Life is good when your bike is tuned up
#1
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Life is good when your bike is tuned up
I've been on a bit of a bicycle tune up tear. I've learned how to change cables, grip tape, use grease judiciously, use fiber grip, build and true wheels, adjust shifters, install and align derailleur hanger... basically the works.
The last few rides on my bike (including a long one today) I was just amazed at how nice the bike is riding and how much more enjoyable and quite it is.
life is good
The last few rides on my bike (including a long one today) I was just amazed at how nice the bike is riding and how much more enjoyable and quite it is.
life is good
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#2
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
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I've been on a bit of a bicycle tune up tear. I've learned how to change cables, grip tape, use grease judiciously, use fiber grip, build and true wheels, adjust shifters, install and align derailleur hanger... basically the works.
The last few rides on my bike (including a long one today) I was just amazed at how nice the bike is riding and how much more enjoyable and quite it is.
life is good
The last few rides on my bike (including a long one today) I was just amazed at how nice the bike is riding and how much more enjoyable and quite it is.
life is good
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
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#3
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always get fitted if you can
#4
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
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Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
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I have 8 bikes, and they all fit. But one FITS.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
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#6
Mother Nature's Son
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Indeed, a well tuned bike is one of my true joys. Yesterday, I had the first ride on my Orbea Avant since I finished an almost total rebuild a couple of days ago. A quiet bike is like music to my ears. It only took me 5 years, for the first time since I bought it new in 2016, my Avant is running spot on and doing it quietly. The final piece was replacing the FSA Omega crankset/bb86 PF with an almost new Tiagra 4650 and Shimano PF BB. I got in a 44 mile ride on the bike yesterday, it was the most enjoyable ride I have had on the bike, ever. I had a grin plastered to my face for the rest of the day.
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#7
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Yep, it's pretty sweet to make it all sing. Of course, that all comes crashing down the moment it starts making a noise you can't find.
#8
Senior Member
You could say the silence of a well tuned bike is music to my ears!
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#9
Method to My Madness
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Last edited by SoSmellyAir; 08-22-21 at 07:34 PM.
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#10
Advocatus Diaboli
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Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
And the sign flashed out its warning
I braked really hard and let out verbose scorning
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
And the sign flashed out its warning
I braked really hard and let out verbose scorning
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#11
On Your Left
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Location: Long Island, New York, USA
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I've been on a bit of a bicycle tune up tear. I've learned how to change cables, grip tape, use grease judiciously, use fiber grip, build and true wheels, adjust shifters, install and align derailleur hanger... basically the works.
The last few rides on my bike (including a long one today) I was just amazed at how nice the bike is riding and how much more enjoyable and quite it is.
life is good
The last few rides on my bike (including a long one today) I was just amazed at how nice the bike is riding and how much more enjoyable and quite it is.
life is good
In the past 3 weeks i've replaced my tires when the wear dimples were worn away. Replaced my chain when the Park tool showed it worn past the .5 mark. Changed my cassette when after 28,000 miles it was skipping in the 4th cog (the one i ride in the most). Replaced my pedals after the carbon leaf spring snapped. Replaced my cleats when they were clicking in the new pedals. And replaced the heal pads on my shoes
It rides like a new bike.
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#12
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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I spent an hour or so last evening on a 1982 Lotus Classique I'd gotten a month or so ago. It was in fantastic condition when I got it, basically ridden very little in it's 40 year life and stored inside all that time. I tore it down, and rebuilt it, but I was never really satisfied with it. The drivetrain was loud, the shifting was lousy - every gear required overshifting and backing off, and the jumps between the cogs on the 13-32 6-speed cassette were too big.
I wanted to give it a fair chance, so I went through it again. Tightened ONE spoke on the rear wheel that was causing brake rub. Tightened the cones on the rear hub as well. Re-centered the brakes, and adjusted the cable tension. Remembered I had a spare wheel with a 13-26 Uniglide cassette, AND I'd gotten a new SRAM 8-speed chain. So I put those two bits on, cutting the chain a little shorter to match the smaller largest cog. Adjusted the limit screws. The drivetrain is damn near silent now. The shifting is also almost silent and instantaneous, and no longer requires overshifting.
I took the bike out for a planned 30 miles that expanded into 45 because the bike just felt SO MUCH BETTER! It's my slowest bike, but it was a joy to ride! It's really amazing what a bit of care and attention can do.
I wanted to give it a fair chance, so I went through it again. Tightened ONE spoke on the rear wheel that was causing brake rub. Tightened the cones on the rear hub as well. Re-centered the brakes, and adjusted the cable tension. Remembered I had a spare wheel with a 13-26 Uniglide cassette, AND I'd gotten a new SRAM 8-speed chain. So I put those two bits on, cutting the chain a little shorter to match the smaller largest cog. Adjusted the limit screws. The drivetrain is damn near silent now. The shifting is also almost silent and instantaneous, and no longer requires overshifting.
I took the bike out for a planned 30 miles that expanded into 45 because the bike just felt SO MUCH BETTER! It's my slowest bike, but it was a joy to ride! It's really amazing what a bit of care and attention can do.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#13
Method to My Madness
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#15
Senior Member
It's nice when you buy a new bike and finally get it perfectly tuned and have every tick and squeak and rattle tracked down and eliminated.
#17
On Your Left
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I work on vintage Volkswagens as a hobby and when i'm asked "what is the best upgrade", i tell them to tune up the engine, grease the suspension and use the correct tire pressure.
Agreed, a well tuned machine brings more smiles.
Agreed, a well tuned machine brings more smiles.
#19
Method to My Madness
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OK, I am going to stop my middle age rant now.
#20
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so true! i had my chain, rotors, pads replaced, RD adjusted, etc. rode it directly out of the shop on a 40 miler, nabbed a bunch of PRs and put down more
power than i ever had for that duration. of course it’s mostly mental, but still. feels so good
power than i ever had for that duration. of course it’s mostly mental, but still. feels so good
#21
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
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Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
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At least "kids these days" never leave the house, so we don't have to tell them to get off our lawns.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#22
Newbie
No kidding! Just last weekend I replaced my tires, bumping from 25mm GP 5000's to 32mm GP 5000's and new tubes. Then I cleaned the chain, cassette, cog - looked much better. Finished it up with lubing the chain and it was just perfect! Rode 101 miles the next day for a charity event. It was shifting perfectly, and with the new tires, it was just ridiculously comfortable. I couldn't believe the difference. This is on a 2019 Trek Domane SL5.
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#23
Banned
Good to hear.
#24
longtime noob
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Denver, CO
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Bikes: 2018 Trek Domane SL 6 // 1999 Trek 5000 // Burley Encore X
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On top of the obvious benefits of a well-maintained bike... I get even more out of the act of maintenance itself. I find everything from fine-tuning a derailleur to installing new disk brake pads to scrubbing a dirty chain exceptionally therapeutic.
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#25
Junior Member
When I got back into cycling about 7 years ago, I decided to learn tuning skills. I bought a Park stand and Park Advanced Bike Tool kit to get me started. It is very gratifying to be able to do your own work although adjusting a front derailleur on a triple crankset almost broke my spirit. It was a Scattante and is long since gone....
I now have a CAAD 13 with hydraulic disc brakes so I have a whole new set of skills to learn.
I now have a CAAD 13 with hydraulic disc brakes so I have a whole new set of skills to learn.
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