Self-confession, words are easy. DAISNAID (Do As I Say, Not As I Do) Dep't: Went for a ride recently on a bike that had been in the stand the night before. Came to a corner, squeezed my brake levers, and the drop bar, er, dropped...rotated down/forward 15-deg or so. Fortunately it was a slow-down, no-obstacle move, so not braking very well didn't cause any issues. Tightened the bar bolt, all good. Then a mile or two later, I twisted around to double-check for traffic behind and...the saddle/post rotated. So, I guess that pre-ride check oughta also include making sure the seatpost don't swivel.
Physician, heal thyself! Paul Brodek Hillsdale, NJ USA On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 2:53:52 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: > I'm not very good about the safety checks, either, and need to start doing > the routine Paul laid out. Racks and fenders are especially prone to their > bolts working loose, and I always find out after they've rattled for a week > while wondering "What IS that??" For a guy with a workstand and a full > bicycle tool kit you'd think I'd be better at this! > > Joe "I'll do it later" Bernard > > On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 6:58:37 AM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! > wrote: > >> Paul, this is a great post, and dead useful to me. Something obvious you >> said that I hadn’t thought about: I’m putting a lot of miles on only 2 >> bikes and it means quicker wear, etc. I expect consistency because my >> Rivendells always give it, and I forget to consider wear until things get >> way out of whack. (Remember that time I discovered I’d worn my tires down >> to the fabric?) >> >> The practical tips are very helpful, and I’ll have to find a way to save >> them and have them accessible. I’ve not been wonderful about safety checks >> in the past. Years ago, I took my Betty Foy to the shop for something, and >> while I was there, I said, “When I turn my handlebars sharply, there’s a >> clunk.” It had been that way for weeks; I didn’t think it was a big deal, >> just irritating. The mechanic was surprised to find a LOOSE HEADSET, and >> she told me how serious it was. I was lucky, because in those days I was >> the boys’ packhorse for school, carried a huge front load, and we had a >> long and dangerous descent. 🙄 >> >> Thanks for taking the time to send this! >> Leah >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >> On Dec 6, 2020, at 7:38 PM, Paul Brodek <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> None of this is intuitive, so you shouldn't feel bad about not knowing >> stuff. The more you learn, the less dependent you'll be on mechanics. Most >> of the mission-critical stuff on a bicycle is right there to see, hear and >> feel, so observation and inquisitiveness go a long way. Most diagnostics >> are easier than you think, but some are always stupidly complex. Who'd >> think a clunk you think you feel in the pedal is a creaky stem, or your >> shoelace tip, or shoe? >> >> A workstand will be a huge help. Lifting your bike up/in/down will build >> muscle and character. >> >> With all that homily stuff outta the way, to hopefully give you a little >> encouragement, I've got maybe two concrete-ish thoughts to offer. >> >> You're doing a lot of mileage, very commendable, on just a couple bikes. >> That means things will wear quicker, go out of adjustment, maybe loosen up >> and rattle. Getting into a regular habit of a very quick check before you >> ride is a good thing. Pick up the bike an inch or two and drop it a couple >> of times---how does it sound? Everything tight, or some stuff rattling? >> Spin the wheels, watch the rim at the brake shoes. Rims true, no rubbing?. >> How do the tire treads/sidewalls look? Tire pressure OK? Lock the front >> brake and rock the bike a little---headset tight? Push down hard on the >> bars to make sure it's not slipping. Trap the front wheel between your legs >> and give the bars/stem a little twist---shouldn't turn. Squeeze/release the >> brake levers, make sure everything feels right. Then head out the door. >> >> Once every few rides, once/wk, coupla weeks, whatevs, regularly and >> relatively frequently also checking all the nuts/bolts is also a good >> thing. >> >> I get the impression that both of your bikes have relatively complex/full >> builds. Fenders, racks, dynamos, I dunno what else. One of the benefits of >> multiple bikes is potentially setting one up a little simpler, so there's >> less maintenance required, less to go wrong. If you don't have a lot of >> rain, mud, etc, maybe one bike with fenders and one