Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.charly17201
10-21-09, 04:37 PM
Well, today was bike maintenance day, and I'm pleasantly happy. :D
I had to replace the rear cassette a couple of weeks ago and went with a road cassette instead of a mtn bike one. The only real difference was that instead of a 32 tooth big cog I had a 28, which is acceptable for my riding. While I was at it I ordered a 'recumbent chain' from Nashbar..... big mistake since I didn't bother to count the links in the old chain. :notamused: It came up significantly short - about 14 inches. My fault for not double checking.
I had to do something though since the old chain was pretty shot, pieced it together and ordered a 14' chain from Hostel Shoppe. While I was at it I got new cables and a stock of tubes.
So today it was chain and cable day. Working on the SRAM twist grips was a pain, since I hadn't dealt with twist grips before :twitchy: but I'm glad I did. My ride now shifts smoother than when I first got it! :love: I did opt for the more expensive Teflon coated cables which I hope will last longer than the standard ones. And, I modified the twist-shifter. Okay, only a very minor one. I don't need that stinking little indicator for what gear I'm in - heck, I can't see them anyway on my USS so they are gone.
Nice little test ride and everything is so smooth I had to stop several times to actually look and see that I was in different gears. I've never had a bike shift that smooth. I've thought about changing out the twist-grips with the Shimano 105 components left over from my Trek DF as I really liked how they worked. But, I'll have to think about that as you down shift by 'bending/pushing' the brake lever...... anyone ever try those on a USS bent?
I had to replace the rear cassette a couple of weeks ago and went with a road cassette instead of a mtn bike one. The only real difference was that instead of a 32 tooth big cog I had a 28, which is acceptable for my riding. While I was at it I ordered a 'recumbent chain' from Nashbar..... big mistake since I didn't bother to count the links in the old chain. :notamused: It came up significantly short - about 14 inches. My fault for not double checking.
I had to do something though since the old chain was pretty shot, pieced it together and ordered a 14' chain from Hostel Shoppe. While I was at it I got new cables and a stock of tubes.
So today it was chain and cable day. Working on the SRAM twist grips was a pain, since I hadn't dealt with twist grips before :twitchy: but I'm glad I did. My ride now shifts smoother than when I first got it! :love: I did opt for the more expensive Teflon coated cables which I hope will last longer than the standard ones. And, I modified the twist-shifter. Okay, only a very minor one. I don't need that stinking little indicator for what gear I'm in - heck, I can't see them anyway on my USS so they are gone.
Nice little test ride and everything is so smooth I had to stop several times to actually look and see that I was in different gears. I've never had a bike shift that smooth. I've thought about changing out the twist-grips with the Shimano 105 components left over from my Trek DF as I really liked how they worked. But, I'll have to think about that as you down shift by 'bending/pushing' the brake lever...... anyone ever try those on a USS bent?