Troubleshoot and Park Tool's Blog

Since I bought my 2010 Marin Muirwoods 29er from Craigslist in the beginning of January of this year (2012), it has been my daily commuter ever since, and sometimes my weekend recreational ride.  As a side note, many considered this type of bike not exactly 29er due to the stock tire width of 1.6 in. versus 2.0+ in. on a regular 29er.  Some say the chromoly frame of this bike is too heavy, but it's just about right to me.  The settle matte black is stylish and low-profile at the same time, just how I like it. True, the components are entry-level: Alivio 3/8-spd shifters, Truvativ X-Flow 3.0 (triple) crank, Deore rear derailleur, Alivio front derailleur, Hayes MX-4 FR brakes, etc.  This is the right setup for this type of bike.  Everything had been problem-free and silent during the first month, but as time passed, it started to get louder, and components began to fail one by one.  Shifting is inaccurate, gear skips, chain refuses to move down to the smallest cog, chain won't shift to the largest chainring, and rear disc brake squeals.  I hope I am not overworking the bike.  As I am writing this entry, the Muirwoods is taking a short break in the ICU department.

Although I bought the Marin used, but it wasn't messed up like it is now when I first got it.  Apparently, during the heavy rainy season from February to April, parking outdoor and biking in the rain makes it the progressively worse.  Initially, the front derailleur doesn't move to the correct position, then the rear gradually became a problem.  When a bicycle transmission went wrong, there could be many variables involved those could be causing the problem.  It could be the derailleurs, the chain, the cable, cable tension, derailleur adjustment, shifter, inadequate lubrication, worn-out gear(s), incorrect chainline, etc.

Because the chain won't go down to the smallest cog, I went with the conventional wisdom that adjusting the high limit screw of the rear derailleur and aligning pulley with the smallest cog would solve the problem, but I was wrong.  The position of the pulley did changed a bit, but it still starts from and align with the second smallest cog, (second highest gear), no matter which way I turn it won't go down to the highest gear.  Then I thought, the poor shifting might be the result of cable stretch, so I increased the tension by adjusting the barrel, but I still got the same result meaning attempt failed.  Then I decided to be spontaneous and started loosening the tension by turning the barrel the other way.  It works!  Well sorta.  The chain did move to the lowest cog, but it makes this really annoying rubbing noise, and when I was shift to third it skips to the four gear.  Upon inspecting the shifting, I noticed there's a stiff chain.  The stiff chain could be caused by inaccurate shifting making chain stuck either between the wheel and the cassette or the frame and the cassette.  I tried loosening the stiffness by bending it sideway, but it didn't seem to work.  I haven't try to further lubing it, but if that doesn't work, I might have to replace the chain.  Fingers crossed.

I did tried to look for further solutions as well as find answer to the disc brake squeals.  Aside bikeforum.net, I came across videos from Park Tool's Blog, which I find very helpful.  Usually, an instructional video clip provides a what-it-seems-to-be-the-most-effective method to troubleshoot a particular problem.   Not that I find anything wrong with that, but Park Tool's blog is different.  The video shows you multiple trial and error approaches to resolve a problem.  Those approaches may not give you a total relieve, but I find them quite realistic.  Of course, being working for Park Tool would mean you get endless of bicycle tools and other accessories/components to test and see if something works or not; for instance, one of the demonstrators use different chains to test if it's the cogs or the chains' problem.  However, most of the stuff shown is really practical, and they can be done by someone like you and me.

If you have the curiosity and patience to watch and learn, please see the links below:

Calvin's Corner, Reconditioning Older Bikes: http://www.parktool.com/blog/calvins-corner/reconditioning-older-bikes
Calvin's Corner, Disc Brake Squeal, Case Study: http://www.parktool.com/blog/calvins-corner/disc-brake-squeal
Park Tool Company Channel on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/parktoolcompany

There's actually more blogs, tutorials, and videos on Park Tool's official website.  Enjoy!

Bargains Section

If you haven't noticed, I just started an "Up For Sale" section below the post section listing all the recent sales items and deals.  Hopefully, it's something that you might also be interested in and find them useful.  If you also have similar tweets, let me know.  I'll be happy to be your follower.

Bike Trails in SF East Bay

Below are some of the car-free trails I really enjoyed in the East Bay. 

1.  Iron Horse Trail (24.0 mi., from Dublin/Pleasanton Bart Station (final stop), to Concord)

Although, there are quite a few crossroads along the way requiring you to stop, this 24.0 mi of flat and effortless path is one of the most enjoyable.  The start point of this trail literally begins from the Bart Station.  I never did a round trip from Dublin/Pleasanton Bart Station to Concord then back since it took a considerable amount of time to complete one way for me, at least.  

Source, for more information, map in PDF format: www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/iron_horse

With the every-beginning-has-an-end attitude, our journey begins.