without? Tires can't >> rub fenders, and fenders can't come loose, if you ain't got fenders. This >> may not be practical in Las Vegas, where you ride, etc, and aesthetics also >> come into play, but it may be worth thinking about. >> >> When I only had one bike, it had to do everything. Once I had two, one >> had the fenders/racks/etc for commuting/hauling/raining, the other was >> less-encumbered as the go-fast bike. Even though I didn't/couldn't go fast. >> I could still commute on it in nice weather, just couldn't take as much >> stuff with me. The go-fast needed a lot less attention, less muss, less >> fuss. That's maybe not the current Riv ideal, and nobody who thinks a >> well-appointed bike should have all the stuff is wrong, because, it's like, >> their opinion, man. But I like the simplicity of also having one without a >> lot of stuff. >> >> Paul Brodek >> Hillsdale, NJ USA >> >> >> On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 8:12:41 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: >> >>> Hehe, 2019 was the year I discovered I have arthritis at the base of my >>> thumbs. I could tell because every ride I could hear a noise, it was me >>> shouting "Ouch!" >>> >>> >>> >>> On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 4:54:27 PM UTC-8 Brady Smith wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> I concur with all the advice about getting your own work stand. I >>>> bought a basic Park Tool stand a few years ago and went from relying on >>>> the >>>> shop for everything to doing everything but wheel builds on my own. >>>> Entirely worth it. >>>> >>>> I’m also a stickler for noises. A few weeks ago I started up my long >>>> local climb and heard an audible click every time I turned the pedals. I >>>> spent a few hundred yards switching between pedaling and not pedaling, >>>> remaining seated and getting out of the saddle, only to locate the source >>>> of the problem—a creaky left knee. 2020 is officially the year I’ve >>>> started >>>> to feel old. >>>> On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 6:37:15 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: >>>> >>>>> I'm just confessing I DIDN'T check. Because Joe Bernard, Master >>>>> Mechanic Who Knows All The Things, is kinda not smart! 🙃 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 3:31:46 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Guys, it’s NOT it. I know this because I use to cause it with my shoe >>>>>> too close to the where the pedal connected to the crank on my old >>>>>> Clementine, you know I checked. But that’s not it on The Rowdy Platypus. >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>>> >>>>>> On Dec 6, 2020, at 3:28 PM, Joe Bernard <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Dude, that's a good call. I've had the "rubbing clothes on things" >>>>>> issue before, and it was the LAST thing I thought about after checking >>>>>> every freaking nut and bolt and pad and chainring on the bike. This >>>>>> could >>>>>> be it! >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 3:19:45 PM UTC-8 Matthew Williams >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> If the noise occurs while you're on the bike but not while it's on >>>>>>> the stand, maybe you're the cause of the sound! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Let me explain--recently, my bike had a "click, click, click" sound >>>>>>> I heard only while I was pedaling--I couldn't figure out of it was a >>>>>>> pedal >>>>>>> bearing, the bottom bracket, something stuck in the chain, or something >>>>>>> else. Then I watched carefully as I pedaled, and saw my pant cuff was >>>>>>> bumping against the derailleur cable end. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> In your photos, I noticed you're wearing a pair of brown leather >>>>>>> boots--could your boot heel, side, or cuff be bumping the fender as >>>>>>> your >>>>>>> foot returns around the crank? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Dec 6, 2020, at 2:20 PM, Leah Peterson <[email protected]> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Friends! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Well, you tried. And I read every suggestion - including one an iBob >>>>>>> sent to Patrick Moore to send to me; thank you, iBob guy! - and took >>>>>>> them >>>>>>> to the shop with my two bikes. The guy who greeted me looked rather >>>>>>> surprised to see me again and immediately called out, >>>>>>> “NNNIIIICCCCCOOOO!” >>>>>>> >>>>>>> “Oh, hi, Leah!” said Nico, who now, embarrassingly, remembers me by >>>>>>> name. “What’s going on now?” >>>>>>> >>>>>>> “This is a rowdy Platypus,” I said. