|
|
Post by superbman on Nov 19, 2013 14:54:15 GMT -7
This season is ending so much better than the last.
1. I have started, about two months ago, brings my furry girl on every ride. I had to wait until she was 2 years and a few months old so she knew her limits, growth plates were set, and the training was there. But honestly, I love riding with her (and she loves the long run!) and I really won't ride too often without her again. A dog companion on the trails is a real joy, honestly, I get all silly about that dog! Shared joy is the best.
2. Trail systems continue to grow and evolve in the Pioneer Valley, Within a 15 mile radius of my house is close to 100 miles of biker built single track and countless other connector trails and by ways. I just rode the great CTS trails crafted by Greentrails and the Owners of B'east and Zoar-and that place amazes me how much it continues to improve and excel (but not for the feint of heart or soft of leg). My own Deerfield ridge saw some late season expansion (courtesy of yours truly) and has grown from local haunt to center of a destination worth ride. And other great places continue to thrive: B' Street and Wendell (where I actually ran into Dan Boisvert and Lady Friend at the start of a ride..I had my lady friend with me as well, she's french) Hawley the DAR, Catamount and Conway. So many places, honestly I never know where to ride. When the ski season is over, I will happily host a long weekend riding excursion to western massachusetts (just the PV…the Berkshires add another 100 miles of great single track…over a very large area)-those numbers are not exaggerations.
3. I am over 40 lbs lighter than this time last year. I limped into the ski season full of pudgy regrets about my flagging fitness, this season I have a different conundrum-I am riding as well as ever and hate to see the season end, but I am in better shape for skiing than a long time and can't wait for the season to begin. I don't chase early season nonsense anymore, so I'll ride into december and start skiing around the the first full weekend of Dec.
Let snow, but maybe in a week...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 20:50:25 GMT -7
Liam, I hear you man. I am equally reluctant to hang up the bike for the winter. This has been one of the best summers we have ever had on the trails. Fantastic weather, explored some new terrain, and discovered hidden gems of singletrack in our old familiar forest haunts. Like you, we are blessed with an abundance of trails to ride -- at least 80km of trails in a conservation area only 10 min. drive away. Much, much more of that just a bit farther afield. Some great riding to be had here.
All of us progressed so much in our skill level this year. We were able to clear gnarly sections without breaking a sweat, that would have given us the fits just a year ago. And I took the time to finally get the fit and handling of my bike dialed, and couldn't be happier with the results -- it feels like a totally different bike. Hairpins, switchbacks, tight trees, narrow bridges, off-camber corners, are all a piece of cake now that the handling is sorted out. Not quite done with this process yet, but that's my winter project (along with overhaul of all our bikes...I'll be busy in the workshop, when I'm not tuning skis, I'll be rebuilding our bikes).
Wonderful to hear about your four-legged riding buddy. Such a very special thing, having that kind of companionship. Irreplaceable. Enjoy every moment.
If the current weather holds, I might get out again tomorrow, but I fear that will be it for the year. Rain coming Thursday, then snow next week. I never thought I'd say this, but I too could use another couple of weeks of riding before the snows come. I don't want the riding season to end....yet...
|
|
|
|
Post by JimRatliff on Nov 19, 2013 21:35:31 GMT -7
Last year we had mileage in each month of the year, although January was just a 10 mile ride on New Years Day. Hoping for the same this year.
If its above 35 and sunny (overcast skies psychologically wash me out) then we can probably ride somewhere. Trail bike is often better than road bike since it is warmer (more aerobic) and trees can block the wind and bike speeds are lower (less wind chill).
Our biggest fear this time of year are the hunters in the woods. Just last year we came up behind a hunter walking down a trail before hunting season even opened. When he heard a noise behind him (us), he spun around with shotgun at the ready. (I guess he heard of the deer's plans to become proactive and start attacking hunters)??
