| (Long Distance) Ramblings |
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I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out). "The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget." "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
Tandem Bicycle MaintenanceSummer is over; Fall has fallen in the form of wet rain. As such, we are now riding our rain bikes. On the first of November, we took the Cannondale rain tandem out and rode the Oregon Randonneur Rorest Grove - Birkie Permanent. During the ride, we noticed that our tandem was in need of some maintenance. The front bottom bracket was complaining very loudly. We wondered if it would last the entire ride, but it did. Today was a very sunny day, a day just screaming "Get out and ride your bike!". But I am coming off a five day illness and while I really wanted to ride, it would be best if I took another recovery day. So, I decided to do some maintenance on the Cannondale Tandem. Now, I could have taken it down to the local bike shop to have the maintenance done, but then I would be free to ride. I put the tandem in the repair stand and started. I did not get far. This bike has ISIS bottem brackets and I did not have the correct tool to pull the cranks. Off the the LBS I go and come back with the correct crank puller ($15.99 )and one new bottom bracket($18.99). It was the last one they had. With my new tool, I successfully pulled the captain's cranks off. Now, looking at the bottom bracket, I realized that I did not have the correct tool to remove the ISIS bottom bracket. Off to the LBS I go and come back with the correct bottom bracket tool ($18.99). I successfully pull the bottom bracket and install the new one. I clean the cranks and reinstalled. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I decided to check the stoker's bottom bracket. While it was not nearly as bad as the front, it also needed replacing. The drive chain also was worn and needed replacing. Calling another LBS, yes they had the correct sized bottom bracket, but it was a high end one and it costs $59.95. Ouch! In comparison, the new chain was only $32.95. So, after $34.98 in new tools and $122,85 in parts, the rain tandem is ready to face the worst of the Oregon winter.
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