Deore wheels.

Light snow, 2°C, North wind 12,
You have to trust your wheels. The rim years the most and that’s where failure is most likely. The braking surface becomes thin with years of braking. Once thin, the surface can fracture- I know, the happened before. The tyre pressure exerts a strong force outwards, so breakage most often happens just after inflation.
What I really don’t want to have, it a failure 20 miles from home, in the dark. Nightmare.

image

The idea that led me into the bike shop was to replace the rim and have a re-build. The old hub gap been rebuilt half a dozen times, had several axles and free-hubs. So I came out with a new pair of wheels. Confidence. Shimano still make the same hub with the same bearings as the old STX hubs I bought in the 90s.

2012 summary

7°C, clear, cold wind from sea.

Cycling: ~4,409 miles.

  • Kona fixed gear– 984 miles,
  • Arrow 16 speed (Shimano)-2,220 miles.
  • Racelite 16 (campy)- 1,225 miles.

Fewer miles than I hoped for due to several problems-

  • more rain than usual,
  • more hiking,
  • work related stress much higher than normal.
  • Some loss of determination (related to the above),
  • Winter ice cost a few hundred too,

I want to clear 5,000 miles in 2013 (by as much as a thousand miles to make up for 2012). To this end, the summer bike needs a good overhaul to avoid mechanical problems and ensure that it’s more fun to ride.
This point generates another list for January-

  • Rebuild wheels,
  • New headset
  • New pedals.

Not too much cost, but quite a long turn-around while it’s away at the Campagnolo service center. No need to ride it until March though.

It wasn’t supposed to take this long

A Shimano Dura-Ace freehub style hub

A Shimano freehub hub (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

10°C, heavy showers & sun

Nearly four hours fixing the bike. Changed the rear wheel bearing cones (and balls); new chain and new freehub. The rear axle still runs with a sticky spot- perhaps the axle itself is bent slightly. It’s not visible, but it doesn’t have to be. I have ordered a new one, but for now it’s better than it was.

I’m waiting for a dark shower to pass so the dogs can have their day’s long walk.
Meanwhile, read this, it has no relevance to bikes: earthangel  and TES.