Strawbunyan

I would definitly like a bike with brifters, i just dont think it will be this one. From what ive watched so far(admittedly not enough to actually speak on it,yet here we are) the effort to do it just doesnt seem worth it(i could be wrong).I have another project in mind for later and will likely get a bike that is already ready already for brifters.

noglider 

Colored chains turn to black within two days.

Strawbunyan

Do you mean from oil and grime? Or are you saying that the finish on the metal discolors leaving them permanently black?

jdawginsc 

Probably the grime, but who knows!

noglider 

It's the grime. The finish might rub off but not much. There is no avoiding the black grime. You can only minimize it.

A friend of mine is a bike lover and a car mechanic. He says his hands get far dirtier from working on bikes than on cars. After thinking about it, I realize he's right because black bicycle grime is unbeatable.

And by the way, I found that the best way to clean black bicycle grime off my hands is a mixture of dish soap, baking soda, and water. The best dish soap is Dawn™.

Strawbunyan

so not only do i get to build the chain, i get to spend hours cleaning it with a toothbrush after every ride? I am in.

jdawginsc 

That might be a little obsessive, but a toothbrush dipped in Dawn water actually does work like the chain cleaners Park used to sell.

Just plop it on the freewheel part of the chain while peddling backwards until it cycles through a few times and then on the back a few times and it turns a nice shade of gray rather than black!

PS: hopefully the boxes arrive today or tomorrow!

PhilFo 

PM me if you are in serious need of a set of "brifters". I have a set of 1st gen Dura Ace which can go to a worthy home.
Phil

noglider 

@Strawbunyan, I have said repeatedly that I dislike chain cleaning so much that I prefer to throw a chain away over cleaning it. Clearly, I broke my own rule this time, but it was because I had the time and space when I don't usually have them. Also, the job was not onerous this time because the chain had not gotten too disgusting. But yes, you do need some system of keeping the drivetrain clean, because letting it get too grimy and gritty will cause premature wear. The main problem with a worn chain is that it will wear out your rear cogs and front chainrings. (Those terms are redundant.) Cogs and chainrings are even expensiver (to coin a word) than chains, and I don't enjoy replacing them. I would rather replace a chain prematurely than buy new chainrings. I think I probably can go through three chains before needing to replace the cassette. I have never worn out a chainring, believe it or not.

I've been cleaning my chainrings as well as possible without disassembling the crank assembly, but I can't do the job completely this way. Maybe I'll clean them again soon. It's another job I don't enjoy.

Some people think all this work is unnecessary and obsessive. Maybe it is. But when you ride a lot, you have to make a trade off between keeping your bike in good shape and doing disgusting work.

There is a lot to be said for commuting on a bike with an internally geared hub. Maybe one day I'll do it. Those Priority bikes look pretty nice.

Strawbunyan

I am a little weird in that regard i suppose.cleaning the drivelines in the machinery I used was one of my happy places. Preventitive maitenence being superior to repairs I completely agree with chucking chains at a bikes drive train as oppossed to replacing cogs and rings....but all i hear was "you get to spend hours building custom chains" and this just feels like the ADHD gift that keeps on giving.

Strawbunyan

they are in TN and should arrive tomorrow. I am incredibly excited...I may not sleep tonight.

jdawginsc 

Whoop whoop!