djb

I generally have regularly gotten 5000km or a bit more out of 9 speed chains, maybe a bit more out of 8 speed chains, and maybe a bit more out of 7 speed chains, but the difference hasnt been that big between all of them.
The main factors are: I'm a skinny guy who doesnt put out much power, I'm not a lugger cadence wise, so probably less force into chains and stuff than a beefy tractor leg guy, I dont ride in rain and mud a lot, and when I do, I keep everything clean, and overall, I keep drivetrains pretty clean anyway.

my cassettes will always go through at least two chains, and probably three.
I use the "measure with a tape measure or ruler" technique for measuring chain stretch, ie, over a foot, I replace chains when stretch is at or just before 1/16" or thereabouts, wrong or not, thats what I do and it works for me and cassettes.

mstateglfr 

Reynolds? As in its marked somwwhere on the tubing?
...i had just figured it was unbranded asian tubing. Interesting.

Timequake

Congrats. Those bikes are really cool. I really dig the 3 touring-style bikes that REI has put out: the Mazama, Randonee, and Safari. I don't really dig the rebranding of them: ADV 1.1, 2.1, and 3.1. And you're correct, its the exact same bike as the 3.1, just different name.

Anyone know where I can buy bars like these? Interested in migrating toward flat bars, but don't want to invest in the overhaul necessary for a drop > flat converstion. These may be a good middle ground.

jefnvk

Thanks once again! Pulled the rear cable, it was caked in a white powdery substance. Pulled a new cable, coated it liberally in silicon spray, and... it was literally 2cm too short I cut it right at the MTB end, 1.7M not long enough. Grabbed another that was a metre longer, and it fixed the problem! Since I already cut the MTB end off the other one, I just put it on the front. Both work awesome now, and are close enough in pressure required to make me happy!

Just wish I had argued the REI manager a bit more, she said the only way she could mark it down more was if there was something wrong with it!

Yep. Hard to see, because it is the same "stealth" branding as the manufacturer/model labels, but it is right on the seat tube where you'd expect to find it! From what I understand, just double butted, nothing extremely fancy.



Found my metric tape measure, it turns out it is an 85mm stem, looking for something in the 110mm range. I know handlebars obstructing view of the front hub is just a guideline, but it works for me, this bike is a good ways behind that!

52telecaster

May come to regret it when I start to look at the price of 10spd replacement consumables over 5-7 parts, though![/QUOTE]

check out sunrace cassettes, you'll be pleasantly suprised at the price plus they work great. got a bunch of em.

jefnvk

Good to know. Maybe if I sell a few bikes, I can actually get to 3000 miles on a single one!

indyfabz

Two years ago I was on ACA's TransAm route in Montana for a few days. A guy pulled into the Bike Camp in Twin Bridges riding one of those. I instantly recognized the bike from his postings on ACA's thread. Nice looking machine.


He later posted something either here or on ACA's. Recognized him again. He successfully completed his cross country tour. IIRC, he was heading to Mexico (not by bike) to do some teaching or something.

djb

and dont forget that with that 48/36/26 crank, its easy to change the 26 to a 24 or even 22 if you want. Add on a chain stop jumpee offee thingee and it would work fine, as is, no fd changes at all, and the friction front shifter makes the shifting easy as you can finesse it well.

indyfabz

Just had that done on my LHT. Works perfectly with no add on necessary.

jefnvk

Yeah, I think the configurability of the crank will be a nice change from my cheapies! Although, the 26-34 should get me down to around 20", which is within an inch of the low on the bike I took to Iceland. Really can't imagine using a lower gearing than that (especially in Michigan), I was pretty much at the limit of how slow I could ride the bike in that gearing.

Hmm, I'll have to go check out what he ended up saying about it! I know the ACA had a pretty nice piece about it.

fietsbob

I added a 'chain minder' and 'jump stop' on my various bikes with triple cranks..

keeps chain from coming off and wrapping around the BB shell.. on the inside..

jefnvk

Any links? I can't seem to phrase it right for Google to find me anything useful. I could use one on my other triple, which I did drop the chain into the BB on a climb

manapua_man

I think "chain guide" or "chain deflector" might be the right term. I can't for the life of me remember what they're actually called.

saddlesores

try putting "that little plastic thing you put to keep the chain from falling off sometimes"
into the googles!

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chain-drop.html

"A chain deflector, such as the N-Gear Jump Stop Chain Guide (right) can prevent the chain from coming off the inner chainwheel."

manapua_man

This is literally what everyone I know calls those things.

jefnvk

Oddly enough @saddlesores, that worked

36Oly_Rider

I thought they are called "chain keeps" or "keepers".

manapua_man

I thought those were the ones for the rear end of the bike?

36Oly_Rider

I be always called them dork discs, lol...I have no clue what they're called.

***Nvm, I see what you mean. Yeah, and the front are chain guide and chain catchers.

jefnvk

Tree Fort has them in a category called "Chain Deflectors"

Chain Deflector at Tree Fort Bikes

autonomy

Wow, crazy jealous. I was thinking "where did he get a 'modern' Mazama in 2017?". That's a really good deal and I would've jumped on it even at $440. Much better color - I find that this year's Oregano color of the 3.1 is boring but the Mazama was a week from being sold out when I got interested in it last year. Also considering Salsa Vaya and Kona Sutra. I test rode the 3.1 and it felt really stable and fun. Reviews state that it's pretty much a budget version of the Vaya and similar bikes (like the Randonee is of the LHT). Many fun miles!

jefnvk

I'm not one to put much thoughts into such things, but I do really like this paint scheme! Agreed the organo is a bit boring. Kinda wish the branding was done in a non-stealth manner, maybe the same light blue of the headtube sticker, but I'm not going to complain too much!

Doug64

Jeff, you are starting down that slippery slope Nice bike!

deaninkl

tell her it's for her.... you can borrow it.

Squeezebox

So what happens with a triple crank that the "keeper" helps with?