Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bike Stuff Yay!

Doesn't matter what it is, I'm always happy buying bike stuff. Last couple of days, a small Camelback valve bottle for Gina's compact seat tube cage. PC51 chain and online HG50 cassette 12/25 (from Loosespokes, Hilbasher sale spotter).

Nice thing about online orders, you get a cute little box and a newspaper to read on the throne ha ha!

I figured I'd try the HG50 cassette after having good luck with the Sram equiv. Only $33 can't go wrong.

I track my miles so I know for a fact that I got 14,000+ miles out of my last combo. I replace the chain and cassette together. I can't figure out why people replace their chains every 2-3000 miles. I keep them clean and lubed. I do have to say the last couple months my chain was noisy. I knew it needed replacement but some rain and low mileage months so I just didn't get around to it. I logged 15,000 miles but subtracted 1000 for the noisy months.

My buddy replaces his Dura Ace chain every 2500 miles and the Dura Cassette every third chain!:eek:.....that's a lot of money and to be honest, my bikes run smoother and more quiet. IMO, it's all tuning and keeping it lubed.

I did read some reviews on teh PC51 as it's the chain I have been using. Just about every review on one site said the thing broke like 3 times in two weeks. I don't understand it, I've been using them for years and I always get a good 14 thou. I read lots of stories of big strong legs and snapping chains. I guess I'm just a weak little wuss with skinny legs.:D

So here is my cheap cassette and cheap chain.:p


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6986040223_db25daa0a1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/6986040223/)
IMG_0392 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/6986040223/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr


Always amazes me, the wheel was spinning full bore but the cam picks it up like it was standing still.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6839918756_e30c7ca32d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/6839918756/)
IMG_0394 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/6839918756/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

That's the same set up I just put on my bike...

That's the same set up I just put on my bike...

Done me well for quite some time.:D

There definitely was an issue with the PC 951 chains, at least for a certain manufacturing window. I had one on my Mukluk and it lasted less than 100 miles. It broke on one of the factory links, while I was seated and climbing with a cadence around 70. The LBS I purchased it from said they were seeing failures from the 951's way too often.

I plan on cleaning mine every 100-200 miles. What would you recommend? Can I reuse the opening link on the chain (I don't know what its called) over and over again, or should I replace it after a while?

I plan on cleaning mine every 100-200 miles. What would you recommend? Can I reuse the opening link on the chain (I don't know what its called) over and over again, or should I replace it after a while?I replace Powerlink type chain connectors when I replace the chains. Once the chain is done I figure the quick connect link is as well.

I currently have a SRAM PC-870 on my city bike (~2,000) and have removed the chain for cleaning quite a few times. Same with the KMC X10-L chain I currently have on my road bike, although it has many more miles (~4,500) and the links on both chains appear to be as good as new (similar condition as the rest of the chain).

I plan on cleaning mine every 100-200 miles. What would you recommend? Can I reuse the opening link on the chain (I don't know what its called) over and over again, or should I replace it after a while?

Same as Seve, I replace it with the new one but carry the old one as an emergency link :D

Heck, I clean my chain when it start to get noisy, about every month (300-500 miles?)

There definitely was an issue with the PC 951 chains, at least for a certain manufacturing window.

How long ago was that?

I got my 5PC 1 back in 08-09 with no issues. If it was more recent, I'll keep my eye on this sucker.:D

I see there was a recall back in 98 on all theri cahins.
The reviews I read about breaks were dated Oct 2011. Hope they made some adjustments since then.:p

Never had an issue with SRAM/Sachs chains. My hybrid has a kmc chain with a SRAM quick link that I added for ease of use. I hope I never have a problem, either!

I use DA or Ultegra chains. I have to replace them at least every 2500 or maybe at most 3000 miles. It's not a matter of keeping them clean. They start to skip really bad at some point, which is not cool when you're standing up a 20% grade :(

oh, good choice in waterbottle, as well. I love my Podium bottles, BEST made, period!

oh, good choice in waterbottle, as well. I love my Podium bottles, BEST made, period!


