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91
Transmission / Re: Do More Expensive Chains Last Longer?
« Last post by Andre Jute on March 06, 2024, 07:40:23 pm »
Generally speaking it is difficult to tell anecdotally whether expensive chains give higher mileages than cheap chains. There are too many variables. For a start, you used to get twice the mileage from chains on a derailleur bike than I used to get, so I assume you aren't a masher like me. You can probably enumerate all the other factors yourself.

The biggest influence is chain cleanliness. Grinding paste is just oil and dirt. That's why the Chainglider gives most people a big step up in chain mileage -- the Chainglider just about tripled my mileage in an experiment on never cleaning the chain and adding no lube for its entire life. Others reported similar experiences with the Chainglider.

Experiments with KMC's most expensive chains haven't had results nearly that clearcut.

I use the KMC X8 derailleur chain on my Rohloff, mainly because it is cheaper than the equivalent single speed KMC Z-whatever when bought a half-dozen at a time from the late lamented Belfast internet dealer who gave me free carriage to where I live in West Cork.

KMC is a good recommendation because they have excellent R&D, the more expensive the chain, the greater the number of special processes on it. Their factory lube is also widely considered the best.

I were you, I'd spend the money for a Chainglider and a midrange KMC chain, and run the combo on the factory lube for the entire life of the chain. Even if it takes a long time to recover the investment because you'll need a new sprocket and chainring  to suit the Chainglider, it'll be worth it in zero bother with cleaning and adjustment.
92
Member's Gallery / Re: Nomad Mk3 - Red
« Last post by redjumper on March 06, 2024, 06:04:13 pm »
So. The nomad didnt work out. But I got hold of a nice audax mk3 on ebay.

The seatpost is stuck and its been roughed about a fair bit in its past but I am starting to make it mine..slowly.

Levers are Athena 11 speed. Running a Shimano 10 speed set up.

I love campagnolo's hood shape and fit my hands better than shimano. I wanted to run a sub compact chainset 46/33 so I think Campagnolo's front mech options are limited. Obviously there's loads for shimano so stuck one on there. Works fine. I dont think Campag has plans for their stuff to be run retro-ly so all 10-9-8 speed stuff should work well with their levers.

I am getting some wheels build - SON delux on ADHN rims - silver of course. Shimano deore rear hub is silent freewheel which I love so going with that. Pillar spokes.

Aim is to use it as an everyday commuter, audax'er and Lost Lanes Explorer. Those rides I have got really into! More that typre of cycling I think. 20-30 mile loops with pub stops, smelling the flower stops, flapjack stops.. etc..

Slow progress but I'll share when I can.
93

I bought this bike off a chap last year, unfortunately an ongoing knee problem means I'm not going on the planned Norway cycle tour this summer. So selling to free up space.

This is the original advert

Description

Thorn Raven Tour size 600L with Black 14 speed 500/14 Rohloff hub

To suit people around 6 foot . Height of top tube is 33- 34"

A good condition expedition long distance touring bike.

This is the ideal bike for what ever you want to do. Tour. Commute. Shopping. Go round the world without hassle.

No derailleur - so no crunching of gears up and down hills.

Change gears quick and easily. No hassle. It's done Lands End to John O'Groats, and Croatia

Shimano deore V brakes front and rear. Mudguards

Expedition rear rack.

26" wheels with Andra ceramic rims

Schwalbe Marathon HS420 puncture proof tyres - will need replacing before you set off on your trip

Hope front hub

Ergonomic grips.

Rear hub oil has been recently changed.
Also includes.

Rohloff cleaning oil 250ml

Rolhoff all season oil 250m

Syringe x 3 and Allen keys for nipples

Complete spare gear cable assembly

New chain.

Spare Rohloff hub nipples

Collection only from Jedburgh.

Could meet in Edinburgh if your catching the train to buy it from down south.

I'd like £1100 for it.

Please email

 paulrobertson101@outlook.com for more photos and details.

