Hey Hans, Congrats! If the forecasters are right, you'll probably have a chance to break your new record next week:)
Regarding cables, I would suggest not lubing them, actually. Lube tends to get thick and sticky (especially in these temperatures). It may just be time for new cables and/or housing. You might consider full housing for your bike if you don't have it already as this can really protect the cables and provide less opportunity for water, salt, and sand to come in contact with them. If you were having troubles shifting to the small cogs, it could also be your derailleur. If the spring inside gets icy or filled with debris (sand) it won't relax all the way and will cause this to happen. Could be time for a quick cleaning if you're able. Regarding the balaclava and cheeks, the perfect solution for me is a smartwool balaclava combined with a smartwool headband. The balaclavas do tend to open up around the cheeks, but with the headband over the top it prevents this from happening and gives your ears a little extra help. I use this set up (with no hat) down to single digits. When it gets below zero, I swap the headband for a thin wool cap and add in a neck gaiter (also smartwool) that I pull up to my nose. Combined with ski goggles, my face is totally protected and feels great. I have an internal gear hub on my fat bike and think it's a good option to consider. I've heard of some people having issues with them in very cold weather, but that may depend on the lubricant inside (grease vs.oil). A derailleur should also work just fine; just requires a bit of extra maintenance in the winter. Keep riding! Grant On Jan 24, 2014 12:35 AM, "Hans Noeldner" <[email protected]> wrote: > Just finished lowest-temperature ride thus far in my life: -8 degrees > (OK, that’s probably kinda wimpy for some of you…) Only 8 miles – from > Fitchburg Library to V Oregon (it was 4 deg and sunny on my ride there). > Main problem was that the rear derailleur cable got sticky so it wouldn’t’ > shift to smaller gears on rear cluster. So every now and then I’d get off > and wiggle it and then it would shift OK for a while. Plus the usual > problems with fogging and difficulty of getting facemask to cover cheeks. > No manufacturer has that worked out yet. Sinuses feeling a bit raw now > that I’m home. Heat Holder socks inside Rocky winter boots = warm feet! > And I just love my Canadian Shooter’s Mittens – my hands actually got > sweaty. Without Moose Mitts. > > > > All in all, a good ride – I feel like I am still “manly”. > > > > Any thoughts on the cable lubrication business? I usually use T9 on > them. Also wondering whether any of you have experience with internal gear > hubs in cold weather like this. > > > > Hey! It’s good to be alive! Keep crankin’. > > > > Hans Noeldner > > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org > >
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