer who has Orange in their line-up and he recognized the issue. I'll propably get them to inspect the hub and and straighten the rim as well.

[Mark]

Did 106 miles today. My legs hurt now!

[Mark]

May was a bit of a poor month for me, getting the bathroom refurbished as well as family engagements etc., 227 miles cycling,. although that's flattering a bit because 105 of that was in one ride! I'd done 307 the month before.

Walking has been the worst, after doing 111 miles in a month in I've managed only 15 miles in both April and May, and I can feel it hurting my overall fitness as I feel rather lethargic, and I've put on 10lbs during the period.

I need to get things together!