Many thanks!!
94
Transmission / Re: Do More Expensive Chains Last Longer?
« Last post by chipbury on March 06, 2024, 06:50:31 am »
Thanks for the above replies.

I will definitely go down the route of a cheaper chain (as I used to on derailleur bikes).

As for the wear limit, I think I'll run out of adjustment on the bottom bracket when I get towards 1.0%, so that will be a natural time to change when it starts getting slack.

Cheers,

Chris
95
Transmission / Re: Do More Expensive Chains Last Longer?
« Last post by mickeg on March 05, 2024, 10:09:39 pm »
I am quite happy with the cheaper chains.  I have mostly used the KMC Z series chains.  But, I read somewhere that the KMC X series chains should last longer.  I have no idea if they do, but I bought some X series chains that I have not used yet.  At the time I bought the X series chains, I could get them for very little extra cost.

The Z and the X use different quick links, I think the pins have different lengths.  So, if you switch, be careful that you use the right links.

I run my Rohloff chains well beyond the 1 percent elongation point on a Rohloff bike.  It wears my sprocket more, but it is not like a cassette where the chain starts skipping over the teeth.

Derailleur bikes, there I change the chains at 0.75 percent, the cassettes last longer that way.

Since you have a really big chainring and sprocket, you should get less wear than if they were smaller.  I think the chain experts refer to that as less articulation angle, also there is less tension on your chain as you pedal when your chainring has a larger radius.  So, if you get unusually good chain life, that might have something to do with it.

I no longer use the cheap chain checkers, I got the Pedros one that Zinn described.
https://velo.outsideonline.com/gear/measuring-chain-wear-accurately/

Park makes a similar checker, they describe how to use it here, at 1:00 in the video he shows that he is squeezing the chain between two hooks, that is the key to why this does a better measurement.  That video also describes how the Pedros one works, they are the same concept.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOaFF_4CqJg

But the Pedros and Park ones do not measure at 1.0 percent, so I guess for my Rohloff chain.

96
Transmission / Re: Do More Expensive Chains Last Longer?
« Last post by JohnR on March 05, 2024, 06:12:35 pm »
KMC Z1 narrow chains are very affordable (eg https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/kmc_z1_narrow_brown_122l_single_speed_chain-ID_87470) so currently I replace the chain at the end of each winter (when it is most filthy) irrespective of miles. More expensive chains tend to be either lighter or have anti-rust coatings. A chain for a hub gear bike with a good chainline isn't subjected to the lateral bending inflicted by a derailleur system and is thus less prone to wear so more miles can be expected.

If you want more miles and a cleaner chain then fit a Hebie Chainglider https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/chainsets/38t-hebie-chainglider-chainguard-front-black/ + https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/chainsets/hebie-chainglider-chainguard-for-rohloff-1517t-rear-black/. However, you would need to change the chainring and sprocket to suit Hebie's standard sizes (40/17 would give similar gearing to 45/19 and also note you would need a chainring no thicker than 3mm). I'll leave it to others to report the miles per chain that they have achieved with the help of a Chainglider.
97
Transmission / Do More Expensive Chains Last Longer?
« Last post by chipbury on March 05, 2024, 04:40:52 pm »
Afternoon All,

I know you like a discussion on here so...

My setup is Rohloff with 45T chainring /19T sprocket.

Today I've adjusted the eccentric bottom bracket as the chain was getting very loose, when I rotated the bracket there was enough slack in the chain for the bottom bracket to rotate through fully tight back to slack.
As the chain needs a certain amount of slack i'm not at the end of travel yet.  Using a 2 point Park chain gauge I am at about 0.75% wear on the chain.
So maybe I only have one more re-tighten left before I need a new chain?

As such what are peoples thoughts on buying the cheapest 1/2" x 3/32" chain as opposed to a high end expensive one?

My current chain/chainring/sprocket is the original since new all at @ 4250miles.  On previous derailleur bikes I got an average of about 2000miles on a chain (due in part to towpath conditions and my lazyness on cleaning the bike) regardless of chain quality.