Question: Thread drift, but what rebuilding do you do? Is there regular maintenance that front and rear shocks need? My only planned activity is replacing tire sealant in all the tires.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2013 22:48:26 GMT -7
Question: Thread drift, but what rebuilding do you do? Is there regular maintenance that front and rear shocks need? My only planned activity is replacing tire sealant in all the tires. Well...this means I have to admit to somewhat neglecting the bikes for too long. Although I am fastidious about simple routine maintenance such as chain cleaning and lubing, brake pads, derailleur adjustments, etc., and keep the bikes running smoothly and safely, I do confess that I have not addressed the more major jobs. Our bikes now have 4 seasons on them, and some of these jobs have been ignored. It's time to get deep. So, this winter I have resolved to put them all under the wrench and do a complete teardown. This is as much to replace known worn parts/fluids, as well as to check the condition of others. Here's what's on the agenda: Fluids: - replace all brake fluids; bleed system (never been touched in 4 years) - replace fork oil and seals/wipers (ditto; except my wife's bike, which had the fork rebuilt in our LBS this spring) Tear Down, Inspect and Clean/Lube/Rebuild/Replace (as needed): - wheel bearings - bottom bracket bearings - headset bearings - pedal bearings - shifters - shifter cables (I did mine this spring) - cassette, chain wear, chainrings, derailleur pulleys - brake pads - calipers - rotors Check & Adjust: - spoke tension - wheel true There's probably something I've missed mentioning, but basically the bikes will get a thorough once-over, with no component untouched. Like I said, some of this is long overdue, like brake fluids and bleeding, and the fork oil. Other stuff I kind of keep an eye on when doing basic maintenance, and have replaced when obvious (drivetrain on my daughter's bike, for instance). I am buying a good truing stand, and already own a spoke tension meter, so the wheel work will be easy. As for your bikes, how old are they? Seems to me they are about 3 years now (?). Probably time to do a few things too. Let me know a something about bike age, mileage, your daily/weekly maintenance, and then perhaps I can suggest a few things to attend to. |
|
|
|
Post by JimRatliff on Nov 20, 2013 20:49:25 GMT -7
Hmmm. So this marks the end of our third season of mountain biking. Included in that was at least one REALLY muddy event. We got lost and wound up walking the bikes through ankle deep thick mud that tried to suck our shoes off with each step. We've also had "normal" muddy rides where we hesitate to get in the car at the end of the ride. And then there was last winter where the plasterboard ceiing caved in on the bikes when a water pipe burst upstairs.
Other than washing the bikes, lubing the chain, and periodically checking air pressure in f/r shocks, no maintenance. They still pedal and shift extremely well, and the tires look to be spinning true when I lay the bike over on their backs and eyeball them.
I'm very hesitant to do "preventive" maintenance that might makes things worse, especially spoke tension. I do plan to replace sealant in all tires as spring approaches. I'm not all that handy myself, but if there is stuff that every knowledgeable rider does then we will get them to a bike shop and get it done. The last thing I want is to buy a new front fork due to inadequate care.
I assume there are no unique requirements just because they are carbon?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2013 7:23:14 GMT -7
(Apologies to Liam for the thread drift here...)
Hey Jim,
This could be a lengthy topic, but it sounds like your bikes could do with some preventive maintenance and a good, thorough inspection. How much work is needed depends on your mileage and how hard you ride. If they are still shifting well and you get no missed shifts, esp. in the middle of a climb, then your indexing is probably still OK. I have found that Shimano derailleurs need almost no readjustment once set. The odd tweak of cable tension to smooth things out, but otherwise dead-reliable. SRAM are a bit more fussy, but no big hassle.
At very least I would do a really good inspection of things like derailleur limit screws (rather important!), chain wear, derailleur hanger alignment, brake pad wear, brake caliper alignment, etc.... There are a ton of resources on the web, including YouTube vids for just about every procedure you can think of. Or you can get a bike mtce. book to have at hand - there are several good ones available for basic stuff (Falcon Guide is a decent one).
For more major work, if due, then I would have a bike shop change the fork oil and seals. Some forks need this more frequently -- say annually or biannually (Rockshox, Marzocchi), but apparently Fox service intervals are longer (not sure on that, though, so worth confirming). This is well worth doing, as I learned this spring -- the Recon fork on my wife's bike just seized up because of dry seals/wipers.
Shop tip: hang the bikes by their front wheel over the winter so the oil stays in contact with the wipers and seals and keeps them lubed. I do this full time now, not just in winter, and I am finding that the forks are holding air pressure much better. Intervals between top-ups are much longer, so the well-lubed seals are clearly preventing slow air leakage.
Re. brake fluid -- I am not familiar with how well Shimano brakes hold up between services, but we have Avid Juicy on our bikes, and they are getting pretty mushy after 4 years, so a flush and fill and bleeding of the brake fluid is due. The latter is hygroscopic, even the Shimano mineral oil stuff, which means it will slowly absorb moisture. Just like your car, it needs to be replaced with fresh fluid occasionally.
Don't be afraid of taking on some of this work yourself. Invest in a decent repair stand, some basic tools, cleaning aids (chain scrubber, gear brush, etc.) and a good repair book, and you're set. Most of it involves simple adjustments, cleaning, lubing, replacing worn parts. It's pretty hard to mess anything up that isn't immediately apparent and reversible. Anything major like forks and bearings you can leave to your LBS.
