Saturday, May 28, 2005

The Price of Technology...Please Pay at the Register!

One of my current pet peeves is the proliferation of cogs on today's cassettes. This all being done in a space originally designed for six cogs. Now we have TEN! Thinner cogs +thinner chains = faster wearing parts. Not good when I see customers at the shop blowing through $100.00 Ultegra cassettes, and $30.00 Dura Ace chains in way less than a thosand miles. It was only a matter of time in my mind before we would start to see Companies start covering their hind ends with some tech bulletin, or other to warn customers that they need to be prepared to shell out big bucks on their drivetrains mounted to their brand new bikes BEFORE the first season of ownership is even over!!!

Well, here it is! This from Airbourne's e-newsletter. Don't forget to read between the lines! (The following text from Airbourne e-newsletter)...........


Keeping your drive train happy One of the best ways to keep a drive train efficient and happy is to always run a clean chain. Not only will this increase efficiency and allow for smoother shifting, it will save you money in the long run. A dirty chain with a ton of grit on it will literally grind the teeth and valleys on your cassette and chain rings down leading to slow and inaccurate shifting. And you don't want that, as will make for an unhappy rider. Sure you can always use those fancy chain washers and solvents to clean your chain while it's on the frame, but it's just not the same as pulling the chain off and giving it a good wash. So go out and grab your self a screw type chain tool CT-3 from Park Tool or go with a Sram chain with one of those cool Power Links. Then take one of your nasty old water bottles, fill it with a environmentally friendly degreaser, drop your dirty chain it, and close it tight. Let the bottle sit overnight, empty it out, pull the chain out, and wipe it off. Then refill the bottle again with degreaser, drop the chain back in and shake for three to five minutes. Empty out the bottle, pull out your nice clean chain, wipe dry, and apply your favorite lube. Another good addition to this process is to buy a second chain so that you can always have a clean chain ready to throw onto the bike. While one chain is on the bike doing its job, you will always have another clean chain in your quiver ready for when you need. Less down time for the bike, more ride time for you. Happy drive train, happy rider.

...................and a sad pocketbook!(my words, again) So, what do you all think of that? Sound off, if your willing.

1 comment:

Jeff Kerkove said...

What? You mean to tell me if I spend over $200 on a bike I have to do maintainence on the damn thing? Shit, I should have went to Wal-Mart where I can just buy the thing...ride it...then toss in the trash...then repeat as needed.

I am tired.