Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: Pump Maintenance

« on: March 23, 2013, 06:10:56 am »

Here's how this turned out.  A polite email to Topeak customer support yielded a supply of barrel o-rings and replacing the o-ring immediately restored the pump to like-new performance (woo-hoo). 

Careful examination of the old o-ring found it about .004" undersize in crossection and there were some very small tears in the sealing surface visible under 30x.  I had assumed that there would have been either a large amount of wear degradation or swelling, but the old o-ring had enough dimensional integrity to have sized a replacement (I believe a 2.4x17.3mm available at o-rings.com).  I had originally been thrown off by the normal practice in o-ring world of sizing the o-ring by the barrel and groove sizes, but that approach did not yield anything close. 

I read that Buna-n (the most likely material) is susceptible to atmospheric degradation, particularly from ozone.  Might explain why my pumps always fail after a year-or-so of urban commuter riding, even with little use. 

Last note- barrel corrosion and all that loose aluminum oxide seems to be a contributor the problem.  The pump handle on the roadmorph latches securely so I now carry it upside down to keep rain out of the barrel.

2

Gear Talk / Re: Chain selection

« on: March 10, 2013, 01:36:49 pm »

Bordering on straying from topic, but John, what was your lube for that chain life?  You're doing a little better than I am with white lightening (~2500mi). 

3

Gear Talk / Pump Maintenance

« on: March 08, 2013, 06:10:11 am »

I have a recurring problem with pump maintenance on my 0-ring sealed pumps (currently w/ road morphG, but also w/ other pumps).  After a year or two of use (mainly being carried around), my pumps lose efficiency or quit working.  They've been thoroughly cleaned and inspected and I can see nothing wrong. After a good clean and lube they get better but never reclaim their new efficiency.  After a recent cleaning, I lubed the pump with some high quality turbine oil, which prevented it from working at all.  My conclusion was that the o-ring has to generate enough friction to seat itself.  I replaced the turbine oil with some sticky chainsaw bar-lube, which made the pump work, but not at its new efficiency. 

Does anyone have a secret for keeping pumps at top efficiency over the long term?

4

General Discussion / Re: The TransAmerican for a beginner?

« on: October 31, 2012, 03:09:31 am »

Just finished TA W>E in nine weeks starting Aug 18.  Crossed Rockies the day after the first snow in mid-september.  Woke up to about five frosts, all but one west of Rockies.  Generally wonderful daytime riding weather, but weather in east was getting a little volatile toward the end and it was still warmish in eastern Oregon at the beginning.

5

General Discussion / Tales of Calamity and Woe

« on: October 31, 2012, 03:00:11 am »

On recent TA I cracked a frame and broke a hub flange.  Both events happened at fortuitous locations and together resulted in only a day-and-a-half of downtime.  So I'm sure many or most could better my tale and I thought a thread to share tales of disastrous tour events might be enlightening.

6

Gear Talk / Re: Chain Maintenance on Tour

« on: October 31, 2012, 02:44:00 am »

Just finished TA using White Lightning.  Replaced chain at ~2500mi w/ .75% stretch.  On steep eastern grades over 8% it was difficult to eliminate squeaks.  Most effective application was warm chain, warm lube, and thorough drying, which had a certain nuisance value to achieve.  Lubing and jumping back on the bike usually made things worse.
I remain committed to wax lubes for their tidiness especially for my commuters.  Plan to give Boeshield a try.

7

General Discussion / Re: Near miss with truck on Trans-Am

« on: August 06, 2012, 08:15:28 pm »

I hold a commercial driver's license and l bicycle tour.  I figure there is about five of us. 
Here's my advice:
When on a two lane road and you see a truck coming, look in your mirror.  If a car is coming from behind, get over and pay attention.  If another truck is coming from behind, just pull over on the shoulder.  You'll only have to do it a few times a day and I can promise you it will be appreciated.

8

General Discussion / Re: Chamoix cream is it worth it?

« on: August 06, 2012, 07:55:49 pm »

I have one spot on one cheek that's a a chronic problem.  Managed with a combination of all advice here:
Spot application of small amount chamois butter each am
Cleaning with baby wipes each pm.
Application of small amount budreaux's butt paste each pm.
Cleaning with baby wipe in the am and start all over

9

General Discussion / Re: Transporting a bicycle

« on: August 06, 2012, 07:45:13 pm »

Have had my LBS box my bike up several times for shipment to bike shop at start of tour.  No complaints about the process.  The LBS doesn't charge a lot and do a great job at minimizing box size which saves a few shipping bucks.  It's an inexpensive luxury to get off a bus in a faraway town and roll out a few minutes later with your assembled bike.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Bike Shorts

« on: August 06, 2012, 07:37:42 pm »

I'm going to throw in a vote for the J&G touring shorts.  Light and airy, dry quick, can use as swim trunks in a pinch.  Wear them over a pair of cycling shorts or underwear and it's like sitting on a pillow.

11

General Discussion / Re: How many cloths for a tour?

« on: May 03, 2012, 06:31:11 pm »

My simplistic approach:
Figure out what you would wear on the coldest day.  Bring that.
Add some extra socks,shorts, and a shirt so they can be drying after a wash at any given time.
Add rain gear.
Add some shoes other than your cycling shoes.

12

General Discussion / Re: Bike Shipping Info.

« on: May 03, 2012, 06:20:52 pm »

I see no takers on a specific shop.  My generalized approach:
Google-map the airport
Search for bicycle shops
Pick some near public transportation
Streetview the shops to find one you like the looks of
Give them a call and see if they are interested

worked so far.

13

Gear Talk / Re: Chain selection

« on: March 02, 2012, 04:24:29 am »

Anybody have any experience with KMC chains?  I was about to mount one for a TA trip and hoped it might make the whole trip(always the optimist). 
And John N, how about sharing some of that arduously collected data?  What's your chain life average and the range?

14

General Discussion / Re: Communications on tour

« on: March 01, 2012, 04:21:09 am »

I use a standard cellphone which I turn once or twice a day to make calls and check messages.  The battery lasts at least a week used this way. 

I also use a GPS SPOT locator so my wife knows I'm OK, even where there is no cell service.  She could also hunt me down if anything untoward happened.  When her car was hit while I was touring, she was able to contact me through the campground host at a remote campground she saw that I was staying at in the SPOT log.

15

General Discussion / Re: Long distance trip alone?

« on: January 25, 2012, 09:56:56 pm »

If you're considering it, you probably have the temperament for it.  I've ridden 350, 700, 800, and 1400 mile rides by myself and am planning a TA trip for this year.  Never seemed overly lonely; you just stop and talk to people when it suits.  If you feel like cranking out a long day, or loafing, there's no need to submit it to a committee. 
My wife (she doesn't ride) insists she is not going to be one of those wives whose husband disappears from the face of the earth, so I carry a SPOT satellite locator (see link below).  She'll at least know where to look if something drastic happens.  I haven't followed through on it yet, but I've meant to carry some sort of ID and contact info on my person in case there was an incapacitating accident of some sort.  I've worked in an ER, and I'd say it is unlikely that ID in your bags would find its way to the ER with you.
But that's all a downer:  Have fun with it.  Riding up from Orlando through GA you'll be picking up some conditioning by the time you need it.

bcs

link to SPOT locator site: http://www.findmespot.com/en/