FW: [Gear and Tech Corner] "Unusual" things that'll keep you riding.
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Malachy OConnor
FYI
From: mailer@... <mailer@...> On Behalf Of Gear and Tech Corner
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2022 3:18 PM To: malachyo@... Subject: [Gear and Tech Corner] "Unusual" things that'll keep you riding.
Last Thursday our ride was halted for about 1/2 hour because a fellow HBCer broke his 9 speed chain. No one had what it took to get him going: either a 9 speed quick link or a 9 speed pin. In fact, this was the third chain break I've seen in the last 6 months.
Which got me thinking....
There are certain things I usually carry with me for the inevitable repairs that have come my way as a cyclist. I won't mention the obvious stuff but there are some less obvious items that don't take up much space or weight and they, therefore, are well worth bringing.
A Connex-Wippermann quick link specific to your chain "speed" will be able to get you going without the use of a tool. Your hand and fingers will be enough to put attach it to your chain. Just make sure to place it on the lower part of the chain and that the Wippermann "face" makes a frown from your perspective, NOT a smile. And, if you're feeling generous, bring some cheaper, non Connex-Wippermann links for your fellow travelers, if you don't mind giving them away (they can be installed without a tool but they're hard to take off unless you have the tool). Or bring a couple of chain pins specific to the speed of your and your fellow cyclist's chains (put them in a small, labelled bag). Needless to say, bringing a chain tool is absolutely imperative for installing pins and removing the bad or damaged link from your chain prior to the repair.
Another thing that, though not absolutely necessary, will absolutely make your chain repair MUCH easier is a stainless steel bicycle chain hook. This tiny tool will hold your chain together while you repair the broken link. It's a thin, needle like piece of stainless steel with a "U" shape on either end. You use the "U" to hold the two sides of the open chain together against the derailleur tension.
Another item, though one may argue its worth, is a rear derailleur hanger. Like I stated, small and light. It's up to you but, heck, if you get your derailleur caught in something while riding your hanger may suffer. This is most important if you're using your bicycle in a remote or foreign area but, well, think how cool you'd look if you had to use it and did so in front of your fellow club riders! ;)
For those with removable tire presta valve stems, bring a couple on the ride. This is especially true for cyclists with tubeless tires as their valves are removable. Make sure to bring a tire valve removing tool (mine is also acts as a valve cover.
I was going to go and take a look at what other goodies I have in my cycling seat bag but, this is long enough, so it'll have to do. Maybe you have some ideas of what extra small and light weight items should be added.
C'yall,
Harvey Miller |
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Gerry Widen
I actually had a quick link set in my bag. However it was for a 10 speed chain and would have most likely worked on an 11 speed ( I have both chains between my 2 road bikes). I also had a chain tool to take off a damaged pin and side plate from Bill’s chain before the thought of any chance of repair. However the pin on the 10 speed isn’t wide enough for the wider 9 speed. Although if I was at home without frozen hands, my back killing me from bending over for 25 minutes I probably could have made it work. Harvey had a chain hook to hold the chain together but was if no use because of the other problems.
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Agreed everyone should have a quick link set with them on all rides for their specific chain as they are very inexpensive and can be gotten from Amazon the next day from the comfort of your living room. Gerry On Feb 19, 2022, at 6:59 PM, Malachy OConnor <malachyo@...> wrote:
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