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 1. Platypus. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I could not make that bike create the rub for love nor money! I had >>>>>>> the video, which proved I’m not a crazy person looking for excuses to >>>>>>> visit >>>>>>> Nico at the bike shop. When he could not determine the cause, I read >>>>>>> him >>>>>>> your lists of guesses as to the origin of the sounds. He checked >>>>>>> everything >>>>>>> - everything! - and not one thing was rubbing. He made sure everything >>>>>>> was >>>>>>> tight (it was.). Cables and wires were situation correctly. Bolts were >>>>>>> not >>>>>>> interfering with moving parts. The rear fender is close to the >>>>>>> chainstays, >>>>>>> but the paint was unmarred so, doubtful. He put a clear sticker there >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> see if it gets scratched, but then did me one better and crimped the >>>>>>> fender >>>>>>> away from the stay. He rode it aggressively in the parking lot and The >>>>>>> Rowdy Platypus behaved like a champ. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I decided that I’m going to ride this thing regardless and hope that >>>>>>> mechanical parts have a tendency break in and straighten out. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 2. Clementine. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> “You brought the blue bike back, too? What’s wrong with it now?!” >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I played the video (thank goodness I had proof) and Nico said it >>>>>>> wasn’t a brake pad. He confirmed this on the stand. It was a little bit >>>>>>> of >>>>>>> a mystery but he dropped both wheels and allllllll the fender bolts >>>>>>> were >>>>>>> loose under there. Like, LOOSE. This reminds me that someday I’m going >>>>>>> to >>>>>>> open a bike and coffee shop we’ll call The Wiggly Fender, because I >>>>>>> have a >>>>>>> history of this, but I digress. Nothing else was found to be wrong with >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> Clem, so we’re hoping that takes care of the noise. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I took The Rowdy Platypus and the Clem back home and I put that >>>>>>> Platypus through its paces. 17.1 miles, I took it, because that’s the >>>>>>> exact >>>>>>> mileage I needed to make my 3,000 mile goal for 2020. That’s for >>>>>>> another >>>>>>> thread. The bike mostly behaved itself with minimal rubbing sounds on 2 >>>>>>> occasions. There’s no friction or resistance as I pedal, so I guess >>>>>>> that’s >>>>>>> good. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks for helping me along. ♥️ >>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Dec 6, 2020, at 1:10 PM, Joe Bernard <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The most maddening noises for me are the ones like Leah's current >>>>>>> conundrum, where it only appears while on the bike and riding. I have a >>>>>>> bike stand and know most of the adjustment tricks on a bicycle, but >>>>>>> this >>>>>>> does me no good if I can't make the noise in the stand. It's the home >>>>>>> mechanic equivalent of taking your car to the shop and it won't do the >>>>>>> thing there that it's been doing EVERYWHERE ELSE 😠🤦 >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 8:34:03 PM UTC-8 Joe Bernard wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I've been there, embarrassingly so. Years ago I bought a Dahon >>>>>>>> folding bike all decked out with fenders, racks and a dynohub..the >>>>>>>> first >>>>>>>> dyno I'd ever even seen live in person. The dang thing made a heck of >>>>>>>> a >>>>>>>> racket and I finally decided this can't be normal and I was beside >>>>>>>> myself >>>>>>>> about what to do about it. Then I gave the front wheel one more spin >>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>> my hand. The tire was rubbing a fender stay. Pulled the stay away from >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> tire, problem solved. Joe Bernard, Master Bike Mechanic Knows All The >>>>>>>> Things 🤦 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 8:09:37 PM UTC-8 Bicycle Belle >>>>>>>> Ding Ding! wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> All I want to do is just ride my raspberry Platypus. I have goals, >>>>>>>>> a 3,000 mile one for 2020, in fact, and I am 17.1 miles from reaching >>>>>>>>> it. >>>>>>>>> But instead of basking in that, I have been riding around stressed >>>>>>>>> out by >>>>>>>>> all the new sounds/ticks/rubs/whirs that my new bike is making. Add >>>>>>>>> to that >>>>>>>>> the extra stress of not having the capability to fix things myself, >>>>>>>>> which >>>>>>>>> means a 40 minute drive across town to the bros at the shop, who now >>>>>>>>> know >>>>>>>>> me on a first name basis. Embarrassing. