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03-22-08, 02:33 PM
Freezing rain and Hail and some white stuff today so it was down to a day to check over the bikes. First on the stand was the TCR. Had a problem last time out and dropped the chain a couple of times on the Crank so find out what was wrong. Luckily it was only the stops on the derailler so quickly adjusted. But quick check over the bike while it was up there and surprising how dirty the white bits on the frame were. Wheels out and get the furniture polish out. Put the wheels back in but before I did- I wiped the tyres off with a damp cloth. Had the cloth snag on something on the tyre and it was a raised bit of rubber. A Piece of Flint had got in and was just below the surface. Out with the small electrical screwdriver and out it came. Visually checked the tyre and 3 more flints and two thorns were prised out.
Then the OCR. This needed a new chain so delve into the spares and 4 chains there. All in plastic bags and nothing to tell me what they were. Sorted the 10 speed as it had the same markings as the Boreas that I know is Ultegra. The other 3 could have been 8 or 9 speed but as it doesn't matter which I fit as they will all work with 8 speeds. I fitted the Sram one as it had a Quick link in it and would be easy to fit. Like H&ll. Undoing that quick link had me trying 3 pairs of pliers till I found a set that would push the link apart. Went back together easy enough though. Wipe the tyres down again and 2 more flints and another thorn.
Then the MTB- Just oil the cables and chain and change a tube as the rear tyre was down. Change the tube as this one was well patched already and the Puncture was over one of the patches. In other words- what caused the last puncture I knew about was still in the tyre. Yep--There it was- one great big thorn. Tyre was off so turn the tyre inside out and check again. You can see the thorns just about to come through doing this- and I think it is new tyre time for this one. 6 thorns and a split just appearing.
Boreas and everything checked out- Except for the tyres again. Front tyre was clear. Back tyre and 6 flints. Oiled the cables and chain just checked everything else. No adjustment necessary at all. Ought to get out and ride it more often if it is not requiring a service.
I just could not believe those flints shards. Tiny little bits but if left- they would work their way through the rubber and puncture the tube. Only bike left to do now is the Tandem- So do I want another cold wet day tomorrow- because that will be a bigger job to check over- Or do I pray for Sun so I can get the Stiffness out of my legs? Coffee and cake sounds better if it is down at the cafe on the seafront.
Then the OCR. This needed a new chain so delve into the spares and 4 chains there. All in plastic bags and nothing to tell me what they were. Sorted the 10 speed as it had the same markings as the Boreas that I know is Ultegra. The other 3 could have been 8 or 9 speed but as it doesn't matter which I fit as they will all work with 8 speeds. I fitted the Sram one as it had a Quick link in it and would be easy to fit. Like H&ll. Undoing that quick link had me trying 3 pairs of pliers till I found a set that would push the link apart. Went back together easy enough though. Wipe the tyres down again and 2 more flints and another thorn.
Then the MTB- Just oil the cables and chain and change a tube as the rear tyre was down. Change the tube as this one was well patched already and the Puncture was over one of the patches. In other words- what caused the last puncture I knew about was still in the tyre. Yep--There it was- one great big thorn. Tyre was off so turn the tyre inside out and check again. You can see the thorns just about to come through doing this- and I think it is new tyre time for this one. 6 thorns and a split just appearing.
Boreas and everything checked out- Except for the tyres again. Front tyre was clear. Back tyre and 6 flints. Oiled the cables and chain just checked everything else. No adjustment necessary at all. Ought to get out and ride it more often if it is not requiring a service.
I just could not believe those flints shards. Tiny little bits but if left- they would work their way through the rubber and puncture the tube. Only bike left to do now is the Tandem- So do I want another cold wet day tomorrow- because that will be a bigger job to check over- Or do I pray for Sun so I can get the Stiffness out of my legs? Coffee and cake sounds better if it is down at the cafe on the seafront.