New Drive Train
I finally dealt with the drive train on the Miyata.
It had been years since I replaced the chain; the cassette was old and worn; and even, to my surprise, the middle front chainring was also toast. I’d been putting up with intermittent skipping under load for a long time, but now, since I’ll probably be riding the Miyata more regularly (in the absence of the Rambouillet), it was time to do something about it.
I knew I would have to replace the cassette along with the chain; I’ve been collecting eight-speed “Megarange” cassettes from swap meets for a while; I’ve got four of them. For some reason, though, I’ve been averse to using them; it’s like I want to have them, just in case, but don’t want to waste any on a bike.
Consequently, I tried, at first, to get by with the used one, but I immediately got skipping with the old cassette and the new chain. Even when I put on the new one, though, I was still getting chain skip—but only on the middle front—this is how I figured out I needed a new chainring.
Alex at 20/20 Cycle fixed me up with a fresh middle chainring and once I installed that—along with a replacement big ring I had lying around, no more skip. What a joy to be able to mash the pedals and not fall off onto the top tube. It’s a mystery why I put up with that for so long.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t taken the time to really adjust the derailler, so this morning, when I was out riding, I overshifted into the spokes and had to take the wheel off to free the chain.
This afternoon, I did the adjustments I should have done before. Now the bike is shifting perfectly.
If I were a more patient person, I would have done it right the first time.
This way, I learned my lesson, just incrementally.
It had been years since I replaced the chain; the cassette was old and worn; and even, to my surprise, the middle front chainring was also toast. I’d been putting up with intermittent skipping under load for a long time, but now, since I’ll probably be riding the Miyata more regularly (in the absence of the Rambouillet), it was time to do something about it.
I knew I would have to replace the cassette along with the chain; I’ve been collecting eight-speed “Megarange” cassettes from swap meets for a while; I’ve got four of them. For some reason, though, I’ve been averse to using them; it’s like I want to have them, just in case, but don’t want to waste any on a bike.
Consequently, I tried, at first, to get by with the used one, but I immediately got skipping with the old cassette and the new chain. Even when I put on the new one, though, I was still getting chain skip—but only on the middle front—this is how I figured out I needed a new chainring.
Alex at 20/20 Cycle fixed me up with a fresh middle chainring and once I installed that—along with a replacement big ring I had lying around, no more skip. What a joy to be able to mash the pedals and not fall off onto the top tube. It’s a mystery why I put up with that for so long.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t taken the time to really adjust the derailler, so this morning, when I was out riding, I overshifted into the spokes and had to take the wheel off to free the chain.
This afternoon, I did the adjustments I should have done before. Now the bike is shifting perfectly.
If I were a more patient person, I would have done it right the first time.
This way, I learned my lesson, just incrementally.
posted by Professor Dave at 3:54 PM
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