[smdubovsky]

Cassette when off the hub can be cleaned w/ just about anything. Carrier is aluminum so don't use anything caustic (lye). Brake cleaner is fine. DONT clean w/ aggressive solvents while its still on the freehub (or at least take care where you spray/drip). There are seals in that. Mineral spirits and a brush work fine too.

Re: cassette. Not a ridiculous name. You think of it as a housing for the magnetic tape that keeps all the parts together. An advantage vs the prior reel-to-reel which was slow and cumbersome to change. In a bike most of the larger gears (at a minimum) are pinned together w/ the correct keying/orientation for the shift ramps and to slide over the freehub. An advantage over the prior thread-on freewheel. Motorcycles sometimes use cassette transmissions that pull out the side as a complete unit. Allows rapidly replacing w/ a different complete unit that has different ratios for a certain tracks. No case splitting required. Cassette means case.

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by Potomac-Greg

The RD (rear derailleur?) hanger is definitely bent. I took it all apart and in addition to the slightly bent hanger, I found a pivot point in the RD itself to be snapped out of joint (and it's not a repairable joint). I'm amazed it went 1/2 mile.

I was literally rolling up to a red light trying to delay stopping so I could keep my feet in the clips, and when I dropped to 1st gear (at about 1.5 MPH) the RD went into the spoke, the rear locked, and -- my feet were still in the clips as I toppled over. British comedy at its best. Thankfully too slow for major damage.

Maintenance question. I assume it's always a good idea to clean up the cassette (which is a ridiculous name for a stack of gears). Is it OK to shoot it with brake cleaner?

Simple green or the like works well on assembled wheels and bikes. You have to keep the other parts in mind. Brake cleaner might overspray on to a tire and attack it.

Good that the hanger is removable some are not and this kind of event turns them into SS or fixie frames.

I treat my road bike reasonably well and still need to tune the hanger now and then. My Di2 was hesitating between the smallest cogs and it was the hanger. I carry a spare banger on the MTM bike. Pre tuned it to the frame and added it to the in to the wild kit.

Cogs chains chai rings and the rest of the drive line needs some care but is not the inside of a motor. Simple green some brushes and a hose works wonders and is not harmfull to the rest of the bike. I clean them before I overhaul them.

[APKhaos]

The 5YO twins rode their 20" bikes 19.1 miles on the C&O canal today.

http://www.strava.com/activities/185311066

Was just telling VG the interesting part of the story:

When we turned around after PB&Js at 9.5 miles I was convinced I'd made the worst parenting decision ever, and was certain to be stuck with tired hurting kids with miles left to go and no way to self rescue. They were total champs and bought it home in great spirits. They love their bikes. Adam hit every mud hole and puddle on the trail. He is totally proud of the mud covering him and his bike.

Back on topic, I chased adjustment on my old Ultegra RD for months. Could never quite get it right. When VG got his hanger tester mine was a good 15 degrees off. Got it straightened and the shifting has been crisp ever since. Makes a huge difference, and if your bike has been dropped on the right side chances are good that the hanger is tweaked.

[Dr K]

Originally Posted by APKhaos

The 5YO twins rode their 20" bikes 19.1 miles on the C&O canal today.

Wow! Just WOW! Congratulations.

[Dr K]

WANT TO BORROW (for this weekend)
Rear-of-car bike rack (the kind you strap to the lift gate). Pick up Wednesday, can return Sunday.

If it works for me, I'll buy one. I'm kicking myself that I gave the one I had away last year (who knew I'd be riding again... ).

Peter

[VaSteve]

Come get it, you can have it back. Seriously.

[Dr K]

Thanks, but too far to drive to PWC--I was about to say "are you going to VIR" but...D'oh!

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by Dr K

WANT TO BORROW (for this weekend)
Rear-of-car bike rack (the kind you strap to the lift gate). Pick up Wednesday, can return Sunday.

If it works for me, I'll buy one. I'm kicking myself that I gave the one I had away last year (who knew I'd be riding again... ).

Peter

Check craigs list. the trunk mount type bike racks are a common inexpensive item there. Might find one for cheap near you.

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by APKhaos

The 5YO twins rode their 20" bikes 19.1 miles on the C&O canal today.

http://www.strava.com/activities/185311066

Was just telling VG the interesting part of the story:

When we turned around after PB&Js at 9.5 miles I was convinced I'd made the worst parenting decision ever, and was certain to be stuck with tired hurting kids with miles left to go and no way to self rescue. They were total champs and bought it home in great spirits. They love their bikes. Adam hit every mud hole and puddle on the trail. He is totally proud of the mud covering him and his bike.
.

That is just happy stuff. The tone of a ride is king. Good daddy makes for a good ride with the kiddos. (That and a bit of riding makes PB&J samichiz taste real good)

[vranko]

Originally Posted by Dr K

WANT TO BORROW (for this weekend)

I assume you're not using your tow vehicle. If you were you could borrow my (previously Seltzer's) tow hook bike rack. Fit's three bikes.