frozen gears

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jonnyboy

New Member
Location
Durham
Hi there, does anyone on here ride a Nexus, was just wondering if anybody has had any trouble in the minus tempuratures with thier gears dont know if its the shifters, the cable or the gear hub itself that freezes. They work perfectly when the temp goes up a bit!!
 

zacklaws

Guru
Location
Beverley
I don't have a Nexus, but my MTB had the same problem tonight on the front deraileur. As it was pitch black I could not see what was happening exactly, but I do know the cable was slack on occasions when I changed and nothing would happen, but as I was more concerned with staying upright on the ice, I was just happy to engage any gear. Temperature when I left work was -10 but the most annoying part was it was my first run out on my bike since the weekend after I had stripped every thing down and greased all my cables etc.
 
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jonnyboy

New Member
Location
Durham
Nightmare!!! done the same thing with gear and brake cables yesterday but still froze this mornin withim minutes, gonna pretend im on a fixed wheel till it warms up I think :rolleyes:
 

Maz

Guru
Hi there, does anyone on here ride a Nexus, was just wondering if anybody has had any trouble in the minus tempuratures with thier gears dont know if its the shifters, the cable or the gear hub itself that freezes. They work perfectly when the temp goes up a bit!!
Sounds like the lubricant in the freehub is frozen up. Happened to me last week (it was -7 overnight). Worked fine when the temperature was a tropical zero celcius.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Try and keep the bike indoors overnight at least, and if possible during the day - that will stop any deep freezes of any cables/components, but if the bike is in a shed/garage, then in a bike shed at work, things will freeze up fast.

I've had a freehub freeze on the MTB meaning having to abort a ride, but that was 2 years ago - during last winter/this winter, when the 'geared' bike (e.g. the MTB with spikes) was required, it comes indoors. The fixed can stay in the garage (now't to freeze)....

With this, haven't had any issues, even with the mechs/gears covered in thick ice/snow from off road riding.

Hope that helps.
 
Location
Edinburgh
Hi there, does anyone on here ride a Nexus, was just wondering if anybody has had any trouble in the minus tempuratures with thier gears dont know if its the shifters, the cable or the gear hub itself that freezes. They work perfectly when the temp goes up a bit!!

Had the same happen to me over the freeze. Barring keeping it in the house/office, not a lot can be done.
 

Jezston

Über Member
Location
London
Had the same last week for the first leg of my journey home. Could only change between middle and big ring on my chainset, couldn't change back gears at all.

A short journey on a warm train for the second leg of my journey seemed to fix it.

That reminds me, I should bring my bike in from outside!
 
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jonnyboy

New Member
Location
Durham
thanks for the replies the bike is kept indoors (cupboard under the stairs warmest room in the house)but within 10 mins it is frozen -10.5 this mornin so no wonder really!!! only 2 more commutes left tho. just gonna put up and shut up i think
 

Roadrunner78

Senior Member
Location
Scotland
Can this happen to freewheels? I just got a shimano freewheel after two dicta freewheels packing in. I went to the shops this afternoon and it was missing engagement?? It was in the shed all night probably damp after my morning run home (night shift). The brakes were frozen. The new freewheel has done 6 miles!

Sorry for the hijack.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Can this happen to freewheels? I just got a shimano freewheel after two dicta freewheels packing in. I went to the shops this afternoon and it was missing engagement?? It was in the shed all night probably damp after my morning run home (night shift). The brakes were frozen. The new freewheel has done 6 miles!

Sorry for the hijack.

Yes - had it happen to me - free wheeled in both directions - no drive. If this happens in the middle of no-where, pee on it.
 

Jezston

Über Member
Location
London
Thanks. I was starting to think the whole single speed thing is not as low maintenance as described. Fixie is best :smile:.

Are Nexus hubs filled with oil? I'd imagine it would have to be seriously cold if that was the case.

Anyone know how a 3-speed Sturmey Archer copes with sub zero temperatures? My next bike is being fitted with one.
 
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jonnyboy

New Member
Location
Durham
Are Nexus hubs filled with oil? I'd imagine it would have to be seriously cold if that was the case.

Anyone know how a 3-speed Sturmey Archer copes with sub zero temperatures? My next bike is being fitted with one.


Yes ur supossed to change it every year but havin thought about it i'm sure its the cable thats freezing it just feels like the cable when thumbing the shifter!!
 
thanks for the replies the bike is kept indoors (cupboard under the stairs warmest room in the house)but within 10 mins it is frozen -10.5 this mornin so no wonder really!!! only 2 more commutes left tho. just gonna put up and shut up i think

Move the gears more often whilst you're moving...
 

Shut Up Legs

Down Under Member
My tip: sleep with your bike. It'll be nice and warm and cosy under the blankets with you, and you can get to know it a whole lot better ;). Just remember to wash your sheets carefully, as the grease stains can be a real bugger to remove.

Cheers,

--- Victor.
 
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