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Let me be clear - Rivendell built the perfect frame. It’s getting >>>>>>>>> all these parts and wiring and fenders and gears to work, that’s the >>>>>>>>> problem. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I tell you, I remember this with the Clem, too. I could tell it >>>>>>>>> was a great bike, so much fun to ride, not that I was having much >>>>>>>>> fun... I >>>>>>>>> was riding around, swerving, with my head cocked analyzing foreign >>>>>>>>> sounds >>>>>>>>> and vibrations coming from this strange beast beneath me. Maybe the >>>>>>>>> shop >>>>>>>>> installed stuff wrong, I’d think (which was the case more than once). >>>>>>>>> Maybe >>>>>>>>> something has come loose and the bike is about to fall apart beneath >>>>>>>>> me, >>>>>>>>> I’d think. But the Clem got all ironed out and became perfect and now >>>>>>>>> here >>>>>>>>> I am at ground zero again with this pretty Platypus. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Today I went 22 miles, but not without complications. Both the >>>>>>>>> Clem and the Platypus have something rubbing. I rode around on the >>>>>>>>> Platypus >>>>>>>>> in bad form leaning my ear to hear - “Is that one sound or two >>>>>>>>> sounds?” “Is >>>>>>>>> that rubbing or a strange vibrating?” “Is this what the Schmidt dyno >>>>>>>>> hub >>>>>>>>> sounds like? I don’t think my Shutter Precision makes this sound.” >>>>>>>>> “Maybe >>>>>>>>> it’s the fender.” “What if the tape is coming off the dyno wiring?” >>>>>>>>> “I >>>>>>>>> think that screw is too close!” Lastly, the stem started clicking >>>>>>>>> when I >>>>>>>>> apply light pressure to it. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> And this game has been going on since the Friday after >>>>>>>>> Thanksgiving when I assumed custody of this rowdy Platypus. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> All I want is to stop playing this game. Ride my bike in peace, >>>>>>>>> which means listening to the familiar whirring and humming as I >>>>>>>>> pedal. I >>>>>>>>> want to feel how nice the ride is, instead of being distracted by >>>>>>>>> sounds >>>>>>>>> that could be indicative of doom. I don’t want rubs, clicks, or >>>>>>>>> anything >>>>>>>>> janky going on. I want familiar! It has me completely bummed out; a >>>>>>>>> heaviness of heart, that’s what I’m having. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> What I want to know if if the rest of you experience this agony. >>>>>>>>> It’s not easy to admit, for fear of looking ungrateful. Fact is, I am >>>>>>>>> wholeheartedly grateful for this bike, and it is one of the few good >>>>>>>>> things >>>>>>>>> to happen to me in 2020. But will this long-awaited bike ever get >>>>>>>>> straightened out? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> So, who else can relate and what stories do you have? It would >>>>>>>>> feel nice if this was normal, instead of being unique to >>>>>>>>> mechanically-challenged me. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> In the next post I’ll include a video what the bike was doing to >>>>>>>>> me today. Name that sound! >>>>>>>>> Leah >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/NxxUYLKcgoc/unsubscribe >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/1bf31898-c2c9-49e8-9e8b-1a033ea1ee7cn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/1bf31898-c2c9-49e8-9e8b-1a033ea1ee7cn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/DA351E2F-447F-46A5-B5E2-907CA6E2BCF0%40gmail.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/DA351E2F-447F-46A5-B5E2-907CA6E2BCF0%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/NxxUYLKcgoc/unsubscribe >>>>>> . >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>> [email protected]. >>>>>> >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/22374108-a05e-4459-ad22-fbee3995e1a0n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/22374108-a05e-4459-ad22-fbee3995e1a0n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/NxxUYLKcgoc/unsubscribe >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> [email protected]. >> >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b5fa435e-baa4-4859-876a-4958182890a4n%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b5fa435e-baa4-4859-876a-4958182890a4n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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