so i picked up a chain on thursday last week and installed it on saturday afternoon. being the worst mechanic in the world i basically just threw the chain on and road down the drive up the hill a bit then back home. the gears were dodgy then and i kinda knew what was wrong but chose to ignore it, and spend the rest of the afternoon evening working on the RMM site so i can get the cash to buy “carbi” [a.k.a. scott scale 30].
i got up earlyish sunday morning, jumped into my riding gear and headed down the hill to yellomundee with the intention of doing possibly two laps then up the hill back to home. it was such a good feeling having the MTB rolling again. once i made it to the track i started off on the same route as last weekend, and again when climbing the firetrail, the issues began.
it is my fault because i knew it was wrong, but the gears were pretty much cactus. the new chain was about 5 links to long so it was just horrible and could not withstand any pressure on the down stroke what-so-ever, not to mention the fact that when the chain was on granny ring at the front and little back the rear derailer was almost collapsing into the rear sprocket. i am such an idiot.
i managed to find a reasonably safe/comfortable gear that didn’t slip and decided to climb the hill instead. i went up pretty much without a hitch so i decided i would do the hill again but this time with some training bursts. 5 min rest, 1 min push xtra hard, 5 min rest, 1 min push etc. that way i was getting some kind of work out.
i reached the top the second time and decided to call it a day and head home, to shorten the chain. lachlan and i did so on the bottom deck. i just hope all is fine for this weekends race in canberra. i didn’t really get a chance to test the new chain length out.
i am really starting to learn so much more mechanically about bikes, which i must admit i am really enjoying. i also set-up the full tool kit with grandpa’s inherited tool box and all my bike bits. its quiet a good little set-up now. all ready for the 8hr this weekend… come on canberra, i am pumped.