As for working on carbon, I really have little experience with that. None of us have ever owned a carbon bike, so I can't advise. All I know is that there are some things that need special attention -- like proper torque for fasteners (clamps, frame bolts, etc....you do own a torque wrench, don't you?); using carbon prep compound on mating parts....that sort of thing. If you have ever crashed the bikes (ie. Lynn in Montreal) I would inspect the frames for damage.
Hope this helps. I'm sure Liam could jump in here and give better advice on fork and brake service intervals.
I hope to get out for a ride this afternoon. Rain and snow are in the forecast for the next 5 days.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2013 10:58:34 GMT -7
Jim, I forgot to add: you should have your LBS check your freehubs, or do it yourself if you want to pull yours apart. They need occasional attention - cleaning and lubing - esp. if you ride in the wet and mud a lot (which it sounds like you do). I will be doing ours this winter, just for PM sake, and am trying to find good info on proper lube to use. Triflow seems to be a good one. Also, if you are looking for a good mtce. book, the Park Tool Big Blue Book is great - it covers both mtn. and road bikes, which should appeal to you. Handy to have at hand in the workshop. Good luck, and you know where to reach me if you have an "Oh help!" moment.  |
|
|
|
Post by JimRatliff on Nov 22, 2013 11:27:05 GMT -7
Jim, I forgot to add: you should have your LBS check your freehubs, or do it yourself if you want to pull yours apart. They need occasional attention - cleaning and lubing - esp. if you ride in the wet and mud a lot (which it sounds like you do). I will be doing ours this winter, just for PM sake, and am trying to find good info on proper lube to use. Triflow seems to be a good one. Also, if you are looking for a good mtce. book, the Park Tool Big Blue Book is great - it covers both mtn. and road bikes, which should appeal to you. Handy to have at hand in the workshop. Good luck, and you know where to reach me if you have an "Oh help!" moment. I seldom have "Oh help" moments. I have sudden "Oh shit" moments when I realize that I should have had an "Oh help" moment. But thanks. The dual purpose maintenance book is a good idea, but will have to wait for another occasion Unless you were suggesting that I buy it for myself  ). I told Lynn that I wanted full duplex walkie talkie headsets for my coming birthday. On my last organized bike ride saw a couple using it on their tandem bike, so when they stopped to take a picture I stopped to talk about headsets. They raved about this particular brand, wireless, full duplex, no push to talk, up to 1/4 mile communications. Interestingly, superficial Googling revealed that the steerer and the stoker need to talk to each a lot more than I realized. I loved the idea of us being able to chat with each other as if we were side by side without taking hands off the handlebars, and so that we can let the other know whats going on if either of us drops behind. I think they will be useful fun when skiing as well, especially for when she goes left in the trees and I go right. And, the headset is designed for helmets, it rides below the helmet around the back of the neck. |
|
|
|
Post by superbman on Nov 22, 2013 15:17:01 GMT -7
Yeah, I never do any of that.
When things creak, they get replaced. And I like my tires pretty new so I change them out about every 3 months during the season (which, is pricey, but the tires are the only thing that actually touched the trail…when everything is going well that is!). That's it. Been riding for a long time, and other than clean and lube, and an occasional tighten, I only mess with things that have broken.
|
|
|
|
Post by JimRatliff on Nov 22, 2013 17:27:06 GMT -7
SBM: Thanks for chiming in with that. Svend, who sounds like he IS his Local Bike Shop had me feeling like an uncaring parent. Generally, I too am a "don't fix it of it ain't broken" type but there are sometimes places I'd rather not have to walk home from. I'll take the bikes to my local shop and see if they have concerns. Overall I am actually more impressed with the Shimano mtb shifters (XTR) than the road bike's Algebra. The road bike seems much more finicky (partly my fault for running a 10 speed MTV cassette.
|
|
). I told Lynn that I wanted full duplex walkie talkie headsets for my coming birthday. On my last organized bike ride saw a couple using it on their tandem bike, so when they stopped to take a picture I stopped to talk about headsets. They raved about this particular brand, wireless, full duplex, no push to talk, up to 1/4 mile communications. Interestingly, superficial Googling revealed that the steerer and the stoker need to talk to each a lot more than I realized. I loved the idea of us being able to chat with each other as if we were side by side without taking hands off the handlebars, and so that we can let the other know whats going on if either of us drops behind. I think they will be useful fun when skiing as well, especially for when she goes left in the trees and I go right. And, the headset is designed for helmets, it rides below the helmet around the back of the neck.