Biking '10 part 2

[Ziltoid]

It's a grease of some sort, there's a lil' grease hole to on both pedal near the axle. I use my old Asics for Mtb'ing, they weren't getting any use and they work quite well so far.

you see the grease hole on this pic:
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[My name is Mudd]

Put some on the spindle threads anyway, if you already haven't done so.

 

[Ziltoid]

Put some on the spindle threads anyway, if you already haven't done so.

I trust you but what for?

 

[bassteban]

I trust you but what for?

If you do not lightly grease the threads when assembling parts(especially aluminum-to-aluminum or steel)they may gall(chemically react/bond)& seize- moreless gluing themeslves together. There's also actual anti-seize compound but grease works well IME.

 

[Ziltoid]

Oh, well they were factory installed should I remove them and grease them or did they do that?

 

[My name is Mudd]

bassteban is correct!

In general - if it's threaded, grease the threads; if the threads are titanium (crank bolts, cap bolts, any ti bolts), use anti-seize rather than grease. It's also a good idea to lightly grease things like saddle rails, the inside surfaces of h/bar stem clamps (unless you're using a carbon bar), and definitely the inside of both the head tube and seat-tube before inserting the stem or seatpost. - editing to say that the seat-tube rule doesn't necessarily apply if you're sticking a carbon seatpost into a carbon frame. Any metal-on-metal contact should be lubed somehow, tho.

- editing to say that, unless you KNOW that the threads are greased, do it yourself...even if it means that you have to take half the bike apart. Seriously. I've fired more that one mechanic 'cause they just would NOT grease threads, even after telling them to do so a BUNCH!

 

[Ziltoid]

Ahhh, I already knew for a few of those, good to know for the others

 

[Mark Reccord]

How many miles/km?

Also I got these today:

Get yerself some knee/shin pads. Eventually you will come off those pedals unexpectedly and get those grubs in the shin. It hurts. TLD and Fox make some nice lightweight ones for trail riding.

As for shoes, just go buy a pair of these:

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Or one of their other shoes. I found that skate shoes don't have rigid enough soles for MTBing. The 5-10s are pretty rigid, grip your pedals supremely and last forever. I've had mine since the beginning of the '06 season and they barely have any wear on them. Until last season when I finally switched to clipless for everything but DH riding I used them for everything.

I got out for a good ride friday morning as the power in my office hadn't been restored since Hurricane Igor hit us on tuesday. We rode one of the exposed coastal trails so there weren't many trees down. I made a couple of gnarly climbs that I've never done before too!

Did a quick walkthrough of one of the other trail systems in the woods and there must have been 100 or more trees down across the trails and I didn't even look at all of them. Looks like a couple of good days in there with chainsaws to get the trails even passable again. What a mess.

 

[Ziltoid]

Eventually you will come off those pedals unexpectedly and get those grubs in the shin.

It happened today. :scowl: I have a pretty mean bump there now.

 

[bassteban]

Flats=giving blood.
And of course Mudd is right, particularly w/regard to It, etc & anti-seize; there are times when it is much preferable to grease.

 

[Ziltoid]

Thanks guys, new question time: Camelback (+bottle sometimes) versus saddle bag +bottle?
carrying a tube, levers, Co2 (mini-pump if camelback), a multi tool and hum... water.

 

[bassteban]

On a hot day or long ride I like having both the Camelbak & a bottle or two; it's nice to be able to douse your head. Another lifesaving tip: A well-aimed squirt of water will give you an extra half-second when Cujo attacks & is harmless.

 

[My name is Mudd]

I use bottles mostly on the road (the big 24 oz. size, one with water and one with Cytomax or Endura or etc), but if I'm not sure of the route and don't know when I may next be able to refill my bottles, I'll use my Camelback; off-road is usually the Camelback and at least one bottle of 'juice'.

 

[Ziltoid]

My worries are not about the water but more about the tube n etc. to carry around

 

[Jon_West]

13.55 miles. Pretty flat, but very exposed. Last time I averaged about 21.86mph with a N 20mph wind. They're predicting a NW 7-11mph wind and I've been training a little better than my last attempt. I did the course a few months earlier and was holding about a 25mph avg with no wind, but flatted.

I just did a time trial today. Lot's of fun in this September weather.

 

[anyonefortennis]

Re: Platform shoes - yes, skateboard shoes lack stiffness. They do grip great on those pedals though.

On Grease/Anti Seize - For carbon bits, there are compounds that increase friction so you can use less torque on parts. The Tacx Carbon Assembly Paste and Ritchey Liquid torque are good. Do not use grease, since it has the exact opposite effect. But I agree on the rule. If metal on metal, use grease or anti seize. If greasing hub bearings, make sure to check with the manufacturer though on what to use.

On seat bag vs camelback - All my bikes have a seat bag with a tube,2 CO2s canisters, tire levers, multi tool, and glueless patches. On top of that I have a compact pump (the ones mounted under bottle cages) on each of my bikes as well. This way you have to option to go without a back pack or camelback if you want to 'go light'.

A 24 oz watter bottle and 24oz of some electrolyte drink (if needed) can get me thorugh a longish ride. I use a single 21 oz bottle for my commute to work. I prefer bottles on my "road" bike and the CB on dirt for the most part. Maybe I just put in more effort on dirt than gravel/road since I can get away with bottles for 40-60 mile rides on gravel/limestone/road but 30mi or more on dirt and I need my 100 oz camelback with water and a single bottle with an electrolyte drink of some sort. I am a very thirsty dude to begin with so YMMV.

I also carry a clif bar or two just in case. I tend to eat like crap sometimes so a they are a good energy boost to get back home when needed. Most of the time they go un-eaten but better have some nutrition on you jersey pocket or CB. I can testify that the packaging of clif bars is washer/dryer safe

 

[bassteban]

My worries are not about the water but more about the tube n etc. to carry around

I like to have a spare tube in a saddlebag on each bike- one less thing to grab. I pretty much always take the Camelbak, which also carries a multitool, pump. cell phone wallet & a small package of wet wipes.

 

[anyonefortennis]

I like to have a spare tube in a saddlebag on each bike- one less thing to grab. I pretty much always take the Camelbak, which also carries a multitool, pump. cell phone wallet & a small package of wet wipes.

Ah yes - if there is any heavy mud/water crossings, etc. the CB is a must for me to carry wallet and phone (in a zip lock bag). I've ruined a phone in a jersey pocket on a water crossing accident.

 

[bassteban]

Good point re- ziplock.

 

[4Mal]

Finished converting an old friend's old MTB into a SS; scored $50+2 bottles of wine. Win/win.
I may start doing a Tuesday night uphill time trial, up Mix canyon road- that's the one I've been told has the steepest 2-3 mile stretch(@ the top of a 6.5 mile climb- I'll see if I can get the elevation)in Nor Cal at 13-15% & allegedly hitting 23 at one point.

13 to 15 is a toughie. There are a few climbs like that here. I grind 'em out and try not to think about anything... 23 is insanity ... that's like fallin' over backwards territory if you get out of the saddle climbing trees might be easier.

We rode something down in the Santa Ynez area a few years back that had a short stretch of 'stupid steep' and not great road surface too! Dodging pot holes so as to bring the Dura Gucci rim's home intact was... not fun ...

Most of the roads in the Hood River and White Salmon River valleys where I live have been mapped and profiled which is pretty cool. My wife rides with a VDO that has inclinometer and elevation gain. It's pretty cool and seems to be fairly accurate. That takes care of the rest of the rides... She's the hammerhead in the family. I just try to keep up...