Hi,
My thanks to those who suggested I change over to an easier geared cassette
to replace my 12-23. I needed a new chain and cassette due to wear, so
I've made the ratio change.
On Friday the new chain and 13-26 cassette arrived from Dean Woods Direct.
Shiny! I had forgotten that new cassettes are so bright. The Wippermann
Connex 804 chain with nickel coated outer plates, was shinier than my worn
old steel KMC chain, too. Hey, don't laugh, we're talking low budget road
gear here.
Changing the cassette over was a breeze, even using my cheap bike tools. I
had expected some drama, but no. My only concern was that I had no idea
how much to tighten up the new cassette. But it's on and nothing seems too
broken.
Toyed with the idea of re-greasing the rear bearings while the cassette was
off, but ducked that job because I was too eager to finish. Took off the
old worn chain, using my chainbreaker for the first time. Hey presto, it
worked. I'm glad I wasn't trying to keep the pins in the chain plates,
though, and just popped them completely out. Wiped off the excess of super
thick grease on the new chain. Cleaned the chain rings and derailleur
cogs, re-lubed the derailleur, then threaded the new chain. Whoops, forgot
to put it through the front derailleur cage. Ah, now did it go over or
under the chainstay? Finally, the new chain is ready to be joined. In a
few seconds I'll be test riding this, hey? NO.
The 804 chain didn't have the same apparently-easy-to-use joining link as
described everywhere for Wippermann Connex chains. Yes, the first pin was
easy to get on the slotted plate, and it easily slid to the other end of
the slotted plate as it was meant to. Unfortunately, the technique to
secure the second pin on the Wippermann joiner was beyond me. Therefore
the chain is now proudly held together by a KMC joiner link, newly obtained
from the LBS. Incidentally, I thought it would require an extra link for
the larger gears, but it turned out that the same number of links was best.
Now for a random digression. (What did you expect?) While walking to the
bike shop, I was passed by three young teenagers on MTBs. The first two of
the mates swerved around either side of me, and the last of the trio sped
past and did a bunny-hop. Yahoo! I smiled and wondered whether they would
grow up to be future Robbie McEwens, or just aggressive car drivers. My
heart says 'future cyclists' but ....
By coincidence, on the way back from my walk to the LBS, the same trio were
ahead doodling half way across a 50 km/hr dual carriage-way road with a
grassed median strip, wanting to pull into the far side street where they
had earlier passed me. A car passed by me, and didn't slow down as it
closed in on the boys. I winced as I expected a horrible crunch. (A white
cross representing a motorcyclist is still being tended on the grass at
this intersection.) Thank goodness for one of the boy's bike-handling
skills, as he managed a quick off-balance turn to double back within the
last couple of metres of the car's approaching. Much too close to a
catastrophe. I wonder why the motorist didn't at least slacken off speed
when the kid was so obviously in a risky position?
Back to the now-renewed bike, my first 'round-the-block' impression is that
the difference between 12-23 and 13-26 on the back is subtle but
noticeable. While trying it up a local hill, I didn't seem to be going
much slower than usual but the knees felt better. Gear shifting was fine
and nothing fell off, which is is always a good sign. :-)
And many thanks again to those who provided helpful advice!
Cheers,
Vince