We have large Podium but Gina's bike is a small WSD compact so when we ride the mountains, the classic water bottle drips from the spout. Drives me crazy ,especially after a good wax job on the frame.:mad:...so finally remembered to get a small Podium, problem solved.:D

:thumb:

I use DA or Ultegra chains. I have to replace them at least every 2500 or maybe at most 3000 miles. It's not a matter of keeping them clean. They start to skip really bad at some point, which is not cool when you're standing up a 20% grade :(

Maybe you ought to try the SRAM chains. At 220-250, I've never had one skip on 20% grades. With al the training I've done for centuries with 10,000-12,000 ft of climbing, never had a problem with skipping. That's with mileage up to 14000 miles on each chain. ;)

How long ago was that?

I got my 5PC 1 back in 08-09 with no issues. If it was more recent, I'll keep my eye on this sucker.:D

I see there was a recall back in 98 on all theri cahins.
The reviews I read about breaks were dated Oct 2011. Hope they made some adjustments since then.:p


It was a 2011 model Mukluk and they didn't start shipping them until March 2011, so it's probably close to that timeframe. I think I actually snapped that chain in October shortly after I got the bike, but haven't posted any reviews about it.

Hopefully it was just an isolated run of bad supplies or QC and the SRAM chains are better.


And yes, those podium bottles are awesome.:thumb: My only issue with them is that my wife keeps swiping them from me.

I change my chain at the start of a new sason but just because. I have to admit I am anal about a clean drivetrain and it gets done after every ride.

Btw, 8 and 9 speed SRAM chains have reusable powerlinks... the 10 speed chains - no such luck, you need to replace it whenever you break it open. Yes, I figured that out AFTER I spent an hour trying to get the damn link off my 10 speed chain. :D

Btw, 8 and 9 speed SRAM chains have reusable powerlinks... the 10 speed chains - no such luck, you need to replace it whenever you break it open. Yes, I figured that out AFTER I spent an hour trying to get the damn link off my 10 speed chain. :D

Is there a difference? I thought the powerlink was made so that one can remove and reinstall the chain at will without tools for cleaning etc.

I haven't used a 10 speed so fill me in, did they change the design?

I am picking up a spare set of rims off CL this evening so I may need a cassette... love bike stuff!!!!!

rims, tires, skewers but no cassette.. already have a set of discs to put on.... $50 not to shabby

... love bike stuff!!!!!

Thas what I'm talkin' about!:thumb:

Yep, the 10 speed chain powerlink is different. I couldn't tell you how it's different other than the fact that you can't disconnect it - you have to use a chain tool to bust the link out. Replacement powerlinks are pretty inexpensive ($2 or $3 I think) but it definitely cooled my desire to remove the chain and clean it periodically. I just get the chain dramatically cleaner when I remove it.

I couldn't tell you how it's different other than the fact that you can't disconnect it - you have to use a chain tool to bust the link out.

Ah, that's what I was wondering. Need a chain tool? That sort of defeats the entire purpose of the link SRAM developed. Nice being able to remove and replace without tools.

you have to use a chain tool to bust the link out.

this is the tool (http://aebike.com/product/park-tool-mlp-1-plier-type-masterlink-chain-tool-sku-tl7303-qc30.htm) designed to open the powerlock. You could also use a pair of needle nose pliers to open the link.

this is the tool (http://aebike.com/product/park-tool-mlp-1-plier-type-masterlink-chain-tool-sku-tl7303-qc30.htm) designed to open the powerlock. You could also use a pair of needle nose pliers to open the link.

That's a nice tool. But after viewing some yt videos, seem channel locks work as well. Same concept link, I wonder why they say the 10 speed is not re usable? Losing money? :D

I might get some of them Park things. ;)

I used to use a long tipped set of needle nose but the park tool is alot easier to use, plus it gets the 10spd link off clean without burring any of the sharp edges that the link allegedly uses to hold itself together. Many people do re-use the links even though SRAM recommends not to. I personally have re-used them and have never run into issues even after taking the bike to the mountains and hitting some 20% grades with a reused link.

Wife and I were walking thru Wallyworld today... funny thing happened a new bike pump, new bike lock and some cleaning brushes jumped in the cart...:innocent::innocent::innocent:


YAY BIKE STUFF!!!!:D:D:D

Those bottles were impossible to find around here. Went to 3 different LBSs before I finally found one and it was in a crappy color.

Those bottles were impossible to find around here. Went to 3 different LBSs before I finally found one and it was in a crappy color.

Lost track of this thread but if you are talking about the Poduim bottles in my OP, they also seell them at REI, Sport Chalet (maybe Sports Authority)type stores in the bike section. ;)