Cheers,

Chris
98
Lighting and Electronics / Re: Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2 GPS Bike Computer
« Last post by in4 on March 04, 2024, 11:38:07 am »
Perhaps creating routes via other apps might be worth exploring. I’ve created routes using Komoot and uploaded them to my Garmin quite easily. You’ll probably be able to do something similar with your Wahoo. My limited experience inclines me to think that some of the ‘suggested’ routes created are not always suitable for your riding style ie touring, road, training. For example a route I created for touring ( in Komoot) whilst in Portugal turned out to be quite nuts and wholly impractical; riding down 15thC cobbled and descending cart tracks besides an impressive castle. On a MTB fun, but on a loaded tourer, no.

Im sure you’ll find your Wahoo very helpful. A bit of real world common sense is very helpful too.
My better half will also confirm that, as for me, your grasp of ancient language both profound and highly indelicate will improve immeasurably 😉
99
Lighting and Electronics / Re: Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2 GPS Bike Computer
« Last post by Matt2matt2002 on March 04, 2024, 09:33:47 am »
One of my “parting gifts” when I retired was a gift card to a local bike store. Like you, I was deciding whether or not to take the plunge on a dedicated GPS for touring. I decided to see how I got on with just my phone during my tour in Japan.

 Like Matt, my iPhone was not a happy camper in the heat. Not only would the battery be in need of charging by lunch even when using Google Maps sparingly, but, the thermal limiter in the phone would prevent charging. I decided to take the plunge on a GPS, once the price was right.

 I hung on to that gift card until the Boxing Day sales, and picked up a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2.
I’m really not much good with tech gadgets, and only have used it so far for recording day rides. I’ll start cramming before I leave for Japan ( 5 weeks to go!), so, if you and Matt can wait until I return, I’ll be able to give you my thoughts.

 Two things I noticed in the first week;
 The screen is small. Compared to my iPhone 12 the screen is about half the width and a third the height. There’s not much map showing. I’m OK with this because I would rather enjoy the scenery and just get a cue for turns. I see you are pondering the slightly larger Roam, which will be bigger, but still a lot smaller than a phone.
 Wahoo advertised the “updated” USB-C charging on the V2. This is misleading. The plug on the unit is USB-C, but, the only cord I have found to work is the USB to USB-C cord supplied with the unit. None of my USB-C to USB-C cords will charge the unit. In my view this is not an improvement. Most other rechargeable devices I will bring with me charge via Micro USB. Now I need yet another cord just for the GPS. Perhaps Wahoo will receive enough complaints to truly update this before you take the plunge.

 Matt asked if you can upload a GPX route for different countries. When I figure out the process of importing files to the Wahoo, I’ll let you know. My tech savvy daughter will be visiting in two weeks. She can help the old man out. The Wahoo app has worldwide maps, so I’m thinking it’s not a problem. Oddly enough, my purchased in Canada unit came pre loaded with USA and Europe, but not Canada! Adding Canada and Japan was an easy job on the app, even for me.

 I’ll try to remember to give a quick update during my trip, after I get more proficient at its use, with a more in depth update on my return.

Many thanks. Your trip sounds fun. A second time there? Will you be keeping an on-line blog?
Looking forward to hearing form you again.
Matt
100
Non-Thorn Related / Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus
« Last post by martinf on March 04, 2024, 07:20:16 am »
I decided to try out a set of Continental top contact IIs. I found them to be somewhere between the compass tires and the Supremes in both rolling resistance and comfort.


These look to be an excellent replacement for Supremes, especially if their rolling resistance in real use is actually lower.

This isn't the case according to the tests in this link, but they are laboratory tests and don't use the 26" x 50 mm size, so they may not reflect conditions in real use:

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews

In the 26" x 50 mm size, Continental top contact II is a bit heavier than the Continental Contact Urban Wire Bead at 735g rather than 559g. More expensive as well, but judging by the specifications probably tougher and more puncture resistant.


They are worth a consideration to replace your Marathons as I think the Supremes are no longer available in 26in

Not seen Supremes available recently, even as old stock.
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