For the last few montihs ii've been riding either single speed or fixed wheel bikes. It feels like ages since i've ridden a geared bike. Today I set about putting the gears back on the MTB.
First off was put all the sprockets on the chainset and fit a nice new gold bottom bracket. It's the first time in 6 months I've had a bottom bracket on the MTB that actually spins freely!
My first problem was my new granny ring didn't fit over this new bottom bracket. So it was a case of driving all the way back to the shop to change it.
With a new granny ring fitted I pushed the chainset into place and watched in horror as the bearings from my new bottom bracket fell out (No they wern't mean to). Then I tried to tighten the little plastic screw thingy-me-bob that pre-loads the bearings only for that to snap. Three hours later I finally had my chainset fitted. 
I fitted my new rear mech hanger, put my mechs on and a new set of cables. My gears now almost indexed. Time to take it for a test ride!
I fitted my new rear mech hanger, put my mechs on and a new set of cables. My gears now almost indexed. Time to take it for a test ride! 
I jumped on and started to pedal up the road in a low gear. It felt really odd to be turning the pedals but going nowhere fast. I flicked up the gears until I found a gear that I was more comfortable with. I was horrified to realise this more comfortable gear just happened to be the same gear I used for single speeding!
Having gears is going to take some getting used to, I keep forgeting I can change gear. I seem to keep ending up in the same ratio I used for single speeding and then leaving it in that gear. I've got to re-train myself to change down and spin up hills!
9 comments:
And there was me thinking I should try out a fixie/single speed to improve my cadence...
John: Single speeding has turned me into a bit of a grinder. Fixed on the other hand forces you to spin like a mad man down the hills, (which is probably why I don't like going downhill fixed.)
that looks like a nice and shiny new bb ;) should last too
Kate: I broke the last one in just two rides. This one was expensive so it had better last at least at least three rides.
I think I prefer the older square taper design for MTBing!
I would love a fixie sometimes and given that where i live is flat I could choose either a grinding gear or a spinning gear.......The whole never get to rest thing would make you a lot fitter. I know 20 minutes at the track riding around is very tiring......compared to 20 minutes on the road in a bunch
Buttsy: I've not tried a fixed gear MTB yet, and to be honest i'm in no rush to. I end up making funny squealling noices riding the fixie on the road. I naturally want to stop pedalling when I bounce through a pot hole or put the brakes on hard.
Shame it all fell bits last nite :-)
Anom: I'm rather glad I drove out. I very nearly rode out.
Anom: Most annoyingly it was the bit I paid to have fitted that fell off!
As my cranks were still making odd noices with this new bottom bracket and I couldn't pre tension my cranks correctly I paid for the bottom bracket to be faced /and the cranks to be fitted. The cranks fell off first ride!
Post a Comment