This Weather Concerns me

[Plax]

Don't know about the squeaking but it's almost certain that your symptoms are the result of your replaceable rear derailer hanger being bent rather than the mech itself.

That sounds promising. On the hybrid I managed to straigten the hanger on the rear mech myself. I'm still not quite up to fiddling on my "new" bike though. However being as it is already damaged I doubt I could do much worse.

 

[mickle]

Being a sacrificial component they are s'posed to be weak, often too flimsy imo.

You can bend most aluminum hangers once. Bend it twice (by straightening it back) and it will be severely weakened.

Buy a new one, not worth the risk of having your mech end up in the wheel.

 

[Plax]

Being a sacrificial component they are s'posed to be weak, often too flimsy imo.

You can bend most aluminum hangers once. Bend it twice (by straightening it back) and it will be severely weakened.

Buy a new one, not worth the risk of having your mech end up in the wheel.

Too true, I think it is probably worth me taking it to the LBS anyway. I know I can do basic stuff myself, but I don't know if I'm experienced enough to know if things like the hub, BB etc are knackered.

 

[Plax]

Ok, just thought I'd update you all. I'm sure you all *really* want to know.
Took bike to LBS Tues eve. They just called to say the bike is ready to collect. The back wheel was out of true and the hanger was bent (as Mickle correctly diagnosed). They have fixed that and checked the bike over. I also asked them to change the brake pads while they were at it as the front one in particular was worn right down.

So they did all that and it has come to a princely sum of £30. Lot cheaper than I thought. Hopefully everything will be fine when I collect after work.

I'll change the bar tape myself eventually as that is scuffed, and I shall just have to put up with the cosmetic damage to the right shifter. Is it easy to change bar tape yourself?

As for my leg, I have a spectacular bruise. It's massive and has gone a really nice purple. Mr Plax said I should go to the Drs to get it looked at, but I've told him not to be such a worrier. It doesn't really hurt anymore unless you poke it and I've stopped aching everywhere else.

 

[RSV_Ecosse]

Glad to hear you and your bike are on the mend!!

 

[Downward]

Weathers warmed over the last 24 hours but will freeze tonight and the roads are wet.
Got in 1 day this year at least !

 

[J4CKO]

Yep, was foggy both ways, icy as well on the way back, no fun whatsover, at least with ice you can see it normally, with the Fog you get that uneasy feeling like descending through cloud in a plane, you know its there but cant see it, can feel it though !

Drivers were being nice though.

 

[levad]

Just been out to check the weather. Freezing fog and the road is icy. I guess the damp yesterday hasn't helped. Anyway, in the car for the first time this year

I thought summer had arrived yesterday as the temperature did not drop below 1C on the way home

Got an hour to kill now before I have to leave.

 

[goo_mason]

One of those mornings here where there's frost so thick that it's like a coating of snow ! Had to get off and walk a few times this morning, though only on the downhills with tight hairpins at the bottom.

Ice & frost is weird though - I can cycle down a street where the cars are completely iced up and the road's got a thick frosty coating, then I turn the corner and the cars are ice & frost-free and the road's just wet. Turn the next corner and it's back to winter wonderland again !

 

[Tharg2007]

chilly here in manchester but not freezing, valve went on my geared bike so reluctantly took the bob jackson out, loked a bit damp and had no mudguards but had no choice. Turned out to be a good move as it was dry enough and the ride in was very comfy on the vigorelli. Hope ride back is as water free.

 

[4F]

Hmmmm not been on the bike yet this year. I don't do ice and given that I have had free use of a car over the last 3 weeks then it will be next weekend before I start again. The first 6 miles of my commute are all narrow country lanes and I worry more about being hit by a car that has lost control rather than going arse over tit. hohum

 

[Unkraut]

Coldest so far today, and my commute was at minus 13.4C. It has not got above freezing for several days now, and there is powdery snow everywhere. Most of the road and even cycle tracks are clear, and what hasn't been cleared is packed down hard and reasonably easy to cycle on with due care. Just about managed to keep warm with extra fleece lining to jacket and thickest tights under the bib longs, though my feet have only just warmed up after a couple of hours! My record was a couple fo degrees colder than this, and I am curious to see if I could only once perhaps be a real icebiker and manage say under minus 18C.
After that, it can gladly warm up again, as putting on all the layers seems to be taking longer than the actual ride (7 miles).

 

[silverbow]

Cycled between woodbridge and rendlesham, suffolk this morning - freezing fog and heavy frost - temp v.cold. The fields looked great though - like a scene form the Lion, witch and wardrobe unfortunatley I didn't have the camera. Hopefully the weather will be the same tomorrow (yes I did just say that, it is saturday so most others won't be communting) and I can get a couple of good pics. I'm on an old USAF base and the fog hangs here, visiablity about 20 metres.

 

[Downward]

Tonight it was damp, dark not too cold. Was in a hurry as meeting wife in town so speeded off.
The weather seemed to really turn and by the time I got there it was freezing. An hour later in no gloves and just shorts the mile home was freezing.

On the plus side all that rushing meant I got home 3 mins quicker overall than my previous best time done in the summer.

 

[fossyant]

Shorts ....... no gloves....are you nuts !!! You'll do no good to tendons, joints, muscles not keeping them warm...