[ronwalf]

My most under-appreciated piece of commuting equipment? Low-normal rear derailleur.
For stops I can just slam the shifter forward and pedal slowly to shift the chain. I might appreciate it less if I had brifters instead of down-tube shifters.

[ronwalf]

Perhaps the Kona Sutra?

I only disagree on two points:
1) If you want to keep the shifting cables clean, use fenders and a mudflap. Bonus: It also protects the chain!
2) Number of gears doesn’t seem to correlate with maintenance in my experience. Using friction shifters, however, does help with reliability (but then no brifters). You could also do internally geared hubs, but I don’t know of any IGH-compatible brifters. I just remember to shift before I get to the hill!

[ronwalf]

@CCrew 4704 wrote:

We welcome Wiley Coyote to the discussion!

I’ve also mounted a fishing pole to the front of my bike, just to make sure no one’s erected a brick wall with a photo-realistic painting on it.

I’m glad Mattyacc reported it, and it’ll be on my mind as I pass stopped traffic. However, a rare and illegal act (right-side dooring) by another party does not put a burden on you to avoid it, no more so than when a raging driver pulls a gun, or a drunk one barrels into a bike lane. These discussions always go the same way – accident deconstruction and a proliferation of conflicting advise on how this could all be avoided.

[ronwalf]

@DismalScientist 4689 wrote:

…the burden is on you to watch and protect yourself from this.

So true – It’s why I’m always looking up to avoid pianos and anvils dropped from apartment windows.

[ronwalf]

@Dirt 4451 wrote:

What happens when I get a saddle sore?…Bag Balm

You can also steal your toddler’s diaper rash cream. My kid’s Butt Paste works great … or so I’m told.

[ronwalf]

@Dirt 4451 wrote:

What happens when I get a saddle sore?…Bag Balm

You can also steal your toddler’s diaper rash cream. My kid’s Butt Paste works great … or so I’m told.

[ronwalf]

@Greenbelt 4333 wrote:

I waited until after 7pm…

Same. I head in early, head home late, and bring in enough food to keep me from starving before dinner.

[ronwalf]

@SteveTheTech 3962 wrote:

What type of repairs do you typically consider DIY and what do you get a pro to fix?

Half the fun for me is doing my own work. I research the repair online (Sheldon, usually), buy the parts, and either fix it at home if I have the parts or at one of the local co-ops. I’ve been burned by this occasionally, but it’s usually only with the cheaper parts.

Do you all clean your chains?
If so how frequently?
Realistic tire life and chain life span?

Modern tires might last a couple thousand miles? It depends on the tire, the terrain and you. (also, Sheldon’s answer).
I “clean” my chain by wiping it down well, applying oil, and wiping again whenever it starts squeaking, which after every wet ride. This is essentially chain abuse, so please don’t tell the CPS (chain-protective services). I might get a thousand miles out of it this way.

[Author]

Posts