My favorite part of the trail.

Concord! Finally!

2.  Alameda Creek Regional Trail (~11 mi. from Mission Blvd., Fremont to SF Bay)

Not as long and interesting as Iron Horse, but no stop sign, no red light, no intersection, meaning you can bike, bike, and bike some more without leaving your saddle for hours.  Biking in Alameda Creek sometimes makes me wonder where the hell I am?  It doesn't look like the densely populated Bay Area I've always live in.

 I usually get off at Union City Bart Station and enter the middle of the trail from Decoto Road.  Not until recently, I realized it's better to get off at Fremont Bart Station and enter from Mission Blvd, so I can start from nearly the beginning of the trail and heads toward the SF Bay.  Please see the map below.

Source, download map in PDF format, and for more info: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/alameda_creek

3.  Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail (~7.7 mi, EBMUD Valle Vista Staging Area to the intersection of Olympic Blvd. and Pleasant Hill Rd.)

The Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail is somewhat similar to Iron Horse Trail, multiple crossroads preventing you to bike continuously.  I must say the neighborhoods in Lafayette-Moraga are more upscale than the already-very-nice San Ramon, Alamo, and Danville area along Iron Horse Trail.  However, 7.7 miles trail is long enough compared to the above two trails.  Although it's still effortless, terrain is little more challenging especially between the Moraga Park Common and Lafayette Community Park.

Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail in the SF Bay Area, (source: map.google.com)

A closer view of the trail, (source: map.google.com)

I usually park my car in Valle Vista Staging Area, unload my bike, and start from there.  I can also start from the the other end, Olympic Blvd., if I decided not to drive and take the BART to Lafayette BART Station.  Never tried taking BART and bike to the trail before, maybe it's kinda far from the starting point, or maybe not; I dunno.  I think I should try it next time.

Charge Mixer Alfine 11 - First Impression and Review

I talked about my dream perfect Alfine 11 bike awhile ago, and one of the best three bikes is a Charge Mixer.  I did get a chance to see it in person in Performance Bike in San Francisco, but never did a test ride. Well, Bikerumor has it.  First impression as well as long term test, something you wouldn't want to miss.

Source: www.bikerumors.com

 

Not a Rumor Anymore: 2012 Origin-8 Frames, Specifically CX700

You can find the listing: http://compare.ebay.com/like/380439788576?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Source: http://www.origin-8.com/

The 2012 black cx700 is here.  Need I say more?  Well...

I just bought a used 2011 cx700, but seeing how much the new ones are right now, I have no regret yet.  I may change the way I think, or even get paranoid, if the price drops substantially, but now I am going to keep my cool.

@ $379.96 + shipping (~$42.00 for me only), the current one is more than twice the price of the previous year, and the price tag is very close, if not the same, as Soma Fabrication's black Double Cross, which both Double Cross and CX700 are cross frames with both canti bosses/disc brake tabs.

Latest Update (May 22, 2012):

$269.98 (shipping not included) is getting closer to the equilibrium price as far as law of demand and supply goes.  

Updated Pics, Brooks B17 Narrow, Origin 8 Propulsion Track Pedals, B&M Lumotec IQ

I decided to replace the Avenir saddle with the Brooks B17 Narrow.  I got the B17 narrow used on Craigslist for $50, which I thought was a good deal in nearly new condition.  I liked the feel of the narrow version better than the regular B17.

I do like the look of the Origin8 Track pedals (same as Wellgo WR-1).   If you are not careful, they can give you a pretty bad scratch on the back of your lower leg, which is what happened to me and my friend who borrowed my bike for a day.   I am going to leave these pedals on this bike, but I wouldn't buy another set because the Origin-8 pedals are too dangerous even for casual cycling.  These pedals also resembles the appearance of the pricier MKS Touring Lite pedals, which I also own but haven't install them yet.  Fingers crossed, hope the design of the MKS is more forgiving.

Left: MKS Touring Lite Pedals; Right: Origin-8 Propulsion Track Pedals

I finally get a chance to use the B&M Lumotec IQ at night (40 lux).  First impression... WOW!   Much brighter than I expected.  This headlight is more than adequate for my need.  I should post some pics to show how bright it is when I have time, but for now, please check out the pics below.

Done!

It's done!  I have another confession to make.  I ran out of patience.  I want to ride.  So I brought it to Pioneeer Bike Shop in Oakland, and let Edmund (the expert) worry about the technical stuff.  As always, he did a great job.  I didn't put the Brooks on because I wear jeans most of the time and it's just going to damage the leather seat.  The Avenir saddle I got from REI works perfectly for my 30-miles test ride in Iron Horse Trail from Pleasanton to Concord.   Here's a peek of my Soma Juice Alfine 29er: